Where are we? Apparently, I was not paying attention at all, my mind in la-la-world. Before I knew it, we were parked outside Yama. "Is Japanese okay?" "Yeah, sounds good to me." Yama, is like one of those old skool Japanese restaurants. No frills, no thrills, just back to basic sushi. Where the barista is the owner/sushi-chef/waitress/your aunt. You know, it's a "keep it in the family" establishment. Ordered the chirashi bowl (surprise, surprise) and it was GOOD. The beer made the sushi better and I'm sure if I had the saki, well, it would have been one hootin' night. I don't really remember the conversation because it felt like a hazy evening, with so many thoughts jumbled and tossed around, but the food was well worth it. Oh, and the fish portions were great!!! read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The answer to my sashimi addiction while I interned in Union Square. Lunchtime is the best time, give a few sakes some sips while you peruse their sushi prices. Very reasonable, given the size and quality of the fish they curate read more

Love the tender large pieces of Sushi. The interior of the restaurant could use a much needed remodel but the outdoor sidewalk shed is one of the best I've seen, and for the great prices I can overlook the interior decor. read more

For the amount of money you spend here, the staff should be more courteous! I arrived a little after 7:30 on a Wednesday night and was told the wait was 10-15 minutes. It turned into 30-40 minutes! The host (Japanese guy with the ponytail) seated this elder couple before us (though they were behind us and just came in 10 minutes ago) without asking us if it's okay. When seats at the sushi bar opened up, we were ignored again and the seats were given to individuals that just walked in and knew the cashier. It was just ridiculous. We were finally seated and the service was fast. But you should have to deal with such unnecessary drama, especially when the doorway is so small. On top of that, the sushi rolls were okay. The sashimi was fresh - definitely, but not worth the hassle. Yamas should know they are not the only place in town. I was a big fan and really recommended the place to a lot of people. It's definitely on my sh*t list now. I am sticking to Sushi Yasuda from now on. BEWARE of YAMAS ....I was a patron for 5 years! read more

I came here for lunch for two when we were looking for a quick lunch. It's very small seating - probably seats about 15-20 people maximum - so we were elbow to elbow with the people next to us. The menu is pretty simple - appetizers, some sushi, some combos, some special rolls (but nothing really popped out to me) - so we ordered the Sushi Zen combo, which is a great deal. It's a salmon scallion roll (6 pcs), half a tuna roll (3 pcs), half an avocado cucumber roll (3 pcs), assorted sushi (ebi, tuna, salmon, yellowtail and one other - I forgot), and two pieces each of assorted sashimi (salmon, tuna, yellowtail). You get a choice of a side salad or soup. For $15, it's very filling and the sushi is pretty fresh. I might actually come back just for this combo! Service isn't great because it is slightly packed, but they do listen to you and whenever asked, they do provide whatever you need. Green tea is offered for free. read more

Wow each piece of sushi must be like 2.3 inches big; I wanted an updated profile pic for Yelp, but holding one of these mofos to my face for more than 2 seconds is a circus act in itself. One special roll consist of 5 of these monsters. I really liked #7, the scallop + flying fish roe + cucumber + avocado + spicy mayo. The very special rolls consist of 8 pieces. We tried the tri-color roll. Tasty, melty in my mouthy! Prices are reasonable. We didn't have to wait at all for a small table at 6:30pm on a Tuesday, although a small line started mounting a little afterwards. read more

Yama - tuna+ yellow tail up front, tri-color in the mid, scallops backing the left, salmon back right. yes please. - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Been going to this spot for years. It's an underrated gem. All the $ goes towards the fresh fish. If you're looking for fancy decor to upload to Instagram, this isn't it. If you're looking for some of the best tasting sushi in the city, welcome to Yama. read more

Amazing food, mellow atmosphere and incredibly clean and quiet block. Yama has been around forever - still Love it. Sashimi is cut to perfection, on the bias and sushi rice delicious read more

Fresh sushi, the spiciest wasabi I have ever had, and quick reliable service these are the reasons Yama doesn't disappoint. We had excellent tempura, the deluxe sushi platter was so colorful with roe. The place is small get there early or you'll wait in line. If that ends up happening it's worth the wait. read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I read that this place has VERY fresh sushi, and it is correct. Prices are decent and the quality/quantity is good. I got the spicy mayo salmon roll...and mm it filled me up! I'm sure if i was more hungry I would have to order another one..but they are big rolls... since there aren't as many pieces. around 9$ read more

Yama - salmon roll with spicy mayo - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The first time I came here was before I lived in NY. I was visiting a friend and she insisted that we trudge through the slush for many blocks to come to this below ground gem. Years later when i moved to NY I vowed to scour the streets until I found this house of seawater freshness. One day a realized that I had been walking past it for months on my back and forth from my hom on E18th to work In Union Square. And so the love affair began. Very friendly service. Generous, insanely fresh cuts of fish. Authentic and non-gimmicky rolls (read: no cream cheese on other oddities). Comfortable clean setting. And reasonably priced. TIP: Get the sush/sashimi platter for 2 and a roll or two and you have more than enough for 4 people for little $$'s. read more

Came here on a packed Friday night. Waited 30 minutes and sat at the sushi bar. Its tucked away at the bottom of a building. We got there during the rush and by the time we went to leave, it had cleared out and was a very enjoyable environment. Ordered the Omakase and were NOT disappointed. Received a noodle bowl and soup along with unlimited sake. The chef was fabulous and worked hard. We were very pleased and would love to come back again soon! read more

Yama - Omakase - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The one and only reason I am giving Yama 4 stars is because there is ALWAYS a wait at prime time during the week. Always. it's a small little place in the basement of the Washington Irving house (yes, of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow fame), so ya know? What can you do. But the huge cuts of sushi are delectable. So perfect. We had a group of 6 and ordered a boat and we had about 20 pieces left because #1-we ordered too much and #2 the rolls are huge. And the prices are super reasonable. Sake and Sushi at Yama--yeah, there is a wait, but there are waits at the fish markets in Tokyo, so get over yourself. You're in Manhattan. Just go to Pete's Tavern while you wait and grab a beverage and Yama will call you. Duh! read more

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There is generally a dinner crowd at Yama and last night was no exception. Was there with a friend at 8pm and was informed of a 15-30 minute wait. We were seated around 20 minutes later, and hungry for some dinner. If you've never been to Yama, it's a tiny (low-ceiling) place sub-level restaurant that seats about 35 in each of their two (minuscule) dinning spaces, not including the bar which serves about 8. The tables are close together, and if you easily get distracted with others conversations or have don't like tight space, Yama might be just too cozy for your taste. I wasn't bothered by any of these factors as I've been to Yama in a few other occasions and have squeezed into some of their smallest corners for dinner. What I was here for was the food. As for our meal, we order and thought the: Scallops & Asparagus $9.95 - cooked in garlic and butter = DEVINE!; Tri-Color (Special Roll) $12.50 - needed the tobiko wasabi + sauce = more dimension to the roll and to make it truly special; Sashimi Entree $21.50 - combo of yellow tail, mackeral, salmon and tuna (3 pieces each) + house salad = filling, especially if you eat the bowl of rice that comes with it; fresh fish; tho ginger dressing was a tad too tart for my taste (but they're liberal with it!). Need more food for thought? See photos! read more

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Totally not expecting to find such a cozy and delicious sushi place around Union Square! A friend too me here during the week day, we came around 8pm and didn't have to wait at all and we sat at the sushi bar. We ordered Miso Soup, Yellowtail Carpaccio, Sashimi without Shellfish, several special roll and individual pieces of sushi and Chilean Seabass. All the sushi and sashimi were absolutely delicious! They were super fresh and there were so much more fish than rice in the roll and sushi. The only disappointment was the Chilean Seabass, it was dry and stiff, normally the Miso Glazed Chilean Seabass is very tender and should milt in your mouth, but what we got was not tasty and it was not tender at all. It was the only cooked dish we got, I think I will just stick with sushi and sashimi when I come next time. The service were friendly and food came pretty fast as well. Nothing else to complain. I am really happy to have found Yama and will come back here for sure. read more

Yama - Sashimi without shellfish - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Don't order the sashimi dinner if you want fresh fish. They include imitation crab, which is a cured fish. They also have the worst customer service I have ever seen. Very defensive and didn't offer a substitute when we pointed this out to them. Their listed hours are also wrong -- they tried closing on us early, too! read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Great little spot. Lots of outdoor dining. Sushi is normal priced and good. Staff is very friendly. Highly recommend. It's a gem in gramercy. read more

When you go to Yama, it's all about the fish. I honestly was expecting something else when I walked in. I knew the fish was going to be top of the line, but I hadn't the slightest in regards to atmosphere, and overall look and feel. The mystique created by it's easy to pass-by entrance and below-ground location lend to an expectation of something more beautiful than the brightly lit, worn-down dining room you end up in... more to come on that in a minute, but before I go any further, the most important aspect of a restaurant is what they serve, and Yama serves five star quality fish. Second only to 15 East, it's great sushi and incredibly reasonable compared to the the pricier 15 East, Nobu, and others. Now that we're clear about that, as I began to say, the atmosphere can use some work. It's those small subconscious communications sent to guests by an old menu, the worn out chairs, and chipped paint. Minor details that shout "I don't care," but after tasting the fish, you'll quickly understand that they do. Dear Yama, Redesign your menus, signage, and dining room. Dim the lights, and turn the music up a little bit. A few hundred bucks can do wonders. Love, Armand read more

As a Japanese person I am picky about my sushi and absolutely love this spot. This is our neighborhood go to place for sushi. It's tucked away on Irving Street and has a very cozy atmosphere. read more

Came here on my first dinner date with my girlfriend and again on Valentine's Day. Waitstaff was very helpful in suggesting what sushi to order and the food was delicious! It is a very cozy restaurant and intimate setting. Would definitely suggest a reservation because you may have to wait outside which is not a problem unless it's cold or raining. Would definitely suggest checking out either with a group or on a date! read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Idk why this place has five stars. The sushi is on point the waiter that runs the front of house and sushi bar is incredibly amazing. Today I was there as the first customer and they made me my sushi box but the rice was undercooked and the fish was cold (never happens) anyways I still ate it and halfway through he came up to me and asked if everything was okay. I told him the rice was undercooked and he saw all the scrapings of rice in the corner of the box. Despite being halfway finished he took the box and replaced it with a new one! I've been a long time customer and coming here for years as well as the uptown location which is as delicious. Come here!! You won't regret and the spicy mayo is off the charts read more

This WAS my go-to sushi restaurant for well over a decade. I've spent many special occasions at this location and the one they closed on Carmine Street. But they've begun sneaking in charges for delivery when you check out on Seamless. They claim there is no delivery fee, but there is a 10% "service fee" hidden under "taxes and fees" at checkout. All told, my $22 sushi order was $34 at checkout! Unscrupulous! They also refused to substitute white tuna on a recent platter order (for those who don't know, white tuna isn't really tuna -- it's oilfish!). I would have accepted a less expensive fish or paid the difference, but they wouldn't accommodate me. Too bad they've decided to turn their backs on loyal customers. I'm going to miss that place, but I'm sure I'll find somewhere else that wants a loyal customer in NYC. read more

Came here on Tuesday night around 6pm. Not too crowded. The food was good. We ordered sushi & sashimi combination. Eel over rice. Atmosphere was calm and relaxing. Staff is friendly. read more

Yama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Great place food is all about no gimmicks only fresh good sushi. I'm coming here for years always always testy always fresh. It's all about the fish and the authentic read more

Yama - The best sushi that can find in NY - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Zen box lunch special = deliciously fresh cut sashimi and sushi! A lot of food. Place passes my miso soup test...it's fantastic!! Great place to go alone and eat at the sushi bar! read more

Yama - Great dry sake! - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

This place is absolutely awful. Terrible customer service. Staff is so rude and inconsiderate. I would not recommend this place even to my worst enemy. read more

Great reliable sushi for pickup! Love the salmon scallion specialty roll, so fresh and tasty!

Food was ok and there was a fish smell to the place . Fruit flies flying around . Not going back too many other choices in NYC

A google search took me here and it was worth every footstep. My server was very friendly, he took my order with a smile and offered me some Green Tea. The Sushi was delicious, the space is like a secret hideaway where the best Sushi happens. read more

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The best sushi in NYC. Last time I was there with several friends, one of them who had been all over the world raved that the Tuna Tartare was maybe the best thing he had ever had. And a couple in line from California asked me if I had been there before. "Oh yes, it's the best in New York!" "Yes, they said, that's what our friends here said as well..." Can't wait till next month to go there again! read more

I went here with a friend who's a bit of a sushi snob having traveled all over Japan and Asia and this is some of the freshest sushi I have had. I have been here a couple of times since and there is always a wait and the service is always pretty poor. The food is delicious - even the veggie dishes are really good. The sake is yummy. Good eats - Beef negimaki and salmon tartare read more

This is the only sushi place that we go to. The place is super cute, it's a little landmark basement at Irving place. ( because, it's a landmark they are closed on Sundays, but it's not a problem at all) the food is fresh and delicious, all the staff is friendly. Owened by Japanese they provide Japanese quality. We go there to order Special roll #5 ( it is the best thing they have) huge pieces of salmon with scallion wrapped in rice and nori, covered with spicy mayo love it read more

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How do u say awesome in Japanese? This place was recommended the me by a local. Always a good sign! The soft shell crab was melt In Your mouth quality and the spicy tuna on crispy rice was wonderful as well. The sashimi was succulent...probably because I order Toro and Yellow Tail. Did I mention the service? Professional and the hot green tea kept flowing without us having to ask. If I was a local, I would bar my review to prevent overcrowding from out of Towners like me. read more

Hole in the wall with best sushi that is consistently fresh and delicious. Special roll #7

Went there hoping for the best and we were thoroughly disappointed. Their order system first of all, is a waste of time - it's as if the wait staff is uninterested in discussing the menu with you. Hailing someone down to ask questions was difficult. They hand you a piece of paper and pen and you fill out whatever you want to order. We chose to let this go, calling it a quirk or a gimmick. We were seated next to a loud rambunctious table with an incredibly drunk patron. On the one hand, we can't place the blame on the restaurant but on the other, they were fine with serving this person alcohol and never cut him off. Cursing and yelling throughout our meal. We spoke to the waiter who basically shrugged it off. We couldn't even finish our meal it was that unpleasant. We complained to the manager who also couldn't care enough to speak with the other table or give us anything for the trouble. The food was certainly not worth the poor service, poor ambiance and high price tag. Disappointed would be an understatement. Will never return and recommend to those reading these reviews, find another spot. Any other. read more

AWESOME SUSHI! I lived in NYC for 12 years and frequented Yama throughout my time living in the city. So far it is still my favorite sushi spot in any city. The sushi is fresh and the pieces are large. They also have a great assortment of roles. I recommend the spicy tuna roll. I will definitely be frequenting this restaurant again the next time I'm in NYC. I wish they would open one in Rhode Island or Florida! read more

"So, you have sashimi which is JUST fish vs. sushi which has rice!" "Yes, the fish is uncooked." "Inside out roll? That's when the rice is wrapped OUTSIDE the seaweed." "Haha, I like it when it's all wrapped inside too." "Sure, let's get some California rolls..." ----------------E [|||||||||||||||||||||||] (X) (O) fork sashimi my left eye i die. notes: - 3 inches. really. my salmon was a grotesque 3 inches. - (Colonel Sanders voice) "I remember back in the day, when Yama.." the 1 hr+ waits are a thing of the past. - Eater Deathwatch. The Houston location, closed. - their signature spicy salmon "special" roll resembled a Jackson Pollock--wild & messy, sprayed 360 up down all around. my companion insisted I try one. "MMM." (cries) To the neighboring couple engaged in the above conversation, I'm sorry I knocked over your beers. My purse has a mind of its own and I am the worst type of clumsy. Hope you enjoyed your Cali rolls! :::secretly judging you and your jcrew lobster print shorts::: read more

Yama - 3 inch salmon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

This is my update from last night. Yama's is our favorite Japanese place in the Union Square area. We still love the sushi but the furnishings haven't changed in 20 years. Not sure why but a facelift could help. It still has a faithful following like us. Be forewarned, the tight seating is not conducive to private convo so if you're not on a date or don't care, come for the food because everything else is sub-par. read more

Yama - Sushi Deluxe - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I went here on a date a while back. As we approached the door my date was shocked to see that there was no line to get in (apparently this almost never happens?). He also built the place up by saying not only was it his favorite sushi place in New York, but one of his favorite restaurants.... hmmm... maybe this is why we are no longer dating? Just kidding! I will give him this, the sushi was incredibly fresh. It was also tasty, but not the best sushi in NYC in my opinion (sorry). Also, the decor is lacking quite a bit. I think that's the point, that it's more of an "around the corner" type of place not a swanky, upscale sushi joint... but I wasn't feeling it. The "around the corner" type of place is supposed to give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. You know, where you want to come back again and again hope after time they will learn your name and your typical order... well, I don't have to worry about that because I'm not so sure I need to come back here. read more

I went here at the suggestion of a friend who is a regular and swears by this place. I'll be taking her future suggestions with a grain of salt... If you're into quantity over quality then you'll love this place! The fish was fresh and the prices were good. The portions however, were absurd! I appreciate the thought behind them being so generous but I really do enjoy the rice too. The rolls are huge, like HUGE! I pride myself on being able to fit unusually large things in my mouth... *I'll give you a moment to laugh and possibly ponder my sexuality* ...and these things were way too big for me! The problem isn't that they're trying to cram too much into each roll, it's that they're put together in such a loose manner. If they were just rolled a bit tighter they could get the same portions down to a manageable size that isn't a chore to keep intact. I wouldn't refuse to go if I were invited back here but I won't be going back on my own. read more