This spot is really a hidden find! It's izakaya-style, so the dishes are meant to be paired with some drinks. I really enjoyed the gyu-harami ninniku shoyu yaki and the calpico-hi. The service was great, and it feels casual and lively inside. read more

I wanted a place that I could get some comfort Japanese food late at night and this spot was the place. I got a salmon rice ball, a spicy tuna rice ball, a miso soup, and the shio cabbage. The rice ball was okay. The filling to rice ratio was not great and you have to eat a lot of rice to get to the filling. Once you did, it was good but that was a little disappointing. The shio cabbage was very good. Haven't had this in a long time and it hit the spot. For a late night meal, this was pretty good. If it was the rice balls alone, it would get 3 stars but I don't think the rice balls are likely a good reflection of all their food so I'll give it another chance. read more

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I came here twice over the span of 2 weeks and both times I enjoyed dining here. The place has a casual and cozy feel, great for catching up with friends over food and drinks. Service was friendly although it was a bit difficult to get the attention of the servers but I don't blame them since it was quite busy when I went during dinner time. The first time I was here I got the pork katsu curry. The curry tasted good, it tasted homemade so it was warm and comforting. The katsu itself was just ok. The breading fell off easily and the meat was a tad on the drier side but tasted fine. My cousin got the oyako don which she said was really good. We also got an okonomiyaki as an appetizer which was yummy as well. My second visit i got the yakiniku don which was probably the best I've had in the city so far! The meat was juicy, aromatic, and tasted really good with the rice and onions. I liked that the rice came with soup, making a really nice and filling meal. My partner got the salmon don which we enjoyed too, the fish tasted fresh and it had that melt in your mouth texture. Overall, I would come back for the yakiniku don or to try their other offerings. The prices are also pretty reasonable for nyc as portions are quite generous. read more

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Read the review and decided to try this venue , the food stood out based on the reviews . My only complaint is , we did not get to finish the appetizer and the main course came , it feels very rush and the restaurant was not busy . We had an appetizers, the pancake , it was light , tasty and delicious. We ha four different entrees and all were good and tasty . Highly suggest this restaurant. read more

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I ordered the beef intestine motsunabe and it required a minimum of 2 orders so it was $56 total. It didn't come with rice and they charged $7 for two bowls. While the taste of the food was fine, my biggest issue with this meal was the price for the food that was given. There were hardly any pieces of beef intestine and the motsunabe was mostly filled with cabbage. The few pieces of the beef intestine were also quite chewy. I don't think I've been to a place that served this dish with so little beef intestine in the past and I have frequented others in NYC before. I will not be returning. read more

Donburiya - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Tamako gohan may traditionally be a breakfast food, but this izakaya in West Midtown is the first place I've see in New York to have it on the menu. And so I found myself ordering what's labeled on the menu as the "T.K.G." to pair with a tall Sapporo. In addition to winning my heart with this menu item, Donburiya really does nail the vibe that I want after a long day as a salaryman. I also tried the potato salad, which was excellent, and the fried gobo (burdock). It came with lemon, but I wish there had been some sea salt as well. Vegetarian options are not unlimited, but everything I tried was good, and the overall experience was certainly enough to entice me back. read more

Donburiya - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Donburiya on 55th Street is an absolute gem for authentic, no-frills Japanese comfort food. It perfectly captures that laid-back, cozy izakaya energy, making it a fantastic spot whether you are grabbing a quick lunch or looking for a casual dinner. The menu is massive and reasonably priced, but the real highlight is their half-and-half combo, which lets you mix and match two different mains if you are feeling indecisive. The food is consistently exceptional and served in generous portions. From their comforting rice bowls (donburi) and pork cutlets to their incredible yakiniku, everything hits the spot. The service is fast and friendly, and the overall vibe makes you feel like you've stepped right into a neighborhood spot in Tokyo. And the manager is always so nice and friendly all these years. read more

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We were looking for a late night dinner on a Friday night and found Donburiya in a convenient and walkable location to where we were staying. It's right next to the famous Soup place from Seinfeld if you are into that, but Donburiya was excellent. When you go inside, there's a cozy atmosphere to the place and staff greet you as soon as you walk in. The space is fairly large extending way back for their dining room. And the menu is huge (see pics). We ended up getting a few items and enjoyed every bite of the Omu Yakisoba and Katsu Don, and ended up getting Karaage to go for a few other people who stayed back. The restaurant is open late so you can come after a lot of places shut down. --------TL;DR-------- PROS: great location, late hours and huge menu, food was flavorful CONS: you'll end up eating a lot if you come Bottom Line: great Japanese comfort food open late, with a large selection of items, give it a try! read more

3.5 stars *AMBIANCE* I walked into Donburiya wanting a nice Japanese Izakaya dinner, and ended up getting a lung cleanse. There were a couple of available tables when walking in on a weekday. They originally sat us right in front of the kitchen, where the smoke was rolling out like a fog machine to the point I started to have a coughing fit and asked to relocate. *FOOD* I ordered the udon and the soup had nice flavor, though the tempura was soggy like it had second thoughts about being fried. The chicken karaage was just ok - I felt like this was lacking flavor and was not as moist. *SERVICE* Service was quite strange here. One of our waiters didn't say a single word to us, just a silent plate delivery. One of the other waiters was very friendly. Dishes came out in a reasonable time, but outside of that, it was nonexistent and we had to flag someone down for a check, ask for basic things, etc. Overall, Donburiya is fine if you want a hole in the wall dinner. Otherwise, maybe grab your staples somewhere else with much better service. read more

Donburiya - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Probably the closest thing I've found to a true izakaya in the states. Low key vibe, efficient service, comforting food, though at US prices (arguably not bad for NYC). - Karaage - crispy, tender, not bad - Gobo stick - simple but unique and well made Tako Wasabi - perfect palate cleanser - Ika shishi sauteed - impressive how well the pepper flavor is infused into the squid. Perfect texture too - Katsu curry - rice could've been a bit fluffier but otherwise true comfort food. The cutlet is tender and the perfect accompaniment to the bite of curry & rice - Una ju - the softest piece of fish i've ever had (in the best way) - Sake Ikura Don - larger portion than expected. - Special assorted sashimi - extremely fresh with the meltiest sashimi Nothing mind blowing and prices are not exactly a steal.. but still a solid choice - would come back! read more

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Came here for the lunch special. The pork was pretty dry. Luckily, the lunch special price didn't make me feel like I overpaid. So I could probably say I got what I paid for. The service was good. The waiter was extremely attentive and the restaurant was actually quite busy. It does make me feel like I'm in Japan. read more

Donburiya - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Donburiya is a pretty hole-in-the-wall Japanese izakaya restaurant near Central Park that my friend and his girlfriend recommended for dinner this past Thursday. We made reservations in advance, but there were still a table or two available for walk-ins. We sat at a high-top and it was pretty cramped. There was a standard menu and also a handwritten one (which I assume changes from time to time?). STEWED DICE BEEF TONGUE - 16.50 This was the only dish we ordered from the handwritten menu. There was this beef tongue option and another one from the regular menu. My friend had two different beef tongues at Donburiya before, but couldn't remember which one was the one she liked. This came in a mini cast iron skillet with diced beef tongue in a brown gravy with two pieces of toast. It was not at all like any of the beef tongues she ordered in the past, so it must be seasonable. Fortunately, we loved it! It kind of reminded me of beef stroganoff, but better. The sauce was savory with hints of sweetness and went well with the toast, and the beef tongue was so tender and flavorful. Overall, this was a solid option. OMU YAKISOBA - 17 This was very large and there was plenty to go around for the three of us. There was a large amount of yakisoba (stir-fried soba with pork and vegetables) inside the omelette which was generously drizzled with kewpie mayo, sauce, and topped with bonita flakes and furikake. It was a very dense dish with many flavors going around. We did find it to be on the saltier side, but still delicious. KATSU CURRY - 22 This was a pretty typical katsu curry -- nothing extraordinary, but it did its job. The katsu was perfectly crispy and the pork was good. The curry was on the saltier side and had small chunks of meat and diced onions. If you're looking for a safe staple, I'd recommend this option. POTATO CROQUETTE - 9.50 One order came with two relatively big potato croquettes, almost the size of my fist. It wasn't bad, but a bit underwhelming underwhelming and my least favorite out of the four we ordered. It was very crispy though. Donburiya was reasonably priced and we enjoyed our dinner. I feel like people don't usually recommend this restaurant when I'm in the mood for Japanese, and I'm confused why that is. read more

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I feel like I haven't been to a proper home cooked Japanese restaurant in NYC before so I was excited to try this place out. We came pretty late on a weekday night and there was still a ton of people in there. I became optimistic once I saw a lot of Japanese businessmen. - Katsu Curry - The katsu itself was okay, but the curry was very good. I feel like sometimes Japanese restaurants just make curry from the store bought cubes which you can definitely taste it through as it is potato and carrot flavor heavy. This place seemed to make their curry from scratch. - Una Ju - Solid eel dish, nothing particularly special. - Nabeyaki Udon - I usually try my best not to order this dish because it feels like its just chicken stock with a bunch of ingredients inside. However, this udon surprised me quite a bit as the soup had a lot of different flavors in it which soaked through all the noodles and ingredients. I would recommend. - Omu Yakisoba - Pretty standard although the egg is very yummy. Overall, I highly recommend checking this place out and I will be back for quick lunch. read more

We came for lunch on a Monday and the restaurant was fairly quiet. The have a bar and high tops in the front, and seated tables in the back. They had a lunch special for katsu's so I tried the katsu Don which was covered in egg and served with miso soup and salad. My husband had the ramen which had a rich seafood taste. We also tried a karage which was fairly standard. Can't wait to come back to try other items. read more

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Loveee!! A hidden gem with great authentic Japanese food! I had a miso ramen (which was delicious!) The staff was super kind and it feels like a bustling restaurant in Tokyo :) read more

I took my daughter to Donburiya for a post-Lincoln Center lunch. The lunch menu prices are reasonable for the food quantity and quality. On the menu is a "half and half" option, which allows you to choose two different kinds of dons. We ordered the katsu don and sukiyaki don, which also came with a small miso soup, plate of pickled radish and burdock, and salad. The dons were generously portioned, but overall too salty. The katsu chicken was very tough and overcooked. The beef was very fatty. The rice and egg were drenched in the salty broth. Given how salty the main enteee was, the pickled horseradish, which I typically like, was also too strong. The dressing on the salad was conversely too flavorful enough. It would have been nice if there had actually been more of the pickled radish to offset the other piquant flavors. My daughter really liked the miso broth. Service was excellent--the waiters were super thoughtful with bringing a straw and appropriate silverware for my daughter. The restaurant does have high chairs. The punk rock music was too loud and jarring. There was ample seating. The menu has very helpful photos and English and Japanese labeling. read more

Donburiya - Half and half katsu don and sukiyaki don $17 - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

After a long day of traveling, we stumbled upon Donburiya since it was close to our hotel and open late. I'm so glad we did because it was the perfect spot to start our trip! Donburiya is one of those Japanese underground izakaya style restaurants. The ambiance was very hip and it seemed like a popular place for locals, especially at the bar. Service was very prompt. We ordered and got our food quickly which was great because we were starving. It was one of those nights where you order a nice cold beer with your piping hot food. We got the nabeyaki udon and an order of the takoyaki. To be honest, the nabeyaki udon did lack flavor. I had to dump a lot of the hondashi and chili powder that were on the table. But I was craving a hot noodle soup so bad that it still spoke to my soul! The udon noodles themselves were a great chewy consistency. The beancurd was also sweet, which was unexpected, but still good. I'd say the takoyaki was better tasting than the udon. They have a really expansive menu, so maybe try another noodle soup if you come here. read more

Donburiya - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for a quick dinner before a show at Radio City Music hall. The prices really can't be beat especially for a full meal in the middle of Manhattan. Solo diners tend to get seated by the bar counter. The staff even pulled out my stool for me which was a nice touch. I ordered the sukiyakidon. Food is made fresh because it took a while to come out which I didn't mind at all (was watching the Osaka expo vlog they put on the TV screens). There was an ample amount of food (stewed hotpot beef slices, enoki mushroom, cilantro tasting vegetable and tofu slices) that topped the giant bowl of rice underneath. The miso soup accompanying it was a tad salty for my palette so I added it to my leftover rice and it was perfect. After paying the bill, I was given a a cup of hot tea to enjoy before leaving. read more

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We arrived right at opening and there was a family in front of us, but we were seated right away. The restaurant filled out quickly. Even on a weekday night during a holiday week. The hot green tea, which was apparently a house special was quite good. The Tonkatsu Ramen was also very good. The broth was served extremely hot and full of flavor. The large ladle was the welcome improvement over the usual large spoon. The dark lighting and warm wood tones in the restaurant are very nice. They've done a good job decorating with little plants sticking out from behind pictures. The only drawback was the waitress was not very outgoing and barely said two words to us throughout the entire dinner. read more

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I've been here a handful of times - it's deliciously well-priced authentic Japanese food (with a very nice izakaya vibe), and the space is large enough that I have never had to wait for a table. The menu is pretty long (can be a bit difficult à la decision paralysis) and they have a (cute handwritten) menu of specials, so I must admit I haven't tried most of their dishes (nor any of their drinks). But what I have gotten has consistently been fantastic - some highlights include: - Oroshi tonkatsu set: the katsu is so yummy with a wonderful texture (fried to a good balance of not being too oily or soggy). The whole set comes with a generous amount of food (soup, salad as well), and specifically I just love the taste of oroshi in the light dashi broth. I've also had the curry katsu before - the curry itself was pretty good, nothing too notable to point out, and the katsu was similarly delicious. - Sukiyaki donburi was a particular favourite. The sweet flavour went with the tender sliced beef so nicely, and it came with a good assortment of tofu, veggies, and egg for a very well balanced dish. Yakiniku don was yummy too - not too salty, beef savoury and well-cooked, and the rice/sauce combo complemented everything nicely. I've had the chicken karaage as an appetiser a few times before, and it was a bit inconsistent each time (sometimes a bit soggy breading / not tender meat). I feel like it's not really worth the price (especially compared to the cost most of the main dishes on the menu). Indeed, overall the price point is very solid here - esp for the neighbourhood. Even though I read some reviews suggesting that they are a no-tip restaurant, I fear this may no longer be the case, sigh. Would love to come back again soon! read more

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Solid donburi spot with a whole range of other options like nabe, ramen, etc so if you're with a group that has different opinions about what to get this is a great option! Service was quick and the food was solid. I got the half and half with beef sukiyaki and the unagi with egg/tofu. It was cool they let you choose two toppings. They give a lot of rice! The beef sukiyaki was generous but just fyi if you are getting the unagi with egg/tofu, there are not many unagi pieces. I think I got like 2-3, which was kinda sad about. Otherwise the food is decent! read more

Donburiya - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

It has honestly been a long time since I have eaten at a restaurant like this. Not since I left Japan had I been able to really enjoy a proper donburi set meal, so needless to say I was quite excited to pop into this place. It's a narrow but cozy space, a bar but not a loud one. It reminded me of many such izakayas I had been to in my time in Japan, which was a nostalgic delight as I waited for my meal. I rarely order alcohol when out and about, but I ended up ordering a Highball, a favorite of mine. It is essentially a whiskey soda. Just be aware that the version with Jamesson is cheaper than the one with Suntory Toki, I did not see the difference on the menu. As for the food itself, it was delightful. Nicely cooked katsu mixed with an egg and sauce mixture served on a bed of rice. It's a simple meal but a really good one. This was served teishoku style with miso soup and traditional Japanese pickles, which I discovered that I quite enjoy. If you want a decently traditional Japanese meal like the ones you'd get from any proper Japanese diner, this is definitely worth dedicating an evening meal to. read more

Donburiya - Sauce Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I came here for a lunch one day and had a great time. The interior of Donburiya is cozy, warm, and good for a 1:1 meal. The service was really sweet and pretty quick. Their menu offers a variety of donburi, curry, nabe, and more. I got the curry udon while my friend got their kimchi hotpot. Both portions were good, the food was so comforting, and it was perfect for a cold day. read more

Donburiya - Curry Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Came here before a Broadway show on recommendation from a friend. It's a bit hidden, but stepping inside reveals a nice dark wood interior with a long bar and plenty of seating, even at 6:00 PM. I sat at the bar, and the bartender was super friendly and kept checking in on me during the evening. They give you a cup of hot tea when you sit down, which really helped with the cold weather outside. I got the Sukiyaki Udon, and wow was it good! It's a large portion of noodles and had plenty of beef. The poached egg in it really added to the richness of the dish, mixing with the broth well. Additionally, the broth was hearty and not too salty. I savored the dish as long as I could but the soup was soon gone. Would definitely recommend this place! read more

Donburiya - Outside - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Donburiya is a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant with a large menu at reasonable prices. It's great for coming with a small group so you can share and try a variety of dishes. I came with 2 friends for dinner and we ordered: - Motsunabe (hot pot) - Assorted sashimi - Karaage (fried chicken) - Fried gobo (burdock) sticks Highlights for me were the sashimi, which were very fresh, and fried gobo sticks, which are a must-try! The service was on the slower side, but we were busy chatting so it was ok. Looking forward to trying more next time! read more

Donburiya is a hidden Japanese gem nestled on 55th. After a late flight our family was delighted to find this little restaurant where our children enjoyed the Yakiori Ji and I the Yakiniku Don. Both dishes were tasty, but not remarkable. The chicken was juicy but the beef a little fatty for my liking. Making up for the was our very pleasant and helpful server and a beautiful, traditional decor inside. A special note must be made for the value. Each dish was between $15-20, a good value for a small restaurant in bustling Manhattan. The wait is also minimal, likely due to its location and unassuming exterior. Donburiya isn't winning any Michelin stars, but it gets the job done with decent food, a great price, and a cozy ambiance perfect for a late night when you're looking for a warm, quick escape from the cold. Food: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Value: 4.5/5 read more

Donburiya - Entrance - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

We came here on a friday night and got seated quickly. We order the kaarage for appetizer and it came super hot and warm. I got the sukiyaki udon which came with a good amount of beef and udon. It was flavorful and delicious. Also got the melon float as a drink which tasted like melona ice cream. Overall a pretty good Japanese spot. The price wasn't too bad as well. read more

Donburiya - Nabeyaki Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I liked the vibe of the place as soon as we walked in. It had that hole in the wall look but was quite ample inside. The service was very friendly and attentive throughout our meal. The variety of food offered was extensive and very reasonably priced. And, most importantly delicious. I will definitely be back! read more

I got the Hamburg Curry. It was pretty good. The food was fresh and tasty. I especially liked was the meat to rice proportion, though the rice was a bit overcooked. The food is definitely worth the price! I would love to go back and try some new stuff. read more

Donburiya - Hamburg Curry - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Donburiya or Donburi-house is an authentic Japanese experience to cuisine away from the world of sushi. From the grill to rice bowls Donburiya delivers strong flavours and a solid trip to Japan. Taste: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Value for Money: 4/5 We had: 1) Eel rice for 2: A great highlight and a good amount of Eel on top. This is a dish you can mention and I can then already taste in my mouth. A must try! 2) Grilled Salmon Belly with Mayo and Roe: A little overdone on the mayo bit but the Salmon was delicious and the roe was a perfect pop to it read more

Donburiya - Salmon Belly mayo and roe - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I went a little after lunch on a Friday and it was pretty quiet and nice! Servers were attentive and our food came out pretty fast. Overall the food was delicious! I really enjoyed the cold tan tan men, was perfect for a hot summer day (a bit spic but not too bad). The katsu was also crispy and a bit of a thicker slice. One thing, I ordered a glass of sake but it came in a sake shot type of way (just expected it to be served like a normal cup size for the price). But other than that, I enjoyed the spot! read more

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On a Saturday night, we were caught in a nasty traffic snarl on 10th Ave and was an hour late for our 6:30 reservation. One of our party had made it there on time and the gracious host was very nice and sat him at a table a 1/2 hour before we arrived. Luckily, it wasn't extremely busy, just your normal Saturday night. Donburiya is very conveniently located just north of the theater district and just 3 blocks from Carnegie Hall, so is perfect for pre-theater dinner or drinks. It's a very cozy izakaya just a few steps down from street level. If the wait for a table is long, you can opt for a couple of seats at the bar. When we finally arrived, it took us a few minutes to absorb and digest the entirety of the large menu. We started with the Shio cabbage salad and a whole grilled squid. For entrees, my son went with the Sukiyaki Don Set with sliced beef and poached egg & tofu over rice and a miso soup. His friend got the Ishiyaki Beef Curry Udon, which came in a super-hot stone bowl with the broth violently boiling. You can't touch that for a good 10 minutes for it to cool down. My wife went with the Goya Champie, Bitter Melon & Pork topped with a big omelet. For me, it was the Tonkatsu Teppan Yaki Set with a little of everything including a romaine salad topped with potato salad, miso soup, oshinko, rice bowl and Kurobuta pork katsu. The pork cutlet was panko coated, fried to crispy perfection and served over raw cabbage that cooked in the hot mini cast iron skillet right on the table. After I finished and they took away the tray, the table was still hot underneath. We finished in plenty of time for curtain call at Carnegie Hall. I can't wait to come back to relax with a cold Sapporo draft and a non-stop order of fried oysters and karaage. read more

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Edit: apparently they are tip free! However, there is no sign stating this and our server explicitly told us that we had to tip her with cash... no wonder there's no card tip option - the servers aren't following the owner's rules (-1 star) Okay Japanese food, not too expensive for midtown, great customer service. Bring cash to tip - they didn't allow us to tip with card. Donburiya is a small spot - we came right when they opened and were seated right away, but within a half hour they were full and arriving parties had to wait for a table. Their food is decent but not mind blowing, except that they use a very good quality short grain rice that levels up the sets (can you tell I'm a rice snob). I needed an itemized receipt to get dinner reimbursement through my school, but they hand wrote all the receipts and there was a slight language barrier which made it difficult. It took a few tries, but all the staff were extremely understanding and worked with me to figure out how to get what I needed. I really appreciated their patience - I would've been very annoyed if I was one of the workers! read more

Donburiya - Shake Ikura Don - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped in to eat before heading to Lincoln Center. Great dive place. Reminded me of eateries of old on St. Marks. Food was delicious, done well. Great for after work hang out. read more

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Stopped by for drinks and sides. Service was fast and ambiance was great. Really comfortable Izakaya environment. Will be back!

Very good donburi rice bowl restaurant in Hell's Kitchen - prices are excellent for Manhattan, and food is a solid 4/5 (worth coming any day of the week). read more

Well. Our Potato Croquettes came out still frozen in the middle. So that was no bueno. The Hokkai Don gave me food poisoning a few hours later. I should've suspected something was off when the rice came out piping hot (chirashi don rice should never be hot), which probably did weird stuff to the bacteria in the raw fish. Only the Ten Don was decent, but I never really want a whole bowl of tempura. Communication was off too, as they never said anything when we flagged the frozen croquettes, just took them back. Then, when we were done our meal, they brought out new croquettes and seemed surprised when we told them we didn't want them anymore. It's sad because there's a dearth of quality Japanese restaurants in this stretch of Midtown. read more

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Price and volume is amazing. Quality of food is pretty good as all cooked from scratch and nothing is from frozen pre made. Potato Salad and fried oyster is very recommended. read more

Donburiya - Shishito and squid with Mentaiko. - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Solid, spacious, relaxing -- no wait for a table on a weekend and all the food was good and an excellent value. Amid the crush of tourists near Central Park it's nice to find a nice chill restaurant with lunch options under $20! The half and half lets you pick two toppings for the don. The tonkotsu ramen broth and noodles were also very good. The chashu was very fatty though. read more

Revisiting this place years later and bummer. Love the menu but the food was consistently lame. Small portions of thin & soggy sashimi, burned shashimo, overcooked salmon, baby fried crabs overly breaded. What a disappointment. UPDATE: our kid who had salmon sashimi spent the night with symptoms of food poisoning. :(( read more