This place is so cute! Plenty of tables and seating, friendly and helpful baristas. I got the cheese okaka onigiri and a hot hojicha latte. The onigiri filling was very salty which I loved, and the rice had an excellent texture. The hojicha latte was fantastic, I added a little sweetener myself and it was so comforting on a cold day. I use a wheelchair and was able to get in and order by myself, but the restroom is not accessible. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cheese Okaka Onigiri and Hojicha Latte - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Solid fast casual-esque spot in midtown not too far from MSG. You order up front at the counter, get a buzzer, and pick your seat while you wait. I went with 2 other ppl and we all got their Onigiri Combo, which was ~$16, and you get 2 onigiris, a miso soup, and a cup of their sides (edamame, sweet egg, pickled carrots). For my combo, I got a Sukiyaki Beef onigiri, which was my fave one, and a Salmon onigiri, which was fine, just a bit plainer than I'd like. But, I like that they added furikake seasoning throughout it to add flavor. I didn't care much for their sides - the egg was too sweet for my liking and the pickled carrots were too soft. I ordered an addtl Kinko (mushroom) onigiri bc I was quite hungry and it was alright. Def a lighter taste. Overall, a decent spot for a solid, reliable, good bite! Place is clean and service is friendly. There's a bathroom down a hallway that does the job. I'd come back for a meal that's great value! read more

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I'd been wanting to go back to Hanamizuki Cafe and finally did for lunch yesterday. It's not a huge place and was quite busy, but they have nice spacious seating and I was fortunately able to get a table. You order at the counter and they give you a pager to pick up your food. They have a variety of onigiris and drinks to choose from, as well as an onigiri combo. I ordered the combo ($16+), which includes 2 onigiris, miso soup and today's side dishes. For my onigiri, I chose sukiyaki and unagi (additional $1). The onigiris were quite large and very tasty. The miso soup was too salty, though. I liked the small appetizer bites, but I think I'll just order the onigiri next time. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Rice Ball Combo ($17+) - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Cute, casual cafe for onigiris and shaved ice. I thought the fillings in the onigiri were pretty generous, and 2-3 would be good for a lunch. I particularly enjoyed the karaage and creamy mentaiko onigiris. The matcha shaved ice was also delicious! It can get pretty busy around lunchtime, but the tables seem to turnaround quickly. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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I randomly decided to come to Hanamizuki Café after seeing a YouTube video that morning. Ordered the Tuna Yuzu-Spice, Salmon, Mentaiko Mayo Cheese ($5.50 each), Sukiyaki to go. My friend ordered the Kinoko ($5.50) and ate it at the café. They make the onigiris to order and they are warm when you receive them. My friend is not picky with food at all, but made a comment saying that it was "a little" salty when she was eating her's. I did not think much of it then, but when I got home and ate them for dinner... MY GOD. The Salmon and Mentaiko were disgustingly salty. Even with the rice. The Tuna was not great either and I did not taste any Yuzu flavor. The Sukiyaki was just okay. I was shocked biting into each one. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt because the tables at the café were filled and people had ordered other things, but I would not come back. read more

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Really enjoyed my lunch here! Very filling and tasty. Got the mentaiko and the tuna onigiri. Cute vibe read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Tasty and high value lunch combo in NY. The lunch combo has generous portions, just enough to satisfy you. You can choose 2 of any of the rice balls that they have and it comes with soup and some small appetizers (edamame, tamago, pickles). We chose to try the Hawaiian rice ball, the sukiyaki, and the salmon. The Hawaiian was very tasty - it was a classic spam musubi. The other rice balls were also satisfying and filling. The miso soup was a great way to round off the meal. The ambiance in the store and the service were both excellent. There were several tables available when we visited at around noon. The staff was very nice and accommodating. We also tried the matcha which was just alright, pretty strong tea flavor but nothing extraordinary. Overall, recommend this place for a satisfying and classic simple meal before a chaotic day in NY. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Lunch Sets - Miso Soup, Salmon Onigiris, Suki-Yaki Rice Ball, Hawaiian Rice Ball - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

This place was a total hole in the wall and I'm so glad our hotel was right across the street from it. The place is pretty tiny with just a handful of tables but they make up for it with their delicious menu. The onigiri is made fresh and the tea was piping hot. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, answering my questions about the different types of onigiri. Counting the days till I can go back and order more from this place. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

I can see the social media appeal of this kind of food, but honestly it just seems messier and more complicated than a sushi roll. I stopped here for a quick lunch this past Thursday around 1pm. There were a few people in line in front of me and throughout the small restaurant, but once I sat down it got pretty busy - clearly a popular midday destination. As an aside, 90% of the clientele seems to be Asian Gen Zers, which I guess makes sense. Like a lot of the smaller NYC restaurants, the ceilings are super high but the space is pretty narrow. They have very modern tables/chairs (kind of gave off a higher-end Ikea vibe), which I think works well with the more limited square footage, and it doesn't feel too claustrophobic even when the place is jumping. I decided to aggressively hit up the onigiri section of the menu, ordering three different ones. They were bigger than I thought they would be, so unless you have a pretty hardcore appetite, their $16 two-onigiri combo that comes with soup/sides is probably the way to go. Mine cost around $18, so not a big deal, especially since I'm not a huge miso soup fan. My three were the Salmon, Inari and Karaage. The Salmon was a giant miss for me, though a lot of that is palate preference. The obvious comp/not-so-distant cousin to these items is a sushi roll, and I think it's weird to have seared salmon rather than raw salmon in a roll with rice. It always tastes like the fish is off, even though it isn't. Coupled with the pickled radish it was just not my thing at all. The Inari was pretty good - basically the equivalent of a very small, almost breakfast burrito. The problem with it for me (and all of these onigiri) is that it's hard to eat and get all of the ingredients in one bite, if that makes sense. Maybe there's a sophisticated technique to eating these that I'm unaware of (100% a possibility), but I'd end up getting a bite of just rice, or just the beef. All of the ingredients were good, but it was hard for me to get them to play together. The Karaage for sure was my favorite. Unsurprisingly, it's also the naughtiest one I had, featuring fried chicken and spicy mayo, but very tasty. The primary issue with that is it was super messy - one side of the onigiri is doused in the mayo, and from what I could see, they didn't have napkins (maybe I missed it, but I even went up to the counter to check). As a result? A spicy mayo-drenched paw that I tried to subtly wipe on the tray a lot. Again, if I had more practice with using the chopsticks on these, maybe it's a moot issue. I would suggest though that they provide napkins and more Americanized utensils for Neanderthals like me. This was an interesting lunch, I'll at least give them that. It's not really my thing, but I could easily see this being a go-to destination for someone who's more versatile with a pair of chopsticks. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Salmon, Inari & Karaage. - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Came here on a snowy Saturday and the Hojicha hot chocolate just hit the spot! It's a winter seasonal drink so get it while you still can!!! Seating can be difficult to find since it's on the smaller side and seemingly full at peak times. Onigiris were also good, but I would just come back for the drinks read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Hojicha hot chocolate - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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A cozy spot that's perfect for a casual lunch. I ordered the onigiri set, which comes with two onigiri (shrimp tempura and kinoko), miso soup, and a small side of tomago, shredded carrots, and edamame. The onigiris were definitely the star of the meal. The kinoko was flavorful throughout, with a nice variety of mushrooms that kept each bite interesting. The shrimp tempura, although it's premade, it wasn't soggy at all. It was more room-temperature tempura with a bit of crunch. The sauce reminded me of takoyaki sauce, which offers a slightly sweet taste. It was enjoyable overall. The miso soup was a bit underwhelming in flavor, it had onions, fried tofu, fresh tofu, and seaweed. I enjoyed the mini side plate, it added variety to the meal. The tamago had a gentle sweetness, while the edamame and pickled carrots were refreshing. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Shrimp tempura and kinoko onigiri - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

I honestly don't remember how I came to learn about this cafe I'm glad I did. It's small but spacious in that there are lots of tables available. And plugs (no wifi). Service is at the counter in the back and it moves quickly and all the workers are super kind. They answered my questions and gave me suggestions on tea. I had the meal option which felt reasonable 2 onigiri and a miso soup. Food was delicious and fresh. Tea was refreshing and light. I immediately texted friends recommending this spot. I for sure will be back to try other options. read more

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My friends and I stumbled upon this place near her apartment and were so glad we did!! The price is definitely a little heftier but these onigiris are HUGE. They have so much filling and are great quality. I got the lunch combo set (love that it comes with some side dishes from the day) and got the Unagi and Mentaiko Mayo Cheese. I also got the Strawberry Matcha Latte which was yummy! Overall, gem of a spot :) read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Today, I ate at hanamizuki for the first time! I got the combo set that came with salmon onigiri, mentaiko onigiri, miso soup, and a side dish! I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh everything tasted. The mentaiko was delightfully creamy and has a bit of a spicy kick to it. This restaurant is relatively affordable, and the service was quick! The ambience is clean and bright, and the Japanese music in the background was such a vibe. The only sad thing was they were out of ume when I ordered, but that means I will definitely back to try more of the flavors! I was surprised to see they also have drinks and desserts. All in all, a great experience! read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - onigiri combo, salmon onigiri, mentaiko onigiri - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

As a bingsu/shave ice/kakigori lover, I have been searching for the best version in nyc. We stopped by Hanamizuki to try their kakigori milk based shave ice, opting for the matcha flavor. My favorite part were the toppings, specifically the large pieces of warabi mochi and condensed milk drizzled over top. I was pleased that the matcha flavor was strong (as I've had many milky matcha desserts before). This satisfied my craving and met my expectations, but didn't exceed them. I would have preferred if they topped it with ice cream instead of whipped, but can see how that might get heavy paired with the milk based shave ice. This cafe specializes in onigiri, so of course I had to try one of their unagi onigiris. There was a sizable piece of flavorful grilled eel inside, and overall a pretty large rice ball compared to the kinds you see pre packaged in Japanese markets. This justifies the higher price point of their onigiris ($5-6) as at least it did fill me up. Clean and spacious dining area with plenty of seating and tables, always a plus. I enjoyed both of my items but I don't think it was so mind blowing to where I would go out of my way to return. However, if I was in the area and craving shave ice or onigiri, I would like to try their other flavors. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Matcha kakigori - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for the matcha roll dessert which apparently they don't have anymore. Was disappointed about that and the rest of their desserts were not the vibe I was in the mood for. Opted for the sukiyaki onigiri and it was pretty much all rice and it was cold. They just pulled it right out of a plastic wrapped bin and served it to me. Very mediocre. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Overall: C // 3 stars Promising cafe but I found it to be quite mid to lacking. The flavor profiles have promise, but theres a lot of areas for improvement. (Strawberry Hojicha Latte: B) - Love the bright, hojicha-forward flavors that blend harmoniously with the strawberry jam. I think the aesthetic is lowing hanging fruit and not taken advantage of. (Onigiri Set: C) - Looks nice, but unfortunately undermined bc the rice balls don't taste fresh. The shrimp tempura is soggy and the beef sukiyaki has cooled down and solidified. Food: E Presentation: E Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: E Menu: E Insta/Yelp/Beli/TikTok: @amei_eats read more

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Quick rest stop in the city. Got rice balls and their cheesecake. Rice balls were okay, nothing too crazy and the price is a bit higher than other places, but you're paying for the comfortable seating too. The sweet potato cheesecake was delicious. Enjoyed it very much. Staff was nice. Place a bit small, got a bit busy and some of the tables were dirty so we had to wait for it to get cleared out. Normally I would just do it myself but there were no trashcans available to customers. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Onigiri - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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The cutest Japanese café serving onigiri and kakigori, run by a lovely mother-and-daughter duo. It felt like stepping into a cozy scene from an anime. The matcha shaved ice, the drinks, the illustrated menu...everything was so charming and perfect for any matcha lover. It was pretty busy when I visited on the weekend, but they still greeted me with the kindest smiles and made me feel so welcome. ＊Matcha Shaved Ice $14.80 ＊Mango Shaved Ice $14.80 The best matcha kakigori I've had outside of Asia--especially impressive at this price point. Even the ice itself tasted like matcha/mango ice cream, not just plain ice with syrup. I loved the toppings: the matcha warabimochi and red bean were perfect complements. ＊Onigiri $5.50/pc (Musubi*, Mentaiko*, Sukiyaki, Salmon) A huge step up from store-bought onigiri. These rice balls were fresh, warm, and loaded with delicious toppings. The musubi and mentaiko were my top picks. It was actually my first time trying musubi, and the rice mixed with sun-dried tomatoes was such a great touch. ＊Mango Matcha Latte $6.75 ＊Strawberry Hojicha Latte $7.00 Reasonably priced for flavored matcha/hojicha! You could tell right away from the vibrant colors how rich the tea flavors were. I especially loved the housemade fruit syrup . Both drinks were great, but the hojicha stood out for me as it's tough to find a good hojicha latte in nyc. read more

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Sukiyaki, Kinoko and that Matcha Latte topped with a melting chocolate absolutely deserved a return visit. It was busier than I've expected. You kinda keep your fingers crossed that someone would get up as soon as your order would be ready. Otherwise, have it to go. But you wanna experience the Onigiris there, because the place had a dainty charm in it. Then you see a neon sign of "FuckYeah", lol. I think, ordering a set was best, because a single onigiri was bountiful and two were enough to fill you up. It came with a small cup of comforting miso soup and an a side of pickled carrots with edamame. Perfect lunch. Have a couple more to take home so you can try the other options. I will try their kakigori next time. read more

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I found out about this place online and went the next day IMMEDIATELY. The set is your choice of two onigiris, miso soup, and some side dishes. For a drink, I got an iced matcha with strawberry. Everything was SO SO SO good! The staff were lovely and the atmosphere was sooo cafe cozy. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Iced matcha with strawberry - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Good selection of rice balls, vegetable and meat ones . And option of a combo with miso, 2 balls and secret side makes ordering easy. Reasonable price for NYC, and better x1000 than street pizza. Easy seating, though we were here near closing. Order at counter. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Combo plate. - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped in and my first impression was how cute the interior is - the decor is very cute and kawai, like stepping into an anime! I got their 2 onigiri lunch special (I chose the karaage and sukiyaki options). It also came with a comforting mug of miso soup, and a small side of veggies. The onigiris were premade so it came out within minutes. The flavors were all bomb, and while I initially thought that it wouldn't be enough food, turns out it was the perfect portion size. I want to come back and try their shaved ice because someone was eating it at the table next to me and it looked delicious! read more

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Very cute and modernized decor. Brings a nice cafe vibe that is peaceful and spacious. The staff are nice and food comes out fast. Matcha Mont Blanc (5/5): amazing! Very delicate flavors which starts with a mild sweetness that is not too overpowering that pairs well with the mild bitterness of the matcha. A must get! Sweet Potato Cheesecake (5/5): creamy, silky and each bite fills your mouth with the mild sweet earthy flavor of the sweet potato. Delicious and elegant without being overly sweet. Also a must try! Overall (5/5): The deserts are delicious; well portioned; and very well priced! This is a must try place for dessert! read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Matcha Mont Blanc - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Been here twice! First time, we got kakigori- mango shaved ice. It was so good- creamy cool sweet and delicious. Topped with whipped cream and mango sauce. But be warned- they don't serve kakigori until 1pm! Second time, we got the onigiri rice ball lunch set. The onigiri are cold but flavorful paired with a small slice of sweet egg omelet (tamago) and a cold leafy green green side dish and a hot mug of miso soup. Was delicious and the perfect amount of food. Will definitely be back! read more

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The ambience of Hanamizuki is pretty vibey and calm. Came here on a cloudy Saturday afternoon and there was a decent amount of people. I've been craving Onigiris so I stopped by. The food was decent. A bit dry and slightly disappointed that all of the onigiris we got were pre packaged. In my head I imagined the food to be made fresh on the spot. We could kind of taste how the food wasn't necessarily fresh, but it was still yummy and came out really fast. I didn't get to try the desserts since they were sold out today but I will try this place out again another time read more

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Perhaps the best onigiri I've ever had. I have never been to a place that just specializes in onigiri, and I didn't realize how much of a difference that made until I came to Hanamizuki. I got the mentaiko mayo cheese onigiri - creamy and tangy, not spicy really but I did taste hints of spice for flavor. The biggest value add was it's warm and handmade right after you order. Also, this place is so cute! It's quaint, would recommend coming here to catch up with a friend and chat. It's affordable with a great deal for 2 onigiris and a side. I will come back for a quick bite to eat. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Mentaiko mayo cheese rice ball - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Really cute and calming cafe perfect for lunch with a friend and not too busy around lunch on a Tuesday. I love onigiri so much and was having a difficult time finding good ones in NYC, so I was thrilled when I saw this place on tiktok. I did love the onigiri that I had-- I ended up choosing the karaage, inari, and mushroom. All of them had this rice that was perfectly chewy and sticky, and the filling paired well. I especially thought the inari was delicious (though slightly difficult to eat with the minced meat and bits of egg). The flavors paired together very well. My main issue with Hanamizuki is that it's all just more expensive than what I'd like it to be. My three onigiri came to $18 total. They have a combo set available which includes 2 onigiri of your choice, miso soup, and their sides of the day. I still thought the set was too expensive for the size. And I totally understand that we're in NYC and there's a certain expectation, especially with a place like this that is hand-making everything and is family-run. But it's hard to see myself coming back here for the price point. Worth it to try once! And I'm intrigued by their drink menu and snacks as well! read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Mushroom, Karaage, Inari - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

A cute and quaint cafe tucked away from the hustle and bustle of NYC. My friend and I visited on a Saturday afternoon around 2:30pm and the place was packed! They do have seating and people generally don't loiter around after finishing their food so we were easily able to get a table after waiting in line (~10min wait) to order. We ordered their 2 onigiri with miso soup and a small side combo ($16, add $1 for certain onigiri). My friend got their ume onigiri and their salmon onigiri, while I ordered their mentaiko mayo cheese onigiri and shrimp tempura (add $1). These onigiri transported us back to Japan. The rice had the perfect texture and there was just enough filling inside. The flavors were also really good. The ume is definitely on the tart side (as it is in Japan), the shrimp tempura was fried to perfection, salmon was fresh and the mentaiko packed a spicy punch but paired perfectly with the shiso leaf! It was so good we ended up ordering a couple to go, and they were equally as delicious almost 8 hours after purchasing! Prices are reasonable and their onigiri are delicious! I'll definitely be back. Check out my foodsta @chiuventure for a closer look and more details of my dining experience here as well as other establishments in NYC and around the world! read more

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Came at noon on a Friday and there was no line. Looks like they had desserts back in the day (sadly no longer) but was excited to try the ongiri. Mentaiko was my favorite, followed by the karaage and Hawaiian. Mushroom was solid. Skip the tuna - it was dry. Overall a good place to grab a quick snack or light meal. You can get better spam musubi at Omusubi gonbei though. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Aesthetic space with yummy mentaiko cheese onigiri but overall doesn't live up to the hype for me :(( Saw this place on social media and really wanted to try their onigiri. Was finally in the area on a Sunday evening (they're now open Sundays until 7 pm!), and popped in. Ordered the set with Mentaiko Cheese onigiri and the Yuzu Tuna onigiri. The mentaiko cheese was my favorite- very tasty. The yuzu tuna was dry, with not a lot of filling. Set also came with pickled veggies, tamago, and miso soup. Miso soup was delicious- but a bit salty. Price for the set starts at $16, which is a little overpriced given the amount of filling imo. Inside is super cute/aesthetic, service is friendly but it was really empty. read more

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Thought this was just fine. Really great quality rice and ingredients, but fillings to rice ratio was a little too off, and it was just a little pricy. Had a great variety of flavors and sold out quick on a Tuesday afternoon. There most popular flavors were sold out by 4 so maybe my experience was also just with other spreads. Would be willing to try again. read more

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This little onigiri cafe is the cutest thing we stumbled upon. It's very clean and has a relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect place to grab a quick meal or snack. We tried a bunch of different things to try. Our favorite was the kinoko which was so fragrant from all the different mushrooms. We also really liked the inari since it had a good balance of sweet and savory. The sukiyaki was also pretty good too. You really can't go wrong with anything here. You order at the counter and the workers gave good recommendations if you're conflicted about what to choose. Loved it here and will definitely be back read more

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Such a cute place! Lots of seating with some mellow decor making it a perfect spot to sit and snack while working. Onigiri and tea were both fantastic with the Hawaiian Musubi being my favorite. read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Really cute spot. I loved the dim soft lighting with j-pop quietly playing in the background. A great place to relax and enjoy your food. Really tasty. The flavors they have were really nice and interesting. I chose the salmon and the sukiyaki. The rice wasn't really dry but it wasn't as fluffy as some other onigiri I've had. The flavors were very subtle and not as salty as some onigiri -- which is not my preference but I enjoyed. The miso soup was really fantastic and the side dish(which was pickled veggies and tamagoyaki) was also really tasty. Overall, this is a really cute spot with great food. Not my favorite onigiri but really something special. The rice ball combo will leave you full and happy. I'll be back soon! read more

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Super cute cafe to get onigiri from! I ordered the lunch set with the sukiyaki onigiri and unagi onigiri. The lunch set is originally $16, but the unagi was a specialty one so it was an extra $1, and with tax, it ended up being around $18. Pros: - there's more seating inside than I expected - the workers are very efficient with preparing the food - the rice of the onigiri was a good texture and was seasoned well Cons: - the filling to rice ratio in the onigiri is off. for the price, there should definitely be more filling read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Very cute restaurant with friendly staff. We tried some of their onigiris and they were delicious! The signs and drawings around the store were a nice touch. read more

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Hmmm, totally adorable, and I really wanted to make this place my "hidden gem" in the neighborhood - it's kind of on an out of the way block. The problem? It was my first time trying these onigiri and I really wasn't a fan. There was just too much rice and not enough filling! I'm not sure if they are supposed to be that way, or if the ratio varies in other onigiri? I tried the mackerel and the mentaiko and neither was delicious enough to bring me back. read more

I recently dined here and had an amazing experience! After trialing as a desserts shop for some time, they've returned to their roots as an onigiri shop, and I couldn't be happier. I got their lunch combo which included miso soup, sides, and 2 onigiris of your choice. I opted for the Hawaiian and Unagi, and both were delicious. The food was prepared and ready almost immediately. I also tried their iced matcha latte with oat milk, and it was SO good. It was smooth, tasty, and not too sweet. The cafe itself is adorable, clean, and simple with plenty of seating. There's also a restroom in the back. Overall, this is a nice spot to unwind and grab a quick lunch or snack--highly recommend! read more

Hanamizuki Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

I had the onigiri combo. I chose the salmon onigiri and the Hawaiian onigiri. The food lacked flavor I don't think it was a particularly good deal. The onigiri combo came with a side of dish of carrots, egg, 3 pieces of edamame and miso soup with fried tofu. For $5 more than the onigiris alone, I felt the side dishes could've been more generous. The seating is all high-chairs. Not very comfortable I asked for tap water. I felt water could've been provided via a bottle, a dispenser, etc. I came to this cafe many years ago. The meal was not filling and I left feeling not satisfied. There is a lot of room for improvement read more