I came here one Monday evening to enjoy their jazz session at the back of their restaurant (if you come on Mondays, their jazz sessions are free!). Service was good and ambiance was nice. My friend and I got their omurice and spaghetti to share and both were so yummy and huge portions. I loved how the spaghetti (which was Japanese style) was slightly sweet, had lots of veggies, and had sausages in it. Meanwhile, my friend loved their hayashi omurice because of the flavor and delicious beefy sauce. Cocktails here were also good! Would love to come back and try their brunch sometime--I've heard so many good things about their matcha hotcakes! read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Stumbled upon this ADORABLE japanese cafe located in East Village! I got the Hayashi Omurice. It was my first time trying omurice, and omg did it live up to the hype! This was the fluffiest egg I've ever had. It was so soft and creamy and paired perfectly with the hayashi. I really liked the mushrooms, but I wish they were more generous with the amount of beef. In general, the portion size was HUGE though, I couldn't finish it. I liked how they used short grain rice, it was really good. It came with a soup/broth thing. I wasn't exactly sure what it was, but it tasted really salty, so I couldn't finish it. Overall, a very very solid spot. I want to come back to try their other options! Everything looks very yummy. It was really busy on a Saturday lunch, so don't be surprised if there's a wait. Interior is SO adorable and cute and homey, I loved the ambiance. read more

Hi-Collar - Hayashi Omurice (bottom) - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

pretty casual japanese cafe that's constantly busy. we managed to walk in on a saturday noon time and didn't wait too long but the staff were a bit disorganized and it was hard to know whether we were properly checked in or not. food wise, I liked the spaghetti and omurice the best, although I think the omurice could've been even more creamy. the hot cakes were too dense for my liking and the katsu sandwich was on the tougher side read more

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We were there for the music- which was amazing and we enjoyed the food, too. Everyone that worked there was friendly, but I understand how so many reviews talked about the speed of service. Be prepared for slow service. You're going to wait a while for your drinks and for your food- but the food was very good. We tried the calamari, which was cooked perfectly. Brussels sprouts were good, but it was actually more nuts than vegetables. Omurice is one of their specialties and it was very tasty. read more

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Went during the week around 6pm. The service wasnt the best and not really there. I had to wait along time to order and get the check the guys working kept disappearing and we're far away it was really annoying when I wanted to pay and leave. I didnt get to order more drinks and just wanted to leave at one point. Food was fine not worth it from my experience. read more

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This is more like 3.5 star experience. The restaurant itself is very intimate and private. However there can be a lengthy wait for a table even on a weekday. The dishes were pricey for what they are though tasty. If you have a bigger appetite you may want to consider going elsewhere. The omelet rice was very flavorful but kinda one note. read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here on a saturday afternoon for a 1 PM reservation for 3, but weren't seated until 1:30 PM. It took even longer for our food to come around 2 PM. It was a very cute space, and I imagine it would be a nice atmosphere in the evening when the live jazz music is playing. The food here was very delicious. Our favorite was the gayashi omurice. I really enjoyed the beef, mushroom, and onion in the sauce, and the omelette was incredibly soft and fluffy. We also really enjoyed the green tea hot cakes. They were a bit dense, but the matcha flavor in the cakes and the ice cream was really good. I liked how it came with a variety of flavors and textures. The chicken katsu sandwich was also good, but did not stand out as much as the other dishes. Overall, it was a very delicious brunch, but do expect slow service. read more

Hi-Collar - Katsu sandwich, green tea hot cakes, hayashi omurice - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

a bit more upscale japanese spot with a large variety of drinks and typical cafe food. got the nanban karaage and hayashi omurice which were solid and looked nice. service was nice explaining different drink options and they seem to have live jazz in the late evening. read more

Hi-Collar - hayashi omurice - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here with the girls. It wasn't busy. We were thinking about lunch. We sat down got the menu. They left us alone for almost 20-30 mins and we were looking around for a staff to order. By the time they came and we ordered it took about 15-20 min to get our teas. Since it took so long to order and get our teas we did not want to risk getting food there. Worse experience here. read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

It's a cute little spot and they have live jazz on Mon, Tues, and Sun. Service was kind of slow, but we did come during an off hour at like 3pm. We got the mentaiko pasta, which was solid, and the slightly grilled romaine salad. The salad had way too much dressing, making all of the lettuce soggy and kind of hard to eat. I'd come back to check out their dinner menu and for the live jazz. read more

Hi-Collar - mentaiko pasta - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a lovely restaurant. My wife and I came here last year to meet up with some friends and we really loved our brunch. The tea and coffee were very flavorful and service was excellent. We also really enjoyed our hot cakes; my wife got the mixed berry and I got the green tea and both were delicious and very filling. The atmosphere inside is peaceful and it was a lovely meal overall. I'd definitely recommend this place and would visit here again. read more

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I thought the food here was really solid. I really enjoyed the omurice and Brussels sprouts, and the katsu was good as well. The ambiance inside is very nice, comfortable, and authentically Japanese, and the service is good. read more

Hi-Collar - Omurice, Brussels sprouts, and katsu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

This place is crazy busy and popular, with lots of seating. It feels a bit hectic inside but I didn't feel rushed for brunch. Their tamago sandwich is good and a fair price for the area. Their potatoes were nice and crispy too. They're also known for their teas and coffee, but I wasn't particularly impressed. I thought the tea was expensive, especially for the portion. I'm sure it's because it's high quality, but it didn't taste any better than other tea places I've been to that are a bit more affordable. read more

Hi-Collar - Tamago Sandwich - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I came with a friend specifically for omurice and it did not disapoint, at the same time i dont think ive ever spent so much on an omelette before. We had a reservation but service was pretty slow, not like we were in a rush anyways though. It has very cafe vibes and was a great place to eat and catch up with old friends. read more

A cozy little spot in the heart of east village. Serves Japanese comfort meals as well as some yummy omurice and even sweet pancakes. I got the omurice which was flavorful with every bite and service was so sweet and accommodating. Definitely check this spot out hanging with friends or for a nice chill date. read more

Hi-Collar - Outside - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I remember Hi-Collar when they were just a tiny restaurant with a few seats at the bar and having to wait in line to get a seat. It was so nice seeing how the restaurant had flourished and grown since. I ordered the katsu sandwich which also had egg salad in it. It was truly delightful. My friend enjoyed her hayashi omurice! read more

Hi-Collar - Katsu Sandwich - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Been here a handful of times and have tried a decent amount of items on the menu. Most recently, we went for lunch and asked for two omurices and a hot pancake for dessert after our meal. All the dishes landed on the table at the same time. Great, cold pancakes for dessert.. Also, both omurice dishes came out oddly fast and it was tepid and unappetizing. Almost seemed like it was pre-made considering the speed at which it came out. The egg was almost cold and both of us felt unwell after our meal. Had many great experiences in the past but my most recent experience was a bit subpar. read more

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This venue has turned from a delicious Japanese Omurice to a jazz bar at night. It's a lot more crowded with all the high tops. Food is still excellent and I very much enjoyed the rice tomato. They are expanding hours for the night for alcohol. More money perhaps? read more

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We had a wonderful experience on Easter with a group of friends. The server's and the decor were fantastic. They have a very fun and eclectic menu which was nice. Everyone loved their food, it was all very fresh and delicious. They had a very interesting drink list as well--with all types of unique teas and other alcoholic beverages. Almost everyone got a tea or iced tea and enjoyed their beverage. The space is cute and you feel as though you are almost in Japan with the decorations. At the end of the meal-the owner approached our table and said another table left over almost a full bottle of champagne and asked if we wanted it. It was so generous-he chatted with us and brought everyone a nice wine glass and we all had champagne-he was so friendly and welcoming. I look forward to eating here again to try more of the food! read more

****STAFF ADDED ADDITIONAL $100 TIP ON TO MY BILL**** I visited on September 21st for my friends birthday! It was just the two of us and we got a great view near the band. We ordered the seafood platter, salad, and one other item. To note, we also ordered the stew style dish but it never came by the time they closed. However, that was no problem we weren't charged for the dish we didn't receive. My reason for the low stars is due to the additional tip added by the staff after I signed the receipt and left. I added photos of the merchant receipt I left in addition to what I see recorded in their electronic system. I have opened a dispute with my credit card company and am extremely disappointed. read more

Hi-Collar - $114.80 TIP ADDED BY STAFF - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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AMAZING!! I went on a whim off of google maps and I was so impressed. They had live jazz and I hear they're planning to continue that for the time being. The atmosphere was of course so cozy and welcoming, and the service definitely matched that. The food.. just wow. The omurice texture was PERFECT and the flavors were so well balanced. Great portion too. read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is lovely! We stopped by for a Sunday brunch and we were seated promptly even without a reservation. I can't say this is always the case though - would consider making a reservation next time! The hostess was so kind to offer putting our coffee drinks in the fridge, as outside food and drinks were not allowed. Upon entering, I noticed the warm ambience and inviting decor, including the water structure at the center of the restaurant. We ordered the omurice, which was my favorite. It was a fluffy egg on top of tomato flavored chicken rice. We also tried the tamagotchi sandwich and gachi hiyashi rice, both of which were flavorful and divine. Overall, I enjoyed this experience and will be back. read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Firstly, I love the ambiance of this place, it's very cozy! My first visit was back in December 2023 and it was not as busy then as it is nowadays. I went with a friend for brunch and we ordered the napolitan spaghetti, omurice, fruit sandwich. The food was pretty good! In my opinion, it doesn't quite suit the atmosphere and vibes that the restaurant interior has but the food is fun and tasty. The service could be better, servers were not very attentive, and food took a while to come. I've never been here for the jazz nights but I definitely want to come check it out and try out their dinner menu! read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

We were there for their drinks as a pitstop to our dinner in the east village. There are some fun drinks and the drinks are pretty good. We also got some small bites, and those were not bad as well. It was pretty expensive for what it was, but it is also in the east village I guess. It's a pretty small space and we have been turned around a couple of times when trying to go later in the night. I didn't find anything to be super impressionable or memorable. Wouldn't really go back unless someone else wanted to. read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Feels like stepping into Japan with comforting food and attentive service. Ambience (4/5): Cozy and authentic, feels just like being in Japan. Food (4/5): The omurice was rich and flavorful, while the pasta was solid but more average. Value (4/5): Portions were fair and pricing matched the quality. Service (5/5): Staff worked hard to seat me on a busy Saturday and kept me updated throughout. read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I've been wanting to come here for a while and finally had the chance! Coming in on a Saturday around 2 pm, there was only bar seating available. However, I didn't need to wait for it! I had their hayashi omurice with 2 kushi katsu skewers as well as the tomato sauce omurice. I loved everything I had! read more

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If you've been riding the Japanophilia wave, you'll have plenty of admiration for Hi-Collar. When you sit down at your table, it leaves you wondering if you were transported to a cafe brunch spot in Ginza. We came here with our sights set on omurice. There's the original tomato sauce version and they also have the Hayashi which is a demi-glace sauce with mushrooms, onions, and beefs. Both are great! But if you had to go with one the tomato omurice is a safe bet. The sauce in the Hayashi is a little strong and it distracts the tastebuds from the delights of the egg and rice. We also ordered the Napolitan Spaghetti (talk about carb overload). We slightly regretted it because the omurice alone can fill you up well. Otherwise, it was tasty and had a confident tomato flavoring. This visit was during the lunch time and the restaurant was packed. I recommend a reservation. read more

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Got a res for Friday 6:30 day of. The restaurant was pretty much full when I got there so I was glad that I made a reservation. The decor was pretty and food was good. Croquette was yummy and I enjoyed it with the tomato sauce. Omurice was a little greasy for my liking and I wish the eggs were fluffier, but overall it was good I liked the matcha tiramisu the most. It was creamy and simply delicious. The fruit's sweetness was a great addition read more

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Aesthetically, Hi-Collar has a very nice interior and the plating of the food is also nice. However, the food itself was a bit underwhelming. I tried the katsu hayashi rice, hayashi omurice, and mentai cream spaghetti. The hayashi omurice was too heavy and salty, and I felt fatigued by the flavor after just a few bites. It's definitely not worth the price. The mentai cream spaghetti was pretty good but nothing special. read more

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We enjoyed the cocktails (the yuzu one was super refreshing!), fried oysters, and omurice (a bit on the ketchupy side) but still tasty and filling. We didn't have a reservation but the few times we've gone at opening time, there were tables open. read more

Well, it's been seven years ...and wow, the expansion was much needed! There's still seating at the bar, but now there are also a couple of dining areas in the back. Something about the space reminds me of Kyoto. I love the open, nature inspired design and the water feature. It looks like the menu got an upgrade too! We all ordered sweet dishes: hot cakes and milk toast. The milk toast was much bigger than expected - def don't order it unless you're really hungry. The hot cakes were just as delicious as I remembered. I had the mixed berry version and my fiancé got the green tea one. Both were not overly sweet, which was quite a surprise. I definitely want to come back to try the omurice. The coffee was amazing, and we also ordered muscat tea because we missed the taste from our Japan trip. read more

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This is a solid Japanese brunch spot. They keep the menu simple, which felt authentic -- similar to my experiences in Japan. The food was as expected, though nothing stood out for me personally (probably because I've been to Japan before), but it's definitely comparable if you're looking for a Japanese-style brunch. Service was attentive, prices were reasonable, and the food came out quickly. The space is spacious with a nice ambiance, though when we went there seemed to be some construction, which was a bit noisy. read more

Hi-Collar - Hot Cakes - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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The green tea hot cake is one of the best things that I've eaten this month - I absolutely loved that dish. The azuki on the side was such a yummy addition. But everything else we ordered was just ok. - Omurice - the rice was kind of bland and we couldn't find any chicken soboro inside? - "napolitan" spaghetti - this was good but quite sweet. I liked it but wouldn't get it again. It's gorgeous inside and the waiters were nice but I'm not itching to return for anything beside the green tea hot cakes. read more

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A cute spot for weekend brunch -- they're well-known for their Japanese sandos. Tamago Sandwich was so good and despite being egg and mayo... did not taste too eggy or too mayo-y and that's a touch balance to strike! Honey Toast was delicious, recommend getting one for the table. I want to come back for jazz! read more

Hi-Collar - Toast - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Enjoyed the hayashi omurice - it was delicious and hearty. The mentai cream spaghetti was OK, not the best I've had Service was good and liked the ambiance. Coffee was also good. read more

Hi-collar is such a cutesy Japanese cafe that I recommend. I came here early on a Friday night and was able to get a table for 2 right away, which was great. The interior design was beautiful and I was taken by surprise as I walked in. I felt like I was walking into a Japanese garden. The napolitan spaghetti tasted exactly like I thought it would, really homey with a strong ketchup taste. The flavors of the omurice were delicious too and I would order it again. I only wished that the rice that came with it was fried rice instead of plain rice. And I always love Japanese style potato salad and the one I tried at Hi-collar did not disappoint. I especially enjoyed the crispy onion chips that the potato salad was topped with. Overall, I enjoyed my time at Hi-collar and would return! read more

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Amazing food and vibe here, and super unique decor inside which gives this place a great feel while eating and drinking. The matcha pancake was fluffy and not too sweet paired with the red bean. The spaghetti is perfect japanese american comfort food and the katsu curry was perfectly cooked with an amazing crunch! Will definitely come back and recommend to those in the area read more

Hi-Collar - Match pancake - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Perfect date night spot!! Hi-Collar is exactly like what I've seen million times in japanese drama. They serve western-influenced dishes (yoshoku) like omurice, hamburg steak and spaghetti. It is a brunch cafe at daytime, and transforms into a charming sake bar at night. We walked in before 6 on a Saturday night and were seated at the bar table. The warm lighting, retro and wooden furnishings really gave Haruki Murakami's novel vibes. ＊Napolitan Spaghetti $20 If you watched the Netflex series "First Love", you should have heard of Napolitan spaghetti. The ingredients are very simple: ketchup, sausage, green pepper, onion and grated cheese. They presented it on a sizzling pan and put an omelette at the bottom. The sauce was sweet and I loved the veggies. Very homey and delicious. ＊Hayashi Omurice $29 Hayashi is a western style beef stew cooked in a demi-glace sauce. It tasted like a blend of red wine and tomato paste. We cut the omelette and revealed the silky scrambled egg. It was served with a good amount of sliced wagyu beef, mushrooms and onions. Totally got the hype of their iconic omurice. Many reviews complained their portion size didn't match their steep price. My bf and I both thought their dishes were decently portioned and filling, given my bf usually eats a lot lol. Their lunch menu is cheaper but maybe the portion is different? read more

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First off: make a reservation. If you're going for lunch, you'll be allotted 1 hour but the service is quick and super friendly, so you will be in and out satisfied in a jiffy! The menu itself, a diverse array of Japanese food (and drinks) to choose from! I ordered the siphon Hana coffee with a tomato omurice. The siphon coffee is, for lack of a better word, aesthetic. It leads to a coffee with a nice finish. The omurice itself, was hearty, buttery and a touch sweet. Well worth an order if you've ever had any interest in trying this dish! The decor inside, super cute. Very cozy and elegant at the same time. Like walking into an eastern izakaya. Overall, I think its well worth a visit to satisfy you Japanese food craving! read more

Hi-Collar - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Overall this place was a cozy spot for a friend dinner group of 4. We had a slightly slow start to the service, because we were expecting a 5th person and there was a place set for them. We sat for a while, were served water, and when someone came to check on us mentioning the empty spot, we tried to explain that yes, we're waiting for someone but no, we weren't goi g to wait for them to order. After about another 10 minutes our order was taken. Decor is simple but gets the job done. As someone who rates ambiance highly, I was satisfied. Soft lighting, music not too loud, and while many other tables were filled it didn't feel like we had to shout. Drinks: Pomegranate Rosemary Chu-hi: two from our party like this, found it a bit overly sweet Matcha Gin Fizz: I found the matcha flavored clean and strong, the gin or sake was not noticeable Food: Shio Cabbage: nice pile of cabbage bits, delicious smile, enough for 4 of us to snack on Nanban Karaage: 6 delicious pieces of chicken, so moist and flavorful Hayashi Omurice: delicious sauce, perfectly cooked egg, flavor was strong but not overwhelming Napolitan Spaghetti: seemed good, maybe a bit too sweet Spaghetti Yakisoba: solid plate, plentiful bonito flakes! Daiginjo matcha tiramisu: excellent matcha flavor, two of us ordered but then the other three also wanted bites! read more

Hi-Collar - Daiginjo matcha tiramisu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York