Omakase extends to take out - we did fixed boxes - I had the salmon chirashi box. The to-go container is quite hefty and solid, too bad it wasn't reuseable. Packed with spaces for the soy, wasabi, chopstick and napkin all packed nicely within. Sashimi and ikura (salmon roe) itself was cool and refreshing, decorated with a touch of green edamame beans, it was pretty. The rice below, though was cold and difficult to eat. Best to experience this in-person, instead of to go. read more

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Joji, another member of the high end omakase club in NYC delivers an exceptional experience though hard to distinguish. It's set in Vanderbilt building and definitely has a convenient location for most people dining versus many of the places located in Fidi/Tribeca. I feel Joji leans most towards delivering a primarily fine dining omakase experience and focusing on luxury ingredients. For my dinner we seemed to have another master chef and the executive owners Chef Cheng/Ruan were serving a private party. It was primarily an impersonal experience and the chefs were focused on the food and preparation though I had a great time chatting with the diners next to me. The staff curated a great drink pairing and selection with extensive sake offerings with many good ones. They offered nice samples and we were able to choose personal ones. The omakase itself followed a similar pattern to other restaurants in the same club though I didn't find it stood out in its own way. The appetizers included Wagyu , Toro and caviar which, to me, were quite strong ways to start off. The sushi included your typical findings - shima aji, akami, madai, Chu toro, unagi, sanma, shino ebi, uni and saba. The rice was seasoned and cooked well. The fish tasted fresh with good flavor. We ended with Japanese melon. Overall it's definitely very good omakase and it's great if you're looking for a primarily fine dining experience but entirely lacked in the interpersonal aspect of omakase with chefs and in getting to talk with them, literally at all. Maybe they were focused on other parties but I prefer other omakase even in the same price range for that aspect although you can't beat the centralized location! read more

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Amazing omakase experience with chef Ruan! Every dish had amazing flavor and presentation during the appetizer courses. The main event of sushi was superb, with each piece of fish being among the best I have ever had. The restaurant is hidden in a small oasis within a busy train station entrance building, which was really cool! The servers are prompt and the ambiance is very intimate, a great experience. The chef mentioned that they do change up the menu for repeat visitors as well, which is very cool! read more

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This is a sentimental post. It's one of the last meals my father shared with me. He was a cook at Le Pavillon and the chef at JoJi prepared this for him and he shared it with me. I've never had actual sushi before, I've never had actual wasabi before( I never realized how sweet real wasabi is). There's really no comparison, I've been comparing it everything since and nothing holds a candle. I promise to visit the restaurant one day, I'm still mourning my father so I avoid that area. Thank you for who ever made this for him, and I apologize for ruining the presentation as we were eating this in a deli cracking beers lol read more

JoJi - Food made to go just for me - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Joji is easily one of the best omakase experiences in New York. While the location isn't the most ideal, once inside you're met with an intimate and thoughtfully curated dining journey. The creativity of the menu really shines, with each course beautifully presented and full of layered flavors. Service is very good. Warm, attentive, and professional. It is a bit pricey, but the combination of flavor, creativity, and good service makes it feel okay. A very memorable experience, and one I would happily revisit. But definitely look up how to get there ahead of time. We had a hard time finding it. read more

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The food and service were all very good but at $410pp before tax/tip/drinks, not sure I can justify it. It's located inside grand central, which is already a little odd for a fancy expensive restaurant, but once you're inside, it's nice. The sushi was all fresh and tasty, and I appreciated the non-sushi courses, like the crab with uni. The chef asked what I normally like and I mentioned that I love monkfish liver. Despite it not being on the menu, he had some and whipped some out for us! Super thoughtful and really made my birthday celebration there special. We ended with a special Japanese melon for dessert which sounds odd but it was quite good. Although the food and service was all very good, I do think for the price that you are better off going elsewhere. That said, we still had a lovely experience here and I appreciate the chef being so kind to us! read more

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Overall, this was a nice experience. Everything we had was delicious and we enjoyed the conversation with the chef. The servers were great, attentive, and nice. The bar itself is very small and intimate and the decor is beautiful. It was actually very hard to find, we wandered for a bit. What I didn't like about it: there was an influencer who was recording and talking the whole time which I found quite annoying. It was a bit overpriced in my opinion, especially the alcohol. Didn't get pictures of everything but towards the end they asked which was our favorites and gave us another! read more

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Joji was one of the best sushi lunch experiences I've ever had. I ordered online to avoid the line, picked up my box and headed to Bryant Park! read more

JoJi - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Went all out for my birthday. Appetizers: - Tuna (? a reddish white fish looks like) wrapping a bunch of microgreens. Honestly didn't like this that much, felt like the microgreens had too much water content and not flavor. Watered out the dish for me. (usually microgreens that are spicier or more tannic are used for something? I'm not a fan of microgreens for flavor effect in general). - The next appetizer was a bit better, this was definitely tuna. Just less cucumber to water it out. - Shrimp with caviar on toast. This was beautiful and pretty good. Although not sure what effect the shiso flowers had other than looking pretty. - Cod (?) with truffle in a truffle broth. I enjoyed this as a truffle enjoyer, although the truffle might be too intense for others So far just ok, I liked the shrimp and cod dish, first two appetizers I would've just liked as sashimi and not crunchy water to dilute the flavor. Nigiri time: - Wow these portions are small...and for this caliber of restaurant, I thought they would be generous. The likes of Ginza, Zo...even Tanoshi. The fish hangs off generously from the rice, or it is thick. Here the fish is thin AND short. You could say the thickness is a stylistic chef choice. Sure. But the piece is short and therefore quantity is really small... - I don't really taste the rice. I guess that's fine, neutral rice is a style. But because there is so little fish...you're just eating a big wad of tasteless rice and some fish. - I am pretty hungry after this meal :/ Dessert: - Melon, this was pretty yummy. Wish I had more of this. - Truffle on ice cream. This was good I guess. Drinks: - Opted for by the glass to try more things. And I wanted some sparkling + sake, so this was the only way to do it. - Selection is pretty good, prices are very very expensive. But nothing out of the ordinary for a place like this. - Somm was reasonably helpful, but wish I got to hear more about the actual sake making, e.g. rice varietal, more about the Toji and brewery, brewing process etc, than just brand things like "Pharrell Williams helped design this sake" Heaviest weight to judging the nigiri, I really felt I was disappointed by the quantity and seemingly average quality of food I got here. The ambiance is cool and the chefs are chill people as well, and try to make conversation with you. But for now this is not the place for me, especially with a $1200 bill for 2 people. P.S. I actually ran into the 3 sushi chefs in the JFK airport on my way back from Tokyo at baggage claim. Was too embarrassed to tell them my real thoughts about Joji... read more

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Fantastic experience and beautifully delicious food with thoughtful presentation. Everything from walking inside this restaurant to the last bite was what would be expected from chefs of such high caliber. We were lucky to be served by Chef George who entertained both our palates and minds. The omakase was fresh, delicious and so imaginative. We opted for the addition of the hairy crab accompanied by caviar and Uni. This was beyond delicious. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. Minimal, yet so intimate and warm. We will definitely be back. For the price point it is well worth every cent. Compared to others around the same price, Joji is by far superior. If you're willing to part with $$$, you will not be disappointed. read more

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Tucked away behind a Zen rock garden in a corner of Grand Central Station's lower level, JoJi can be a bit hard to find - but maybe that's the point. We arrived about 10 minutes early for lunch, but were barred from waiting inside the restaurant by a stern guard until JoJi's exact 12:30 opening time - so stood outside awkwardly with other diners waiting to be allowed inside. Weird "welcome" but apparently that's the drill here. Ambiance: Don't expect a traditional gracious Japanese experience at JoJi. Rather, JoJi's competitive edge rests on its celebrity chef's (ex Masa) pedigree and hip ambiance replete with hip hop and jazz background music. Joji's intimate space is beautifully spare with washi paper walls and a gorgeous wood counter that accommodates just 10 clients per seating. Food/Service: Since there were no small bottles of sake on the menu (disappointing at lunch time), we chose a 720ml bottle of Heaven Hakushika sake that was very good but arguably overpriced at more than 3 times retail. Joji's lunch menu is comprised of about 16 small courses plus dessert; we didn't leave hungry. We would have liked to see more uni and less saba on the menu (personal preference) but overall quality was superb. Standouts included the lightly fried amadai w/caviar appetizer, otoro/daikon handroll, ikura presented in an elegant glass bowl, and sweet ama ebi shrimp. Beverage service was professional and prompt, our glasses were always full. Our chef was skilled but can't say he was warm and friendly as we've experienced elsewhere. Takeaway: While the sushi was excellent, IMO the whole experience wasn't outstanding enough to warrant Joji's (even by NYC standards) inflated prices. read more

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About a 2.5: We came to check out JoJi for their omakase, making reservations ahead of time. We had heard about this place being a favorite of some of our friends, and noted that they had 1 Michelin. Our omakase started off with: +Ika Somen +Toro Tataki +Shrimp Toast Caviar +Kinki Karaage Truffle +Jiru The progression of the sushi was: +Shima Aji +Akami +Amaebi +Kasugo +Kinmedai +Akamutsu +Hotate +Chutoro +Shiro Ebi +Aji +Uni Caviar +Maitake +Saba +Anago +Toro Taku To end the meal, they served a Japanese musk melon. Overall, the omakase was fine, along with the service. Nothing was terribly wrong, but nothing was noted as being outstanding. The interior is dark and modern. If you tend to get to places early, there isn't a designated waiting area, so you'll have to stand outside of the restaurant until the actual time of your seating. Located at the LL of Grand Central. +okay service read more

I made a reservation for 5:45PM on a Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, my flight the day before was cancelled because all airports in New York City cancelled flights in setting of flash flood warnings. My flight was rebooked for the late evening after my reservation. After scheduling my new flight, I cancelled my reservation at this restaurant. However, I was charged a cancellation fee in spite of the fact that the reason for cancellation was beyond my control. I spoke with the restaurant and was informed there were no exceptions. Seems odd that you can be penalized for events beyond your control. I will not be dining at this establishment ever; I will also be informing my colleagues and friends to stay away from this place. Since when did dining out carry so much risk? read more

Excellent experience all around. Food was excellent as expected. A little hard to find but they helped me over the phone. Chef was personable and easy to talk to. read more

What can I say about what I experienced? Coming from the background I had, I made a promise to myself that if I returned to New York, I'd treat myself to a special experience.  Joji was a holiday gift to my inner child.  The space is very clean and contemporary looking, with nice wood accents. From the person at the entrance, to servers and sushi chefs, all of the service was polite (and I know not everyone claims to experience this but I did), warm and kind.  I read online it's impolite to try to talk to sushi chefs while they're working so I was pleasantly surprised when our sushi chef (and Owner, Executive Chef George Ruan) engaged me in conversation!  It was fun to learn his favorite fish, and then try it! Perhaps it is better I didn't know I was served by the owner of the restaurant until I read about it later, as I may have been intimidated. He's so kind and humble, and takes the craft of preparing each dish with care. My family didn't want to join me, so I went by myself. I was next to 3 couples, and while it was nice to see people on dates, I do think they seems distracted and may have missed out on experiencing the full flavors--just my opinion. In hindsight, I was glad I went alone to savor everything in quiet contemplation, at my own pace.  We joked that my favorite fish wasn't available, and as I took the next bite I said "maybe this is my new favorite!", and smiled.  Perhaps it may seem like "well, obviously", but it was really the most flavorful and soft fish I've ever eaten. Some of the textures felt like they melted as I ate.  My favorite bites (seasonal picks so it may be different fish served for you): Toro tataki Aka ebi caviar toast  Shiro ebi Uni caviar Saba Chutoro  What I enjoyed most, though, was how attentive everyone was as I experienced delicious bites. It's the small details/considerations like replacing ginger or finger wipes that I really enjoy in addition to the meal. Matt was the server for drinks and I watched as he went from person to person ensuring that our cups were full with whatever we ordered. I think because I was by myself, he checked in on me a little more which was nice. I do feel bad I was a little overwhelmed with the final bill I could have tipped (a lot) better. Next time I'm bringing family and maybe friends, and we'll tip a lot more. In the meantime, I hope my review drives business more! Recommendation: have a light breakfast and/or lunch and leave room because you will be satisfied by the end of the Omakase experience..something told me to show up hungry and I'm glad I did! If you plan to have tea and/or drinks (and I do recommend either), you can expect to pay $350 give or take.  On its own for lunch, Omakase experience is $275. I don't know if I will ever crave sushi again, unless it's Omakase with a highly skilled sushi chef. read more

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My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary, and it was an incredible experience. The atmosphere is modern and refreshing, focusing on bringing a different experience to omakase. They had trendy music lightly playing in the background, and we had plenty of insightful conversations with our chef and the rest of the staff on the start of Joji and details on their omakase process. As for the food we had a total of 24 courses (including the night's add-ons) and we loved every single bite. Every course was beautifully presented and explained thoroughly, from the flavors melded together to the fish's sourcing. I loved how at the end our chef asked if there were any other pieces we would like to re-try or anything new he could make us. Dining at Joji was truly an incredible and unforgettable experience! read more

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Truly perfection! We had Chef Wayne and he was great! All the sushi were fresh and yummy. Service and ambiance are nice! Nothing much to say about the food other than all were perfection! At the end, Chef asked all guests if we're full and if anything else we'd like to have. I had omakase at other place before but was never asked such question. I thought it was really nice of him! And of course we all asked for extra! Lols Anyway it was a great experience! Definitely give it a try! Oh, went to the restroom ... it was dark! Lols The seat's heated tho! But it is dark! But nice! But could use some lighting in there. I had to used my phone's light. It's different and nice ... but dark. But yeah I highly recommend! read more

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This omakase will definitely be a Michelin Star destination. The service was incredible and the chef was engaging and entertaining without over doing it. Quality ingredients and spectacular dishes and sushi. Definitely the best Sushi place I've visited. read more

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The worst omakase experience I have ever had in my life so far. Was very excited to try this new restaurant after hearing that it was related to chef Daniel Boulud's restaurants, where I had pleasant experiences at all of his restaurants. The sushi restaurant itself was hard to find, as it was located at Grand Central station subway level. I felt like the security guy and front desk person acted condescending towards me. As for the omakase experience, it was very disappointing. I ended up vomiting what I ate at this sushi omakase restaurant, Joji. They just say it's not their fault. I had no issues after dining at other omakase restaurants. Sushi chef himself was friendly but I could not really enjoy the experience. Also don't get there early as there is no room you can sit and wait. Restroom was extremely dark... Menu was not printed out correctly so they had to reprint. Even though they have Joji box for takeouts, the server denied to pack the hot food items to go for me. Server was very attentive to refilling water, though. The cost of dinner omakase for two, excluding drinks, was more than $1000, even though we did not get any sushi rice on the other half. The worst service and dining experience ever. read more

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Food: 8.7/10 Service: 10/10 Ambience: 9.5/10 Fish was without a doubt high quality. I was surprised by how good the cocktail was -- Martiny's is on my bucket list! Ambience is sleek and modern. It's a really cool space with a private dining room next door. I always have high expectations for bathrooms at Japanese restaurants and this one did not disappoint! Really nice and clean! Chill hip hop played in the background at the perfect noice level -- enough privacy so you can't hear other conversations. We enjoyed our food and conversation with Wayne Cheng. Sometimes, convos at the counters can seem forced but Wayne is a great conversationalist! My favorite pieces were the Akami, Amaebi, Aburi Otoro, and the Uni. While food was great, it wasn't outstanding for me. And while I enjoyed my experience at Joji, I think $375 per person is a bit steep. I would recommend for special occasions :) read more

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I went to sushi Joji for the second time, this time with my long-term friend. We had a fantastic lunch. The food was exquisitely prepared, and it was beautiful and delicious. Unique taste not matched by any other sushi places I visited, including Sushi Nakazawa (ma second favorite after Joji). The place is spectacular and perfectly designed for the best possible experience. Servers were superbly attentive without being overwhelming. Everything from walking inside this restaurant to the last bite was what would be expected from such a high caliber restaurant. It was pleasant to watch our Chef preparing every piece with perfection! read more

JoJi - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Fancy, good quality fine dining experience. This is obviously a very pricey establishment. The food was flawless. Amazing. 2 dings for me: 1. it's a Japanese restaurant, I expect the food to be prepared entirely by a Japanese chef in front of me. 2. alcohol is absurdly overpriced. Just for fun: take a picture of the sake bottle, and look it up online. Without exaggeration, you can buy the same exact thing for 5x less. That's just shameless IMO. I understand a 20-dollar markup, but this is nuts. read more

Superb. The service was outstanding, and the entire experience was so enjoyable. The staff, down to every member, was so professional yet friendly and had such attention to detail. We had the private room with chef TK, Shao and Matt - they were such a delight, the food was spectacular and beautifully presented. I don't think I've ever had such a intimate conversation in any restaurant as I did here, so it made it super memorable. Lovely combinations, rotating menu of appetizers to start and then a multi-course section of sushi. The fish was top quality and the rice was excellent as well. A well balanced arrangement with carefully selected flavors. Very nice sake selection as well with options in white burgundys, red wine, champagne and others. A place I would definitely want to return to. read more

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Exceptional quality and value for the lunch set. We are very impressed by Chef George's professionalism. Unlike some other more traditional Omakase places, Chef George runs an easy, relaxed restaurant atmosphere. read more

Forever ruined!! WOW, What an experience! We made an sick video of the whole menu and experience on YouTube, if you're curious to see the night unfold - https://youtu.be/vuxHxJi3e9I We were blown away by this dinner and have nothing but raving reviews! As always, we love to visit restaurants based on, pedigree, ambiance, design and obviously the meal. Joji, outperformed in all regards! To start, the team! Combined, they have decades of experience working at one of the best sushi restaurants in the world, Masa. You can see the years of training as you watch the speed in which they make the sushi, it almost felt ramped up, we couldn't keep up with how quickly Chef Ruans hands were moving. That in itself, felt like art! The design and ambiance was incredible! Although we had many guests around us, we honestly felt like we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. The design was sleek, it was epic and it truly felt like we had escaped into another world! Now for the food! It's really hard to find the words to describe this dinner. Although, it seems quite simple in execution... the freshness of the fish was out of this world. We've never tasted ingredients that fresh before. It honestly felt like they had caught the fish that afternoon and presented it to us. The fish was also the most flavourful and umami fish we'd ever tasted. It's really a 'you have to be there' to understand, experience! To date - this might be one our the best restaurants we've experience and feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to dine at Joji! read more

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Have had quite a bit of omakase but JoJi is definitely one of my new favorites in NYC read more

JoJi - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Joji is omakase extraordinaire. The stone fountain drips water in a mesmerizing way as you arrive. The restaurant is 10 seats facing the chef. The atmosphere is not like other omakase experiences. Most times it's either a super bustling sushi place or a moody, dark, zen atmosphere. Joji does it differently. It's brighter with a "vibey" playlist. First come the appetizers -- since it was my first time, I got 5 classic apps. They tell me the more often you visit, they mix up your appetizers. All were delicious--and my photos are of the apps. The standouts were the steamed kinki (a steamed light white flaky fish) , the amadai (tilefish) with caviar (tasty sweet fish with a mound of salty fresh caviar) and the chawanmushi (steamed egg custard with broth and crab). The apps were followed by 15 individual pieces of sushi flown in from the Tokyo fish market. Each piece was handled with respect and very delicately seasoned. Some were seared with the red hot blade of a knife. Each piece was a different fish. The sushi rice was warm and the perfect consistency. Fresh batches are brought to the sushi chef every few minutes. The sushi chefs are friendly and the service is over the top. Every need is met before you know you had a need. The staff to customer ratio is about 3:1-and in a small space they seem to hover. But they refill your glass, answer any question and bring you a fresh, warm and perfectly folded napkin should you venture to the restroom. And please do. The restroom is dark, zen and beautiful. The Toto toilet seat alone is worth the visit. After the meal we had some Japanese musk melon that was served at the peak of sweetness. The wine and saki list is extensive and the sommelier can guide you within your price and taste ranges. Joji was a first class experience. Because of the small size, your experience will be affected by your fellow diners. Hopefully they will be nice people. Michelin will find this place. Get there while you can! read more

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Walking to this restaurant felt like we were in Japan looking for the underground omakase. Google map actually took us to the building next door but we managed to find it after we asked around couple times. This was my husbands favorite place!Everything was PERFECT! We will be back! read more

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First class sushi experience in NY which is itself at the highest standard given the richness of the offering in the city. The appetizers are succulent and blend-in luxurious and non-traditional ingredients like caviar and truffle. The sushi themselves for main are very traditional, marvelously tasty and tender altho chef George (who is an ex-Masa and partnered with Daniel Boulud on this new venture) manages to add those finishing touches (like the little lemon zest on the scallop eg) which add a little wow factor each time. For return customers chef George adapts the omakase to let you taste different things so you will never eat the same dinner twice! They also offer lunch and in this post-covid era they logically offer also boxes to go called "joji box". I also tasted one box of tuna one day and it was by far the best sushi on the go i had ever had so if you are hungry and stop by grand central it's worth giving it a try too. Overall an excellent addition to the NY sushi scene!! read more

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I made a reservation for 8:45pm on Thursday. Unfortunately I felt sick late on Tuesday and went to the doctor to have a pcr test and there it is, COVID-positive. I called the restaurant at 4pm on Wednesday (over 24 hours before my reservation) to inform them and not only did they offer any understandings, the host just straight up coldly said "there's a cancellation fee of $200 each person". This makes me feel sick to my stomach. So now I'm either going to find people to take over my resy, or just going to show up at the restaurant tomorrow and infect other guests (of course not doing the latter but it seems they wouldn't even care if that happens). read more

George was my favorite chef since he was the chef at Masa. I finally have a chance to try his dishes in Jōji and I was impressed. The service while still not as attentive as Masa but for sure better than many other Michelin sushi places. The uni hairy crab tasted so fresh and the uni hand roll was just fantastic. For sure will come back again. Parking is a problem though. read more

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Truly a hidden gem. I loved everything about my dining experience here. The food was on another level. It's been a few months and I still think about it regularly. The fish is really the star, as it should be, but the rice used is also spectacular. The design is sleek but the space really does feel inviting. The chefs are truly amazing. They take time to explain and also connect to their diners. Lastly, on the service - everyone from the host, server, somm, make you feel welcome. The vibe feels elegant and formal, but without being stuffy. It's rare for restaurants to be able to thread that needle. read more

Some of the best to-go sushi out there. A level above Sugarfish/Kazunori. Not cheap but worth the splurge if you're feeling the urge.

One of my girlfriend's snagged a reservation, and I was her lucky companion. Led by three Masa alumni: George Ruan, Xiao Lin & Wayne Cheng, we were excited, but were a tad skeptical about descending into Grand Central's "basement" for dinner. Our fears were alleviated after wandering around One Vanderbilt and finding a zen rock garden tucked away in a quiet corner. While not at all budget friendly for the average eater, the experience is well worth the cost, and I would happily return any time with any of my friends - not just for special occasions. It's a gorgeous space with a very fun soundtrack (I heard Big Poppa! and I swear I heard French rap) From start to end, the experience is seamless, but not at all stuffy. The staff are all engaging, friendly, and knowledgeable. My girl friend hates the astringent taste of alcohol, so Jun recommended an ethereally light Junmai Daiginjo sake to go with our dinner, and it was perfect for her. Certain details just elevate the experience - the finger bowl wet naps are replaced periodically, as is your napkin if you happen to leave to use the restroom. There's even a shelf for your purse under each chair. Xiao Lin expertly guided us with details about each dish, while peppering the meal with conversation about himself (I'm still waiting for an invite to visit his wife's family in Hokkaido so I can get that seafood right off the boat *wink wink*) and asking questions about us. We almost didn't feel like we were in a restaurant, but in a new friend's kitchen. We didn't have a single bad dish, but if we had to pick favorites, the grilled Kinki course was amazingly buttery, the Akamutsu (fatty sea perch) was a dream, and the Shiro Ebi (baby white shrimp) was a labor of love I very much appreciate - thank you for hand peeling all those tiny little shrimp - junior staff - I salute you! Honorable mention for being able to try barracuda for the first time. Usually Hokkaido scallop reigns supreme for me, but this time, other pieces just surpassed it. Even the mackerel was lovely - and that's usually a piece I do not enjoy much. The dessert course, which seems simple was a delight - we had Japanese Musk Melon, which is one of my all time favorite melons, topped with Shiso Blossoms. The tea they offered was a perfect way to end the meal. Not gonna lie, I low key wanted to sneak some of the plateware into my purse to take home - especially that perfect tea cup. Another detail that sets Joji apart is while my girl friend booked the reservation, she made no mention at all that her birthday was this week. I must have mentioned it during our conversation, and one of the staff must have picked up on it, because at the end of the meal, they casually brought out a chocolate dessert to celebrate her birthday. One of the reasons I can't wait to go back is Xiao Lin told us that each time a guest returns, they customize some of the sushi based on your likes/dislikes and what's newly flown in from Japan so that each time you have a tailored experience. I know that's how an omakase is supposed to be, but most places nowadays have a set menu with only a few items that change with the seasons. Joji differentiates itself by customizing the menu based on your previous meals. Love the staff (especially you Totoro!), love the environment, and love the food, All in all Joji is my new worst kept "secret" dining spot. Now, if only I could get a regular reservation! read more

It's probably the best omakase I've ever had. Chef George Ruan is an artist. There were roughly 17 dishes in total, and each was amazing. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an exceptional experience. read more

For the price of these takeout boxes the quality is just not there. I am a sushi snob and have gone to tons of high end sushi places in NYC. This opened right near my office so I wanted to try it. I got the $47 box and it had been sitting in a refrigerator, for how long I am not sure. But to spend that much on sushi that was not fresh is a bit crazy to me. I can get a fresh full course lunch at Sugarfish for that price that is eons better. read more

I was really excited to try JoJi as a new NY omakase experience with some big names behind it but unfortunately I had a terrible experience and am hoping I can save some others some money. There is no easy way to get in touch with the restaurant at all. No phone number or contact number. The staff are inattentive, non-responsive and not personable at all. I'd suggest going to one of NY's other fine sushi omakase experiences, this one is all hype and no substance. read more

NYC isn't short of omakase restaurants, but it seems like new venues keep developing between bargain to high end price points. This new entrance belongs in the later group, offering tasting experience at $375 per person. Backed by a Daniel Boulud hospitality group, the kitchen is helmed by three sushi veterans who sharpened their skills at venerable sushi restaurants. Like any proper omakase, the atmosphere is intimate and exclusive. Situated in an alcove of Grand Central Terminal, you literally have to descend into a lower level for dining experience. The omakase includes five appetizers. 14 piece of nigiri and one dessert. Of course, the nigiri will change based on market availability and seasons. Pairing each piece with proper premium sake and fine wine amplifies the taste buds. This isn't a traditional omakase per se, as the chef may shave like like on top of o toro for acidity but do expect a combo of uni and caviar with the sushi rice. It's a middle ground, so it feels safe yet unexpected simultaneously. read more

I got lost trying to find Joji. I read that it's "in" Grand Central, but it's actually not. Or maybe it is. But after 15 mins of searching I found the place. Hurried like a late commuter, they sat me down, took my coat and served me a glass of beer. I could read their minds as they were telegraphing, "chill dude, you're here." And from there my stressors melted away as I embarked on one of most amazing sushi experiences I've had in my life. Unbelievable. I went with the Omakase lunch and pretty much left my hands to Chef George. I don't know about you, but I'm intimidated sitting at a sushi bar. I'm not familiar with the food or customs, especially at high end spots. But not here. Chef George was the greatest teacher... He walked me through each fish explaining how to eat and what to expect. Each course just getting better and better. Toro? Check. Uni. Double check. All delicious. But then, toward the end of the meal, I get served Saba. It's smoked mackerel the likes I've never had. Tender, flavorful, and rich. I'd have this for dinner every night if I could. Amazing food and worth every penny. Lastly, I had a lovely dessert that included some light shavings of white truffle. What?????? Out of this world. Yeap, I could have taken a nap right there. Thank you Chef and to your awesome team. Hate to let the cat out of the bag, but this place is going to be a winner! Cheers! read more