Cute speak easy in another restaurant. The staff was so friendly. The vibe was very cute and cozy with a good amount of table and bar seats. We visited during happy hour and got a burger and some fries. Fries were amazing, burger was amazing and drinks were amazing. On the dot of when happy hour ends the bartender checked with the guest if they want anything else before happy hour ends. Great place. Great staff. Great food. Great vibes. read more

See all

We had a solid dinner last night, the service was really good and the ambiance is that of a really well done Japanese speak-easy. It's very dark in there, so remember that if it's a beautiful day outside :) We got both the hamachi and tuna tataki - the fish was very fresh and flavorful. The karaage was very delicious, perfectly cooked and came out hot with two good sauces. The wagyu short rib was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. Sake menu is respectable, with generous pours. I got a cocktail that was not quite to my taste, it was a whiskey-cocktail with sesame, but the sesame was so overwhelming it was hard to taste anything else, I did enjoy the sesame flavor, but it just missed some balance IMO. In general a very pleasant experience and we'll be going back! read more

This is a speakeasy located in the back of Walter's! Came here for New Year's Eve and everything was excellent! From the ambiance, to the service, and the food - there were no misses. Great place to come with friends, take out of town guests, or for a romantic dinner. Cocktails: I tried the No Bun Intended. I LOVED the sesame oil flavor. Also tried the Little Foot, which is marketed as a take on a daquiri, but to me it tasted like an Asian version of a cosmopolitan. Love! Food: I came with two friends so we go to try a large portion of the menu. There was nothing that wasn't excellent: Oysters Hamachi (so good we got another order) Tuna Tataki (slightly underseasoned, but good quality) Braised Maitake (rich and delicious!) Wagyu Short Rib (cooked perfectly and delicious) Hamachi collar croquettes (I thought these might be salty, but they were perfect) Torched Eel (this is a do-not-miss) Fried chicken thigh (perfection: crispy on the outside, VERY juicy on the inside, and the dipping sauces were delicious, it was a large portion) Miso black cod (this is a LARGE portion - you get the whole fish, so order accordingly, but it was delicious) We also got mochi ice cream for dessert. Overall a home run! Can't wait to come back. read more

Karasu - Eel - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Located in the back of a restaurant, you need to go through the restaurant into the back to get here. We came for the happy hour and was able to get a spot without a reservation around 6 on a Tues and they just gave us a heads up that we had to leave by 7:30. We tried the Midori rum highball. Very refreshing and well made. Could have used slightly stronger melon flavor but still enjoyable. $9 for the cocktail on happy hour which was decent and expected for this kind of place. Service could definitely have been better. I got water spilled on me by the bartender and she was barely apologetic and didn't come check on me after handing me a bar towel. She did comp my drink but just left an overall poor taste on an otherwise good experience. read more

Karasu - Happy hour menu as of 6/17/25 - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Love a vibey cocktail bar! This speakeasy is so chic and perfect for catching up with friends. The service is always very gracious and the drinks are delicious! read more

Karasu - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Beautiful and relaxing spot. Super friendly staff and great service. The drinks are sophisticated and tasty. A nice selection of pastries. We'll be back. Thank you. read more

Karasu - The view from the seating area. - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

This is a cute little spot. Perfect for date night - especially if you need somewhere with good snacks and drinks that can morph into dinner if the date is going well (or end at the first cocktail if shits goin south). I think the highlight of the place is that it's tucked behind Walter's; so for anyone going for the first time it truly feels like a speakeasy. It's really cozy - as in it's small...but it's well set up to optimize space. With that said, it's not a bar for big groups - it's more of an intimate place. Snacks and food are good. I'm a fan of the cocktails. My must try things are: - whole fried fish (why not) it's crunchy and moist plus the head looks cool - Lily pad - yummy sweet and flirty - Wabi sabi - way more complex than I anticipated when ordering it. Unexpected - Cupids bow - cool if you like spicy and will knock your socks off The staff are also really sweet and will guide you where you need to go based on taste. Try it for your next date! read more

See all

I walked from one cocktail bar hidden behind another business over to this other bar hidden behind a business. Didn't expect a Japanese establishment to be hidden behind a restaurant called Walter's where they sell burgers and artichoke dip, but stranger things have happened. I got a spot for 2 at the bar as walk ins without any to-do on a Thursday night, which is quite a win in my book. The fact that they have the likes of karaage to pair with their japanese spirits? It's a home run for me. I wondered how in the year 2025 in and in what's now a schmancy neighborhood (Fort Greene) they could be charging only $14 for their drinks, but it's because I was looking at the highball menu. The more spirit forward drinks go for ~$18-$21 a pop, which is more in line with what I'd expect. Our server could not be bothered to point us toward a favorable drink from their overwhelming menu, and I wish I could have looked up photos of the drinks first to have a a better sense of what they were, but my Open Sesame drink was just fine. The pieces in the karaage were too large in my opinion, but the mayo sauce it came with was pretty tasty. All in all I'm glad I checked out this bar that had been sitting in my bookmarks for years but I'm not hankering to return. read more

A cozy speakeasy tucked into the back of Walter's -- they serve up Japanese fare and unique drinks. We stopped by for a pre-show bite, since it's close to BAM. I'd recommend getting family-style small plates to share. Everything was very flavorful, my personal standouts included Eggplant and Salmon Don. read more

See all

Impeccable service and atmosphere. We can't say much about the food cuz we came for drinks but the French couple next to us were really into like their steak. read more

This speakeasy restaurant is hidden at the end of the hallway at Walter's so it can be difficult to find. The space is somewhat small but the ambience is quite nice and feels like a good date spot. In terms of service, everyone was nice but the food did take some time to come out. The oysters and the katsu sandwich on the happy hour menu were great and reasonably priced. That said, I was highly disappointed with the Ikura Don dish. It was mostly rice with a drizzle of soy sauce and very few pieces of raw salmon. It felt a bit salty at times and was honestly way too overpriced for what it was. The karaage was tasty but again felt overpriced for the portion. Overall, the food and atmosphere were great but I don't think I would return for the food. It just didn't feel worth it for the high price point. That said, I may return for the happy hour menu and drinks. read more

Karasu - people sitting at tables in a dimly lit restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I'd rate Karasu four and a half stars. It's a Japanese speakeasy located at the back of Walter's. They have a dimly lit full bar with a focus on Japanese products. Nice offerings of Japanese whiskies, sake, and a couple Japanese beers. I saw one of the special Japanese beer machines which makes the texture of the beer come out creamy, but I'm not sure which bar utilized the machine. We started with the tuna tataki. It came out quickly and offered a flavorful umami bite. It was plated on yuzu shoyu adding elements of sweetness, sourness, and more. Next came out the eggplant served in a dashi shoyu. This was one of my wife's favorite dishes. Eggplant soaked up the sauce adding a lot of flavorful. Third dish was broccolini boiled in a dashi. Very interesting preparation to me. I've typically had broccolini either charred or pan fried with butter or oil. Boiling it gave a soft texture but immersed it with a very different flavor from what I'm accustomed to. For the main course, we shared the market fish which was a fried black bass. I highly recommend it. It was the best preparation of fried fish that I've had. The fish was super juicy on the inside and ultra crispy on the outside. I think this dish was prepared on Walter's side as the breading and oil flavor seemed reminiscent of fried chicken. Service was attentive and they were very diligent in keeping our water glasses full. It's a small and dimly lit area making it intimate and romantic. There was one gender neutral restroom on the Karasu side. The was a handicap accessible restroom just through the door on Walter's side. read more

Simple. Unassuming. One and done kinda spot, only if you can't find reservations anywhere else. That's where I found myself. On the cusp of hungry and starving not yet hangry searching like mad for a spot. As we were about to leave the location because we couldn't find the restaurant but we asked the hostess of Walters and were brushed off toward the back area. Luckily we found the exact door thanks to a waiter. On to the food. As mentioned it was just ok. Nothing was better than what the neighborhood has to offer or worst. There was no flavor packing umph (umami) in anything that was ordered. The scallops were drowning in a sauce that I could have done without all the same. The fried whole fish was proportionately odd (very wide and large head with a short and slender body...). The salmon don was as any that one can get from a quick spot such as a deli. Overall everything was purposefully made simply to help sustain you with no frills. read more

Yelp asks why did you give 4 Stars? What went well? Everything! This cozy Japanese restaurant behind Walter's on Dekalb is dark and sweet. We made a reservation and were seated on time. When 2 friends arrived the staff put 2 tables together which was very kind. We ate Hamachi, clams & Tonkatsu. They were very good and the timing between dishes was right on target. The best part of dining at Karasu was the cocktails. I had 2 Forte Greens which was probably was 1 too many, My goodness, but they were fabulous. I can't wait to go back! read more

Who doesn't love a restaurant within another restaurant? Friend recommended this gem and it was an amazing experience. All the drinks were amazing and the small bites were delicious. I think personally if I were to come back I'd focus on the drinks and order a few sides. hamachi - favorite small bite. extremely fresh fish yaki imo - who doesn't like butter with sweet potato tuna tataki - pretty normal tuna, nothing special. chicories - delightful and crunchy lotus root. sayoko's karaage - not the best but was satisfying. a bit too much batter and overcooked. shishitos - yum. yuzu with some peppers prime ribeye for two - the koji and tosazu sauce was amazing with the prime rib. prime rib done extremely well read more

See all

Great vibes - dimly lit, speakeasy in the back of Walter's. We ordered the grilled scallops (far too salty), temachi (the fish was very fresh, but very overpriced for how many pieces it came with), and the shishito peppers (mayo sauce was great, but i felt it wasn't blistered enough, more just oily). Overall the food was alright, but I think people come here more for the drinks and vibes. read more

Secret-y speakeasy in the back of a bustling Americana restaurant? Interesting! The room is pretty dark (and loud) but I found it really elegant- the decor was really nice (think Japanese izakaya but art deco-y.) Vibes gave me the sense it would be a good place for an intimate dinner or nice date. We were there for a casual double date- our party of 4 was promptly seated (we had made a reservation via Resy ahead of time, which was definitely a good idea.) The drinks: STRONG AND DELICIOUS COCKTAILS- 5 stars for the creativeness, deliciousness and awesomeness of their drinks! Check out the White Lotus, Olive Branch, Umeshu Tonic. The food: Pretty good- we had a vegetarian guest so we got a lot of vegetable heavy dishes (grilled shishito peppers, a nice chicories focused salad, Maitake udon) to share. All were very good! For omnivores, recommend the karaage (fried chicken)! The service: Friendly! Our server was very knowledgeable about each dish (we had a few questions as our friends were vegetarian and we wanted to makes sure about our orders) and took the time to explain. If you don't know, ask- they will gladly inform you. They seem to have some seasonal specials (they had a cold noodle dish when we went) so interested to see what they have in the other seasons. read more

Meh, nothing too special. Would I come back? Probably not, but the ambience is nice and the whole speakeasy thing is cool....maybe for drinks. My friend and I split the udon and the steak; the udon was vegetarian and kinda reminded me of pizza without tasting like pizza. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. The steak was also just ok, which was disappointing. I've had $100 steak before, and this one just wasn't worth the price tag. I don't mind blowing money on food, but I didn't love anything I ate that night. I will say though, the service was good and they were really polite when my friend and I were running late. We appreciated that they called us asking how late we'd be rather than cancelling + charging the cancellation fee. read more

Karasu - Steak - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came here for dinner on a Sunday night and enjoyed the quiet, cool atmosphere it had, very laid back. The food itself was very good and definitely worth checking out. read more

Karasu - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

You know you have places that you just keep going back to, because it's comfortable, homie, and makes you feel good every time you leave? Thanks Karasu, such a hidden gem behind Walters. First off, the staff is so sweet, every person that works there including the chef is beyond accommodating and caring. The ambiance is so cute, not so small you feel like your sitting on top of each other, which i like a lot compared to some other speakeasies. The food is incredible, I have literally had everything on the menu. I used to be obsessed with their chicory salad, which isn't on the menu anymore but i can forgive them because everything else is amazing. The the Kaarage chicken is a CAN'T MISS. Crispy, juicy, perfectly fried. The Steak is actually one of the best steaks i've had in the city, so i highly suggest to get it and share it with your party. I have been back at least 8 times....I know, i have a problem lol :) But it's delicious so go try it! read more

3.5. Hmm it was fine. Tbh I was slightly disappointed by the environment - it was smaller than expected but also didn't feel particularly intimate. Dark, but not really canoodling vibes. Different than what I expected from seeing pics. Another room behind a restaurant so sort of a speakeasy but not as cool as Banzabar (location wise in the restaurant). Mediocre drinks. Food was good/fine. I liked the karrage. Overall fine but I wouldn't have a strong inclination to come back. read more

See all

It's a beautiful speak easy, I love it. I think it's nice for 2 people, it's easier as the dishes are very small like tapas. The foods feel clean, cocktails are delicious! read more

Small tucked in space inside of Walter's restaurant. You have to walk through Walter's, all the way to the back by the restroom to get into Karasu. Talk about speakeasy entrance! Totally hidden We decided to try this place on a Friday night around 7 and were quoted a 20 min wait, which ended up only being about 10 mins! We got a spot at the bar, which was a bitttt cramped especially if you're ordering food and the people next to you are alsooo eating (elbow bumpin). It looks like they are also known for their cocktails ! and they have a lot of creative options. I am definitely down to come back and try their cocktails, but that night we were there for the foodz! Their menu is pretty simple with small bites and entrees. - Chicken karaage: SUPER yummy and crispy. The outside breading was unique and a variation I haven't tried before. My only gripe is that each dish of this we saw, had different amounts of chicken pieces. We got 5, some people got 4, and others got 6. More consistency plz! - Duck soba: very flavorful and a lot of components that come together welll. The broth was a little salty and I probably wouldn't order this again, but it was definitely good to try - Salmon ikura bowl: exactly as it sounds. Not really anything special.. I thought there would be a unique sauce or something but it was just ikura + salmon sashimi on top of rice Not gonna lie, the ambience/location is really cool! and great to take visitors. I want to try their steak dish for 2 and cocktails next time since everyone was raving out about it! read more

Karasu is a Japanese speakeasy hidden behind a secret door inside Walter's, and has been my go-to for special occasions since before the pandemic. Their art deco interior paired with dimly lit private tables create a sexy, intimate atmosphere - especially as you sip on their unique twists on classic cocktails. Order the Koji Ribeye, for sure!!! I've been to my fair share of Japanese steakhouses, and this cut was seasoned and cooked to PERFECTION. Always one of the most memorable dishes that come to mind when friends or coworkers ask for restaurant recommendations. Definitely worth the drive out from Queens or Long Island, I will continue coming for as long as they remain open. read more

Karasu - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Really great cozy place. Small menu but good food. The fried chicken thighs were pretty basic though I expected them to be better. My favorite thing was the katsu pork sandwhich on the happy hour menu for only $7. It was delicious. The entree katsu pork is good too but not as good as the sandwhich. My other favorite thing are the potatoes which are in this butter sauce. It has a flavor I never tasted before and they are so creamy and delicious. Also wait service and staff are very nice. The steak for 2 wasn't anything special in my opinion. I like "the dream" cocktail but now its off the menu, they still made it for me though, it was good they had the ingredients. Great place to go on a date or have a classy work meeting. Small intimate space with low lighting but a nice homey vibe. Make reservations or call in advance it gets busy. Though not busy when they just open up. read more

See all

Excellent food, excellent sake, very friendly service, wonderful atmosphere! Really just about perfect!

We had reservations and were promptly seated. I read reviews prior to booking this restaurant so maybe I had high hopes but I thought the service was really lacking. There were 4 open tables and this is a tiny restaurant so it definitely wasn't slammed. Lots of times our drinks were empty. The server completely forgot about one of our dishes. We gave her two cards to charge the bill and she charged only .02 cents to one bill and all of it to the other, why wouldn't she charged it 50/50? As we were closing our bill she let us know we basically needed to leave because there was another reservation. I would say my 3 stars is mostly because of the cocktails, not the food and definitely not the service. read more

Karasu is good. It's located within Walter's in which you have to walk through the little diner to an inconspicuous location in the back. (10/10 on creativity it's a total 180 in concept) We ordered: 1. Shishito Peppers: Love! Surprised as to how large the serving was, and they were roasted to perfection 2. Roasted Sweet Potato: Highlight here was the niso butter, but would save your money because spending $14 on a normal roasted sweet potato is honestly highway robbery 3. Karaage: Good, but not great. Not the worst, but not the best. Would I get it again if I visited? Maybe? Uncertain but I don't regret it 4. Tonkatsu: Similar to karaage; not the worst, but no the best. It was good. Overall, it's a solid place to eat, and I do love the vibe. Four stars given that I've had much better elsewhere. read more

We came here for my daughter's birthday. Ambiance was very nice. Food was great, we have the wagyu tartar, it was really good but needed a little more spice. Service was good, we could have used more attention from the waiter, and a bit more explanation on each dish as it came out. read more

Took my fiancée here for her birthday and she absolutely loved it. The ambience is cozy and fun, the service was wonderful, and food was delicious. The drinks were a real standout, I had one the best drinks I've ever had here and will definitely be going back. Would recommend! read more

fun speakeasy bar in the back of Walter's. we got the Always Sunny and the Sabrosa - both drinks were strong and the bartender was extremely nice. the ambiance made it a great spot for an intimate date. there was great decor as well! read more

See all

Food is best eaten when shared. If you have to order one thing from here, get the steak for two. I've brought friends here and I always order the steak. It's absolutely delicious! Karasu is a hidden gem. I get so excited every time I find a good Asian spot in Brooklyn. I'm not surprised why it's always packed. It's a tiny place so make sure to make reservations. read more

Karasu - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great hidden gem - the drinks were very unique and the service was great. We only stopped by for the drinks, but we want to come back for the food! They carry one of my favorite whiskys - Akashi Ume which was awesome to see. Great option for a smaller group or a bar hang! read more

This past Friday I finally checked out Karasu. If you're thinking "Kara-who?", then perhaps you have not had the pleasure to discover this little Japanese speakeasy hidden in the back of Walter's. Now sure, all legit speakeasies disappeared circa 1933, but turns out even boring adults like myself enjoy pretending for a night that they are living out a risqué Prohibition-era fantasy, minus the bootleg liquor brewed in bathtubs and cops crashing my cocktails. The happy hour list at Karasu is brief and simple, yet satisfying. The humble $7 fried pork chop sandwich with mayo on sweet white bread was enough for my boyfriend to rave about so much, you'd think I don't ever feed him at home. The half-off sake and a Whiskey/apple cocktail deals earned a second round from us. Pop in Mon-Fri 5:30-7pm to score these deals. We made reservations to be safe, but did see a couple of open spots at the bar. We tried the tuna zuke off the regular menu, which was accompanied by shaved daikon radishes in addition to the standard ginger and wasabi. The karaage, fried chicken thighs, came out in a generous portion and hot enough to singe my tongue because I have no patience. Both items were quite tasty overall. After a lazy stroll around Fort Greene park on a warm summer night, cooling off at the dim, swanky Karasu bar is the Brooklyn dream I look forward to reliving over and over again in the upcoming months. Fun fact to impress your date: "karasu" means "crow" or "raven" in Japanese. read more

See all

Definitely enjoyed my journey to this resturant. Wasn't too out of the way from. The subway, but it took a bit of finding. We left early from our hotel just in case we had trouble. Luckily there was even a sign outside Walter's. It feels little awkward walking through Walter's with everyone eating, but the staff is totally used to it. The prices are a bit expensive, but the drinks and food are very good. More specifically, I enjoyed the honey old-fashioned for drink and the clams and tonkatsu the best. I don't know that I'd be back anytime soon though, it is a bit expensive! read more

See all

Karasu is a cute restaurant within a restaurant restaurantception. Located at the back of Walter's, it's a little speakeasy with a classy bar and a small amount of tables. I remember we had chicken Kara-age but I don't remember what other food - what was amazing here was the sesame whiskey drink!! It sounds odd but it was delicious and went down so smooth. This was a fun spot with good ambiance for a first date, which is what I went for. The bartender was also really cool and gave us free shots! Just soooo friendly and I think he could tell we were both nervous. Very sweet :) read more

Go behind the secret door and experience a real treat. We thoroughly enjoyed Karasu- loved the ambiance and design of the space. Not as thrilled about the kinda slow service. But I digress. Let's talk food. What we loved here: Japanese sweet potato (probably our favorite dish of the night), the kaarage (always a favorite), and the roasted mushrooms What we really liked here: the pork chop (tasty!) and the mezcal cocktail Other: the pickles (not a fan), and the olives (ditto). All-in-all we liked this place. Try it out if you're in the neighborhood. read more

The wagu beef special looked like puppy chow, but in general the food, staff, and ambience are exquisite. Would definitely go back again.

Take the train out to Fort Greene. Stride confidently through Walter's, a beloved neighborhood restaurant, to an unmarked door in the back. Take your quoted wait with dignity, and don't despair if it's for the bar. Walk your companion around the park as the sun sets. Come back for your seat, and put yourself in Karasu's very capable hands. Boom. Date night solved. Karasu is a Japanese speakeasy in the back of a restaurant, and I'm aware of how played out that sounds, but they do it right. The drinks are the draw, though we were ultimately more impressed with the food. It's a little pricey for what it is, but I think the ambiance makes up for it. Cocktails are $14 across the board, and feature the usual suspects: plum, ginger, coconut. A few leaned away from the typical hipster Japanese palate, like mango and curry mezcal or rye and pineapple. My Daydream had ample creamy coconut, but was hindered by ice overload; my boyfriend's Mighty Mighty had a nice note of sesame but was ultimately just gussied-up bourbon to me (though he drank it happily). Both were served in unique glassware. Also notable is the sake program. At the end of the meal, I had a glass of absolutely delightful aged sake, which was closer to a port and deliciously cinnamon raisin-y. We had the sashimi of the day, which might have been mackerel. It was fishy and oily, but in the best possible way. The pricing was pretty high for a few small pieces ($12ish), so you could skip it. Karaage ($13) was a much better buy, juicy chicken thighs fried perfectly and served with lemon and soy sauce. Just get this. We also had a side of lotus, carrot, and other vegetables ($6), which was typical but refreshing. We split a noodle dish ($18) which was huge and delicious. A great broth, topping, and noodle texture situation. Overall, it ran $55ish a person after tax and tip, but it was a lovely experience. Service was attentive, and though pacing was relaxed we were never left waiting. So long as you're willing to accept the price, it's an easy charmer. read more

See all

The restaurant was OK, but not great. It's at the back of another restaurant and doesn't seem to have windows or ready means of ventilation. It took me a few minutes to stop sensing in initial smell. The dishes I enjoyed the most were the sashimi and mushrooms. The fish was well grilled, too. The oysters were small (for $3.50 pp), but fresh. The pickled vegetables were less than I expected (I love oshinko), the octopus salad was ok, as was the crab salad. Not a bad place, but for the price they charge, I expected more. read more

See all