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There are only a handful of spots in NYC that I'd actually go back to again and again, and KEI is one of them. I've tried so many dishes here, but the mini trio, katsu sando, and katsu curry are some of my favorites! Highly recommend making a resy! There was already a long line by the time I left, even on a weekday night. ＊Crab Croquette $18 * This felt more like a fusion take on a traditional kani cream korokke, as they topped it with actual crab meat and crab roe! ＊Miso Black Cod $21 This was sooo silky and buttery, with a really nice miso flavor. Definitely one of my favorites. ＊Mini Trio $42 ** The chirashi don was SO pretty! It was definitely pricey for the portion, but the sashimi quality was seriously good. The uni, bluefin tuna, scallop, fatty salmon and ikura were all so fresh. If you're craving a really good chirashi, this is a splurge-worthy one. ＊Unagi Bowl $32 * They piled a pretty generous amount of grilled eel over rice. The unagi was thick and meaty with nicely grilled, golden skin, although there were more small bones than I would've liked. The rice was also drenched in a sweet unagi sauce. ＊Mentaiko Udon $25 This one was a miss for me. I wish there was more mentaiko because the cream kind of overpowered it. And the bacon bits were way too burnt and hard for me. The texture didn't really work with the soft, silky udon. ＊Strawberry Kakigori $12 I loved how generous they were with the strawberry compote, as I still had strawberry drizzle with every bite all the way to the end. Though for the price, I wished there were some actual strawberry pieces instead of having everything blended into a jam.
Nice vibe and good Japanese cuisine at KEI. I ordered the Unagi Don ($32), which had tasty, well-cooked eel on top of soft white rice with a nice teriyaki style sauce on top. It was also garnished with nori (seaweed), and I appreciated the little flower on top which really elevated the appearance of the dish. Now that being said, I wouldn't say it was that much better than other good quality eel donburi dishes, but I certainly still enjoyed. The restaurant is decorated in a very chic and trendy style which is both casual and nice. During the warmer months, they open up the front so there is a nice open air breeze coming in. The staff are average friendliness and the service speed is decent. Overall, with solid food and a nice environment, I think KEI is a great option for good Japanese cuisine and can be appropriate for a variety of different occasions.
We stopped by for the late night kanpai hour. We were seared immediately and our servers really really attentive. The yuzu sour was part of the kanpai hour but the draft was part of their summer menu. Both appetizers really stood out to me. They did not skimp on the octopus in the Takoyaki and it was really worth it. I loved everything we got!
We walked in as a group of 4 for Wednesday happy hour, which goes until 7pm. They have a summer menu. There were plenty of tables. It filled up later in the night. Overall the food was tasty. We shared several plates. Servers were attentive.
KEI @ NEW YORK Uber, carpooling, or taking the subway are probably the best ways to get here, but there is also some street parking available. I ended up taking the subway with a couple of friends. The location is pretty close to Chelsea Market about a 15-minute walk, so we just walked over from there. This was a random spot we decided to try, and it definitely felt a bit touristy. That said, it was really nice inside, and surprisingly not too crowded for a Wednesday night. There were five of us, and we were seated pretty easily. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, which was $24, definitely on the pricier side compared to most ramen I've had. Overall, it was good. The broth was super rich, thick, and milky with a lot of flavor. It leaned very heavy though, and the meat was tender almost looked like ham and they gave a decent amount. I also liked the mushrooms, and the noodles were really soft. That being said, I wasn't completely sold on it. The richness was a bit too much for me, and it didn't leave me feeling great afterwards. In the moment, it tasted good, and you can tell the broth was high quality like it had been simmering for a long time--but it was just a little too heavy overall. The ambiance was really nice though, super cute and perfect for a casual date night. The staff were also really friendly. They even offered free ice cream or a mocktail if you left a review on the spot, which was a nice touch. Overall, I enjoyed my experience, but I probably wouldn't go back just because the ramen was a bit too rich for my taste. If you love a super thick, milky broth though, this is definitely a place you'd enjoy.
This location has about 20 tables grouped for pairs or groups of 4, with hand fans posted on the wall and paper lanterns. Staff is very nice and friendly when you walk in. Doesn't seem busy, but I'm also here when it first reopens at 5pm. I actually walked in here because I saw their online menu had an unagi don (eel rice bowl) for $20, but it turned out to be a photo from last year, so maybe things have changed. I ordered it for $32 and was a bit sad about the portion size for the price; generally eel is served as a whole, but this was cut up into a few pieces spread around seasoned rice with cut up tamago (egg) and some nori strips. Probably better as a lunch portion or if you're not a big eater.
I had a great experience at KEI. The vegan options were good and yummy. Good broth and portioning. I have never had agedashi tofu as it's never vegan so that was nice! I also had a sake flight and really enjoyed that. Great fast service and cute little spot near the train I needed to take I am so happy to have found it.
I'm not sure why this place has such outstanding reviews. It was okay. The highlights of our meal were the shrimp avocado roll and vegan cheesecake. Everything we ordered came out at the same time (except for one item that I think they initially forgot about). The zucchini on the vegetable yakitori was brushed with what I think is usually a glaze, but it wasn't cooked with the zucchini, it just rested on top. It was too salty. On the other hand, it seemed like the mushrooms weren't seasoned at all. The miso glazed cod lacked the flavor of the glaze, tasted a little fishy, and had a lot of bones. The restaurant is very dark inside.
Sigh. Of course in Manhattan, an izakaya--which should be a casual, affordable spot to grab an easy bite or sip--is an overpriced, over-upscaled affair where cocktails cost (*checks notes*)....$20+.....and Happy Hour fries are still $8 for a tiny plate. Such was the case with KEI. We actually came here for their $40 three-bowl ramen flight--and I wish we'd just gone to a better ramen spot and paid full price for one bowl each. We got the Tonkotsu, Wagyu Miso Ramen and Fried Chicken Tantan (mazemen)--and they were in that order of tolerability. Meaning, the Tonkotsu was fine but forgettable. The Wagyu (a laughable $34 at full price) was wayyyyy too salty, and had very little actual 'gyu. And the Tantan was just plain gross--a waste of a decently breaded piece of chicken tossed in a gross concoction of peanut butter and sesame paste. The combo didn't work, and we actually ended up mixing the broth from the Wagyu with the Tantan, just to try to salvage both bowls. Aside from the aforementioned overpriced fries (they weren't even seasoned in any way), we also split the Salmon Carpaccio, which was the only decent part of our meal. Nice decor, if you like your casual watering holes to evoke Michelin memories. I don't. There aren't many real, authentic izakayas in Manhattan, but I'll stick to those few rather than....whatever Kei is.
Pros: - staff are very friendly and helpful - food came out pretty quickly - I really liked that they put large pieces of octopus in the takoyaki - the crab croquette and mentaiko were pretty tasy - I also really enjoyed the Yuzu White Peach Sparkling mocktail Cons: - this is more subjective rather than a con but, I prefer my food more seasoned and flavorful (I know Japanese cuisine tends to be more mild but the flavors are still pretty distinct) - personally, I don't recommend the agedashi tofu Comments: - came on a Thursday around 6:40PM, we were seated immediately for a party of 3 - the music was pretty loud and it was kind of difficult for me to hear what the staff were saying - we only ordered quick bites and appetizers
KEI might be one of the best ramen spots I've had in NYC. The tonkotsu ramen really stood out. The broth was rich but not heavy, and the noodles tasted like the ramen I had in Japan. The black garlic oil added a lot of flavor. Appetizers were solid too. Agedashi tofu was perfectly fried, and the miso black cod was my favorite starter. Yakitori was good, especially the chicken meatball. We also ordered the salmon ikura don -- fresh fish and really good rice. Small, cozy izakaya vibe. Good for casual dinner, ramen, and drinks.
Service: 3.2/5 Food: 4/5 Price: $30-$60 Came here for our monthly roommate dinner, the hot soups acted as a great hand warmer in the midst of this extremely cold winter. Self-identified as an izakaya, + while the decor matched, the menu isn't traditional + isn't different from any other Japanese restaurant. I also realized after, they use a new food menu which consisted of appetizers + 3 main sections of entrées (sushi, ramen + rice bowls). Would come back again, maybe when the weather is warmer. Our waitress was a bit curt, which didn't provide the best service experience. We later realized it wasn't anything personal, she treated all the customers the same way. What I Ordered: - Salmon + Tuna Tartare: crispy wonton chips, fresh seafood, adequate portion - Wantonmen: 4 juicy dumplings, broth was a little oily + salty - City Pop cocktail: foam tastes cheesy, cute
Overall nice spot. The food was good but not inspiring. We enjoyed our meal but not enough to come back soon. The service was very good.
2 months ago
KEI NYC offers much more than just ramen! They serve delicious Sapporo-style ramen alongside a great selection of Japanese izakaya dishes. My favorite was the mentaiko udon--it was creamy, savory, and incredibly satisfying. I also highly recommend trying the banana crème brûlée for dessert. It's a unique twist that was the perfect way to end the meal. If you're looking for a Japanese restaurant with a variety of dishes beyond ramen, KEI NYC is definitely worth checking out. I look forward to coming back and trying more of the menu! Follow me @foodie.elite on IG, Tiktok and RedNote for more foodie finds! read more
I had really high hopes for this spot. I had quite a bit of fomo when I saw that Yelpers were invited to this spot and it being in the same neighborhood as my bfs I knew we'd eventually check it out. We both love ramen and Japanese food and in general I think can be a huge hit or a huge miss. Starting off, the place is cute and well decorated, the servers are very attentive and super nice. This is where it begins and ends with the nice parts. Prefacing, I've watched the prices of this spot slowly dip up over the past year of it opening. They have a happy kanpai hour that involves discounted drinks. It runs from lunch 11:30-4pm, dinner 5-7, and late night 8:30-9:30. I think this is kind of deceiving because it isn't a happy hour. It's basically the entire length of time the business is open. They significantly mark up their menu of drinks during 'regular hours' (which I guess is like 2 hours out of the day) and then 'mark down' a dollar or two from the super inflated price. A beer that comes in a 8-10oz water drinking glass is $10 during happy hour and $13-16 during regular hours. A cocktail (the more generic ones) are $16 and the signature cocktails are $22 during happy hour. Guess how much they are during regular hour? Between $18-25 depending on the drink. I'm confused on the part in how this is a deal. Also, they falsely advertise that they have a speakeasy. They don't have a speakeasy. There's a bar with seating at it in addition to tables and maybe one or two tables further in the back next to the bathroom. Moving on, it was my birthday. I let my boyfriend pick the spot and he knew I wanted to check this out. He ordered a beer, I ordered the Strawberry vodka Margarita on their 'Kanpai hour'. For our entrees we both got the Fried Chicken Tantan that is a soupless noodle dish that comes with a soymilk sesame sauce of sorts and a poached egg. I regret not trying the ramen because shortly after I felt terrible. I thought the dish was okay. . . . I liked the fried chicken but my partner borderline hated it. There was something off tasting in the sauce. I really felt so terrible that I couldn't enjoy the rest of my night and my stomach was churning. He didn't feel great either digestive wise. The cocktail was decent. Small but it packs a decent punch. All in all, I probably won't come back. It's way over-priced for what you get ($100 for 1 beer, 1 cocktail, 2 noodle dishes, no apps, no dessert during happy hour) and I was just very disappointed with the food we received. It does get packed fairly regularly though but I'm not getting on this hype train. read more
1 month ago
There are only a handful of spots in NYC that I'd actually go back to again and again, and KEI is one of them. I've tried so many dishes here, but the mini trio, katsu sando, and katsu curry are some of my favorites! Highly recommend making a resy! There was already a long line by the time I left, even on a weekday night. ＊Crab Croquette $18 * This felt more like a fusion take on a traditional kani cream korokke, as they topped it with actual crab meat and crab roe! ＊Miso Black Cod $21 This was sooo silky and buttery, with a really nice miso flavor. Definitely one of my favorites. ＊Mini Trio $42 ** The chirashi don was SO pretty! It was definitely pricey for the portion, but the sashimi quality was seriously good. The uni, bluefin tuna, scallop, fatty salmon and ikura were all so fresh. If you're craving a really good chirashi, this is a splurge-worthy one. ＊Unagi Bowl $32 * They piled a pretty generous amount of grilled eel over rice. The unagi was thick and meaty with nicely grilled, golden skin, although there were more small bones than I would've liked. The rice was also drenched in a sweet unagi sauce. ＊Mentaiko Udon $25 This one was a miss for me. I wish there was more mentaiko because the cream kind of overpowered it. And the bacon bits were way too burnt and hard for me. The texture didn't really work with the soft, silky udon. ＊Strawberry Kakigori $12 I loved how generous they were with the strawberry compote, as I still had strawberry drizzle with every bite all the way to the end. Though for the price, I wished there were some actual strawberry pieces instead of having everything blended into a jam. read more
3 months ago
Nice vibe and good Japanese cuisine at KEI. I ordered the Unagi Don ($32), which had tasty, well-cooked eel on top of soft white rice with a nice teriyaki style sauce on top. It was also garnished with nori (seaweed), and I appreciated the little flower on top which really elevated the appearance of the dish. Now that being said, I wouldn't say it was that much better than other good quality eel donburi dishes, but I certainly still enjoyed. The restaurant is decorated in a very chic and trendy style which is both casual and nice. During the warmer months, they open up the front so there is a nice open air breeze coming in. The staff are average friendliness and the service speed is decent. Overall, with solid food and a nice environment, I think KEI is a great option for good Japanese cuisine and can be appropriate for a variety of different occasions. read more
1 month ago
We stopped by for the late night kanpai hour. We were seared immediately and our servers really really attentive. The yuzu sour was part of the kanpai hour but the draft was part of their summer menu. Both appetizers really stood out to me. They did not skimp on the octopus in the Takoyaki and it was really worth it. I loved everything we got! read more
2 months ago
We walked in as a group of 4 for Wednesday happy hour, which goes until 7pm. They have a summer menu. There were plenty of tables. It filled up later in the night. Overall the food was tasty. We shared several plates. Servers were attentive. read more
KEI @ NEW YORK Uber, carpooling, or taking the subway are probably the best ways to get here, but there is also some street parking available. I ended up taking the subway with a couple of friends. The location is pretty close to Chelsea Market about a 15-minute walk, so we just walked over from there. This was a random spot we decided to try, and it definitely felt a bit touristy. That said, it was really nice inside, and surprisingly not too crowded for a Wednesday night. There were five of us, and we were seated pretty easily. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, which was $24, definitely on the pricier side compared to most ramen I've had. Overall, it was good. The broth was super rich, thick, and milky with a lot of flavor. It leaned very heavy though, and the meat was tender almost looked like ham and they gave a decent amount. I also liked the mushrooms, and the noodles were really soft. That being said, I wasn't completely sold on it. The richness was a bit too much for me, and it didn't leave me feeling great afterwards. In the moment, it tasted good, and you can tell the broth was high quality like it had been simmering for a long time--but it was just a little too heavy overall. The ambiance was really nice though, super cute and perfect for a casual date night. The staff were also really friendly. They even offered free ice cream or a mocktail if you left a review on the spot, which was a nice touch. Overall, I enjoyed my experience, but I probably wouldn't go back just because the ramen was a bit too rich for my taste. If you love a super thick, milky broth though, this is definitely a place you'd enjoy. read more
5 months ago
This location has about 20 tables grouped for pairs or groups of 4, with hand fans posted on the wall and paper lanterns. Staff is very nice and friendly when you walk in. Doesn't seem busy, but I'm also here when it first reopens at 5pm. I actually walked in here because I saw their online menu had an unagi don (eel rice bowl) for $20, but it turned out to be a photo from last year, so maybe things have changed. I ordered it for $32 and was a bit sad about the portion size for the price; generally eel is served as a whole, but this was cut up into a few pieces spread around seasoned rice with cut up tamago (egg) and some nori strips. Probably better as a lunch portion or if you're not a big eater. read more
20 days ago
I had a great experience at KEI. The vegan options were good and yummy. Good broth and portioning. I have never had agedashi tofu as it's never vegan so that was nice! I also had a sake flight and really enjoyed that. Great fast service and cute little spot near the train I needed to take I am so happy to have found it. read more
I'm not sure why this place has such outstanding reviews. It was okay. The highlights of our meal were the shrimp avocado roll and vegan cheesecake. Everything we ordered came out at the same time (except for one item that I think they initially forgot about). The zucchini on the vegetable yakitori was brushed with what I think is usually a glaze, but it wasn't cooked with the zucchini, it just rested on top. It was too salty. On the other hand, it seemed like the mushrooms weren't seasoned at all. The miso glazed cod lacked the flavor of the glaze, tasted a little fishy, and had a lot of bones. The restaurant is very dark inside. read more
6 months ago
Sigh. Of course in Manhattan, an izakaya--which should be a casual, affordable spot to grab an easy bite or sip--is an overpriced, over-upscaled affair where cocktails cost (*checks notes*)....$20+.....and Happy Hour fries are still $8 for a tiny plate. Such was the case with KEI. We actually came here for their $40 three-bowl ramen flight--and I wish we'd just gone to a better ramen spot and paid full price for one bowl each. We got the Tonkotsu, Wagyu Miso Ramen and Fried Chicken Tantan (mazemen)--and they were in that order of tolerability. Meaning, the Tonkotsu was fine but forgettable. The Wagyu (a laughable $34 at full price) was wayyyyy too salty, and had very little actual 'gyu. And the Tantan was just plain gross--a waste of a decently breaded piece of chicken tossed in a gross concoction of peanut butter and sesame paste. The combo didn't work, and we actually ended up mixing the broth from the Wagyu with the Tantan, just to try to salvage both bowls. Aside from the aforementioned overpriced fries (they weren't even seasoned in any way), we also split the Salmon Carpaccio, which was the only decent part of our meal. Nice decor, if you like your casual watering holes to evoke Michelin memories. I don't. There aren't many real, authentic izakayas in Manhattan, but I'll stick to those few rather than....whatever Kei is. read more
Pros: - staff are very friendly and helpful - food came out pretty quickly - I really liked that they put large pieces of octopus in the takoyaki - the crab croquette and mentaiko were pretty tasy - I also really enjoyed the Yuzu White Peach Sparkling mocktail Cons: - this is more subjective rather than a con but, I prefer my food more seasoned and flavorful (I know Japanese cuisine tends to be more mild but the flavors are still pretty distinct) - personally, I don't recommend the agedashi tofu Comments: - came on a Thursday around 6:40PM, we were seated immediately for a party of 3 - the music was pretty loud and it was kind of difficult for me to hear what the staff were saying - we only ordered quick bites and appetizers read more
KEI might be one of the best ramen spots I've had in NYC. The tonkotsu ramen really stood out. The broth was rich but not heavy, and the noodles tasted like the ramen I had in Japan. The black garlic oil added a lot of flavor. Appetizers were solid too. Agedashi tofu was perfectly fried, and the miso black cod was my favorite starter. Yakitori was good, especially the chicken meatball. We also ordered the salmon ikura don -- fresh fish and really good rice. Small, cozy izakaya vibe. Good for casual dinner, ramen, and drinks. read more
Service: 3.2/5 Food: 4/5 Price: $30-$60 Came here for our monthly roommate dinner, the hot soups acted as a great hand warmer in the midst of this extremely cold winter. Self-identified as an izakaya, + while the decor matched, the menu isn't traditional + isn't different from any other Japanese restaurant. I also realized after, they use a new food menu which consisted of appetizers + 3 main sections of entrées (sushi, ramen + rice bowls). Would come back again, maybe when the weather is warmer. Our waitress was a bit curt, which didn't provide the best service experience. We later realized it wasn't anything personal, she treated all the customers the same way. What I Ordered: - Salmon + Tuna Tartare: crispy wonton chips, fresh seafood, adequate portion - Wantonmen: 4 juicy dumplings, broth was a little oily + salty - City Pop cocktail: foam tastes cheesy, cute read more
Really wanted to love this place but the food is pretty mediocre for New York and it is so expensive. We got the bacon mentaiko creamy udon and it was subpar. Not very creamy, not much flavor, and very expensive for this small portion (priced as an entree, but it was an appetizer). The drinks are also mediocre. On paper they look delicious, but the execution was not great. Also expensive. The atmosphere is great though. Dark, ambient, and cozy, the restaurant is great for hanging out and meeting up with people (if you're ok with mid expensive food). Their staff is super nice and friendly though and super attentive. Just wish this place had better food! read more
Originally, I was going to eat Vietnamese, but it was an hour wait and L wanted some noodles, so I found this place on Yelp. I got the Tonkotsu Ramen and Shoyo ramen for L. I didn't get anything else like appetizer or anything, because I was craving an appetizer from the Vietnamese restaurant. I was worried that would be too full to go to another restaurant just for something small. But nope, this place - portion was small. I didn't get to eat breakfast that day and so I was pretty famish and this guy did not satiate. Don't get me wrong, the Ramen was good but wish it was more standard size. Staff is great here and I felt bad for them, because there was a family here that had a very entitled attitude. They had a son who brought in his skateboard - he looked to be about nine years old and they let him skateboard inside the restaurant and both his parents and grandparents didn't think they need to say anything. The staff here were saints to let that happen inside a restaurant. Luckily, they didn't let their daughter ride her bike inside the restaurant because they also had a bike inside. It's a small restaurant, but luckily there wasn't a lot of people here at that time, but still that doesn't give the right for these people to let their kid ruin their hardwood floors. read more
11 months ago
I came a few months ago; they are relatively new. The service was friendly. I would say that the food is okay/solid - lots of really great Japanese spots elsewhere at similar price points, but the vibe is really nice inside, and great for a causal dinner out in a somewhat chic setting. It's cool they have a speakeasy in the back, and I would like to check that out next time. Food-wise I was wanting more unfortunately but maybe it's just cause they're new and ironing out some kinks. The yakitori skewers I didn't get but my friends did, and it looked good. The katsu sando looked like there was a lot to be desired. The drink with yuzu was interesting, and strong. read more
Staffs were friendly. We didn't have any reservations on a Saturday night and there were seats. You get to dine in or outside. We ate Tonkotsu ramen. We added egg which was a separate order. Which cost $3 per egg. The ramen was delicious. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 read more
I stopped in on a whim for the wagyu ramen and was pleasantly surprised. The portion size is very good and I was quite full. I'm not sure why others said the portions are small. The roasted corn included was excellent. There are little bits of beef in the broth to add even more flavor to the savory broth. You can definitely taste the Wagyu in the broth. The servers are all excellent. They are friendly and treat everyone nicely. The restaurant is decorated beautifully. A great date place or place to bring your family. read more
Absolutely insane flavors here. Chicken Shoyu Ramen were my teens' favorite. But the star for me was their Salmon Ikura Don: a deconstructed salmon roll that has raw salmon over rice topped with salmon row. No need for soy sauce. The rice was lightly salted as well. Wasabi and ginger on the side for palette cleansing and heat. Service was amazing. Very attentive and hospitality was excellent! "They're your tastebuds. Satisfy them!" -Allan Delacruz read more
Came in on a Monday evening for dinner. I have previous came here for a Yelp event and loved the food so I was looking forward to ordering the items I tried, but seems like it's a completely different menu. Maybe it's exclusive for the speakeasy only, but don't really know. I still made the most of the visit and explored a variety of items. For drinks, we got non-alcoholic and the drinks were surprisingly tasty while not being overly sweet like other bars that serve non alcoholic cocktails. We tried the Green Tea Mojito ($10) and the Yuzu White Peach Sparkling ($8). The drinks look quite simple, but are crafted really well. For appetizers, we ordered a variety of dishes to try. The Sashimi Carpaccio ($26) consisted of bluefin tuna, salmon, scallop, and yellowtail soaked in a yuzu shoyu vinaigrette. The pieces were fresh and the vinaigrette goes really well with the pieces. Takoyaki ($14) is a classic, which are octopus balls with bonito flakes and takoyaki sauce. Can't go wrong if you opt for this. Kushkatsu Set ($18) is a friend skewer set with one piece each of the chicken breast, pork loin, shrimp, and scallop. This to me is another hit and would recommend this. The final appetizer dish we also got was the Cod Roe Cream Udon ($14). This is an udon dish with cod roe cream dashi, shiso leaf, and nori seaweed. It was a bit too salty for me liking unfortunately. For entree, I ordered the Pork Cutlet Curry ($22) and this was as good as you could have imagined it to me. The curry was flavorful, the pork loin cutlet well battered and fried to perfection, especially dipped in the curry cause. Assorted Sashimi Don ($32) is pretty much similar to the Sashimi Carpaccio, but it's a rice bowl dish. I'd pass on this and just stick with the appetizer version. For dessert, our server recommended this dessert called Wa Banira Ice Cream ($15). I couldn't find this on the menu so not sure if this was something they're testing out or not. Either way, I really liked this as there's a variety of flavors, including Hokkaido vanilla ice cream, matcha sauce, charcoal crumble, kinako powder, and red bean paste. Ask for this if you're not feeling the other dessert options. read more
I was very excited to try Kei, but I'm a bit surprised that people have raved about this ramen. I tried the Wontonmen, and the noodles were on the soggier side and it was too salty for my liking. The chicken wontons were also just ok. I did really like the ambiance, and the staff was very friendly. If I were to come back, I would try other menu items. read more
Overall rating: 4.7 Paid: $52 I think I came here from a friend recommendation and devoured the food. I went for lunch so it was very empty. I ended up getting a cocktail and it was delicious. I went to try their ramen, but their menu convinced me to get their chicken katsu. It was mouthwatering good. The food came out really fast and I really wanted to take some to go for my next meal. But I ate it all. Highly recommend and will definitely be coming back! read more
Cute izakaya and ramen spot. The service is fast. We got the salmon ikura and salmon saikyo. The portions were on the smaller side, but it was perfect since we weren't super hungry. They're quite basic, and there isn't particularly any flavor that stands out. However, the salmon on the salmon saikyo was overcooked and dry, and so my dinner guest didn't finish their food. I guess since they're also a ramen shop, maybe their ramen is better? read more
Cute little spot with clean and well decorated. The tonkatsu ramen was very creamy and the ramen noodles had just the right bit of crunch. It was served with some wood ear, poor slices and some scallions. Adding an egg was optional. A perfect dish for a cold winter. Also got the unagi bowl. The rice was cold and hard when we first bit into it, so we asked the server if it was supposed to be served this way. They took the dish to the back and I guess swapped out the rice. Got the vegan matcha cheesecake for dessert. The "cheese" part was very fluffy and creamy. The strawberry jam was a bit overpowering though. Everything was nicely plated. Portions weren't over the top but seemed to be just enough. read more
We randomly found this place for lunch on a Friday! The staff were super friendly and our water glasses were always full. The menu had a tone of choices including yakitori, handrolls, ramen, and rice bowls. Since they also offered a lunch menu, we went with one salmon and one pork katsu set. The lunch set was well presented with a little bit of everything perfectly placed on a plate - it definitely felt more classy and inviting than the typical box with different compartments. Everything we had tasted great and refined. We were able to take a sneak peek of the speakeasy (opens at 6pm)...would totally walk past it if I didn't know where it was located. read more
Dinner at this Japanese izakaya and ramen spot in Chelsea was bomb! It is vibrant inside with refreshing drinks, Japanese appetizers, curry, katsu sandos, and ramen. The mocktails were beautiful! I recommend the Green Tea Mojito. I really enjoyed the udon with the fresh cod roe. The sashimi was high quality and the crab croquette was lightly fried. For the entrees, you could taste that garlicky flavor in the broth and the noodles were nice and wavy. I could also eat that curry every day. The pork cutlet was nice and tender and the curry was flavorful and thick and has beef chunks in it. The desserts surprised me with how good they tasted and they weren't too heavy. The waitress was also really attentive and the food came out quite fast. read more
Expensive for the quantity. It was a cute restaurant but I think the bang for the buck lunch special just wasn't there. For $20, you basically get a few small bites of food on a big plate. Service was good and it tasted ok, but was nothing great. We had the tofu hamburger and pork katsu lunch special. read more
1 year ago
KEI has super chill vibes with such fresh sashimi, and a menu that makes you want to try everything! My favorites consisted of anything fresh seafood, so my favorites were their handrolls and sashimi carpaccio. Their pork sandos are also amazing and definitely worth a try! Service was amazing and I love the interior of the restaurant. Super laid back and cozy design. I also heard their ramen is also super good but I haven't tried it. read more
We attended a show nearby and wanted to grab dinner before. Kei was conveniently located a few blocks alway. It was nicely designed with fans on the wall. The bathrooms were really clean and upscale. The menu was extensive. It seemed like people came for the sandwiches but we both wanted ramen. The black garlic ramen and tonkotsu ramen were phenomenal. We had to pay extra for eggs which may just be due to the current cost of eggs. The shishito peppers were good but small in portion size. I would definitely come back again to try the sandwiches. read more
1 year ago
The food here was actually great. While a little pricey because it is in Chelsea, I would definitely recommend giving this place a try. The service is good. The waiters come up and assist you when they can and are glad to answer any questions. This place seems almost a little romance as we noticed most of the seated tables were actually people on a date. read more
Incredible lunch special on my day off! The ramen was the perfect temperature and very flavorful. Perfect sized portion. The salad dressing was flavorful and unique and. Was impressed with how thinly sliced the onions are. Lastly the tuna roll which was the most wonderful bite! Would definitely come back again! read more
I truly hesitated writing a review for KEI because of its underrated ambience and slept on menu; their speakeasy in the back-more to come on updates which I can't wait to stop in for. We ordered: Salmon-Yuzu handroll Yellowtail handroll Tonkotsu ramen Spicy Vegan Tan Tan ramen Guava High Ball Strawberry Cocktail The appetizers aren't really anything to write home about, and I'd probably wait until they are more unique since they're the typical chicken karaage/agedashi tofu/shoshito peppers/skewers that you can practically order at any Asian restaurant in the city. The mains and cocktails though...worth trying almost everything in their respective category! read more
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