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    Minato Bronx

    4.5 (22 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Minato Bronx Photos

    Business Info

    MINATO BRONX ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Minato Bronx

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    Lychee-tini, karaage chicken and shrimp shumai

    Highly disappointed that they are practically no longer a Japanese restaurant but instead a Mexican one. Went yesterday and I was super excited to try their sushi, but when I got there I was told they are no longer offering sushi. The menu instead showcases more tacos and quesadillas with a few Japanese starters like the karaage chicken and shrimp shumai. While the food and drink were good, overall was not the experience I was hoping to have. Hopefully they will update their website so no one else will have to be as shocked as I was.

    Greenhouse outside area
    Kiana T.

    Came here randomly and was pleasantly surprised by this gem. Located on East 161st St- This neighborhood place looks like a house on the outside but upon closer inspection it gives way to a beautiful restaurant and greenhouse courtyard outdoor space. The workers all seemed very nice and informative. As always I ask a ton of questions before ordering and our server helped answer my questions. We ordered the Karaage chicken and Unagi Don. The karaage chicken was soooo delicious. It was crispy, tender, and hot and their soy sauce made an excellent addition. It's one of the best I've had in the city. The unagi Don is a grilled eel dish over rice with pickled vegetables. I normally don't eat seafood but this dish was delicious. I would recommend anyone to visit this place.

    Jasmine tea
    Alexandria R.

    I have been dying for a Japanese restaurant with some high quality fish. I was waiting for this place to open up since I love Porto Salvo. I decided to spend a Monday evening here. Food: 4/5 Honestly, finding high qualify ebi (shrimp) and ikura (salmon eggs) in the Bronx was impossible before this place. I would often find myself going to Manhattan just for a decent assortment of fish. When I tried the chirashi here, I was surprised. I usually get some mediocre salmon and tuna. But, this was great! We got some plum wine (which we took home to finish) and enjoyed the evening. Service & Ambiance: 5/5 I really enjoyed our waiter/host, Thomas! He was super nice and really knew the whiskey menu. All in all, I always get a few bites here for my sushi fix before heading over to Porto Salvo. I am happy that these places were created and so close to each other!

    As a South Bronx local and longtime lover of authentic Japanese cuisine, I was genuinely excited to visit this new spot. I regularly seek out quality Japanese fare in Little Japan, K-Town, Upper Manhattan, and even Sunmart in Brooklyn, so I came in with high hopes. Let's start with what was done well: the interior design. Tucked into the ground floor of a residential building, the space is surprisingly expansive and beautifully executed. The dim lighting, cherry wood finishes, and traditional Japanese motifs create an intimate and cozy atmosphere that transports you--briefly--out of the South Bronx and into what feels like a stylish Tokyo den. The bar, in particular, is the crown jewel: an impressive and thoughtful selection of Japanese spirits, from sake (hot and cold) to whiskey and soju, curated with clear attention to detail. The patio is another unexpected highlight--bright, inviting, and outfitted with plush booth seating that's perfect for a brunch or laid-back escape from the city's chaos. Unfortunately, that's where the praise ends. The restaurant's attempt at Japanese cuisine unravels almost entirely once you move past the bar. The ambiance is jarring and disconnected: at one point, Frank Sinatra was playing in the background (really?!) --charming in a Manhattan steakhouse, perhaps, but completely out of sync with the Japanese aesthetic this place is trying to convey. The menu is even more confusing. While many dishes carry Japanese names, the execution leans overwhelmingly Latin, with most items deep-fried, overly seasoned, and stylistically far from the refined simplicity and balance central to Japanese cuisine. The plating lacked care, and the sushi looked like it came from a hood supermarket buffet. A server casually mentioned that there's no Japanese chef currently on staff--which sadly explains A LOT. Not one Japanese person on staff. Staples like Takoyaki, Onigiri, Gyoza, or Ramen were nowhere to be found. Instead of the quiet, thoughtful precision and hospitality intrinsic to Japanese dining, the overall vibe felt more like a loud, fusion spot with no clear direction--essentially, a hood Latin restaurant loosely dressed in Japanese aesthetics. To be clear, the space has immense potential. The foundation is there: a beautifully designed interior, a strong bar program, and a layout that invites comfort and curiosity. But it desperately needs a culinary and cultural course correction. I genuinely hope the co-owner, Lu, considers hiring a Japanese executive chef, expanding the menu with authentic and inspired dishes, training the staff in Japanese dining etiquette, and curating a soundtrack that enhances the ambiance (Japanese hip hop, jazz, or ambient would elevate the vibe immensely). As it stands now, the experience is disjointed--an Instagram-worthy setting with none of the culinary or cultural soul to back it up. If changes aren't made, this place risks becoming yet another GIMMICKY restaurant that COSPLAYS as something it isn't. But with the right leadership and intention, it could become a true gem for the neighborhood.

    seafood ceviche
    Jennifer P.

    I came with my family for dinner and it was amazing! The seafood was very fresh and the cocktails tasted delicious! The chirashi don was my absolute favorite! The owners checked in on us and the waiter was very patient and kind to us and everyone was super friendly! The vibe was casual and it was easy to be able to talk to everyone, it wasn't too loud so that was great! The music was very good and worked well with the ambiance. I would definitely recommend a friend to come here! This is also a great date spot!

    Sammy C.

    The owners of Porot Salvo didn't disappoint. Finally, it is open .. announcing PORTO SALVO JAPANESE . .... Thanks Mark & Lugui I love their signature drinks and amazing dishes. We had the following. Seaweed Salad Karaage Chicken (winner) Spicy Tuna roll (winner)) California Roll Salmon Roll Chicken Katsu Don (just enough) Chirashi (Blanced with Rice and Assorted fish) Followed by Lychee Panna Cotta with real Lychee Green Tea Creme Brulee (I do have to admit, I loved their Basil Creme Brulee at Porto Salov.

    The food is fresh and of quality.
    Ricardo C.

    The restaurant recently opened, and we visited, and wow! The food is fresh and delicious! The space is quiet and cozy. The owners are so friendly and take pride in providing outstanding service.

    Spring roll

    I come here all the time since I live close by and the food drinks & service is always great !

    Tina C.

    Food is very good. I love the little garden in the back. It's great place for party and gathering. Waiter is very nice and polite. This restaurant has left the best impressions for me! Hospitable hosts, delicious dishes, beautiful presentation, wide cocktail drink list and wonderful dessert. I recommend to everyone! I would like to come back here again and again

    Shrimp temp

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    3 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Love love love this place, this is a hidden gem. Fresh sushi great service great price and definitely

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food amazing service! I would definitely recommend ANYONE go! The space is beautiful too. Very picture worthy

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    The sushi chef definitely knows what he is doing. The pieces are fresh and tasty, have to try it in the summer when the garden is open

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    The food and ambiance were nice. I didn't appreciate being charged $14.00 gratuity for a party of 2.

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    Sugar BBQ

    Sugar BBQ

    (28 reviews)

    $$

    Morrisania

    My coworkers and I stopped by for happy hour, and the first thing I noticed was how beautiful the…read morevenue is. The space is aesthetically pleasing with a stylish vibe that makes a great first impression. The host was warm and welcoming, and since the place was practically empty, we were seated right away. I ordered the passionfruit margarita, and it was delicious--definitely a highlight. The host also recommended food options and was quick on her feet, which I appreciated. While I'm still a bit hesitant to try the full menu because of past reviews, I'd definitely be open to trying the appetizers next time. Overall, if you're looking for a quick, relaxing bite during happy hour in a pretty setting, this spot is worth a visit.

    Avoid Sugar Restaurant: A Mother's Day Disaster I've been…read morewanting to try Sugar for months, and I thought Mother's Day would be the perfect occasion to finally celebrate with my family. I couldn't have been more wrong. What should have been a special meal turned into a masterclass in terrible service and cold food. We actually started on a high note; we only waited about 10-15 minutes for a table. However, once seated, we were told the food would take 40 minutes. We decided to stay--big mistake. Our waitress was clearly overwhelmed with too many tables and basically disappeared. The real kicker? The manager. He asked how we were, we explained the disaster, he took our plates promising to return... and he never came back. As we were leaving, we saw him laughing at the bar. Totally unprofessional. The Food (or Lack Thereof) The kitchen timing was a total mess:My husband and two kids got their food, but mine didn't show up. When my plate finally arrived, it was stone cold. My husband's mashed potatoes and vegetables were also cold. The kids' meals were missing the garlic bread promised on the menu. They took our food back to "fix" it, but when my plate returned, it was still cold, and my husband's food never came back out at all. We ended up paying only for the kids' meals and leaving hungry. Bottom Line: This was a shitty Mother's Day dinner. To be ignored by the manager while he's hanging out at the bar is the ultimate slap in the face. We will never spend another dime here. Save your money and go somewhere that actually values its customers.

    Minato Bronx - izakaya - Updated May 2026

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