Restaurant Nippon -- A Midtown Institution That Earns It There are restaurants that coast on their history and restaurants that actually deserve it. After finally making it to Restaurant Nippon on East 52nd Street -- open since 1963 and one of the most storied Japanese restaurants in New York City -- I'm happy to report it falls firmly in the latter camp. We kicked things off with a Suntory Draft -- the perfect way to settle in and set the tone for a Japanese lunch. Cold, crisp, and exactly right. We started with the Beef Negimayaki appetizer, and it's as good as its reputation -- this is the dish they invented here, and you can tell. The thinly sliced beef wrapped around scallions is simple, elegant, and completely satisfying. From there we moved into the Nippon Original Beef Curry, which was rich and deeply flavored -- more refined than your typical Japanese curry, with a complexity that felt distinctly their own. The Spicy Tuna Roll was fresh and well-balanced, and the Salmon Teriyaki was exactly what you want it to be -- a reliable, beautifully executed classic. Dessert was a three-way situation: Green Tea Ice Cream, Red Bean Paste, and Lychee Sorbet. No complaints there -- a perfect light finish to a satisfying lunch. Will I be back? Without question. Next time I want to explore the soba -- Nippon is credited with introducing authentic ni-hachi buckwheat soba to New York City, and that's not something you skip twice. And if they offer fugu à la carte, I'll be ordering it without hesitation. Not many places in Manhattan give you that opportunity, and this feels like exactly the right room to try it. read more

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5.0 / 5.0 A restaurant in Manhattan where you can eat delicious Japanese food. A long-established restaurant that has been visited by many former Japanese prime ministers.The atmosphere evokes a sense of Japan from the moment you enter. The staff speak both Japanese and English, which is great. The restrooms are also very clean. As you'd expect from a Japanese restaurant! There are table seats and private rooms, and strollers can also be seated. The soba noodles in the soba salad are made fresh by the chef on the spot, so they are chewy and delicious. It seems they serve this kind of soba in first class on JAL flights. Hot tea is served at the end. All of the dishes are made with the chef's attention to detail and care. read more

Nippon - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

My wife and I have been here several times and we always enjoy the atmosphere (clean and cozy), service (very attentive) and the food (authentic and consistently excellent). Their tempura dishes and sushi quality are amazing! Their soba dishes are also excellent. We like the curry beef a lot. The sukiyaki dish was good but not excellent as I thought it was their specialty (a bit too sweet). They have great variety of sake and draft beer too. We love coming here as it is only a 2 minute walk from our apartment. Prices are a bit expensive but well worth it for the quality. read more

Came for restaurant week and for $60 you choose from a prefix menu of an appetizer, entree, and dessert which is a great deal. We got to try a bunch of stuff on their menu (soba noodles, eggplant, sukiyaki, sushi, ice cream, and jello), all of which were amazing. We added the miso cod and it was so perfect and buttery. The staff was very attentive and nice. They made sure our tea and water glasses were filled at all times. It wasn't crowded when we booked our reservation for 6:30pm on a weeknight but it did get crowded shortly after. I recommend reservations. read more

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This spot came into my radar when I discovered they were participating in restaurant week. Supposedly they have been around since 1963 and is one of the first Japanese restaurants in NYC. So when I saw that I had to check out the restaurant, especially since they serve some traditional dishes and they have rooms with tatami mats. You have to pay extra to sit on the mats. We ordered: APPETIZER: EGGPLANT WITH NANBAN MISO (I contemplated for awhile if I wanted their soba salad since it's once of their specialties, but I opted out. Glad I did because I really enjoyed the eggplant) ENTRÉE: BEEF SUKIYAKI WITH A BOWL OF RICE (This is one of the better sukiyaki that I had. My pot was loaded with various ingredients, noodles, cabbage, mushroom, tofu and etc. The broth was really flavorful, a tad bit salty for my taste. And although the beef was still a little red , it was a bit chewy. But I think it's because I let it sit in my pot for too long. So that minors issues were mainly with me) The staff were also really friendly and they greeted you in Japanese, so it felt like you are temporarily transported to Japan. I definitely would go back and try out other items on their menu! read more

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One of the main reasons I went to NYC was to try Fugu(puffer fish). Understandably pricy but it was an experience. Ended up also ordering the Omakase and each piece didn't disappoint. I'm from LA and I'd say it beats out sushi gen. Service was wonderful too as we were served and instructed by a nice lady. Expect an expensive meal but unrivaled taste and experience. read more

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Ordered: -Agedashi Mozzarella -Beef Tataki -Chicken Soba Salad -NYer Omakase special -Beef Curry -Green Tea and Vanilla Ice Cream All the dishes were so fresh and delicious. Our favorite order was the omakase special. The ambience feels like you're eating a home cooked meal. Angela was also the best server and made sure to check in on us often. She made great food and drink suggestions. Would highly recommend going here and getting seated in one of their cute private dining rooms. It is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of other Manhattan restaurants. read more

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Came here with my Japanese friend and learned that it is the oldest Japanese restaurant in NY. The prices are on the high side. I had the large sukiyaki which was nice. It might ne enough for 2 people eating normal size lunch read more

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Incredible! Food outstanding, service impeccable. Our family LOVES this place! We come here often.

Beautiful and elegant dinner in the traditional Japanese fashion. I went for restaurant week and was very impressed with the portions and value. Typically I understand it may be more expensive, but I think I will return. It is quite quiet in the early evening, and becomes busier as the night moves on. I recommend it! read more

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Went here for the first time and had such a lovely lunch! Every item we ordered was vegan and the food was so delicately flavoured and nuanced. But the best part was the amazing service we received from Angela, our server, who was so gracious and kind. 5 stars to her as well! read more

First class Japanese diverse menu, lovely and excellent staff. I've been eating here for decades-don't ask me if I'm going back. I'm a regular. read more

Fugu sashimi: Tender and flaky, you can't get enough of it! Each portion comes with fish meat and skin. We ordered a half portion and then an extra full portion Fugu nabe: The waiter was so good at cooking, he even made us a tea puffed rice with the leftover fish broth after we finished the fish! Matsutake grilled & tempura: the fat matsutake mushroom ‍ made into tempura with a bite of sauce! The grilled version has the aroma of pine needles Unaju: also the best eel rice I've had in NYC! It has a fresh charcoal grilled flavor and the eel meat is very filling! Call ahead and make a reservation if you want to eat puffer fish They also have a special puffer fish kaiseki! read more

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Always great to dine here. We love their private room. We had sashimi, tempura lunch. Delicious. Brought my 3 years old and it was wonderful having a room to ourselves. read more

Nippon - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for dinner on a Saturday evening and we were able to get seating! Place was pretty crowded - decor is very traditional Japanese with side rooms that can be reserved for larger parties and a more authentic experience (removing shoes and lowered table). The sakes are all great - we tried two different kinds and they were both top notch. As a vegetarian I was worried I wouldn't have much options but they have a ton of different offerings and are very accommodating. For appetizers we ordered a few items from the front page which seemed to be their specials: the eggplant app (flash fried eggplant) and a soy dumping. The eggplant was phenomenal, soy dumping that forgot to bring till the end of meal, but was great too. Others at the table got the mozzarella agedashi (unfortunately no vegetarian) and the chicken karage and said they were really good. For my entree I got the tan tan tan sukeman and they were able to make it vegetarian with soy protein. It was the star of the meal. The broth was incredibly rich and savory In general portions are pretty small so keep that in mind as a few at the table needed to order additional sushi to their entree Overall had a great time would recommend! read more

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Bottom line: do not come here for omakase. Wanted to introduce the omakase experience to my partner for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, I don't think it was a proper introduction. The sushi came out all in one plate which I've never had before, but I accepted it as a precaution for covid-19. I wasn't too bothered by the fact that the sushi rice was pretty cold, I was more bothered by the tough cuts of fish - I had to spit out part of the yellowtail sushi because it felt like a bone or scale. The uni I had did not taste fresh or of the sea, it didn't taste like uni at all and I also decided not to consume it. I am not a nit picky diner, but for the cost of omakase we did not get the same attention to detail or flavor that excites omakase lovers. I'm open to come here again and try anything else but the sushi. Three stars for friendly, quick service and pretty interior. read more

Nippon - Omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Nippon is an authentic Japanese restaurant, where you can enjoy a decent meal with attentive service in a delightful atmosphere. There is a slight disconnect between the food/drinks and menu prices--it's pricey for what you get and you're paying more for the overall experience. We ordered: - Yellowtail & Scallion Roll ($9+) - Tempura - S ($18+) - Sukiyaki - L ($39+) Including a Sake carafe (over $30+) and a glass of plum wine, our bill came to nearly $150 for 2. So it's not your everyday restaurant, unless you can afford it. The service and atmosphere, however, were wonderful. We'd arrived nearly 30 min early for our reservation, but the staff was very welcoming and seated us right away. They had prepared an intimate, spacious dining area for us inside, which was sectioned off. We were able to enjoy your meal in a lovely, peaceful setting, undisturbed by other customers. Especially in NYC where space is a luxury, this was a huge plus. When ordering, they were knowledgeable and helpful in explaining the portions of the (S) and (L) options: - Tempura (S) comes with 2 pieces of shrimp, 1 white fish and 4 vegetables. - Sukiyaki (L) comes with 5 pieces of meat with vegetables and tofu. The food was great overall, but not sure the prices matched the quantity / quality: - The Sushi roll was nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. I did like the authentic flavor of the nori (seaweed wrap), though. - The Tempura assortment, we enjoyed, especially with the delicious dipping sauce with grated radish mixed in. The vegetables were quite small, though, with bite-sized pieces of asparagus, okra, baby corn and shiitake mushroom. - The Sukiyaki broth was on the sweeter side but was very tasty, giving the handmade tofu and other vegetables in the pot great flavor. The white rice that came with it was also what you would find in a typical home in Japan. The meat, however, was too firm for sukiyaki, and it didn't come with raw eggs, which I would normally dip sukiyaki in. I would recommend this place if you're looking for a nice, intimate meal with your family or for a business setting, where you can enjoy your meal in a calm atmosphere with attentive service. read more

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I have been wanting to eat at this historic restaurant for the longest time. This restuarant would get booked in an instant during restaurant week. I decided to eat indoors with a friend from high school. Service was top notch as more than one server came to our table to check in on us. Staff especially the women wore masks and face shields and gloves when serving food. Our server was Indian but he was very knowledgeable and offered recommendations because we were overwhelmed. However I knew that I wanted their pioneered beef Negimayaki and Fruits An-Mitsu dessert. Both of us got the appetizer version of the Beef Negimayaki ($17) and omg it puts all the beef Negimayaki that I have ordered at other restaurants to shame. The beef melts in your month (I know the beef quality is not comparable to wagyu) and for people who never had wagyu this is the dish to get. We shared the tempura ($28) which hit the spot for both of us. My friend washed down her meal with oolong tea ($4) and I had to try to their non alcoholic beer ($10) which was perfect for the tempura. We ordered the dessert and I had to get the Fruits An-mitsu ($11) and Green Tea Tiramisu ($12) which were both beautifully presented. The desserts were unique and definitely a must get. I mentioned to the staff that it was my friend's birthday and they provided her with free sundae and a song from the staff. When we were there their sushi bar was still closed due to the restrictions. I would return to try their tasting menu and the Matsui curry! read more

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Fresh ingredients, timely service! Highly recommend this for lunch or dinner. Only draw back is the delivery charge because they don't have an in-house system and you need to use a third party vendor. read more

Many years ago I patronized Nippon several times - the last time sitting at the sushi bar. Yesterday afternoon, because they have sukiyaki, I decided to try them again. Along the way since long ago, they have redecorated, and the place is very welcoming and comfortable with tables sectioned for the patrons to have as much privacy as possible. They also have a sushi bar at a higher level. The staff were friendly and efficient, but sometimes impossible to understand. I arrived around 2:00 PM and expected the restaurant to be full. Strangely I was the only patron, with 3 people entering shortly after I did. Maybe it was because they close their lunch service at 2:15, but I would have thought there would have been more people there than that. I went there specifically for the sukiyaki, having enjoyed it so much in the past when I dined at Fuji. Good sukiyaki is difficult to find in NYC nowadays. I have to say overall I was somewhat disappointed with the meal. I ordered the small sukiyaki, which came with a green salad and miso soup. The sukiyaki broth was flavorful and the meat was very tender but, other than the mushrooms, the vegetables were unchewable. The salad contained a nice selection of fresh greens, but the dressing was a bland oil & vinegar. The soup had a strange flavor for miso soup. This place is too pricey for what you get (paying their rent in midtown). The sukiyaki was $36. It's a good thing I inquired in advance the price of a large sake because it was a mind-blowing $36. I opted for the small one (not much sake) for $16. I don't intend to return. To pay those kind of prices for a mediocre meal just doesn't make sense. There are better, less expensive options. read more

Came here with a friend because the wait at Sugar Fish around the corner was too long. We got the omakase which was very good but I would say it is definitely overpriced compared to other Omakase's in this area. The restaurant is pretty authentically Japanese and you're definitely paying for the atmosphere which isn't a problem but just something to be aware of! Very attentive service and nice decor, good for a special occasion or bringing colleagues to, but personally I Would go to other spots in the area for equally good sushi at a cheaper price. read more

Nippon - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

We were met by the kindest and most accommodating hostess and waitress- we were 5 adults and a baby. Service was efficient, helpful and fun. Lots of jokes along with great food. We were given a Tatami room to help with the baby and it was so fun. Definitely would go back. read more

The service was alright. The waiter was very pushy on what to get. My friend does not like soba but the waiter still pushed the soba onto him, makes sense since it's a soba spot but once someone says no, don't keep repeating and pushing. The food was alright. The tempura soba was very bland. The dipping sauce was also bland and the serving size was so small. Not worth the price. I also got the tofu. Both the agedashi tofu and the soup tofu appetizer. The agedashi tofu was fine, the soup tofu appetizer was so bland. The soup was literally just water. The actual tofu itself was fine but the flavors weren't really there. Overall, wouldn't go back. They were established in 1963 but this doesn't mean their food has been good since 1963. Go somewhere else if you want soba. read more

Love. The apps here the beef and eggplants melt in your mouth. The scallop soup was my fav. read more

Nippon - Beef and radish Eggplant - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Felt being ripped off by their $125 Kaiseki menu, so many cheap ingredients included in this menu set. I expect more Sashimi but only one piece of small thin slice provided for each fish species. It's shameful to call your AUTHENTIC Japanese food read more

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I spent my birthday dinner at this place, I love puffer fish and this is the only place where I can find it other than flying to Japan. We spent great time there, the sushi was great, the steam pot was great and I had birthday ice cream on the house! What a surprise ! P.S. puffer fish needs two days advance reservation and depends on the season. I went there during winter/early spring. read more

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Fantastic food from start to finish!! The service was Five Star and the ambiance was Zen. I couldn't have asked for more. Thank you Nippon!

Epic and vintage experience and the food is excellent. Nippon has the private dining tatami seating and they don't charge outrageous prices to book them. The range of japanese food stretches far beyond sushi / sashimi. The service is exceptional and friendly. The history of the place speaks for itself but its nice to see how much the staff cherish the legacy of the restaurant as well. Pretty cool that so many japanese prime ministers have eaten there. read more

Ordered 8 courses set. Overall experience was negative at the restaurant. Not only the food was overpriced but also the service was unprofessional. Ankimo supposed to have silky/creamy taste but it was very fishy and the texture was loose. I tried a couple kaiseki style restaurants before, but the course at Nippon definitely tasted more like cold food straight out from the fridge. The duck breast, without the sauce, tasted "gamy". I would not say it's an authentic Edo-style restaurant. As for the service, the server didn't wear the mask properly. When serving the course, the server put my tableware straight on the table. They talked loudly next to us when we had dinner. Don't expect too high if you want to give it a try. read more

Nippon - Duck - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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We came across this place thanks to open table didn't even know it was so close to where we worked & because of the high points we decided to give it a try last minute. We had our rsvp & upon arrival were seated right away, to start we had a Hot Sake large, this was good but a bit much on the price since for a large it wasn't that big, it was $36. Appetizers we tried the Mozzarella agedashi , this was very good interesting twist to fried mozzarella I was curious so had to give it a try it was very good. we also tried the Beef oroshi , sautéed beef w beets, very tasty. Main dishes we started with an Udon soup it was great & totally hit the spot since it was a cold day. On the sushi we kept it simple with Shrimp tempura , California & Spicy Tuna all were nice & simple but very good. & Finally we had an order of just the Shrimp tempura , saw this on another table & it just looked so good .. it did not disappoint light tempura bather good size shrimp it was great. Nice looking place, temperature checks & social distancing in place .. service was very good they are very attentive. good service & decent prices we enjoyed our meal it was worth the try. read more

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Food was very tasty, noodles were a very nice chewiness. Definitely recommend getting the tan tan mian. Outside seating was very nicely decorated and a good temperature. Waitresses were also very kind, definitely recommend going - family friendly too!! read more

Nippon - Beef negiyamaki and tofu soba - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The best Great service The most delicious sukiyaki I have ever had Cant wait to go back To this elegant classicJapanese restaurant read more

Nippon - Sukiyaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

If you're in the mood for old school and traditional Japanese meal with kimono wearing servers, then this is the place to check out. Open since the 1960's, this is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) authentic Japanese restaurant in New York. Touted as the birthplace of the now popular negimaki (beef negimiyaki), which is beef wrapped around scallions, I can see why this classic spot still opens their doors today after so many years in business. If you're ever going to try something new or want to experience the original, why not try the place that seem to have spearheaded Japanese cuisine into the American market? Their beef negimiyaki or negimaki, however you spell it, the taste of the dish here at Nippon is one above all others. We also tried their sukiyaki, which is a very sentimental meal for my wife and I, was prepared skillfully by the nice lady in a kimono. Salty but savory, the beef was cooked tender and the aroma of the sauce and the meaty juices were perfect with rice. Brings back memories of visit to Japan. Puffer fish (fugu) was also on their menu, and not having tried it while overseas, we ordered a plate. Though the flavor is not strong and actually a bit on the bland side, the texture is where the uniqueness of the fish really stands apart from other sashimi. A bit chewier and a blend between a raw piece of fish and a squid, the texture is complex but not in a weird way. The ponzu sauce gave the piece of fugu some flavor. Like a trip down memory lane, but tastier, Nippon reminds me of the fun times I had in Japan and the delicious food I tried there. Hopefully they'll be around for many more years. read more

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Went to this restaurant based on reading other Yelp reviews which was overall positive. They have outdoor dining which was nice with fans within the enclosed space which was a nice touch. Food Order Shishito Peppers - were good. Super spicy compared to usual ones I get at other places. Perfectly flash fried with sesame seeds. Sashimi (small order) - although I ordered the small order it was really small! Small pieces (2 each) salmon, yellowtail and tuna for $25. Didn't quite feel value there considering the size of each piece was quite small. Yellowtail scallion roll - skinny roll and not filling. Edo Mae Nabe - beef sukiyaki This was a pleasant dish, beef broth was rich and flavorful. It is served with rice. Dessert Shaved ice with matcha and red bean This was ok. I was hoping the texture of shaved ice would be fine (like Korean ones) but it was like ice bits with matcha syrup and red beans. Overall decent restaurant and friendly service. Portions small (therefore I left underwhelmed) however service was good. I will happily pay more for great sushi (portion and quality), therefore will try other Japanese restaurants in the city. read more

Simply put, Nippon is a restaurant that succeeds in perfecting the simple things. This isn't Japanese food elevated to something pretentious. Every dish was cooked with perfection, which is easy to overlook given the simplicity of traditional Japanese cuisine. Soba noodles were fresh and flavorful, but more importantly they were cooked to a perfect al'dente texture. Shisito peppers were bright in color and simply seasoned just right. Tempura was just the right amount of minimal batter on fresh vegetables and shrimp. Top all that off with excellent service and a constantly rotating Kaiseki menu, this is the Japanese food you want for all the right reasons. read more

Nippon - Shisito Peppers - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Service was really good & they had outdoor seating! We got omakase and their summer set. read more

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I have been meaning to try this place as my friend shared "TenDon" - Listed as "Ten-Ju" which is my favorite dish from the childhood in Japan. It's a simple tempura dish (two jumbo shrimp & vegetable tempura over rice), but it's also tricky since it takes a delicate balance of tempura crunchiness and juicy sauce to perfect the dish. My friend's review was promising and it didn't disappoint me at all! The place was not crowded at all due to Covid, but the waiter was very attentive. It came with a complimentary green tea like a traditional Japanese restaurant should serve. Pickles were also amazing and side salad/miso soup were solid. read more

Nippon - Shrimp Ten-ju /House Green Tea/ Pickles/Miso Soup - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Had dinner at Nippon yesterday.This was my second time dinning there. The restaurant built a cute cabin like outdoor dining space with heat lamps, romantic music, and decorative plants and flowers. Food was excellent as always, had the soba zaru cold noodles with tempura shrimp. The tofu agedashi is a must have appetizer; we order it every time. Matcha mochi is the best dessert, albeit small, and imported from Japan! Would love to try the keiseiki menu next time. Staff is always nice and polite. Hope the weather doesn't get too cold this winter. read more

Cold night and many stayed in but we didn't. I joined my friends for sukiyaki. Our server was pretty stubborn. She insisted in having 1 pot for 3 people. My friend had the right idea for no more than 2 in a pot. Finally, a second waiter brought me my own pot. I also asked for a slotted spoon or screened spoon so I can easily scoop my meat and vegetables out of the broth to eat - instead she brought me a ladle. I asked again for a slotted spoon, but I get a plastic ladle instead. I guess it's lost in translation. The man behind the counter bailed us out with our orders and we finally got the orders we wanted. I guess she was not really stubborn. It was just lost in translation. It was a wonderful dinner but my sukiyaki sauce was just a bit too sweet. Today my rating is 3-1/2 stars. read more

This is another instance where Yelp gets it wrong, and you should not trust the average rating on Yelp to determine whether a restaurant is good or bad. At 3 1/2 starts, you may think that you would pass, and you would totally miss out. Don't order the standard things that you can get at any Japanese restaurant or make at home yourself. The point of eating out is to try out things you have never tried nor know how to make. I ordered Restaurant Nippon's 57th Anniversary Summer Edo-Mae KAISEKI Dinner, and it was great. Even though I have been to Japan more than ten times, I had all these little specialty things I never tried before, because they were made by a executive chef that is a master at their craft. Everything was a new flavor and texture, and it was definite a unique course! read more