Fried food is done well here! Pumpkin tempura was so creamy inside the crispy breading. Chicken karaage was moist, tender, and the breading was flavorful and not too thick. Salmon avocado salad is very saucy. read more

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We came here specifically for yakitori and beer, but unfortunately, the food was very disappointing. We ordered chicken, beef, mushrooms, shishito peppers, and octopus. The meats were bland and lacked flavor, while the vegetables were overly burnt and tasted bitter. We were sitting at the bar, so we could watch the cooking process, and that made the experience even worse. The pans and pots being used were visibly covered in grease and looked heavily blackened and dirty. For the price, we expected much better quality and cleanliness. Unfortunately, this was not a place we would return to or recommend. read more

Oh Taisho - Burnt peppers and mushrooms - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I used to come here in college (like 20 years ago?!) almost every week, recently came back with my kid, and it brought back all the memories. In grateful everything is still remain the same: food, service, ambiance. Yakitori chicken wings are still my favorite and tasted the same. read more

Came here with a bunch of colleagues pretty late in the evening, my coworker said this is a place that's reliably available for big groups without reservations. Got takoyaki, gyoza, a party plate of skewers, a non-alcoholic mango slush drink. Everything was decent, nothing amazing. Service was ok, they came to check up on us every so often to ask if we wanted more food. read more

Yakitori Taisho is a casual Japanese izakaya-style restaurant known for its wide selection of yakitori, small plates, and classic Japanese comfort dishes. We walked into a space with a very traditional neighborhood izakaya feel, tight seating, a lively atmosphere, and a setup that encourages sharing different dishes rather than focusing on one main course. The noise level rises with the crowd, and the cramped seating adds to the sense of being in a bustling Tokyo-style pub rather than a formal restaurant, making it a fun, energetic place to visit with friends. We tried a variety of items, including some of their grilled skewers and other small plates. The food was decent overall, but some items felt a little under-seasoned and lacked the stronger flavors we were hoping for. A few pieces were also inconsistent in texture and quality, which made the experience feel more average rather than memorable. There are definitely some enjoyable options on the menu, but not everything stood out, and the variation between dishes made it hard to know what to expect with each order. The atmosphere is probably the strongest part of the experience. The restaurant feels busy and energetic, with the kind of cramped seating and noise level that fits the casual izakaya style. It can be a fun place to come with friends, especially if you enjoy a lively dining environment and ordering several small plates to share. The service matches the pace of the room, quick and efficient, though the focus is clearly on turnover and keeping the drinks flowing rather than lingering over a slow meal. Yakitori Taisho is worth trying if you want a classic Japanese pub-style experience and a large menu of options. However, with the inconsistency we experienced in the food, it would not be a place we would specifically go back to, offering a meal that feels more about the energy of the room than the quality of the dishes themselves. read more

Oh Taisho - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Finally tried Oh Taisho after having it on my list for sooo long. This place is an East Village staple and has been around for a long time. We got a selection of skewers, all very inexpensively priced and that's where this place wins. As far as yakitori quality goes, it's good and affordable, and is perfect for the role it has as a drunk meal just as it is in Japan. The gyoza and takoyaki were also okay/good. I would find myself coming back here if I were in the area and wanting yakitori because also you can get so much without spending too much, especially compared to other Yakitori spots in the city, which overall there aren't too many of. All in all, I hope this place continues to deliver on something I cherish, authentic Japanese food in a city where it feels increasingly hard to find, unless you pay a hefty price. read more

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We were already around St. Mark's and looking for a place to eat. I love Japanese food, so I figured I'd give this spot a try! Food: 3/5 The food here is definitely affordable, which is great -- but you get what you pay for. I ordered the Otsuzuki and grilled squid, not expecting much, and honestly, the squid was tough. The fries came in a small bowl and were just okay, and the tea felt like it came straight from an instant packet. The skewers were also a bit chewy and not super flavorful. There are definitely other places nearby that do a better job with these kinds of dishes. Service: 4/5 This place was packed, Japanese vibes definitely present, mostly with college students. The service was quick and efficient -- not super warm or personal, but they keep things moving. You can tell they're used to a busy crowd that just wants to eat, pay, and go. All in all, it's a decent spot if you're in the area and want something quick and cheap, but I'd probably check out other Japanese spots before coming back. read more

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Everything I ordered on the new Happy Hour menu was fire! Super tasty chicken wings and the crispy rice spicy tuna were my favorites!!! Good drinks and great value in the East Village!!! read more

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I have been coming here since 2007. It is always a must when I'm visiting in New York City. This is the best Japanese restaurant I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Please do try their skewers. I personally love the chicken liver, pork belly, meatball, and quail egg with bacon skewers. The dashamashi tamago, tan tan udon, shumai are also insanely delicious. The staff is attentive and friendly! I already can't wait to be back! read more

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Walking in here felt like I had transported back to Japan walking around the streets to find some food. Instantly, I was hit by the amazing smells of grilled meat and I just could not wait to eat. I was only looking for a small bite as I had previously eaten but next time I am definitely coming on an empty stomach so I can try more! I opted for some skewers since it seems like that was what they were known for. Unfortunately, the skewers were extremely salty and I wonder if it was a mistake. It made me very thirsty but it was good. It just would've been better had it had less salt. I got the bacon wrapped quail egg, pork belly, chicken chunk and beef tongue. The cook on the meats were great and so tender! They all had such a nice sear on them but I really couldn't get past the saltiness. I will have to try again next time. I got their strawberry shaved ice as well and I had missed this dessert a lot. I thought it was great, nothing else to say. This is definitely a spot to check out if you don't know what to eat and you're around the area! read more

Oh Taisho - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Food overall is pretty good and priced reasonably. I really like their udon, but the cream was not mixed well enough so some part is a little bland. Their fried food is not greasy. The egg, tofu, and eel is pretty good as well. For yakitori, I think everything is well-seasoned, except for the sausage that was quite salty. The place is quite small, but was not very crowded when we were there. read more

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Came with 2 friends on a weekend for small bites and drinks. The Party Set has 30 skewers which let us try a wide variety and split it up perfectly. Ordered a fun cocktail with popsicles inside and it was very strong. No complaints though! The stand-out skewers are the Chicken Skin (crispy exterior and fatty inside) and Meatballs (tender and savory). They are so good that we ordered those two again individually, and I will note since they were individual orders, they did taste better/come out more hot naturally. read more

Oh Taisho - Party Set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Perfect stop in for a solo bite. Sat at the grill/bar. Saw other solo diners, dates, and groups who all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Staff was quick to seat you and the chefs quicker to get the food out. Negi ramen had just enough spice to carry me through the whole bowl and the yakitori squid legs were on point. Def coming back. read more

Oh Taisho - Geso - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I have not been here in years, but it really hasn't changed at all. I love the okonomiyaki and ika. The party was a bit too much for my party, but that's not a bad thing. Had some great beer with friends in a wonderfully warm atmosphere. Service being fantastic only enhanced the experience. Definitely will return again! read more

Oh Taisho - Beef Curry (half eaten) and my favorite okonomiyaki - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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If you're a scallion fan like me, you'll love the Negi Ramen! There's a generous amount of scallions here. I love how this ramen is actually spicy; the broth hits the spot. The noodles didn't stand out to me, but they were perfectly al dente. There's not a lot of toppings in the ramen, but it's a solid, simple dish. I also ordered a Calpico Shochu Cocktail hoping it'd be just like my very favorite drink, the Calpis/Calpico Sour. The cocktail here is made just the way I like it, which is huge because half the ones I've ordered at different places (NYC izakayas, Japanese bars in Taiwan, etc.) don't make it how I like it! I was seated right by the kitchen, and this place was definitely bustling. All the dishes that came out looked amazing. My order came out quickly as well. read more

Oh Taisho - Negi Ramen, Calpico Shochu Cocktail - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Stumbled upon here because Kenka was closed...the Yaki udon was flavorful and the pork was tender. I also got the squid yakitori which came with a nice sauce. Kind of a hole in the wall vibe that feels a bit nostalgic. A bit pricey but not a bad option for East Village. A good place to come to plan an impromptu trip to Washington D.C. read more

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If they are short on something, they won't sell you the skewer. Only way to get it is to buy a set that has it. Total scam. read more

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As always great food. The seating no longer looks cramped like way back when ao we ate without having to nudge against other patrons. Service was great. Very attentive. We got the yakitori set A. Really liked the chicken and the pork belly one. Hamburgersteak was very filling. Saba ship was.well seasoned. Also the mentai potato is a MUST read more

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I remember going to Yakitori Taisho a lot back in my younger days, and while that closed down already, I'm glad this one's still open. Yakitori platter brought back so much nostalgic memories from the good old days - washed it down with some beer and it made for a perfect midnight snack. read more

Oh Taisho - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

We happened to spontaneously stumble upon this spot for a small late dinner and sad to say I won't be coming back. It had a lot of potential too! Once you start walking in it reminds me of what an Izakaya in NYC would look like since it's not the biggest shop but it still does seat a good number of tables in the back. However, one thing that really bothered me was that my table of 2 was elbow to elbow to the table next to me. The table next to me was seriously 1 CENTIMETER APART from my table, which I find insanely crowded. The person next to me was so close he kept bumping his elbow on me too. This spot wouldn't be so bad with the crowded tables if it had amazing food, but sadly that was also very disappointing. The okonomiyaki pancake was unlike any okonomiyaki pancake I've had in the past, in a bad way. It was super thick and battery, and on the menu it claimed to have 3 types of protein but we were only able to find very small pieces and in very small quantities I was starting to wonder if they forgot to put in the proteins and made it a vegetarian pancake. As for the skewers, these are probably the worst Japanese Izakaya skewers I've had before. They all seemed overcooked, especially the beef and pork belly to the point that they were very chewy. All of them seemed to lack some sort of salt or flavor. Only the chicken skin skewer seemed okay because of its fat giving the flavor. The service was fine. Nothing to complain about. However, because of how uncomfortable the seating was due to how close I was to the next party over and the disappointing food, I will not be coming back. What we ordered: - okonomiyaki pancake - chicken skewers - chicken skin skewer - beef skewers - pork belly skewer read more

Oh Taisho - Chicken skewer, pork belly skewer, chicken skin skewer, beef skewer - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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This place has gotten worse than ever. One of the male staff (short, skinny Asian guy. I think he's Japanese and might be the manager) was shockingly rude and discriminatory. The food is too salty. I had to chug water afterward. His attitude is like hell. He gave us nasty looks and just walked away! Wow! What a disgusting place. read more

Hadn't been to Oh Taisho in ages, but a friend was itching for some Yakitori, so we gave it another shot. Gotta say, the food was just okay, nothing to write home about. We went for Set A, thinking we'd get a good mix of yakitori, but everything was either too salty or kind of bland. And that chicken skin? It was chewy when I was hoping for a bit more crunch. Overall, Oh Taisho is alright. It's got a cool vibe, though, especially if you're just looking for a laid-back spot to chill with friends. read more

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Love this restaurant so much that I've already been here twice! The skewers is a MUST get. The steak don is a MUST get too. We also ordered the pork belly don... It was good, but it can be a bit too sour. We also ordered a Taisho on the Beach (cocktail)... It was good, but mostly ice (not too bang for your buck, but honestly you can't expect that from NYC restaurants LOL). Overall, highly recommend this restaurant due to good food, good service (waiters have always been very nice), and good ambience (it's kind of cool to have bar seating and seeing the food be made in front of you)! read more

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I've been coming here since my college days (2009). Back then the place was super popular. Wait items used to be up to 30-40 mins on a random weeknight. Nowadays, things are a little different. No wait times which is great, but I can't help to think if the passing of the restaurant owner several years ago was the start of the restaurant's decline. If I wrote a review back then it would've been 5 stars ! But post Covid the food quality has suffered a little. I've come here 3 times post Covid and have come to the conclusion that 3 stars is what this place current sits at. I love that the Hispanic waiter (too bad I never learned his name) has worked there all this time! I usually order the same dishes every time whether I'm with a group or just 2 people because it's just that good. Here's what I recommend if you're a first timer: -skip the skewers: good for sharing in big groups but nothing to write home about. Cute for dates and pictures tho. Available as a la cart or as a set (A, B, or C). -saikoro steak: must get! salty, buttery, tender juicy meat squares, sprinkled with impossibly thinly sliced scallions. -mentai potato: wedge sliced fries, so crispy and freshly deep fried per order. My fave is if you get an extra crispy corner piece. Star of this dish is definitely the spicy roe mayo dip. -tuna supa don: spicy tuna with a near raw yolk on top, sitting on a bed of warm rice. -kimchi yaki udon: a hearty dish for sure. Pretty large portion of chewy udon sautéed with kimchi and beef slices. Recommend sitting in the back of the restaurant but at the bar is fine too if you're not planning on ordering a lot as table space at the bar is limited. You can watch them cook though which is neat. Even though it hurts me to give this a 3 star review, this place will always hold a special place in my heart. I will still be coming back here!! read more

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Worst service we've ever received. Food so so. Many better yakitori places within just a block.. manager did nothing.

Over the years it's always been wonderful But it was even a headache to get the bill paid. I'm giving it a 4; because it just feels like they may be understaffed. Food is wonderful. read more

Oh Taisho - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

This authentic and casual Japanese izakaya is a staple in St. Mark's that's been around for a while. A plane ticket to Japan isn't cheap, however, Oh! Taisho is a great late night eats and drink spot, serving a huge variety of Japanese foods in NYC. The space inside is tight and loud, and the atmosphere is busy and energetic, which is an authentic izakaya experience if you ask me. The menu here is pages upon pages long that it can get overwhelming deciding what to order with the variety they offer. Great to come with a group of 4 if possible to try different foods, however most tables here are for 2. We got a whole feast during our most recent visit: teriyaki chicken, steak, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, grilled mackerel, takowasabi, unagi and egg over rice, galbi, fried rice, chicken karaage, and a lot of yakitori (meats on skewers). Late night hours and yakitori keep this Japanese joint bustling! read more

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Looks like my prior reviews were for Yakitori Taisho so this deserves its own write up now. Been coming here for years, and it's the go-to for yakitori on St Marks now. Standard play is to get a yakitori set plus some fried apps and a carb, plus some specific skewers. For me it's usually the A set, fried shrimp or octopus in some form, the kimchi yaki udon and extra meatball skewers. The bacon wrapped anything and quail eggs are always solid. Fried gizzards are also a good option to go with a few drinks, though recently I've had to ease up as gizzards also come in one of the sets. A draft beer is $3, so you don't have to think twice. Ambience matches the pricing so it's rustic but charming. Think rough cut wood but worn down and smooth. It's not fancy but it's always a good time that won't break the bank. Used to have to be ready right when they opened but I think pandemic times have eased up the crowds, even with the loss of its neighbor. Still, it does get busy. read more

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Quick and speedy service but the skewers were incredibly underwhelming. They were saved by a lovely tako karaage and takoyaki. read more

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Great food! Came right at 7:30pm and luckily didn't have to wait for the place to sit. Seemed like anyone that came after us needed to wait a bit. Service was only slightly slow just because it was extremely busy, but generally the food was able to come out quickly. Great spot! read more

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Wish it was better since this place is so nostalgic. Stop by for late night snacks because it's been a while. Both Fried Squid and Fries Octopus just tasted like frozen plastic seafood. I mean what can you say for the price. Skewers was also ugh acceptable but why. read more

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Places like this are hard to find in Manhattan. Cheap and delicious. You feel like found found a gem the moment you walk in! You can get cheap skewers of many varieties, as well as almost any dish you can imagine. Fun drinks as well. read more

Oh Taisho - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Either their Yelp or Google info is incorrect. On Yelp it says the restaurant opens at 1pm on weekends but in Google it says 5pm like the rest of the week. We tried calling at 1pm and 3pm but no one ever picked up. We ended up coming here at 5:30pm for dinner. Tables are a bit tiny. The restaurant specializes in yakitori (meat on a stick). We ordered a Japanese fried chicken appetizer and then about 5 types of yakitori. The fried chicken appetizer was good but was even better with a little bit of soy sauce. The yakitori was just ok. The chicken ones didn't have much flavor, the beef steak ones were a bit dry, chicken heart was decent (I've never had chicken heart before), the shrimp was good, the pork belly was good, and the best one was the chicken skin because it was crispy and flavorful. Service was fine and food was average. Wouldn't go back for yakitori but maybe for ramen or something else that they sell here. read more

Oh Taisho - Japanese fried chicken - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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This halfway underground establishment had a decent amount of seating and we were able to get a seat without a reservation for dinner on a weekday. Service was typical. We ordered set B (~$24) and set C (~$22) skewers, which included beef, seafood, chicken, and veggies. I also ordered the taisho colada. The colada was mostly ice and taste was mediocre. When the skewers were served to us, I was unimpressed by both the presentation and the amount of food. The skewers were all resting on a bed of cabbage and some sauce on the plate. It seemed like the food was not even seasoned and some of the meat was quite tough. So, we dipped it in the sauce provided, which barely added to the taste. Overall, mediocre food at best with a not so standout experience. read more

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Five stars for the oyakodon alone, which was warm, comforting, nourishing, and overall such a cozy dish. I would come back here for that alone. But for food, I'd say 4 stars overall - it's a big menu where I'm not confident everything is a hit (the chicken karaage we got was just fine to me and nothing special). The salmon creamy noodles (I can't remember what kind of noodle we got exactly) was very creamy and good, and a favorite of my friend. I'd say the yakitori sticks range in quality - I got the chicken heart outside the set and we loved that. Some of the sticks in set A were good and some were just okay. Overall, a lovely place to hang out with friends and get some food in the area, but not the best Japanese food or yakitori of my life (a high bar, to be fair). read more

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This restaurant is located at St. Marks Place. It has been open for so long. I just came back recently after the pandemic. The place is still busy. They have not changed a bit. The food is still delicious. I love their skewers. My friend and I ordered chicken livers, chicken skins, squid, and a few other meat. We ordered potato salad wasabi octopus (still one of my favorite side dishes) and a grilled rice ball. The portions are still good. This is the place for a quick snack or just a nice dinner with your bestie. read more

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Abysmal service- food was mid at best. Host worker is absolutely rude as hell and crams groups of 3s into 2 person tiny tables. Host / waiter dude sucks read more

Listen, this spot has definitely made a comeback. I'm not sure what was going on before, but it feels like we've got our oh Taiso back. The skewers were fantastic, especially the chicken stuff, and the main dishes paired perfectly with the drinks. I honestly forgot what we ordered since my boyfriend is the expert here. read more

This place is alright - definitely a place you go to more for the vibes than the actual food. Also filled with NYU students. It's crowded on a Saturday night, but not too difficult to get a table. Sitting outside is great for people watching lol. Nabeyuki Udon ($16) - definitely not the best udon you can get in the city, but it's ok. Tempura shrimp was flavorful and perfectly crispy. Soup was hearty but on the saltier side. It tasted like it was punched up with some powder dashi lol. Noodles were on the overcooked side, and bordering too soft. Beer tower - great deal and enough for 4 people to get maybe 2-3 drinks. They ran out of the actual tower contraption but we asked if we could get it in pitchers instead and they were able to do that. read more

Oh Taisho - Nabeyuki Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

VERY SALTY or too BLAND and skewers were overall DRY. Please pay attention!!! Been going to this establishment several times a year over past 20 years. Regretfully must say the quality of food, service, and ambiance has deteriorated greatly. This time we ordered the Set A-, tako wasabi, for okonomiyaki, fried squid legs basket, fried gizzard basket, several bottles of hot sake. 2 stars. Will be my last visit. read more