****UDON IN A CABIN**** This restaurant could only exist in Williamsburg... I'll cut to the chase -- what is SM's secret to serving up the best ramen in NYC? Purportedly, nothing other than its oxidane...in other words, high quality H2O. Their menu notes their use of "chemical free "Kaiki Water" "filled with natural energy" and a "natural mineral balance" that is pH balanced. They refuse to use "contaminated, low-energy tap water." In their defense, I can't say this is exclusively hipster nonsense, since many pizzerias seem to think the Force or whatnot of the NY water makes a superior product for their domain as well. Anyway, onto the food... SUSHI TACOS: Can't run a hip asian restaurant without some Mexican fusion action going on. These were actually great-- the fish was fresh and in good portion wrapped by seaweed, tacos were well put together, and the dipping sauces with wasabi were flavorful and distinct. Definitely recommend getting some of these as an appetizer. UDON: In the tradition of "Brooklyn Style BBQ," SM purports to deliver their own style of udon distinct from the varieties in Japan without really giving much of an explanation of what this entails, beyond saying its "characteristic of where we are." Supposedly they get their flour to make the noodles from a mill in California, so does their udon fall in the tradition of California/BK fusion style? Otherwise, they say they get pretty much all of the other ingredients from Japan... Regardless, the udon is actually really good. Granted, I don't get udon a lot at restaurants because I can make a good bowl of restaurant quality nongshim udon in 5 minutes at home, but I can't say the same for instant ramen. I do think the udon here was some of the better udon I've had, but I certainly couldn't taste the 2 days of processing that goes into SM's udon. COCKTAILS: Pulled these off and priced well for NYC (all under $10). Strong and very well made.Similar to Angel's Share with Japanese themes. EXPERIENCE: Service was attentive and professional. We sat at a bar near the back. There is a large front room with communal tables in the middle and more secluded booths for groups on the sides. The bar further back was actually very intimate and comfortable. Further back there was another room for mainly drinking, I think. Interior wise, cross off checkmarks for rustic wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and asymmetrical large industrial lights dangling from the ceiling. FINAL VERDICT: Over the top even by WB standards, but for the most part, backs it up. Udon didn't completely blow me away but the food was good and the atmosphere intriguing enough to at least recommend warranting a visit. read more

Last November I had a delicious birthday dinner at Bozu. I came back to Willyburg for round 2 at this sister restaurant. I loved the rural atmosphere as I stepped in but the communal table didn't do it for me. It's too wide to sit across from each other but if you have several people sitting in a row, you can only chat with the people besides you. We opted for one of the few booths. The food however, I have absolutely no complaints about. We started with the fried dumplings which were tastefully fried with a sheet on phyllo on a cast iron skillet. Following that I had several pieces of very fresh sushi (don't be fooled by the sushi taco, it's just nigiri wrapped with a square of seaweed with 2 corners standing up) and last but definitely not the least was an order of pork belly udon. I have to admit I'm not a big fan of noodle soup but the broth was boiled to perfection and the pork simply melted in my mouth. I will be back. But probably just for the udon. read more

Everything we've ordered was very good: Taco with tuna and some sort of pepper, a tuna roll (forgot what was in it), grounded pork udon (bukakke style), pork betty, eggplant with dried shrimp, fried garlic chicken, glass of wine, a soda, all came out to be less than $60 and there were still chicken left. The only thing that I wasn't super satisfied with was the fried chicken (a bit salty, but still very well made). I was dipping the chicken in the leftover sauce from the eggplant and the pork betty. The chicken could have benefited from having a side of sauce. Would go back to try other udons (their specialty). I will get the eggplant and the pork betty again. read more

Loved this place! We had: Lobster mushroom tempura- we were originally thinking this would involve lobster, but it was very delicious anyway. Veggie gyoza, eel roll, spicy tuna roll- yum, but nothing extra special. Tuna guac roll- unique Southwest flavor that i had not experienced in sushi prior to this. Kabocha squash appetizer- I believe this one was served cold which I was not expecting. My friends weren't as fond of this one, but I love kabocha no matter how it's served. My friends had the pork belly which they loved. The liquid wasabi and liquid ginger were unique takes on the condiments and the wasabi was actually hot. I would definitely come back if I still lived in NYC (and weren't back on the vegan bandwagon). read more

Wandered in here after seeing a movie with my boyfriend. Wanted asian and bam its less than a block away. I kinda like the decor. You'd think it'd be annoying to share a giant middle table (and it is if your neighbor likes to spread their elbows out) but I didn't really mind since it was just the two of us. It almost felt like a japanese bar with the communal seating, wood decor, and warm lighting. Service wasn't too bad. Nothing to complain or rave about. I got the Pork Belly with Scallion Udon Noodle Soup (forgot the japanese name) and my bf got the Spicy Bukkake Udon. Both were very good. Super flavorful that left your mouth watering for more. Udons tasted really good and I'm a big noodle soup gal. For dessert we got the Vegan Rice Cream which tasted really clean and even though I probably wouldn't get it again it was great to try it out. Only possible downside was that I wish the portions were a little bigger especially since our dishes were not on the cheap side. I'll definitely be back though because their selection of alcohol was really nice and I'd love to try the other things on the menu. read more

This is an awesime place! The service was great and the food truly delicious! We had the sushi tacos and edamame as appetizers, both were very good. Then I had the spicy bukkake and it was freaking great, very tasteful, it was not tsuper spicy. Definitely a great place all around. Highly recommended! read more

Gyoza - must order, watch out the spice bit on top of it. I like the cold Udon better than hot one, because its more tender. Good friend hang around eating spot. read more

Great little gem!!!! The atmosphere is wonderful , everything we ate was absolutely delicious! The best was the Mama's veggie gyoza of Edamame!! Yummy!!!!!!!!!! The Bukkake Udon soup was out of this world! And the Guacamole Tuna sushi was very good! Would definitely come back here next time I'm in Williamsburg! read more

If you're looking for an authentic Japanese food in Williamsburg, I recommend this place and Bozu, which is also located on Grand St. Prices are very moderate and their sushi is very fresh. I can't wait to go back! read more

Best Japanese food in New York, simple! We go here at least twice a month, often during lunch to take advantage of the lower lunch prices and the less crowded hours. The hot udon is as good as the best udon I've had in Japan. The space is super cozy and moody looking and the staff is composed of a bunch of adorable looking characters. If you like real japanese food (for anyone who's been to Japan and cannot eat in a regular sushi restaurant in the US) this is a must try! read more

Perfect stop for an unseasonably cold evening. Dimly lit and cozy, the exposed brick provided a warm backdrop. Server were friendly and attentive. The starter, kombocha squash, was soft, sweet, and bathed in a salty broth. My awkwardly named udon, spicy bukkake, was worth the blushing. The combination of minced beef, peppery arugula, and perfectly poached egg was dreamy. The richly flavorful brought it all together. Definite recommendation and check out the back space for cocktails. read more

Awesome place One of a kind. Hits all the notes. Fantastic quality, flavor, clean and great service. Nothing else to say about it. read more

Really good go to spot in Williamsburg. Love the vibe, music, ramen...quality ingredients and noodles. Especially love the Fatty Mama Ramen. Great lunch menu. Love the seaweed salad, sushi tacos...especially the Scallop & Ikura read more

Fun place. Hit or miss items. Friendly organic

Okay so I love the ambiance here and the sushi is phenomenal. I had the tuna guacamole roll and the salmon roll, they were both very tasty. I also like the fact that you can choose between a roll and a taco! I would have given them 4 stars but I wasn't too fond of the Udon noodles. The broth was disgusting! I'll be back for sushi but I didn't like the noodles at all. read more

I want very badly to give this place 5 stars. The food quality is amazing. It is hands down one of the best sushi spots in Williamsburg, dare I say, BROOKLYN---but the wait, the client services are exceptionally lack luster! I have visited the restaurant about 5 times now and only twice had I experienced timely and attentive service. More often I am waiting for an immense and ridiculous amount of time, watching parties having arrived after me be serviced and tended to more actively then myself. I have no intention of inclining that there is a biased occurring but there is certainly a low value displayed by the WHOLE of the staff on the positivity and excellence of my experience. read more

i do not recommend the dumping style noodles. they were cold, VERY little broth, and comes out to be more expensive than your soup style since you have to add on your own ingredients. seafood curry noodles were really good but a tad too spicy for me. pork belly soup noodles are still hands down the best. the seaweed on the sushi was stale, which really grinds my gears. read more

From the chef-owner of nearby Bozu comes a restaurant that is immensely faithful to the art of udon, unlike the playful fusion of his first restaurant in Williamsburg. The name could do better, being in the league of Mr. Robata, but the restaurant itself is well worth trying out. The interior is rustic industrial, exposed brick lining the walls of the narrow restaurant, the booths and huge communal table dead center made of thick wood planks. Table runners and placemats are of the homely washcloth variety. It is neither overtly nor subtly Japanese style. Staff are low-key, friendly, and efficient. The specialty here is house-made udon, and the menu describes the care taken to make these thick, wheat-flour noodles in the traditional style. Also house-made is the dashi broth used as a base for the soups that showcase the udon. Besides udon, the menu offers appetizers, and small selections each of teppan yaki (grilled foods), agemono (fried foods), and sushi. The sushi flavors and toppings are more reminescent of Bozu than traditional, and they're offered as tacos or rolls (not Bozu bombs). Beverages run the gamut from Japanese beers, sakes, shochu, and whiskey, a small selection of European wines, a house cocktail list that leans on Japanese flavors, and tea drinks. Iced yuzu ginger tea sounded very appealing but didn't quite work, possibly a casualty of too many flavors. The appetizer of pickled Jyako cabbage topped with tiny fried sardines was a traditional but never tired mix of sour and savory flavors and crunchy and chewy textures. Mama's pork gyoza comes grilled side up, a slick paper-thin, oily crisp over the plump pork dumplings. Not extraordinary but still quite good. Udon options are the lengthiest on the menu. One can choose from udon served in hot soup (kake), dipping style (tsuke jil) that I've more often associated with soba, and bukkake (dump), a cold style somewhat akin to dressed salad, the dressing being a thick dashi broth. The classic kake udon with pork belly and scallion was simple. The noodles were the star, toothsome and slippery, in a deeply flavorful, clear broth not oily nor heavy. A special bukkake style udon arrived dry, topped with neat little piles of scallion, minced ginger, tempura bits, and seaweed. In went the poached egg from one plate, and the dashi sauce from a small glass bottle, then mixed with a flat wooden ladle. The result wasn't as satisfying as the kake udon, but it was refreshing, with the noodles once again making the dish. The best udon I've had in NYC, all in a pleasant and comfortable space, with prices that are very good for a meal in this area. Reservations taken but not needed except at peak hours. read more

This place has become my go to for high quality Japanese food in Williamsburg. The place itself is pretty spacious and has a rustic feel with lots and lots of grey wood. It has big community tables in the middle of the dining room floor and booths along the walls. A small waiting area is in the back as they will only seat you if you have your full party. As far as udon goes: - The spicy bukkake udon tastes like udon spaghetti with bolognese. The broth - so good. A nice poached egg comes on the side to add in to your bowl and adds creaminess. Trust me, sounds weird but it works so, so well. - The pork belly udon (the special) is also a consistently great option - the pork belly has nice bit of fat which is luscious and melts on your tongue. Other things: - The taco set, 5 different preset rolls, uses great quality fish and tastes magnificently fresh. Three pre-mixed soy sauce combinations come along: soy, mild, spicy. - Agedashi tofu is a must for tofu lovers. fried perfectly and sitting in a delicious soup. great great great! Even my gf who is not a tofu lover appreciates it. Thing that I would pass on: - shrimp special, a couple of grilled shrimp with sea salt on skewers. shrimp special not so special. - edamame - well its edamame. Overall, I really really really like this place. I've only experienced good, courteous service and the food is great. read more

Yum!! Very good ramen! I give it 4.5 stars. I don't think the ramen noodles is homemade, because Samurai Mama is a udon place, not a ramen place. That being said, their ramen is still fricken awesome!! Love the broth, vegetables, and pork. The ramen comes with side salad, egg and side vegetable. I also notice inside their broth it had sauteed scallions and thin slices of eggplant-- this is a bit original, but I really like this because I enjoy having more than just the typical char siu pork in there. Overall, delicious!! Place was cute and cozy. Note: CASH ONLY!! read more

Samurai Mama - Fatty Mama Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I came with a small group for a friend's birthday dinner. While the experience didn't blow me away, it was a fun evening starring some really yummy udon. Pros: -There's a separate room to chill and have a drink (or not) if you're waiting on someone in your party. (I don't really understand why people complain about this policy? So many restaurants do this, and understandably so.) -Everyone in my group who ordered udon really enjoyed it, and there were several vegetarian and vegan options available. -The veggie sushi tacos were tasty and fun and came with varying levels of pre-wasabi'd soy sauce. -The staff was all friendly and helpful, and our waitress helped the sushi- and soup-averse [side note: ???] member of our party choose his meal and brought the birthday person their dessert with a candle on top. Cons: -Food is pricey; udon add-ons add up fast (say that five times fast.) -The space is kind of cramped with a strange layout. There's a large communal table and a couple of smaller tables in the front, then a narrow hallway (to the left, a single bathroom; to the right, the kitchen) preceding several more smaller tables and the waiting room. -There are no spicy udon options for vegetarians, and the available spice shaker didn't give the kick I wanted. Overall, I probably wouldn't go significantly out of my way for Samurai Mama, but if a friend suggested it, I certainly wouldn't be averse to coming back. read more

Pros: Decor, ambiance, atmosphere, great service and delicious food. Cons: The PRICE. Food Experience: We asked for the Udon special on July 26th, 2013 in the evening and it was really delicious. It came with a poached egg and it just melted in the Udon soup and made it better. The service was great and the waiter was very attentive and the water was served already and there was no need to ask. Conclusion: Overall if the price wasn't as high as I had to pay which was about $17 I would have given it a 4 star. It really effected my decision because I was surprised at the price and didn't know what I was getting. I wish I was told before. read more

This little Japanese spot is so adorable. I love the decor. I'm not too fond of the communal dinner table - but the booths are so tiny and romantic! I think the dinner table would be a great idea if there is a huge party. I ordered the dried curry pork from the lunch special for to go. I loved it. I'm a big fan of semi "deconstructed" meals where I have to put it together myself. It had the poached egg on the side that was suppose to be mixed in with the rice and meat. It was so delish! The salad is really good especially with the dressing. I liked the soup as well. For $13ish dollars it was such a good deal. I would contemplate on ordering it again as oppose to trying something new (but of course I definitely would want to order something new). Writing this review makes me want to visit them again! ;) ~happy eatings! read more

Five of us came here for a Sunday night dinner, and the place was packed with hipsters. Thank goodness my boyfriend was not wearing his extra loose jeans, because he would definitely stand out in the crowd like an eyesore. They have a communal table in the center and booths on the side. Restaurant is nicely decorated, dark lit, and run by Japanese. The dumplings were great, and the pork belly is everything I dreamt of. For entrees, we ordered both sushi rolls and noodles. The rolls here don't have any fancy pretentious names or fire/ice that come with the presentation (in case you are into the flamboyant presentation). Noodles are good and soup is tasty. read more

Arguably best udon in Brooklyn. But not just udon... The sushi tacos (a hybrid of a piece of sushi and a sushi roll) is excellent - really get that satisfying crunch of the nori wrap. Fish is high level grade. Do not go on weekends, ridiculous wait and a mob scene. Weekday evenings are the way to go. Afternoons - if you are free - are very relaxed. Take a look, read a book, it's an udon rainbow. read more

I hate giving away 5 star reviews because they should be reserved for the very best - which is tough to be - but Samurai Mama really deserves it. The soup here is out of this world and so are all of the other dishes that I've tried. It's a great spot, cool atmosphere, great menu, nice drinks, good service, (very) good value. I'd choose to eat here 10/10 times before returning to momofuku noodle bar. read more

If sushi is not your primary objective, then Samurai Mama is a great spot! The dumplings were amazing with thin wrappers and fresh filling. The udon soup were spot on... Just keep in mind, the sushi is very basic and the rice to fish ratio was very disappointing. Overall good service and nice dining experience. read more

Normally I don't do reviews for restaurants, but this restaurant is beyond my craziest imagination! Waitress was very rude and sassy! When asked about the menu in terms of what ingredients is in it, the waitress roll her eyes and told me that she doesn't understand what I was talking about. I mean what happens if one person in my party is allergic to one of the ingredients? Aren't you suppose to be able to answer those questions? The food was fine don't get me wrong! The service suck ass! I definitely will not be going here anymore. read more

Samurai Mama - Japanese Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

If your looking for a pre or post movie dinner, then this is your spot. Right next to the Williamsburgh cinema, samurai mama offers authentic and tasty sushi to combat that popcorn. Although the menu is pricey, it is worth it for this authentic taste. I give it three stars because the other menu items I've had are not as satisfying. The miso soup was bland, and although the sushi is great it is not as filling to get just one roll. The service is okay, but I would mention you are on your way to a movie if you are in a rush. It does have a very relaxing yet rustic chic atmosphere. A good choice for a date if your looking to splurge a little. read more

I'm happy we came across this place. If "Kaiki filtrated water" or whatever is the Kool Aid, I'd drink it again. You can sit in a booth or communal table, which is nice. The place itself has a warm aesthetic. Service was really attentive and also pretty mint. Ladies, take notice. We had: Kinpura Pork Belly w Daikon Seafood Curry Udon Kinpura is tasty, but I don't understand all the mixed lettuce stuff. Are you supposed to eat that as a salad or is it just excess "garnish"? Anyway, the tablespoon of Kinpura was good. Pork Belly dish was cooked so well I could cry. Very tender, not greasy. Seafood Udon - the noodles were absolutely delicious and super fresh. The broth was well-balanced and not overly salty. I wish there was more seafood, particularly mussels. I thought that sh*t was in season, but I don't know anything about mussels and was still very happy with the udon. read more

I've been living on the southside of Williamsburg for over 5 years and this place is certainly my most favorite in the neighborhood. The trendy hip ambiance with old world Japanese flair makes this establishment feel right at home. Edamame - You may think Edamame is the same everywhere but not at this place. They use Kuro edamame which is actually a tastier version of this amazing veggie. Being more flavorful and mixed with just the right amount of salt. Agadashi Tofu - Beautifully fried piece of tofu, with a crispy exterior and soft interior in their broth is a must for tofu lovers. Taco Set - Beautiful blend of 5 traditional sushi favorites. Super tasty and great to share. Accompanied by three levels of soy sauce heat makes this another appetizer to share or eat by yourself! The Udon is what they are known for - Always delicious, with a soft texture that almost melts in your mouth. Always consistent and perfect in the spicy bukkake. Their mix of udon, broth, soft poached egg, arugula, and beef always make that dish a stand out. The pork belly udon is another star. The texture and taste of the pork belly married with their famous udon and a broth you might consider bathing makes this another star. Pro tips - Cash only establishment. Got a date? Ask for seating at the bar in the middle of the restaurant. Dinner on the weekends will always be busy so make sure to come early otherwise you might find yourself with a bit of a long wait. Thank you Samurai Mama for always being so great! read more

I don't venture to Brooklyn often but my brother and sister suggested this place for New Year's Eve dinner and what a pleasant surprise. Not only was the food fantastic but the atmosphere and service were amazing. We were sat down at a booth but even the folks sitting at the communal tables seemed like they were having a great time. Some of my favorite dishes: Pork Gyoza, Pork Belly Udon and BBQ Short Ribs. There were so many other dishes I tried that were amazing. Highly recommend. read more

There were five of us. Food was fabulous. Mushroom tempura wonderful. The taco sampler was perhaps the best and most interesting sushi I have had in a long time. I thought the agedashi tofu was my least favorite dish but can't say if using softer tofu w a very light corn starch coating is a more accurate version of this dish. I prefer the firm tofu. I'm not a fan of no credit cards but $30 for food. per person seemed reasonable read more

Amazing udon. Met up with a friend in Brooklyn, and she recommended this place. It was one of the best meals I had on my NYC trip. I got the beef and poached egg udon (with mushrooms and dumping style). Wish I had a picture but ate it so quickly. Sorry not sorry. You should definitely try this place. Plus the ambiance is really quaint, a Japanese "tavern." read more

Love this place! It is a great little place with delicious food and polite service. Might be difficult to get seating (the center of the dining room is shared communal table) and there are tables surrounding. However, the wait is well worth it! Drinking warm tea in this nicely designed space makes you forget you're in Brooklyn (no hate, I live here too). We had the seaweed salad (unlike your regular seaweed salad from other Asian~ restaurants) which was the real deal. I had the ground beef udon dish and it was superb: broth was perfect and the beef spiced well. Will definitely be returning soon! read more

Authentic Japanese? Not really. Not at all. Still yummy? I'd say so. I had the Sukiyaki Udon (a special) and the boyfriend had the Pork Udon. Both were quite tasty, but there were a few frustrating quirks that deterred the experience. 1. I was craving sukiyaki the entire night and happily ordered the sukiyaki udon. The dish was yummy, but instead of the tender slices of beef you find with japanese sukiyaki, the beef almost resembled a pot roast. Very hardy and meaty and not delicate at all. 2. I asked for a side of rice with my meal. That's it - just simple white rice to enjoy the leftover juices with. They gave me sushi rice (by that I mean actual sushi rice, flavored and spiced, instead of regular short grain rice). Japanese restaurant and you're telling me I can't have a simple bowl of rice?!?!? 3. Cash only. 'nuff said. The ambience was great and the wait-staff polite. (Love the long communal table in the front!) We didn't enjoy the bar in the back, but it does look pretty bad ass. The tea pudding dessert is a definite must if you decide to go. Overall, we left happy, but won't be coming back. read more

This place inspired me to write my first yelp review, which has been a long time coming. We came across Samurai Mama by chance which makes it all the better. I have been there twice within the last two weeks and was impressed each time. Both times we have ordered the edamame and pork gyoza for appetizers, and while these items are pretty standard for most Japanese restaurants, Samurai Mama does them well. Another item ordered twice was the pork belly udon and it is fantastic! The broth is so savory and the pork belly melts in your mouth. Actually it may quite possibly be the best udon I have ever had, but that being said I haven't been to Japan. Another must order item is the tuna avocado roll. I am obsessed with sushi, worked at a sushi restaurant for two years and have been trying new places around New York since I moved here two years ago from San Diego. This is the freshest tuna I have tasted here. Ridiculously soft texture, deep red, and wonderful flavor, this simple, clean, and fresh roll could be my, "If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could only have one food item..." The yellowtail scallion was aslo popular among my group. For drinks we had Sapporo and the Dewazakura cold sake, that was very light, floral, and fruity, a good choice if you are with company that isn't too familiar with sake or haven't tried it before. The staff was polite and attentive. I suggest making a reservation because the place is pretty small. read more

The first time I went here was with one of my best friends who has been to Japan multiple times. She walked in and, eyes wide, immediately started freaking out, saying, "It even smells like Japan!" It did not disappoint. We order tempura, which I am usually not a huge fan of, but holy crap it was good. I then ordered a hot udon bowl with a variety of mushrooms. SO flavorful. The second time I came, I went for sushi. For starters, we got tempura (again) and age dashi tofu (a fav, which did not disappoint). For rolls, I choose spicy tuna, which was good and the guac/salmon roll which was OUT OF THIS WORLD amazing. I will always recommend this place for it's lovely atmosphere and fantastic cuisine. Cash only! read more

Used to be a regular here. Service was terrible, the staff was rude. Had to ask multiple times for water. Was told multiple times there was a 90 minute limit for a table, which we already knew but had to basically beg to get the check. Took an extra 20 minutes just to get the check and pay. read more

Nice atmosphere but 16 bucks for a bowl of udon with over cooked pork belly, really. Sushi is at room temp which i personally hate. One star for decor. Nvr again. Pros lots of other choices around Cons prices which not up to par with quality or cusine read more