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Small cozy spot tucked away in the back left of a shared parking lot. It appeared to be a 1 man show. The Japanese gentleman took our order, cooked it and cleaned up afterwards. We got a spicy tuna roll combined with shrimp tempura. That was very delicious. We got another roll topped with salmon. It was OK. It did not pack as much flavor. We also got a fried pork cutlet over rice w curry. That was solid. They had something we've never seen before so we had to try it a ground pork/pumpkin meatball dish. It was delightfully tasty. That too was smothered in comfort food brown curry gravy. Solid all around. The curry dishes are around 20 bucks each but the portions they give a very large. You will definitely leave satiated. Sazanami - In!
Excellent comfort food at exceptional prices. Service is very friendly and they serve alcohol. We ordered shrimp curry, hamburger curry, an appetizer canned "two fishes" which was tuna and salmon sashimi. We also ordered chicken Karrage. Dark meat, moist and crunchy. Generous servings, so come with your appetite. Cozy atmosphere and the washroom is outside the restaurant. Entrance is noted to be in the back and parking is a bit challenging.
This is more like 4.5 stars! Easy to find in downtown Fort Lee. The entrance is in the back where there is a parking lot. It is a small restaurant, and fortunately when my husband and I went around noon there was just one table left (aside from the bar seatings). There was only one server, and she was very efficient, friendly, and really helpful. Growing up in Japan my childhood comfort food was curry rice, and tonkatsu (sometimes combined, and many times separately). I really thought this place mastered the true Japanese curry. Tonkatsu was very good, except the breading was a bit thick for me. My husband ordered coquette and he liked the nice pumpkin filling in it. They served the food with tonjiru (pork broth with various vegetables) which was so good, reminded me of home. Their house made cabbage pickles was really delicious as well. I would definitely come back here when I am in the area!
Highly recommend this gem of a place in fort Lee! Ordered the spicy and crunchy (crispy rice topped with spicy tuna) and the contrast in texture is just genius. The croquettes were good too.. pumpkin and ground pork.. what a great combo. It's crispy on the outside skin and so soft on the inside. I believe the popular dish here is the curry. They have quite a selection of curries. I got the chicken karage which was really crispy. The curry sauce itself is well flavored (not too sweet) and I like the spicy version, although it could be a bit spicy for some people. The pork katsu curry was also good too if you're looking for something more traditional. Staff was very helpful and friendly. This is a small and cozy restaurant. Would definitely come back and try the other appetizers!
My wife really likes Japanese curry. Me. Not so much. Memories of TV Dinners and the Salisbury Steak option come to mind. But this place definitely changed my view on the cuisine. Tucked behind a bar and well hidden from the busy area of Fort Lee, the two men who run the place, pretty much do it all. Taking orders, preparing the food, bussing and re-setting tables, and maybe even doing the dishes. We've been a bunch of times, and usually start with the Tomago Yako or Chicken Karaage appetizer. All the Japanese Curry dishes are excellent and worth the 20 minute wait. Don't let the complimentary soup go to waste. It tastes much better then it looks
No more Oh Mammy's in Fort Lee, which was my number 1 spot for Japanese curry. Look no further because Sazanami brings the experience and is next in line for quality. The taste reminds me of one of the flavors of ramen I've had in Japan. Strong onion flavor, and I also tasted some apple. The sides are great with neat presentation. Looking forward to trying their none spicy curry. I hope that one day they may add more flavored curry variety, fermented kind, in the near future!
We went toward end of the night but it was great Food was so tasty esp the appetizer with the sashimi Service was quick and polite On the smaller end so prob not good for big groups We were group of 3 :)
Family easy lunch, minimalist Japanese ambiance Tamago Yakko awesome fix texture with sauces 5/5 Chicken karaage signature dishe juicy & light breading 5/5 Pumpkin croquettes 3/5 Ebi Fry Curry mid size shrimp 3/5 Pork Katsu Curry 4/5 the rice is mix with texture rice Service is on point
5/5 Service 4/5 Food 5/5 Ambiance Loved the kabocha karokke! The Tamayo and tofu was good, but I'd like an even silkier tofu to eat. The hamburger curry caught me by surprise. The curry, rice, and pickled veggies were amazing. The hamburger was different than I expected bc it was very moist and soft (borderline fluffy?). It was good but not the texture I'm used to. Would recommend to anyone who likes japanese curry!
Really solid curry and the panko was fried perfectly. Portion is massive and you'll leave stuffed.
Service could have been more courteous. I asked to cancel one of my maki orders but the server, who was also the chef, didn't. Portions are decent. Panko crust is very crispy. Other than average service and order mistake, food was pretty fresh and tasty.
Great Japanese curry restaurant! The portions are big, and the curry sauce is delicious. We were so full. Plus, they have free parking right in front, which is really convenient!
3 months ago
Pork cutlet curry done right. Owned by Koreans but they do well in making the pork curry look and taste like the original in Japan. Service good and the food was also great. A little on the high end in price for Japanese food as but this is the states. read more
Small cozy restaurant, can probably fit around 25/30 people including the bar. Service was quick, apps and entrees came quickly. We tried the karrage chicken and a sushi roll. Would probably skip the sushi ~ We all tried a different curry and really enjoyed it. Even the spicy option wasn't too spicy ~ but the flavors of the curry come through more on the non spicy options. Everything was good, felt homey! The katsu is the best in our opinion! Also BYOB! read more
Small cozy spot tucked away in the back left of a shared parking lot. It appeared to be a 1 man show. The Japanese gentleman took our order, cooked it and cleaned up afterwards. We got a spicy tuna roll combined with shrimp tempura. That was very delicious. We got another roll topped with salmon. It was OK. It did not pack as much flavor. We also got a fried pork cutlet over rice w curry. That was solid. They had something we've never seen before so we had to try it a ground pork/pumpkin meatball dish. It was delightfully tasty. That too was smothered in comfort food brown curry gravy. Solid all around. The curry dishes are around 20 bucks each but the portions they give a very large. You will definitely leave satiated. Sazanami - In! read more
Excellent comfort food at exceptional prices. Service is very friendly and they serve alcohol. We ordered shrimp curry, hamburger curry, an appetizer canned "two fishes" which was tuna and salmon sashimi. We also ordered chicken Karrage. Dark meat, moist and crunchy. Generous servings, so come with your appetite. Cozy atmosphere and the washroom is outside the restaurant. Entrance is noted to be in the back and parking is a bit challenging. read more
1 year ago
This is more like 4.5 stars! Easy to find in downtown Fort Lee. The entrance is in the back where there is a parking lot. It is a small restaurant, and fortunately when my husband and I went around noon there was just one table left (aside from the bar seatings). There was only one server, and she was very efficient, friendly, and really helpful. Growing up in Japan my childhood comfort food was curry rice, and tonkatsu (sometimes combined, and many times separately). I really thought this place mastered the true Japanese curry. Tonkatsu was very good, except the breading was a bit thick for me. My husband ordered coquette and he liked the nice pumpkin filling in it. They served the food with tonjiru (pork broth with various vegetables) which was so good, reminded me of home. Their house made cabbage pickles was really delicious as well. I would definitely come back here when I am in the area! read more
Highly recommend this gem of a place in fort Lee! Ordered the spicy and crunchy (crispy rice topped with spicy tuna) and the contrast in texture is just genius. The croquettes were good too.. pumpkin and ground pork.. what a great combo. It's crispy on the outside skin and so soft on the inside. I believe the popular dish here is the curry. They have quite a selection of curries. I got the chicken karage which was really crispy. The curry sauce itself is well flavored (not too sweet) and I like the spicy version, although it could be a bit spicy for some people. The pork katsu curry was also good too if you're looking for something more traditional. Staff was very helpful and friendly. This is a small and cozy restaurant. Would definitely come back and try the other appetizers! read more
My wife really likes Japanese curry. Me. Not so much. Memories of TV Dinners and the Salisbury Steak option come to mind. But this place definitely changed my view on the cuisine. Tucked behind a bar and well hidden from the busy area of Fort Lee, the two men who run the place, pretty much do it all. Taking orders, preparing the food, bussing and re-setting tables, and maybe even doing the dishes. We've been a bunch of times, and usually start with the Tomago Yako or Chicken Karaage appetizer. All the Japanese Curry dishes are excellent and worth the 20 minute wait. Don't let the complimentary soup go to waste. It tastes much better then it looks read more
4 months ago
If you like tamago, you have to try this! It's served warm, and is fluffy, delicious and satisfying. This is an appetizer, but is best shared as it's very generously portioned. read more
No more Oh Mammy's in Fort Lee, which was my number 1 spot for Japanese curry. Look no further because Sazanami brings the experience and is next in line for quality. The taste reminds me of one of the flavors of ramen I've had in Japan. Strong onion flavor, and I also tasted some apple. The sides are great with neat presentation. Looking forward to trying their none spicy curry. I hope that one day they may add more flavored curry variety, fermented kind, in the near future! read more
1 year ago
Family easy lunch, minimalist Japanese ambiance Tamago Yakko awesome fix texture with sauces 5/5 Chicken karaage signature dishe juicy & light breading 5/5 Pumpkin croquettes 3/5 Ebi Fry Curry mid size shrimp 3/5 Pork Katsu Curry 4/5 the rice is mix with texture rice Service is on point read more
5/5 Service 4/5 Food 5/5 Ambiance Loved the kabocha karokke! The Tamayo and tofu was good, but I'd like an even silkier tofu to eat. The hamburger curry caught me by surprise. The curry, rice, and pickled veggies were amazing. The hamburger was different than I expected bc it was very moist and soft (borderline fluffy?). It was good but not the texture I'm used to. Would recommend to anyone who likes japanese curry! read more
1 year ago
Service could have been more courteous. I asked to cancel one of my maki orders but the server, who was also the chef, didn't. Portions are decent. Panko crust is very crispy. Other than average service and order mistake, food was pretty fresh and tasty. read more
I've been here twice so far and see myself coming back plenty more times in the future. I got the korokke curry (requested it spicy) both times. The croquette is filled with so much pumpkin- I absolutely loved it. The spicy sauce definitely had a kick to it. Portion size was very good for the price. I was fully satisfied by the end of the meal. Space is a bit small so you might have to wait if you come during peak dinner time. There is also a parking lot behind the restaurant, though it can get a bit tight. Would definitely recommend this place! read more
5 months ago
3 years ago
Been here many times already and their pork katsu curry + miso soup does not disappoint from portions, flavors, taste and texture! Tried their hambu dish and meat patty was very tender and juicy! Sushi is very fresh too read more
My favorite Japanese curry house - their Chicken Karage (dammit autocorrect, stop changing it to Garage... I don't eat garage!) curry is literally the BEST. It's ridiculous how good their chicken karage is... it's so moist, subtly but adequately seasoned down to inside, covered it light & fluffy tempura coating, and served piping hot. I mean, it's the epitome of good karage. That over their tried-and-true curry which I tend to like to get "Spicy" (they ask you for the level) over their slightly-al dente rice (genius because curry softens it as you eat... making the rice perfect and not overdone), it's a serious comfort food heaven every single time we come. And the tonjiru soup on the side is just the perfect companion to round out the awesome meal. Parking offered in the back though it can get packed quickly with another eatery sharing it... uber there, I don't care. Sazanami deserves to be tried by all. read more
I've been to Sazanami a few times now. The curry dishes are always so delicious and the portions are great as well. I especially love how perfect cooked and juicy the chicken karaage is. The pork katsu is also great with the curry dish. I've also tried the rolls a couple of times and I thought they were just fine. Not bad but not amazing. It's also a bit hard to get the attention of the workers sometimes because they're often in the kitchen hidden away. Other than that, the service is good and the restaurant is a comfortable place for a small group meal! read more
What a cute little curry shop! This Fort Lee hole in the wall is a welcoming japanese curry restaurant. The seating is very limited in this restaurant, but it is one of the few locations that does have free parking in Fort Lee. Parking is limited and slightly behind the building, but if you can find the entrance, you will find the parking lot just fine. This being the first time here, I had to try their curry, and after seeing all the reviews, I got the karroke curry. The karroke is TRULY AMAZING! It contains the sweetness and melt in your mouth texture of the japanese pumpkin, and with the tender, savory pork mixed in as well, it truly is a stellar dish. Having tasted the pork katsu and the hambagu curry as well, I have to say there is not much to write home about. It is a pretty expected standard of the dish, with the katsu having a nice crunch and the hambagu meat being juicy. The flavor though is quite mild, and even the curry, which we all got the hot version of, had a blander taste than I expected from a curry restaurant. Since the curry itself truly fell short of my expectations, I have to give it a 4/5 star, but i will definitely be coming back for the succulent karroke! Note: if you get the hambugu, they warn you there will be a bit of a longer wait, around 20 min for the food, compared to other curry dishes. read more
New curry house in town, but this one beats the rest IMO. Their curry is on the spicier side, thicker, tastes delicious with karaage chicken and rice. I can order egg on the side too to make even more sumptuous. The chicken is also cooked to perfection, soft moist with a crispy layer outside. I am impressed with their sushi. We tried crunch connect and wild bunch, both were really good. The only downside for me was the miso soup, I couldn't get to like it. The restaurant is pretty small, seats about 25 people. But they do have their own parking lot, a luxury in Fort Lee. This is our new favorite curry place, been there twice in the same week. read more
Small local curry spot on Main St. in Fort Lee. They have a mini parking lot in the back of the building where the entrance is. The restaurant itself doesn't look like much but it doesn't take away from the experience. Simple vibe with jazz playing in the background. Looks like the cook and sushi chef do everything including serve the food. We tried the Pork Katsu Curry and the Korroke (Croquette) Curry. The pork katsu was pretty tender and worked so well with the curry. The korroke was a pumpkin blend and it was amazing!! The curry itself is simple yet delicious. I literally cleared my plate! Pro Tip: Try the Dashimaki Tamago recipe. The egg omelette doesn't look like much but has a great umami/sweetness hint to it. You'll be pleasantly surprised!!! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Parking was limited but it's great that they have a parking lot. Delicious curry! I had the Karaage Curry with Tonjiru Soup and it did not disappoint! Service was good. Cozy, small place. read more
2 years ago
An absolute Gem tucked away in a small lot in Fort Lee NJ. Do not be fooled by its humble exterior. You are in for a treat: excellent food all around that is very high quality and won't break the bank (a rarity nowadays). The Hustler maki (shrimp tempura, avocado, seared tuna and salmon) is fantastic. Get anything with shrimp (ebi fry curry, rolls, etc) as Chef is known for cooking shrimp to perfection. Sazanami is also BYOB. Just come, you won't regret it. read more
Nice addition to the area, although it seems there's more and more curry joints cropping up by the day. The flavor of the curry here is pretty nice and pairs well with the decently fried katsu that I got. From a taste POV, I'm a fan of it. My only beef is that the consistency isn't as thick as I'd like. Even though I'm more of a Go-Go Curry kind of guy (thicker style), I think the flavor here still is good enough to offset the fact this isn't my preferred texture. Their side dishes are also pretty good ... I sampled the tuna as well as the tofu options and I enjoyed all of them. The staff is also friendly and also nice when it comes to take-out service. My only suggestion would be to try and thicken the curry just a little, so it doesn't make the rice/protein exposed to it so soggy, but beyond that it's still a pretty good addition to the neighborhood to have another decent curry joint. read more
3 years ago
Yum!!! Best curry ive had in a while. The flavor is nice, the tempura is superrr good and crispy. Nice filling meal read more
3 years ago
Was pleasantly surprised with the quality of food here. If you can see, smell and taste the small details, you will definitely a lot the love and approach they put into each piece of food they prepare. Everything was perfectly cooked and the flavors were perfect. The plating of the food made everything appetizing. Katsu was perfectly breaded, without being too crunchy or dry and the meat inside was perfectly cooled and moist. It also has flavor. I am personally not fond of curry, but my family are. However, I came away loving my curry katsu dish. For once, it seemed some car was taken in the preparation of the dish and was not rushed out like fast food I read some complaints about it being small. I love it. The small staff, ambiance and the whole vibe make the experience just so much better. Your waiter is right over the counter, just yell over if you need something and don't be so petty with the complaints. Parking was full, I parked on main street and walked over. Try it, you will like it. read more
3 years ago
Man everything was so good I thought I was in Japan. The curry is that thick syrupy viscous consistency that people think of for Japanese Curry. The rice is portioned out so that it matches the strong flavor of the curry. I got the kaarage curry with the topping of korroke. The korroe (basically mashed potatoes stuffed with pork and then deep fried) was a nice golden color INSIDE the crispy exterior and it was so rich. They could charge $7 for that and I'd still eat it. Service was good too, this is a neighborhood restaurant vibe. I don't think this restaurant is one of those trend-riding places the instagram photos, rather they're one catering to the regulars. I stopped by because I was looking at apartments in the area and if the other restaurants on this area are of this quality, i'm very tempted to move here. read more
Went here on Saturday around noon and it was phenomenal. I heard that the korokke was really delicious so I ordered that but the waiter said it was sold out because everyone hops on that once they make the batches. I was so upset but it's okay. I'm going again to get it :) My husband I got the pork katsu and Karaage to share and it was so yummy. You get to pick between mild spicy or very spicy as well for the curry. The curry was definitely made with a lot of care. The homemade pickled cabbage was such a good complimentary with the curry as well. The katsu and Karaage was so tender and the Tonjiru soup was also so soothing and light! I would rate this the best curry spot I've been to. Interior, staff and food are all stellar. Now time to go again for the korokke :) read more
5 years ago
Small but good spot for Japanese curry and sushi in Fort Lee! I got the All That Eel maki roll (eel, avocado, and cream cheese); I love all three of these ingredients, so I had high hopes for this roll, and it did not disappoint, as it was really tasty. I also got the Rio Grande maki roll (California with chopped salmon, mango, and jalapeño). This was also a really tasty roll, as the mango added some nice sweetness and the jalapeño pieces were not actually spicy (which is a plus to me). The two rolls were $12 and $11, respectively, which are reasonable. I also tried the Karaage Curry ($13)- the curry flavor is pretty standard, but I was impressed by the tender friend chicken thigh. The restaurant is quite small, but has some nice festive holiday decor near the windows. I didn't quite like the fact that the waiter had earbuds in his ears and wasn't that attentive. It kind of felt like he was just doing what he had to do for his job and didn't care enough to really try to make it a great experience for the customers. The service speed was decent though. We arrived on a Saturday night around 7:30, but were the only ones at the restaurant, though a large party entered shortly afterward. Overall, Sazanami is a solid choice for Japanese cuisine. It might be slightly away from the busiest part of Main St in Fort Lee and might not be such a popular spot, but I think you will enjoy your meal here. read more
4 years ago
As a self-proclaimed Japanese Curry enthusiast, I have developed my own rating system: Top 3, Good, Pretty-good, Trash. From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the restaurant's warm and inviting ambiance. The decor was traditional yet modern, and the lighting created a warm and cozy atmosphere. You can hear all the customers' chatter softly in the background which added to the calming atmosphere that transported me to Japan. The restaurant was designed with meticulous attention to detail. The seating arrangement was perfectly spaced out, and the comfortable chairs added to the overall ambiance of the place. The tables were designed to perfectly hold all the dishes without any wobbly movements. One thing that stood out the most was the spoon provided was a perfect example of form and function. It was designed to hold the maximum amount of curry, but it was not so big that it required me to open my mouth too wide. The spoon was just the right size, making it easy to take a generous bite without feeling like I was struggling to fit the entire spoon into my mouth. The spoon had a slightly curved bowl, which allowed me to scoop up a perfect amount of curry with each bite. It was made of high-quality materials that felt comfortable and sturdy in my hand. The handle was long enough to provide a good grip, but not so long that it was difficult to manage. The spoon was well-balanced and lightweight, making it easy to use without any strain on my wrist. But let's talk about the real star of the show: the curry. It was simply divine. The rice-to-curry ratio was perfectly appraised, allowing the dish to shine without either component overpowering the other. The rice was cooked to perfection, fluffy and light, yet it held up perfectly against the savory flavors of the curry. Every spoonful had just the right amount of curry to rice, creating a delicious and harmonious balance of flavors in every bite. In addition, the Tsukemono was the perfect addition to the dish, adding a delicious salty and tangy flavor that complemented the curry beautifully. The Tsukemono was sliced perfectly thin and served in just the right quantity to add flavor without overwhelming the dish. The pork katsu was the highlight of my meal. It was thick and generously coated in crispy breadcrumbs, yet the meat was soft, tender, and juicy, bursting with flavor in every bite. I highly recommend trying the spicy curry, as the spiciness was just the right amount of heat, adding a pleasant kick without overwhelming the palate. The hamba-gu was absolutely "mu-wahh" . The meat was cooked to perfection and incredibly flavorful. Each bite was juicy and packed with flavor that left me wanting more. The ebi fried shrimp was pretty good. The dashimaki tamago was also a standout dish, with its fluffy texture providing a delightful contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the curry. The sweetness of the egg was "EXPERTLY" calibrated to complement the savory flavors of the dish, resulting in a perfectly nuanced flavor profile. A hint of spice that came with the dish added a subtle layer of complexity to the dish, bringing all the flavors together in a harmonious blend that was fucking delicious. This restaurant is clearly one of my top 3 Japanese Curry restaurant in the U.S. that I have tried so far. The chefs put a lot of love and care into their food, and it definitely showed how good the "experience" was. I can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious dishes. ***if you read this far here is a personal TIP* ** This restaurant is BYOB which also means they DO NOT SERVE ALCOHOL. Do yourself a favor and bring a 6 pack of CHILLED Orion beer which will make exponentially improve your experience at the restaurant. if you post a 1 star review here, yous a bitch read more
Came here alone this time and ordered the pork katsu with cheese. The miso soup was porky, miso-ey and flavorful. The katsu was crispy, tender, and juicy! The curry had deep flavor which was perfectly paired with the melting mozzarella cheese! Recommend this place if you enjoy curry! Servers were also very curteous and helpful! Cheers! read more
3 years ago
Saw this place while we was stuck in traffic. What Delicious find! The curry was Just like Tokyo. The Staff was very pleasant. The Meal was very Tasty. We will definitely go back. If you are in the Area it's a must Try.... read more
Been to Sazanami twice so far so thought I would drop a review. Great local curry place, if you're in the mood for more traditional Japanese curry would definitely stop by here! Had several of the appetizers and curry. The tuna tataki especially was delicious. The egg was okay, wouldn't say no to it, but wasn't my favorite. I would say the curry was pretty good. Decent serving size, a little more on the modest size, complimentary miso. You can make your curry spicy but it's not that spicy, very mild kick to it. My only minus was that the karage in the curry, it was well fried on the outside but just felt it was a tad too soft inside. My absolute favorite part of this place is the pumpkin pork croquettes, got them both times as add ons. 10/10 croquette, would definitely come here just for them! read more
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