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When they say this place is an experience, they mean it. An unassuming spot in Manhattan that will wow any sushi fanatic. You'll be greeted and given warm towels to wipe your hands before starting. Reservations are basically required and omakase is served at a bar setting. There is nothing like watching a true sushi master showcase their artistry with fresh fish and you'll get that here. Every dish was carefully plated to perfection with a traditional sushi set up. I don't know if I've had better sushi in too many other places. This place can be summed up as unassuming, fantastic, straightforward yet unique, and fresh.
I cannot stop saying great things about this place. The location is exactly what you want from an omakase spot, smooth light wood counter, light music playing in the background. The perfect date night spot for an intimate romantic omakase. $108 per person plus they sell wine and have additional chef special options outside of the prefix, which is always a plus for me. Now the fish, where do I begin. Every bite was a new and delightful culinary experience. We came here for the 5pm reservation and we were so lucky to be the only ones for that time slot. We were celebrating our 5 year anniversary and sekai truly made it an experience we will never forget
I was treated to Sekai for my birthday this year and couldn't have had a better time! The setting leans no-frills, with a sparse, spartan, spare dining counter in a basement room. Service was attentive and the omakase pieces mostly standard, but executed well. The real surprise was on their supplements menu after the main sequence which had several less-common offerings - I ordered a torched hirame which was done very well. A very solid option among the current era's explosion of omakase offerings in NYC!
The whole course was very well put together, and the place was nice but not too outrageously fancy. Fish was fresh, and it started off with three different appetizers and ended with a nice little dessert. I personally am not big on shiso, but if you like shiso, you'd like the appetizer. The service was good, and particularly, it was interesting how they walked around and showed us the pics of each fish we were eating, which I liked because normally, the japanese names for fish aren't that intuitive.
Solid. Last minute booking for 4. Originally booked 5 but the 5th was stuck at work, literal life and death at a hospital. The staff let the change in headcount slide which was appreciated. Space is sparse, modern and clean. Only complaint would be how close our seats were at the counter for a few bigger guys. This was more apparent when they had to squeeze between us to bus plates or refill drinks. On to the food. The bites skewed traditional but they're adding foie gras, caviar and other garnishes. Still, their compositions showed more restraint than what you would find at other places. All in, about par for the price point. If you're in the area then it's a decent choice.
Experience at Sakai Omakase was beyond my expectations. I booked the reservation ahead to make sure I got seats for my anniversary. I got there on time and lucky enough to find a street parking space as you know finding a parking in Soho is not that easy. The restaurant is on basement and no sign outside, it looks like many omakase place like to do nowadays. Service was great and always pay attention to what customers need. Excellent quality of food for the price I pay. I'm glad I picked this place to celebrate the special day. Recommended.
Minimalistic omakase that impressed with fish quality & simple flavor enhancements with wasabi and soy. At $108 pp and 16 courses, Sekai delivered a no fluff experience but did leave something to be desired. To start, 2 appetizers are served - one being an octopus with yuzu dressing, and the other being a mackerel (?) with grated radish and micro greens. The octopus was interesting, and the mackerel was just okay. Not the strongest start, but interesting for sure. A third appetizer consisting of a steamed sea bass was available for additional price. This was good, but not worth the extra add on in my opinion. Moving onto the nigiri, 12 pieces are served, and theres 1 tuna hand roll at the end. Again, the fish quality here is superb, and simple flavor enhancements are used with wasabi and soy. Probably not the ideal omakase for those who prefer more interesting flavor combinations, but still very good. They also have some pieces with native Japanese fish that I haven't seen before in other omakases. Highlights of the night definitely include the chutoro, ebi, scallop, king salmon, and hokkaido uni. We also added on the barracuda and wagyu with caviar, which were both good. Do note - the additional a la carte pieces get quite pricey. The rice was really perfectly seasoned. Our chef was a bit quieter, and it was difficult to hear the explanations for each piece. It would've been helpful to have a daily omakase menu to get an idea of what we were eating. Overall, Sekai Omakase was a good experience, but most of our party wasn't feeling quite as full as we'd expect after 16 courses + 1 app + 2 a la carte pieces. The vibe is also on the quieter side. No special pieces or desserts for celebrations - just a candle in the buckwheat pudding (which is silky smooth and delicious). Total dining time was about 1.5 - 2 hours - very well paced.
Private area for omakase hidden down in the basement. They gave us some appetizers and a lot of different fish to try along with a pudding dessert. The fish was so fresh and they paired the fish well with different sauces and fresh wasabi. Loved the experience! Service was excellent and they tended to you whenever you need since it is a small group at a time.
I was skeptical given the recent proliferation of omakase spots of varying quality, but this one is a winner. The ambiance is perfect for people seeking a quiet, classy experience without the noisy hype of AYCE/AYCD drama. The chefs are soft-spoken here, with a gentle touch that mirrors the light, delicate flavors of their seafood repertoire. The final dessert was such a pleasant delight: Just the right taste to wrap up the evening, with the best compliment I can give: "Not too sweet, and not too heavy."
They only open up 8 seats even though the counter can fit more, it's a fairly small omakase in that regard. However, I did enjoy it, but it's not the best value at $108 for 16 courses. They offer 2 appetizers, 12 nigiri, 1 handroll, 1 dessert. The first appetizer was great and pretty unique with the bamboo shoots. I didn't like the mackerel nigiri much. The standouts were the chutoro, king salmon, ikura and the buckwheat dessert.
Amazing experience with fresh fish, unique flavors, and great service. I went for dinner with a friend, and since it was to celebrate my birthday, they also ended the omakase with a mochi ice cream and candle. Such a cute touch for my birthday! The omakase itself had many courses (I can't remember the exact number but I think it was at least 15). They also had a wine and beer list available, and I tried a yuzu beer that was light and delicious. The interior is absolutely beautiful! You get to sit at the bar and watch the sushi chef make all the food in front of you. The area is intimate but not cramped. Only downside: it's difficult to find. I walked past it a few times back and forth looking for it. You have to go downstairs and there's no clear sign on the street. Hopefully they add signage!
I have coming here year for over year! So great! The service is wonderful and the ambiance is so nice. On Valentine's Day they give everyone a rose! So nice! The pieces are so quality. On the higher end price point but still approachable for a special night!
The fish selection was very basic but the flavor was there. For $108 you'd expect to get otoro but we only got chutoro. The size of the uni was also very small portion. As someone who usually can barely finish a 16 course, this meal definitely did not fill me up. I understand costs are high right now, but I think giving customers a little bit more rice shouldn't be a big difference. The rice given was the smallest I've ever had in all the omakase I have eaten. My favorite was their pudding at the end, it was very yummy with the perfect texture and sweetness to end the course. However, the Anago we had was a bit dry for all of our liking. The chef should have left it out at room temp before torching it for a smoky flavor. But instead it was taken out directly from the fridge and torched for way too long which ended up tasting too rough and dry. If you're someone who enjoys watching the chef slice their fish on the spot, then this place isn't for you. All their fish are pre-sliced and displayed on a box in the middle of the room. The service was decent as the waitresses tried to show us pictures of the fish we were eating. It was a nice cozy spot but I felt like there was a lack of air circulation since it was in the basement. The heat was on very high and I was sweating. My husband also ordered an extra piece of sardine a la carte towards the end but ended up have a huge bone stuck in his throat for the whole night. NGL, it is one of the hardest fish to filet but at least the chef should have sliced/broken down the bones to smaller pieces so their customers would not choke on it.
Sekai offers a 16 course omakase meal for $108 that includes seasonal appetizers, fresh pieces of nigiri, a handroll, and a yummy buckwheat pudding at the end! I went at 5 PM and my friend and I were the only customers, which I liked. I'm sure it gets busier for the 6:45 PM timing. Their course runs for 90 minutes and the chef is very attentive and descriptive, which I appreciated. Some parts of the course that stood out to me was the akami, chu toro, sea eel (which is super different from freshwater eel), and their ebi. They have one clean bathroom. read more
I've had the pleasure of dining at Sekai twice and both meals have been delicious. I absolutely adore the beautiful plating they use for each distinct course. I love how the different flavors compliment each other and don't over power the fish. One of the servers comes around with photos of the fish you're eating if you're curious! Highly recommend :) read more
this place is sleeper very hard to find. It's a little nondescript. Stairway goes down stairs very subtle entryway but once you walk in, it's great karma great energy once you walk in the door they greeted you. You were in heaven. Food is amazing. Absolutely amazing. Service is top-notch. You'll wanna go back. You'll make this your regular spot. Don't tell anyone. read more
2 years ago
When they say this place is an experience, they mean it. An unassuming spot in Manhattan that will wow any sushi fanatic. You'll be greeted and given warm towels to wipe your hands before starting. Reservations are basically required and omakase is served at a bar setting. There is nothing like watching a true sushi master showcase their artistry with fresh fish and you'll get that here. Every dish was carefully plated to perfection with a traditional sushi set up. I don't know if I've had better sushi in too many other places. This place can be summed up as unassuming, fantastic, straightforward yet unique, and fresh. read more
1 year ago
I cannot stop saying great things about this place. The location is exactly what you want from an omakase spot, smooth light wood counter, light music playing in the background. The perfect date night spot for an intimate romantic omakase. $108 per person plus they sell wine and have additional chef special options outside of the prefix, which is always a plus for me. Now the fish, where do I begin. Every bite was a new and delightful culinary experience. We came here for the 5pm reservation and we were so lucky to be the only ones for that time slot. We were celebrating our 5 year anniversary and sekai truly made it an experience we will never forget read more
I was treated to Sekai for my birthday this year and couldn't have had a better time! The setting leans no-frills, with a sparse, spartan, spare dining counter in a basement room. Service was attentive and the omakase pieces mostly standard, but executed well. The real surprise was on their supplements menu after the main sequence which had several less-common offerings - I ordered a torched hirame which was done very well. A very solid option among the current era's explosion of omakase offerings in NYC! read more
5 months ago
The whole course was very well put together, and the place was nice but not too outrageously fancy. Fish was fresh, and it started off with three different appetizers and ended with a nice little dessert. I personally am not big on shiso, but if you like shiso, you'd like the appetizer. The service was good, and particularly, it was interesting how they walked around and showed us the pics of each fish we were eating, which I liked because normally, the japanese names for fish aren't that intuitive. read more
Solid. Last minute booking for 4. Originally booked 5 but the 5th was stuck at work, literal life and death at a hospital. The staff let the change in headcount slide which was appreciated. Space is sparse, modern and clean. Only complaint would be how close our seats were at the counter for a few bigger guys. This was more apparent when they had to squeeze between us to bus plates or refill drinks. On to the food. The bites skewed traditional but they're adding foie gras, caviar and other garnishes. Still, their compositions showed more restraint than what you would find at other places. All in, about par for the price point. If you're in the area then it's a decent choice. read more
2 years ago
Experience at Sakai Omakase was beyond my expectations. I booked the reservation ahead to make sure I got seats for my anniversary. I got there on time and lucky enough to find a street parking space as you know finding a parking in Soho is not that easy. The restaurant is on basement and no sign outside, it looks like many omakase place like to do nowadays. Service was great and always pay attention to what customers need. Excellent quality of food for the price I pay. I'm glad I picked this place to celebrate the special day. Recommended. read more
Minimalistic omakase that impressed with fish quality & simple flavor enhancements with wasabi and soy. At $108 pp and 16 courses, Sekai delivered a no fluff experience but did leave something to be desired. To start, 2 appetizers are served - one being an octopus with yuzu dressing, and the other being a mackerel (?) with grated radish and micro greens. The octopus was interesting, and the mackerel was just okay. Not the strongest start, but interesting for sure. A third appetizer consisting of a steamed sea bass was available for additional price. This was good, but not worth the extra add on in my opinion. Moving onto the nigiri, 12 pieces are served, and theres 1 tuna hand roll at the end. Again, the fish quality here is superb, and simple flavor enhancements are used with wasabi and soy. Probably not the ideal omakase for those who prefer more interesting flavor combinations, but still very good. They also have some pieces with native Japanese fish that I haven't seen before in other omakases. Highlights of the night definitely include the chutoro, ebi, scallop, king salmon, and hokkaido uni. We also added on the barracuda and wagyu with caviar, which were both good. Do note - the additional a la carte pieces get quite pricey. The rice was really perfectly seasoned. Our chef was a bit quieter, and it was difficult to hear the explanations for each piece. It would've been helpful to have a daily omakase menu to get an idea of what we were eating. Overall, Sekai Omakase was a good experience, but most of our party wasn't feeling quite as full as we'd expect after 16 courses + 1 app + 2 a la carte pieces. The vibe is also on the quieter side. No special pieces or desserts for celebrations - just a candle in the buckwheat pudding (which is silky smooth and delicious). Total dining time was about 1.5 - 2 hours - very well paced. read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
Private area for omakase hidden down in the basement. They gave us some appetizers and a lot of different fish to try along with a pudding dessert. The fish was so fresh and they paired the fish well with different sauces and fresh wasabi. Loved the experience! Service was excellent and they tended to you whenever you need since it is a small group at a time. read more
2 years ago
I was skeptical given the recent proliferation of omakase spots of varying quality, but this one is a winner. The ambiance is perfect for people seeking a quiet, classy experience without the noisy hype of AYCE/AYCD drama. The chefs are soft-spoken here, with a gentle touch that mirrors the light, delicate flavors of their seafood repertoire. The final dessert was such a pleasant delight: Just the right taste to wrap up the evening, with the best compliment I can give: "Not too sweet, and not too heavy." read more
They only open up 8 seats even though the counter can fit more, it's a fairly small omakase in that regard. However, I did enjoy it, but it's not the best value at $108 for 16 courses. They offer 2 appetizers, 12 nigiri, 1 handroll, 1 dessert. The first appetizer was great and pretty unique with the bamboo shoots. I didn't like the mackerel nigiri much. The standouts were the chutoro, king salmon, ikura and the buckwheat dessert. read more
Amazing experience with fresh fish, unique flavors, and great service. I went for dinner with a friend, and since it was to celebrate my birthday, they also ended the omakase with a mochi ice cream and candle. Such a cute touch for my birthday! The omakase itself had many courses (I can't remember the exact number but I think it was at least 15). They also had a wine and beer list available, and I tried a yuzu beer that was light and delicious. The interior is absolutely beautiful! You get to sit at the bar and watch the sushi chef make all the food in front of you. The area is intimate but not cramped. Only downside: it's difficult to find. I walked past it a few times back and forth looking for it. You have to go downstairs and there's no clear sign on the street. Hopefully they add signage! read more
2 years ago
I have coming here year for over year! So great! The service is wonderful and the ambiance is so nice. On Valentine's Day they give everyone a rose! So nice! The pieces are so quality. On the higher end price point but still approachable for a special night! read more
3 years ago
The fish selection was very basic but the flavor was there. For $108 you'd expect to get otoro but we only got chutoro. The size of the uni was also very small portion. As someone who usually can barely finish a 16 course, this meal definitely did not fill me up. I understand costs are high right now, but I think giving customers a little bit more rice shouldn't be a big difference. The rice given was the smallest I've ever had in all the omakase I have eaten. My favorite was their pudding at the end, it was very yummy with the perfect texture and sweetness to end the course. However, the Anago we had was a bit dry for all of our liking. The chef should have left it out at room temp before torching it for a smoky flavor. But instead it was taken out directly from the fridge and torched for way too long which ended up tasting too rough and dry. If you're someone who enjoys watching the chef slice their fish on the spot, then this place isn't for you. All their fish are pre-sliced and displayed on a box in the middle of the room. The service was decent as the waitresses tried to show us pictures of the fish we were eating. It was a nice cozy spot but I felt like there was a lack of air circulation since it was in the basement. The heat was on very high and I was sweating. My husband also ordered an extra piece of sardine a la carte towards the end but ended up have a huge bone stuck in his throat for the whole night. NGL, it is one of the hardest fish to filet but at least the chef should have sliced/broken down the bones to smaller pieces so their customers would not choke on it. read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
all the omakase spots by the ume hospitality group are spectacular, and sekai is no exception. it's easy to miss this restaurant if you're just passing by on the street, as the entrance is unmarked with subtle signage. my friend and i came on a weekday and had a great value omakase meal - 16 pieces for $108! the pieces are small, but very fresh and flavorful. the chefs are friendly and accommodating. we asked for an off-the-menu add-on with chutoro, which we really appreciated! thank you chefs! i especially enjoyed the pana cotta -esque dessert at the end of the meal, which was "not too sweet"! read more
3 years ago
Sekai is one of the few sushiya offering authentic edomae sushi at this price point, if not the only. It's my only choice for affordable omakase in the city. Chef Eddy spent more budgets on procuring high quality fish, actually age them in the traditional edomae style (salt and vinegar only), than serving stacked sushi with low quality ingredients and tacky condiments. It's a small shop but the course progression is more than complete. You are guaranteed to enjoy a full spectrum of authentic sushi toppings, many of which require real training and efforts to prepare, and I have never had similar experiences in comparable establishments. I would especially recommend Sekai for new sushi enthusiats as it serves as a proper introduction. That said, it's no less than an excellent spot for experienced eaters thanks to its honest authenticity. read more
3 years ago
Food experience was perfect, the quality of fish were fresh. The Nigiris were good but a chef had extra little bit of wasabi in mine. It wasn't too bad to be honest because the flavors of the fish was top notched. I love the perfect ending in my omakaze and the pudding was the best ending that I could have asked for. Well balanced flavors, not too sweet, not too milky. Just perfect. The service was good. Shout out to the chef asking us how we doing and making sure we feel comfortable. My partner and I have to wait before being seated. The restaurant was cozy and good room temperature. read more
This is an extremely well priced omakase that we enjoyed a lot. Came here with three other people and ordered sake (you get to pick your own glasses) and enjoyed the multiple courses. There was a new fish that I'd never heard of before that they walked around with a picture of which was really neat. The otoro was also so tender because they specifically serve it with the tendon removed- there's great attention to detail which is appreciated. At the end of the meal you can choose from a list of add ons- I chose the tuna collar and the wagyu which you can top with truffle or caviar. Both of these pieces were amazing, definitely recommend. Would come back! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Food was super fresh...loved the omakase. Service was good and the setting was pretty nice...its a solid 4.5 for the evening. Recommend read more
Ok, A LOT to unpack with this one. Not because of its menu but because of its potential. This is a young gem plucked from the muddy stones of its origin, it just feels that, with patience and time, this could grow into something great. It affordable omakase, clean simple bar design, careful service and a pleasant selection of sake. This would be 'neighborhood sushi' if the world permitted such a thing. They belong in NYC, they NEED to change the landscape but they need time. Something not often afforded fledgling Restaurants. Slow serving, well prepared selections but not a wide range of total color.....this will change. People, give this time and ye shall be rewarded! --------------------- Ok / so now we finished the meal some more developments: meh / the fish was well prepared but not much different. The price was kinda over the top for the fare. Also, when a one party at our omekaze decided on another order, the rest of us HAD TO SIT THERE while they ate....WTF? I have officially taken this down from 4 to 2 as they were overpriced, underserved and kinda lost it I the end. We're weee then served a tasteless custard as desert. We were out of there, NYC do you usual. read more
Omakase experiences in New York are like the gap clothing brand of stores. We have the low end old navy, the mid tier gap, and the "higher" tier of banana republic. With a new omakase restaurant popping up every week, there are clear differences in what you get for your money. The lower tiers are under $75, one hour, with low quality, mid tiers are $80-$110 - hour and a half service, high tier - Michelin star level $150+ Sekai omakase falls under the mid tier. It's $108 for 16 courses - 2 appetizers, 12 nigiri, 1 hand roll , and dessert. It's also BYOB for now which is amazing. Appetizers: -firefly squid - first course started out decent. Fresh but was better with the sauce - tuna with dashi - not bad, flavors were mild Nigiri sushi: -The first piece was otoro which I found odd. Usually you would have toro in at least the middle end due to the fattiness - after was lean toro - was very confused on why they would serve this after otoro -the rest of the pieces were satisfactory - consisted of Spanish mackerel, amberjack, ikura, anago, king salmon(torched) -uni was from Hokkaido and was creamy and delish -toro handroll - very decent -ikura (fish eggs) one of my favorites of the n -buckwheat pudding for dessert - good hints of coffee and good end to the night Nothing really blew my mind. Of course for this price point, the fish isn't going to come from Japan. The chef worked at masa and nakasawa so the technique is definitely there. The quality is of what you would expect for the price point. The rice was actually good - no issues there. I keep on telling myself that I won't go to mid tier omakase places, but I had hope since the chef was from my favorite omakase places. **dear white people - don't take the plate that the sushi chef puts the sushi on! Just grab with your fingers and eat in one bite! read more
4 years ago
Came here after looking for a new Omakase spot to try and I was not disappointed. You can tell how talented a sushi chef is by how good their rice is and how well the sushi is packed with rice, not a single rice fell when picked up. The chef worked at Masa and Nakazawa and you can totally tell from his skills. Normally I wouldn't care about the dessert, but the buckwheat pudding was soooooo good! Highly recommed this Omakase! P.S they do NOT have BYOB anymore! read more
3 years ago
Enjoyed an intimate and entertaining omakase experience! Despite the small size, the cozy atmosphere added to the charm. The servers were delightful, showcasing pictures of the fishes we were about to enjoy. read more
4 years ago
Very yummy! 16 courses (2 apps, 13 nigiri, 1 dessert) were all very worth the $108 price tag. (I admittedly did miss a few photos since I was busy eating.. ) They do have a wine and sake list available to supplement the meal, which my boyfriend and I did opt in for. The interior is beautifully designed and the chefs and staff were all very attentive and knowledgeable. Overall an excellent experience, good bang for your buck. Would go again! :) read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
For a 16 course omakase for $108, you definitely get a band for your buck. The fish is good quality and the servers showed images of the fish to keep us informed of what each course was. The eel and the toro were my favorites! The appetizers were pretty unique and ended off with a refreshing buckwheat pudding dessert. Everything was presented super well and the vibes were great. The chef was very nice and even slowed down serving us each course when we were a little behind. The entrance is slightly difficult to find, there isn't a sign in the front of the store but when you notice a set of steps down to the ground floor - that's where the store is! read more
4 years ago
None of the sushi really stood out, mostly were little bland. Especially last piece, eel was very dry. I wouldn't recommend here if you tried more upper scale omakase places. Best to spend little more and try other Japanese owned omakase. This is Chinese chef owned omakase. Gave two star because it's affordable omakase, but I'd probably won't be coming here. Bill comes around $400 for two with bottle of small sake. I realized this was also run by Ume Williamsburg..I had given low rating to them in the past. Same goes here, I do not recommend here or Ume. Also, no wine list. read more
3 years ago
This place was a typical omakase place with some very unique appetizers included in the tasting menu. Overall, I don't have any complaints, as the food and service and ambiance was all great; however, I would have preferred to go to another omakase place I tried that has the same quality for a cheaper price or go to a more expensive place with much better quality. This place is pretty mid-tier in the omakase category for me. But still great, like I said- no complaints!! read more
3 years ago
Wonderful presentation. So much tradition and care into every step. It was such an experience. Small venue felt exclusive and personal, the details were really there at every turn. Very attentive staff. The food was incredible. If you are a sushi fan, this is definitely something to experience. read more
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