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Sushi by Bou

4.6 (969 reviews)
Ultra High-EndSushi Bars, Japanese
Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Sushi by Bou Photos

SUSHI BY BOU ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Intimate
Quiet

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Recommended Reviews - Sushi by Bou

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Fluke
Lailah J.

Manhattan, NY - I read a post a while back that questioned: "are we at peak omakase yet?" Yes, yes we absolutely are. Saturated and falling off a cliff, at least in NYC. And yet, it keeps going and I can't get enough. Sushi by Bou was one of the early comers to the budget omakase scene (~$50 range but creeping up now), with currently 6 locations in NYC and over 20 locations across the US + Puerto Rico, and showing no signs of slowing down. We'd originally booked just the 30-minute, 12-course Signature Omakase at the Times Square location (at the Sanctuary Hotel) but asked if we could upgrade to the 17-course "Bougie" option (60 minutes) on the spot, and they were accommodating. Unfortunately both the experience and the food were factory-like, lacking delicacy, craftsmanship, and refinement. The neta (topping) was often overpowered by the seasoning/sauce it was brushed with, the shari (rice) was overly brined, and our cocktails were weak. The fish was fresh but not particularly standout (though for the price point I know to temper my expectations), and not really prepared up to par. For example the hamachi (yellowtail) was too warm, and the akami (lean bluefin tuna) too tart. My faves were probably the wagyuni surf & turf, the chopped tuna, and toro, and we added a few à la carte pieces at the end. Our sushi chef was nice and did the job, but 30 minutes isn't a long time, and I can feel his rush well as our own sense of urgency, until we added 30 more minutes. All the staff were very attentive and kind, however. Although I've never been to the original Queens location (which has since closed), I remember it received rave reviews from patrons back in the day, and can't help but wonder if quality control has suffered in Bou's aggressive expansion into clubby markets with a party people vibe, where the food becomes secondary to the image and atmosphere. I'm not one to be moved by hip decor, though their venues do have a trendy fun feel which will be appealing to some. It's aight for entry level omakase, but feels very assembly line and paint by numbers. There are simply many more players in the game now (a lot of easy cash-grab mediocre ones too, to be sure), and compared to peers that offer better omakase experiences in a similar competitive price range, I'll continue to explore elsewhere for that sweet spot of value and quality.

Calli Y.

This place poped up on our instagram feed offering an omakase for $10 off. We decided to book it our on trip and it was available. We were a little skeptical since it was 13 items in 30min. We were all like, really. Well, it's such a fun location to visit in NY and it's down the stairs. You walk in and it's 1 room with 1 bar where it seats about 8 folks at a time. Everything was delicious! I don't feel like our chef was as personable as the one on the other side but that's ok. Long as the food was good, that's all that matters. The Toro was my favorite since it melts in your mouth. Such a fun experience for yummy food!!

Sushi
David H.

This is the second time we've been to this -Sushi by Bou- location, with good reasons. First off, the sushi is super fresh. The whole dinner takes about 30 minutes and the space is very intimate with cool artwork and an eclectic mix of music. For $65.00, you get 12 pieces of sushi ranging from Tuna, Scallop, Shrimp, Salmon, Uni and even Wagyu. Yes, lightly torched Wagyu Beef. Trust me. It works. Once the meal is completed, they have a few special rolls; like "The Big Mac Roll". Try it. You won't be disappointed. Or tell them what you want. They'll make it for you. Reservations a must

Sohan G.

My first five star experience of 2026. I went in for my birthday and was seated. The counter has 6 seats where you can watch the chef make the sushi. There were 17 courses with a sake flight. Our server told us what each but was before indulging. At the end we were asked if we wanted any additional nigiri. I got the Big Mac (ikura, fatty tuna, scallop, and wagyu) in one bite. This was heavenly.

Desiree F.

I got the chance to try this location because I liked the one in Chelsea! When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into a downstairs speakeasy vibe restaurant. I got to experience their 12-Course Omakase for just $55! And it was good! Orby made everything and he was great! I had: Vodka Martini Hamachi Akami Botan Ebi Ikura Bincho Maguro Hotate Gindara Toro Sake Wagyuni Unagi I loved the 12 course! It was a good time all in all!

Ronald W.

Great 12 piece for $65 in 30m deal. They have set seatings to make this work so next seating was 45m after my 5p reservation so definitely make a reservation. Everything was great. Anything with uni is my favorite and I'm not a big fan of torching and bluefin tuna sushi. In and out. Perfect pretheater. I thought the 12 for $55 didn't apply to this location but of course afterwards I get a Facebook ad adding this location.

Drinking.. time lol
Michael N.

Absolutely Fantastic experience... The ambiance was great. The delayed arrival of the fish was a great touch. The cutting was a bit rough but those guys did their best. The tuna was A1.... And I got my money's worth. The service was ok.. they made sure we got every cut they had available. Definitely a must try if the opportunity arises.

Tiffany S.

We needed a place to eat after a broadway show and made a last minute reservation around 10 PM (just an hour before closing). Even though the restaurant was nearly empty, the staff greeted us warmly and made us feel welcome. The omakase was fresh, delicious, and affordable, and our sushi chef wonderful! He was friendly, attentive, and especially thoughtful since it was my friend's first experience. Walking down the stairs into the dark, the underground dining room was exciting and hidden. I'll be visiting New York again next month and have already booked another reservation!

Menu
Mia H.

Located inside of a hotel, Sushi by Bou is a neat spot to check out if you love omakase! The interior of the omakase spot is dim, more hip, and definitely a unique and fun speakeasy kind of vibe that you typically don't get from omakase! The staff was all super friendly and gave us a free handroll at the end! They also have their menu written on the wall, which I loved so I knew what I was eating each bite. This is a 12-course omakase spot (but you can always add on more if it's not enough), and the experience is super casual and laid back. The quality of the fish was pretty solid and it's great value for the price. I especially loved their miso cod handroll and their wagyu uni piece. Drinks here are also REALLY good!

One of the delish bites
Dani F.

I've had the pleasure of sitting for many Omakase experiences but this one is in the top two. I discovered this place walking down the street while shopping for some earrings and the diamond District. The outside looked a little funky, so I decided to look up the spot and see what it was all about. After checking out the stellar reviews, I decided to make a reservation for one to treat myself for my birthday. Made a same day reservation, paid my deposit and I was in there! Got there a little early and was immediately drawn in by the 90's and early 2000's hip-hop coming through the speakers outside. Once inside from the frigid NYC air, I was greeted by "The Jasons", took off my jacket and had a seat. Jason #1 came behind the bar so I asked him to make me a drink, Mixologist's choice. He made me an incredible rum based drink with passionfruit and a special liqueur. So good, i ordered another (maybe two). The 7 pm seating was taking a little longer than anticipated so I was offered a welcome shot of house made sake and chatted up Jason #1 about how much my city has changed. Song after song was a hit and took me back to my Bronx days. Once sat, I was taken care of by the amazing Obrey, the Omakase Chef, and we chatted the whole night in Spanglish. I did the 12-course Omakase and here are a few standouts: Salmon roe was so sweet and briny (ended up ordering an extra) Chopped tuna - seriously wow (yup, extra of this one too) The scallop was so soft and tender and the wasabi is strong but not overpowering The toro will blow your mind. The truffle shavings are the perfect touch. (Yup- twice on this one too) Bbq eel - was warm almost hot, sweet and savory- just woww I cannot say enough good things about this dinner. Delish, good convo, company, music was BANGIN!' (Thanks Jason G.) and I left there feeling full and lighthearted. I def plan to go to the one in DC to scope out the scene and hopefully order the uni next!

Ashley M.

Yes, yes, yes, 1,000x YES! This place was phenomenal! We came thanks to an instagram coupon offer and we are SO glad we did!!!! The restaurant itself is really cool, the fish was so incredibly fresh, the employees were fun. Just an all around perfect experience! One of the best dining experiences we have ever had and one of the main reasons we look forward to returning to New York! We will DEFINITELY be back on our next visit and will recommend this place to anyone and everyone that will listen to us!

Uni Toro Nigiri.
Cindy Z.

First of all, I loved my first experience at Sushi by Bou at the NOMAD location, so immediately had to come back when I saw they had a BOGO offer. I made reservations for a weeknight at 8pm. Because the omakase is timed, be sure to arrive early or on time as they already started the first round when we arrived 2 minutes after 8pm. Even though we were slightly late, we caught up as they were placing each nigiri after each other. Our entire meal was only 30 minutes, which felt a bit rushed when dining with someone else. My previous experience was an hour, so that felt better paced. I'm not really sure when it's half an hour and when it's one hour. If you do a 30 minute dining, I'd suggest just coming by yourself for a quick meal. Overall, the speed of this experience just kind of threw me off. But the omakase itself is delicious and such a great value for $70, which include uni. I definitely prefer the NOMAD location because you get a free sake with Yelp check-in too.

Toro - Fatty Tuna
Anthony R.

The entrance of this restaurant really surprised me - it felt like I'm hiding from the city and heading into some hole in the wall secretive spot. The photos below are some of my favorites from the omakase course - the salmon roe, the miso black cod, the ikura, and the wagyu surf n turf. I would say given the price (we paid about $55 with a deal) the courses were pretty satisfactory and the sushi was very solid and on par. This is one of the more affordable options in NYC that still execute well.

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3 months ago

Long time due, speakeasy place, makes for a really good family experience on special occasions.. really good sushi

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Sushi by Bou Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Sushi by Bou

How much is the omakase?

I believe it is $60 for a 30 minute or $100 for a 60 minute (the bougie) omakase experience, with 12 and 17 courses respectively.

What is the price for 12 peice and 17 piece course as of now?

Hi Tien-ya our 12-course menu is $60 and the Bougie 17-course menu is $100

Can a party of 2 also do the Bougie option?

Hi Molly, thank you for reaching out. Yes, you can do the Bougie option for 2 guests.

Can they accommodate a shellfish allergy?

Yes! I'm allergic to scallops and they made sure I got an alternate item.

Do they do take out?

No. They are geared towards dine in experience only

Do you need a reservation for lunch or can you walk-in?

A reservation is best because the place is small. Very private intimate setting & experience. You can try and walk in, but be prepared to wait or they will give you a time to come back

Hi, how much is the current omakase price per person?

Its $50 per person for the signature 30 minute 12 piece omakase. Please feel free to join us for the 30 min or the 60 min bougie seating for $100.

Is this location still open?

It will open again later this Summer 2021

Do they serve alcohol. If so, what do they offer?

Hi Sho M, We have a full cocktail bar.

Does the omakase include tip or is tip separate?

Tip separate

Are their vegetarian options?

No. Also, it is an omakase experience. Even if there were vegetarian options, you wouldn't order them a la carte until at the end after all the sushi has been served.

Do they have lunch special?

Our Times Square location does not offer any lunch specials. We offer two menu options; our signature 12 piece Omakase at $50 per person and a Bougie package at $100 per person. Our extended Bougie package includes 17 pieces with a hand roll for a… Read more

Is there all you can eat if so how much is it and what is not included?

no

Is there a corkage fee/byob?

$40 per bottle.

Are there any vegetarian options?

I would not recommend this restaurant if you're looking for vegetarian options. The menu is a… Read more

Is this a 30mins experience only like some other places?

They say that it is, and I was a little worried about whether we would feel rushed. We came early, though, and enjoyed a very tasty cocktail before we were seated at the bar. The pace of the meal felt fine to me, since we were focused on the food.… Read more

Hi All, I am going to visit this place tomorrow with my friend who is crazy about them. Does the Sushi have a "fishy" aftertaste? I am picky with my sushi and some of the creations they have is flat our scary to eat. Looking for feedback

Its hard to say as different sushi are prepared in different ways. Some are lightly marinated and/ or fermented. I like mackerel but depending on the species and how its prepared it may taste fishy to other people. They will ask you if there is… Read more

I'm being offered a 17pc omakase that includes a hand Roll, cocktail and a round of sake for $125 pp, is it worth it compared to the normal $50 omakase?

Difficult to answer this question because we need to know what are the types of pieces you are getting. But if it includes a cocktail and a round of sake, that is worth it, if you drink of course.

I'd like to try this place, but noticed that they serve some beef, and I don't eat beef. Does anyone know if they can sub out the beef rolls for seafood?

They allow you to substitute if you do not like or are allergic to any of the pieces. And he always asks if you have allergies or restrictions before serving anyone. Great stuff!

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Momoya

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4.1(893 reviews)
1.3 miChelsea
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I had been to Momoya on the Upper West Side before, but this was my first visit to the Chelsea…read morelocation. The atmosphere here was a bit more lively and crowded compared to the more relaxed vibe of the UWS spot. I enjoyed my meal even more this time around. I started with the beet salad, which was delicious and offered great value given the generous portion size. it featured sliced beets, arugula, goat cheese, and walnuts. I also had my eye on the hijiki soybean salad--which is a bit smaller and reportedly homemade--so I may try that next time, along with the warm mushroom salad which looked very tasty. The edamame was standard but served as a nice starter. For my main rolls, I chose the salmon avocado and the yellowtail scallion. Both were very fresh and definitely worth ordering again. The salmon avocado roll had a nice touch of sesame seeds on the rice, while the yellowtail scallion was prepared with the seaweed on the outside. My boyfriend's sushi entree looked excellent, so I am considering that or the sushi-sashimi combo for my next visit. The entrees provide a substantial amount of food, and I especially appreciate that they allow you to choose which roll comes with your meal.

I love love LOVE this place! Always the freshest sushi, the most exquisite service. They don't…read morehound you like some other places on the area. They are always respectable, listen to your needs, help you find whatever you need. 10 out of 10 best food in the neighborhood. I always come here for the sea urchin and salmon roe/caviar - and it has yet to be beat. It's so good! One of my neighborhood favorites, I come here so often just for the combination of service, quality, and taste. My servers are usually Denise and Toshi and they are always on top of their game. I love it here! Will definitely keep coming back, just for their (excellent) service alone. Highly recommend.

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Sanyuu West

Sanyuu West

4.5(161 reviews)
1.4 miChelsea
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The last time I was in NYC I grabbed two omakase and one Everything don from Shinn East, so figured…read morethis time I might as well try their sister restaurant, Sanyuu West! They share a takeout menu and it's super easy to order--text what you want to the phone number on the website and pickup in ~20 minutes :). You pay on a handheld and they don't ask for tip for takeout. I love this process and truly wish more sushi restaurants in LA adopt the takeout box. The only one I know of is hefty but also $200 each lol, making Sanyuu's $69 omakase and $78 Everything don, not to mention the $30 giant salmon nigiri set, A STEAL! I enjoyed most of the pieces but I will say I don't like their amaebi or uni at all. I'm not sure what kind of uni is used here but it's the type with a very strong mineral flavor & aftertaste that I don't find enjoyable. We're spoiled by easy access to live spot prawns everywhere and fresh SB uni. Despite this, I wouldn't hesitate to come back if I lived in the city.

Came for takeout and got the Salmon Set which includes 8 huuuuge salmon nigiri for $30. You'll…read moredefinitely want to share this one. The slices aren't thin, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth as one usually gets in a sit down; they are extra thick, and I had to really bite down on some of the pieces. The rice was nicely seasoned and was cooked well + portions are also big to match those thiccccc salmon slices. To be honest, I was getting a little nauseated after 5 pieces, haha~ They were definitely delicious but I'd probably just eat 3 or 4 pieces and share with a friend! It was easy to text the number on the website and coordinate a pickup time, and the staff was friendly when I arrived. The restaurant is a little hard to find as the windows are blinded and the sign is a piece of paper on the door.

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Sanyuu West
Sanyuu West - (@joeynht)

(@joeynht)

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(@joeynht)

Izakaya MEW - Salmon Carpaccio

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4.3(3.3k reviews)
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Honestly, I really enjoyed my time at Izakaya Mew. I love the underground vibe because it gives it…read morethat cozy dim vibe. The servers were pretty attentive and funny, they'd check on us regularly, somehow managing to convince us to get even more items based on what we liked. As a big fan of seafood, I really enjoyed the Scallop Uni Butter Scallop and the Shishamo Fritters. A lot of the items didn't feel heavy which is always a plus with Izakayas, and allowed us to order and try even more items on the menu. Definitely the perfect place to come with a group of friends after work !

We stopped in for a work lunch, and I ordered the Kaisen donburi. They were out of uni, which our…read moreserver let me know right away and mentioned they would lower the price to $30 instead. At the time, I thought that seemed fair enough, but looking back, I'm not so sure. For what was left in the bowl, $30 still felt overpriced. The fish slices were cut extremely thin, and there was really only a single layer of fish, so overall it just wasn't very satisfying. That said, there are still quite a few items on the menu that caught my eye and that I'd like to try. I'm going to chalk this one up to ordering the wrong dish rather than writing the place off completely. One thing that did leave a bad impression, though, was the interaction at the end of the meal. The girl who brought our check wasn't exactly rude, but she seemed visibly annoyed when we asked about using Apple Pay but ended up putting the charge on my card and it felt like asking her to bring over the Apple Pay machine was somehow inconveniencing her. She also didn't bother asking whether I wanted my receipt. Maybe none of it was intentional, but her overall demeanor came across that way and left us ending the meal with a bad taste in our mouths.

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Izakaya MEW - Dining area

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Izakaya MEW - Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll

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Sushi by Bou - sushi - Updated May 2026

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