Taikun was an excellent sushi meal and a model of price-to-value. The counter is tiny, the vibe easygoing and convivial, and the pacing read as crisp rather than rushed. I'm a quick eater by nature, so the timed seating never pinched; it simply kept the dialogue between chef and diners lively while the courses flowed. What landed most was the clarity. The sequence read like a compact "greatest hits" that still had dynamic range. Hotate arrived cool and silken with a dusting of black salt that gave the scallop a clean mineral snap without drowning its sweetness. A lean, ruby akami followed with that iron-and-rose thing you want from good tuna, then salmon with a gentle, buttery swell of fat that still tasted like fish rather than oil. A translucent white bite (fluke in spirit if not by label) was dressed just enough to wake the grain in the shari. There was a piece scored with fine crosshatching, lightly aburi'd, that showed off the knife work and gave you a faint caramelized edge under a pinpoint of fresh wasabi. Ikura came as taut, briny pearls that popped rather than smeared, the nori still crisp. Plate after plate let the neta stay legible and the rice do real work. Technically, the details were right: shari at body temperature, grains intact, vinegar in balance, brushwork restrained. Seasoning leaned disciplined rather than loud, which meant you could taste cut, temperature, and grain instead of a generic topping kit. It is the kind of counter where you slow down between bites because the simple things have been done properly. Add friendly service and a room that encourages conversation, and Taikun becomes an easy recommendation. For what you pay, you get careful fish, well-calibrated rice, and a sequence that feels considered rather than theatrical. I left satisfied, impressed, and happy to come back. read more

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Amazing intimate 6-seat omakase restaurant run by two friends. Private speakeasy in the back with complementary mochi and yuzu desert drink! Authentic spot, we'll definitely be back read more

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I had an amazing time here with my friend for an informal birthday celebration last month. This is a very small and casual omakase restaurant in the LES. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I first walked in, but the sushi was quite good for the price point (under $100). I enjoyed all of the nigiri I tried --- the fish was fresh and everything was well seasoned. My friend and I also did a sake pairing and they were very generous with the pours. After dinner, my friend and I went to the back "speakeasy" area and had a few more drinks. The bartender was awesome! I had a blast dining here. While the sushi was good, I think the casual and friendly service was the most memorable part for me. Will definitely be back! read more

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All I can say is Damyn! This is some serious good sushi. Everything is so fresh!!! I loved everything they offered. The restaurant is so trendy and the staff is so nice and professional. I had the 16 courses Omakase. Definitely eat here! read more

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After hearing so much about this Omakase spot, we decided to check it out. You definitely need to make a reservation for this place in advance as, this place only seats about 6-8 people at a time and, it's quite a tiny space and intimate dining experience. I should also note that it took us a while to find the place as, on google maps the address comes up differently from where it is actually located. Upon arriving we were told to wait at their bar area in the back while the chef and his su-chef prepared the counter for the omakase experience. The omakase experience costs around $100 per person with tax and tip and, includes 11 nigiri pieces, a hand roll, and and dessert. Our omakase chef was really friendly and we enjoyed each and every nigiri and the hand roll. The dessert however was disappointing. It was this frozen green tea mochi icecream that you seemed like it was bought from Trader Joe's! But disappointing when you're spending so much money on the experience. Overall, was a nice experience but, in my opinion there are way better omakase places in the city where you get more for your buck! read more

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I really enjoyed my meal at Taikun. The sushi was all super fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The pieces all were either satisfying or extremely satisfying in terms of flavor and texture. The chef and server provided exceptionally friendly service and were so nice to accommodate me as a single diner. This was a great meal and the price is quite fair for what you get. I would love to come back with some friends! read more

Taikun Sushi - Maine Uni - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The chef and server were nice and attentive. The chef noticed how I kept turning the pieces around for pictures and he changed the next pieces positions so the pieces are facing me instead of him after. The food was what made the 3 stars for me. The first few pieces were great, fresh and delicious. Then I was hit with 2-3 with a strong fishy smell (I had to secretly spit out 2 into the napkin). The toro hand roll was the same, I gave it to my husband after the first bite. The ikura (roe) was way too salty..... We did enjoy the ebi (sweet shrimp) and the yuzu piece that we ordered extra! My husband was ok with the food since he doesn't mind the fishy smell as much but overall, I would not return to not enjoy 1/3 of the meal. read more

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Food: 6.5/10 Service: 8/10 Ambience: 6/10 I visited awhile ago and thought the food was unmemorable. Fish quality was okay, some pieces were a little fishy. I did not like the speakeasy area and would've preferred to eat dessert at the same counter. Bathroom was cramped and felt dirty to me. A customer brought her dog which was very annoying because it kept walking behind the counter and under everyone's feet at the counter throughout dinner. I didn't feel like it was worth the price and wouldn't go out of my way to visit this place. read more

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You might miss this while walking on Delancey because of the covert exterior, but you absolutely need to make a reservation here! 90 min omakase in a very intimate setting, about 6 seats I believe. The service was impeccable and the quality of the fish was top notch. They served some interesting pieces that I've not seen often like a tiger shrimp. Scallop was amazing and just melted upon touch. There's a "speakeasy" type situation in the back as well if you want to drink and chill before or after the omakase. Staff was so kind! read more

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This is an AWESOME omakase experience! As soon as I saw my Yelp buddy, Sara L. post her photos 3 weeks ago, I jumped on Resy and made reservations for my wife's birthday. The entrance is through a dark curtained door and was locked when we got there. Ignore all the people seated on the sidewalk for the oyster bar next door. There is only seating for 6 people, so we arrived early and snagged the 2 center seats, right in front of the action. Chef Feri knows his business and masterfully wielded his sushi knife with deft slices. When speaking with him, he mentioned that he doesn't like sushi that is tough to eat like clam, octopus or squid and tends toward softer, smoother types, which is reflected in his omakase service. Be ready to have everything melt in your mouth! Every piece of nigiri sushi is precisely crafted by Chef Feri in smooth, practiced, precise movements. Whether it's a sprinkle of sea salt, a spritz of lemon, a touch of wasabi, a brush of shoyu, a marinade of sake or a blast of flame, each piece is uniquely crafted to entice your senses of sight, smell and taste. From the smokiness of the King Salmon and char of the O-Toro to the sweetness of the Hotate and Ebi, every taste was an original. The Hokkaido Uni tasted like buttery air, because as soon as it lands on your tongue, it seems to evaporate, leaving you with an amazing sensation. The Ikura was amazing as well, being marinated in sake and shoyu. One of the other diners said she just wanted another 30 pieces of the O-Toro and I would have joined her because it was the smoothest tasting of all the different fishes. On our other side was a couple that seem to be regulars at Taikun and has ordered additional pieces of Perch and Anago, which I looked at longingly. Finally, the green tea mochi for dessert was kind of anti-climactic, though it was delicate in flavor as well. I cannot wait to go back and enjoy the experience again, but definitely will add a few special items on the menu! read more

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A classic, no-frills omakase spot under $100. I love this place so much, I'm torn between gatekeeping and telling everyone I know about it. Because Taikun is lesser-known, you can easily get the 8 seater to yourself/your group with a weekday reservation. The place is a bit difficult to find, it's a dark and intimate restaurant nestled on a block on Delancey St. The host and chef are super friendly and can recognize you by the second or third visit. It's a 10 piece omakase for $85 and it's so worth it. The fish is fresh and they doesn't try to dress it with any overwhelming toppings or sauces. There's also a backroom speakeasy you and your group can move to if you want to continue hanging out after the meal. I have to come back here every time I'm in NYC. read more

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3.7 probably. Okay overall but not wow-ed. Very friendly chef and somm ! Best pieces : O-toro from the standard menu and Abalone & Sardine for the added pieces. I have to be honest I enjoyed the 5 additional pieces much more than the default menu. I'd wish if I can just ordering several added pieces and that's for my meal. Mostly sorta "cured" in flavor. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Great lowkey omakase spot in the LES! In a sea of omakase joints I think it can be hard to stand out, but Taikun skews more traditional and unfussy. Service is super friendly and the restaurant itself is fairly calm. There's only 8 seats here so it's a very intimate experience. read more

Fantastic quality for the price ($85 for 13 courses). You get an omakase meal that is 95%-97% as good as those costing 2.5 - 3x more. The stars for me were the Hokkaido uni, the ikura and the sea scallop. The toro hand roll near the end was as good as any I've ever had, with perfectly crisp nori. I even really liked the green tea mochi served as dessert, and I've never been a fan of it prior. At this price point, I can't wait to return. If you like top notch sushi without spending a fortune, you should check it out. read more

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Taikun Sushi is definitely a hidden gem since we passed their entrance until the neighbor directed us and I believe we are not the only group that got lost. We took a photo of their store front for everyone's reference. We strongly recommend people who haven't tried Sushi Omakase to try this place since the price is really reasonable with its quality and what they serve on the menu is basic & various. It's $85 per person for 12 pieces of sushi with one dessert. Each sushi was delicious and really fresh but what really impressed us was how the chef presented each piece with creativity. Our favorites were the King Salomn which melted in our mouth immediately and the Ikura which was marinated with sake. The Chef Kei Yoshino is super friendly, welcoming and funny. He is flexible with most request customers have and can customerize based on their needs. read more

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Amazing service, both the chef and server ran a great two man show. It had a very comfortable small seating area that fits up to 6 and we didn't realize at the time that we booked up the entire space for our party of 5 and it ended up being a wonderful private dining experience. The drink pairing was a perfect complement to the fish and the courses were planned deliberately from least strong in flavor to most strong. 10/10 would recommend as a great anniversary, birthday, or any special occasion! read more

I booked a reservation last minute and I started reading reviews right after. I was skeptical about coming here due to a few negative reviews and I even considered just skipping on this place and taking the cancellation fee. Long story short, I ended up coming here and that was the best I choice I could've made that night. Our server and chef were amazing! Food was phenomenal as well. You must come here. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

So I'll be honest when I tell you I've never heard of this place. I was looking for a Monday night dinner spot and narrowed it down to my neighborhood. Then I noticed an omakase spot which literally doesn't in the area so I was intrigued. At an $85 price point for 12 pieces, I was willing to give it a chance. We made the 7pm seating reservation and decided to go with the $55 pairing. The bar is only 6 seats with two seatings per night. The restaurant is basically a two man show with one chef and one server. I have to say that the pairing was well matched and worth it. The sushi was delicious and better than expected. They even had nodoguru (wasn't part of the omakase) which we added as an a la carte piece. The back area is a lounge/bar where you can relax in while you finish your alcohol, dessert, or addition sushi. This spot is a freaking gem. I don't want you to go so I can keep my reservations, but that deserve all the success possible so don't miss out. read more

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Classic omakase. Chef lets the quality of his ingredients shine by keeping the dressing/seasoning/sauce minimal. Many just a touch of sake, lemon, wasabi. The scallop and shrimp are some of the best I've had in nyc - sweet / texture not too slimy on the shrimp which generally I'm sensitive to. No frills, quick 1.5 hour meal with good service. Small intimate setting just 6 seats at sushi bar. You get escorted to the back for dessert - which was the only part of the meal I didn't care for (mochi ice cream, of which I've had much better). For $85 though, solid sushi experience and well worth a visit. read more

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Taikun has become my number one under $100 omakase spot. The ambience, the food, the service collectively makes for a solid value. It's a super cute and intimate spot, serving only 6 people at the counter at a time. This is a huge plus, as the chef is never overwhelmed and brings out the sushi in a timely fashion. I think I'm going to become a regular here, and I've already made two visits back to back. For my first visit, my omakase included - 1 sea bream 2 hokkaido sea scallop 3 sweet shrimp 4 king salmon cured in sake and soy sauce 5 torched blackthroat sea perch nodaguru 6 amber jack w yuzu 7 smoked spanish mackerel 8 blue fin tuna 9 torched fatty tuna toro 10 ikura 11 hokkaido uni 12 otoro w pickled radish handroll Extra pieces ordered - eel and scallop All pieces are so so good, but the scallop is the standout for me. It might be the best scallop I've had from an omakase. For $85, this omakase is well worth a visit. Their two servers, the chef and the drinks server, are also both super friendly and hospitable. I'll be sure to be back at Taikun a third, fourth, tenth time, and more. read more

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One of the best omakase for under $100! Ambiance was intimate and casual, in a 6 seater cozy space. 11 premium pieces (including my favorites sweet shrimp and uni) plus a handroll and dessert. You have an option to add more pieces. Dessert was served in a secret speakeasy where you can enjoy beverages and cocktails after. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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13 course omakase for $85 was pretty standard. Good, not great, solid value for under $100 tier. Good for 1st/2nd date. Very small 6 person sushi counter so very intimate. Chef/staff were excellent. Comparables: Shinn East, Korami, Sushi Blossoms. Food: 7/10 Value: 8/10 Service: 9/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 read more

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Went here with some coworkers, and it was such an intimate and fun dining experience. With just a small counter for people to sit at (fits 6? or 8?) for omakase, you get to chat back and forth with the chef and watch as each piece as made. Quality and service were amazing and each flavor was so different from one piece to the next, yet all were minimalistic in the best way, with barely any seasoning or sauces. Afterwards, we headed to the speakeasy in the back, which was empty when we went, but also cool to experience. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This is for the pop-up Taikun at the Ritz in Dana Point. The 8 seat counter brought us close to the chef and the whole experience was made to be engaging. Need not to say that everything offered to us was fresh, but the way they were prepared and presented could only be described one of a kind. The use of salt, pepper, salmon roe, truffle, caviar, and other ingredients complimented the key pieces on top of the rice. From wagyu to otoro, best of the land and best of the sea. Plump oyster, sweet clean scallop, popping ikura, all came together to make this feast complete. Thank you Chef Ben! For making our anniversary dinner so memorable and tasty! The technique and finesse of sushi making was remarkable to watch. Thank you, Adrian for the hospitality and heart warming service you brought to us. Photos to speak for the good food. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This is a literal hole in the wall and boy is it bomb. 6 counter seats only, which makes the experience really intimate. I loved the vibe and the music. It's $85 (pre-tax and tip) for 11 pieces, 1 handroll and dessert. All of the pieces were absolutely delicious, which is amazing given the variety. I usually don't like scallop at all, yet the scallop here was so good I even ordered it as an extra piece. It was juicy, plump and just amazing. You could just tell that the thought put a lot of thought into each piece - they were all simple, straightforward yet super complex in flavor with amazingly fresh fish. The handroll at the end (mix of the usual tuna and radish) was really special as well. It's the same chef whipping up all of the delicious nigiri. He's very friendly but has a great balance of explaining vs. letting you enjoy your meal / conversation. This was the perfect Valentine's Day dinner and I would 100% come back! read more

This was an excellent omakase place. All the fish were so fresh, fat and juicy. You can taste the top quality. $85 for 12 pieces is pretty solid in NYC. The inside is small - essentially 1 chef's bar with 6 seats - but good vibes. Solid date spot - intimate, slightly dim, but not squished or uncomfortable. It is run essentially by 1 chef and 1 server. Both are super nice and friendly. Inside inside there is a speakeasy for when you finish your meal and want to hang out. Not open to outsiders. Overall, super recommend. read more

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Stopped in here for Omakase, its definitely is hidden so I walked past the store front a handful of times before finally realizing the all black facade is the restaurant. The counter is very intimate and small, so definitely would advise to go either off peak hours, so that you don't have other people to disturb your meal (just in case). We came at about 5PM, so we basically had the restaurant to ourselves, the chef and server were both amazing, greeted us and made us feel very welcome. We both ordered the omakase and paired with (my friend - whiskey and myself - sake). I would definitely recommend get a drink, i though it brought out quite some excellent flavors from the omakase. I would say the overall fish was very good, most of the pieces were cut thicker than normal - which of course, I would never complain about!! The fish was fresh, but there was a tad more usage of wasabi then I was expecting from omakase. Any piece that this man blowtorched was just phenomenal, and of course if there was any that you absolutely loved they would more than happy to make you an extra piece of - a la carte. I would say my least favorite was probably the uni - maybe the batch wasnt the best? Honestly that was my least favorite but that isn't anyones fault really, my partner thought his tasted fine! The Scallop was amazing - instead of the desert I asked to substitute and he gave me an extra piece of the scallop! Delicious and very very fresh. This omakase restaurant is actually owned and operated by the restaurant next door, as the bathrooms are shared and the entire back room looked like a huge club/private party event space. I would definitely consider coming back here again for omakase. Just make sure to come during off-peak hours so that you can be spoiled by both the chef and waiter/waitress!! read more

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Unbelievable. Amazing. Adventurous. Well worth my coin! This pop up is located right on delancey Street and is super discreet. We actually walked by a few times before we noticed the simple logo on the window. Their store front and doors are covered with blackout curtains. It feels incredibly exclusive and intimate. They have a 6 person bar and behind that is a hidden speakeasy. We paired our meal with the Kenbishi junmai Koshu sake which was deliciously full bodied and decadent. The flavors were incredible. This place is on the top of my list so far. The chef was super respectful even though the pair that shared our time window was being obnoxious with him. I don't know how long they'll be here but I would love to taste another menu of theirs! read more

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decent sized portions and very intimate setting. I think it only holds up to 6 guests so it's a very private experience. the chef was super welcoming and we had a great conversation. the back has a huge speakeasy and very intimate as well. we got the chef a bottle of sake and he let us have the opportunity to share some with him. the pieces are decently sized and we left feeling super full we couldn't add on any extra pieces. they did have a good selection of alcohol and offered drinks pairing. additionally for the price, service and fish quality- I highly recommend here read more

Fantastic omakase, along with a great sake pairing. Chef was very knowledgeable and personable. My reservation was only for me which was a private 90 minute dining experience. Highly recommended. read more

Make sure you do the 13-course so you can sit at the chef's counter. Chef is the best! He does everything in front of you and explains all the courses himself. I've been here so many times and always had a great experience. The yuzu pieces are my favorite but everything is flavored well and delicious. Sake pairings are also very good and many are imported from Japan. I'm here any time there's an open seat. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This omakase is a pop up from the grey lady. Love love it. Bang for the buck. I've had omakase that's $160 each and not taste as good as here. The price is about $85 for the omakase and it's definitely worth it. read more

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My boyfriend and I had our first omakase experience at Taikun. We found this place last minute but so happy that we did. The chef was very kind and explained each item. Also, the place was very intimate and cozy with a cool speakeasy connected. We loved the scallop and fatty tuna! For the price it was a steal! Too bad it is just a pop up we would want to go again someday! Everything was delicious and melted in our mouths! read more

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Was hard to find at first but they do have signs on the door. It's a cute intimate omakase. The host and chef were very nice and always made sure we needed everything and answered any questions we had. The chef took the time to explain how he prepped each piece. They were all delicious! I was very impressed with the smoked mackarel (sawara). Great flavor! Not a huge fan of shrimp but it also wowed me. I had the echigo beer which was also very good. It's added to my list of favorite beers. read more

A solid place for some good real sushi. Price is so reasonable that I didn't expect much before stepping in. However after tasting their sushi, this place is a must go place. My favorite is their salmon, amber jack and scallop. Surprisingly I love the fish more than uni, so you can tell they did a good job prepare the fish. Do ask for what they have for a la cart, I ordered two pieces of eel, so good! read more

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Extremely cool spot. Great sushi, nice chef, and good vibe. Very good quality sushi. Only thing that really irked me was the 3% credit card processing fee. read more

I discovered this hidden gem by chance and this is now one of my favorite omakase in NYC! The sushi was absolutely amazing and the ambiance was the perfect balance of nice and cozy. Not to mention the price was a steal! read more

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I will preface this review by stating that I am not a professional food critic. That said, I am just about as passionate (and picky!) about food, which I hope lends credibility to the review that follows. In short, Taikun's omakase is culinary perfection, checking off all the boxes from freshness to thoughtful service to flavor balance to overall experience. We indulged in two consecutive nights here and were pleased with the consistency in quality and attention to detail. The sushi chef is a perfectionist when it comes to selecting, preparing, and serving his fish. He patiently talked us through each piece of sushi and its perfectly balanced flavors. Thanks to his special glazes and preparations, flavor profiles were delicate yet flavorful, with the occasional buttery, smoky, or slightly spicy surprise. As an added bonus, the downtempo lounge music contributes to the intimate, elegant vibe. This is a great spot to catch up with a loved one, impress a date, or even make a new friend seated nearby. I am a proud DC resident but will readily admit that Taikun effortlessly surpasses our best Japanese restaurant, which happens to hold a Michelin star. At the risk of ruining one of NYC's best kept secrets, I urge readers to grab one of the six seats and buckle up for what might very well be among your best meals yet. read more

Taikun Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Had a lovely dinner this past Sunday at Taikun Sushi. Restaurant was very intimate with 6 seats at the bar and our chef provided us with an excellent omakase experience. Each piece was thoughtfully put together and flowed well onto the next. Some of our favorites included Hokkaido uni, Madagascar sweet shrimp (ebi), and lightly seared otoro. We opted in for a few extra pieces at the end from a la carte. Both the chef and host were attentive and made an excellent team! Looking forward to our next visit! Glad to hear that they decided to become a permanent fixture rather than pop-up. read more

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I've tried most of the "Best Under $100 Omakase in NYC" places and this is the absolute best. Every piece of fish was fresh and delicious (they brought each piece individually vs. some places which give you a platter), I didn't feel rushed at all (so rare!) and the service couldn't have been better. The sushi chef took such care in everything and was very kind. I recommend doing the beverage pairing for an additional $55. I will be going to this place regularly. Don't hesitate - at $85, this is the absolute best sushi deal in NYC. read more