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    Ushiwakamaru

    4.2 (215 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese, Sushi Bars, Salad
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ushiwakamaru Photos

    Business Info

    USHIWAKAMARU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy

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    Tuna special
    Alisa J.

    Amazing sushi! One of the best places in NYC for sure! Great service and all the food is delicious! The tuna special was great! I loved each unique piece of tuna and the spicy tuna roll was so good! They had the best tempura I've ever had and you can tell the quality of the sushi place by it's egg sushi! The egg sushi was amazing and the best I've ever had as well. The pickled vegetables could've been more pickled and have more flavor but still good. One of the best parts was dessert! The matcha tiramisu is a must order! It was so so delicious and my mom from Japan who usually doesn't order or eat desserts at all said it was so good and she wished she had ordered her own. The other people in my party got omakase and said that every piece was amazing. The chef is friendly and great at what he does! If you're looking for an amazing and authentic sushi and Japanese food in general experience in a laid back and friendly setting with high quality people don't look anywhere else. Can't recommend enough!

    Tansy W.

    AMAZING. There was not a single piece I did not like and I actually left feeling full (rare at omakase places for me). We got the omakase - mix of sushi and sashimi for $158, which also came with soup, choice of dessert, and a few other items (see photos). Standouts were the monk fish liver (omg I could've had an entire bowl of it) and the tuna scallion hand roll with this amazing homemade soy sauce, followed very closely by the the first fatty tuna piece (forget what kind but sweet the trio photo after the soup), red snapper, shrimp and uni. But honestly there was not a single piece we didn't like. It was all wonderful. The sake flight option on the menu that night wasn't available so we got the cheapest of the 3 sake options in the junmai gingo category. I forgot the name but it was $14 for a 4 oz glass, which I found reasonable. They also had some pretty high end bottles if you're celebrating a special occasion. The sushi chef was very friendly and funny. Loved our interactions with him, even if through a plastic plexy glass wall (ugh covid). The waiter was not as attentive (rarely came to refill our drinks and forgot to come back to take my drink order) but it looked like he was the only guy working the entire restaurant, which looked fully booked, and I assume it was just due to understaffing during COVID. In sum, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. Amazing sushi, excellent sake menu, and friendly chef. Can't wait to return! Easily one of the best places in the city.

    Omakase tuna
    Victoria G.

    This spot serves the freshest Edo sushi I have had in a while. The ambiance is amazing and everyone is super welcoming and polite. Loved the master's energy and he also had a snazzy blue sparkly mask on. There were plastic dividers between everyone, and the spacing was definitely more than 6 feet. Felt very safe inside. I came here for the Omakase to celebrate my birthday and it was absolutely delicious. The sake we ordered was called Take No Tsuyu, and it was super light and smooth. Such a fragrant scent, brewed gently in bamboo forests. From the Omakase, I enjoyed the mackerel, blow-torched tuna, uni, and otoro hand roll. The uni was SO SWEET and smooth, and the otoro was super tender. The sweet shrimp also deserves a mention for its fresh ocean flavor. The rice also deserves to be highlighted, it was just that good. At the end, the master asked us if we would like a few more pieces, and he made two more complimentary chef's choice sushi. One of which was an abalone that blew my mind. Hands down will return for the immaculate service and flavors.

    Bina S.

    FOOD The quality of the fish was very fresh but the way it was prepared was disappointing. The Uni was delicious but some of the pieces were a miss. I would give the presentation 2/5, very basic and incongruent with the price point. Unfortunately, 75% of the sushi that was part of the Omakase was salty. I could not pin point if it was the rice or the way the fish was prepared but there were a few sushi pieces that was borderline inedible. EDIT: I was informed, the style of this fish preparation is called Edomae. SERVICE Our waitress was great! She was courteous and attentive. DRINKS I appreciated how they offered half bottles of champagne and a good selection of sake. CONCLUSION For my party of three, our bill ended up being close to $900 after tip for three Omakases and drinks. With that said, I didn't think the experience nor the food were worth the price tag. If they address the salt issue and perhaps add one or two more pieces to the omakase, it would have improved my dining experience. I left feeling very thirsty and not quite full.

    A la cartes
    Michael W.

    Good old OG. Good ol service. Simply fish. Nothing fancy. Price is a bit high for the space. Needs a revamp so hideo kuribara can step up the omakase game. Place is just too old and boring. Overall still pretty ok with a great chef.

    Kawaba Sunrise Ale
    Chantel Y.

    Super easy to make a reservation here! Made mine two days in advance and there were some reasonable dinner times available then. I came here on Fri 2/25/22. Omakase was $170 (the menu online is outdated) which consists of "daily chef's choice you're welcome to make any requests includes daily special that consists of fresh and seasonal fish". I didn't make any special requests, but chose sushi rolls (instead of nigiri) and this is what my omakase consisted of: 1) ankimo with delicious chewy seaweed 2) chef's special nigiri (this was DELICIOUS and sooo fatty) 3) white miso soup with a shrimp head in it. yum! 4) steamed egg pudding 5) 8 pieces of nigiri 6) hand roll 7) choice of dessert (I chose green tea tiramisu). This was delicious and had red bean inside, which is usually not my favorite but this was so good! The fish was definitely fresh in the omakase, but it was not in the salmon sushi flight (wish i took pictures). I also love it when the rice is super fresh and warm, and most of these pieces were with cold rice. I also ordered a uni nigiri, toro taku handroll, and negi toro traditional style roll. Sake and beer selection were great. The tempura was also delicious and had a great mix of shrimp, kabocha squash, broccoli, carrot, and octopus. Overall the experience and atmosphere was great and service was excellent, but the omakase was just a bit overpriced for the quality and quantity. I'd come back here for the non omakase items.

    Fried mackerel with soy garlic sauce
    Tyler S.

    Ushiwakamaru is a solid sushi restaurant that offers a fairly priced omakase with an experienced sushi chef. It succeeds where other cheaper alternatives fail, prioritizing quality, seasonality, and tradition with a bit of flair. I was first introduced to the restaurant by Gordon Y. on Yelp. He shared with me his fond memories of returning to the counter over and over again to sit with head chef Hideo and encouraged me to with with the chef and buy him a beer! Hideo-san wowed me with some items I had never seen before: a special cut of toro sashimi, a seasonal matsutake mushroom soup served from a teapot, and fried mackerel with a soy garlic sauce. The chef's rice was slightly sour, a function of the vinegar he uses to prepare his rice. Each grain was separate and properly loose. The warmth of the rice balanced the temperature of the fish well. The nigiri featured a lot of wasabi; it wasn't too much, but it was a lot. While the construction of the nigiri was good, the gunkan maki and handroll suffered from engineering failures. His signature yuba piece self-destructed as the rice was too wet and fell out of the bottom, splattering on the counter; the uni piece was so tall, I had trouble fitting in in my mouth; and the seaweed of the torotaku handroll cracked and detached as I ate it creating a mess as I tried to hold it together. Though these negatives were minor in the context of the meal. My favorite courses of the night were the fried mackerel appetizer and the saba, ocean trout, akamutsu, and seared toro with truffle salt nigiri. The chef did use a few additional flavors like salt, lemon, and truffle, but thankfully no inappropriate toppings. The draft Sapporo was cold and refreshing. I left feeling very full and satisfied with the experience. 4/5 would dine again.

    Miso soup
    Mei W.

    I had a wonderful time enjoying the 16-piece omakase. The pieces were prepared well and everything tasted delicious. I had miso soup with shrimp head, simmered bluefin tuna, baby eel, bonito from Japan, eggplant with akami, baby anchovy, fried cod roe with green tea salt, red snapper, salmon roe, sea urchin, sea eel, fatty tuna roll, shiratama anmitsu (sweet red bean paste, rice cakes, kuromitsu syrup with agar cubes) with black sesame ice cream, and a few other things I ate before remembering to take a picture.

    Miso soup
    Patrick W.

    TLDR: If you're looking for an omakase to leave you feeling wowed, this is a good choice. Price is $158 including small appetizer, soup, 14 pieces, a hand roll and dessert. Solid value. Ushiwakamaru was recommended to me by a coworker and gave it a shot with wifey. Of all the sushi bars we've been to, this is probably the most comfortable. These are not high chairs, the bar counter is at a very relaxed level - you feel settled in and ready to coast at this omakase. They will ask you if you prefer your soup at the beginning or the end. Chef Hideo will then begin your tasting. The pieces here are a really nice size, still bitesize but every piece will make your smile. He has this care while he prepares your next nigiri and when he puts it in front of you, you know it is made with love. The squid, golden eye snapper and soy sauce marinated tuna pieces are always incredible. I've been to Ushiwakamaru several times and we keep coming because it's definitely in our top 5. The dessert choices are very generous too, ranging from a slice of Lady M to a frozen grapefruit dessert. I have a habit of finishing every omakase with an extra hand roll. Chef Hideo is the only one who will allow me to partake in my favorite commoner delight, a spicy tuna handroll. What I love about his is it's not minced tuna mixed with the srichacha mayo conction, his is more deconstructed. It's literaly pieces of lean tuna tossed in spicy mayo and it's just fabulous.

    Sineerat R.

    This is my first time trying this place. the course was nice and very traditional Japanese omakase style. Love it !

    Assorted Nigiri (plate #2)
    Masanori D.

    I was not impressed at all! They serve decent sushi, but I've had much better sushi on many occasions. On top of it, this place is not inexpensive. I ordered the (assorted) Nigiri: 7 pieces of nigiri, 2 piece of gunkan, half of a "thin" roll, and a piece of tamago yaki. The fish was fresh, but was not of the quality that I would expect from the price. What's most disappointing was the rice. High quality rice and seasoned well, but it was tightly packed. For this level of sushi, I would be happy to pay $35, but not $48. If you are looking for excellent sushi (in NYC), I assure you this is not it! If you must try this place, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. - When you make a reservation, you have to give them your credit card number. If you do not give them a 24 hour notice for cancellation, they will charge you $25 PER PERSON. - If you want to sit at the sushi counter, you must order omakase, which is market price. - If you order the assorted sushi or sashimi, they do not let you substitute even if you have an allergy. ニューヨークに住む知り合いからも情報を集め、その中で比較的お手頃で良さそうな店を選んだはずだったんですが、正直がっかりしました。美味しくなかったとは言いませんが、この値段でこの程度なのかというのが実感です。

    Gal R.

    A great omakase experience The main part of the sushi was amazing The first starters were good. But when the real show started it was one of the best ever. Sea perch, otoro, uni and other usual suspects, were amazing with an additional touch of flavor from the amazing Hideo Kuribaara sushi chef. The desert was great as well :)

    Andrew C.

    Fantastic meal sitting at the sushi bar across from chef Hideo Kuribara. It was fascinating to watch him work: Each of his movements was precise, purposeful, and understated. Each piece of fish was an explosion of multi-dimensional flavor. What an experience!

    Uni

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    5 months ago

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    4 years ago

    The best kept secret! Delicious sushi, authentic and attentive service. A real gem. Dine here without a doubt.

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    Ushiwakamaru Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ushiwakamaru

    Is it okay for solo diners? Can a solo diner order omakase?

    Of course you could. Please call us for Omakase bar reservation! Thank you!

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    Izakaya Fuku - Seating and decorations

    Izakaya Fuku

    4.4(393 reviews)
    5.2 miElmhurst
    $$
    Casual dining
    Kitchen open late

    So this place is small and charming, dark and well I hate to say it (cus it sounds cliche now) but…read moreit's a vibe. For real. From the decor to the music to its surroundings. She's a gem. The service was attentive yet not pushy. Knowledgeable and hospitable without being extra. Just chill and on point overall. They definitely read the room and that's my favorite kind of service. The food: Chicken curry katsu! Perfection! Carbonara udon! Delightful! Black garlic ramen! Delicious! Whatever you choose I'm sure you will not be disappointed! Honestly. And tbh, literally because of that, we're headed back today! lol. Like for real no joke haha

    Izakaya Fuku in New York offers the kind of dining experience that feels memorable from the very…read morestart. Even before the food arrives, the restaurant leaves a strong impression with its stunning Japanese-inspired interior. The space is beautifully designed, blending warmth and elegance in a way that feels both inviting and refined. From the soft lighting to the natural wood accents and thoughtfully arranged decor, everything about the atmosphere feels intentional. It captures the intimate charm of a traditional izakaya while still feeling modern and stylish, making it a wonderful setting for anything from a casual dinner to a more special night out. The food more than lived up to the beauty of the space. One of the first highlights was the salmon onigiri, a dish that proved how satisfying simplicity can be when it is done well. The rice was soft, fresh, and perfectly formed, holding together without feeling too compact, while the salmon added a savory richness that made each bite feel comforting and flavorful. It was balanced, delicate, and deeply satisfying in a way that made it memorable despite its simplicity. The seared salmon salad was another standout. The salmon itself was beautifully prepared, with a lightly seared exterior that gave it a subtle crispness, while the inside remained tender, buttery, and smooth. That contrast in texture made the dish especially enjoyable. Paired with the freshness of the salad, it felt light and refreshing, yet still substantial enough to feel like more than just a side dish. It was a dish that managed to feel both clean and indulgent at the same time. The grilled squid was particularly impressive and easily one of the most memorable items of the meal. Squid can often be difficult to get right, as it can become rubbery or overly chewy if even slightly overcooked, but that was absolutely not the case here. The texture was spectacular--tender, delicate, and pleasantly springy without any toughness. Each bite had a light smokiness from the grill that added depth, while the squid itself retained its natural sweetness. It was expertly prepared and showcased a level of precision that really stood out. For the main courses, both the Tonkatsu Ramen and the Black Pepper Ramen delivered distinct experiences, each with its own appeal. The Tonkatsu Ramen was deeply comforting and satisfying, with a broth that had a rich, velvety texture and a full-bodied depth that coated the palate beautifully. It felt smooth, hearty, and luxurious without being too heavy. The noodles had an ideal texture as well--firm enough to provide a satisfying bite, yet soft enough to soak up the broth and integrate perfectly into the dish. Altogether, it was a bowl that felt warming, balanced, and incredibly comforting. The Black Pepper Ramen, on the other hand, brought a bolder and more assertive flavor profile. The broth had a smooth, glossy texture, and the noodles again had a pleasing chew that gave the dish structure and substance. The black pepper added an unmistakable warmth and aromatic intensity that made the ramen stand out immediately. It was flavorful and memorable, though the pepper was slightly overwhelming at times. A bit less black pepper would have allowed the other flavors in the broth to come through more clearly and created a more balanced bowl. Even so, the ramen was still enjoyable, especially for those who appreciate strong, pepper-forward flavors. Overall, Izakaya Fuku is a restaurant that succeeds on every level. The stunning Japanese interior creates an atmosphere that feels both immersive and elegant, while the food reflects a real attention to detail in both flavor and texture. From the comforting salmon onigiri, to the fresh and beautifully prepared seared salmon salad, to the expertly grilled squid with its exceptional texture, and finally the rich and satisfying ramen dishes, every part of the meal felt carefully executed. It is a place that offers not just excellent food, but a complete dining experience, and it is well worth visiting for anyone looking for standout Japanese cuisine in New York.

    Photos
    Izakaya Fuku - Ika Teriyaki Don

    Ika Teriyaki Don

    Izakaya Fuku - Shio Saba Bento

    Shio Saba Bento

    Izakaya Fuku - Interior

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    Interior

    Tonchin

    Tonchin

    4.4(2.5k reviews)
    2.0 miMidtown West
    $$

    This is a winner. Hands down amongst the best vegan ramen dish i can recall: broth, add ins,…read morenoodles, vegetables, the whole show. Three of us had the same dish, same applause. Communal tables are the fastest seating, nothing wrong with them, take what you're given, rather than risk stepping away because you'd rather a booth....

    We finished a tour of Michelin recognized casual restaurants here…read more I didn't order right. I did the dipping noodles and they were too salty for me. I've had them before so I knew what to expect but it was way too salty, less flavorful. Had a very nice flavor, the salt overpowered it though. I tasted mushroom. The sauce stuck to the noodles well and the noodles were delicious. My daughter and husband ordered the spicy ramen and they said it was very very good. Couldn't decipher distinctly from other top notch ramen so it wasn't knock your socks off. From now on I'll order the base dish when I go places so I can judge better. The gyoza was cooked very nicely, came sizzling and the bun with meat was a little ugly, it looked boiled and unappetizing. The taste was just okay. The topping on it was notable. The waitress didn't help us at all when ordering. We weren't bowled over with the food, although it was noted the meat in the ramen was high level. It hit the spot but I will try other places in the search for our "return forever" ramen place.

    Photos
    Tonchin - Interior

    Interior

    Tonchin - Kimchi mushrooms

    Kimchi mushrooms

    Tonchin - Chicken Tsukune Bun

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    Chicken Tsukune Bun

    Katsu-Hama

    Katsu-Hama

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    2.4 miMidtown East
    $$

    I am a sucker for delicious Katsu and you'll struggle to find better than Katsu-Hama. Katsu-Hama…read morehas a quaint, Japanese vibe in a small but comfortable dining area. It's not especially big, so you may have a bit of a wait if you frequent right at lunch or in the evening but whatever amount of time you have to wait it will be well worth it. Service is top tier but you come for the food. They have a varied menu with a lot of options so if you're bringing a buddy that isn't up for Katsu, they'll have plenty to choose from. The Katsu is the star and I think what sets this place apart is that they offer Berkshire pork katsu as an option. Arguably some of the best pork, it's great to have the option if you're looking to heighten the experience. I love their pork katsu and go nuts over the chicken katsu curry. It's super crispy, slightly greasy but never off-putting. And it's served with the most delicate and delicious cabbage slaw. I could eat a mountain of this it's so good. Highly recommended.

    This place is a bit hard to spot, but it's on the same side of the street as the sorta famous (50…read moreyears +) Phil's Stationery. Katsu-Hama is about two doors to the Left of Phil's, and has minimal, very discreet signage. I got some tonkatsu...I forget the exact type, but it was essentially the most fatty of the tonkatsu offered. It came with cabbage (with a sesame ginger type dressing), daikon radish (with some type of sauce on top), and the standard sauce for the tonkatsu, along with some crushed sesame seed and hot mustard. I'd have to say...the tonkatsu was quite good....not quite as sublime as my favorite tonkatsu place in Tokyo...but still, very, very good. The dish also came with a bowl of miso soup (good, and not overly salty) and a bowl of white rice, which I considered the most disappointing part of the meal. The rice seemed a bit dried out...not moist.... All in all, an excellent meal. I'd definitely come back.

    Photos
    Katsu-Hama
    Katsu-Hama - Oyster and katsu

    Oyster and katsu

    Katsu-Hama - Agedashi Tofu

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    Agedashi Tofu

    Yakitori Totto - Eggplant

    Yakitori Totto

    4.0(1.5k reviews)
    3.0 miMidtown West
    $$

    Still the best in New York. Unique, flavorful chicken skin skewers among many things (see my…read morephotos), though somehow grilled chicken soft bone is a bit tasteless? Fast service. You can order a little and keep adding depending on how big or small each dish is. We came right at 5 pm when they opened. We didn't have a reservation, and after some fumbling they got us four seats at the bar (looking over grilling chefs at work). Not bad, though we were hoping for a table. Great decor and ambiance as always. Wish the grilled shrimps come with shell on, and with salt only (no sauce).

    Yakitori Totto has been around for ages, and I've visited this location in person a few times…read morethough it's been a while! Their location is a little hidden, it's on the second floor above Soba Noodle Azuma on 55th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, closer to 8th. You have to go up a stairwell on the side. Getting to the food, their focus is on meat, seafood and vegetable skewers though they also have a variety of appetizers, rice bowls and noodles, and dessert. The meats and veggies are grilled over charcoal while basted with "tare", a house-made sauce that adds a level of umami to the caramelized grill flavors. Recently I got a handful of skewers for takeout, including: - Ebi (shrimp) $8 x 2: the shrimp were cooked just right, tender and juicy, yum! - Hotate Eringi (scallop and oyster mushrooms) $8 x 2: the textures of the oyster mushrooms and scallop pieces complemented each other, and were kinda similar. Another tasty offering. - Negi pon (pork belly with scallions) $7: I'm not a huge fan of pork belly in general, though they grilled it well here and chopped scallions added a little spicy tickle. While not the cheapest for skewers that you can find, (and inflation hasn't helped,) their flavors are authentic and their quality and consistency is key here. I'm glad it's still here since there seems to be fewer and fewer good yakitori spots in Manhattan these days. They used to have another location in the city though I believe this closed pre-pandemic, however from their website they now have another location in Boston. This was also the sister restaurant to Ramen Totto which had four locations at one point though all have shuttered as well. Hope this location stays around for a long time!

    Photos
    Yakitori Totto
    Yakitori Totto - Chicken meatball

    Chicken meatball

    Yakitori Totto

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    Ushiwakamaru - japanese - Updated May 2026

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