RAMEN: all the broths are either beef based, chicken based or vegetarian (no pork based broth). Depending on what you order, they offer a variety of noodles--wavy or thin. All the ramens were pretty good. The serving size of noodles is perfect, just enough to be filling. - If you want a creamier broth that you might get from a pork broth, I'd recommend the miso (mix of mushroom broth and oat milk). - The niboshi is pretty tolerable spice. The spicy fish oil gives you a kick at the back of your throat, so not really a broth for sipping before mixing it. The pork belly is less fatty than what I prefer but the broth was plenty flavor. It comes with just bean sprouts, scallions and bonito flakes. If you want more toppings, an egg is $3. SEATING / AMBIANCE: 6 tables - 3 two-seat tables and 3 four-seat tables, and a row of high tops. It's a fairly small place, but when we went when they first opened during lunch time, it was completely empty so walk in was not an issue. Quiet with RNB playing. read more

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TLDR: 5/5! For excellent service and great food. We came in last minute with a group of 8 and they still accommodated us and served us to their best abilities despite only 1 person on the floor to wait and serve. Also one of the BEST broths I have had in New York. It is comparable to some in Japan with how good that beef broth is. The chicken broth is excellent as well and worked since my friend has a dietary restriction. Sadly could not try the karaage since they sold out! Get it if you can. Food (5/5): probably some of the best ramen you can get in Brooklyn! You take a sip and it has so much rich flavor you can tell they took a long time to cook it. Just the right amount of salt that leads to explosive umami flavor with everything else included. Only downside is that the egg is an additional 2-3 dollars boosting the ramen price to 20 per bowl. Other than that, it's a great bowl of ramen I will be going again. I heard the steak was good from my friends but we got the okanomiyaki, it's pretty big, delicious, but only get it if you are a large fan of them. It's pretty pricey for what it is. Cucumber salad was delicious and fresh, nice hit of spiciness. Service (4.5/5): The person helping us is super nice, though there is a language barrier and that might cause some misunderstandings. I only brought it down half a point because you aren't going to get that understanding but they are very nice and try their best. Nothing wrong but it does get busy and you might have to call them for refills or other issues. The chefs are also very friendly. Cleanliness and interior (5/5): you can tell it's rather small, but modern and chic. Great for a night out to eat as they are open late. Great casual dinner spot and has a fantastic Lofi jazzy playlist that adds to it. Combined with the unforgettable beef broth, and you have a night to remember. J's Parking Advice- it's pretty packed at night because there is a lot to do around. Parking garages are a little far off too but everything is walkable once you find a spot. There is a street parking but it's hard to find, you might have to park far and walk there or public transport. We did take around 10-20 mins to find parking. So good luck! Overall: it's a spot I have to go back to especially since they sold out of the karaage! If that doesn't tell you how good it is not sure what else! Definitely a local favorite and a hidden gem read more

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Lovely lovely lovely ramen. Very unique and different taste from the bone broth. The broth is what makes it imo. The meat is just absolutely perfect...melt in your mouth, moderately seasoned and delicate enough to put it all together with the noodles. The establishment is a bit smaller so it is recommended to get a reservation beforehand. But walkins are also welcomed I suppose. They have a high top area that is nice for having a front row seat to the action in the kitchen. Th music is good but random haha. Service was good the first time. But could've been better my second visit. read more

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The best dishes were: homemade tofu (perfectly creamy), okonomiyaki (deep-fried), and karaage. The rest of the dishes were solid but didn't stand out as much: gyukatsu ramen and mackerel. Enjoyable dish and the waiter was good with recommendations. read more

The best dishes were: homemade tofu (perfectly creamy), okonomiyaki (deep-fried), and karaage. The rest of the dishes were solid but didn't stand out as much: gyukatsu ramen and mackerel. Enjoyable dish and the waiter was good with recommendations. read more

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Had dinner at Za-Ya in Brooklyn and tried the Gyukotsu Miso Ramen ($19), Saba ($12), Saikoro Steak ($14), and the Cucumber starter ($8). The ramen was everything you want in a bowl -- a hearty, beef bone marrow broth with layers of flavor, bouncy chewy noodles, and an egg cooked perfectly. The short rib inside was extremely tender, and the toppings of fried garlic, green onions, and wood ear mushrooms added even more depth. The saba (miso-braised mackerel) was another highlight: extremely tender and moist, probably the best-prepared mackerel I've had, with a miso sauce that complemented it perfectly. The saikoro steak came as chunky, tender bites with a soy-vinegar garlic sauce that tied it all together beautifully. And the cucumber starter was cold, refreshing, and carried a nice spicy kick. Za-Ya nails Japanese comfort food with care and balance. The ramen and saba alone are worth the trip, and the sides round out a very satisfying meal. read more

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The chicken karaage here is really good! Its big size pieces and so moist and tender. The ramen is also tasty, it was my friend and I first time having beef broth for ramen. We're used to a pork base but it was a nice change. The portions are good too. My friend had a glass of sake and I got a yuzu cocktail which were fine. I just wished there was more toppings like egg or bamboo shoots etc it looked a little naked. Overall a solid spot if you're in the neighborhood read more

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Cute, modern interior with a decent menu selection. As someone who actually prefers dry noodles, I was pleased to find the brothless Tan Tan Noodles. It has a nice al dente finish and surprisingly spicy taste. I usually request additional spices/seasoning but didn't need to hear. I tried my guest's ramen soup, but that lacks in flavor and depth. Knowing a couple of other spots in the area, this may not be my number 1 recommendations. read more

Za-Ya - Tan Tan noodles - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

A good Japanese restaurant with a varieties of fishes (heaven for pescatarian people!), ramen and some appetizers. I got the saba fish and the poke bowl to share. The saba fish was delicious - so tender and flavorful. The poke bowl wasn't worth it. It came with too much rice and few pieces of fish. The prices are very reasonable and the staff were nice and attentive. read more

Za-Ya - Saba - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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We were passing by Brooklyn when we discovered this place - Za-Ya Ramen. Small spot but it's packed with regulars. Great food, outstanding service, and cool cozy interior. The chef was friendly and accommodating. We definitely would come back again. read more

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I got the chicken karaage and I was pleasantly surprised. The chicken was juicy and succulent. The sauce was tasty too. The crispy was good and it was affordable. It just wasn't as much as I'd prefer but it's fine. My only complaint was the mochi icce cream I got. It was $5 with strawberry but it only had one mochi and 1 strawberry. Definitely not worth it but that wasn't a main dish so it doesn't matter too much. read more

Za-Ya - Chicken Karaage - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Service is the worst here. Our server (name: Asako, woman with bangs and glasses) was extremely rude. Her communication was consistently so poor, we immediately regretted going there twice a day. Save your money and go elsewhere if you don't want to be treated horribly. read more

the best vegetarian ramen i've ever had the mushroom highly recommend. and juicy soft karaage. such nice staff too read more

Za-Ya - Karaage - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This place has taken its spot as my favorite ramen in NYC. I walk past Za-Ya often and always noticed the lovely interior and ambiance inside -- so one day I decided to check it out and was not disappointed. I enjoy dining alone, and this place is so good for that and also for dates or intimate group hangs. The bar is a great place to enjoy your meal and watch the kitchen prep. Love the interior design -- sleek, modern, dim lighting and black matte accents. The service is prompt and friendly as well. The menu itself is the highlight. Great selection of ramen options and there's even oat milk and miso broths for vegan/vegetarian friends. I got the signature Short Rib ramen and was not disappointed -- gorgeous rich broth full of flavor, well cooked noodles. There's also an extensive drink list, and I opted for a delicious strawberry sake. Can't wait to come back and try more! Would 100% make the trek out to Bushwick for Za-Ya. read more

Za-Ya - spicy Gyukotsu Miso - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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It's about 3.3. Never have I seen a beef ramen in nyc. The beefy flavor really came through on the broth. The downside was that only one slice of beef or 2 small slices of pork belly and no egg came on both ramen. It didn't really worth the $19 +$3 (egg) price tag. I wasn't full after the ramen. The okonomiyaki was too dense compared to the ones I had before. Everything was a bit on the strong flavor side for me. read more

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Hands down best ramen I've ever had in my life.. and I've had a lot of ramen. I got the mushroom one- it's sad how many chefs don't know how to work with mushrooms but here they reallyyy know what they're doing with the broth and those Shiitakes. My mouth is watering thinking about it. Can't wait to go back read more

Za-Ya - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Sunday evening dinner at Za-Ya was an unexpectedly great experience! Hadn't heard of this spot before but it has an impressive Yelp rating so had to check it out. It's a small but mighty space-- they've done a great job curating a vibe which I feel like could be great in the winter months when you're craving a bowl of hot ramen. We split an order od karaage which comes with spicy mayo. Pleased to report that it seemed to be kewpie (iykyk) and the breading of the karaage was authentic. Though they seem to be known for ramen, I opted for the bacon okonomiyaki as my entree. To be completely honest I had low expectations as I have yet to have a quality okonomiyaki in the States (that wasn't made by someone in my family) but they did a great job. The cabbage wasn't overly hard or bitter and it had a good amount of bacon which added a great salty punch. Plenty of high quality bonito flakes and aonori was the cherry on top. Sake was solid and I have a feeling this will be a go-to spot for me in the area. read more

Za-Ya - Okonomiyaki - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I'm not sure why the quality of their ramen changed so drastically in just a month. I had a good experience last week when I ordered from Uber Eats. However, this time the noodles were excessively oily, which was very strange. The broth and noodles shouldn't be oily like that. I won't be ordering from there again. Also they offer extra noodles but you can't purchase extra stock. Never ordering again. read more

Fantastic hidden ramen gem in Brooklyn. They opened up this second store spring of 2021. When we first arrived for dinner, there was no one doing inside- I almost had second thoughts for this restaurant but I'm glad I stuck it out. It was amazing and people started pouring in after we were seated and finished ordering. Upon sitting down, the owner explained that the menu, order, and payment will be processed through a website called Toast Tab which is available through QR code on the table. Caveat is that you need to enter your credit card information prior to placing the order. We ordered unagi pie, karaage, gyukotsu miso ramen, and shoyu ramen. To our pleasant surprise we loved everything! Unagi pie was definitely the most unique out of them all- sautéed unagi filling wrapped with puff pastry pie. Karaage was very well done as well. Very hot when it was served- crunchy on the outside but extremely tender on the inside. Both ramens we ordered were impeccable but I highly recommend the gyukotsu miso ramen. Gyukotsu was a delight, it was easy to chew and melted in my mouth. I only wished there were more! Overall this is a ramen shop I would definitely come back. The only caveat is this ramen shop is slightly pricier than other stores I've been to. read more

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The place is superb, it gives a comfy ambience once you enter. Very good service, and food is really good. Gotta try the tofu appetizer, it is homemade and chili is addictive. read more

Za-Ya - Ramem with chicken broth - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Ramen was fantastic. Homemade tofu is THE BEST. Great place to eat before show at Knockdown.

Simply fantastic from service to the rich flavorful ramen broths and great noodle texture, to the interesting other menu options. Loved it

Easily one of my girlfriend Julie and I's favorite spots. The atmosphere, the staff, and of course the food! If you love Ramen you have to come here. It's unlike any other. The oatmilk broth is out of this world. I usually start off with the Karaage or the mushrooms or the rash fish... but almost always go for the Gyokutsu Ramen. Don't pass up the Egg! Julie goes for the vegetarian ramen which is very very different but still amazing. If you're not a fan of ramen, then give this place a try - it will make you love it! :) read more

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Phenomenal and unusual Beef Ramen (aka, Gyokutsu Ramen)! Highly recommend the pure Gyokutsu (instead of the spicy miso Gyokutsu) because the flavor of the beef stock comes through much more clearly and cleanly, and the garlic chips are a really delicious addition. One of my new fave ramens in NY (along with Tonchin + NoNoNo)! Service was attentive and kind. And the interior was well beautiful and modern. Highly recommend! (Plus: street parking in the nabe isn't too bad!) read more

I went with my kids and I ordered the Spicy Gyukotsu Miso made with Beef bone marrow broth, roasted beef, corn, bean sprouts, scallions. Wavy noodles with an extra egg. Boy was that good!!! First time trying ramen made with bone marrow and holy cow!!! It was delicious , super savory , noodles were perfect and the broth was luxurious . I will be coming back! read more

Sat outdoors for Sunday brunch. We tried a couple of items from the smaller brunch menu. The ichi ju san sai set composed of a fillet of seared salmon, goma-ae, tamago, rice, and a miso soup. Everything was clean and flavorful. We also tried the bacon okonomiyaki and the chawanmushi. They were beautifully presented and the flavors were spot on. I haven't had chawanmushi this good in such a long time. Everything has been delicious so far. The service was great well. I can't wait to try out their ramen, as well as other dishes on their dinner menu. Overall, a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! Looking forward to our next visit. read more

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Tasty food. Friendly and efficient service. Street parking only. Most dishes were Ramen. Add the egg. . Chicken appetizer was great. read more

The best vegetarian ramen in the neighborhood. I love the Mayu ramen... so creamy and so so good. It's my go to when visit. I also love the cold tofu with the homemade chili crisp. My 6 year old think it's the best tofu in the world. Highly recommend for vegetarians who are craving for ramen... read more

Went in super excited for the beef bone marrow soup and was utterly disappointed. Noodles were undercooked with one slim slice of a fatty piece of beef that was bland. Took 15 minutes to flag the waiter to just get the check and I had to get up and go to him to get his attention. Also ordered the gyoza and shishitos and both were unappetizing. The gyozas were super salty and burned, while the shishitos were flavorless and also burned. Would not come back and wouldn't even bring up the name again. read more

I should note that this is for their delivery. And that I actually am a huge fan of Za-Ya (when executed correctly). I used to live in Bushwick, and have been to both locations. Was such a fan that when we moved to Fort Greene, we still ordered delivery multiple times a month despite the cost ($60+ for two ramens and karaage w the delivery fees) and the quality not being fresh (whatever, we'll gladly reheat at home). However, the last few delivery orders have been ABYSMAL. We have tried 3x now to give it a chance and hope that it was just a fluke, but the quality just really isn't the same. For one, the ramen broth doesn't taste as flavorful anymore; it's more creamy than bone broth rich like it used to be. We also only get one tiny piece of meat compared to the comparable three pieces we used to get on delivery and in person. Seriously - only ONE single piece?! Our last order, the okonomiyaki was so burnt and inedible (sad cause this was supposed to be a special treat dinner for my bf's birthday cause it really is our fave!). And today the karaage also didn't come with the orange ginger sauce which we love and were expecting. I don't know if ownership has changed or if it's just a sign of the times/economy, but really hoping we see Za-ya make a comeback cause we love yall but have been extremely disappointed in our last few orders and will likely play it safe/not get our hearts broken again til we know the quality issue has been addressed. read more

Za-Ya - Our burnt Okonomiyaki. We had to scrape the top to eat what was edible - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The best ramen ! I have tried so many but this one right here ! It got flavor, smokiness Perfection ! The service was great ! Food came quick and the place feels calm and relaxing with chill music ! Love it ! read more

Za-Ya - Niboshi ramen - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Small ramen place - I had the Shoyu ramen and my friend ordered the signature. Overall, the ramen was pretty delicious and perfect for a cold Friday night. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that the menu was quite limited, wished they had slightly more options. read more

Za-Ya - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Za-Ya was a good find for me. We actually walked past here, and made a note to come back and try this place. I found the staff welcoming, helpful, and their menu very intriguing. We've tried the ramen, but most interestingly, they had a Japanese breakfast. I thought that was pretty unique, and I liked the experience I had here. I thought the food was decent, but not the most amazing food I've ever had. Overall, I would return if I were ever in the area again, but I wouldn't come out of my way to go back. read more

I would rate Za-Ya four and a half stars. We dined in for lunch. I had the Gyukotsu ramen. It's a creamy and dense ivory-ish colored bone marrow broth with a slice of brisket and a slice of pork with white onions, scallions, mushrooms, and garlic chips. Having this ramen reminded me so much of an old school fast food hamburger with the yellow onions and mayonnaise-y feel to the broth. The flavor was weirdly nostalgic though I'm pretty certain I've never had this style of ramen before. We also hand the tonkatsu sandwich. It served on sliced white bread which holds up surprisingly well. Enjoyed the crispiness of the sandwich and it's served alongside a mixed greens salad with a light dressing so the sandwich eats much lighter than one would expect for a fried pork sandwich. They recently received their liquor license and have some solid beer and wine options. The restroom is fantastic. Quite spacious with great handicap accessibility and a baby changing station. One of the finer restrooms in Brooklyn. read more

Solid spot for a quick dinner! They have a beautiful space inside and some tables outside for outdoor dining. The menu is pretty compact as of summer 2021 - some brunch and dinner items all on one page. This helped us narrow down our options though! We went with two sushi rolls (about 8 pieces each) and a Shoyu ramen. Food arrived quickly and tasted great. The Shoyu had a nice smooth broth with some greens, green onions, and grilled pork as topping. The pork was tasty and flavorful but not the usual tender pork belly topping that ramen often has. This one was more tough and chewy, but still yummy. Service was fast and friendly and we enjoyed our dinner here! read more

Za-Ya - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The Best Ramen! When you get your first taste of the ramen, you'll want to move in. The service is super and the ambiance put me in a trance of relaxation. I was fortunate enough to catch them during a quiet afternoon and had the best time. The hostess introduced me to sake and we spoke in dept about the cuisine. I felt like I was given a fine dining experience with all the comfort I could ask for. read more

Best ramen I've had! The staff was also kind and fast. I recommend this restaurant to anyone and I'm so happy it's in the neighborhood.

Great spot for high quality ramen. Soup was creamy beef. Wasn't very busy inside the restaurant. Egg perfectly cooked. read more

Za-Ya - Gyukotsu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We went to Za-Ya last night and our meal was amazing! We started off with the Karaage fried chicken, agedashi tofu, and Imo (potatoes). The Karaage was some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. I got the Gyukotsu miso ramen. I've never had beef bone marrow broth before and it was so rich and delicious. The restaurant is beautifully designed and we loved the ambience. We'll definitely be coming back! read more

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A ramen spot like this was sorely needed in this area of Bushwick, and I welcome it with open arms! ZaYa is a small but chic spot for amazing noodles and Japanese izakaya-style small plates. The staff is friendly and the restaurant/restrooms are very clean. We ordered the following: Agedashi tofu- this is an favorite dish, but it can often be bland at restaurants. Not the case here- the broth/sauce was flavor-packed, and the tofu itself had the fluffiest texture Miso ramen- not marked as spicy on the menu, but this bowl had a little tiny kick to it. Very good! Meatless, but with plenty of hearty mushrooms. The broth was milky and tasty. Shoyu ramen- the broth was delicious! Peppery and smoky. Loved the generous toppings. read more

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