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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
the best vegetarian ramen i've ever had the mushroom highly recommend. and juicy soft karaage. such nice staff too
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
10 months ago
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
1 year ago
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
4 months ago
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
10 days ago
1 year ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
8 months ago
3 years ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
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
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
2 years ago
3 years ago
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
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
2 years ago
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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
3 years ago
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
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
2 years ago
5 years ago
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
3 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Great spot for high quality ramen. Soup was creamy beef. Wasn't very busy inside the restaurant. Egg perfectly cooked. read more
5 years ago
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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More info about Za-Ya
321 Starr St
Brooklyn, NY 11237
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(929) 460-5929
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https://www.za-ya.com
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3 years ago
