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    Za-Ya

    4.5 (59 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    ZA-YA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Za-Ya

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    Yasmine B.

    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.

    Brandon N.

    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.

    Jennifer N.

    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

    Tan Tan noodles
    Will N.

    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.

    Saba
    Macarena O.

    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.

    Dexter D.

    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.

    Chicken  Karaage
    Jia-Lian L.

    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.

    Karaage
    Erin Y.

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

    spicy Gyukotsu Miso
    Chantel T.

    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.

    Gyukotsu
    Yin Y.

    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.

    Paige B.

    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

    Okonomiyaki
    Julia H.

    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.

    Outside
    Joy C.

    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.

    Ramem with chicken broth

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    2 years ago

    Fantastic. We went on an impulse and it did not disappoint. Phenomenal spicy beef broth ramen!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Loved this place, the food was delicious. Great customer service. The vibes were immaculate as well. Lowkey place in Brooklyn!

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    4 years ago

    I kno a lot of places say they're best ramen but when I tell you THEE BEST. Don't sleep! Get you a piece.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Za-Ya

    Is it japanese or chinese (fake jap.)?

    I believe it's Real Japanese

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Za-Ya - ramen - Updated August 2026

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