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    Za-Ya

    4.5 (60 reviews)
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Za-Ya Takeout or Delivery

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    ZA-YA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Za-Ya

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    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.

    Homemade tofu
    andy l.

    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.

    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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    5 years ago

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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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    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

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    Ozakaya - Chirashi

    Ozakaya

    4.5(385 reviews)
    3.3 mi•Prospect Heights
    •$$$

    Very busy Japanese restaurant and highly recommend making reservations way in advance. Fish here is…read moreserved very fresh. My friends and I ordered the ozakaya donburi set, chicken karaage curry, kaki fried and a5 fried rice. The fish was buttery delicious. Loved how they serve a hot broth at the very end of your donburi set. Save some rice at the end for a nice experience to end your meal. The a5 was fatty and the karaage was fried perfectly. The restaurant was very busy when we went on a Saturday afternoon. The back dining area was crowded and very full. Our food came out quickly and i will definitely be back try some of their uni dishes. Highly recommend their donburi sets.

    Ozakaya is a cute Japanese spot serving a variety of dishes, but their sushi is the star. Even on a…read moreweeknight, they were quite busy. The tables are a bit small and tight though, so they brought out our food in courses. We started off with the Kaishin Don ($45), which was perfectly plated over a bed of rice. This one came with a good amount of uni, which was much appreciated. Then we had the Ozakaya Donburi Set ($49), which is such a fun one. You have a raw egg to mix into your seafood bowl accompanied with some pickled veggies and sliced sashimi. Once you've ate more than half your bowl, you can get a broth that finished cooking your fish and turning the rice into porridge. The broth is savory and tangy, which gives it such a nice and refreshing flavor. We enjoyed both of these dishes a lot and it was fun to make your own handrolls. Then came the Mentai Pasta ($19), which is sadly one of the worst things I've ever ate. Not only was there barely any Mentai flavor, but the mayonnaise completely overpowered everything. I couldn't get over how I might as well have ate a spoonful of mayo on its own; that's how rich and heavy this dish was. The bacon was overcooked as well but somewhat cut all the mayo. I even tried to add some soy sauce but there was no saving this pasta. We ended up tossing the rest of the dish and I am not one to waste food. I even tried to complain to the waitress but she just ignored it. It was unfortunate because the other dishes we had were amazing. Luckily we were still able to end on a good note as we ordered the Oshiruko ($12) for dessert. This came with two scoops of matcha ice cream, grilled mochi, and red bean. Everything went well together and the matcha was strong. It's wild how good and bad some of the dishes were here. Definitely stick to the sushi and rice bowl dishes and whatever you do, DO NOT order the mentai pasta unless you love mayo.

    Photos
    Ozakaya - Bar

    Bar

    Ozakaya - Mentai Pasta (IG: @2chenzeats)

    Mentai Pasta (IG: @2chenzeats)

    Ozakaya - Ozakaya Donburi Set

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    Ozakaya Donburi Set

    Izakaya Nana

    Izakaya Nana

    4.4(979 reviews)
    6.3 mi•Downtown Flushing, Flushing
    •$$
    Established in 2023
    Full bar

    This is a really cool Izakaya that we came across after a festival that has really good food and…read moredrinks. It feels like a Tokyo alley way with different rooms for different groups of people. They can accommodate a large group of people where you can feel a little privacy from the main area. As far as food, this is pretty standard as far as Izakaya, but the main thing I say is truly worth it is the Tuna Trio Roll. Definitely worth it. We ordered some other items but I'd say that's the best roll you can get. We also ordered the Sushi Dragon Balls which is a fun looking dish. Just regular in my opinion. This place provides a great vibe with drinks and a bunch of Japanese izakaya food. It also provides a great vibe at the bar area as well.

    Really loved the interior of this place. It has such a great atmosphere and adds to the overall…read moredining experience. I came on a weekday and was seated right away. We got a booth, which was really comfortable for the two of us. They have some great lunch deals and I went with the Nana Special, which was perfect for someone like me who loves a little variety. We also ordered the truffle fries, karaage, and skewers. The Nana Special was beautifully presented and surprisingly filling. I really enjoyed all the different elements, textures, and flavors. It made for a fun and satisfying meal. Would definitely recommend checking this place out, especially for lunch!

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    Izakaya Nana
    Izakaya Nana
    Izakaya Nana

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    Izakaya Fuku - Seating and decorations

    Izakaya Fuku

    4.4(399 reviews)
    3.0 mi•Elmhurst
    •$$
    Casual dining
    Kitchen open late

    I was craving carbonara and it was after midnight. I almost gave up hope thinking nothing would be…read moreopen and my cravings wouldn't go unfulfilled. But at last, as I searched on DoorDash I stumbled upon this glorious restaurant they call Izakaya Fuku. I was drawn to the adorable names for their sushi roll dishes like "Strawberry Fields" and their Italian Japanese fusion pasta dishes, "Creamy Mentaiko Bacon Pasta" with creamy mayonnaise, spicy cod roe and bacon like are you kidding me? It's a bummer I wasn't more hunger or that I didn't have more bucks in my wallet because I wanted all these dishes. And the Chirashi Don, god it looks so beautiful the way that it's arranged in the photos online. I finally decided on the carbonara. And I was drawn to the fact that it was udon based. Now, I've just been living in hawaii these past years so that Japanese twist on an Italian dish that I just love oh so much really brought me back to missing the islands and the Asian spins they had on cuisines. Now my food may have not come in a jiffy but for after midnight cravings I'd say it was well worth the wait. And my oh my the portion was huge!!!! I slurped that big boy up. It was SOOO delicious and savory. I love comfort food and this had me in carbonara heaven. I loved indulging into every single last bite. By the looks of the picture the restaurant looks lovely, I'd love to stop there and try it in person. Thank you. Thank you! My belly and my heart are very much satisfied.

    Late arrival from LGA airport and we were hungry as this restaurant is close to the key 74th…read moreRoosevelt subway station. Opened til late. Japan vibes for sure. Dark. Poppy music. Covers and unique mixes. Big menu. Too big in my opinion. We got the karrage and beef pichana steak to start. Karrage was def better of the 2. Black garlic ramen was excellent and also the carbonara udon. Ramen preferred over the udon if you had to pick . Also topped off with a Sapporo. Nice cold draft. Definitely a good late night spot. Decor fun. Service good. Food mostly hits over misses

    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

    Izakaya Ajimi - Baker oysters

    Izakaya Ajimi

    4.2(168 reviews)
    8.2 mi•Bensonhurst
    •$$

    Everything before the ramen and beers feel kind of pricey and this place is cash only and the broth…read morebase is not the usual pork base but chicken base. The amount of noodles is decent and the toppings are pretty good the egg actually come with both half's rather than one like some places so that's good, my only gripe is that the cha siu isn't heated through after being served which tells me that they didn't torch it for long enough before serving. That usually also makes it less tender as the middle is still a little coagulated from being chilled prior. I would also assume that chicken broth is less calorie dense than pork so I also felt less guilty drinking it all. The staff is friendly and quick enough with the service and they also have rotation test menu items which is nice but there's a few items on their regular menu they are always out of like their oyster pancake

    Honestly prices were alright but quality was really lacking. The we got the #1 ramen and the deluxe…read moreramen (#1 with extra toppings) and flavor of broth was alright and noodles good but the pork chashu was not good at all, too tough and not enough flavor for $16 each. The scallops ($10) was not fried enough and nearly no flavor. The seafood pancake ($16) was most disappointing with no seafood toppings and all carrots/greens and soggy! Overall quite disappointing experience. It does not help that for such a modern looking decent sized establishment, it is forcibly CASH ONLY payment even with an ATM in the restaurant which is very odd

    Photos
    Izakaya Ajimi - Inside

    Inside

    Izakaya Ajimi - Experimental Menu - Maki Maki Chicken

    Experimental Menu - Maki Maki Chicken

    Izakaya Ajimi - Karage

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    Karage

    Konoha Yakitori Ramen and Sushi House - Asahi and miso soup

    Konoha Yakitori Ramen and Sushi House

    4.7(68 reviews)
    3.7 mi•Park Slope

    An absolute gem in South Park Slope!…read more We happened to be staying at a friend's place a few blocks away and was looking for something open on the later side with great food. We searched Yelp and came across Konoba Yakitori, and it absolutely hit the spot. My daughter and I loved our entire experience--everything from the food to the local neighborhood vibe to the incredibly friendly, attentive staff. Everything we ordered was fresh, cooked to perfection, and reasonably priced. We had the gyoza, edamame, Hamachi Lover, Ebi Shu Mai, and the $15 Beef Set (three beef skewers), accompanied by hot tea and Ramune. The beef skewers were a highlight--tender meat with seasoning that was spot-on. Warm, welcoming, prompt, and super efficient. The entire staff was friendly and accommodating, and our waiter was extremely helpful in guiding us through the menu. Top-tier service all around. The space is small and cozy with a simple, comfortable design. Seating is a bit tight and close to neighboring tables, but there's nothing wrong with being snug, rght? It gets busy, but customers tend to eat quickly, so even without reservations, the wait moves well. Most importantly, despite it being a intimate spot, we never felt rushed at all. It's simple, which is what makes it amazing. An incredible restaurant all around--I love this place and can't wait to return. Highly recommend!

    It's simple. Great service, food and ambiance…read more I love this place and can't wait to return. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

    Photos
    Konoha Yakitori Ramen and Sushi House - Interior

    Interior

    Konoha Yakitori Ramen and Sushi House - Smoked lamb chop yakatori--perfectly cooked with some char on the outside and perfectly juicy/tender inside.

    Smoked lamb chop yakatori--perfectly cooked with some char on the outside and perfectly juicy/tender inside.

    Konoha Yakitori Ramen and Sushi House

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    Tora

    Tora

    4.5(66 reviews)
    0.6 mi•Bushwick

    The reviews here are true! This place is bomb. The food has to be the most delicious ramen I've…read moreeaten in awhile and I eat a lot of ramen. Everything was delicious, hot and it was delivered quickly. The prices are up there however the food is worth it . I ordered a ramen bowl with the corn ribs. My partner ordered the salmon and I forget what the order item is called but damn it was good. Please stop by and give them a try it's absolutely worth the price

    Cuisine: 8 Service: 7…read moreDecor: 7 Value: 7 Overall: 8 Another Thai owned Japanese restaurant specializing in izakaya style cuisine in Bushwick. It's been open for a few years, so clearly it has a good enough formula to keep the neighborhood happy. I have been here once before, but returned last week after dining several meals at Tomoni in Jackson Heights. Apparently, the owners are friends. Nonetheless, I needed to make the comparison. After my first few bites of their Tora Don and Chirashi Don, it was clear that this restaurant has the better quality seafood. Each slice of sashimi had vibrant colors, clean taste, and the proper texture. Tomoni is not bad, but fall slightly short of this caliber. With that said, there is an even farther gap between their rice quality. Though Tora is very good, Tomoni produces nearly perfect texture and acidity for my taste buds. Other than the best omakase restaurants in NYC, Tomoni shines as one of the best versions of sushi rice in the five boroughs. Service is good and space is cute. If I have a craving for some decent Japanese food, I would drive 20 minutes here for a meal anytime.

    Photos
    Tora - Dining Area

    Dining Area

    Tora - Salmon Don

    Salmon Don

    Tora - Zaru Soba Chashudon Katsu Curry

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    Zaru Soba Chashudon Katsu Curry

    Za-Ya - ramen - Updated October 2026

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