17 Best Japanese Restaurants in New York

“Incredible food experience in a lovely space.Menu is extremely well curated, with excellent ingredients and surprising combinations.As a tuna lover, I found the Tuna Tartare incredible.Soy Butter Bigoli are out of this world.I can't wait to come back and check out the rest of the menu!“

“Absolutely amazing food was delicious and the attention of the staff unique.“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“This restaurant was once awarded three Michelin stars for ten consecutive years and is also a representative of New York's fusion cuisine style. They primarily blend Japanese and French culinary elements to create an out-of-the-box and unforgettable dining experience.In 2023, due to disputes between the owner and the former chef, resulting in the departure of the ex-chef, they were removed from the Michelin three-star list, sparking considerable attention and comments from diners. From my recent dining experience at the restaurant, their removal from the Michelin three-star list does not imply that they no longer meet the standards of a Michelin three-star restaurant. Rather, it's because they are now operating as a "new restaurant" after reorganizing their chef team, which should be in a "grade pending" status. Personally, I feel that in the 2024 Michelin ratings, they have a very high chance of regaining Michelin star status, even if not immediately returning to three stars.Overall, this restaurant is highly suitable for diners interested in tasting fusion cuisine that blends elements from around the world, as well as for chefs in the food industry seeking new ideas. Additionally, the restaurant's service is excellent, even among fine dining establishments, as the staff seamlessly combine professionalism and friendliness. The dining environment in the restaurant is also excellent. Whether enjoying food preparation at the bar or having a more intimate dining experience at a table, both options provide a great experience.Here are some highlights of the restaurant's strengths:1. The seafood dishes at the restaurant are outstanding, with subtle seasoning that highlights the natural flavors of the seafood. Some small garnishes add a finishing touch to the dishes, akin to the layers of fragrance in perfume, leaving a memorable impression.2. The restaurant operates very efficiently, with each dish transitioning smoothly, akin to a symphony, where one movement ends and the next begins at the appropriate time.3. The service at the restaurant is excellent, with the staff knowledgeable about the dishes and beverages, smoothly and warmly introducing each dish, leaving a special impression on the diners.4. The desserts at the restaurant are delicious, whether it's pastries, ice cream, or fruit, all displaying creativity.5. The non-alcoholic drinks are excellent, providing a great option for those who do not enjoy alcohol.Furthermore, the restaurant may have some areas for improvement:1. The meat dishes at the restaurant seem to be less impressive than the seafood dishes, especially the wagyu beef dish, which is not cooked to perfection, failing to highlight the characteristics of wagyu beef.2. The sea urchin and waffle dish show great creativity in combining Asian and European ingredients. However, the waffle seems too soft and cannot effectively hold the uni; I almost dropped the uni while eating. Moreover, both the waffle and uni have a heavy sweet taste and soft texture, lacking impact. Perhaps replacing them with different bread and uni combinations would be better.3. While each seafood dish has excellent flavor, the seasoning and presentation seem somewhat repetitive, giving a sense of redundancy. Perhaps experimenting with more diverse elements and variations would be beneficial.4. The restaurant does not offer bread, a common feature in many European restaurants. Although bread may not be particularly expensive, I believe it is an essential part of French and many European restaurant cuisines. With bread, diners can dip it into the soup, creating a special dining experience and balancing the flavors of some heavier dishes.In conclusion, it was a very enjoyable dining experience. I hope the restaurant regains its Michelin star status in 2024 and continues to explore the path of fusion cuisine, breaking through the limitations of traditional rating systems and textbooks, and continuing to be a representative of New York cuisine and a unique restaurant in the world.“

“Second to none! The ingredients are fresh and chef skills are world class.“

“The food is really very delicious, with all types of meat cooked perfect . However, some parts are too salty, especially the seasoning on the knee overpowering the flavor of the meat. The services are perfect, staff are very friendly and polite. Very good experience.“

“Every dish is creative, and it will make your taste buds feel different.“

“Staff was very friendly. Service was quick, but you don’t feel rushed out“

“Very good definitely worth the visit if you're in Manhattan.“

“Really enjoyed my experience here! I was running late for my reservation but they kindly accommodated me and let me sit at the bar for the lunch omakase special. I enjoyed all the pieces of sushi and the sake. My sister highly recommended this place to me, and I'll definitely be back!“

“The best homemade udon in town , strongly recommended“

“Ramen is good ! Soup is good not so oily Yakitori good with Asahi Beeru !“

“Hesitating to write this review only because it was such an amazing experience. Was surrounded by omakase heads including fans who had flown cross country or driven hours specifically for Nakaji. And after experiencing it firsthand I could understand why… the uni is a generationally procured treasure (generously served!), the hand roll was (not an exaggeration) the best I’ve had in my life, and the chef was more than happy to share in the revelry of his culinary masterpiece alongside his disciples. Oh not to mention the hospitality and warmth from the hosts (shoutout Sabrina!) and bartender at every step of the way. Wow… I guess I’m an Omakase head now too!“

“The meal is fast, the food is delicious, and the links are elegant and warm.“

“The food was good. But I was sad to not have a lot of the rare parts mentioned in the nytimes and older reviews like the ovary with inlaid egg and the rooster crown. The rarity was what I was really looking for at this kind of price point. Chicken belly skin was one of my favorite yakitoris of the night. Seeing the cooking done over the grill was amazing. It was also a nice and lively atmosphere unlike other omakases establishment, which I enjoyed.“

“Great food very good service“

“Haven’t eaten this well since I was last actually in Japan late 2019 before you know what! Loved the Korean flavoured belly pork.“