This was the best sushi meal I have ever had, Tokyo or otherwise. Seriously, this was up there with Jiro. Finally a place that doesn’t do omakase with a menu - we simply sat down, ordered omakase and put ourselves in the chefs hands - and boy did he deliver. Every piece of fish was perfect. The Uni was flown in from Hokkaido that day. When we left, we were stuffed full and deeply satisfied with a true omakase experience like I had as a child growing up with a dad who spoke Japanese. Unbelievable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Course
Vien Nguyen
150 usd per 1 plate, 2x150 ++ =391 usd for 2 plates as the picture! Never come back again! It not omakase restaurant! Be careful!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Michael Appleby
Great lunch spot. Eat here probably more frequently than I should. The sushi is very good, the owners are nice, service is great. Highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi Deluxe
Lauren Rodriguez
The lunch sushi platter was excellent, service was quick but also warm. Great little escape from a day at the office.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Voyage48635043165
Kurma Zushi, under the mastery of Mr. Uezu, a seasoned sushi chef from Tokyo, is a testament to traditional sushi craftsmanship. Operating since 1971, it offers an unparalleled, purist sushi experience. The sashimi served here is, without a doubt, the most exquisite I've tasted in New York. While it may not boast a Michelin star, it unquestionably deserves one. If you're seeking an authentic cultural escapade and sushi that will linger in your dreams, make it a priority to visit Kurma Zushi. With whispers of the chef, his wife, and sous chef's potential retirement, it's an experience you won't want to delay. Money might buy fine dining elsewhere, but here it buys a memory.
Lifou T
Excellent value lunch sets. Very good quality of fish. I remember it once even had a Michelin star - but that was around 15 times ago and obviously those times are long gone. However, it's still a very solid option for lunch in Midtown.
Lauren
Great experience 10/10 for authentic fresh sushi
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arthur F.
Poor quality. Very expensive. And WAY overpriced. We were shocked when the bill came for a meal that included fatty tuna that felt past its prime, among other questionable, à la carte items. Avoid!
Dede F.
This place is the real deal. Fish "flown in from Japan". We had the most AMAZING toro, yellow tail, salmon roe, tomago and miso soup. The ginger and wasabi are totally fresh and light!It would be enough that the food was amazing the staff and chefs are friendly and so polite. Everyone greeted us at one point or another. Don't be deterred by the second floor location. This is one of the best kept secrets in New York.
James Hall
Really really good sushi. Came in before the rush and was served very well. Informative sushi chef, everyone seemed genuinely interested in whether I enjoyed it.Was very expensive, but also very worth it. And the price isn't a secret, listed right on their online menu ?.Wheelchair accessibility: None, up a flight of narrow stairs.
Overall disappointing experience. Went with my daughter for lunch as she really enjoys sushi and eats wildly and with abandon. We ordered broadly (as we often do) taking turns to let the server know what we wanted. Always making certain that there were two pieces. The selection was pretty standard for a restaurant at this price point. Nothing stood out but the rice was cooked/seasoned well and the fish was decent quality. It was late at lunch so the bar was empty besides a pair of businessmen. The chef handed my daughter a hand roll (I did not remember ordering a hand roll but whatever), then handed me one. Right at that moment the server spoke in Japanese and the chef RIPPED the hand roll out of my hand and spoke angrily to the server From what I gather - there had been some confusion and the pair of businessmen had ordered the handrolls. The chef tossed the handroll (that had been taken from me) on the counter and proceeded to continue speaking angrily with the server. At this point I am ready to leave. I asked for the check, unsure if I ever received my full order. My bill was $321.30 without tip. For that kind of money for lunch the chef could have let the f'ing handroll go. What a miserable experience from a bitter old man. My daughter is 11 and was very uncomfortable with that moment. The kicker was that I watched the chef PICK UP THE HANDROLL THAT I HELD CARRY IT OVER TO WHERE THE OTHER GUESTS COULD NOT SEE HIM THEN REWRAP IT AND SERVE IT. If this is the standard then I can only imagine what else is going on in this place. I cooked for some time in restaurants and I understand the concept of not wasting food. In my home parsley stems, chicken bones, onion peels etc. are all reused. But there is a hygiene level and I would not want to eat food that was held by some random guest in a restaurant. As far as the food itself - decent enough but overpriced and certainly not world class by any standard. I've been fortunate to eat quite a bit of higher end sushi in a number of cities. Had the unfortunate incident not happened - this is the kind of place I would not object to if invited but would not go on my own accord. With that glaringly poor customer service/food hygiene I would not venture here again by a long shot. The server was nice and the sushi/sashimi was decent enough. I like traditional sushi joints and barring the hygiene problem this was the attempt here. Wont be back. Ever.
Mateo Ortegon
Worth every penny. The real deal - best sushi and sashimi I ever had, Omasake style. Incredible quality and care.
MaxD87
Most dinners start at hundred and change, ouch. Omakase starts at 300 which is a lot. I mean it better be good at this price. The chef does not splurge and give you lots of Toro and huge chuck of King Crab but I think I only got 10 or 12 pieces for my Omakase and I was not full but my wallet was empty so I went to nearby more affordable sushi restaurant afterwards. The sushi is fresh and quite good but don’t expect special seasoning or even a brush of soy sauce, it’s simply fish and rice, very traditional. Service is on and off. For instance, the manager very friendly but server did not bother pouring my drink. And why can’t they tell you how many pieces in Omakase lol?
Andrea Domanski
This place was fantastic. We sat at the sushi bar where the chef of something like 40 years immediately asked us if we wanted a menu or if he should just choose for us. We opted for both, ordering something from the menu and leaving the rest up to him. He was amazing, making one piece for each of us, explaining what it was and the best way to eat it (soy sauce or no soy sauce), and it was all really fantastic. The cuts of fish are top notch, as are all the ingredients. I've never seen better anywhere. It's pretty pricey, though. For two of us, the bill was over $400 before tip. For us, it was well worth the cost, and we ate a lot of sushi.
DJ O.
We had a stellar lunch at this little upstairs gem while we were in New York recently. The sushi chef is incredible and the fish is some of the freshest we've ever had. We definitely will be returning when we go back in the next couple weeks!
This was the best sushi meal I have ever had, Tokyo or otherwise. Seriously, this was up there with Jiro. Finally a place that doesn’t do omakase with a menu - we simply sat down, ordered omakase and put ourselves in the chefs hands - and boy did he deliver. Every piece of fish was perfect. The Uni was flown in from Hokkaido that day. When we left, we were stuffed full and deeply satisfied with a true omakase experience like I had as a child growing up with a dad who spoke Japanese. Unbelievable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase Course
150 usd per 1 plate, 2x150 ++ =391 usd for 2 plates as the picture! Never come back again! It not omakase restaurant! Be careful!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Great lunch spot. Eat here probably more frequently than I should. The sushi is very good, the owners are nice, service is great. Highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi Deluxe
The lunch sushi platter was excellent, service was quick but also warm. Great little escape from a day at the office.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kurma Zushi, under the mastery of Mr. Uezu, a seasoned sushi chef from Tokyo, is a testament to traditional sushi craftsmanship. Operating since 1971, it offers an unparalleled, purist sushi experience. The sashimi served here is, without a doubt, the most exquisite I've tasted in New York. While it may not boast a Michelin star, it unquestionably deserves one. If you're seeking an authentic cultural escapade and sushi that will linger in your dreams, make it a priority to visit Kurma Zushi. With whispers of the chef, his wife, and sous chef's potential retirement, it's an experience you won't want to delay. Money might buy fine dining elsewhere, but here it buys a memory.
Excellent value lunch sets. Very good quality of fish. I remember it once even had a Michelin star - but that was around 15 times ago and obviously those times are long gone. However, it's still a very solid option for lunch in Midtown.
Great experience 10/10 for authentic fresh sushi
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Poor quality. Very expensive. And WAY overpriced. We were shocked when the bill came for a meal that included fatty tuna that felt past its prime, among other questionable, à la carte items. Avoid!
This place is the real deal. Fish "flown in from Japan". We had the most AMAZING toro, yellow tail, salmon roe, tomago and miso soup. The ginger and wasabi are totally fresh and light!It would be enough that the food was amazing the staff and chefs are friendly and so polite. Everyone greeted us at one point or another. Don't be deterred by the second floor location. This is one of the best kept secrets in New York.
Really really good sushi. Came in before the rush and was served very well. Informative sushi chef, everyone seemed genuinely interested in whether I enjoyed it.Was very expensive, but also very worth it. And the price isn't a secret, listed right on their online menu ?.Wheelchair accessibility: None, up a flight of narrow stairs.
Restaurantji Recommends
Overall disappointing experience. Went with my daughter for lunch as she really enjoys sushi and eats wildly and with abandon. We ordered broadly (as we often do) taking turns to let the server know what we wanted. Always making certain that there were two pieces. The selection was pretty standard for a restaurant at this price point. Nothing stood out but the rice was cooked/seasoned well and the fish was decent quality. It was late at lunch so the bar was empty besides a pair of businessmen. The chef handed my daughter a hand roll (I did not remember ordering a hand roll but whatever), then handed me one. Right at that moment the server spoke in Japanese and the chef RIPPED the hand roll out of my hand and spoke angrily to the server From what I gather - there had been some confusion and the pair of businessmen had ordered the handrolls. The chef tossed the handroll (that had been taken from me) on the counter and proceeded to continue speaking angrily with the server. At this point I am ready to leave. I asked for the check, unsure if I ever received my full order. My bill was $321.30 without tip. For that kind of money for lunch the chef could have let the f'ing handroll go. What a miserable experience from a bitter old man. My daughter is 11 and was very uncomfortable with that moment. The kicker was that I watched the chef PICK UP THE HANDROLL THAT I HELD CARRY IT OVER TO WHERE THE OTHER GUESTS COULD NOT SEE HIM THEN REWRAP IT AND SERVE IT. If this is the standard then I can only imagine what else is going on in this place. I cooked for some time in restaurants and I understand the concept of not wasting food. In my home parsley stems, chicken bones, onion peels etc. are all reused. But there is a hygiene level and I would not want to eat food that was held by some random guest in a restaurant. As far as the food itself - decent enough but overpriced and certainly not world class by any standard. I've been fortunate to eat quite a bit of higher end sushi in a number of cities. Had the unfortunate incident not happened - this is the kind of place I would not object to if invited but would not go on my own accord. With that glaringly poor customer service/food hygiene I would not venture here again by a long shot. The server was nice and the sushi/sashimi was decent enough. I like traditional sushi joints and barring the hygiene problem this was the attempt here. Wont be back. Ever.
Worth every penny. The real deal - best sushi and sashimi I ever had, Omasake style. Incredible quality and care.
Most dinners start at hundred and change, ouch. Omakase starts at 300 which is a lot. I mean it better be good at this price. The chef does not splurge and give you lots of Toro and huge chuck of King Crab but I think I only got 10 or 12 pieces for my Omakase and I was not full but my wallet was empty so I went to nearby more affordable sushi restaurant afterwards. The sushi is fresh and quite good but don’t expect special seasoning or even a brush of soy sauce, it’s simply fish and rice, very traditional. Service is on and off. For instance, the manager very friendly but server did not bother pouring my drink. And why can’t they tell you how many pieces in Omakase lol?
This place was fantastic. We sat at the sushi bar where the chef of something like 40 years immediately asked us if we wanted a menu or if he should just choose for us. We opted for both, ordering something from the menu and leaving the rest up to him. He was amazing, making one piece for each of us, explaining what it was and the best way to eat it (soy sauce or no soy sauce), and it was all really fantastic. The cuts of fish are top notch, as are all the ingredients. I've never seen better anywhere. It's pretty pricey, though. For two of us, the bill was over $400 before tip. For us, it was well worth the cost, and we ate a lot of sushi.
We had a stellar lunch at this little upstairs gem while we were in New York recently. The sushi chef is incredible and the fish is some of the freshest we've ever had. We definitely will be returning when we go back in the next couple weeks!