New York's Best Japanese, 2010

Hey, Chefs Sono-san and Abe-san are ready to cook for you -- so what are you waiting for? Whew, it's been over two years since I posted a list of my favorite Japanese restaurants in New York -- an update is way overdue. (Thanks to all the readers who've been nudging me). So much has changed since the original post: a flood of new restaurants, a mindboggling variety of Japanese food, from rarified to "B.Q." ("b' quality gourmet," as it's called in Japan). There is no other city in North America where you can find the richness and depth of Japanese cooking that exists in New York. Here are my ten favorite restaurants, listed in alphabetical order:

Aburiya Kinnosuke This stylish restaurant specializes in robata grilling, plus a slew of seasonal dishes. Make sure to try the tsukune, the grilled chicken meatball. (213 E 45th St betw 2nd and 3rd, 212-867-5454)

EN Japanese Brasserie Chef Abe, on the left in the photo, cooks a sophisticated take on izakaya cuisine at this hip and beautiful downtown spot run by my pals Jesse and Reika Alexander. I love everything on the menu, from the fresh tofu to wagyu beef, plus sommelier Taka's sake picks. (435 Hudson St at Leroy, 212-647-9196)

Kajitsu Opened by a historic fu maker from Kyoto (fu is wheat gluten), Kajitsu specializes in shojin ryori, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, with a sublime seasonal menu that changes monthly. (414 East 9th St betw 1st and A, 212-228-4873)

Kyo Ya Chef Sono, on the right in the photo, cooks dazzling contemporary Japanese cuisine at this incredible Michelin-starred restaurant. My wife and I love sitting at the dining counter and watching Sono-san in action. (94 East 7th St betw 1st and A, 212-982-4140)

Matsuri My friend and co-author Tadashi Ono runs this terrific upscale izakaya set in a dramatic subterranean space. Make sure to try Tadashi's hot pots in the fall and winter, and all the other amazing dishes he cooks. Don't forget Tadashi's huge sake selection. (369 West 16th St at 9th, 212-243-6400)

Minca My wife and I love this ramen joint, which specializes in Kyushu-style ramen, with its rich pork stock. (536 East 5th St, betw A and B, 212-505-8001)

Sakagura Hidden in the basement of a nondescript midtown office building, Sakagura has one of the largest sake collections in America, plus a fantastic small-plate izakaya menu. Their soba at lunch is also wonderful. (211 East 43rd St, betw 2nd and 3rd, 212-953-7253)

SobaKoh The chef who makes the Tokyo-style soba here is the real deal -- he cuts his soba by hand and serves it with mouthwatering tsuyu, soba dipping sauce. (309 East 5th St, betw 1st and 2nd, 212-254-2244)

Sushi Zen My wife and I don't go out for sushi very often, but when we do, we make a beeline to Chef Suzuki's counter at Sushi Zen, our vote for the best in the city. (108 West 44th St, betw 6th and 7th, 212-302-0707)

Yakitori Totto Long wait sometimes, yes, but the authentic yakitori here is worth it. (251 West 55th St, betw Broadway and 8th, 212-245-4555)

Here are a few other notable spots to check out: Takashi, Curry-Ya, Totto Ramen, Robataya, Tori Shin and Cha-An

What are your favorites? Please list them in the comments!

Posted by Harris Salat in New York | Permalink | Comments (12) | Email | Print

Comments (12)

Thank you for posting this incredible list! You're lucky to have so many great places nearby.

Risa | Posted 19:46 11 September 2010

This is not for those who reside in New york but for those of us in Montrea, or who intend to visit, hands-down the only restaurant that has line-ups out the door and into the street is Kazu on St Catherine St - an izakaya where each and every dish is a hit...I know I have eaten all of them...and of course the best seat is at the counter watching the action. The most expensive dish weighs in at 15 bucks: the kicker is his tapas plates are big enough for two.

Natalie Sztern | Posted 11:47 12 September 2010

Yay! Some of my favorite Japanese places made the list! Huge fan of Matsuri, Totto, and EN! Funny that you only mention Sushi Zen in your list. I haven't been to it particularly but have been to many other great sushi restaurants in the city - Gari, Yasuda, Ushiwakamaru, Sasabune. Any particular reason why Sushi Zen is better than everywhere else? I'm curious!

Sherry | Posted 17:53 12 September 2010

Omen in SoHo is wonderful every time. Try their set Dinner of the Season. Devoted clientele.

Katrina | Posted 21:36 12 September 2010

love riki (on 45th) for izakaya

asiansupper | Posted 10:53 13 September 2010

Perfect timing--I'll be in New York next week and, as usual, on the prowl for Japanese food. Thanks!

Catherine | Posted 13:35 13 September 2010

I love Kajitsu. The chef is very nice too. What do you think about Ippudo? I've never been there but my friends are crazy about the ramen store.

EMK | Posted 22:30 13 September 2010

Great list. For various reasons - not exclusively the food - I would have to add Shimizu (sushi), Ippudo (ramen), Tsukushi (washoku?), and Ariyoshi (izakaya).

Marco Ajello | Posted 18:22 14 September 2010

Thanks for posting this. Once the U.N. G.A. is done, I'll start trying the midtown east place.

Jimmy | Posted 15:29 18 September 2010

Just stopping through. Love your site. Keep up the good work.

thesoulofjapan | Posted 06:43 27 September 2010

Hi, very interesting post, greetings from Greece!

skescibigrace | Posted 12:40 04 December 2010

--I like Izakaya Ten over on 10th Avenue....cause I can hop in next door for Spanish Tapas while waiting for a seat which is quite frequently the case. --For late night food, Village Yokocho. Simple, cheap, and always a terrific young and vibrant atmosphere. --Sushi Yasuda....whenever I remortgage the house, but worth it for sincere, real sushi --Kajitsu - the restaurant that almost makes me WANT to be vegetarian. Deserves every accolade they get....and a nicer couple you will not meet.

Michael McNicholas | Posted 08:32 18 January 2011

Post a Comment

Name

Email Address

URL

Remember personal info?

Comments (You may use HTML tags for style)

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.