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Otafuku x Medetai

(Now Closed)

Japanese Restaurant, Snack Place, and Asian Restaurant$$$$

East Village, New York

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Otafuku x Medetai

The experts at Village Voice and The Corcoran Group recommend this place

141 Tips and reviews

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CassidyDecember 13, 2014
Been here 5+ times
looking for Japanese drunk food? this is it. and this is the best. get the combo B: okonominyaki with pork (you want that crispy bacon!) and takoyaki with extra bonito flakes (aka fish bacon)
Chefs FeedAugust 3, 2016
"Slather up the takoyaki with kewpie mayo, okonomiyaki sauce, and bonito, and you have pure umami. If only they sold alcohol; then you could wash it down with a beer or sake!" - Chef Tien Ho Read more
Brodie OlmsteadNovember 27, 2016
Love this grab and go spot! The takoyaki was yummy and made to order. Make sure to ask for extra bonito flakes. Grab a combo for the full experience!
Leo SumulongSeptember 26, 2018
Probably my favorite place to go for Japanese street food when I want something other than ramen or izakaya. Get your takoyaki (fried octopus croquettes) with lots of sauce and bonito flakes.
Ghassan AlkharboushJune 4, 2016
The okonomiyaki is fried vegetables with either shrimp or bacon plus bonito flakes and their sauces. The vegetables were light and crunchy, the shrimp added a bit of chewiness. Sauces are amazing
Stephanie P.April 19, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Takoyaki balls!!!! Octopus are the best as that's how they're traditionally made, but they also come with squid, beef, pork, cheese and plain. Cash only and no sit down - but still AMAZING!!!
Stephanie P.April 17, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Amazing takoyaki (octopus balls with bonito [fish] flakes, homemade mayo, seaweed powder and Japanese BBQ sauce!!) - food is takeout and it's a capacity of 3 customers at a time inside!
Kevin O'NeillMay 24, 2015
The noodles (yakisoba) or the pancake (okonomiyaki) are both too good to miss. Lucky for us you can get a combo! With a side medetai for dessert of course...
TomOctober 10, 2016
New location does not have the same vibe as the original. Pass on their taiyaki, shells are thin and they are not molded together well. Go for takoyaki (if fresh), the okomomiyaki and yakisoba.
Ghassan AlkharboushJune 4, 2016
The takoyaki here is ridiculously good. The dumplings texture is softer than marshmallows and then u get the chewiness of the octopus. The dumplings really brings out the flavor of the octopus.
Nastya MJuly 14, 2019
I’d never been to the “old spot” referred here by some, so can’t compare. But as for now, it is a good street food spot with decent cheap food and no bathroom, but a sanitizer on the counter.
New York HabitatNovember 2, 2011
A Japanese hole in the wall in the East Village good for a quick snack. Order the Takoyaki. You'll wonder what on earth you're eating and why it's so delicious. (Hint: it's fried octopus dumplings)
Brooklyn UnitedJune 19, 2013
Osaka style street food. Takoyaki, grilled bits of octopus cooked into a ball of batter. Okonomiyaki, Japanese for "What you love, grilled" is a savory Japanese pancake. Unique and delicious!
BuzzFeedApril 11, 2014
Takoyaki are Japanese fried balls of savory pancake-like patter, with octopus in the middle. They’re served piping hot with gooey insides, and covered in a bunch of sauces and bonito flakes
The Corcoran GroupMarch 23, 2012
If you haven’t tried Takoyaki yet, drop everything and go now to enjoy the savory octopus balls served up here. Still hungry, order Okonomiyaki with pork or squid.
Meir SadanJuly 30, 2013
Takoyaki + Okonomiyaki or Yakisoba = 😻 Get it to go and eat it at Cooper Square (There's a nice seating area to the west of the Cooper Union foundation building)
TEV NYCOctober 9, 2012
Enjoy delicious and authentic Japanese street food, made fresh and ready to go. Make sure to try the popular takoyaki octopus balls (six balls for $5) made from boiled and diced octopus.
AmateurConciergeNovember 15, 2015
Cheap Japanese street food (not exactly FAST food) that's super authentic and unique. Didn't love the yakisoba (like Lo mein) but dug the okonomiyaki
Ghassan AlkharboushJune 5, 2016
The red bean medetai are made of a thin layer of bread and a ridiculous amount of filling. The filling wasnt too sweet nor to savoury but perfectly balanced in between. Definitely give it a go.
Jin MoonMay 14, 2015
Their takoyaki is real delicious along with their okomomyaki but it is a long wait sometimes to get the okomomyaki....
COOLHAUSJuly 15, 2012
Bringing the street foods of Japan to NYC, Otafuku is our favorite place to grab a quick bite to eat before AND after grabbing drinks with friends in the East Village!
Zeynep ZOctober 28, 2011
If youre in a hurry get takoyaki to go, if you have some time to spare wait for an okonomiyaki w squid and everything on top !!! Also try 　ラムネ(ramune) the bubbly
Chris LApril 17, 2014
Takoyaki are Japanese fried balls of savory pancake-like patter, with octopus in the middle (they look a little like Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins).
VladMay 5, 2018
This place is really authentic. Get a combo of okonomiyaki and yakisoba 😋
Real Cheap EatsNovember 5, 2012
Takoyaki ($5) may not sound appetizing, but they're worth trying. Pieces of octopus are enrobed in wheat flour, and covered in mayo, a smoky “barbecue” sauce, dried seaweed and bonito flakes. Read more
Ina LiMarch 12, 2015
It's not the best but it's good enough for some authentic Japanese snacks! The new matcha cake is so so. Enjoying sitting outside with friends and eat
Lori LuoAugust 10, 2014
Get the takoyaki while it's still piping hot. You can order okonomiyaki and udon as well.
Matt SzenicsApril 2, 2012
It can be a mouthful if you're not into trying new things out. Flavor explosion! (The Octopus balls and that pancake thing are delicious)
Alice faultcoreOctober 6, 2015
Amazing takoyaki, same as in Osaka, it was a pleasant experience to find takoyaki&soba in NYC
Sophie OmnomJune 30, 2016
Everything is great! My favorite takoyaki (octopus balls) but the whole menu is solid
Joe MulliganJune 2, 2011
You haven't gone balls-out until you've had their octopus Takoyaki. B combo with the pancake. You're not listening if you read the same tip from 30 other peeple here and haven't tried it.
Tim DengJuly 3, 2018
Quick, delicious takoyaki and Japanese pancakes w seafood
Teddy LuFebruary 17, 2015
hot, crispy outside, chewy inside, cheap, tasty. a must cheap eat in the east village!
Michael TApril 5, 2013
The guys who work here said to get the pork (and never the squid). The yakisoba isn't as filling as the okonomiyaki
Katherine ChiuJune 3, 2015
The biggest takoyaki I've ever had. Worth the price. Favorite hole in the wall joint when I need more food after a meal
David HuMay 31, 2015
Takoyaki is weird in between: a bit too much for a snack, a bit too little for its own meal. Combos way too filling for one though. Delicious any way.
Lauren LeeMay 13, 2014
The food here isn't as good as it was when it first opened at it's original location. Sad because it used to be the best!
Amy ParkOctober 23, 2017
Favorite takoyaki spot in Manhattan. Must try!
Andrei KryssovFebruary 12, 2016
Simple menu. Delicious quick bite. Red bean medetai is 👌
DSeptember 8, 2015
Nutella and banana filling. I've definitely had way better ones before
Doug ByrneMay 12, 2017
Nice for a snack. Takoyaki, Taiyaki, and Okonomiyaki are all good.
simon sOctober 25, 2014
Been here 5+ times
New place lacks the charm of the old but the takoyaki is still delicious
P.M. RoanhouseNovember 10, 2010
Sadly Baltimore does not have otafuku so I made a point to come here at least once every trip to NYC . Combo B squid + extra bento flakes for the wins!
LorettaSeptember 12, 2013
Cute little Takoyaki stand. Sign says fits only 3 people so wait outside! Reminds me of Japan :)
Melody HanAugust 17, 2011
Their takeout okonomiyaki is the best in the city. No place to sit, though, so plan to hunker down nearby.
Stephen ChangJanuary 15, 2012
Been here 10+ times
One of the few places where you can get fresh hot taiyaki (red bean pastry in fish shape)
Paul BrennerJune 28, 2014
Enjoy the stylized logo of a rabbit with a lead going up its butt. Nature is beautiful.
Omer ZachSeptember 28, 2014
Try the red bean-filled, fish-shaped taiyaki pastry thing.
Thanh LeMay 6, 2014
Their takoyaki (octopus ball) is unforgettable. Love it!
Mark BirchFebruary 2, 2012
Try to let the takoyaki cool before you put in your mouth, you might burn your mouth, like I did...

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Otafuku x Medetai

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