1. Secchu Yokota
9.2
199 E 3rd St (at Ave B), New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · Alphabet City · 13 tips and reviews
Alyssa B.: Delicious tempura omakase! The food, intimate atmosphere (just 6 seatings) and the amazing staff make it an amazing unforgettable experience.
Vicki Bloom: Eight seat, fixed seating, open kitchen tempura omakase with French-influenced appetizers and dessert. Great experience.
Dustin Lee: You will end up blowing a ton of money here (unless you're highly disciplined and stick with the base option), but you will also be served an impeccably prepared meal. Good spot for special occasions
3. Yakiniku West
8.8
218 E 9th St (btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave), New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · East Village · 85 tips and reviews
Jay Putera: The best Yakiniku in town, Don't miss their Sunday Kobe beef Special
Tasayu Tasnaphun: The specials here are awesome! Come Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday!
Andrew Curtis: sake bombs with the wait staff
4. Izakaya
8.2
326 E 6th St, New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · East Village · 17 tips and reviews
Damon Sununtnasuk: Incredible neighborhood izakaya. Feels no frills, yet sleek and modern. The food was super legit - loved the cold tofu, sea scallop sashimi. In Japanese tradition, no tipping!
Cheap Best Hidden: Ask the waiter what’s good. They actually know. Peep the specials. Read more.
Dan: Get the addictive or extra addictive cabbage and chicken nanbans
6. Oh! Taisho
7.9
9 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 2nd Ave & 3rd Ave), New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · East Village · 44 tips and reviews
Russell Hirschorn: Scallop bacon, quail egg bacon, pork belly with shishito and scallion yakitori. Supa tuna don and kimchi udon noodles. If you are three get an okonomaki. Hot Sake. Excellent prices, great value.
Lori Luo: Nearly identical to Yakitori Taisho a few doors down, Oh! Taisho has a solid line up of yakitori, noodles and rice-based dishes, and sake. Come early to avoid the line.
Cyn Meji: Everything is good better with Sake
10. Benemon
7.7
108 E 4th St (btwn 1st Ave & 2nd Ave), New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · East Village · 22 tips and reviews
Dana U: Cozy Japanese comfort food place, good for a nice conversation
Ella 🤓: The Tsukimi Tori Don is absolutly amazing!
Adrien: New EV spot with great ambiance and even better donburi (rice bowls). The popcorn chicken one was the bomb, I'll be back soon to try the rest. Get one of their mice wooden spoons for easier scooping!
11. Ichibantei
7.5
401 E 13th St (at 1st Ave), New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · East Village · 35 tips and reviews
Natalie Lin: Delicious, home-style Japanese dishes. Simple but extremely well executed. Get the tonkatsu!
Tian Xie: Possibly the only Japanese place with a major Bob Marley theme in NYC.
Yuri Kim: one of my new favorite places in the neighborhood . Chicken nanban, Ichibantei ramen, oyakodonburi and ice cold beer.
13. Yakitori Taisho
7.4
5 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave), New York, NY
Japanese Restaurant · East Village · 187 tips and reviews
Damon Sununtnasuk: Legit yakitori. Delicious Japanese fried chicken!!
stephiedoo: Chicken skin, chicken meatballs, pork, and the chicken gizzard. Tasty! Love this little place with all its offerings!
Bravo: They have the best fried octopus balls - it's breaded in rice flour and fried and finished with BBQ sauce and some sort of mayo and then topped with bonito flakes. -Ed Cotton, Top Chef