Kuma Inn
(Now Closed)Asian Restaurant and Filipino Restaurant$$$$
Lower East Side, New York
The experts at Time Out New York and Village Voice recommend this place
102 Tips and reviews
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Bin YangJune 19, 2015BYOB - grab some beers nearby from Top Hops and have a blast. Anything here recommended on the menu is great but if available all the skate, pork belly, and scallop dishes are fantastic. Cash only!
Time Out New YorkFebruary 1, 2012Impress your date at this intimate dinner spot, which offers shareable Asian “tapas” created by chef King Phojanakong. The small plates are also affordable, with most in the $7–$12 range. Read more
Amy CoatesFebruary 7, 2016Tuna tartare is great. Edamame is an awesome twist from traditional with lime and basil. Rice crepes were also great, crispy on the outside, chewy inside with a killer sauce. Coconut rice yum too!
Untapped CitiesNovember 16, 2014Run by King Phojanakong, Kuma Inn offers an Asian tapas-style experience, with several smaller dishes. They have several signature dishes on the menu, from a yellowfin tuna tartare to grilled salmon. Read more
TingOctober 31, 2015BYOB. Easy to miss as its tucked away on the second floor above a bar. Don't miss the chinese sausage, garlic rice, lechon, pancit. Staff is awesome.
Absolute nom. Inspired by Filipino & Thai influences, Chef King Phojanakong creates tastiness like scallops w bacon & kalamansi & lechon kawali. Go thru the unmarked door & upstairs to find this gem.
Alex KoplinNovember 16, 2013Call in advance to ensure you have a table, I recommend the strip steak if they have it-- it has this universal grandma's homemade flavor that can't be beat.
Jeremy KuriloffAugust 23, 2013Easy to miss - go through the red doors and up the stairs! Mushrooms/bamboo was delicious, but the reason to come here is the "hidden" vibe + BYOB!!
EmilyFebruary 16, 2013If you like key lime pie, try the kalamansi custard tarts. It's a soft custard cream made with the kalamansi fruit, a Filipino lime.
Marta D.May 25, 2013Tiny, but you can find nights to go without much wait. Everything great - especially rice crepes, Chinese sausage, and tuna tartare! BYOB w/ low corkage, but cash only.
Jamie WitoverNovember 23, 2011LOVE THIS PLACE! Everything I've had here has been fantastic! The rice crepes and the sauteed chinese sausage are my favorites. Delish! And it's byob so the bill is always so reasonable.
Village VoiceMarch 5, 2014Village Voice is proud to welcome Kuma Inn to the 2014 Choice Eats food fest!
Heidi TJune 18, 2013Hard to find but well worth it. Great atmosphere. Highly recommend the tuna tartar, Chinese sausage and the garlic rice is fab. Everything was great.
Soo YooDecember 30, 2012I would go back if only for the garlic rice. Contrary to popular opinion, the pork bun would only be good if you've never tried any other pork bun in NYC. It's huge and very filling though.
Johannes SchunterSeptember 15, 2013Drunken Shrimp, Chinese Sausage and Shrimp dumplings! If you take the tuna tartar, make sure you get it before anything else, as it works more like a salad.
Oh my goodness Chinese sausage with chili lime sauce is heavenly dish. Amazing flavors in everything. BYOB but they have beer and wine too. Yum yum yum.
Sandra RubinchikNovember 16, 2014The atmosphere is trendy but really relaxed. Bring a group of close friends and share a bunch of these Asian small plates. Picky eaters beware.
Andrew ChoiAugust 12, 2015I'd recommend the rice crepes and the tofu, but the wings and the garlic shrimp were forgettable. Love that it's BYOB.- Brad LNovember 13, 2012Don't sleep on the rice crepes and the chicken wings adobo. Get some sticky rice to ball up and dunk in the wing sauce. Eat with your hands!
Shan PooviriyakulAugust 18, 2010A great twist on Filipino food. As a Filipino I've never found Filipino food to be so delicate until now. Love the fried pork belly and the pancit was nice and tart. MUST try the thai chili ice cream!
Mallory StantonNovember 25, 2015Chinese sausage and the rice crepes are where it's at. Cash only. BYO saké.
Abner AcevesJanuary 22, 2016BYOB! a hidden jem in LES/Chinatown, small place but get reservations ahead of time for bigger groups
Amazing hidden gem in the LES don't miss the tuna tartare and don't forget to byob!
Eric MacDonaldJune 27, 2019Really good, hip spot. I don’t like tuna and thought the tuna tartar was incredible
Regina ConnorsAugust 6, 2010There's a very good reason that everyone raves about the Chinese sausage. The flavors of it are amazingly complex and satisfying. But the scallops with bacon, kalamansi and saki is orgasmic!- Fabien ButazziFebruary 10, 2014The coconut and lemongrass panna cotta was fantastic but I can't say the same for the rest: inedibly burned pork belly and overcooked octopus. I'm sure it's just very unfortunate but still... :(
RACHELISTAMay 19, 2011Tiny asian tapas restaurant - seats about 20 tops. Chinese sausage, pork buns, and coconut rice are some of my faves. Never disappoints.
DensJuly 19, 2011Feels more cool than the food is good (hidden staircase, no sign). Pass on the paella, but shoot for the chinese sausages. ps: BYOB.- Village VoiceDecember 20, 2010This Choice Eats attendee brought Adobo & Atcharra: Pork Belly braised in soy, vinegar and garlic with pickled vegetables
Charles BJune 10, 2010love this place. the chinese sausage will change your life. drunken spicy shrimp, pork buns, and the garlic rice are also musts. Do it.
Michael LearmonthSeptember 24, 2011Seafood is the way to go here - scallops, shrimp, tuna excellent. Great gluten-free menu- Adam SiroisAugust 18, 2012food is light and delicious. chinese sausage, pork dumplings, coconut rice
Nikki 🌺January 27, 2011Try the pork buns, rice crepes, And Chinese sausage. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Yum!
Melissa Basu GordonOctober 11, 2012Rice crepes are delicious. Garlic rice okay, its exactly that. Another vote for sausage.
I cannot get enough of the mussels in kaffir-lemongrass gravy and the Chinese sausage!!- Village VoiceJanuary 25, 2013Kuma Inn (& 50+ other eateries) will be sampling their fare at our 2013 Choice Eats tasting event on 3/19 - can't wait!
Find. Eat. Drink.October 21, 2010The rice crepes are great. If you need cash (cash only) there is a ATM in the Duane Reade across the street.
Chefs FeedAugust 22, 2014Gabriel Thompson, chef of L'Artusi, eats here on his nights off. He loves the Sautéed Chinese sausage w/ Thai chili-lime sauce. Read more
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Wed, Sun
- 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Thu–Sat
- 6:00 PM–Midnight
(212) 353-8866
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, BYO
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