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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of UWS

Japanese food

A craving for specific flavors and techniques requires a place that understands the craft. It is about finding a meal that hits the right notes.

Based on 456 Opinions
+453
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Updated May 2026
01
Omakase Shihou - Upper West Side (Lunch Available) image 1
Omakase Shihou - Upper West Side (Lunch Available) image 2
Omakase Shihou - Upper West Side (Lunch Available) image 3
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Upstairs omakase counter offers a cozy atmosphere with light wood decor. Guests enjoy King Salmon and Toro with Beluga Caviar while watching chefs craft sushi. Carefully paired sake enhances the refined dining experience in this intimate setting.

Omakase here offers an amazing sushi meal with highlights like King Salmon, Toro with Beluga Caviar, and Wagyu with Truffle and Uni. Lunch omakase provides excellent value while delivering a thoughtful and delicious dining experience.

People are saying

"This lunch spot's omakase is fresh, inventive, and a great value."

"The fresh, inventive fish at these Date Spots is amazing."

"The Japanese food here is top-notch and the fish is super fresh."

Good to know

1

The meal costs $155 per person.

2

The restaurant offers a $55 lunch omakase that is a great value.

3

There is a $95 menu and a $115 premium menu.

02
Sushi Yasaka image 1
Sushi restaurant

Sushi spot shines with fresh sashimi and reasonable prices. Bright lights and tight seating create a lively, noisy vibe. Family-friendly with high chairs and casual feel, perfect for groups but not quiet chats.

Sushi here offers delicious sashimi and consistently fresh sushi with reasonable prices. The place stays busy, so making a reservation is common for dine-in.

People are saying

"I found the fish here to be so fresh and high-quality."

"Their lunch specials are a great deal."

"The Japanese food here is delicious and so fresh."

Good to know

1

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during lunch hours.

2

Expect a 30-minute wait if you don't have a reservation.

3

The restaurant offers a $16 lunch special that includes a roll, a main dish, miso soup, and a salad.

03
Raku Itโ€™s Japanese ll image 1
Japanese restaurant

Subterranean space with wood grain walls creates a cozy vibe. Sushi shines with excellent quality and tasty rolls. Friendly atmosphere blends local energy with a fresh sushi bar, making it a warm spot for Japanese food lovers.

Sushi stands out with excellent quality and tasty rolls. The menu includes a bento box with a large amount of delicious food and options like chicken and vegetable udon and vegetarian gyozas.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is so fresh and delicious."

"I found the food here to be delicious and very fresh."

"It's a really cozy place with a quiet atmosphere."

Good to know

1

The restaurant only accepts cash and has an ATM inside.

2

I recommend making a reservation or getting there on the early side.

3

The lunch box is one of the best meal deals in NYC.

04
Sushi of Gari UWS (Gari Columbus) image 1

Small dining room buzzes with activity as six chefs craft authentic sushi using fresh fish and real wasabi. Creative toppings and unique sauces shine in the omakase experience, blending tradition with innovation. Bright lighting highlights the neat layout, adding to the lively yet formal vibe.

Fresh fish and authentic wasabi stand out in the sushi here. The omakase features unique sauces and creative toppings prepared by actual Japanese chefs, making the sushi very good and authentic.

People are saying

"I found the omakase experience at this Japanese food spot to be excellent."

"The desserts here are fresh and delicious."

"I considered the seafood here the best in the area."

Good to know

1

Extra teriyaki sauce costs $5.

2

You can always get a table last minute.

3

You have to request wasabi, ginger, or soy sauce by choosing 'utensils'.

05
Jin Ramen Upper West Side image 1

Small space with communal seating creates a cozy vibe perfect for quick meals. Authentic ramen flavors shine with spicy Tonkotsu and vegetarian broths. A mini bar offers sake and beer, adding to the casual, Japan-inspired atmosphere.

Ramen here stands out for its authentic flavors and variety of broths, including a notable spicy Tonkotsu and succulent vegetarian options. The Kuro Tonkotsu and chicken nanban soba receive particular praise for their rich taste and quality.

People are saying

"I tasted the best ramen I've ever had."

"It's a cozy spot with a warm and inviting atmosphere."

"I tasted the best ramen I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended on weekends due to high demand.

2

The restaurant closes at 10 PM but stops taking guests at 8:30 PM.

3

Expect an average wait time of 45 minutes during peak hours.

06
Mido image 1
Japanese restaurant

Modern, clean space with a calm atmosphere and colorful art. Sushi lovers enjoy fresh sashimi and unique rolls like the Mido Dragon. Outdoor patio adds a laid-back vibe perfect for casual dining.

Freshness stands out with incredibly fresh sashimi and sushi. Specialty rolls like the Mido Dragon with shrimp tempura and mango add unique flavors. The udon also offers a notable option beyond sushi.

People are saying

"The Japanese Food here is always super fresh."

"The lunch special here is a great deal for the price."

"I thought the sushi here was affordable and a good value."

Good to know

1

Reservations must be made over the phone; no online system available.

2

Lunch specials offer great value for money.

3

Food preparation is fast, making it ideal for quick meals.

07
Flame image 1
Asian restaurant

Large grill tables feature chefs performing lively hibachi cooking shows that create an entertaining and interactive atmosphere. Fresh sushi shines with fatty tuna and a salmon avocado roll, complementing the vibrant social dining experience. Spacious and clean, the spot blends theatrical cooking with tasty Japanese and Chinese dishes.

Sushi stands out with fresh, fatty tuna and a salmon avocado roll that pairs well with the hot lover roll. The menu also includes hibachi and Chinese dishes, all consistently good and tasty.

People are saying

"It's a great spot for kids, especially for birthday celebrations."

"The hibachi chefs here are so fun and have great energy."

"The sushi here is excellent and truly most excellent."

Good to know

1

Make sure you pay by credit card and not cash.

2

It is better to make a reservation if you go to Flame at night.

3

Customers should ask for the lunch menu during lunch hours.

08
Momoya Upper West image 1
Japanese restaurant

Sleek, modern design creates a lively yet comfortable vibe. Sushi shines with super fresh fish and standout rolls like spicy tuna and sweet potato tempura. Seating options include a sushi-bar counter for solo diners and pleasant outdoor tables.

Sushi here is super fresh with a generous amount of fish in dishes like the chirashi bowl. The spicy tuna rolls and sweet potato tempura roll stand out as highly underrated options.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here, especially the sushi, is the best I've ever tasted."

"The lunch specials are a great deal and super tasty."

"This place is an ideal spot for a romantic dinner date."

Good to know

1

There are lunch specials every day.

2

The restaurant has a daily special priced at around $20, which is cheap for the area.

3

You should make a reservation.

09
Kitaro Sushi image 1
Japanese restaurant

Small Japanese spot offers fresh sushi and crispy shrimp tempura in a cozy atmosphere with dim lighting. Locals love the reasonably priced menu and popular takeout. Sitting at the sushi bar delivers an immersive culinary adventure.

Sushi features fresh, high-quality fish with delicate, tasty flavors. Bento boxes and shrimp tempura come out crispy and hot, while omakase offers an immersive culinary adventure at the sushi bar.

People are saying

"The Japanese food here is always fresh and great."

"The salmon teriyaki and salmon avocado rolls were impressive."

"This takeout is perfect and consistently reliable."

Good to know

1

Diners should secure a spot at the sushi bar downstairs for an immersive culinary adventure.

2

The restaurant is popular among locals for dining and takeout.

3

The prices are reasonable.

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Upper West Side, New York

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