0 Followers
Wokuni
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Wokuni
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
Trendy Table Hotspots
Backed by a Japanese seafood company, Wokuni runs a big, lively Murray Hill dining room built around sashimi, chirashi, and cooked seafood flown in from Japan. It works as well for omakase-style dinners as it does for groups sharing rolls, grilled fish, and sake.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bara chirashi, Sashimi omakase set, Grilled whole fish specials
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Sea-to-table Japanese seafood with serious sourcing in a big room.
Who should go: Groups wanting both sushi and cooked Japanese seafood.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners and busy Friday evenings for full buzz.
What to order: Bara chirashi, sashimi sets, grilled whole fish or daily specials.
Insider tip: Ask about seasonal omakase or special-event tasting menus.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual works well—jeans are fine, but many diners lean business-casual to dressy at night.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy to talk at lunch, louder buzz during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime time
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of a short noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, tempura, tofu dishes, salads, and rice bowls are available.
Vegan options: Limited—several vegetable-based rolls and sides work, but cross-contact with seafood is common.
Gluten-free options: Yes with guidance—sashimi, grilled fish, and rice bowls can be ordered gluten-free; request tamari instead of soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's lively and impressive without feeling overly formal, making it a comfortable, low-pressure sushi date spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for lunch and early dinners, but Friday and Saturday nights fill quickly—reservations are strongly recommended for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for well-behaved kids—plenty of simple rolls, rice bowls, and cooked dishes make it manageable for families, especially earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Large-group sushi dinners, seafood variety beyond just rolls, and business-friendly lunches with high-quality sourcing.
Skip if: If you're looking for an ultra-intimate omakase counter or a quiet, romantic sushi experience—smaller chef-driven spots will feel more personal.
Wokuni
8.3
Backed by a Japanese seafood company, Wokuni runs a big, lively dining room centered on sashimi, donburi, and cooked seafood flown in from Japan. It’s a versatile Murray Hill option for groups, business dinners, and anyone craving chirashi or grilled fish with sake.
Must-Try Dishes:
Daiginjo Bara Chirashi lunch special, Wokuni-don sashimi and tempura rice bowl, A5 Miyazaki wagyu steak-don
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Sea-to-table Japanese spot with a deep sashimi and donburi menu.
Who should go: Groups wanting both sushi and cooked seafood in one place.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners and Friday evenings for full room buzz.
What to order: Bara chirashi, Wokuni-don, grilled fish or wagyu steak-don.
Insider tip: Ask about seasonal omakase-style specials or limited-time fish offerings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages on 2nd and 3rd Avenue are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual — jeans are fine, but many diners come straight from the office.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — easy to talk at lunch, but dinner can get buzzy with groups and business tables.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak Friday and Saturday hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days, with a brief rush around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, tofu dishes, salads, and rice bowls are available, though seafood dominates the menu.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-based dishes work, but most entrees contain seafood or dairy-based sauces.
Gluten-free options: Yes with guidance — sashimi, grilled fish, and rice bowls can be prepared gluten-free; soy sauce substitutions are often available on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something polished but not overly formal. The energy is lively yet comfortable, and the menu gives you plenty to share and talk about.
Can I get a table without a reservation? At lunch and early weeknights, usually yes. Friday evenings are tougher — arrive early or expect a short wait at the bar for seating turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-oriented but still welcoming for well-behaved kids. Rice bowls and simple grilled items work for younger diners, though it’s not a kid-focused environment.
Best For
Better for: Fresh sashimi, generous chirashi bowls, and a wide range of Japanese seafood dishes in a roomy, group-friendly setting.
Skip if: You’re specifically seeking high-end omakase, a quiet romantic sushi counter, or a strictly vegan Japanese menu.
Wokuni
8.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
Backed by its own fish distributor, Wokuni serves sashimi, donburi, and grilled seafood that lean heavily on super-fresh product. The space works for business lunches, dates, and bar counter solo meals built around crudo and cooked fish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Daiginjo Bara Chirashi, Wokuni-Don, Osashimi Teishoku
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Seafood-driven Japanese spot with its own fish supply chain.
Who should go: Seafood lovers wanting sashimi and cooked fish together.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early dinners for easier seating.
What to order: Daiginjo Bara Chirashi, Wokuni-Don, sashimi teishoku set.
Insider tip: Ask about daily whole-fish specials sourced from their in-house market.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby garages on 3rd Ave typically run $18–$25 for two hours.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual; jeans are fine, but many guests lean office-polished.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak lunch but still very conversation-friendly.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during the noon rush, usually no wait before 11:45am
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian donburi, tofu dishes, and vegetable-focused sides.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of vegetable bowls and salads without fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Yes — sashimi, grilled fish, and rice bowls can be prepared gluten-free upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the sleek room, calm lighting, and focus on pristine seafood make it polished without feeling stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes at lunch and early dinner, but weeknight dinners after 6:30pm are safer with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults — well-behaved kids can manage, but the menu and vibe skew grown-up.
Best For
Better for: Ultra-fresh sashimi, refined donburi, and business-friendly seafood lunches that feel elevated but efficient.
Skip if: You want a loud nightlife scene, cocktails-first bar energy, or heavy sushi rolls over clean fish-forward plates.
Wokuni
8.7
Backed by a Japanese seafood group, Wokuni is a sleek Murray Hill restaurant where high-quality fish drives both sashimi and maki, including plentiful roll platters. Office workers and sushi regulars come for combos that mix classic rolls with premium cuts in a space polished enough for client dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wokuni Roll Platter, Bara chirashi with roll add-ons, Nigiri and maki combo
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Seafood-driven Japanese kitchen where roll platters showcase very fresh fish.
Who should go: Coworkers or friends wanting upscale sushi without formality.
When to visit: Lunch for sets or early dinner before it gets loud.
What to order: Wokuni roll platter, nigiri+maki combo, kaisen-don with extra roll.
Insider tip: Use the roll platter to sample multiple maki styles at better value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Metered street parking is limited and tight after 6pm; nearby public garages on 35th–36th streets are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to business casual — jeans are fine, but many diners come straight from the office.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak lunch and dinner, but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during the noon rush; little to no wait before 11:45am
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — avocado rolls, cucumber rolls, vegetable maki, salads, and vegetable tempura.
Vegan options: Limited — a handful of vegetable rolls and plain rice bowls; sauces may contain fish-based ingredients.
Gluten-free options: Yes, with caution — sashimi, rice bowls, and select rolls can be made gluten-free if you request tamari instead of soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it feels polished and modern without being stuffy, and the shareable roll platters make ordering feel collaborative rather than awkward.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes on weekdays outside of peak lunch and early dinner, but Friday nights and weekend dinners are much easier with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who eat sushi or rice bowls; it’s more of a business-and-dinner crowd than a family-with-toddlers vibe.
Best For
Better for: Fresh fish quality, large roll platters for sharing, and business-friendly dining that bridges casual sushi spots and formal omakase.
Skip if: You’re looking for a budget sushi spot, heavy specialty-roll creativity, or a quiet omakase counter experience.
Wokuni
8.4
Wokuni is a lively Japanese seafood restaurant in Murray Hill where sushi, sashimi, and donburi built on fish flown in from Japan make it a strong date-night choice. Low lighting, a long counter, and tightly packed booths create an energetic but polished feel that works for couples sharing a spread of raw and grilled dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kaisen-don sashimi rice bowl, Grilled bluefin tuna collar, Fried sea bream "wings"
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: High-quality Japanese seafood and sushi with fish flown in from Japan.
Who should go: Couples who prioritize fish quality over frills.
When to visit: Prime dinner hours for buzz without being overwhelming.
What to order: Kaisen-don, sashimi platter, grilled collar specials.
Insider tip: Ask about daily donburi or collar specials; they often sell out early.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking and metered spots; expect difficulty after 6pm. Nearby garages on 3rd Ave and 34th St.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — energetic but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or 10–15 minutes at peak noon
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, avocado-based sushi, tempura vegetables, and donburi alternatives.
Vegan options: Limited — a few roll and appetizer options, but not a full dedicated menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes — sashimi, rice bowls, and gluten-free soy sauce available upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the lively but polished energy creates natural buzz without feeling chaotic, and the menu makes sharing easy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights if you arrive early, but weekends and prime dinner hours usually require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning overall, but older kids who enjoy sushi and rice bowls will be comfortable earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: High-quality Japanese seafood, generous donburi bowls, and a lively yet refined date-night atmosphere at approachable prices.
Skip if: You want a quiet, ultra-intimate omakase experience or need a strictly vegan-friendly sushi spot.