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Lucky Cat
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Lucky Cat
7.7
Lucky Cat is a sprawling izakaya-ramen hybrid that stays open deep into the night, mixing big bowls of noodle soup with skewers, karaage, and a full bar. It’s louder and looser than the nearby hot-pot and jazz spots, trading polish for volume, late hours, and a menu built for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lucky Cat Ramen, Yuzu Shio Ramen, Katsu Curry
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 6.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A rowdy, late-night izakaya with ramen, skewers, and plenty of drinks.
Who should go: Groups chasing casual food, loud energy, and long hours
When to visit: Late nights after 10pm when the bar is buzzing
What to order: Lucky Cat ramen, yuzu shio ramen, and katsu curry
Insider tip: Bar seats turn faster—good for walk-ins when the dining room is slammed.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East, especially after 6pm; expect metered spots or nearby paid garages within 1–2 blocks.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most guests come in relaxed attire, but groups often lean dressy for nights out.
Noise level: Loud—conversation requires raised voices during peak hours, especially near the bar.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for walk-ins between 7–10pm; later nights often move faster.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; early evenings on weekdays typically have short waits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate—ramen with vegetable broth, veggie skewers, and small plates available.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 small plates; most ramen broths and toppings include animal products.
Gluten-free options: Limited—broths may be GF but noodles and many fried items are not; confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want high energy over intimacy. The loud, late-night vibe suits casual, playful dates but not quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are common. Bar seats turn over fastest, and late nights after 10pm usually have open tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The space is loud, crowded, and geared toward adults; older teens may be fine, but young kids may find it overwhelming.
Best For
Better for: Late-night groups that want ramen, skewers, and drinks in one place; more energetic than most Midtown Japanese spots.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, premium sushi, or refined kaiseki-style Japanese—other Midtown East options fit those better.
Lucky Cat
8.3
Lively izakaya with a dedicated ramen bar, cocktails, and late-night hours that draw both office crowds and ramen hunters. Broths lean rich and porky, with plenty of shareable small plates to build a longer night around the noodles.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lucky Cat Ramen, Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, Yasai Vegetable Ramen
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 6.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: An energetic izakaya where ramen shares the spotlight with sake and snacks.
Who should go: Groups wanting ramen, cocktails, and loud Tokyo-style energy.
When to visit: Late evenings Thursday–Saturday for peak bar atmosphere.
What to order: Lucky Cat Ramen, Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, Gyoza side.
Insider tip: Ask for bar seats near the ramen station for quicker service and better people-watching.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages on 2nd & 3rd Ave are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual. Most guests lean trendy—jeans are fine if paired with a nicer top or jacket.
Noise level: Loud during peak evenings with bar energy; conversations require raised voices at the ramen bar.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer after 9pm when late-night crowds roll in.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though bar seats fill first.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable—vegetarian appetizers and a customizable ramen base depending on broth availability.
Vegan options: Very limited—some vegetable sides, but ramen options may not be fully vegan due to broth bases.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal for strict gluten-free diners; some small plates can be adapted, but ramen noodles and broths are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for a fun, high-energy first date where atmosphere matters more than quiet conversation. Not ideal if you want something intimate or low-noise.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially early evenings and weeknights. For peak hours, expect a wait unless you’re willing to sit at the bar, which turns over faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Appropriate for older kids or teens who enjoy ramen; less suitable for young children due to loud music, bar traffic, and tight seating.
Best For
Better for: Late-night ramen with strong cocktails, energetic izakaya vibes, and a scene-driven crowd—more social and lively than traditional ramen specialists.
Skip if: You prefer quiet, purist ramen shops; need robust gluten-free or vegan options; or want a relaxed family meal.
Lucky Cat
7.7
Lucky Cat is an anime-decorated izakaya and ramen shop that also runs a full sushi rolls and sashimi section, popular with the nearby Japanese business crowd. Guests come more for the late-night energy, drinks and shareable rolls than for hyper-refined sushi.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna roll, Salmon avocado roll, Shrimp tempura roll
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 6.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A lively late-night izakaya with ramen, drinks and a robust sushi roll menu under chef Koji Kagawa.
Who should go: Groups wanting drinks, ramen and casual rolls until late.
When to visit: Late evenings for full izakaya energy and extended hours.
What to order: Spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls plus a ramen bowl.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for faster service and a view of the open kitchen on busy nights.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East, especially after 6pm; rely on nearby paid garages within a 2–3 block radius.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; most guests show up in jeans, sweaters or casual going-out wear.
Noise level: Loud during peak late-night hours; conversation is possible but raised voices may be needed for groups.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, longer after 9pm when late-night traffic builds.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait; traffic is lighter and primarily local office workers.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection of veggie rolls, appetizers and ramen add-ins; most staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 rolls can be made vegan and a few sides apply, but ramen options are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Several sashimi and simple roll options work, but soy sauce and tempura items require caution; no dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual, high-energy first date—especially if you want drinks and playful vibes. Not ideal if you prefer quiet conversation or refined sushi.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes. Walk-ins are common, but expect a wait during peak late-night windows. Small groups fare better than parties of six or more.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—early evenings are fine for families, but the atmosphere becomes louder and more bar-driven later. No dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Late-night group energy, approachable sushi rolls, and a lively izakaya atmosphere—more fun-forward than technique-driven.
Skip if: You want top-tier sushi, hushed omakase environments, or strictly gluten-free dining conditions.