Best Japanese Restaurants in East Village (10003)
12 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Tsukimi
A Michelin-recognized kaiseki tasting in a 12-seat counter format.
Essential Picks
#1
Tsukimi
9.1
Intimate 12-seat kaiseki counter serving a seasonal tasting menu with modern technique and a quiet, speakeasy-like feel. Courses are precise and often playful, with pacing that makes the meal feel like a guided narrative. Best for a special-occasion splurge in the East Village.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal kaiseki tasting menu, Sablefish with konbu butter, Wagyu course (changes seasonally)
What makes it special: A Michelin-recognized kaiseki tasting in a 12-seat counter format.
Notable Picks
8.6
A high-volume neighborhood workhorse that still delivers clean fish, tidy rolls, and dependable takeout. The menu is broad without feeling sloppy, and locals lean on it for consistency more than novelty.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy salmon crunch roll, Tuna tartare, Chirashi bowl
What makes it special: Massive local following built on reliable sushi.
#3
Sobaya
8.4
Michelin Bib Gourmand soba specialist where buckwheat noodles are made daily in-house. Hot and cold soba shine, and the kitchen handles izakaya sides with equal care. A cornerstone of the East Village’s Little Tokyo stretch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Housemade cold soba, Duck nanban soba, Soba-yu finish with dipping broth
What makes it special: Daily housemade soba backed by years of Michelin Bib praise.
8.3
A refined Gramercy/East Village edge omakase counter where the chef leans into clean Edomae fundamentals with a few modern touches. The rice seasoning and careful temperature control make each nigiri feel deliberate, and the pacing stays calm even on busy nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s omakase set, Otoro nigiri, Uni hand roll
What makes it special: Red-vinegar rice and precise, traditional nigiri execution.
8.1
An omakase-only room with a slightly experimental streak—think classic nigiri foundations with bright, modern accents. The vibe is intimate and contemporary, and the shorter menus are a solid gateway to tasting-format sushi.
Must-Try Dishes:
12-course omakase, Truffle toro bite, Uni hand roll
What makes it special: Omakase-only with subtle modern flourishes.
#6
Hasaki
8.1
An East Village sushi institution since 1984 with a calm counter vibe and no-nonsense Edomae focus. Sashimi and nigiri are consistently clean and well-cut, with fair pricing for the quality. Great for a traditional sushi night without flash.
Must-Try Dishes:
Edomae omakase, Salmon and amberjack sashimi, Grilled miso black cod
What makes it special: A decades-old Edomae sushi counter that locals trust.
#7
Hi-Collar
8.0
A Japanese kissaten café by day and sake bar by night, pulling off both moods with ease. Omurice and katsu sandos are comfort-forward and well-executed, and the evening izakaya menu pairs smoothly with their deep sake list. Perfect for a low-key meal that turns into a drink.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omurice, Katsu sando, Siphon coffee or curated sake flight
What makes it special: Day-to-night Japanese café-bar rooted in kissaten culture.
Worthy Picks
#8
Kimura
7.7
A warmly run East Village izakaya-style spot where sushi shares the stage with hot pot and grilled dishes. The nigiri and sashimi are reliably fresh, and the broader menu makes it an easy, low-pressure group pick.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon & scallop nigiri set, Motsunabe hot pot, Hamachi sashimi
What makes it special: Solid sushi plus comforting Japanese hot pot in one place.
#9
Benemon
7.7
A cozy East Village spot centered on donburi and curry rice, with a sake-forward bar program. Bowls are hearty and well-seasoned, and the small-plates feel like Japanese comfort food with a downtown twist. Ideal for a relaxed dinner and a drink.
Must-Try Dishes:
Katsu curry donburi, Unagi rice bowl, Seasonal sake cocktails
What makes it special: Donburi-and-curry comfort food paired with thoughtfully chosen sake.
#10
Sake Bar Decibel
7.7
Subterranean sake den that feels like Tokyo’s late-night alley bars, with an adventurous by-the-glass list. Small plates are simple but hit the right salty, grilled notes to support drinking. A classic East Village stop for sake exploration.
Must-Try Dishes:
Aged junmai sake pours, Grilled squid, Miso-marinated snacks
What makes it special: NYC’s original underground sake bar dating to the 1990s.
7.6
Buzzy Union Square ramen house known for rich tonkotsu and fun, snacky sides. The room is lively late into the night, and bowls are consistently satisfying even when busy. A good pick for a reliable, high-energy ramen run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tokyo tonkotsu ramen, Omurice with demi-glace, Takoyaki
What makes it special: Late-night ramen and omurice steps from Union Square.
#12
Onigiri Tanakaya
7.6
New-school onigiri shop and mini market serving stuffed rice balls, hand rolls, and quick Japanese staples. Ingredients are fresh and the fillings feel rooted in everyday Tokyo comfort food. Great for a fast lunch or a picnic pickup near Union Square.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon onigiri, Spicy tuna hand roll, Umeboshi onigiri
What makes it special: Focused onigiri counter bringing everyday Japanese snacks to NYC.