Best Japanese Restaurants in Tribeca & Soho (10013)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Shion 69 Leonard Street
Michelin-starred Edomae omakase with precision rice-and-fish control.
Essential Picks
9.2
An eight-seat Edomae omakase built around pristine seafood, immaculate knife work, and a calm, ceremony-forward pace. It’s a destination experience where every detail—rice temperature, seasoning, and timing—stays tightly controlled from first bite to tamago.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase nigiri progression, Seasonal otsumami, Tamago
What makes it special: Michelin-starred Edomae omakase with precision rice-and-fish control.
Notable Picks
#2
Nakaji
8.6
An Edomae-style omakase built around precision and pacing—clean cuts, tight temperature control, and a progression that’s meant to be followed, not customized. It’s best for diners who want a focused, chef-led experience where the details (rice, seasoning, timing) do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase nigiri progression, Seasonal otsumami (appetizers), Toro course (when offered)
What makes it special: Edomae omakase with a disciplined, chef-led progression.
8.3
A Tribeca standby that balances sushi, cooked plates, and comfort favorites without turning into a greatest-hits mess. It’s at its best when you order with intention—one strong sushi route, one hot dish, and a sake pick that matches the mood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chirashi bowl, Omakase or sushi combo, Black cod miso
What makes it special: A long-running Tribeca Japanese kitchen that stays reliable across categories.
A Tribeca pub that’s most rewarding when you treat sushi as the headliner and everything else as supporting cast—cocktails, small plates, and a steady, after-work rhythm. The fish selection and roll execution are reliable enough for repeat visits, especially when you keep the order focused and skip the menu sprawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s sushi/sashimi selection, Spicy tuna roll, Miso ramen
What makes it special: Pub energy with sushi that holds up as the main event.
#5
Taiyaki NYC
8.2
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Family Friendly Favorites
A high-volume Chinatown sweets stop that delivers exactly what you want: hot taiyaki with strong fillings and soft-serve that keeps people looping back through the line. Best used as a dessert anchor on a food crawl—fast, fun, and reliably satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Custard taiyaki, Matcha soft serve, Red bean taiyaki
What makes it special: Hot taiyaki plus soft-serve built for repeat cravings.
#6
Shinsen
8.0
A Chinatown sushi-and-cocktails room that works when you want solid fish, crisp apps, and a bar-forward vibe in one stop. The move is to lean into nigiri/sashimi and a couple of hot items, then let the drinks carry the hang.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sushi set (chef’s selection), Spicy tuna hand roll, Crispy rice with spicy tuna
What makes it special: Sushi plus cocktails in a compact, nightlife-leaning room.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A Chinatown dessert counter focused on Japanese-style cheese tarts that hit best when they’re freshly baked and still warm. It’s a quick, purpose-built stop—grab a couple flavors, keep it simple, and treat it like a snack ritual rather than a sit-down moment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Hokkaido-style cheese tart, Matcha cheese tart, Chocolate cheese tart
What makes it special: Warm, gooey Japanese-style cheese tarts with a crisp shell.