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Ennju
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
20 E 17th St(between 5th Ave & W Union Sq)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Union Square, Flatiron
(646) 336-7004
- Nearest Transit:
-
14 St - Union Sq (N, Q, R)
Union Sq - 14 St (L)
14 St - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
104 reviews for Ennju
Review Highlights
"One of my go to lunch spots in Union Square."
(in 13 reviews)
"And they have black sesame mousse."
(in 4 reviews)
"And the sushi has always been fresh for me."
(in 66 reviews)
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104 reviews in English
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Review from M D.
Manhattan, NY
1/1/2012
Love this place for quick self-serve and short-order meals. I love their Sansai Soba Soup (mountain greens) and their sushi is decent for a quick fix. Nothing fancy but they are quick and packed at lunchtime.
There is adequate seating, the bathroom is nice and clean, and you bus your own table/tray. It's a fun place and has often been a good go-to place when I can't decide what I want to eat. Good place to go alone too. If you get a table near the wall, you might be lucky to have an outlet near you too to recharge your phone or laptop. :)
Oh, and their black sesame mousse in the self-serve area is delicious too! Also, near the counter they have rotating side dish specials: lotus root, noodles, greens, etc. This has always been a great go-to place when in Union Square. -
Review from Eve Z.
Brooklyn, NY
12/16/2011
lovelovelove! This is probably going to be my designated lunch spot. My friend and I discovered this place while trying to look for a quick lunch. The sushi goes from $5-$10 and the food from the kitchen goes anywhere from $6 to $9. I had the green tea mousse today ($3) and it totally hit my sweet spot. They also sell daifuku (green tea or strawberry), sesame dango, onigiri, and other random snacks. I find it hilarious that they sell rice crackers for 25 cents. The sushi is nothing special but the kitchen stuff is excellent.
The place gets awfully crowded from 1pm-3pm since that's lunch time for everyone. The staff is Japanese (huge plus there) and pretty quick. -
Review from Mindy K.
Albany, NY
11/18/2011
Good for half-off sushi at (is it) 9 pm or so. Expect a line of others thrifty-minded before you. It may be slim pickings by then, but of still satisfactory quality for an 8-piece roll of 2 buck fifty.
Why the 2 stars you might ask? They charge extra for extra soy sauce in packets. Hmph. -
Review from Rowena Y.
I've been coming here since my high school days. The service is fast and their food is delicious. I usually enjoy sitting here alone while reading a book or magazine because no one disturbs you. Although I don't read manga, they have a bookshelf of manga books that you can borrow to read. I equally enjoy both of their chicken teriyaki platters and their noodle soup bowls. I'd say you get most of your money's worth by ordering the platters because they are huge! I have never been a Japanese place where they serve American-sized portions. Ha. After all these years, I still recognize the elderly sushi chef who always seem to keep himself busy. Bravo!
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Review from Judy C.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Reasonably fresh price sushi, great location, quick lunch spot, and friendly service are the reasons why this is always my go-to lunch spot on workdays. Their sushi isn't MASA fresh, but fresh enough for a rush rush lunch spot. P.S. all sushi platters are half price an hour before closing.
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Review from Lisa L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/1/2012
4 stars because of it's Udon bowls, not the sushi. The tofu and beef Udon are regular orders for me when I want a good big bowl of fat noodles in hot soup. The sushi is okay, but not always fresh. Ennju is great for casual dining and pretty reasonable as far as prices. Lunch gets pretty busy during the week, but the turnaround is pretty quick.
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Review from Joseph A.
Brooklyn, NY
1/3/2012
OK I am officially addicted to their veg dumpling soup (with extra vegetables for $2 more). At $8 total its an amazingly tasty, filling and healthy lunch. This place is a great place to grab a bite in Union Square and it's very authentic. The broth in their soup is unique and full of flavor and they take the time to prepare each order fresh - I actually just called in (I work upstairs) and gotta run to get my soup! They have pre-made sushi rolls and an interesting menu which I'd love to explore further. Been here 4 times and not yet disappointed .
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Review from Danielle C.
Hoboken, NJ
9/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This establishment is pretty awesome. I am so glad I just stumbled upon it -- I was expecting it to be mediocre, but this place is quite decent.
My sister ordered the shrimp tempura udon - I absolutely loved the broth. It was slightly sweet/tangy but it was what I always wanted udon broth to taste like! I ordered the pork broth udon - the soup was creamy and beige colored, which was actually really good for ramen, but I didn't feel like the soup went that well with udon noodles.
I came back the next day and tried chicken teriyaki - the place is HUGE. There was a ton of salad on it, rice, and the chicken. I think the chicken was all right, but the teriyaki sauce was really good - it was the slightly sweet kind (once again, what I always wanted chicken teriyaki sauce to taste like!) I wish they put more sauce on the plate, actually.
My friend ordered the curry dish - it was pretty good, not too salty, and they had lots of carrots in the curry. The plate was also large, so while the prices might seem a little high (expect to spend around $12-$15 here), it's because the portions are so big.
This place has a very casual atmosphere - you just order at the counter and then wait for the food. There's stuff you can pick up at the fridge (drinks, ready-to-eat bento, shumai, etc.)
Great place! -
Review from Alice L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/19/2012
I have been a lunch regular to this place for some time now and I only have good things to say about it, except if you come between 12:30 and 1, please be prepared to meet the crowd. I have tried their shrimp tempura udon, shrimp tempura platter, chicken katsu curry, chicken and broccoli (by mistake), some lunch bento sets. The udon and curry are by far my favorites. Big plus for two things: fast service and quality consistency. Either you like the dish and continue liking it the next time or you don't like it and most likely feeling the same if you decide to have a second try. Staffs are friendly and quick. There is no need to pay tips (although always welcome) and you can comfortably enjoy your meal at one of the tables. If you want a delicious quick lunch at a reasonable price around union square, I would highly recommend it!
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Review from Tom N.
Manhattan, NY
9/21/2011
Where would I be without this place?
Having lived in Japan, I'm always disappointed that Japanese establishments in the U.S just can't hold a candle to the quality of food even found at convenience stores there. Not exaggerating.
This place is Japanese owned, which counts for a hell of a lot in my book. It's also frequented by Japanese expatriots, which is also a great sign. The rolls are delicious, albeit a little pricey, and you do have plenty of options for soba noodles or udon.
I'm not saying that it's the best sushi you'll find in NYC, but if you're looking for quality Japanese food on the go, then this is your stop. -
Review from Kim K.
Manhattan, NY
12/3/2011
The pork udon is the best udon there. Rich and al dente.
The vegetable and shrimp tempura udon is pretty good but I've had better elsewhere. Good place for casual dining. Would go back for udon. -
Review from Maria N.
Astoria, NY
12/3/2011
One of my go to lunch spots in Union Square. A no-frills cafeteria like place that kits the spot for my thrice weekly sushi fix. The sushi is always super-fresh, two or three soup options, and bento boxes that change up each day. Love this place.
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Review from Paul B.
6/15/2011
I love everything about this place. It is so hard to find a really delicious lunch options but Ennju has nailed it every time I've gone. EVERY TIME.
I recommend trying whatever is on special for the day. Today it was ton ton don which I've never actually tried. Usually I've passed over ton ton don because "ground pork over rice" sounds like the most boring dish possible. Naturally, getting it at Ennju just showed me what a fool I've been. It was both super delicious and super satisfying. nice.
Beyond that, the service is super friendly, its cafeteria style so you can pay first then just walk out when you are done eating and some how the back is full of interesting art work and other nice little touches. I think next time I'm going out in union square I'm going to come for dinner then pre-game there. I am always just so happy when I go to Ennju. -
Review from Kelly L.
7/19/2011
I went here for a few years when I used to live in New York. It was a good place to go for lunch with consistently good food. The prices were a little steep for a lunch joint but the portions were pretty large. I usually ordered the shrimp tempura udon and a salmon skin roll. They gave you two shrimps and a few vegetable tempura as well. The quality is consistent and solid.
Staff is always friendly. -
Review from karen n.
Brooklyn, NY
6/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Love this place! I've been coming here since I was in High School and I'm still their customer several years later.
It's unlike other japanese restaurants. Here you order at the counter, they call out your order/ number and you go pick it up. It's not fancy and it's slightly cheaper than other ones around the city.
I always come and get stuff from the per-pound section, which is an amazing deal, really. The selection seems to change everyday but I usually get one or two pieces of salmon, some lotus root, cucumber salad with vinegar and it's usually under $4. -
Review from Alaine H.
New York, NY
10/10/2011
Shrimp Tempura Udon, Chicken Katsu curry are my favorite dishes here. I actually think they make one of the best in the city. The sushi is mediocre but I like the fact that I can eat here by myself for lunch or dinner on a weeknight without feeling out of place. Nice casual eatery that feels like a cafeteria but with good homey Japanese food.
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Review from Navi S.
New York, NY
11/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The serving sizes are humungous. You'll pay around $9 or $10 for a chicken katsu or teriyaki platter, but you get every dollar of it plus some. At the end of the plate if you're still hungry, then shame on you. They have a wide selection of other Japanese foods and snacks, and the tables do fill up quickly around lunch. Its one of the few places where you get what you pay for, and the platters are great.
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Review from Karen S.
5/31/2011 2 photos
I have no recollection of how we ended up @ Union Square from the Met. All I remember were rain, Barnes & Noble, & rumbling stomachs. Somehow we decided to head here to Ennju.
He got a Wakame (seaweed) udon which lived up to its name for sure. There was tons of seaweed & the broth had a strong seaweed flavor. The udon also had a very good texture & bite. I got a Tofu soba which also lived up to (most) expectations. The noodles were not too overcooked. There were many big pieces of tofu along with a big pile of spinach. However, the broth was too sweet - even after adding tons of spicy powder.
At first I thought the food was too expensive for what it was. After seeing the portion sizes, I felt better but still thought it was slightly overpriced.
When you arrive, you are going to order @ the counter, pick up your order, eat, & then bus the table before you leave. There was barely any service when I was there but when there was service, it was not good. In fact, one of the older workers (manager? owner?) gestured @ a customer when she did not know where to put her empty dishes. Then the younger worker barked @ a customer who tried to return a finished food tray to the pick up counter.
The food was good enough where if I could find a way to avoid interactions withe the team, I might just return again. -
Review from Lindsay R.
Brooklyn, NY
3/15/2011
I eat lunch here about once a week, which means I have lunch here more than anywhere else. In the world.
It's consistently yummy, affordable (but not cheap), and fast.
I don't usually buy their sushi; they have a kind of buffet (with a serious sneeze guard) with small dishes filled with a variety of vegetable and fish concoctions, they have premade "lunch boxes" and onigiri by the register, and they have a full menu of hot foods (including udon and rice dishes) which take 10 minutes or less to make.
It's all pretty darned good, and it's clearly owned and patronized by actual Japanese people. Which is a plus. -
Review from Nadia Q.
Princeton, NJ
10/16/2011
Great place for a quick lunch, dine-in or takeout. They have boxed sushis, seaweed, soups, as well as chefs preparing noodles and sushi to your liking.
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Review from Taiyo O.
Updated - 2/25/2011
I found they deliver down to upper area of West Village. That service is only for off hours but somehow, they were willing to deliver at night.
This is news is huge for someone looking for decent Japanese take out in the village. Yes, we have Aki on west 4th if I want fusion Sushi but not much difference when you simply want Sushi regular or deluxe. Some times Ennju quality of fish is fresher.
I am tired of eating just okay Sushi for delivery around this nabe. Also, Ennju has one of my fave home cooking. Japanese curry with pork cutlet. This is not for most. Thick gravy like beef curry with carrots and onions over the cutlet is just yum.
Residents in the village! We can have decent Japanese delivery now!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/6/2011
Felix H. says....
"The bento boxes sell out incredibly fast so you have to get there early."
After… Read more »
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Review from Chris J.
Scarsdale, NY
10/17/2011
For the price, this place has the best udon in the city. I especially like getting their seaweed udon with a salmon onigiri (rice ball) on the side.
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Review from Jamaal H.
Jamaica, NY
9/22/2011 14 Check-ins Here
My go to spot for casual, and authentic Japanese food and deserts. Some items are a bit pricey, others rather cheap. Theres plenty of seating too. If your sick of Chinese and Korean immitation Japanese restaurants, this place will suite you.
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Review from R A.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 11/30/2010
We have gone there regularly for lunch, averaging a couple of times a week, have enjoyed it, the food and friendly service make it homey, nothing special, but nice and no problems.
But.
Yesterday had some spicy tuna roll and spent the evening with food poisoning. It was the only thing I ate that my GF didn't, and I didn't really have anything else after that, so I think it must have been that.
Ah well, Ennju, it's been nice. But that was an evening in hell and I don't see myself taking the risk of coming back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2010
Bear in mind I am giving this four stars in the context of a quick and easy lunch place. This is… Read more »
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Review from mary l.
4/14/2011
Ennju is not a place you take notice of when you pass by union square day in/out. It's an affordable, quick lunch place where you can comfortably sit down or take out. Options are plentiful - premade bentos, sushi, sashimi, salads, and made-to-order udon soups, mochi and other desserts/snacks. Drinks, two rice balls, udon and a tofu salad was only $23. Everything was really nommy, quick and efficient. It's exactly what you would want and expect. Will definitely return.
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Review from Katie G.
New York, NY
10/28/2011
Oh gosh. Did the half price sushi and got chewy bone like thing in my yellow tail scallion. And a bigger blob of nastiness in the next roll. Think I'm done with this spot for a bit.
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Review from Kruti P.
Manhattan, NY
4/12/2011
Holy crap. Their chicken katsu curry is amazing. They package and deliver so that everything is hot, crispy and juicy as it should be. Lots of veggies in their curry. Make sure to get extra pickled radish! And they even do it with brown rice. Yum.
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Review from J O.
New York, NY
4/10/2007
Ennju is pretty straightforward in terms of food, service and decor: cheap (for the area), filling, healthy Japanese dishes served cafeteria style in a clean, pleasant, but in no way luxurious, space. Everything seems to be quite fresh, they have a small selection of beer and sake, plus desserts, so that's always good. Double bonus points for desserts that aren't really so big and bad for you, and therefore aren't so guilt-inducing. They also have a small bookcase of Japanese DVDs for sale, although I'm not sure what the selection is like. I feel a bit of an oaf next to the polite and demure young Japanese ladies who ring up my order, but they're all so nice that I don't care.
If you've been feeling broke and bloated like I have the past few weeks, do yourself a favor and start eating this stuff right away. Take a mochi home with you to eat while you watch Lifetime movies; I guarantee you'll regret it less than that pint of Ben and Jerry's. -
Review from Donna F.
7/31/2010
Scrolling down the feedback, there is an overwhelming amount of reviewers giving Ennju a 3.5 and it is easy to see why.
Ennju is extremely convenient in their cafeteria style, a rarity in the Japanese restaurants around town, which means to most that it should be at cafeteria prices ($5-$10) however at Ennju lunch for one is most likely going to cost $15. Expensive? A Bit. Worth it? Definitely.
Why, you may ask...
The food is exceptionally authentic and their flavors are spot on. I've tried a bit from Ennju and while their Miso Soup is nothing special, their Shrimp Shinjo spun my head around. I've always been a fan of dumplings but this interesting, wetter twist is a great addition to my food pocket obsession (empanadas, dumplings, shinjo...I love 'em all). As well, I like their Maki Combo E but, all the combo's are great deals for $7.50. And they are always replenishing the fridge so the packages are always fresh.
If you're in the area, hankering for Japanese, a better deal you will not find. -
Review from Jimin O.
New York, NY
4/2/2007
My friends and I are always hesitant about giving away this place.
Reasons:
- clean fresh good deli-style Japanese food
- good cheap Udon
- all sushi is 50% off during weekdays after 9 PM / 7PM on weekends. (You will see an inevitable line of hungry sushi lovers crowding up this small place around 8:53 PM)
- They make the sushi right there, you know it's fresh even though you're buying it for such a low price.
Now we face more competition on that line. -
Review from Young C.
Jersey City, NJ
4/27/2011
Just ate here for lunch yesterday and it's great. I've come once in a while in the evenings to pick up something on the way home, but during lunch, the guys are making sushi and putting them in boxes to put out there immediately. The fish was really fresh for boxed sushi and I think it's half off after dinner time.
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Review from Jessica S.
Manhattan, NY
8/1/2011
I usually come here for the sushi (alaska rolls are my fav) and the black sesame mousse *drool*. I LOVE the cozy atmosphere. Hoonestly, I really wouldn't know what to compare them to since this is the one of 2 places I've had sushi (although ennju's sushi was better than the other place).
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Review from Tony L.
5/2/2007
I have a love hate relationship with Ennju. On the one hand, you get efficient cashiers, friendly cleanup service, and a nice location (around the block from my office). On the other hand, it's another overpriced, mediocre Japanese restaurant. Unless you're satisfied for one small roll, be prepared to spend up to 15 bucks on prepacked sushi. The donburi, curry, and udon is good, but not great. One of the sides that I do look forward to is the hot and sour soup which comes free with rice dishes.
One point worth mentioning -- get there after 9, they have a 1/2 off sale on sushi. Sure, it's not as fresh as stuff you'd get in the morning, but it's not any less fresh than other Japanese restaurants opened after the same time.
If you're in the area and you've got a hankering for Japanese food, give it a shot. Otherwise, I'm not sure this is a place worth going out of your way for. -
Review from Noa B.
Brooklyn, NY
2/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
This used to be one of my very favorite places for last few years.
Most of people working there are Japanese, which ensures people a legitimate Japanese restaurant. I am sorry to say they are losing their standard very quickly.
Foods are not fresh anymore. Service lacking, showing unnecessary attitudes. When I had Bibimbap, they charged me 50 cents for the Sauce! (there was only teardrop of hot sauce in the center). Now Bibimbap means literally 'mixed up rice" and we need sauce to mix up. It's like having spaghetti without any sauce!
Also another weakpoint in probably all Japanese bento places. He asked me if I wanted to warm it up. I asked if he could because the container was not microwavable. He said maybe not. What in the world did he ask me for then? Obviously the whole stuff would melt in microwave and you end up eating unfresh + fresh chemicals from cheap containers.
Maybe you should only get sushi or plate, which would cost easily over $10. That's not reasonable price for bento place.
You disappointed me, Ennju. -
Review from Wing L.
12/4/2009 1 photo
The food here is slightly above average. The chicken teriyaki is a heaping large portion. They use dark meat here so for those that prefer white meat you're out of luck. I like my teriyaki sauce a little sweeter then what they serve here.
The hot plates such as the teriyaki and the udons are made when you order them so expect a wait of about five minutes or so for these dishes.
The miso soup is decent but there are better ones in St. Marks area. The sushi is made and packaged in the store ahead of time and put into a cold open fridge for you to choose and pick from. It's still relatively fresh since there is a sushi chef to the right that constantly makes new rolls whenever he sees one run low throughout the day till they close. Just don't expect warm soft sushi like you get from a real sushi restaurant. It's still much better then the prepackaged ones that you get at the corner deli.
I have seen the chef make a fresh sushi for customers if you request it when they don't happen to have it in the sushi area at the moment.
Despite the average food, I come back to this place time and time again. Here is the reason why. Most people don't know this but an hour before they close,starting at 9pm Monday to Saturday and at 7pm on Sunday, they have everything that is placed in the sushi cold area for 50% off. All the sushi that they have left. All the cold noodles. All the salads. 50% off. And there is still a whole hour left for you to sit and enjoy it. No rushing to close the store.
This wouldn't be that big a deal if the sushi were hours old and nasty but what they have left is still fresh. The sushi guy continues to make fresh sushi till the 50% off sale starts. Sometimes a little after.
Just be prepared to get there 15 minutes before the sale. People start lining up and start choosing their sushi at that point and by the time it begins there is usually only a meager selection left.
Maybe I shouldn't have yelped this out to everybody. Now that everyone knows, the lines will probably get longer. Less for me. Darn it. -
Review from Leang C.
Manhattan, NY
7/11/2011
It's a surprisingly cheap place to get lunch in the Flatiron district. The bento I got was well worth the $6.26 (after tax) that I paid. Definitely a good place for anyone looking to eat on a budget
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Review from Felix H.
Atlanta, GA
9/27/2010
Ennju is perfect for a quick, casual bite. When I used to work a couple blocks away, I would come here for lunch and choose from three things- the teriyaki chicken bento box, the chirashi or a few of the cafeteria selections (by the pound) with a side of rice. The bento boxes sell out incredibly fast so you have to get there early. The chirashi is a wonderful menagerie of fish on rice. If you opt for the cafeteria counter, be sure to get one of the braised salmon belly steaks. Holy damn, so incredibly tasty.
Aside from the chirashi, I've never had the sushi or sashimi. I'd rather go to a restaurant for that. The noodle dishes and soups are okay. But definitely try the three things I mentioned above. Nothing fancy, but plenty tasty. -
Review from Nina C.
7/10/2008
This place reminds of of a bigger, brighter Tokyo Lunch - my go-to yakinuki spot downtown.
I was in the neighborhood one day and after having run errands all day, I really needed to sit, relax and get some food in my belly. Had heard about this place and walked by a bunch previously, so I decided to go ahead and try it.
Was gonna go for some sushi, but wasn't so enamored of the selection, so I decided on a katsu curry. I was hoping for something that would remind me of the katsu in Japan. Alas, it was not meant to be. The chicken cutlet was thin, but not dry. The curry was slopped on top and seemed like it was missing something.
Since I was hungry, I ate a pretty big chunk of it - more out of hunger than taste. Maybe I'll come back another day to try the udon - they get such good reviews... But, don't expect it to be anytime soon! -
Review from Val U.
San Francisco, CA
6/27/2006
It would be great if more Japanese places were like this. It's all over Japan, in the form of train station "food shows" (too far). SF has one, Delica RF-1, in the Ferry Building (too expensive).
This place hits the nail on the head. Fair prices. Fresh, high quality food. Friendly service. I love it. -
Review from Bonnie D.
New York, NY
4/24/2009
BEWARE!!! I ordered the chicken terriaki. The meat tasted "funny". Not ha,ha funny, but odd, nasty, a flavor not recognized in my repertoire of food memory bank....funny. So, I concentrated on the veggies and rice. I went back to the chicken meat, but the connective tissue seemed to twist and overlap in an un-chicken like way. I followed the rope-like texture until my eyes stopped in horror at the sight of three claws/nails!!
Feeling sick to my stomach, I was quickly gathering up my things afraid I was going to throw up, the rude male cashier yelled at me to clean up my table and put the tray away, etc...
Photos would have been helpful for the Board of Health!!
