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Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - South SideTues, 2-for-1 Sapporo draft beer : Wed, Free beer with any ramen order (New veggie mushroom ramen) : Thurs, karaoke nights (Coming Soon!)
Bedford Ave (L)
Metropolitan Ave-Lorimer St (G, L)
Tue-Thu. 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat. 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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I will save my pork bun consuming for another time but if you are in Brooklyn and you can't stop thinking about the bun then Sui Ren would be the place to quite those little pork bun voices.
What I did love about this place is the duck breast skewer! There is also another skewer with the quail egg that is also worth trying but the one thing that stands out in my mind is the duck and the yuzu shochu cocktail.
Their backyard beckons for summer chilling with reggae on the sound system.
I liked it. Didn't love it. Was mostly just worried that my friends were all still hungry afterwards, which is I guess the risk you take when you go for tapas.
I had the yaki tako and miso ramen. The octopus I really didn't like very much. It was too salty and had weird squishy slimy fatty bits in it, which I don't ever recall having before in other octopus dishes. The ramen was good, I wish there had been more pork belly tho (two small slices). I find $12 for a bowl of ramen to be pretty offensively overpriced.
Other dishes sampled - both the pork bun and beef bun, which were both good but small, and the tuna tartare which I think was my favorite - served with marscapone cheese and spicy mayo. Really rich and delicious.
I appreciated their shochu and sake cocktails, as well as their seasonal choices. Again, priced poorly - $10 for a cocktail is a lot, even if it's done with good ingredients.
At the end of the meal, mostly due to the high drink prices, the bill came out to almost $50 per person (with tax and tip.) I find that really high, especially considering the fact that no one seemed to have eaten very much.
I will probably go back and try some of the other dishes tho, and skip the drinks to make it a more wallet-friendly destination.
I don't like it here :-(
I thought that I would, but then they served me tuna covered quail eggs that seem like a good idea but was impossible to eat, I mean, how do i even get that off the plate and into my mouth?
The buzzed-about pork buns, completely forgettable!
The ramen, took two bites, couldn't stomach it. Broth was so inexplicable and the noodles like instant, and there were feathers still sticking out of my duck slices. It was expensive, and I don't like to waste food, but I could not go any further!
A very disappointing experience.
What a fantastic place! Loved the casual cool ambiance, and though it was a weekend, it wasn't very crowded. We were seated promptly by a friendly hostess, and the staff provided great service throughout the meal.
The food was excellent! A friend and I shared the Nasu Dengaku, Basil Karaage, Tomato Avocado salad, and one other dish I couldn't recall (namely because I didn't have any of it). The Nasu Dengaku was absolutely delicious! The sweet miso really brought out the nuttiness of the eggplant, and it was just rich enough without being overly heavy. The Tomato Avocado salad was fresh and also delicious, and the sweetness of the fried shallots balanced out the tang of the tomatoes perfectly. Admittedly, I did not partake in the karaage or the other dish that slips my mind, but my friend really enjoyed them. Having heard good reviews of the ramen, I will definitely be returning to try that and more of the menu. However, given how delicious the vegetable dishes were, I may just stick with what I know to be good.
All in all, highly recommended for a great meal!
Dare I say that I heart the pork buns here. We ordered a ton of items off the menu and the consistency was SPOT ON!
It was like ordering small plates of delicious, and the nigori sake in the adorable teardrop glass bottle was an additional discovery. Also, I'd like to make an honorable mention of the inventive and playful cocktail menu utilizing Japanese sodas and juices.
The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and the food comes out quickly, so be prepared to insert food quickly.
As far as decor goes, this place is intimate but not too small, and it's hidden location near bustling Roebling Tea Room and Fette Sau are solidifying that Metropolitan is positioned to become a great restaurant- row.
Last thing, try the ramen, you'll cry.
I thought the food was great! Went there on a Sunday night. Not crowded at all. Great service, too. Very informative.
The ambiance was nice and cozy.
Highlights were the iceberg lettuce and the pork belly. Me and my date shared five and we had just enough food (with dessert of course!),
Would have easily passed it up if I had not searched on yelp before the outing as it looks deceptively like a bar from the outside. Nothing special or unique. Will definitely go again!
Whatchu know bout Sui Ren?! Nothing, huh. Well it's on the verge of being on the radar, just has to be discovered!
The front is really nondescript, but once you walk in it's dark and lounge like. We went straight to the back to enjoy the nice weather in the outdoor patio. So quiet and relaxing.
Tuesdays is where it's at- 2 for 1 Sapporos, but each person has to get at least 2 which is fiiine by me (2 Sapporos = $8). Wednesdays are buy a ramen, get a beer free. Their food is solid. Kind of upscale izakaya grub but a notch below Zenkichi down the block so my wallet stays happy.
The duck ramen was okay, but got cold very quickly since we were sitting outside. The soft yolk quail eggs wrapped with tuna were amaaazing! Something about biting into the egg and having the yolk ooze in my mouth is so gratifying. The pork buns were pretty good, but I still prefer pork belly buns. After tax and tip we each paid $35 which included 2 beers AND a dessert each. (I basically gorged myself grossss.)
Amazing and our waitress couldn't have been nicer! Just waiting for the word on Sui Ren to spread like wildfire.
Came here for a quick dinner while walking in Williamsburg. Although it is a few blocks from the subway, it was totally worth it!
The back garden was cute and not super crowded. The staff were friendly and attentive. I started with this jasmine-mint drink that tasted like a mojito which was good!
We ordered the pork bun and spicy tuna for appetizers - both excellent. The pork bun (1) may I add...was delicious and the spicy tuna with crackers was light and very fresh.
For dinner, the miso ramen was very tasty. I like a little spice so I added some siracha sauce and it was very good, there was a little corn and snow peas mixed in with the braised pork belly which was tender and flavorful.
For $49, it was not that expensive for the amount of food we got! I would go back and try eating in the actual restaurant since it was a really nice lounge.
Great new addition to B'Burg's izakaya scene which I think is worth a trek from the main drag to check out the food. I'll definitely be back to sample more of the menu. My friend and I had been eating all day so all we had was the miso ramen and okonomyaki which were both delicious. The miso broth was excellent, complex but subtle. The chansu pork was kinda sweet which was a nice variation from most ramen and the mix of veggies was interesting: corn, peapods along with the usual shredded cabbage, and scallions. There also thread-thin slices of red chili peppers which was a nice little surprise every few bites but not overwhelming. The noodles were pretty standard but good. The okonomyaki was excellent, full of chunks fresh ingredients, not overcooked or overly eggy or floury.
They have a varied menu which definitely tempts me into coming back when I have a bigger appetite. Their back garden is lovely with plenty of seating, service was excellent and unobstrusive and the prices made it a great bargain.
I stopped in here on my first day as a Brooklynite, about 10 minutes after they opened. (I was moving stuff in all day, Yelp said they were open, why not?) I was planning on getting take-out but it was a nice afternoon and the patio area looked too comfy to turn down.
My server was terrific, she checked back with the perfect frequency even though I was the only one on the patio, and she even took a few minutes to chat when I mentioned that I was brand new in town.
I ordered the pork bun and the duck ramen. I am a great fan of Japanese food, and they have a great looking menu that eschews sushi entirely, and cuts out fast-food style Japanese dishes.
The pork bun was delicious, with a great spectrum of textures between the meat, the bun dough, and the crispy greens. The ramen though, was the highlight for me. Recalling how it looked is making me hungry again. Great presentation with the collage of duck, chives, sprouts, noodles, and bamboo shoots; and I love the mosaic of oil and hot sauce that sits on the surface of the broth. This was as authentic as any ramen I had in Japan, and a lot better tasting.
I'll definitely be back to try some more of the menu, I'd like to see what the chef does with okonomiyaki!
Great food. Good prices.
The service was friendly but pretty slow and they didn't time things well. Timing is probably difficult when most of your menu is small plates, but it's still very important. If you bring my date's food 15 minutes after my food, I will eat all of her food. If you bring my food 15 minutes after my date's food, I will eat half of her food. You have to give her a goddamn chance to eat.
p.s. Don't repeat my mistake. I ordered unagi & foie gras rather than duck & foie gras because I really like unagi. It was fine. But I know the duck would have been better.
Sui Ren is a pleasant surprise. It offers Japanese style tapas (izakaya) - we read about it from Williamsburg Greenpoint New + Arts October issue and decided to check it out tonight. The food was wonderful and the presentation was well done! We ordered quail eggs that were wrapped in tuna. The eggs melted in the mouth! Yaki Tako (grilled octopus) was so tender and flavorful. The staffs were very friendly and helpful.
You definitely need to check it out.
I'm very stingy giving 5 stars, but Sui Ren meets all my expectations.
What a hidden gem in Williamsburg! I've been here twice already and never disappointed. Can't wait until I have another bachi maguro craving (will explain in second). Modern décor indoors and spacious outdoor seating with an open grill to the side. Great for intimate dinners and for large parties. It's BYOB for now, which is great... just bring your own bottles of wine/sake and the staff is more than gracious to keep them chilled. Overall service is good... sometimes a bit too attentive. My personal plate is always cleared away and I would have to ask for another plate again. I still want to eat more!!
Highlights from the menu:
Bachi maguro to udama - fresh tuna with soft yolk quail egg & crispy seaweed
Teba - black pepper chicken wings
Age dashi tofu - dashi broth, deep fried silken tofu
Maguro taru taru - spicy tuna served with crispy rice cracker
Shishamo - japanese plump salted grilled smelt
Yaki tako - grilled octopus
LOVE the bachi maguro to udama!! Fresh big eye tuna hugging a soft yolk quail egg that melts in your mouth. I can't get enough... DELICIOUS!! I will definitely go back again to try out the rest of the menu and their specials.
I think they probably have the best Ramen in Williamsburg. Well at least the duck broth ramen.. The miso one is just ok.. If that was all they served, I'd probably take the L to 1st ave. to eat Ramen at Kambi..
If you go to Sui Ren though, the pork bun is a must.. It's like a pecking duck wrap with crispy pork instead of duck.. Similar to Ippudo pork bun, but different sauce inside.. They are both equally awesome.
2 for 1 Sapporo drafts on Tuesday is always awesome..
I'm also down with the "free beer with Ramen" Wednesdays.
I arrived here around 11 pm on Friday night, and the place was not very busy probably owing to the fact it had rained pretty hard that evening. My dinner companion and I sat in the back patio area, which was so quiet, and refreshingly clean/tidy.
We ordered the steamed pork bun and edamame as appetizers. My date mentioned that the pork bun was even better than Ippudo's. I disagree, but she happily wolfed it down.
For our main course dishes the waitress brought Buta shabu goma ae (shabu-shabu with sesame dressing over greens), Unagi & foie gras, and Buta to uzura (pork belly wrapped around soft yolk quail egg).
If you go there, please do not miss out on ordering the Buta shabu goma ae. When I went to Japan my friend's wife made this dish, and Sui Ren replicates it perfectly. We were in fact tempted to order a second dish of this, but we decided not to fill up too much since we were hitting the bars afterward. I enjoyed the quail egg, but it's not a 'must-item' on the menu. The Unagi was excellent, but the foie gras was served cold. I tend to enjoy the latter warm.
I'll come back again and again for the shabu-shabu.
The service was excellent, and our waitress never rushed us during the entire meal.
Service, not overly done but impeccable. Everyone was very nice, maybe because it's their soft opening? Or because they have a cool ass restaurant.
FOOD-
Bachi Maguru to Udama- I will dream about this dish tonight, Quail egg with tuna, I love you!
Kamo Mune- Duck with Foie Gras cream, I mean come on!! How can you go wrong?
Pork bun- great
Homemade curried Beef Bun- good
Buta Hire- Good
Shiitake- I LOVE my shiitake, lightly fried, I will take it.
Outstanding, Many components to a dish and you can really taste all the flavors.
INSIDE-
Nice decor, good music, NOT CHEESY.
They also have an outdoor patio.
P.S- For now it's BYOB.
The obvious comparisons must be drawn to Bozu, which is similar in terms of decor, food, and location. Sui Ren doesn't offer as much in the way of sushi, but their eclectic menu is very well-conceived, creative, and filled with hidden treasures. Sui Ren is smart. It was clearly designed by someone who understands the Williamsburg contingency. I wouldn't say that the ambiance is superb, but it's adequately cool in that sort of too-hip-to-be-noticed Williamsburg kind of way. It has the unassuming entrance, the dark lighting, the non-descript furnishings of places like Larry Lawrence...
We ordered the pork buns, maguro taru taru, miso ramen, kurobuta sausage, and yakinikun (Korean spare rib). The pork buns are big and satisfying. My only complaint is that the pork was a thin, fried strip of pork instead of the slab of fatty pork belly that you find at places like Momofuku Ssam. The consistency of the bun itself and the overall flavor overshadowed that. The taru-taru was a nice portion for $8, and while I don't usually like the fried rice chips that they served with it, I do really appreciate having something crispy to eat it with. Everything else was perfect. The miso ramen was absolutely dominant. Step aside Ippudo. And that's not even their specialty. The service was attentive without being overbearing.
I might have given 4 stars on the food alone, given the minor disappointments I mentioned above, however, the drink menu really pushes it back to 5. They offered a ramune & shochu cocktail in 2 flavors. I lived in Japan for several years and that was my favorite izakaya beverage. A true rarity on this side of the world. For that alone, they get an extra star.
Dear Sui Ren, thank for making your way to our neighborhood. I have a big crush on you ;-)
Dined here 2009.06.23
This 5-star review is for the food and service. Iceberg lettuce... who knew? Also, warm eel and cold foie gras make for a killer combination. Usuzukuri with tomato sorbet was delish, as was the kamo ramen. Teba chicken wings were also quite good. Jun-san is a genius!! The service was helpful and attentive. The meal we had here was half the cost of a similar meal we had at Zenkichi, but better.
If I had to find a fault, it would be the placement of the kitchen doors, which swing out into the dining room, throwing bright fluorescent rays into the eyes of any diner unlucky enough to be seated against the wall facing the kitchen. (I had my back to the doors, but noticed the lights.)
That said, I feel the superb food and great service at an eminently reasonable price warrant 5 stars. I will eat here again (there is still half the menu to check out!)
My mouth is still watering.
That was the best octopus and the best duck breast that I have ever had in any preparation, bar none. The fried octopus special was initially prepared in an immersion cooker, then deep fried, then popped into my mouth to bring me to whole new levels of paradise. The duck breast with foie gras creme was impeccably rich and meaty and, if you'll excuse the cliche, bursting with flavor.
The grilled iceberg lettuce skewers were a delightful start to the meal and the spicy tuna with rice crackers were charmingly noisy treats. Portion size was generally quite generous given the casual-yet-refined Japanese tapas approach, enough that I was surprised that the spicy tuna serving was hamburger-sized.
I don't care that their liquor license hasn't come through yet (they anticipate offering a full bar within the next few weeks). I don't care that their otherwise rather dark & glamorous dining environment is confused by plastic diamond-shaped Max Headroom-esque lights that drop from the ceiling (which, to be fair, look pretty cool from a distance but odd right beside you). I'm thoroughly smitten and I want to go back tout de suite to order the grilled malpeque oyster and big eye tuna skewer that I didn't have this go 'round. A girl has needs, you know.
It was a disappointing experience. Planning to catch a movie after the meal, we decided to try Sui Ren at opening time but ended up waiting on the sidewalk until 6:15 before their doors opened. Service was friendly and attentive, and the appetizers were inventive and interesting. The cold skewer Bachi Maguro To Udama (tuna/quail eggs) is a winner. Sadly the ramens were disheartening. The miso ramen broth tasted like once-boiled water with prepackaged miso seasoning. The ramen noodles at serving were already soft and soggy. The pork belly was very good, but not enough to redeem the dish. The next trip, if there is a next time, will only be for appetizers and drinks.
Unbelievably, unfairly good. I resent living in California now.
I was the only person in the front area; there were apparently a few out back. This was around 10pm on a Friday. I chatted with most of the staff, who were all very nice; one of the managers (Umi) gave me some recommendations for beer-related establishments my friend might like (not huge on beer myself).
I had the pork bun, what is listed as a curried beef bun on the menu but actually isn't--they've since changed it and I was told to what before ordering, though I forget now what it was--kamo mune, bachi maguro to udama, pork okonomiyaki (a special), dorayaki, and two different sake (can't remember what they were now either). Everything was great, but in particular the first four. Dishes were sized well for the price--it's tapas-style, obviously, but you can go here by yourself and feel full without breaking the bank.
Worth a trip from Manhattan or elsewhere in the city for sure.
We ordered a bunch of yakitori and were pleasently surprised by the innovative variaitons on this delicious treat. perfectly cooked korean bbq style steak, duck, pork belly wrapped around quali eggs... really great stuff, and some nice sake to boot. chill quiet vibe, great service. definitely recommended as a douche free place to be in the wb.
Best restaurant of the year in Williamsburg - and by far the best Japanese. No sushi here (thanks for not trying to overreach - although Williamsburg still needs a real sushi option). This place perfects what Qoo down the street is trying to do, it's a damn good izakaya, the food is easily on the level of Manhattan, and even the high end izakayas of Tokyo. Try any of the duck dishes, the pork bun, and you won't be disappointed, in fact you might be amazed at how good real japanese food is.
The ramen is terrific, not the same as slurping in Sapporo or Hakata, but you won't find better in Brooklyn and it is a far better value than Ippudo (which tastes nothing like their Fukuoka counterparts anyway - no gyoza? pu-leeze), but save room for dessert.
The service was the friendliest that we've experienced in a long while without being too familar or stand offish. I am so mad that I am blanking on our waitress' name, cool tatoos, from California, and also loves the pork buns - she was great and when her name comes to me, I'll edit this review to add her.
We have a very good reason for being picky about Japanese food, and to be excited about this place - relatives from japan arriving in a few weeks who we want to impress - yay! we have a place to visit the evening after we do lunch at Peter Luger.
Edited to add that our super cool waitress is ERIN!
I just came back from the best meal in a long time at Sui Ren! I went with my boyfriend, who ordered the pork bun and the miso ramen. I gingerly put down my initial order for edamame, yaki tako (grilled octopus), and onigiri (grilled rice ball with fish roe). Boyfriend loved the pork bun (which is a very Taiwanese snack food item) and the pork in the ramen. He said the broth was a little on the sweet side (maybe to go with the corn and the snowpeas). But some people might like that.
I absolutely enjoyed everything I ordered. The octopus was perfectly grilled with sea salt. The taste of sea salt was so refreshing! The yaki onigiri was also perfect ($2 a piece; you might need 2 if you want a good amount of rice). Then I added an order (3 pieces) of yellowtail sashimi with Japanese peppers (shishito). This was the best dish! There was a savory marinade, and the fish was wrapped around the pepper, which was grilled. All the flavors just came together perfectly!
After all this, I was actually craving a dessert, so we ordered the Japanese pancakes with sweet red beans and green tea ice cream. It was again, perfect! It wasn't overwhelmingly sweet, and the green tea ice cream had the real, slightly tar/bitter taste of green tea (unlike the super-sweet, supermarket versions), which complemented the sweet red beans so well!
The restaurant is very well designed. There's enough privacy for everyone, and they have a back garden!
What a promising little restaurant! I hope they'll keep up the good work and maintain the quality and detail of the ingredients. I will definitely go back soon!
3 words: HO LEE SHIT!
the new best restaurant in williamsburg, nothing even comes close.
i found myself full and asking the waitress for more recommendations because i couldn't get enough of the food. i couldn't believe there was no MSG in the food (we asked, probably inappropriately, but it's just that good.) one thing was better than the next.
the attention to detail and the presentation is exquisite. the dishes are small, 'tapas-style' so you can sample several different menu items.
standout dishes: yaki tako (grilled octopus) and maguro taro taro (spicy tuna tartar w/rice crackers). and (interesting!) grilled iceberg lettuce. sounds odd but it was delicious.
and there's a shoju *menu* if you like your fire water smoooth.
really, don't just listen to me or the other 10 people who gave it 5 stars, do yourself a favor and go there while you can still get a table!
also the wait staff are incredibly sweet and attentive.
sui ren is very good!! the food is thoughtful and delicious, the service is attentive, the interior is cozy, the prices are a little high, but they match the quality. i really have nothing negative to say about this place. it's definitely worth a visit and you won't be disappointed.
finally some good japanese in the area!
i stuck mainly to the sashimi-type dishes, but i have to say its the best fish i've had in the area (bozu and zenkichi included).
the combinations were unique and really went well together, and everything was excellently prepared and presented. looking forward to going back and trying some more of the hot dishes (along with the fluke + tomoto sorbet dish which they had sold out of for the night..).
!
This is the place of my dreams. Reasonable prices, portions. Unreasonably delicious food. The thick, succulent maguro (tuna) wrapped around quail egg, the grilled octopus skewers, the kurobuta pork buns, the perfectly flash-fried tofu.... need I continue?
OK why not. How about the modern, but friendly space inside and the wonderful patio out back, ample seating, convenient location near Bedford but not in the thick of things.
Please try this place, but not all at once. Keep this place a hidden, beloved treasure.
I decided to check out this new Japanese Izakaya in Williamsburg after seeing all the five star reviews and reading about their ramen on several NYC food blogs. Sui Ren is located a little bit off the beaten path in Williamsburg. I got there around 6:30pm Saturday. It was empty besides the staff. The inside was modern and dimly lit. I opted for the backyard seating. Service was excellent and very attentive. Being a ramen connoisseur, I had to try the ramen. To start I ordered the steam pork bun. It was tasty but a tad small. I was never a fan of tapas sized dishes, but wanted to try it anyway. As for ramen they only offer two kinds, Kamo and Miso. I went for the Kamo since I never had a duck soup based ramen before. The Kamo ramen arrived in a huge bowl. It was the biggest bowl of ramen I ever had in NYC! Incredible. They didn't skimp in the noodles like a lot of other NYC ramen shops do. Toppings included seaweed, bamboo shoots, scallions, half a tea egg with gooey center, and two slices of medium done duck meat. It was quite different and tasty. I'm definitely coming back to try the miso ramen and other dishes. I hope more people find out about this place and they get more business since it was pretty empty there when I went. They probably could have picked a better location. I could be wrong. Maybe the armies of hipsters swarm this place much later in the late evening hours.
I ate here last Saturday (6/27/09) with a friend. I only eat veggies and fish/seafood, and he only eats meat-based dishes, but we were both full and happy at the end of the meal. I've had a lot of Japanese food and they had really creative, unique dishes! The most surprising one was yellowtail sashimi wrapped around a grilled shishito pepper--such a cool flavor combination and really good. Even a basic dish like agedashi tofu (deep-fried tofu) was much better than average--the cubes of tofu were bite-sized (much easier to eat than a big chunk!) served with scallions and seasoned mushrooms with just enough sauce (not bathing in it like some places). Will definitely be going back!
yummy duck!!
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