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8th Ave-42nd St (A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, S, 7, N, Q, R, W)
42nd St-5th Ave-6th Ave (7, B, D, F, V)
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I was here for the grand opening, and it was amazing. The food was great and fresh.
Years later, everything has gone down the drain, and the only thing that is worth eating is the combo bowl. The new dishes they have are just awful (bbq meats, shrimp, sushi, miso soup). I would say stick with the combo bowl and call it a meal.
Also the last few time I have gone there, they didn't have ice for their drinks, and they don't tell you until you ask about it - which is about the time you realize it when you are finally seated.
This is not my first choice fast food place to eat in Times Square, but if you're looking for something fast and good, the combo at Yoshiniya will hit the spot.
Yoshinoya... more like YoshinoNO.
The beef bowl isn't terrible, but it's not something they should brag about. The miso soup tasted so bad that I didn't even take more than 2 sips of it. The "tofu" in the soup was not real and it left a bad after taste in my mouth.
The sushi does not look appetizing and there is a community container of ginger for everyone who walks through Yoshinoyoa.
I love japanese food, but i do NOT love Yoshinoya.
I knew before I stepped foot into to this place it would most likely be very disappointing.
A chain restaurant in Times Square, I know. I know. You see the circumstances were I was extremely hungry, we missed a showing of Inglourious Basterds and there was limited time before the next.
It seemed like the smarter option out of the other choices in the area.
The beef bowl, tastes like waterlogged rice topped with greasy overcooked beef. Also imagine this all done extremely bland. Now I understand why everyone was dousing their things in soy.
You know how the casino's have a list that you can put yourself on so they kick you out if they see you in there?
They should have one of those here. I'd sign myself up just in case I ever forgot how gnarly it is.
Could it be that a fast food implant from Japan makes the best New England Clam Chowder in all of New York?.., with chicken wings to match???
Haha..., Yeah, right!
The new england clam chowder was decent for fast food fare. And, it's not at all expensive. Comes in handy when you need your chowder fix, Now (blistering winter nights perhaps?)! Regardless, it won't be my first chowder choice..., by any means.
And, the wings?
Well, being the (certified, unrelentingly obsessive) Wing Nut that I am, I had to give them a try. The wings tastes of the japanese-style fried variety. They're basted in a gingery glaze, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Tastes ok, but the overall meal is on the dry side. And, with each successive wing, it gets saltier; Ackward!
List price is: 6 pieces for $3.79.
I don't think they know how to count... fortunately, that worked-out well for me. I received 7 for the price of 6!
(At which point., tony c. begins to wonder..)
"She gave me an extra Chicken Wing. She likes me.."
Haha..., Yeah, right!
Some background information is in order. I am not from California or Japan, nor have ever tried… Read more »
When searching for lunch places in Times Square, I literally have to bushwhack fast food joints and chain restaurants like I'm Dora the Explorer with a scythe. Even though I quickly skipped over Yoshinoya and its 2.5 stars multiple times, I was intrigued by it's authentic Japanese fast food allure, despite the eminent exploding colon. Also, who knows when I'm gonna meet a cute Japanese girl and need a conversation starter?
The line was slowww and they only had one register going for a line to the door. I eventually got a large beef and vegetable bowl combo, which was definitely a ton of food for $8. The beef was stringy and fatty, the vegetables were soggy, and the rice was dripping with oil. I still managed to eat it all, and I've been achingly full for hours. Pretty sure I'll be in pain the rest of the day too.
I am so disappointed!!
I heard Yoshinoya in nyc is exactly the same as ones in Japan....
Naaahhhh!!!
the rice and the beef are the same yes. but the significant difference is...
The SAUCE!!! not even close. its waaaaay too salty and its just not tasty.
Sorry but i will never go back.
It is a good price and great location tho.
I've been coming here fairly regularly (since I never eat fast food and am rarely in Time Square that means about twice a year) for about three years now...
The place used to be a lot cleaner, whether day-time or late-night, and the service used to be a lot more friendly, but, to be perfectly honest, it probably took the riff-raff quite awhile to catch-on to the joys of Japanese Fast-Food.
But, quick-and-easy is quick-and-easy -- your standards can't be too high, and mine never have been (and never will be) -- though I'm always open to a surprise (and always will be)...
I don't recommend the California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, or the Clam Chowder -- 1 star.
The cheesecake, sesame chicken wings, and grilled shrimp bowl are okay, I suppose, for fast food -- 2 stars.
The chicken bowl is OK, I guess -- 3 stars...
But, really, when I come here what I order is the "Beef (with onions) Only Bowl" and the "Vegetables Only Bowl" and although you may get a little less meat than you'd get in a "Beef Large Bowl" at least you get a lot more vegetables for about the same price, without having to choke-down and carry-around all the rice (I'm a member of the Clean Plate Club, so, late at night, it's definitely a welcome bonus) -- with the pickled ginger and crushed/dried-chilis it easily warrants 4 stars.
When in the Time Square area, seeking something cheap that's open late, this is what I seek-out and recommend.
I see a lot of bad reviews for this NYC location.. When I came here, I was suprised to see real Japanese working here not like the ones in LA. Compared to the ones in LA, the best tasting one. I've been eating at Beef Bowl. for 20+ years..
The McDonald's of Japan has made a chain in NYC.
Yoshinoya is famous for their beef bowl. The food isn't bad for the price you pay. This was my favorite place to eat when I was in junior high.
Ill keep this short. Been here before about a year ago. Ate here in May 2009 and quality went down the basement floor. I guess new workers mean new crappy food.
I ordered the chicken bowl and it tasted like the chicken need to be feed and needed to be cooked a little longer. Bad Bad quality this time around. They should hire better cooks cause this place really disappointed me.
I haven't eaten here in 2 years and finally when I ate here again, I have to say that I am sooo disappointed. This use to be my favorite fast food restaurant in Times Square, but after tonight I'm not so sure anymore.
My boyfriend had the chicken bowl, which before was sooo tender and juicy and had slightly crispy skin, but not this time. I had the gyu-don (beef) and it was still the same except it tasted like its been sitting out for a while, it was not hot like it's suppose to be and the same went for my boyfriends chicken.
I have a theory on why the quality went down, but I don't want to say because it may cause a stir on yelp so I'll just keep it to myself.
So 2 years ago I would have given this place a 4 star rating, but it's may 2009 now and I give it a "Meh. I've experienced better."
Yoshinoya is ok if you are in a bind, need to have a quick meal and do not want to settle for McDonalds.
I recommend the BBQ beef bowl because the normal beef bowl has very stringy "beef." It looked like uncooked bacon but it still had a great taste. Also, I feel like I get a lot less BBQ beef then the other options.
The line can be slow for a fast food joint but that is usually random.
Really good quality Yoshinoya but horrendous service that was rude.. They would've gotten one more star but yeah the poor service was a no-no.. In fact, the only reason they get two stars is because the food tasted that good.. Oh well why the hell did I even eat Yoshinoya while I was in NY?? Oh yeah.. the munchies -_-
There is nothing i can say except... LOUSY FOOD, LOUSY PLACE and all seems goes wrong....the chicken is so dry, the beef gosh.....tasteless....
uhhhhhhh.....no more comment guys....once in a lifetime.
The beef bowl could've used more, you know, BEEF, and less vegetables.
Quality was alright. Price...well, it's the Times Square area, take what you get.
If I went back I'd probably try another bowl. But I don't think I will go back anytime soon when there is better, and cheaper, down on St. Mark's.
Ooohhh Yoshinoya how I've missed you since my better days of staying in Japan. Soo glad you have made your way over to "Amerikka" and have not changed the one thing that makes you you; the beef bowl. Sauce, check. Beef with onions, check. Rice, well not so check but good try. Just bring back the Japanese small grain sticky rice and we're back up to 4-5 stars in no time.
I love Yoshinoya in California but the quality in the NYC location is terrible. The rice is all mushy and bland. Yoshinoya needs to get some Asians at this location and oversee the operations. What's the point of a rice bowl if you can't make rice?
While it is a fast food chain, it is unique enough that it's worth a visit - just not in NYC.
People that have read my other reviews will know that I don't like too much sauce, (or at least bland sauces). If getting the chicken rice bowl, skip the teriyaki sauce. Instead, sprinkle some paprika based spices, soy sauce and perhaps some ginger.
I would give the locations in California 4 stars.
Cheers!
N
I'd totally walk 10 blocks to friggin' Times Square to eat a beef bowl. It's cheap, it's fast, it's absolutely delicious so what more can you ask? I even get cravings in the morning so when the weather permits, I'll make my way down to chow down a good old $5 beef bowl (or $4.49 to be exact).
Yes, there's often an excruciating long line filled with hungry Japanese tourists but I don't care. Yes, the decor is not nice but it's a fast food joint so don't complain. I'd choose this place any time over McDonald's.
Made the mistake of not getting the beef bowl the first time around - now I see it's really the only menu option worth getting. This stuff is definitely fast food, though I had higher expectations before I walked in...
Still beats McDonald's!
Yoshinoya is an awesome chain but the Time Square location needs some serious quality control.
- Gyudon: a bowl of rice topped with beef, onion, and dashi sauce. The beef was ok but the sauce lacked a flavor big time. Thank God for pickled gingers that helped me get through this meal.
- Miso soup: one of the worst I ever had.....the soup tasted like MSG with small pieces of dehydrated tofu floating on top....it's just plain nasty.
Yoshinoya at different locations serve much better food. Time Square branch should keep up with the standards. I don't expect much from them. I just want the same quality I get from other Yoshinoya locations.
I don't care what you people say, I would rather eat here than any nasty American fast food place like Mc Donald's or Burger King. This is just some fast, cheap, awesome, crappy food.
When I'm feeling broke, I come here - it's not 5 star dining, folks. It fills you up, plain and simple. Yes, its located in the most annoying part of town, Times Square - but for a chick like me who needs a quick getaway from work, you may find me eating here.
The beef bowl is as good as it can get and you won't have that Mc Donald's Big Mac phlegm cough afterwards.
The chicken bowl is good as it can get and you won't have that Mc Donald's crispy chicken sandwich from phlegm cough afterwards.
If I want a double whammy - I get the combo - that should stir you guys up :)
I like this place, leave it alone!!!
Make no mistakes-- this is a fast food joint.
While there's been a rise of "revisionist fast food restaurants" (as I'm sure you can tell, I made this phrase up) that attempt to make fast-food eating hip and satisfying by serving high(er) quality hamburgers, hot dogs, and the like in a fun environment, Yoshinoya is not one of these establishments.
Rather, Yoshinoya is of the chain variety of fast-food restaurants. Think of it as the McDonalds of Japan, complete with bad flourescent lighting, decor more impersonal than that of a dentist's office, surly counter people, cheap packaging, and bad food.
But as a life long customer of Yoshinoya, I can swear to you this-- Yoshinoya is is excellent bad food.
Let's first talk about the Yoshinoya chain. Though the restaurant offers many other meals, their signature dish is the gyu-don or beef bowl. Gyu-dons are essentially bowls of rice topped with thin slices of beef that's been cooked with onions, soy sauce, and mirin. While you could choose to buy vegetables (or kimchi!) to top your gyu-don, the basic beef bowl features only rice, beef, and onions.
Gyu-dons were born during the Japanese Meiji Era (...don't ask me how or why I know this) when they were seen as a fashionable "western" dish. But as time progressed, gyu-dons became a sort of college student staple as the quick and cheap meal option (Really, you're best off chucking any expectations of good Japanese food out the window. This is the social equivalent of a late night pizza parlor). Yoshinoya is the largest gyu-don chain in Japan and have several international locations. And while the chain is rather ubiquitous on the West Coast, this store here is the only one in the East.
And of course... it's in the hellhole that is Time's Square. Of course there's a line for it... because... it's in Times Square. Of course the restaurant looks like the inside of a dirty Burger King at 3 in the morning. Of course they put in some bamboo trees inside the restaurant as an effort to seem Asian. Of course the people behind the counter are rude. Of course the food comes in cheap styrofoam bowls. Of course the quality of meat and rice is questionable.
But despite all this... the Yoshinoya beef bowl is pretty damn good... for $5.
I admit that the beef is usually too salt and can be overcooked, causing it to taste drier and tougher than it should be. Also, the rice is a little too soft, tasting as if it had been microwaved. But overall, the gyu-don is a satisfying meal and tasty meal. The juices of the soy sauce, mirin, and onion sauce mix that overflow onto the white rice is simple, but flavorful. Being the spice addict that I am, I usually sprinkly my bowl with hefty doses of the red pepper flake condiment, but even without it, the beef bowl is still pretty good.
I probably am cutting Yoshinoya a lot of slack since I am emotionally attached to this chain, having eaten many meals here while growing up in California. Nevertheless, it does bother me that the NY store would charge nearly a dollar more per dish while giving considerably less food than its West Coast counterparts. But all in all, the Times Square Area is a culinary black hole, and at the end of the day, Yoshinoya is probably the best fast food options there. So if you ever have few minutes to spare before catching a bus at Port Authority and don't mind bad flourescent lighting and tacky bamboo decor, step right into Yoshinoya. After all, it's beef and rice-- what could possibly go wrong?
Yoshinoya is one of the most popular Gyudon (beef bowl) restaurants in Japan. I miss their food and stop at this Times Sq. location once in a while. Best fast food spot in the area, at least for me.
I don't exactly know why this place is still open. Being in the Times Square area, I would expect this place to be a little more upscale (outside of their sign). Even the McDonald's seems to be cleaner and more decorated than here.
Putting superficiality aside, Yoshinoya is supposedly a famous beef bowl chain in Japan. I'm not too sure exactly how the restaurants are in Japan, but I would probably expect the quality to be higher than their overseas location. Their Manhattan restaurant is more similar to an Japanese fast food restaurant if anything else. I came here before attending a Broadway show and hungry. Considering the fact that the service wasn't slow helped tremendously in that situation. When I received my order, it wasn't particularly special at all. The flavor was bland but the portion was on the large side, though I think I mainly filled up on the rice.
Maybe this place attracts Asian tourists who are more familiar with its name rather than dining at an American fast food chain. There's nothing particularly wrong with Yoshinoya, but it's not notably good either.
Cheap gyudon. This is what they are known for in Japan, and this is what they are in here. It's slightly different from the stuff in Japan. Let me put it this way, if you can picture that Tokyo is to New York as Yoshinoya Japan is to Yoshinoya USA then you get the picture. Grittier and with more attitude than in Japan, but when you sit down to eat, the gyudon is the same. As cheap as it is, I'm surprised they are able to stay in Times Square! So, if you are looking for quick, cheap, and something that can eventually become a guilty pleasure, then go to Yoshinoya.
I wish I had seen the Yelp reviews before I ate here. The food is served in Styrofoam bowls because it arrives at Yoshinoya that way. Just the way they bought it at the market. Pull off the foil cover, add water, heat, stir and then sell it!
So you'll fill up on salty over processed Japanese-style food and...basically that's it. If you aren't in a hurry I assure you can find plenty of better places around here.
B-B-B-BLOWS.
Don't remember why I was in the area - all I do remember is that I was so very hungry and desperate, I walked in and got a chicken teriyaki rice bowl and was very disappointed. Mind you - I WAS STARVING, and I was still mad at myself. Once my hunger pains subside, I threw the rest away.
I know, it's fast food, but I DO like fast food (once in a while)! This has no excuses.
Japanese fast food on the go. Prices are moderate and the food appears to be mass produced. Styrofoam bowls are used to serve dishes which appears rather ghetto.
The original locations in Tokyo are far much better.
Cheepish and quick way to eat before movies
We were starving that day and looking for a cheap yet decent restaurant to eat at in Times Square and we were looking for something that was with rice (especially I who HAVE to HAVE rice at least once a day). Anyhow, my friend recommended our group of friends to go eat at Yoshinoya. I didn't suspect her cause so far she took us to good places and Yoshinoya in Japan was really good to eat in. I remembered.
However, I was EXTREMELY disappointed by this one. I understand it's meant to be like a fast food join but Japanese "meal" but this joint didn't have noddle dishes (not that I care but it's one of the things yoshinoya is popular for) and their rice dishes were HORRIBLE. Rice was too soft and the flavoring was just bad.
I'm a pretty fair rater myself and this was one I couldn't let it pass by. I understand this is a FAST FOOD joint but come on people, I would rather dine at McDonalds than this place ever again. The food was just horrible.
YUK ! Its fake japense food. I would rather eat ramen noodle soup then that stuff. ITs soo synthetic it could probably make barbie dolls out of it. no way.
beef bowl is one food i love, but perhaps so due to nostalgia. i first started eating this stuff decades ago in la...back when the styrofoam was orange with brown writing.
i've taken a fair amount of people here for their first beef bowl experience thinking it would change their lives for the better. however, i'm sad to report that the clear consensus among them is that beef bowl is, well...garbage (with an american accent on it).
nevertheless, i still do my monthly 1-mile walk from work to times square to get me some beef bowl--tasty shredded thin soft fatty semi-transparent brown towels of beef over a not-so-asian bed of rice. if you are new to yoshinoya and are open to fatty beef, give it a try. otherwise, try the healthier chicken bowl which is mall-food-court good and is served with an array of flourescent vegatables for the kids to play with.
i'm grateful that this location has managed to stay alive while the other 3 or 4 nyc yoshinoyas have closed. one thing i don't understand about yoshinoya is that its southern ca locations seem to last (or even thrive) while sf bay area, where the makeup of patrons is pretty much similar to that of socal's, all failed. oh well...i just hope that yoshinoya doesn't end up leaving nyc too. help keep it in nyc by trying it and supporting it.
One of the few things in Times Square I actually like. I made my first trip here years ago and thought it sucked big time because I made the mistake of getting a chicken and vegetable bowl which I was generally displeased with. Fortunately I was with a friend who had gotten a beef bowl and she let me try a bit and I found it quite tasty. Like others say the place is definitely a fast food joint and the beef bowl really is the only item worth trying. I got a hankering for this a few months ago recalling that this stuff had pretty much kept me alive in Japan when I needed a break from guessing what I was ordering. The place is pretty cheap at about 5 bucks a bowl and as Steve M can attest you can get and eat your food before a car goes from 7th to 8th ave on 42nd street. Stop in, eat up and get back to avoiding all the god damned tourists.
I think this has been around since the late 1800s according to one of their old placemats. Am I the only one that wishes they didn't use styrofoam bowls?
I ate this for lunch today for the simple fact that I wanted an alternative fast food meal that would comfort my very stomach. I used to eat this as a kid in East LA during the 80s, almost always choking on the chewy, stringy, thinly sliced, yet tasty beef. It's very filling.
I was surprised by the fact that I saw some chopsticks-wielding Japanese people dining in today sitting cross-legged and upright while scooping their food quickly from their bowl to their mouths much like they do in Asian countries.
One large beef bowl please. Sauteed onions, light beef soy sauce based broth, fluffy round white rice and last but not least, the beef. The tropical blood within me craves the rice with beef. It's a simple as that.
The only difference between this location and the locations that I've known back in Cali, is that they have more sauce or broth drizzled over the rice, thus making it saltier than it's pacific counterparts.
Yoshinoya Beef Bowl will always be a part of my life growing up through today and is up there with my affinity for Top Ramen.
Japanese fast food? If you're about to pass out from starvation and neeeed to have japanese food - then scarf down a chicken teryaki bowl....otherwise, you should go somewhere else. The food is mediocre. I had never been to a Yoshinoya before - but a friend dragged me in here b/c she was too hungry to continue walking.
The miso soup is from an instant mix and really salty. The rice bowls are relatively cheap, but if you start tacking on a drink, or miso soup, or dessert, you're still shelling out $10+ for a meal. In Times Square, I guess that's cheap - but you definitely get what you pay for. It's mostly instant food that you could probably prepare better at home.
Another thing - they use styrofoam bowls! That's a big minus.
A tiny haven of fast food Tokyo inside NYC. Good price. Good food. Fast.
This shouldn't be in the middle of Times Square where tourists flock... Those eating gyudon for the first time, they'll never want to try it again.
For me...while teriyaki chicken bowl (with half the sauce) is edible, the beef bowl and the vegetable bowl are not worth standing in line for.
And thanks, Cindy H., for the gyudon recipe. I'm sure we could all do better at home.
Lastly, what happened to the breakfast menu? Their morning "teishoku" was one of the memorable treats in Tokyo for us poor college kids...
Found this place walking around times square and getting really hungry. The options seemed to be mcdonalds, dallas bbq, bubba shrimp, you get the picture. there was a huge long line at yoshinoya, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
the good: it's really cheap considering that its in the times square/theatre district area. The only place more affordable is the hot dog stand around the corner. the place is open until late, it was clean and well lit, and service was fast.
the not so good: the food is okay. I wasn't really expecting that much from it.
Japanese cheap fast food chain known for its gyu-don (beef bowl). A McDonald's alternative, besides the cheapness, there's no other praises that can be given to this place. Unlike its Japanese and other Asian chains which serve a variety of donburi and teishoku (partly due to the unfortunate strike of mad cow disease), the only edible item served in the NY stores are the gyu-dons. Everything else (chicken teriyaki bowl, vegetable bowl, clam chowder!?!) is almost hazardous to your taste bud. But, at least what they are serving is somewhat healthy (except for their cheesecake), unlike the artery clogging American fast food chains.
If you really like gyu-don, skip Yoshinoya and try this recipe (2 servings):
Ingredients:
1/2 lb yakiniku slices
1/2 large onion or one small onion
small chunk of butter
3T sake
fresh organic egg (optional)
2 bowls of cooked rice
Sauce:
1/3C dashi (konbu + bonito recommended)
2T mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
1T sugar
3T soy sauce
Directions:
1) Marinate the yakiniku in a little bit of wine and soy sauce. Use chopsticks or your CLEAN hands to mix in the taste
2) Chop the onion into thin slices
3) Add butter to heated pan, with medium heat, melt the butter, add the beef (avoid dumping in the soy sauce and wine used for marinating) and slightly stir fry until the color turns slightly dark (which really takes less than 30 seconds)
4) Add the onions in and stir fry for another minute
5) Add 3T sake and mix
6) Add the sauce (dashi, mirin, sugar, soy sauce) and mix
7) Cook until the yakiniku is tender and the onion is soft (about 5 minutes)
8) Gently pour the delicious gyu-don on to the rice. ENJOY :)
I absolutely friggin' LOVE Yoshinoya.
My first experience with this fast-food phenomena was in Los Angeles more than 10 years ago. Their beef bowl was all the rage - my father had taken me there to eat it as I'd never had it before and to my surprise, I actually liked onion flavored beef over rice! The formula is so simple, yet so good.
Imagine my surprise when I spotted the Times Square location opening up in New York - I was ecstatic. I pulled hubby in and said, "You have GOT to try a beef bowl!" We were super stuffed from our dinner that night but with my insistance, we bought two bowls to take home.
Ever since then, I have gotten him completely hooked. I was happy to see that there was a 46th Street and 23rd Street location (both close to work and school) but sadly, they closed down.
Here's hoping the Times Square location stays!!
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