Omakase, Sake, and Bento...Oh My!
Try these 7 Japanese dining options in North Slope
North Slope has recently experienced an influx of great Japanese dining options. Starting on one block of 5th Avenue (#cooleststreetnyc) from St. Marks Place to Bergen, and over to Flatbush, a "Little Tokyo" has emerged, boasting a Japanese market, a cocktail bar, and three omakase restaurants!
Omakase — "I leave it up to you" — is a deluxe dining experience where the chef curates and creatively handcrafts each piece of sushi using high-quality, seasonal ingredients. Keep reading for my top omakase pick!*
If you're craving a taste of Japan, but don't want to splurge on airfare, say "konnichiwa" to these great, local Japanese establishments!
1. Ishi
70 5th Avenue (on corner of St. Marks Place)
Opened in July 2022, Ishi is an exquisite omakase experience! Chefs Hiroyuki Nagao (NOBU, Blue Ribbon) and Jack Xu (personally scouted by Chef Hiroyuki) masterfully prepare nigiri and hand rolls using the freshest ingredients. The minimalist space is elegant and zen. Diners can select the Table Tasting Course ($85) or the Counter Experience ($125) and watch the chefs work their culinary magic.
2. Koi Omakase
55 5th Avenue (between Bergen & St Marks Place)
Opened just across from Ishi last fall, Koi Omakase caters to a younger, trendier, selfie-taking clientele, with sleek, black decor; a pumping, pop playlist; and stellar sushi. The $68 14-course omakase experience is a great deal! Koi also offers pickup and delivery.
3. Midoriya Japanese Grocery
60 5th Avenue (between Bergen & St Marks Place)
Just a few doors down from Ishi, this tiny grocery store offers a big selection of Japanese goods including rice crackers and snacks, candies and sweets (including Japanese Kit Kat), teas, soft drinks, Japanese beer, fresh vegetables, frozen dumplings, noodles, sauces, and more! For those looking for a quick bite to go, the store also stocks prepared foods including bento boxes, onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, and pastries. You can also find ceramic tableware, chopsticks, kitchen supplies, beauty products, and cute gift items. The staff are friendly and the store is tidy and well organized.
4. Wasan Brooklyn
440 Bergen Street (between 5th Avenue & Flatbush)
The first on this list of businesses to come to the neighborhood, Wasan opened on Bergen Street in 2015. The owners, Toshi and Kaku, opened Wasan East Village in 2010 and a-un Brooklyn in Bushwick in 2022. Wasan offers lunch and dinner menus with bento boxes, izakaya, sushi, noodles, as well as sake, shochu, Japanese whiskey, beer, and wine. Wasan has a few tables set up on the sidewalk for al fresco dining.