Otafuku
(212) 353-8503
236 E 9th St
New York,
NY
10003
40.7296
-73.9884
Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown
What People Are Saying About Otafuku
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
This shoebox-sized restaurant serves typical street food from western Japan. Asian students choose from the two main choices that dominate the abbreviated menu--yakisoba (doughy soba balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). The yakisoba are available stuffed with ginger, scallion, minced octopus, mozzarella or straight-up plain. The okonomiyaki get jacked-up with shredded cabbage and a choice of meat or seafood and topped with house mayo and bonito flakes. A lucky few snag a spot at the counter.
User Reviews
Coldsun3000
February 02, 2008
Ok.. good look in your closet, seriously go look. Ok your closet is bigger then this place... But i didn't mind that, i actually thought it was kinda cool. The guys working there were cool too. Now onto the food I got the Octopus filled Takoyaki... These things are served HOT.. like the cheese or whatever inside was burning my mouth. They were ok.. I remember wanting the fried ball to be fried longer and have more texture (it was so thin) and i wanted more octopus inside... Its not amazing but its a cool lil place to check out if your in the area....
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sthomas31
September 29, 2006
I love this place, because it reminds me of home. The cooking of the takoyaki and okonomiyaki right in front of you is great. Its authentic with the japanese Ma-yo-nay-zu (mayonnaise) and nori (seaweed) toppings if you want them on there. And there's the authentic childhood drink of Ramune, which absolutely thrilled me when I saw it on the menu. Anyway, not much sitting space (i've even eaten my food in the nearby Starbucks) but its great, and its makes me forget that I'm in New York for a moment. The girls are nice, and will take your order... you just have to know what you want, and not need a lot of explaining (menus do that just fine). Try it, and if you like it, take your friends! I've introduced many friends to this little hut of a restaurant.
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Anonymous
June 10, 2006
Don??t let the hole-in-the-wall appearance fool you. Yes, this place is probably smaller than your bathroom but the food is portable so you can eat it on the go. For about 5 dollars, you can get some takoyaki (octopus balls). They also have okonomiyaki (Japanese ??pizza??) and yakisoba (Japanese stir-fried noodles). This place is just like they make it in Japan. PROS: cheap, authentic, tasty CONS: small, no room to eat inside
read full reviewThe Details on Otafuku
Know Before You Go:
One small bench outside is clearly marked for customers only. If it's taken, seek out a bench around the corner on Second Avenue.
What to Drink:
Wash it all down with Mugi Cha, a cold tea brewed from barley which is typically drunk in summer for its low caffeine content.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Cheap Eats, Carry Out, Hidden Find
