(212) 353-8503

236 E 9th St
New York, NY 10003 40.7296 -73.9884

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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.

3 Star Rating: Average

02/02/08

Pretty Good, Cool Place

by Coldsun3000

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....

  • Pros: No pretention, Cheap food
  • Cons: Food isn't amazing..
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/29/06

Great Authentic Street-Style Japanese Food

by seraphina31

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.

  • Pros: Authentic, Great food, taste
  • Cons: Not sitdown (minus one bench out front)
3 Star Rating: Average

03/04/06

Good Takoyaki but THE WORST SERVICE

by foodlover2006

I love their Takoyaki but the service was beyond BAD.....horrified. Girls working there did not know how to treat a customer at all. They were ignoring, relentlessly chatting and totally APATHETIC. She almost threw Takoyaki onto the counter.

When we asked her something, she went "ehhhhhh?" with an open mouth.

SAD.

The 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:

Restaurants

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