Sushi Sasabune

The Scene – Located on a quiet side street, the New York debut of this immensely popular sushi chain is a surprisingly low-key affair. The restaurant consists of two small rooms and a sushi bar, and eye candy is limited to a few bamboo stalks, an air conditioner and the sushi-fanatic crowd. Servers, though friendly, speak just enough English to take drink orders. – – The Food – The fish on the daily-changing omakase (chef's choice) menu is so fresh, New Yorkers may feel like they're tasting sushi for the first time. With its "No California rolls" motto, the restaurant…

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Editor's Tips

Prix Fixe Menu:: Prices fluctuate according to that day's menu. However, at the end of the meal, feel free to inquire about any dishes you may still be craving.
What to Drink:: A small bottle of the dry Hakkaisan sake ($14) or a glass of the pinot grigio ($9) both accent the seafood well.
Where to Sit:: The bar is the most sought-after spot, as it's the best spot to watch the sushi masters at work. Reservations are highly recommended.
The Extras:: Visit Sasabune in L.A.

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User Reviews (32)

ambiance	66.66999816894531% positive	“The decor is somewhat lacking, and the service isn't terribly great if you aren't at the suchi bar, but the staff does aim to please.” “With the most no frills sushi experience in NYC, what Sasabune lacks in decor it makes up for in fantastic sushi.” “Good friendly atomosphere and cozy ambiance makes it such a delight to be.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“Desserts are great- Green Tea ice cream actually tastes like green tea.”
drinks	80.0% positive	“The decor is somewhat lacking, and the service isn't terribly great if you aren't at the suchi bar, but the staff does aim to please.” “Good wine and sake list, and the servers are very helpful in making a selection.” “Desserts are great- Green Tea ice cream actually tastes like green tea.” “You walk in, order a drink if you like, tell the waitress what you don't like and then you just sit, relax and enjoy.” “Sit at the expanded sushi bar (try lunchtime- not so crowded) and get ready for an amazing experience- from the starter of albacore sashimi to the ending of a blue crab handroll, each piece of sushi is better than the next.”
food quality	97.6200008392334% positive	“Awesome food, great experience” “From the outside it looks like a regular sushi place where people normally order take out or delivery, but don't let it fool you.” “No menu, so this is not really sushi for beginners, but if you love sushi, you MUST try this place.” “And unlike a very traditional Japanese place (which has a time and a place), all of the courses come with creative sauces and dressings that really compliment the seafood.” “The evening ended with one of the best rolls I've ever enjoyed, it was a fresh crab roll, very plain, but so savory.” “This is by far the best sushi anywhere.” “Run by an owner of a major fish wholesaler, this place has all the fresh ingridients needed, including "toro", fatty tuna often hard to find in a smaller restaurant.” “The sushi rice is warm, which is pleasant in your mouth, but sometimes it falls apart too easily.” “This is a great place to impress a date if he or she isn't afraid of eating raw seafood of all sorts.” “All dishes are fresh and well presented.” “great place to eat sushi on the upper eastside.” “definitely my favorite sushi restaurant in the city, i try to come as often as i can.” “The combination of incredibly fresh sushi, warm rice and the occasional of some subtle sauces and flavors makes for wonderful dining.” “The food is excellent, great quality and quantity.” “have never tasted fish so fresh in my entire life!” “If you like fresh sushi and sashimi like the ones they have in Japan.” “cannot stand sushi and I absolutely love this place.” “The temperature of the rice was a little too warm and the nigiri (sushi) wasn't shaped nicely.” “have lived in NYC for over 30 years and have been to all the big name sushi restaurants: Masa, Kuruma Zushi, Blue Ribbon, Sushi Yasuda, Sushi of Gari, Bond Street, Sushi Sen-nin (just to name a small handful).” “in between are several courses of sushi, paired to highlight eachother, and are served on warm rice (it brings out natural oils in the fish for maximum flavor).” “The fish is very fresh of course.” “Hands Down, best creative sushi in the City” “Great Sushi for a great price- The Sushi deluxe includes fish that you don't typically find in platters.” “best sushi!” “Great food, but a bit pricey.” “Great quality sushi!” “If you are a sushi lover and you haven't tried this place, you are really denying yourself a great experience.” “The seafood is incredibly fresh.” “This place by far is one of the best sushi place in NYC.” “Make a reservation before hand, and, if you want a smooth flow of dishes yet not so fast so that you are getting a new one every 2 or 3 minutes, I think 6:30-7 pm during a weekday should be about perfect.” “Sit at the expanded sushi bar (try lunchtime- not so crowded) and get ready for an amazing experience- from the starter of albacore sashimi to the ending of a blue crab handroll, each piece of sushi is better than the next.” “The dishes are exceptionally prepared and presenation is wonderful.” “Excellent quality fish--nearly every piece melted in my mouth.” “the fish here is incredibly fresh.” “The fish here is so fresh and the quality of the preparation is really wonderful.” “had the most memorably fresh oysters in my life here.” “The maki is delicious because of the abundant amount of toasted black sesame.” “During both of my visits I requested an encore at the end of the meal--another blue crab roll the first time, and one more sea urchin the second time (I have never had such a large and great tasting serving of sea urchin except when I was in Tokyo)--and m” “Wonderful sushi--top-notch, melt-in-your-mouth fish and seafood.” “like sushi, but NOW i can se.” “With the most no frills sushi experience in NYC, what Sasabune lacks in decor it makes up for in fantastic sushi.” “Thank you Sasabune for making me love sushi.”
menu variety	75.0% positive	“Unlike other pretentious omakase menus in the city (i.e. Masa), this place has a laid-back, non-stuffy vibe.” “Good wine and sake list, and the servers are very helpful in making a selection.” “think you can only order the tasting menu, which is definitely what you want to do.” “No menu, so this is not really sushi for beginners, but if you love sushi, you MUST try this place.”
overall	100.0% positive	“great place to eat sushi on the upper eastside.” “This is a great place to impress a date if he or she isn't afraid of eating raw seafood of all sorts.” “This place by far is one of the best sushi place in NYC.” “definitely my favorite sushi restaurant in the city, i try to come as often as i can.”
service	83.33000183105469% positive	“You walk in, order a drink if you like, tell the waitress what you don't like and then you just sit, relax and enjoy.” “The decor is somewhat lacking, and the service isn't terribly great if you aren't at the suchi bar, but the staff does aim to please.” “The prices are totally fair for what you are getting, and the service is excellent.” “Good friendly atomosphere and cozy ambiance makes it such a delight to be.” “Good wine and sake list, and the servers are very helpful in making a selection.” “From the outside it looks like a regular sushi place where people normally order take out or delivery, but don't let it fool you.” “Our service was fantastic!” “The service is very friendly but a bit slow.” “The service is excellent.”
value	100.0% positive	“Great Sushi for a great price- The Sushi deluxe includes fish that you don't typically find in platters.” “The prices are totally fair for what you are getting, and the service is excellent.” “This place rocks, it's a great omakase joint that's not hideously expensive despite the quality of its ingredients.” “Great food, but a bit pricey.” “Not cheap, but a great value as the quality is unmatched in the area.”
wait time	75.0% positive	“Make a reservation before hand, and, if you want a smooth flow of dishes yet not so fast so that you are getting a new one every 2 or 3 minutes, I think 6:30-7 pm during a weekday should be about perfect.” “The service is very friendly but a bit slow.”

11/14/10

Super Expensive

by NYCABC

I'm an avid sushi eater from NYC and I've been to Japan. I do my fair share of fine dining. This restaurant was much more expensive than I expected (and I'm not cheap). It cost $270 per couple. That included the prix fix menu and a $60 bottle of saki (shared by 4). Without the saki, the price would have been $240 per couple.

I take blame for being surprised by the cost because I should have asked more questions before I ate. For example, from the bill, it appeared that we actually got charged per piece; so it may have been possible to order less courses. The sign on the door says" trust me" and so I did.

We did not receive any dessert with our meal. We also didn't receive salad or any side items (no edamame or anything other than fish). For $270, I would have expected at least a dessert.

It was a very casual meal for $270 dollars. I could spent less at a much more elegant restaurant.

Price aside, I did love the food. And we got a ton of fish. The first course consisted of about 10 pieces of albacore tuna! We had about 10 courses in all, and all were delicious. We also got 4 oysters each. Great food and very fun.

Be careful going to this restaurant. Ask questions first to figure out how much you'll spend. And if you don't mind spending $250 per couple, then definitely go because the food is great.

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02/09/10

Great sushi

by CSMobileUser2

Great food, but a bit pricey. Atmosphere needs work. Overall, a very good experience

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10/14/09

the best in NYC

by ken619

this is difference from others.

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04/18/09

Oustanding Sushi

by PrincessLC

From the outside it looks like a regular sushi place where people normally order take out or delivery, but don't let it fool you. This place by far is one of the best sushi place in NYC. They literally fly the fish from Japan!! Talk about fresh!! The price is a little in the high side and there's no menu. The sushi master will create whatever he desires that day and it is up to you to eat it. If this sounds scary, don't be, because his creation are spectacular! If you like fresh sushi and sashimi like the ones they have in Japan.... going to the UES is shorter ride than to Tokyo.

Pros: Best sushi in NYC
Cons: Small Restaurant

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02/11/09

Best Sushi in NYC!!

by vkc1216

The best sushi I had in NYC!! I went there several times and never disappointed, sit in the sushi bar if possible. Omakase only, the chef make the next piece of sushi only after you finished your piece, the rice in the sushi is still warm while you eat it. Kumamoto oysters, abalone sashimi (whole) in half shell, uni and salmon roe, etc, everything that I was served was top quality and fresh. Highly recommended.

Sushi Sasabune

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What People Are Saying About Sushi Sasabune

Justin Hartung

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Editor's Tips

11/14/10

Super Expensive

by NYCABC

02/09/10

Great sushi

by CSMobileUser2

10/14/09

the best in NYC

by ken619

04/18/09

Oustanding Sushi

by PrincessLC

02/11/09

Best Sushi in NYC!!

by vkc1216

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