(212) 353-8866

113 Ludlow St 2nd Fl
New York, NY 10002 40.7195 -73.9888

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Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown

KUMAINN.COM

Hours:

Daily, 6pm-10pm

Last updated 4.11.12

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Hotels & Motels, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Cash, Visa, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Tapas / Small Plates, Thai

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Kuma Inn

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – A tiny open kitchen overlooks the small, spare dining room of 30 or so seats. The often-harried staff can strike a dissonant chord with the intended laid-back sake-sipping vibe, but once the parade of food and drink starts arriving, all such concerns are banished. – – The Food – Dishes are small, intense bites composed from a Southeast Asian palette. The flavors tend toward vividness rather than subtlety: A salad trio of pickled vegetables sings with vinegar and salt; sauteed mushrooms are rich and savory. Delicate pork tonkatsu, fried to the point of…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Even though dishes are inexpensive, they are small--the tab can escalate as more are ordered. It's cash only, so be sure to hit the ATM before dinner.
What to Drink:
A flight of three sakes is available for $15, offering a chance to compare varieties.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Really enjoyed the relaxed and cool atmosphere, and the great music.”
  2. “The wait staff and chef are so very kind and friendly and after the first drink, the atmosphere feels so cozy.”
  3. “great date place and fun with groups as well.”
  4. “yes its cozy, yes the service is good but the food is just okay (my fish was overcooked and dry).”
  5. “This place by far is my favorite location to eat at the moment.”
  6. “Cozy (small, but comfortable space), clean, ethnic minimalist decor--lots of wood.”
  7. “The Asian tapas are the best way to eat, really fun for groups, and for the prices, the food was almost too good.”
  8. “The service and the fun atmosphere were wonderful.”
  9. “the space is very nice and romantic set in a 2nd floor apartment.”
  10. “the ambience is lovely, the sake tasting definitely recommended (great portions, perfect to get you in the mood for the rest of the evening out).”
  11. “Still a good looking hot spot where the food is delicious, the drinks are great and music is fun.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “haven't tried the desserts yet, but the mango ice cream sounded good to me.”
  2. “fortunately i ignored that advice and instead took the birthday to kuma inn, where the host took the trouble to put my cake in a wine fridge while we ate, and then after dinner the waitress brought the cake out with all the candles lit and started the who”
  3. “Along with tasty tapas, the extensive sake menu, delicious desserts and well-selected background music make it a great place for one person or large groups.”
  4. “the crab cakes, pork and tuna tartare were very good.”
  5. “but leave room for the yummy dessert (plaintains or the custard pie).”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “You can bring your favorite wine or sake to pair up with the food.”
  2. “Still a good looking hot spot where the food is delicious, the drinks are great and music is fun.”
  3. “The staff is extremely warm and knowledgable, especially about the impeccably-served sake and surprisingly decent (tho' small) wine selection.”
  4. “The wait staff and chef are so very kind and friendly and after the first drink, the atmosphere feels so cozy.”
  5. “My companions and I had a nice, inexpensive Riesling and a couple of icy Singha beers with our Filipino and Thai-inflected meals.”
  6. “would have been better off going to a real Japanese sake bar with more highly developed food pairings (and a knowledgeable staff)”
  7. “fortunately i ignored that advice and instead took the birthday to kuma inn, where the host took the trouble to put my cake in a wine fridge while we ate, and then after dinner the waitress brought the cake out with all the candles lit and started the who”
food quality
87.95999526977539% positive
  1. “Along with tasty tapas, the extensive sake menu, delicious desserts and well-selected background music make it a great place for one person or large groups.”
  2. “I'd rather go to Queens for more decent food & better value.”
  3. “most items do not need anything extra, but the chili sauce is that good!”
  4. “The pork-belly was another very savory dish paired with a yummy sauce.”
  5. “The tapas were delicious and different from the usual tapas joints in the City.”
  6. “The food was great and the music was just as good.”
  7. “The chinese sausage with spicey dipping sauce + sticky rice was incredible.”
  8. “The food at Kuma Inn is excellent.”
  9. “The meal was very filling.”
  10. “saturday. the food was amazing as always, and the sake was quite smooth.”
  11. “personally would have had to order 6 dishes to satiate my hunger, and like another reviewer, chose to finish dinner at the crêperie nearby.”
  12. “would have been better off going to a real Japanese sake bar with more highly developed food pairings (and a knowledgeable staff)”
  13. “would not recommend this place to health conscious people or vegetarians as the waitress kept changing her story on whether the vegetarian items contained MSG and/or fish”
  14. “The chinese sausage is delicious as well.”
  15. “every dish was superb.”
  16. “The Asian tapas are the best way to eat, really fun for groups, and for the prices, the food was almost too good.”
  17. “The rice is definately overpriced though.”
  18. “Wonderful food and an excellent variety of sake!”
  19. “some "larger" sized portions which are quite yummy are the mussels and east asian omlet.”
  20. “went to Kuma Inn with a few friends recently and really enjoyed the food.”
  21. “For New Yorkers, enjoying a good meal at a reasonable cost is priceless and Kuma Inn fits the bill.”
  22. “the crab cakes, pork and tuna tartare were very good.”
  23. “yes its cozy, yes the service is good but the food is just okay (my fish was overcooked and dry).”
  24. “All the dishes we tried were delicious, but I think my favorite was the tuna tartare.”
  25. “Amazing food!”
  26. “highly suggest you order a side order of rice (garlic or sticky) to help fill you up.”
  27. “As with most asian inspired food, I favor the seafood dishes over the meats.”
  28. “The food was absolutely delicious.”
  29. “The music is cool and the food is still tasty.”
  30. “All in all, this was a cool and casual spot with great food, spot on service, and the best mix of music I've heard in any restaurant.”
  31. “think a really good Thai place or Filipino food place is better.”
  32. “The food is excellent, fresh, and very tasty.”
  33. “Still a good looking hot spot where the food is delicious, the drinks are great and music is fun.”
  34. “Kuma Inn is one of the few places in New York city that provides all the qualities of a good restaurant: excellent food, superb customer service and great value.”
  35. “Yummy dishes included a velvety, subtly spicy sole in coconut milk sauce, Filipino pork barbecue skewers and excellent Flip-style garlic fried rice.”
  36. “but leave room for the yummy dessert (plaintains or the custard pie).”
  37. “I'm a very critical diner and there wasn't one dish that wasn't great or outstanding.”
  38. “The salmon dish I ordered particularly disappointed me.”
  39. “If you are looking exquisite quality food and flavor, this is not the place for you.”
  40. “Always order any vegetable dishes and the grilled baby octopus is amazing- His omelets are so not your normal egginess, but a taste and texture explosion!”
  41. “The Chinese sausage dish presented with Japanese style triangle-shaped rice garnished with black toasted sesame on top was delish.”
  42. “We went for 6 of his recommendations and out of all of them, the Chinese sausage was definitely the best dish.”
  43. “All and all I don't even remember the food because it was the worst dining experience I've ever had.”
  44. “Good food”
  45. “you quickly forget that it's not the most beautiful scene - the food and the fabulous selection of sakes - including the "flight of sakes" - just fantastic.”
  46. “After you order 4 plates of food, which turn out to have 3 or 4 pieces each, you are left with a bill which would have given you a full meal elsewhere.”
  47. “love everything here, the thai chili sauce is the best condiment ever!”
  48. “There can be two reasons for this: either the goods were not as fresh as they should have been or the seasoning was off.”
  49. “The tonkatsu (pork chop) was really good, and the kalamansi juice, very tasty and unusual.”
  50. “You can bring your favorite wine or sake to pair up with the food.”
  51. “He immediately listed the most popular dishes on the menu as well as the specials and even told us his favorite dishes!”
  52. “Highly recommend other many delicious restaurants.”
  53. “The waitress recommended 2-3 dishes per person, but she forgot to say 'times 2' because you really need 4-6 dishes per person (skinny girls too) to feel satiated.”
  54. “So if you looking for a big brawny meal try someplace else.”
menu variety
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “Along with tasty tapas, the extensive sake menu, delicious desserts and well-selected background music make it a great place for one person or large groups.”
  2. “Wonderful food and an excellent variety of sake!”
  3. “The staff is extremely warm and knowledgable, especially about the impeccably-served sake and surprisingly decent (tho' small) wine selection.”
  4. “The sake list is extensive and the staff is helpful and knowledgable.”
  5. “He immediately listed the most popular dishes on the menu as well as the specials and even told us his favorite dishes!”
  6. “Not to say that no matter what you order you would be disappointed because everything on the menu is great.”
  7. “you quickly forget that it's not the most beautiful scene - the food and the fabulous selection of sakes - including the "flight of sakes" - just fantastic.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Along with tasty tapas, the extensive sake menu, delicious desserts and well-selected background music make it a great place for one person or large groups.”
  2. “think a really good Thai place or Filipino food place is better.”
  3. “All in all, this was a cool and casual spot with great food, spot on service, and the best mix of music I've heard in any restaurant.”
  4. “great date place and fun with groups as well.”
  5. “by far the best new restaurant in the area and this includes the over hyped wd-50.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Overall the experience was excellent and I will defintely go back.”
service
89.46999549865723% positive
  1. “The service and the fun atmosphere were wonderful.”
  2. “planned a birthday dinner here the other night for my girlfriend and was amazed by how helpful the host was and how friendly the waitstaff were.”
  3. “The waitress recommended 2-3 dishes per person, but she forgot to say 'times 2' because you really need 4-6 dishes per person (skinny girls too) to feel satiated.”
  4. “would not recommend this place to health conscious people or vegetarians as the waitress kept changing her story on whether the vegetarian items contained MSG and/or fish”
  5. “The tappas, sake, and awesome service make this a new favorite.”
  6. “The wait staff and chef are so very kind and friendly and after the first drink, the atmosphere feels so cozy.”
  7. “The sake list is extensive and the staff is helpful and knowledgable.”
  8. “Staff was friendly and helpful.”
  9. “The staff is extremely warm and knowledgable, especially about the impeccably-served sake and surprisingly decent (tho' small) wine selection.”
  10. “The service was also excellent.”
  11. “The laid back and friendly atmoshpere is the greater attraction for Kuma Inn.”
  12. “would have been better off going to a real Japanese sake bar with more highly developed food pairings (and a knowledgeable staff)”
  13. “fantastic people, great management”
  14. “fortunately i ignored that advice and instead took the birthday to kuma inn, where the host took the trouble to put my cake in a wine fridge while we ate, and then after dinner the waitress brought the cake out with all the candles lit and started the who”
  15. “The service was impeccable and the staff and chef made you feel welcomed!”
  16. “All in all, this was a cool and casual spot with great food, spot on service, and the best mix of music I've heard in any restaurant.”
  17. “yes its cozy, yes the service is good but the food is just okay (my fish was overcooked and dry).”
  18. “Kuma Inn is one of the few places in New York city that provides all the qualities of a good restaurant: excellent food, superb customer service and great value.”
  19. “We were greeted by the waitresses who were not very helpful, but the deal breaker was when despite the fact that the place was empty and we had the reservation, they decided to sit us right by the entrance of the toilet.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “My companions and I had a nice, inexpensive Riesling and a couple of icy Singha beers with our Filipino and Thai-inflected meals.”
  2. “Kuma Inn is one of the few places in New York city that provides all the qualities of a good restaurant: excellent food, superb customer service and great value.”
  3. “The rice is definately overpriced though.”
  4. “The Asian tapas are the best way to eat, really fun for groups, and for the prices, the food was almost too good.”
  5. “Kuma Inn is the sort of out-of-the-way hip place you take a date you want to impress with your a) knowledge of out-of-the-way hip places and b) garbage bag full of cash marked 'money to burn'.”
  6. “Unfortunately, the value is not as good as other aspects of the restaurant: portions are quite small, and two tapas plus juice and water came out to be 36 dollars, which turned into 40+ with tip.”
  7. “the ambience is lovely, the sake tasting definitely recommended (great portions, perfect to get you in the mood for the rest of the evening out).”
  8. “some "larger" sized portions which are quite yummy are the mussels and east asian omlet.”
  9. “I'd rather go to Queens for more decent food & better value.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/13/11

asian tapas equals awesome

by adamcorbs

the best thing about this place are the prices and the byob policy.

mussels, salmon, and white wine!

1 Star Rating: Poor

03/12/09

Big Disappointment ZERO STAR

by JasonMalfax

I was compelled to join citysearch to write my own review for this over-rated & overpriced pretentious Filipino Restaurant. I am Filipino who brought a FIlipino & a 'Caucasian' American friend. I was just appalled by the soggy lumpia shanghai, salty pancit bihon, very vinegary adobo sandwich and a tasting dessert that was far from Filipino. I'd rather go to Queens for more decent food & better value. I asked the waitress if the chef is a smoker; she said YES! That explains why the food were all salty. Filipino food is never served tapas-style. Kuma Inn did for profit. Don't get me wrong, I can cook what we ordered.

It was my first visit on Mar 11,2009 6:30 dinnertime, and will never go back.

  • Pros: None ZERO STAR
  • Cons: Salty, soggy food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/01/09

Excellent Food....this place is a gem

by Spartacus2000

The food at Kuma Inn is excellent. Everything we ordered was very good. Definitely try the muscles and the brisket. The chinese sausage is delicious as well. Do not go without making reservations. The place is small and cannot handle walk-ins especially on weekends. You might get away with it on weekdays. Don't expect too much as far as ambience is concerned. The restaurant isn't exactly fancy but is quite intimate. It is also BYOB, thats another great reason to go. Overall the experience was excellent and I will defintely go back.

  • Pros: Food, Service & BYOB
  • Cons: Small, so may be turned away without a reservation, especially on weekends
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/19/09

Very Interesting mix of tapas

by nutbut303

Not an easy place to spot but we were able to find the place easily because we knew from a review that it was on the second floor and next to Suba. The place filled up quickly (on a Wedesday night!!) and the tapas were very well done. The chinese sausage with spicey dipping sauce + sticky rice was incredible. The pork-belly was another very savory dish paired with a yummy sauce. The coconut rice although was a side dish to supplement the food was yummy enough to be a main dish for us! The meal was very filling. Its a bit pricey for the ingredients but the flavor makes up for the inflated prices. BYOB is also a reason to go! You can bring your favorite wine or sake to pair up with the food. Note that there are corking fees!

  • Pros: BYOB
  • Cons: More pricey than expected
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/07/09

What a surprise!

by genjinyc

I was a little hesitant to try this place out after reading a couple of negative reviews but, I'm so glad that I did. If you've never been here, there are a few things you should know; It's small, hard to find, it's b.y.o. and cash only. My friends who had made a reservation for three had been warned ahead of time so we came prepared. When we arrived, we were seated at a corner table for 2 which was able to fit all 3 of us. It was a bit cozy but, comfy nonetheless. Our waiter promptly greeted us and opened our wine. After telling us the specials, we asked out him if there were things on the menu he could recommend. He immediately listed the most popular dishes on the menu as well as the specials and even told us his favorite dishes! We went for 6 of his recommendations and out of all of them, the Chinese sausage was definitely the best dish. He informed us that if there was one dish that we had to get on the menu, the sausage had to be it. We ended up getting 2! Throughout the whole meal, the staff frequently checked on our table, refilling our wine and water glasses, taking away empty plates, even changing our individual plates! I thought they only did that in fine dining restaurants! The food was great and the music was just as good. They played the most eclectic mix I've ever heard in a restaurant. From classic motown and old school, to the lastest indie, rock and hip hop! Who knew Kanye and the Killers would sound so good together while you ate at a restaurant! At the end of our meal, we asked our waiter who picks the music for the restaurant. I was surprised when he told us that it was actually his iPod that was playing! All in all, this was a cool and casual spot with great food, spot on service, and the best mix of music I've heard in any restaurant. I'll definitely be coming back soon!

  • Pros: the food, the service, the music!
  • Cons: it's small like your own apartment!

The Details on Kuma Inn

Place Categories:

  • superb customer service
  • really good thai place
  • flat everything
  • wonderful new restaurant
  • big brawny meal
  • very nice space
  • favorite tuna tartare
  • yummy chili sauce
  • very tasty tonkatsu
  • not very helpful waitress
  • delicious dessert
  • favorite kuma inn
  • incredible chinese sausage
  • favorite sake
  • great small plates
  • great first experience
  • wonderful fun atmosphere
  • great better value
  • very tasty pork chop
  • excellent quality food
  • very savory chinese sausage dish
  • savory asianinspired tapas
  • knowledgable staff
  • casual hot spot
  • fun wellselected background music
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