(212) 254-6363

25 St Marks Pl (Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
New York, NY 10003 40.729 -73.9884

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Neighborhoods: Downtown, East Village

Hours:

Mon-Thu 6pm-2am

Fri-Sat 6pm-4am

Sun 6pm-2am

Price:

$

Parking:

Street

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What People Are Saying About Kenka

The Editor

Justin Hartung

Citysearch

In Short – This St. Mark's izayaka, a Japanese snack and booze cafe, complements the street's growing number of Pan-Asian restaurants. Boisterous waiters greet a streaming crowd of regulars, students and tourists who wait for one of the cafeteria-like tables. The gargantuan menu offers pages of small bites ranging from familiar dishes like dumplings and noodles to items that challenge even the most jaded East Village foodie--body parts usually left to anatomy lessons in this country.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

08/27/09

Incredibly Strange Place

by Hyphprud

I was brought here by a group of friends just as the place opened at 6:00PM. At least 15 people were waiting outside, until their name was called from a list. You enter the restaurant through sliding glass doors and its like stepping into a fantasy world. The seats are very low, and obviously of poor quality. Also, the tables are cubes, so you cannot fit your legs underneath. As someone who is six feet tall, this was VERY uncomfortable.

My friend who raved about this place ordered the jumbo curry, which is free if you finish it within 25 minutes I think. He gave it a good try, but did not succeed, and had to pay $25. What a rip off for a tray of curry rice and little meat. The rest of us ordered small dishes like ramen and spring rolls. I thought the food was terrible, but it was inexpensive. Definitely come here for the cheap drinks.

One word to describe the atmosphere...WEIRD! There are breasts, and "private parts" covering the walls. On the back of the menu was a list of rules, including "no s e x in the restaurant", and warning of a "$20 cleaning fee" if you were to hurl inside or out front. Obviously a lot of heavy drinking goes on at this place. There was a small smoking patio in the back, near the bathrooms (which are marked by genitalia, not Male/Female signs).

I guess the best part is savoring the atmosphere, and the free do-it-yourself cotton candy at the machine outside. I probably would not return.

  • Pros: Cheap food and drinks, Cotton Candy
  • Cons: Crappy food, low seating, loud
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/03/08

Amazingly fun, dirty, and cheap!

by verybecca

This is one of my fave places in NYC to turn my brain off, drink and eat Japanese student food. I always order veggie dishes (Age Dashi Tofu, Cucumber and Miso, Rice Ball with Miso, Spring Rolls) because the meat scares me here, but there are so many great things to drink that the food is merely there to help you get through it without getting sick. I love the little chairs, the inattentive waitstaff, the offensive, mysogynistic imagery and the cotton candy machine at the end. This place is magical.

  • Pros: Great for the money, fun, dependable
  • Cons: don't think about it too much and you'll be fine, long wait
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/31/08

Loud, fun, drunken Japanese picnic

by luvnyc401

I've been here twice and had fun both times... the wait is long, the chairs are uncomfortable, the music gets to some people- but between the cheap food and drinks you end up walking out pleased with the experience. The sake is very good- we had one of the cheaper bottles which still was great. They have interesting entree chokes as well as menus with some funny pictures on them ;) The food isn't amazing but it is great for the prices. A fun place to get drunk with a group of friends!

  • Pros: Great sake, cheap drinks, colorful music, fun crowd/time
  • Cons: Line gets very long, chairs are a little uncomfortable

The Details on Kenka

Save Money:

Beer is a pittance at $1.50 for Sapporo or Kirin, and sake and soju are also available.

The Extras:

While waiting for a table (and you will), stave off hunger with a trip to the whirling cotton candy machine up front

Category:

Japanese, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Group Dining, Cheap Eats

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Kenka

25 St Marks Pl (Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
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