(212) 254-6363

25 St Marks Pl (nr. Second Ave.)
New York, NY 10003 40.729 -73.9884

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Mon-Thu, 6pm-2am

Fri-Sat, 6pm-4am

Sun, noon-midnight

Price:

$

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Group Dining, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Japanese

What People Are Saying About Kenka

Featured Review

Justin Hartung

Contributor

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.

Editor's Tips

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
ambiance
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. However, if you are looking for cheap drinks in a fun, amusing environment, pull up a tiny chair and rest for a spell.
  2. however, you pay the price with the horrible atmosphere.
  3. Despite the not so good food, I always end up back in Kenka because of the cheap fare and the 1950s-Japanesque atmosphere (decor, nostalgic posters, Japanese ramblings and noise blasting egregiously from speakers nonstop, bright and blinding lights, high
drinks
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. This is one of those gems where you have good food, cheap beer and unbelievable prices.
  2. The best spot for a cheap beer
  3. 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.
  4. However, if you are looking for cheap drinks in a fun, amusing environment, pull up a tiny chair and rest for a spell.
  5. 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.
  6. This is one of my fave places in NYC to turn my brain off, drink and eat Japanese student food.
food quality
78.94999980926514% positive
  1. will not you expect fresh edamame on which still on the tree as Megu Edamame ?
  2. The oysters are huge and fresh, the nigori sake (the milky/unfiltered kind) was truly divine, and the squid-legs are very tasty and crispy.
  3. The food is really good, simple and well prepared.
  4. This is one of my fave places in NYC to turn my brain off, drink and eat Japanese student food.
  5. good food great prices
  6. Despite the not so good food, I always end up back in Kenka because of the cheap fare and the 1950s-Japanesque atmosphere (decor, nostalgic posters, Japanese ramblings and noise blasting egregiously from speakers nonstop, bright and blinding lights, high
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. The food is actually not that bad and is also cheap, though not as cheap as it alcoholic counterpart.
  10. overall, i prefer the food down the street at yakitori or taisho, but kenka is pretty decent as well.
  11. the potato croquettes were really good crispy and filled with smooth mashed potatoes.
  12. This is one of those gems where you have good food, cheap beer and unbelievable prices.
  13. thought the food was terrible, but it was inexpensive.
  14. much to my delight, the fish was very big, well-seasoned with salt, and grilled so that the skin was crispy, and the white flesh was firm and moist.
  15. No one goes to Kenka because they want great food.
  16. This place is for drinking, but the food isn't that bad
  17. The food isn't bad; the grilled mackerel (I love mackerel) and other Japanese tapas are passable.
  18. You can go in, drop about $20 bucks, and get a ton of great food and sake.
  19. 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.
menu variety
0.0% positive
  1. 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.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. They have really good yakitori and gyoza, but the funny thing about this place is the free cotton candy machine in the front.
  2. great small japanese place
  3. If you are looking for affordable AND great tasting izakaya restaurant, try Yakitori Taisho on the same block.
  4. great place to drop by for an hour or so.
service
0.0% positive
  1. 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.
  2. Despite the not so good food, I always end up back in Kenka because of the cheap fare and the 1950s-Japanesque atmosphere (decor, nostalgic posters, Japanese ramblings and noise blasting egregiously from speakers nonstop, bright and blinding lights, high
value
64.28999900817871% positive
  1. 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.
  2. The oysters are huge and fresh, the nigori sake (the milky/unfiltered kind) was truly divine, and the squid-legs are very tasty and crispy.
  3. at about $15pp, its an excellent value.
  4. If you are looking for affordable AND great tasting izakaya restaurant, try Yakitori Taisho on the same block.
  5. However, if you are looking for cheap drinks in a fun, amusing environment, pull up a tiny chair and rest for a spell.
  6. You can go in, drop about $20 bucks, and get a ton of great food and sake.
  7. thought the food was terrible, but it was inexpensive.
  8. Despite the not so good food, I always end up back in Kenka because of the cheap fare and the 1950s-Japanesque atmosphere (decor, nostalgic posters, Japanese ramblings and noise blasting egregiously from speakers nonstop, bright and blinding lights, high
  9. The best spot for a cheap beer
  10. good food great prices
  11. The food is actually not that bad and is also cheap, though not as cheap as it alcoholic counterpart.
  12. 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.
  13. This is one of those gems where you have good food, cheap beer and unbelievable prices.
  14. however, you pay the price with the horrible atmosphere.
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. 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.
2 Star Rating: Below Average

08/27/09

Incredibly Strange Place

by Hyphprud at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/27/07

Great sake!! Huge oysters!!

by mmuzzi at Citysearch

I was surprised to see such bad reviews of Kenka. It's been voted best cheap eats restaurant... and that's what it is a 'cheap eat', and a very good one at that. I actually loved it! The oysters are huge and fresh, the nigori sake (the milky/unfiltered kind) was truly divine, and the squid-legs are very tasty and crispy. It's not the typical NY sushi place... it has a student vibe, it's fun, it's japanese in a young-laid-back kind of way. Loved it.. have been there several times and will keep on going as it makes me feel young!

  • Pros: Huge fresh oysters, great sake options, polite and smiley service
  • Cons: bit noisy
3 Star Rating: Average

10/31/07

This place is for drinking, but the food isn't that bad

by loganstewart at Citysearch

Kenka is definitely a place for drinking. Cheap CHEAP beer and pitchers are usually what attracts everyone to this place. I personally like it when it isn't super crowded, which isn't often. The wait can stink and the price minimum per person sometimes doesn't have any warrant, but you can't get much cheaper when drinking on St. Marks. The food is actually not that bad and is also cheap, though not as cheap as it alcoholic counterpart. Very late night hours, which is another perk. Overall, just a really well lit bar with tons of younger people. If you're looking for a great dining experience, then don't wait on line for Kenka.

The Details on Kenka

Place Categories:

  • good food
  • great nigori sake
  • grilled fish
  • huge oysters
  • very tasty squidlegs
  • great unbelievable prices
  • affordable and great tasting izakaya restaurant
  • love inattentive waitstaff
  • best spot
  • uncomfortable chairs
  • pretty decent kenka
  • really good yakitori
  • love little chairs
  • awesome eatery
  • horrible atmosphere
  • excellent value
  • really good gyoza
  • fresh edamame
  • good cheap beer
  • amusing environment
  • great dining experience
  • poor quality
  • great japanese place
  • awesome dumplings
  • not like gf

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