Sushi NYC, Tempura Manhattan NYC, Japanese Food NYC, Sushi Manhattan, Tempura Manhattan

(347) 343-5366

100 University Pl
New York, NY 10003 40.7342 -73.9928

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Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Downtown

japonicanyc.com/

Years in business

Established in 1978

Hours:

Mon-Sat 11:30 AM- 10 PM, Sun12 PM-10 PM

Last updated 2.10.12

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Group Dining, Food Delivery, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms

Cuisine:

Japanese, Seafood, Sushi

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What People Are Saying About Japonica

The Owner

Japonica

Owner

Established in 1978, Japonica has become a very well known and popular local landmark. Japonica's high standards, skilled sushi chef, and rapid turnover make for some of the freshest and most varied seafood and sushi in the city. Japonica is frequently mentioned in the New York press as being "the place to go" for Japanese cuisine. Ask New Yorkers where you can find the best sushi in town and the answer is always "Japonica". The authentic Japanes decor, knowledgeable staff, and artistically presented menu items highlight all that is good about the village institution.

CityGrid

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – With its soft lighting, intimate banquettes and low noise level, it's no wonder this casual spot is so beloved by NYU students and professionals for lunch and dinner. On the extensive Japanese menu, servers steer guests to lesser-known specialties such as the teriyaki yellowtail cheek, tuna tataki and buri (young yellowtail sushi). Diners traveling in groups have the option to sit at the restaurant's one traditional low table.

ambiance
57.14000225067139% positive
  1. “while the outside isn't so impressive, this is more than made up for in food and atmosphere.”
  2. “Good sushi/service - ok ambience”
  3. “ambience: the tatami room is pleasant and quiet--perfect for an intimate gathering.”
  4. “don't like the ambience at all.”
  5. “This place had both a nice ambiance and good food.”
  6. “decor was poor, seating was uncomfortable, food was ok, expected better for that price.”
  7. “The atmosphere is pleasant except for when the restaurant is overly crowded and therefore noisy on weekend nights.”
food quality
77.03000068664551% positive
  1. “the food is overprice for what it is, suishi wasn't even fresh, rude waiter staff, drop check before i was finish.”
  2. “The fish was very fresh and the pieces were a very nice size.”
  3. “Japonica used to be one of my favorite sushi places in the Union Square area.”
  4. “One saving grace is that everything was quite fresh (granted, it was a Friday) but that's something it has going for it.”
  5. “while the outside isn't so impressive, this is more than made up for in food and atmosphere.”
  6. “When I order sushi, the amount of rice should be more than silver dollar size.”
  7. “There are a lot of good sushi places in NYC, but something about Japonica's highest quality food, impeccable service, and warm and inviting interior that makes it a special trip even for a neighborhood haunt.”
  8. “Great neighborhood place with excellent sushi.”
  9. “This place had both a nice ambiance and good food.”
  10. “Food wasn't fresh, over crowded, unfriendly staff.”
  11. “Put simply the sashimi was not fresh, the shumai the same (told the waiter this and we were still charged for it) and the service ordinary.”
  12. “Being and east indian I love sea food, and that keeps me searching for new sea food spots, I was recommended by a friend to try this place and I did.”
  13. “Average sushi with good service”
  14. “Good sushi/service - ok ambience”
  15. “Great food, a bit pricey”
  16. “spicy tuna roll was inedible and we were afraid we would actually get sick.”
  17. “The chicken teriyaki and the eel rice dishes were huge - the largest I have ever seen for a 'japanese' restaurant.”
  18. “Last time I went here, my husband and I had a quick sushi and cold sake lunch, then went for a massage!”
  19. “The hardest part is deciding whether to get a warm entree or sushi (I usually get something of both!)”
  20. “It's really hard to find good sushi, and just because you throw money at it, doesn't mean that you'll get what you paid for.”
  21. “decor was poor, seating was uncomfortable, food was ok, expected better for that price.”
  22. “Great food here at Japonica.”
  23. “The beef terriyaki is another favorite of mine here.”
  24. “staff was rude, food wasn't ill prepare, rush.”
  25. “The sushi was nice and the servings are BIG.”
  26. “The sushi is very good, in a nice area, the setting is very serene and low key, they give u a hot towel when u come in.”
  27. “Its my favorite sushi in NYC and I love their cooked food, too.”
  28. “great creative sushi”
  29. “Overpriced food is the order of the day.”
  30. “The fish was very fresh though and I thought they were making an effort to give you a meal worth the price they were charging.”
  31. “The sushi is quite good.”
  32. “beautiful soup.”
  33. “It's good sushi, yet much more hip than the other good sushi places around.”
  34. “fish is very fresh and well-cut.”
  35. “Japonica is a quite place to eat delicious, jumbo-sized sushi.”
  36. “While this restaurant is slightly pricey for what you get, the sushi is superb.”
  37. “The sushi, however, is quite good.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “the menu is extensive.”
overall
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “There are a plethora of good well priced Japanese restuarants in this city that leave this place for dead.”
  2. “It breaks my heart to give Japonica a bad review because I've had such great meals there in the past, but I really can't recommend the restaurant in good conscience.”
service
70.0% positive
  1. “Average sushi with good service”
  2. “overprice suishi, poor service, not recommended.”
  3. “No interesting specials and very confused/rushed service.”
  4. “At least the service was good and attentive.”
  5. “the food is overprice for what it is, suishi wasn't even fresh, rude waiter staff, drop check before i was finish.”
  6. “the service was excellent”
  7. “the service was excellent - but in all honesty I did go on a sunday night so it was less crowded.”
  8. “service: swift, friendly, and accomodating.”
  9. “The owner/manager was super friendly and the waiters were very attentive.”
  10. “Food wasn't fresh, over crowded, unfriendly staff.”
  11. “The waiter was friendly and pleasant.”
  12. “Good sushi/service - ok ambience”
  13. “staff was rude, food wasn't ill prepare, rush.”
  14. “There are a lot of good sushi places in NYC, but something about Japonica's highest quality food, impeccable service, and warm and inviting interior that makes it a special trip even for a neighborhood haunt.”
  15. “Put simply the sashimi was not fresh, the shumai the same (told the waiter this and we were still charged for it) and the service ordinary.”
value
72.22000122070312% positive
  1. “Great food, a bit pricey”
  2. “While this restaurant is slightly pricey for what you get, the sushi is superb.”
  3. “When I order sushi, the amount of rice should be more than silver dollar size.”
  4. “The chicken teriyaki and the eel rice dishes were huge - the largest I have ever seen for a 'japanese' restaurant.”
  5. “It's really hard to find good sushi, and just because you throw money at it, doesn't mean that you'll get what you paid for.”
  6. “The fish was very fresh though and I thought they were making an effort to give you a meal worth the price they were charging.”
  7. “decor was poor, seating was uncomfortable, food was ok, expected better for that price.”
  8. “someone please explain to me why this resturant is so expensive?”
  9. “would highly recommend this restaurant although it is a little pricey.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “Last time I went here, my husband and I had a quick sushi and cold sake lunch, then went for a massage!”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/23/12

Yummmm

by ahmads458

Japonica is quite possibly my fave sushi restaurant in the city. It can be kinda hard to narrow it down when there are soooooo many places to choose from, but they are consistently good and you can't ask for better service.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/19/12

love this place

by evanoffw8

fresh sushi, really great service and the location is just amazing.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/10/12

Stumbled upon japonica..

by kostenbauml1

Was having a lovely evening downtown and got a craving for for sushi...luckily i happened to discover this spot and it was GOOD. love their unagi and my husband got the udon and really liked it.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/04/12

SUUUUSSSHHHIII!!!

by Chickie23

Love this place! I am the pickiest b*%ch when it comes to sushi and there are very few place that I will actually eat. I've been known to walk out of a place when my food has been served so it speaks extremely high of this place that I not only stayed—but I enjoyed it.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/04/12

I love japonica!

by mccloskeyj7

Fresh and delicious sushi at an affordable price and in a great location--right by Union Square. I love this location, it's a great spot to people watch if you sit by the window facing the street. Great decor and ambiance too.

The Details on Japonica

Place Categories:

  • good my favorite sushi
  • excellent service
  • very fresh fish
  • great overpriced food
  • very attentive waiter
  • not recommend restaurant
  • inviting interior
  • not so bad entree
  • rude waiter staff
  • love place
  • favorite sushi places
  • great japonica
  • quiet tatami room
  • overpriced food
  • afraid spicy tuna roll
  • poor decor
  • nice ambiance
  • not fresh sashimi
  • super friendly ownermanager
  • expensive resturant
  • not recommended overprice suishi
  • good conscience
  • huge chicken teriyaki
  • not rude waiter staff
  • favorite beef terriyaki

Message from Japonica

  • The best sushi in town
  • Authentic Japanese cuisine
  • Fresh and delicious seafood

Established in 1978, Japonica has become a very well known and popular local landmark. Japonica's high standards, skilled sushi chef, and rapid turnover make for some of the freshest and most varied seafood and sushi in the city. Japonica is frequently mentioned in the New York press as being "the place to go" for Japanese cuisine. Ask New Yorkers where you can find the best sushi in town and the answer is always "Japonica". The authentic Japanes decor, knowledgeable staff, and artistically presented menu items highlight all that is good about the village institution.

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