Omen Restaurant

In Short – Located on a quiet Soho side street, Omen's brick-wrapped dining room exudes a cozy, austere feel. Though there are a handful of Japanese a la carte offerings on the menu, the prix fixe is most popular by far. Daily specials typically include the sweet eel omelet, smoked salmon, and the signature steamed kingfish with plum. Desserts range from exotic ice creams to fresh fruit.

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User Reviews (9)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“The decor is warm and woody.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“Everything, starting from the Miso soup to Green Tea ice-cream was great.”
food quality	97.1399974822998% positive	“The food is authentic and unique to New York.” “the vegetables are all so delicious.” “the food here is really good.” “best known and extraordinarily popular Kyoto restaurant, Omen is famous for its namesake: noodles (o-men meaning honorable noodles), but it is also known for its fresh, bold combinations of ingredients in its "okazu" (the getting-the-rice-down things).” “Everything, starting from the Miso soup to Green Tea ice-cream was great.” “The food was simply amazing!” “The prix fixe meal is very large, however, the restaurant was very nice about some people ordering a la carte and some order the set meals.” “the sushi chef, Tom, is so nice and somehow manages to make conversation while preparing dozens of dishes simultaneously.” “The proprietors have even imported their own tofu recipe (Kyoto, being inland, is famous for tofu rather than for fish), and has shared its secret with one of NY's Chinatown tofu makers in the production of its delectible silken variety.” “Plus, Omen is fairly expensive (5-mini-course prix fixe start at around $43), but if you stick with the a la carte menu in the back, a few of the delicious appetizers (the soba appetizer is amazingly good, but simple) can be a good value.” “the yellow fin is so delicious.” “Rather, Kyoto's Omen serves seasonal dishes with the subtle blending of textures and tastes that mark authentic Japanese cookery using traditional ingredients.” “amazing experience, AMAZING food” “It serves Kyoto-style Japanese, which means not just incredibly fresh and generous portions of fish (their "Gardens" is a wonderful medley of raw salmon, yellowtail, and tuna), but also more unique and beautifully-presented items, such as a watercress-cra”
menu variety	90.0% positive	“decent sake menu (with silly little letter designations like P for Peachy, stuff like that).” “The sake selection and advice give at Omen is also superb.” “Plus, Omen is fairly expensive (5-mini-course prix fixe start at around $43), but if you stick with the a la carte menu in the back, a few of the delicious appetizers (the soba appetizer is amazingly good, but simple) can be a good value.” “The proprietors have even imported their own tofu recipe (Kyoto, being inland, is famous for tofu rather than for fish), and has shared its secret with one of NY's Chinatown tofu makers in the production of its delectible silken variety.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Omen is my favorite japanese restaurant.” “best known and extraordinarily popular Kyoto restaurant, Omen is famous for its namesake: noodles (o-men meaning honorable noodles), but it is also known for its fresh, bold combinations of ingredients in its "okazu" (the getting-the-rice-down things).”
service	100.0% positive	“The prix fixe meal is very large, however, the restaurant was very nice about some people ordering a la carte and some order the set meals.” “Staff was friendly and attentive.” “the waiters are extremely nice.”
value	80.0% positive	“Plus, Omen is fairly expensive (5-mini-course prix fixe start at around $43), but if you stick with the a la carte menu in the back, a few of the delicious appetizers (the soba appetizer is amazingly good, but simple) can be a good value.” “It serves Kyoto-style Japanese, which means not just incredibly fresh and generous portions of fish (their "Gardens" is a wonderful medley of raw salmon, yellowtail, and tuna), but also more unique and beautifully-presented items, such as a watercress-cra”

05/05/07

amazing experience, AMAZING food

by daeviydt

i frequent sushi/sashimi/japanese places. i don't know what's authentic, but i know what's good. the food here is really good. my mouth is watering just thinking about it, to be honest. the yellow fin is so delicious. the freshness of everything is unfathomable. the sushi chef, Tom, is so nice and somehow manages to make conversation while preparing dozens of dishes simultaneously. the waiters are extremely nice. things aren't cheap here, but everything is well worth the cost. it could be much more expensive and still be worth it... the best sea urchin i've ever had... the vegetables are all so delicious... decent sake menu (with silly little letter designations like P for Peachy, stuff like that). lots of other non-sushi/sashimi options... i really want to return QUITE SOON because i'm so excited to try out absolutely EVERYTHING.

Pros: great location, love the design, great clientelle, awesome service, best sushi/sashimi to my taste
Cons: NONE

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11/11/06

Exquisite Japanese Food

by liahb

This is the real deal. Not some Japanese restaurant run by non-Japanese asians. I was introduced by a Japanese friend of mine. The food is authentic and unique to New York. I recommend getting the sesaonal menu the first time. It changes every season. The most amazing part is the young chef. He is one to watch - i dont mean literaly watch as he prepares the food, but his career. This is better than Nobu and without the fuss/attitude.

Pros: Some of the best Japanese food in New York
Cons: Decor is not great, but not bad either.

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11/11/06

One of the Best -- not your average Japanese

by professionaleaters

This place is definitely on my list of all-time favs. Kaiseki , the style of cuisine at Omen, is hard to find even in NYC. This is a culinary experience that everyone should try at least once! The sake selection and advice give at Omen is also superb. The prix fixe meal is very large, however, the restaurant was very nice about some people ordering a la carte and some order the set meals. We were able to share a lot of things. Although the prices are high, you really get your money's worth.

Pros: Food, Sake, No-Hype
Cons: NONE

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07/04/06

Authentic Japanese at its best available without round-trip tickets

by ohtanuki

A best known and extraordinarily popular Kyoto restaurant, Omen is famous for its namesake: noodles (o-men meaning honorable noodles), but it is also known for its fresh, bold combinations of ingredients in its "okazu" (the getting-the-rice-down things). The best of Omen's cuisine is not Americanized Japanese, or even as one reviewer stated, "country Japanese." Rather, Kyoto's Omen serves seasonal dishes with the subtle blending of textures and tastes that mark authentic Japanese cookery using traditional ingredients. To experience the best of this restaurant, venture into the a la carte menu, open your mind and your palate, and savor each morsel, small and savory, at the tip of your hashi. New Yorkers and visitors can revel in a real culinary trip to Japan's ancient capital via Soho. The proprietors have even imported their own tofu recipe (Kyoto, being inland, is famous for tofu rather than for fish), and has shared its secret with one of NY's Chinatown tofu makers in the production of its delectible silken variety. In Japan, eating is a cerebral and sensory art which blends presentation, history, anecdotes and taste in an ultimate appreciation of the dishes presented. Have such an experience at Omen, and for that, you cannot beat the price. -- by a former American resident of Kyoto who visits Omen EVERY time I travel to NY

Pros: Genuine cuisine
Cons: Amex or cash only

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09/09/05

Delicious!

by lianka

We were walking around SOHO and it seemed that all of the Japanese Restaurants that we knew were closed on Labor day. We found this one and thank g-d! The food was simply amazing! Everything, starting from the Miso soup to Green Tea ice-cream was great. Staff was friendly and attentive. Usually you will need a reservation but you could try walking in if there are only 2-3 of you and you will be seated. I will definitely go back.

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05/05/07

amazing experience, AMAZING food

by daeviydt

11/11/06

Exquisite Japanese Food

by liahb

11/11/06

One of the Best -- not your average Japanese

by professionaleaters

07/04/06

Authentic Japanese at its best available without round-trip tickets

by ohtanuki

09/09/05

Delicious!

by lianka

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