Izakaya MEW

The food was delicious! I had been seeing this place on Instagram for a while and I really wanted to try it. We ordered the kimchi cream udon and the omu soba. The kimchi cream udon had really great texture and flavor + I was surprised by how large and juicy the shrimps were. The asparagus bits also added a nice amount of texture to the bite. The omu soba had really nice flavor and the omlette was super thin. We also ordered the fried fish appetizer which came with tartar sauce which was really nice and crispy. Overall quite reasonably priced and a delicious dinner.

Pretty great Japanese place, enjoyed the flavors. The creamy kimchi udon was definitely a bit overhyped and I wish it was spicier & tasted more like kimchi, but it was solid. Enjoyed the tofu & the pancake a lot though

i love this place, it is a go-to spot for my friends and i. however, the last time i went, i was met with the rudest host and insanely rushed servers. the host mistakenly thought my full party (2 ppl) was there and didn’t ask me, so sat me down and then proceeded to tell me that i was not supposed to have been sat if i didn’t have my full party - well they didn’t ask me. then the servers came by every 2 mins to ask me where the other party was. i had a reservation too so constantly being bombarded left a sour taste in my mouth. other than that, i still enjoy their food. we got yellowtail carpaccio (yum), fried squid legs, toro crispy rice, and the mew special roll.

We stopped in for a work lunch, and I ordered the Kaisen donburi. They were out of uni, which our server let me know right away and mentioned they would lower the price to $30 instead. At the time, I thought that seemed fair enough, but looking back, I’m not so sure. For what was left in the bowl, $30 still felt overpriced. The fish slices were cut extremely thin, and there was really only a single layer of fish, so overall it just wasn’t very satisfying.<br>That said, there are still quite a few items on the menu that caught my eye and that I’d like to try. I’m going to chalk this one up to ordering the wrong dish rather than writing the place off completely.<br>One thing that did leave a bad impression, though, was the interaction at the end of the meal. The girl who brought our check wasn’t exactly rude, but she seemed visibly annoyed when we asked about using Apple Pay but ended up putting the charge on my card and it felt like asking her to bring over the Apple Pay machine was somehow inconveniencing her. She also didn’t bother asking whether I wanted my receipt. Maybe none of it was intentional, but her overall demeanor came across that way and left us ending the meal with a bad taste in our mouths.<br>Update: I went back again and tried the kimchi cream udon, and it was really, really good. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. Unfortunately, the shrimp were horribly overcooked, which was disappointing.<br>I also got a taste of my friend's tonkotsu ramen. The broth was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. After one spoonful, I knew I'd be going back for my own bowl.

Okonomiyaki was soooo fire 😭😭 Comparable to the ones ive had in Japan! So savory with lots of bonito flakes, crunchy crust and soft centre 😍 The karage was hot and juicy as well, loved the Basque cheesecake at the end. Sushi roll was ok! Nice ambience, but just a little loud.

Food was fantastic, portions were GENEROUS, great for sharing! We got seated quickly even though it was crowded. We were able to get drinks at the bar while we waited to be seated which was wonderful. The matcha and kiwi cocktails were delicious! Service was great, we still got drinks refills and our food came quickly even though it was packed.

Really good, underground so hard to find above ground but the food is amazing. The mew sushi is really good and the omu soba is also really good. The bonito flakes are extremely smokey and flavorful. 10/10 would return

This is a hard to find place because it is under street level. You would look for a glass door that opens to reveal stairs leading down to a short hallway ending at the greeter’s station/bar.<br>There is not much room to maneuver when the house is full. The servers are efficient and polite. Food was good-our party had a broad assortment of hand rolls, noodle soups, and other dishes.

Although this place was super busy, we were able to order drinks and appetizers at the bar before we were seated. The drinks here were great! So was the food. What I especially love was the service! Our server was funny and energetic! Overall, I highly recommend this place. I will definitely be back here again whenever I’m in NYC.

Izakaya MEW is a cozy and lively spot that’s perfect for casual Japanese comfort food in the heart of the city. The atmosphere feels authentic and energetic, making it a great place to grab dinner with friends.<br><br>We ordered the kimchi udon, okonomiyaki, and karaage. The kimchi udon was flavorful and comforting, with a nice balance of spice and savory broth. The okonomiyaki was cooked well, topped with rich sauce and plenty of flavor in every bite. The karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making it a standout dish at the table.<br><br>Overall, the food was satisfying and well-prepared, and the variety on the menu makes it easy to find something for everyone. Izakaya MEW is definitely worth visiting if you’re craving casual Japanese dishes in NYC.

Excellent doesn't even come close. Every thing I tried was among the best, if not the best I have had. Couple this with a vibrant atmosphere and exceptional service make this a place where the wait is worth it!<br><br>Of note are the following: Uni Nigiri Sushi, Black Dragon Roll, Nigiri Set (an excellent choice for the less adventurous), Tan Shio, Kani Oshixushi, and the Homemade Tiramisu.<br><br>The Homemade Tiramisu is the best I have ever had, and that was the opinion of the other 6 people in our group.

My son and I had an enjoyable dinner here this past weekend. The ambiance and service was nice. We got there at 5pm on Saturday and the place was already packed. Luckily we had a reservation.<br>The food was delicious! We ordered Kimchi Cream udon, Katsu Don(not pictured), Kushiyaki Set and Toro Taku Crispy Rice. We loved the Kimchi cream udon!!! So good!<br>We'd definitely go back again next time when we're in NYC.

Delectable, fresh salmon; creamy, umami udon; crispy, fatty tonkatsu, everything we ordered was so well cooked. I can taste the effort the chef put into the food. I cannot choose a favorite dish, but the hotpot noodles we got paled in contrast to the other dishes. The comparison is unfair though because the other dishes is too good!<br><br>My friend treated me, so the food tasted even better! Treat this review with a grain of salt, because the food was free hahahahah

We recently dined at this Japanese restaurant and overall had a wonderful experience! The dishes were flavorful, beautifully presented, and full of savory goodness. Every plate brought something unique to the table — from the perfectly seasoned fried rice topped with an onsen egg, to the rich and satisfying omusoba drizzled with mayo and okonomiyaki sauce, and the crunchy sushi rolls bursting with freshness and texture. The tempura avocado tacos were a fun and creative twist, and the cheese fries offered a comforting, cheesy bite.<br><br>The restaurant itself had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff were attentive — they checked in several times to ensure our food arrived properly and that we were satisfied, which we really appreciated.<br><br>However, we did find the cheese fries a bit too greasy and heavy, leaving a noticeable oily aftertaste. That was the only dish that didn’t quite meet the high standard of the others.<br>Another small disappointment was being charged $1.50 extra for hot sauce — it was unexpected and felt a bit unnecessary for such a simple request.<br><br>Despite these minor issues, the food was overall delicious and savory, and the service was kind and attentive. If not for the extra charge for the hot sauce and the overly oily fries, we’d gladly give them a full 5 stars. Still, this is a place we’d happily return to for another flavorful meal!

Busy and lively basement izakaya. The Yuzu Kiki cocktail was nice, kind of like a sparkling margarita. Food was just average, more like cafeteria dishes. The Frozen Kirin Beer looked cool but wasn’t cold enough and didn’t taste great. Each dish is cheap, and most of the guests looked pretty young. Fun vibe if you like crowds, but not really for the food.