We had a wonderful experience walking around Chinatown today and found ourselves here. I can’t speak highly enough about the atmosphere, the quality of the food and the service such a welcoming place with great energy. We had the butter Ramen with the pork belly appetizer and the grilled eel. Everything was fantastic in its own way the Ramen was so rich and the noodles were perfect. I would dine here again in a heartbeat. Thank you for being so welcoming.
Had a great time at Juraku. Food was amazing! and awesome selection of unique craft beers. David helped us out a ton with selecting the best food and drinks provided a great time overall.
Dope spot with plenty of innovative and fun food— Kiyo is the man and has a great crew of people working under him.Love seeing One Piece projected on the wallsPretty much everything on the menu is good!! Go go go.I think they have too much selection of Japanese beer and Sake.
We tried the black ramen and the spicy one. Both were super delicious ! Staff also very friendly.
A great place to relax and share bites with friends. The food is great, the portions are amazing, and prices are better.If I reviewed every single item that was ordered, this review would be too long. So I would just say close your eyes and just point at the menu. It really feels like you cant go wrong at all. With everything being affordable, having decent portions that can be shared between 4 people, just take a shot and you might find something you enjoy!
Yes, take me there anytime! Biggest bai buns I’ve ever had. Skewers are a must. Also a nice selection of Japanese beers and whiskeys. I’m stuffed.
Cool hip Japanese restaurant and bar.The vibe was quite cool and relaxed.Went there after dinner so didnt eat all that much, but definitely will be back to try more of their food and unique drinks.Ordered the Ice Cream Saki cocktail, it was so good, I had 2, killed my diet.
Amazing food, drinks, and service! Good vibes and my drink had fresh grapefruit squeezed at the table. They have a ton of vegetarian and pescatarian options, too. Definitely check this place out!
Surprisingly delicious black garlic ramen, karaage and loaded fries were good too! First time I went for pickup someone stole my order but they replaced it pretty quick, which I appreciated.
We got a last minute Resy for two on a Saturday night. awesome vibe, great service matched with perfect food. I thought it was affordable and we tried had two skewers - pork belly and chicken thigh, spicy ramen, miso soup and edamame. Would definitely recommend!
This place is smack dab in the heart of LES among other phenomenal restaurants (if you know where to look). I had pretty low expectations for this spot tbh but was blown away by their list of craft Japanese beers. They claim the most extensive list of Japanese craft beers in the nation and I believe it. We tried four different ones and loved three of them. If I could have tried all of them I would’ve. Wait staff were extremely attentive and friendly. The food was surprisingly very good. Overall a great place to try good beers and a light bite in LES.
Amazing food and service. Everything we tried was tasty and great. We had 4 people in our party so that we could try a bunch of different dishes. Highly recommend the Agedashi Tofu, Signature Kaarage, Kaku I Loaded Fries, and the Mentaiko Mazzamen. Dont forget the Hokkaido beers and sakes and the boozy hot chocolate! Give this place a try, you wont regret it. 😎
The pork katsu was my favorite bite. The scallop skewers were also excellent. I tried a handful of other meat skewers, and they were good but they didnt compete with what I mentioned above.
The service was great, people who like one piece will definitely like the atmosphere and the decoration there! And the best recommendation will be the ramen here, especially the black garlic ramen. Deep flavor of the pork broth with flavory black garlic oil, not too strong, it might look weird but it smells great; noodles not too soft or chewy. The appetizers are great too! Will definitely come again with friends and family :)
We love going to Izakaya, and we found this spot with a really good happy hour menu. Since it was still early evening on Friday, it was still rather empty. I liked the cozy and homey atmosphere.We started off with some Yuzu Sake from Jokigen. Our server poured the sake into the glass, and continued to pour until it started to over flow into a wooden masu square. Sake was fruity, just the way I like it!My hubby was interested in their craft beer. Even more so after the general manager, Kiyo, walked over and started to have interesting conversation with us. He told us that they have the largest Japanese Craft Beer offering in NYC, and continue to add more.I ordered Hokkaido Melon Ale, with a really great cantaloupe flavor, love it! My hubby went with something that was really unique, Kyoto Beer Matcha IPA. It had deep, dark matcha green color, with an interesting flavor. Hint of matcha aroma, with that distinct bitter flavor of matcha. We got to try a few more beers, and they were really good!For food, we tried Smoking Anbai Miso Bacon, that gets torched right in front of you. So meaty and packed with amazing flavor! Totally loved it! Truffle Lotus Root Chips had a great truffle flavor with each bite. Crisp chips, lightly fried, a perfect accompaniment to any drinks!Tebasaki, Nagoya style Japanese chicken wings, came with a really nice portion. When I took my first bite, I must say I had no words…it was soooo delicious, totally out of control! My hubby said I had the “eyes of pleasure” like nothing he has ever seen. LOL.We had such fun time here, and it was really great talking with the general manager Kiyo. He was super friendly, and super knowledgeable when it came to food and drinks. What an amazing spot! We would definitely go back for more amazing food and drinks!
Absolutely stunning and MUST visit🍻 outstanding selections of beer and their food is delicious as well! Although I didn’t take photos of foods here since I had to consume all of them before taking them😂 the owner is an amazing guy where he makes you feel like you’re treated well and respected! Definitely going back here more for the great experience!
Cute spot, awesome drinks, and solid small plates. I started with a Yuzu Sour which was perfect for the warm weather. I also tried a Sansho herb ale which was mildly hoppy and great for summer too. For my meal, my Buri Yellow Tail which arrived salt-grilled with daikon and lemon over rice was SO GOOD with downhome feels! Their extremely vast menu offers something for everyone including my 4-year-old and their prices are super fair. Do it!NOTES/TIPS:**Wheelchair-accessible**Gender-neutral restroom**I didnt seem to need a reservation for a weekday lunch.
A cozy and fun place!We were satisfied with all the dishes we ordered. The drink menu is pretty authentic and diverse that there are even frozen drinks.We went for dinner, but Id probably even go for lunch as well.
Awesome local place, great vibe and food, recommend to anyone who vaguely likes Japanese food. It’s the real deal!
Fantastic casual Japanese spot with great food and over 60 Japanese craft beers on the menu besides all the sake. Staff is absolutely fantastic too! My new go-to downtown.
Pedestrian izakaya spot located on the LES. Long menu with really no stand out dishes. Service was adequate, space clean. Trying to scroll through the long menu via QR code through your phone was super annoying.
A really cool spot in the heart of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I came here on a Friday night and the place was packed with a lively crowd. I sat at the bar. All of the food that I ordered looked like the pictures on the menu (QR code) and tasted delicious! Id say its a good value for money and with the cool crowd, its definitely worth it. A really solid choice of authentic Japanese beer, Sake and Shochu. A great spot to start the night before going out, or even a longer dinner if there was some sort of party. I want to try lunch now that I know it opens at 12:00
I’m a sucker for a one piece theme. Anime flags and figurines everywhere. The food was delightful. That garlic edamame blew me away, both with taste and quality. The scallop skewers we a bit overcooked, but were also 100% real scallops so that wins big.All in all, delicious food, great ambiance.
Service was fine. food was expensive and nothing special. ambience was nice but there are definitely better ways to spend your money. the fried octopus appetizer was good however.
Specialty Beers and Skewers, is the quickest way to my heart!(Fyi: its a well kept secret that Michelin star chefs work on the menu here😏 but you didnt hear it from me😏)This izakaya offers so many independent brews, THEIR OWN BREWED and Collab Beers! And imported rare Beers you almost cant get anywhere else!🤯Ive never seen the Lucky beer series.The YUZU lucky cat is my go to light refreshing beer here!Their get f@cked YUZU cocktails are bangers! Top choice. Get it.Alrighty the food:Just wow. Its challenging to make Lotus root CHIPS. BUT they got that TRUFFLE LOTUS ROOT CHIPS!ONLY place I know with Garlic infused edamame!The kakuni loaded fries! Fries crispy af( thats a good thing 👍👌) so it pairs well with the juicy af Kakuni braised pork belly and cheese.I dunno what else they put in it but its flavorful and tastes better than say fries with pork belly and cheese. Which alone is already delicious enough.Basically... u want a Umami flavor bomb? Get the kakuni loaded fries.🤤🤤🤤Vegan/ vegetarian options? They got you covered with creamy veggie ramens and dishes like shishito peppers and of course the Garlic Edamame which you must try!They got burgers too!Oh ya wanted katsu curry, yea they got that too.Craving for Japanese style Croquettes? Yup.German beers, omg yes.Large sake selection!Gyudon, they got it! Only few spots serve gyudon after Yoshinoya got taken over by Five guys ¯\_(ツ)_/¯And izakaya juraku puts a POACHED EGG in their Gyudon!Definitely coming back with friends to try the rest of their menu!Also the chefs are always adding new dishes stay tuned for their next drop:Secret ingredient is special furikake 😉
A fun place for drinks and small bites. We had the chu-hi and the skewers which were not bad.
Super cool vibes, lots of interesting beer, and solid japanese food and skewers. We made a reservation on opentable and were seated quickly. Service was quick and attentive, and everything was great value. I recommend the loaded fries, skewers, and black garlic ramen.
Good vibes, good food, great service. The garlic edamame is to die for. Had variety skewers which were all tasty. The katsu was delish. The bloozy yuzu slushy hit the spot.
3 items of food and a sake, the food was delicious and out of this world. They were even willing to redo the pork belly dish that came out cold.Cant wait to come back with my friends next time I travel to New York!!!
A group of us went to have a light dinner and drinks before going out. We were told to sit at the bar even though there were empty tables (which remained empty for a long time). We ordered several skewers, wasabi fries, and three of us ordered the 212. Food and drinks were pretty good. I will likely go back.
Such a great spot for a fun night out! It’s been a while since I’ve done an izakaya and it was a pretty solid hit in terms of food. Not a huge list of skewers but everything they had, they did well. Started with the chile edamame and it was some of the best I’ve had in the past year. The chicken and pork belly skewers were also excellent and their kaarage was fire! But most impressive is their very extensive selection of Japanese craft beers! I’ll be back!
The truffle ramen was one of the best ramens Ive had outside of Japan. The staff was soo friendly and made you feel like family. Highly recommend
Food was out quickly and was delicious. the miso butter ramen in particular had great rich broth and flavor. the inside has fun decor and music. good happy hour deals.
Delicious food, great service! came here for lunch while i was in the city and everything was top tier. will definitely go back again if i’m ever back in the area.
Best takoyaki in all of NYC. We had a big group and everyone loved the dish they ordered. Really fun spot with amazing food and a wide collection of Japanese craft beer (the largest collection in the states). They also have a subscription system where you get points off your next meal which I love! The owner came up to our table and introduced himself which was very kind and even gave us a free round of drinks. Love this place, will definitely return especially for the takoyaki and to try the brown butter ramen!
Had an awesome lunch here when visiting with family.
Great service and staff! Came here for lunch and it wasnt too busy but still a lively atmosphere. Food is authentic and typical izakaya fare. The drinks are what you come here for, large selection of beers! The staff and GM were so friendly and welcoming. Will definitely visit again next time I am in the city!
Incredible Japanese teppanyaki in a relaxed intimate atmosphere! The food is amazing and we were so impressed with every single dish we got. Loved their extensive craft beer selection and was so happy they even had several non alcoholic options! Our waiter was absolutely wonderful. He answered any questions and gave great recommendations for different dishes. The restaurant is on the smaller side so if you have a bigger party or plan to go at peak times I would recommend making a reservation before hand.Overall a perfect spot for a weekend dinner and drinks with great vibes and amazing food! We will definitely be back!
Matches up as one of the top izakayas around in terms of vibe, and is very unique and quirky.Tasty food and wide Japanese beer selection, with some interesting fusion twists (nigori sake milkshake!?, Soju cocktails, Kimchi dishes, Burgers, etc.), and Japanese classics such as ramen, yakitori, bao, gyoza, karaage, etc.Its not the most strictly authentic Japanese food youll find, but thats really to be expected based on the fusion concept -- and regardless the food is very tasty!Theres also a really cool decor and vibe, and a kind and knowledgeable owner, Kio, who often works there + great staff and service. Good place to swing by on the weekend!
Came here for dinner with my husband ❤️ Food was amazing and they had such great service!! First time experience to Japanese food, our server explained our options and gave great recommendations! Def a new go-to spot 🤤🤤
Came here by myself, and most of the tables were reserved, but I was able to be seated right away. I got the takowasa, which didnt have a very strong Wasabi flavor. I also got the karate and yakitori, both of which I really enjoyed. I also got a cocktail which was good as well.
I enjoyed my meal here. The stars of this place are its staff and selection of Japanese craft beer.Staff were all cordial, friendly and helpful.Food was average. The gobo in the kinpira I found to be on the mushy side. The skewers were solid. My friends liked their orders.I’d come back to try other items on the menu and enjoy more beer. A solid place to while the night away.
Delicious and very reasonably priced meal. Fun, funky vibe and great service. Definitely go for the chicken skewers. If youre a cocktail fan, try the Matcharita!
What a wonderful place!! Incredible food, awesome and unique beers, and super friendly service. 10/10. Will definitely be backAlso the matcha beer is killer
Outstanding small bites and a dedicated owner who truly cares about food and beer. As the name suggests, come here for wonderful and accessible Japanese bar-food classics, and stay for the rare beers.
One of my favorite places to eat and drink in Lower East Side. Food is always great. The music and atmosphere are great as well. I visited every other week for their Japanese spinach lol
You have never had a sour like this.
Izakaya Juraku offers fantastic Japanese cuisine with dishes like ramen, dumplings, and bento boxes. The cozy atmosphere and craft beer selection make it a great spot for a casual night out. However, the website could be improved for a better user experience. If you need help updating it, I can assist with that!
I ate the Gyu Don and my girlfriend ate the Spicy Ramen and I have to say it was so so good. The homemade strawberry lemonade was great and the fuji apple juice with shredded apple was perfect too. The service was awesome and we were seated right away. Even though we got there 30 minutes before our reservation, they still gave us a table. We truly appreciated that especially being in the cold weather all night. The waiter was very patient with us and kept our glasses of water full; which again, we greatly appreciated it.Its a nice calm environment, Id recommend this place for a delicious dinner. Well definitely be back.
Izakaya Juraku is my local les go to spot. Friendly chill vibe with savory rice dishes and great snacks. This apple juice was recommended by a gentleman and I must say this apple juice is incredible. He described it as if eating an apple rather than drinking and he wasnt wrong. 10/10 would recommend for anyone in a good mood who wants to be in a better mood, come here, get some comfort food and great conversation.
Very cozy bar and food service joint. They have subtle One Piece merch around the bar area and they show episodes on the wall. There’s an extensive selection of beers and sake. They also have a large range of skewers, gyoza, ramen, burgers, and fried chicken. We had the brown butter ramen (sorry, we dug into it too fast to take a picture but that’s how good it was) and the katsu curry. The ramen broth was incredibly rich and the noodles were bouncy. The curry was mild and the pork katsu was very juicy and flavorful with a great crunchy exterior. There are a few singles tables in the front and three long tables that can fit six people in the back by the bar. The staff were very kind. The vibe is cozy and relaxed. We will be back!
Walking through the streets of hot summer NYC, Izakaya Juraku has doors open and it’s just wonderful in here. Great host and good space. Their draft seltzer is nice and carbonated and they have this cool chill yuzu slush that comes in non alcoholic or with alcohol. And the foood... is just so yummmmmy and delicious.
I usually stick to the classics, but the Matcharita was crazy good. Happy hour karaage was also crispy and juicy without being too heavy.
My favorite spot in the lower east side and the match beer is a must. All the dishes are fantastic and make me feel like I’m in shibuya again!
Garlic edamame! Delish grills of skewers. We ordered many tapas to share. There was grilled tomato whixh was so fun and I personally loved it. Soft juicy but not explosive small tomatoes, and with the charred grilled flavor it was awesome.The karaage was juicy, but the rock shrimp tempura was the best. The spicy mayo was out of this world(haha). We also got the pork belly special, with salad and rice at the same bowl.The bathroom was chill, there is two. Nd theres rock in the sink it’s certainly interesting.
Ramen is very very good. Good options and portions. We came on a Sunday and it was pretty empty. Service was good and food was delicious
This place checks all the boxes. The food and the eccentric style is the best. There is literally something for every palette. The warm service and amazing staff are the best. I couldn’t recommend this place more!! They are accommodating to allergies and have a great attention to detail. Go give it a try you will not be disappointed!!
David was attentive and recommended the best on the menu. We had an amazing night through his help. 10/10 food and drinks were great and it would benefit to hand David to guide you
Spectacular spread of food options. Great drink options including cocktails and unique beers. Service was phenomenal and accommodating. Will be back for more!
Rarely write reviews but this place deserves it! we wanted to get one meal at a japanese place in during our weekend trip to the city and went for a late lunch here after considering dozens of options. were big japanese food & culture enthusiasts and were SO happy we ended up at juraku. stayed til dinner time enjoying the awesome food (the ramen and takoyaki were stupid good! even the edamame was amazing??) and fantastic selection of sake & cocktails. also just great service from people who clearly enjoy being there! super cool atmosphere, just top marks all around from us. wish we could hang out here stuffing our faces every weekend! well be back for sure.
We had an awesome meal. Great happy hour until 8pm.
Great little spot for some izakaya food and great drinks! All their food is pretty solid, but we especially enjoyed anything fried like their karaage loaded fries or shrimp croquettes.The staff was super nice and the experience was really fun, making it a great night time meet up spot with friends.My friend dropped a piece of skewered sausage and they replaced it for us! I don’t expect this all the time, but it showed us how they want to add just a bit of hospitality to our meal. All in all would definitely go again. They got pretty popular into the night on a Friday so either go early or get a reservation!
Amazing ramen and service! Probably my favorite ramen spot in town. Do try their Wasabi fries.
We will definitely be coming back! The atmosphere and staff are so welcoming. And don’t get me started on the drinks! The garlic edamame is an absolute must as well, truly the best I’ve had.
Fantastic neighborhood spot! Thrilled they are now open for lunch. Yakatori is FIRE!!!!!!!
Amazing food and service. Highly recommend.1 star off for QR code menu. Paper menus do not spread Covid. People visit bars/restaurants to disconnect and stop looking at their phones. Especially with a small plate menu it’s very annoying to scroll thru your phone and keep track of what you want to order.
I ate a black garlic veggie ramen and I think it was one of the best ramen that I ate in my life!!
Yummy food for a fair price and nice atmosphere. the yakiniku (the sauce is amazing) and pork kakuni were delicious along with all the skewers (we got mushroom, chicken thigh and pork belly) and potato croquette. would definitely come back and order the same things
An inexpensive izakaya that I think caters more to an American audience - certainly fewer Japanese speakers than other Izakaya’s I’ve been to in NYC. That said the food was very good - we had a few skewers, a couple rice dishes, and some of the other small dishes, all were tasty.The beer selection is really the draw - they have an extensive draft and bottle option. Some of the options are very hard to find in the US. They also have cocktails with shochu and/or sake - the ones we had were pretty good and not super sugary. You can also get bottles of sake and they have a few different options.Lastly the desserts they have were pretty unique as well. There were a few desserts with alcohol which was pretty fun.
I will definitely be going back. Nice low key spot with fantastic food that is relatively inexpensive. Huge selection of food, beer and sake. They had one piece projected on the wall as well—which I loved.Highly recommend the fried chicken buns.
David and Kevin had fantastic recommendations. Had a great time bringing friends from out of town and gave us a great end to our weekend! Food is spot on and I want more takoyaki!
This place has a vast selection of Japanese beers, encompassing many different styles. Its in an intimate, inviting setting - a great spot to get lost for a while in culture and conversation.The food we tried was all great. The karaage, a fried chicken dish, was standout. It is dipped in the perfect batter, and served tender and crispy.We had a great experience and there is so much left here to try; it seems like a place where the single exposure is not enough to capture the richness of all it has to offer. I would definitely go back to dive deeper.
Awesome izakaya!! Delicious and comforting food, broad selection of good beers.We got the Assorted Oden and Pork Katsu Don - both were greatThe owner is also very cool and makes you feel welcome
Food was delicious and their drink selection is so versatile there is definitely something there for everyone. Enjoyed skewers and peppers but next time will go with more of an empty stomach to try more!
Kiyo was amazing! The food was incredible, perfect seasoning to complement the taste of the meat without overpowering it. Every dish we had was perfection. Ive never had a bad experience at Izakaya Juraku. We werent sure what sake to get and Kiyos suggestion was exactly what we wanted. I need to make the trip in from NJ more often... 10 stars??
This is a real gem, excellent Japanese food and beverages! I like other Izakaya in the area very much, but I think this one has the best food overall. The yakitori, in particular, is high quality.The staff are very friendly and the environment has a great vibe, you can really relax.
I have been to this place 4 times and I MUST get the Mentaiko Mazzemen every time. Every single item myself or my party ordered was a great decision and highly tasty. I really recommend this place if you like delicious food, tasty drinks, and you have a love for anime (especially One Piece).
A GREAT PLACE!!Undoubtedly one of my most favored places to ever exist in with friends. They were helpful and beyond sweet and just blessings overall. Kevin was an awesome dude that always made sure we were set, the bartender made some packing drinks ❤️❤️, AND THE CHEF!! GOD BLESSED THEIR HANDS WELL 😫 I just wish I took food pictures cuz they were gorgeous but thats how good the food was. The kakuni fries were so good, the calamari crisp, Oden delicious, pork belly skewers scrumptious! I also had the Get F@cked 1.0 and its a fave drink along with Calpus Hi.Just a great place and I hope yall enjoy it as much as we all have
Awesome food, best loaded fries around. also good kimchi and skewers
I have no idea how I’d missed this spot before. The food is amazing, every single dish we got we loved. They have a ton of vegetarian and vegan options which is always appreciated. They have over 60 Japanese beer options. The place isn’t huge so if you have a bigger party would definitely recommend reserving before hand. Everyone was so kind and answered all the questions we had about the menu. And the place is just vibes, perfect for a weekend dinner. Especially grateful to David who helped us out all night and gave great recommendations. My partner got the brown butter ramen and I got the spicy veggie ramen. We also shared some skewers (tomato and shrimp were a favorite) and some mochi for dessert. Servings were great, we were so full by the end but so, so satisfied.
Great choice of Japanese food. A lot more than your traditional Ramen.
Stumbled upon this place looking for something to eat for lunch. Im a big fan of yakitori so I order a bunch. It was delicious. The meat was nice and tender and covered in a flavorful sauce. Also, their Japanese beer list is quite lengthy, something ~60 maybe. Overall, very lovely experience.
Like a little portal into japan. Love the small rustic spaces. And the traditional seating. Meals are also well done and very homey. Would definitely return. Also did i taste REAL wasabi?!? First time being able to taste such a biting flavor since I’ve lost the ability to taste most things after getting covid two years ago
My favorite spot in town!!! Great staff, great food, great ambience. The effort they put into each diner’s experience matches that of a 5-star restaurant, possibly even better. If you don’t know much about Japanese food, beer, or sake, just ask the servers and they’ll be happy to help you order something you will enjoy. I know this reads like a paid endorsement. It isn’t. I love this place because what I say here is the truth ong
Everything was incredibly delicious! Friendly server. Highly recommend
I am sorry, but dining at Juraku was the most frustrating experience I have had in NYC! I totally understand the pandemic had made restaurant industry struggling, and we would like to support local restaurants. However, I will never go back to this one! First, the food is way overpriced on what you get and the drink is not cheap either. The food quality is mediocre, definitely below average Izakaya-style restaurants in NYC and the potions are very tiny! Second, they are using disposable paper plates and plastic bowls! Think about having an 18$ hot noodle soup in a plastic bowl! Third, the food is not fresh. We had some skewers, and the beef was very chewy and tasted stale. You can literally get better skewers for half the that price at other East Village Izakaya restaurants. The noodle and rice (don) dishes are bland, not as good as the pre-made ones from typical Japanese supermarket. Finally, the service was awful, or I should say there was basically no service for us, ignored by servers. Wife and I went to more than twenty Japanese restaurants in Lower Manhattan, and this one was the worst. A group of us were still hungry after spending a lot money there, had to get pastrami sandwiches from a nearby famous joint. lol
Izakaya Juraku is a great spot to chill with friends, go on an intimate date, or sit alone at the bar and enjoy a comprehensive selection of Japanese beers and creative sake creations. They just added a hot chocolate sake creation that is perfect for the chilly weather now! Perfect mix of sweet, creamy, and buzzy ☺️The food is also bomb 👍
Tasty ramen. And the skewers make a great appetizer.
Amazing beef and scallop skewers. Anime bar was a vibe.
Lots of fun! It really captures the feel of a Japanese izakaya. Dont miss the kaarage fries.
The most delicious burnt garlic ramen that I’ve ever had.Very happy to have found my new favorite casual restaurant + bar in the city.+ awesome service. 10/10+ great atmosphere. Casual, music. Not too loud.+ French fries hand-cut in house. Delicious.+ again, the ramen was fire
This is one of the best places in Lower Manhattan that I’ve had the pleasure to go to. The selection of Japanese craft beers was astounding and the food was very good. The owner came up and talked to us and even recommended us the Matcha IPA which was the highlight of the visit. Go here if you’re ever in Lower Manhattan.
This place is so far the best Japanese restaurant I have been to in New York City. The food is great, the beer is fantastic, and the people who work there make this place somewhere you want to visit daily. Also, their new invention, Kimchi Ramen, is as good as it sounds. You gotta give it a try! :)
This is a legit izakaya,make sure you try the niku jaga and kurobuta sausage. But everything is amazing, just my favoritesStaff are the best, enjoy!
Great little japanese restaurant in lower east side. They have a huge selection of Japanese beer.The Kuro black garlic ramen was amazing and so are the skewers!
Really great meal with old friends! We tried almost everything on the menu. Hard to pick favorites. The korroke & wasabi fries were fantastic, as was the weekends best edamame. The, the Kara-age, thebacon, yakiniku, etc. All delish. David was not only attentive, but charming and helpful in selecting different dishes, beer & sake. Fantastic!
Really cozy, decoration is awesome, if you are a manga/anime lover you are gonna enjoy it! They have a great variety of authentic tasty japanese food! Takoyakis are a must!
First time here for brunch. This place is a gem, with great food, and atmosphere. Our server is super nice, so many interesting small dishes I want to try. I recommend their skewers, and I had the truffles tonkotsu miso ramen noodles. Great service here, love it!
They have to treat everyone the same way that they would want to be treated. Give RESPECT in order to Get RESPECT
Inventive, small plates and a Japanese beer list to swoon over. Great service and ambiance.
Delicious food. And shake server in this neat little bottle with a chamer for ice that didnt dilute the booze!
Loved it. Great service, friendly staff, and tasty food.
This unique Izakaya- pub style restaurant serves Japanese food to pair with a great selection of Japanese Craft beers and sakes. I would say traditional comfort food with a little touch of NY. Juraku’s atmosphere takes me right back to Tokyo! Knowledgeable staffs are very friendly. I sure will visit on my next trip to NY.
Great traditional Japanese food. They have the bigger list of Japanese Beers and Sake. Great service, the owner and the staff are friendly! 100% recommended!
The best japanese bite Ive had in NYC. Fire food and fire slushies!
We had a great junmai ginjo sale.food was good too, menu is quite deep for small plates so u can order many.staff serious but efficient.decor very informal, looks more like a beer place.
Casual but amazing Izakaya. Ramen, edamame, fried squid, takoyaki. Everything was supreme, and the Japas beer on tap is excellent.
Good for drink and eat with your friend . Its Quick , good and fair price
David is great! Always checking our table and gave us good recommendations to choose. Place is cool and food was amazing.
Im not sure how this place has such good stars. Maybe its for the alcohol selection? I came here for dinner with a few friends on Friday night and boy were we disappointed. Dont come here looking fir authentic Japanese food. Its more along the lines of chinese owned Japanese restaurant.The shishito peppers were bitter and spicy. The pork belly /bacon we ordered came out cold and rubbery even though it came on the grill (it had a good flavor to it and wouldve actually been really good if it was hot.) Seems like it was sitting there for a while or it was on the grill for show. The ramen we ordered was the BIGGEST disappointment of all. This was literally Nissin Tonkatsu packaged ramen which we were being charged $16 for. I couldve gone to my grocery stire, spent $1.00 and I wouldve gotten the same experience.The Katsu Don was also a disappointment - tasted like microwaved package Japanese curry. Funny because I told my friend I wanted comfort food - and thats what I got. Food I couldve bought from the grocery store and made myself at exuberant prices.NEVER AGAIN. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND AVOID, OR JUST GO TO THE GROCERY STORE - YOULL GET THE SAME EXPERIENCE.
Staff was friendly. Food was great!! Loved the Takoyaki. They had One Piece playing in the background which was a plus for me!
Absolutely tasty and David and Kevin were friendly and fun! I will definitely come back again! Hungry for more!! 🍶🍻
Delicious and beautiful cocktails with a neat story behind each one! And it has a LARGE collection of beers. I only tried a few dishes, but all were tasty. Perfect spot for a date night or groups!
One of my favorite places in LES! Great drinks, big variety of craft beer and the food is super tasty - try the Gyu Don - I promise you won´t regret your choice. On top the staff is very friendly and attentive.
My server Kiyo was so nice and on top of everything. Such a cute little place with nice chill vibes. The food was really good , my favorite was the Karaage and the Dorayaki. Definitely recommend
Service was attentive and friendly; food was served quickly. Everything was delicious and well-priced! Will definitely return.
Great spot! Would recommend and come back, I got the truffle ramen and bao buns. Both very tasty and unique.
Food, drink, atmosphere, and service are all AMAZING. I cant recommend this place enough.Go!!! You will love it!
For the restaurant week NYC, Izakaya provide basic food, but delicious. Even though I dont drink but surprised that so many beers to choice in the menu. Maybe I will come back for drinks :)
Everything was great and came out quickly! Favorites were the shrimp skewer, scallop skewer, fried mackerel, and kimchi. Will definitely go back
Tapas style Japanese-fusion fare served in hip interiors. The food was really good, the ebi shumai was amazing. The staff was extremely knowledgeable about sake and helped me find the perfect one that I loved. Their beer list is comprised of beers from Japan, several of which are award-winning.Overall great place to bring a date to or impress a visiting friend with. Also have a bar so can also sit there alone and talk to the bartender.Ill definitely be returning and recommending.
I had buta no kaku (very good), as well as skewers of squid, zucchini, and mushrooms (good). Liked them all. All served in disposable containers.Also had the Kyoto Matcha IPA, which I thought looked very fun, tasted OK. Its way more green than my camera captured, with ingredients listing food colorings.
Fantastic Japanese beer list and great atmosphere, but the service was impeccable. Friendliest staff - make sure to say hi to Kiyo. Highly recommended!!
The service here is trash and when the server poured my sake she spilled sake all over the table in the process and neither apologised nor did she clean it up.All the seats are super awkward too and the bar might be engineered to be the most uncomfortable seating experience of any public space.
Solid food but I feel like their imported Japanese beer selection is quite limited.
Interesting ramen and a lot of Japanese beers, but corn doesnt belong in ramen.
Absolute best time in a nice little cozy setting catching up with a friend! We pretty much ordered shared plates of mini dishes to try out like the Karage and Takoyaki! But definitely recommend the Bacon because everything is better with bacon! 😍🥓 Service was great as well, no complaints about that! The manager would be checking on us here and there so it showed good hospitality which I always appreciate at a restaurant especially!
Food is gas drinks r even betterHighly rec the jam cocktail
Excellent selection of sakes and Japanese beers. Delicious food! I highly recommend this fine establishment
I really enjoyed the butter ramen. My friends prefer the black garlic. Not salty at all.
Great food, great atmosphere, very friendly and helpful staff. Juraku has adapted a lot during the pandemic, but no matter what happens going back there is always a great experience.EDIT:Updating my review as Ive been here many times now. The staff is fantastic and gives you space to breathe. Its one of the few places of solace in the city Ive found where you can just unwind without feeling rushed. The menu is always changing and there are always new things to try.I highly recommending ordering a Calpico Slush in the summer, its the perfect drink to beat the heat. The garlic edamame is to die for, and the pork buns are out of this world.
Great selection of craft beers. Yakitori all tasted of the same seasoning. Karaage was very lightly breaded that seemed to need to be fried longer.
Delicious ramen but honestly the black one is the best
Excellent, great atmosphere, attention, very tasty food, def would come back, thank you guys
I first came to this place for the croquettes, and they are perfect for when Im craving something fried besides regular fries. The lemon and tonkatsu sauce combo is really good. The takoyaki is also nice, though I wish there were more pieces for the price. The service is always friendly and helpful, which makes every visit pleasant. Overall, it’s a solid spot for good food and drinks.
Great service, atmosphere, and food. All super fresh and even though fried it didn’t feel heavy. Make sure to get the matcharito and some sake, they have great selection!
Im a regular now and everyone is so sweet and the food is incredible
One of my favorite spots! Service is great and food is incredible; always consistent. Cannot recommend enough
Amazing sake selections Juraku in addition to the best Japanese Beer in NYC. A+ hospitality, too. I always feel welcome and right at home at Juraku! Highly recommended!!
I love the Japas Yuzu Nama Biiru! Its light, refreshing, and the yuzu citrus gives it a nice sweetness touch! Best beer Ive ever had!
Loved loved loved it!!! One guy doing the work of 5 people and still manages to be hospitable and all around amazing 💙 Definitely would recommend this place to my friends. Lychee Slushee (21+) is really delicious. Best service 💓
Everything we had was amazing! We had the black garlic ramen and so many more. Can’t remember everthing we got but we loved it all!
I cant wait Izakaya Juraku to reopen inside dining because its absolutely one of my favorite places in LES. Excellent food, service, and very cute, cozy, and homely atmosphere.
Wow! The mushroom broth is so tasty! Amazing Ramen and really kind service. Definitely a good choice on a winter evening.
Chill little place, good food. The garlic edamame is a game changer - I’m never eating plain edamame again.
A group of us very casually stopped by on our way to a comedy show mostly because it was close and had good reviews, and I’m really glad we did!The big pluses:Self aware and honest: many restaurants imo will do flashy things and tell you the food and drinks will change your life. The descriptions for the beer and food here are direct and honest about what it is. Some of the menu items do have an awesome cool twist, but some are just “hey we have this, and this is nothing crazy, but it’s good”Good, solid food: didn’t feel like a place (from what we ordered and saw) that would have huge hit or misses. A dependable optionLoooong list of Japanese beer optionsGreat customer service: the waiter who helped us chatted with us about the different types of interesting ingredients, history of the shop, and even let us sample items!A fun experience: the shisho fries came with a set of instructions on how to coat the fries with the topping yourself, and it was cute and fun!
Really liked the food especially the braised pork!Good beers too. Really chill vibes service was friendly too. Would come back.
This place is styled after Japanese beer houses and it is perfect. Great selection, delicious food, warm staff. It can get busy at times, especially weekends but it cozy and fun.
Super cool place! It feels like a trendy Tokyo bar blended with a classic Kyoto Izakaya. Not crowded at 5:30 pm on a Saturday. Loads of appetizers and tons of alcohols that are great companions!Recommend:1. Appetizers: jalapeño fries with karaage, takowasa $7, takoyaki, fried shrimp patty2. Skewers: not a big fan of them3. Main dish: gyu don, butter ramen (a bit heavy)4. Drinks: suju slush and its varieties!The staff were so caring and attentive that he came to us reminding us to eat/blend/mix multiple times. We were too happily chatting! Good vibe.
VERY worth it. Food was great and very reasonably priced. (Tip: get the chicken thigh skewers.) Very nice selection of alcohol. Manager was very cool. Waters were constantly refilled over the course of almost three hours. HIGHLY recommend.
Went to this place for the first time way back in 2018, and am trying to develop a habit of always coming back. Friendly place, with a great selection of food and beverages. Definitely a great spot to come in, relax, and enjoy.
The food was delicious, the service great, and the selection of Japanese beers was impressive.
Do yourself a favor and try the sakekasu sorbet. Not only is it vegan friendly (Im not even vegan), but it is also super tasty. It has a beautiful creamy texture and wonderful sake aroma. I wish they had a plain sakekasu flavor, but both yuzu & peach flavors are pretty subtle & not overpowering.We also got ebi tamago don, fried squid legs, and fried mackerel katsu. Everything was very tasty, including the plain rice. I cant stress enough how important it is for an Asian person to find a place that serves good steamed white rice.Service is extremely friendly. Ill be back to try other things.
The $20 brunch is properly sized. Two shumai? Exactly what I want, with a shrimp crowning the ground shrimp underneath. The yellow wasabi had its sting but the thin sauce for those dumplings were the better accent. The gyu don was tremendous. The meat: seasoned and dense. The egg: runny to go with the rice. The rice: sticky but light so you can put in large bites and taste the grain. The red pepper flakes: an accent to that rice. The end of the brunch is a mochi ice cream ball designed with more ice cream than a normal mochi, which is a great idea and and even better one with the strength of the green tea in the ice cream.Ill come back; yes, Ill come back.
Great food & sake!
Ive been to Japan 20+ times so Ive got a good idea of what good Japanese cuisine is.Juraku is the best Izakaya in town, hands down. Great quality food (I loved the skewer and pork belly), vast selection of drinks and sake, including custom matcha cocktails, awesome ambience, and above-and-beyond service.If youre looking for a cosy, energetic Japanese spot with authentic Japanese dishes and unique drinks, come here. Especially great for dates. Oh, and sit at the bar. The staff is fantastic.Ill be frequenting this spot and have recommended to friends, colleagues, and family
Excellent food and the best selection of Japanese craft beer I’ve seen in NYC
Absolutely incredible. Almost too good to be true - some of the best food Ive ever had with great atmosphere and unreal prices.
Some of the best Japanese food and beer.
Great food! Excellent service! Definitely will be back to try their other dishes. Black Garlic Ramen was excellent.
This place is awesome
The skewers are on point! Lunch is usually less crowded and easier to get a table. I got the shrimp, steak, zucchini, and tomato skewers, 2 of each and it was filing. Great if you want to share, and you can try everything! A great spot for lunch!
Amazing food, drinks and attitude. The friendliest people :). Oishiiiiiii!!!
Delicious food and helpful staff! The black garlic oil and the loaded fries are must-tries!
OK. 8/10ramen was good texture, chashu was good too. nothing exceptional. there was a small hair in my ramen but not a big deal.vibes: dark with dim lighting, as izakaya/bar usually may be.maybe good for a date depending on seating.
Great vibes great food and great service.David made our night special
We came in kind of close to last call but still managed to get some ramen and the yuzu slushy with soju which was amazing . Would have liked to try a couple more of their offerings but I left full after eating the majority of the brown butter miso ramen . Would return !
This place has an amazing vibe and atmosphere that just begs to come here with a friend or partner. They have a great selection of both food and alcohol, and both are of very high quality. The staff are also quite friendly and will provide recommendations if youre unfamiliar with the selection they have. I definitely recommend this place!
Izakaya Juraku in New York City is a true gem. From start to finish, my dining experience was exceptional. The ambiance and vibes of the restaurant were exquisite, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal.I cannot recommend Izakaya Juraku enough. It truly exceeded my expectations and left me feeling completely satisfied. Whether youre looking for a special occasion or simply a night out with friends, this restaurant is a must-try.
Best place in nyc to enjoy japanese beer!!
A true gem, no notes
This place was awesome! David was a great server and the drinks were fantastic
So this spot hits all the spots. From imported awesomeness to fresh yumminess. Its morning and I am still thinking about dinner last night.
This place is super tasty and the happy hour makes it relatively affordable compared to a lot of other places. Really enjoyed the food and the service!
The food is decent, but it’s definitely overpriced. There is no real utensils. You dine with low quality plastic cutlery and paper plates and thin plastic bowls. At $18 a ramen you expect a big ceramic bowl with a real spoon. Instead, you get a flimsy BPA filled black plastic bowl. Oh I also got splinters in my thumb from the cheap disposable chopsticks. Decor is very fast food joint looking. Service is super basic, although friendly, Will not go back at all!
Get a highball! Don’t skip the takoyaki either. Great atmosphere and energy
Best crew, great drinks and food
Really great place to chill and relax along with friends. The staff is top notch. Would visit this place often to enjoy or pass time👍🏼 Highly recommended.
An outstanding staff and some of the best food you’ll ever have.
Amazing food and service will definitely go back there the manager was so understanding when our dinner had a small problem thay changed it right away no question or aggravation!
An engaging experience with mouth-watering morsels that will leave you wanting more. Rare beer options.
Delicious food and drinks!
Great value for the money especially during happy hour. Would be good for drinks with a group sharing some snacks.
Delicious ramen and katsu curries sold here. Relaxed atmosphere and a good bar as well.
Amazing service, food and ambience. Pouring rain and the night could not have been better. David & Kevin provided us with a wonderful experience! We will be back!!!
Amazing ramen and appetizer selection! Also decent for social drinking
Highly recommend this place, one of my favorite izakayas!! Their selection for drinks is HUGE. Like I scrolled down the menu for a couple minutes looking at them all, its a little overwhelming (in a good way)The beer I went with was really good, and the food also tasted delicious. They have a lot of one piece decor which was cute. The server was super nice too, planning on coming back here often for sure!
Beer! Good beer! From Japan!
Go for their drinks! Fine selection of Japanese craft beer and really tasty and fun cocktails. We were in Tokyo a few months ago and I really missed it, so we wanted to find an izakaya to help fill that void. This definitely hit the spot. Server was also super attentive, nice and helped make recommendations. Prices were extremely fair. For the amount of drinks (we got three drinks each, don’t judge cause we couldn’t make up our minds) and food we got, I expected to spend more. I can’t wait to go back!
Fun casual place for top notch food and drink. So good! 10/10 recommend
Super large alcohol assortment. Aji fry, shishito, and mentaiko mazemen were my favorites. Thank you for having us!
This is one of the best izakaya in the city (and I have been to almost all of them). Compact menu, but 100% execution. The chef has a magic touch in sauce making. Service was to the point. Love it! Will take all my out of town friends here from now on.
Warming atmosphere, good options for eating, and nice service.
The food is amazing and the service is great! I thoroughly enjoy the experience.
If youre looking for an authentic (and I emphasize, authentic) Japanese Izakaya this is the spot. Delicious well portioned bites, cool decor and vibe, very friendly staff. My only wish is that spots like this could stay open late-late night one day again like they did pre covid.
Great dinner with a fantastic cocktail selection and delicious asian cuisine. The vibe of the space was unique, a blend of punk and kpop/jpop ideas. Only docked because we had a far-too-long conversation with one of the staff members that made my partner uncomfortable. Beyond this a great place to go.
Had dinner great food good people
Closest you’ll get to a real Izakaya. This place is my go to for delicious food and great beers!
The BEST Japanese we had in NYC, food was that good we came here twice on our holiday! Service was great, good selection of beers on tap and atmosphere enjoyable. Would highly recommend to anyone!