Izakaya Zest Introduce
Izakaya Zest is a vibrant and welcoming Japanese restaurant nestled on Eldridge Street in New York's Lower East Side. This spot offers a fantastic fusion of a casual, cozy, and trendy atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for any occasion, whether it's a spontaneous lunch, a fun group dinner, or a relaxed solo meal. The restaurant's philosophy centers on providing delicious, high-quality Japanese comfort food, sushi, and a variety of small plates that are meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends. The menu is extensive and thoughtfully curated, offering a blend of classic favorites and unique, creative dishes that will keep you coming back for more.
What makes Izakaya Zest a true gem is its commitment to both quality and a great dining experience. The food is consistently praised by customers for being "just as good as the first time" they tried it, with a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The service is known for being "friendly and fast," ensuring that your meal is both enjoyable and efficient. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty bowl of ramen, a beautifully crafted sushi roll, or a selection of hot and cold appetizers, Izakaya Zest has something to satisfy every craving. It is a place that feels like a local secret, providing a warm and inviting escape from the busy city streets.
Izakaya Zest is conveniently located at 112 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA. This location puts it in the heart of the Lower East Side, a neighborhood known for its lively culture, eclectic boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. Our spot is easily accessible via public transportation, with several subway stations within walking distance, making it a convenient destination for anyone in the city. Its street-level presence and central location make it easy to find, whether you're a local or a tourist exploring the area.
The restaurant's atmosphere is designed to be welcoming and comfortable for all. It provides a casual and cozy setting where you can relax and enjoy your meal without any pretense. The layout is perfect for groups, allowing for a communal dining experience centered around sharing plates. We also have a bar on-site, which adds to the lively and trendy atmosphere, making it a great place to meet up with friends for happy hour or a pre-dinner drink. While specific accessibility details are not provided, the ground-level entrance and open dining area contribute to a relaxed and accessible dining environment.
Izakaya Zest provides a range of services to ensure that our guests have a seamless and enjoyable dining experience.
Dine-in: Enjoy a full-service dining experience in our casual and cozy restaurant, perfect for both small and large groups.
Takeout and Delivery: For those who prefer to eat at home, we offer both fast and convenient takeout and delivery services.
Lunch and Dinner: Our menu is available for both lunch and dinner, with a variety of options to suit any time of day.
Bar On-site: We feature a full bar with a wide selection of beer, cocktails, wine, and hard liquor, perfect for pairing with your meal or enjoying on its own.
Table Service: Our friendly and fast staff provide excellent table service, ensuring your meal is served promptly and with care.
Izakaya Zest is celebrated for several key features that make it a standout choice for Japanese cuisine in NYC.
Diverse Menu: Our menu is a true highlight, with a wide array of options ranging from traditional sushi and sashimi to popular kitchen entrees like
Tonkotsu Ramen andGyudon . The variety caters to all tastes and cravings.Popular Appetizers: Our selection of hot and cold appetizers is a major draw. Customer reviews specifically praise our
Pan Fried Gyoza ,Jalapeño Chicken Wings , andFried Oysters , noting their delicious flavor and perfect portion size.Exceptional Ramen: Our ramen is a must-try. The
Tonkotsu Ramen is highly recommended, and theSpicy Tonkotsu Ramen offers a great kick of heat. As one reviewer mentioned, the ramen is "so good" and a perfect choice for a cold day.Creative and Classic Rolls: We offer a great balance of classic rolls like the
California andSpicy Tuna alongside creative signature rolls like theZest Roll andOcean Lover .Cozy and Trendy Atmosphere: The restaurant provides a great vibe that is both casual and trendy. It's a comfortable and intimate space that feels right at home in the Lower East Side.
Fast and Friendly Service: A key highlight of our service is its speed and friendliness. As noted in customer reviews, the service is "friendly and fast," ensuring a smooth and pleasant dining experience.
Happy Hour: We offer happy hour drinks and small plates, making us a great spot to unwind after work or start your evening out with friends.
For reservations, questions, or to place a takeout order, please feel free to contact us.
Address: 112 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (212) 226-2801
Choosing Izakaya Zest is a fantastic decision for anyone in New York looking for a versatile and delicious Japanese dining experience. The most compelling reason to visit is our broad and high-quality menu. The balance between classic Japanese comfort food and a wide selection of sushi and small plates is what truly makes us stand out. For those who love a warm, hearty meal, our ramen is a must-try. The
Beyond the ramen, the appetizers are a key part of the Izakaya Zest experience. Our
The atmosphere and service at Izakaya Zest are what make the overall experience so enjoyable. It has a cozy and casual vibe that is very inviting, and the fact that the service is "friendly and fast" means you can get a great meal without a long wait. This makes it a perfect spot for a quick lunch during the workday or a convenient and delicious dinner. The restaurant's focus on providing a great experience at a reasonable price, as evidenced by the generous portions and the delicious flavors, makes it a top choice in the Lower East Side. It's a place where you can feel confident that you will leave feeling happy and full, a sentiment echoed by our satisfied customers. For a New Yorker in search of a reliable and delicious Japanese spot, Izakaya Zest is a fantastic and highly recommended option.
Izakaya Zest Menu
Soup & Salad
- Miso Soup $4.00
- Avocado Salad $10.00
- Seaweed Salad $8.00
- Mixed Green Salad $7.00
- Salmon Avocado Salad $16.00
Special Roll
- Noname $19.00
Pepper tuna, cucumber, avocado top with seared salmon, scallion, roe, spicy mayo & yuzu dressing.
- Rock N Roll $18.00
Spicy tuna roll, top with slice avocado & spicy mayo.
- Ocean Lover $22.00
Salmon, tuna, yellowtail, avocado, scallion, tobiko.
- Dragon $19.00
- Rainbow $19.00
- Happy Year $19.00
Spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber top with torch mayo on salmon, roe, scallion.
- Zest Roll $28.00
Salmon, yellowtail, avocado top with torch toro, scallion.
- Fantastic Eel $19.00
Shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber top with eel.
- Fire Island (Deep Fried) $17.00
Salmon, white fish, kani, avocado, roe scallion, eel & spicy mayo.
- 112 $19.00
Shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber top with spicy tuna.
- Fiery $19.00
Spicy tuna, crunch, top with yellowtail, white tuna jalapeño with sriracha sauce.
Cold Appetizers
- Ankimo $15.00
Monkfish liver in onion dressing.
- Yellowtail Jalapeño $18.00
Kimchi sauce.
- Black Pepper Tuna $17.00
Ponzu sauce.
- Scallop Ceviche $19.00
Yuzu kosho dressing.
- Salmon Dream $17.00
Yuzu sauce.
- White Tuna Jalapeño $17.00
- Crispy & Spicy $15.00
Spicy tuna on crispy rice.
Sashimi
- Eel $6.00
- Madai $6.00
- Ikura $9.00
- Yellowtail $8.00
- Salmon $7.00
- Scallop $8.00
- Toro $12.00
- Tuna $8.00
- Sea Urchin $15.00
1 pc.
- Wagyu $12.00
Hot Appetizers
- Pork Belly Bun $7.00
- Ika Karaage $9.00
- Purple Fries $8.00
- Pan Fried Gyoza $9.00
- Shrimp Shumai $9.00
- Chicken Karaage $9.00
- Fried Chicken Bun $7.00
- Thai Shrimp Roll $9.00
- Takoyaki $10.00
- Edamame $8.00
- Fried Oyster $10.00
- Jalapeño Chicken Wings $10.00
Classic Roll
- Spicy Tuna $10.00
- Philadelphia $10.00
- Eel Avocado $10.00
- Salmon Avocado $11.00
- Eel Cucumber $10.00
- Spicy Yellowtail $11.00
- Tuna $10.00
- Cucumber Avocado $9.00
- Spicy Kani $10.00
- Yellowtail Jalapeño $12.00
- Spicy Salmon $10.00
- Salmon $10.00
- Toro Scallion $13.00
- California $9.00
- Yellowtail Scallion $10.00
- Tuna Avocado $12.00
- Shrimp Tempura $10.00
- Avocado $9.00
Kitchen Entrée
- Fried Rice $17.00
- Chicken Katsu Don $18.00
Chicken katsu over rice, egg, onion, scallion.
- Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen $19.00
Pork belly, half soft boiled egg, bamboo shoot, scallion, black garlic oil, pork broth, thin noodles.
- Pineapple Fried Rice $23.00
Thai style fried rice with shrimp, chicken, pineapple, onion, pea, carrot, egg.
- Beef Udon $22.00
Beef, shrimp tempura, scallion, truffles, chicken broth, poached egg.
- Shoyu Ramen $19.00
Pork belly, half soft boiled egg, bamboo shoot, scallion, truffles, seaweed, chicken broth, wavy noodles.
- Gyudon $19.00
Slow cook beef, onion over rice, poached egg, scallion, sesame.
- Tonkotsu Ramen $18.00
Sushi Bar Entrée
- Sashimi Feast $58.00
- Tri Color Don $39.00
Salmon, tuna, yellowtail over rice.
- Tuna Lover $38.00
4 pcs sushi, 4 pcs sashimi, spicy tuna roll.
- Sushi & Sashimi Combo $58.00
6 pcs sushi, 8 pcs sashimi, Toro roll.
- Chirasmi $39.00
Chef's selection of sashimi over rice.
- Tekka Don $39.00
Bluefin tuna sashimi & scallion over rice
- Salmon Lover $36.00
4 pcs sushi, 4 pcs sashimi, spicy salmon roll.
- Omakase Sushi Set $48.00
- Sake Don $39.00
Salmon sashimi & ikura over rice.
- Kaisen Don $42.00
Minced Toro, Ikura, scallion, over rice with side of nori.
- Kaishin Don $48.00
Minced Toro, uni, Ikura, scallion, over rice with side of nori.
- Toro Don $38.00
Minced toro, scallion over rice with side of nori.
- Zest Seafood Don $48.00
Minced Toro, Ikura, sweet shrimp, scallop, over rice with side of nori.
Sushi
- Salmon $7.00
- Scallop $8.00
- Botan Shrimp Uni $16.00
- Eel $6.00
- Toro Foie Gras $16.00
- Ikura $9.00
- Wagyu $12.00
- Toro $12.00
- Wagyu Foie Gras $17.00
- Madai $6.00
- Salmon Foie Gras $13.00
- Sea Urchin $15.00
- Yellowtail $8.00
- Wagyu Uni $19.00
- Uni Aburi Toro $18.00
- Tuna $8.00
- Botan Shrimp $10.00
Izakaya Zest Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Izakaya Zest Photos










Izakaya Zest Location
Izakaya Zest Reviews
I randomly found this place years ago and came back for the first time in awhile and the food is just as good as the first time I tried it. The tonkatsu ramen is so good. Honestly my groups tried a few other items and they were just as amazing. The oysters are also delicious and not filling.
May 03 · AllisonExcellent spot for Ramon soup. Be aware the spiciness is quite hot with the spicy miso, I went with mild and it was hot but very good. Appetizers were on point, jalapeno wings. Shrimp suimai and pork gorza were excellent. Service is friendly and fast.
February 15 · H LI love love love this place a lot! The food here is amazing and delicious, it's not the best ramen I ever had but it's still really good! I got the Shoyu ramen and the broth was warm and flavorful, the pork belly was perfect, and the bamboo shoots were crunchy and very yummy. I also liked the katsu(I stole some from my friend), it was crunchy and flavorful. I'll definitely get that next time I come. The only thing I'll have to say is that my ramen wasn't slurpable. Like it was choppy? The service was really quick, gave us water refills as soon as we finished, and was very patient and kind to us when I had to get a new receipt for my 10% off for sharing on any platform. They also cleaned up very nicely. The atmosphere was so cozy and warm. It's a small restaurant so it feels compact and cute. The decor was very nice and in general, the store is very clean and well-kept together. I hope to come here again ! :)
November 23 · Winnie JiangWe were very happy to find such a cute spot! It's small and cozy, the staff is very friendly, and the food was amazing. Excellent place to end up on a cold night. We'll definitely be coming back ♡
March 09 · Chelsea SykesThe chashu on the ramen they served was so so dry and thin. I don't think I've ever had worst chashu than what this placed offered. The soup wasn't bad though and the staff was attentive.Unfortunately, both my friend and I had slight diarrhea next day after eating here. I suspect it could be the unfresh chashu.
February 28 · A Miruru
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