Jukai Introduce
New Yorkers are always on the hunt for unique and authentic dining experiences, and in the bustling heart of Midtown East, Jukai aims to offer just that. This Asian restaurant presents a diverse menu that extends beyond the ordinary, inviting diners to explore a range of flavors and preparations. From meticulously crafted sashimi to more adventurous culinary offerings, Jukai positions itself as a destination for those looking to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Asian cuisine right here in NYC.
The culinary landscape of New York City is vast, and finding a spot that truly stands out requires a blend of quality ingredients, skillful preparation, and a distinctive approach. Jukai strives to meet these expectations by offering dishes that capture the essence of traditional Asian flavors while potentially introducing diners to new and exciting tastes. While some establishments focus on a single regional cuisine, Jukai appears to embrace a broader interpretation, allowing for a varied dining experience. This eclectic approach can be particularly appealing to New Yorkers who appreciate culinary diversity and are eager to try something different from their usual haunts.
For those who value fresh seafood, Jukai provides options like a sashimi set and chirashi bowl, both staples in Japanese cuisine that highlight the quality of their fish. Beyond these well-loved classics, the menu also ventures into less common but equally intriguing dishes, such as duck tartar and duck tongue, offering a glimpse into a wider array of Asian culinary traditions. This breadth of offerings suggests that Jukai is not just about satisfying common cravings but also about introducing diners to a broader spectrum of authentic Asian flavors and preparations that might not be readily available elsewhere.
It's this blend of familiar favorites and unique discoveries that often draws in the adventurous New York diner. In a city where options are limitless, a restaurant that provides a distinct culinary journey can truly capture the attention of a local food enthusiast. Jukai aims to carve out its niche by providing memorable dishes that spark curiosity and satisfy a desire for genuine Asian tastes.
Jukai is conveniently situated in the vibrant Midtown East neighborhood of New York City, making it an accessible dining destination for many. You can find this Asian restaurant at: 237 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022, USA. This address places it in a prime location within Manhattan, easily reachable for those working in the numerous office buildings that define the area, as well as residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.
The Midtown East area is a major transportation hub, meaning Jukai benefits from excellent public transit access. Several subway lines serve the vicinity, allowing for convenient travel from various parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. A short walk from a subway station will typically bring you right to Jukai’s doorstep, making it a practical choice for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or an evening out without the hassle of extensive travel.
Being in Midtown East also means Jukai is surrounded by a dynamic environment, with plenty of shops, cultural attractions, and other businesses nearby. This makes it an ideal spot to consider if you're planning an outing that combines dining with other activities in the heart of the city. While the neighborhood can be quite bustling, especially during peak hours, its central location remains a significant advantage for drawing in both local patrons and visitors alike.
Jukai aims to provide a distinct dining experience with a focus on its diverse Asian menu. Based on customer insights, here are the services you can expect:
Dine-in Service: Jukai primarily offers a dine-in experience, allowing guests to enjoy their meal in the restaurant's atmosphere. It's noted that the establishment is relatively small, which can contribute to a more intimate, though potentially noisy, setting.
A La Carte Menu: The restaurant provides an a la carte menu featuring a range of Asian dishes. Customers have highlighted items such as sashimi sets, duck tartar (seared), chirashi bowls, duck tongue, hot pot, and sukiyaki.
Dessert Options: Jukai offers a selection of desserts to complete your meal. The sesame pudding dessert, in particular, has been recommended by some diners as a highlight.
Jukai offers several unique aspects that might appeal to diners seeking an authentic Asian culinary experience in New York City:
Diverse Asian Menu: Jukai stands out for its broad range of Asian dishes, moving beyond common offerings to include unique items like duck tartar (seared) and duck tongue. This diversity allows for an adventurous culinary journey, appealing to those looking for flavors less commonly found in standard Asian restaurants.
Fresh Fish and Food Quality: Despite some mixed reviews on specific dishes, general feedback indicates that the fish and overall food quality were good. This is particularly noted for dishes like the sashimi set and chirashi bowl, suggesting a strong focus on fresh ingredients for their seafood offerings.
Unique Dessert Option: The sesame pudding dessert has received positive mention, indicating a standout sweet treat that offers a memorable conclusion to the meal.
Intimate Setting: Described as a notably small establishment, Jukai offers a more intimate dining environment. For some, this can translate into a cozy, less overwhelming experience compared to larger, bustling restaurants, though it can also contribute to a noisier atmosphere.
Based on the available public information, there are no specific, regularly advertised promotions or special offers directly mentioned for Jukai. Like many high-quality, specialized restaurants in New York City, Jukai's focus appears to be on delivering a consistent and unique dining experience through its menu offerings and atmosphere, rather than relying on discounts or recurring promotions. It's common for establishments of this nature to prioritize the quality of their ingredients and the authenticity of their dishes as their primary draw. For the most up-to-date information on any seasonal specials, new menu items, or potential limited-time offers, it would be advisable to either visit Jukai’s official website if available, check their social media channels, or directly contact the restaurant by phone before your visit. New Yorkers often discover such fleeting specials by being in tune with a restaurant's direct communications or through word-of-mouth recommendations.
For more information or to inquire about reservations at Jukai, you can use the following contact details:
Address: 237 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022, USA
Phone: (212) 588-9788
For New Yorkers who are constantly seeking out diverse and authentic culinary experiences, Jukai presents an intriguing option in Midtown East. While it may come with its own set of unique characteristics, it offers a menu that goes beyond the typical Asian restaurant fare, providing dishes like seared duck tartar and duck tongue alongside more familiar sashimi and chirashi bowls. This variety caters to the adventurous local palate, eager to explore different aspects of Asian cuisine.
The reviews suggest that while certain aspects of the dining experience, such as service speed and atmosphere, might be subject to individual preferences, the quality of the fish and overall food can be quite good. For those who prioritize fresh ingredients and a menu that offers both traditional and unique items, Jukai holds appeal. The sesame pudding dessert, in particular, seems to be a highlight, offering a sweet ending that leaves a positive impression.
Given its accessible Midtown East location, Jukai is convenient for both professionals in the area and residents looking for a new spot. It's the kind of place where you might discover a new favorite dish or enjoy a different take on classic Asian flavors. While it's advisable to manage expectations regarding service speed and to inquire about menu specifics (like the value of the hot pot or sukiyaki, as some suggest skipping them due to price), Jukai offers a distinct alternative to larger, more conventional establishments. For the local looking for a culinary adventure with a focus on unique Asian dishes and fresh ingredients, Jukai could be a worthwhile visit, especially if you're in the mood to try something a little different from the usual.
Jukai Food & drink
Appetizer
- Smoked Nuts US$8.00
Smoked almonds.
- Simmered Beef Giblets US$17.00
Simmered beef giblets in soup.
- Asazuke Pickles US$8.00
Authentic Japanese pickles.
- Smoked Daikon Radish US$8.00
Smoked daikon radish Akita style.
- Egg Omelets US$8.00
Japanese egg omelets with grated daikon radish.
- Smoked Duck US$14.00
- Jamon Iberico US$27.00
100% acorn black label.
- Duck Tartar US$32.00
Duck tartar with homemade yolk sauce.
- Seared Beef Tongue With Homemade Ponzu US$32.00
- 10 Kinds Of Appetizer US$32.00
10 kinds of bite size appetizer of the day.
- Sauté Of Cabbage & Anchovy US$12.00
Cooked in oil or fat over heat.
- Homemade Pickles US$10.00
Seasonal homemade pickles.
- Homemade Tofu US$15.00
Served with 3 kinds of sauce. Dashi broth with Japanese greens, salted sea urchin, and homemade yuzu pepper.
- Simmered Octopus US$17.00
Cooked using moist heat. cephalopod.
Jukai Gozen (Bento Box)
- Jukai Gozen (Bento Box) US$22.00
Bento box.
Dessert
- Homemade Matcha Ice Cream US$9.00
- Homemade Honey Nuts Vanilla Ice Cream US$9.00
Sushi / Sashimi
- Omakase Sashimi ( 10 Pieces ) US$60.00
Chef's choice of 10 pieces of sashimi of the day.
- Omakase Sashimi ( 6 Pieces ) US$40.00
Chef's choice of six pieces of sashimi of the day.
- Maki Roll US$19.00
Choice of chopped tuna roll, salmon roll, yellow tail and scallion roll, salmon skin roll or cooked tuna and mayo roll.
- Small Bara Chirashi US$30.00
Small sushi rice bowl topped with variety of diced cut sashimi.
- Omakase Sushi ( 3 Pieces ) US$23.00
Chef's choice of three pieces of sushi of the day.
- Omakase Sushi ( 6 Pieces ) US$45.00
Chef's choice of six pieces of sushi of the day.
- Omakase Sushi ( 12 Pieces ) US$86.00
Chef's choice of 12 pieces of sushi of the day.
- Bara Chirashi US$56.00
Sushi rice bowl topped with variety of diced cut sashimi.
- Special Roll US$28.00
Snow crab, avocado, salmon, mayo, and truffle oil.
- Omakase Sashimi ( 8 Pieces ) US$50.00
Chef's choice of eight pieces of sashimi of the day.
Meat
- Beef Skirt Steak,Marinated Miso US$42.00
- Beef Tongue Stew US$40.00
Served with homemade yuzu pepper salted lemon and seaweed salt.
- Duck Breast Steak US$42.00
- Duck Confit US$42.00
- Beef Tongue Steak US$60.00
Served with homemade yuzu pepper, salted lemon, and seaweed salt.
Seafood/Spaghetti
- Broiled Chilean Seabass Marinated With Fermented Sake US$8.00
1 piece. Marinated with fermented sake.
- Salted Sea Urchin With Salmon Roe Bowl US$25.00
- Salted Sea Urchin Sauce Spaghetti US$25.00
- Extra Ginger/Wasabi US$2.00
- Grilled Lobster With Fresh Herbs US$50.00
Grilled whole lobster with fresh herbs.
- Abalone Steak With Gorgonzola US$45.00
- Steamed Abalone US$25.00
- Bottarga Spaghetti US$25.00
- Japanese Risotto With 5 Kinds Of Mushrooms US$26.00
Japanese risotto contains rice mushrooms egg and dashi broth.
Sidedish
- Extra Vegetable For Hotpot US$12.00
- Udon For Hot Pot US$6.00
- Zosui Rice US$6.00
- White Rice US$4.00
- Extra Sauce, Yuzu Pepper, Scallion, Grated Daikon, Radish, & Raw Egg US$2.00
- Brown Rice US$5.00
Soup / Salad/ Rice
- Pork Pate Salad US$16.00
- Grilled Vegetables US$35.00
Grilled seasonal vegetables served with homemade yuzu pepper, salted lemon, and seaweed salt on the side.
- Brown Rice US$5.00
- Miso Soup US$4.00
Fish broth miso soup.
- Japanese Risotto With 5 Kinds Of Mushrooms US$25.00
Japanese risotto contains rice, mushrooms, egg, and dashi broth.
- Tomato Salad With Lobster US$28.00
Tomato salad with lobster served with vinegar dressing.
- Cold Washu Beef Shabushabu Salad US$45.00
Cold washu beef shabushabu with sesame ponzu sauce.
- Sashimi Salad US$28.00
Green salad topped with variety of diced cut sashimi.
- Green Salad US$10.00
Fresh salad with a variety of green vegetables typically served on a bed of lettuce.
- White Rice US$4.00
Udon
- Clam Broth Soup US$25.00
- Duck Broth & Yuzu Soup US$25.00
Hot Pot Take Out Special
- Duck Hot Pot US$58.00
Duck hot pot contains assorted vegetables, tofu, glass noodles, long island duck, and duck broth. Served with yuzu pepper on the side.
- Sukiyaki (Washu Beef) US$58.00
Japanese traditional hot pot contains assorted vegetable, tofu, shirataki, washu beef, and sweet soy sauce broth.
- Shabu Shabu US$58.00
Japanese traditional hot pot contains assorted vegetable, tofu, grass noodle, and dashi broth. Served with ponzu sauce and sesame sauce are on the side. Please choose washu beef or mugifuji pork.
Jukai Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Assistive hearing loop
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Toilet
Atmosphere
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Jukai Photos










Jukai Location
Jukai Reviews
The establishment is notably small, featuring a single server who does not provide water and frequently interferes with diners by making contact with their tables. The atmosphere is rather uncomfortable and noisy. Furthermore, the pricing of the food is high, and I would advise against ordering the beef, as it did not appear to be fresh. The service was exceedingly slow, with an extensive wait time of two hours before all dishes were served. The server demonstrated minimal assistance in the preparation of our meal and even questioned the rationale behind my decision to tip only 10% rather than the anticipated ranges of 18%, 20%, or 25%. I felt obliged to leave a tip based on ethical considerations, despite the inadequate service. Tipping should be contingent upon the quality of service received and ought to be regarded as a personal choice. Rather than inquiring about the reasons for lower tips, it would be more advantageous to explore avenues for enhancing service quality.Finally, I expected the food to be tastier based on recommendations from foodies, but I would rather go to Shabu Tatsu instead.
November 24 · Silvanna ShenOverall the fish and food was great. We got a sashimi set, duck tartar (notice it’s seared), chirashi bowl, duck tongue, hot pot, sukiyaki, and a variety of desserts.Tip - get the sesame pudding dessert and skip the hot pot and Sukiyaki. It’s pretty mid and extremely expensive for what it is.
August 25 · Justin LauIt’s like an adult hideaway, and I like the atmosphere of the counter. To be honest, the price is not cheap, but if you would like to eat Japanese delicious food made with high-quality ingredients, I think this price is reasonable. The staff are also very kind and considerate.
June 03 · Salon MUSA / Hair & NailI did like the food but definitely overpriced. Taking too long to bring hotpot and uncooked meat and veggies for Shabushabu after they placed portable stove on our table. Once the portable stove was set people automatic think the hotpot is gonna be served very soon. We ended up ordering another appetizer because of the wait time for shabushabu hotpot. However they brought out hotpot right after the extra appetizer. They need to think how our table would be. Servers were nice but weren’t very efficient.
December 26 · Shion Ishiharafor a 400$ meal, this was painfully average. nothing was bad, but definitely not worth the cost.we got the hotpot set. the appetizers were more like amuse bouche sizes (bite sized) and not really that good. the tuna with mayo (right most) was especially fishy.the beef shabu shabu was okay. the broth was not particularly flavorful. overall i preferred places like kimura or hakata tonton which are significantly cheaper.
August 26 · Genevieve Dunn
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