Kurumazushi Introduce
New Yorkers, for those truly devoted to the art of sushi and seeking an experience that transcends the ordinary, Kurumazushi stands as a venerable institution in Midtown East. This is not a place for Americanized rolls or fusion creations; it is a bastion of traditional Japanese sushi, a rarity even in our diverse city. Helmed by the esteemed Master Chef Toshihiro Uezu since its establishment in Manhattan in 1977, Kurumazushi has dedicated decades to serving some of the freshest and most meticulously prepared sushi in the world.
Located on the second floor at 7 E 47th St, Kurumazushi invites you into an authentic Japanese setting. From the moment you arrive, you’ll sense a dedication to the craft that has captivated "so many regulars including expats from Japan." While opinions may vary on certain aspects, the core promise of Kurumazushi remains: an authentic sushi experience characterized by incredibly fresh ingredients and a deep respect for traditional techniques. If you're looking for real Japanese sushi, prepared with precision and served with impeccable attention, Kurumazushi offers a journey into the heart of Edomae-style sushi.
Kurumazushi is conveniently situated on the 2nd Floor at 7 E 47th St, New York, NY 10017, USA. This Midtown East location places it squarely in one of Manhattan's busiest and most accessible neighborhoods. For New Yorkers working in the surrounding corporate buildings, it presents an upscale lunch or dinner option just a short walk away. For those living in or visiting other parts of the city, its central position makes it highly reachable by various modes of public transportation.
The restaurant is within easy walking distance of several major subway lines. You can reach it via the B, D, F, M trains at Rockefeller Center, the 6 train at 51st Street, or the E, M trains at 53rd Street/Lexington Avenue. This extensive network of connections ensures that getting to Kurumazushi is straightforward from almost anywhere in Manhattan or the connecting boroughs. Being on 47th Street, a well-known thoroughfare, also means numerous bus routes are readily available. Its proximity to iconic landmarks like Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal makes it a perfect stop for a refined meal after sightseeing or before an evening event. While it's located on the second floor of an office building, which some might find unassuming, it contributes to its status as a sophisticated, authentic find for those in the know.
- Authentic Japanese Sushi & Sashimi: Kurumazushi specializes in traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi, with a strong emphasis on authentic preparation and fresh, high-quality ingredients. They explicitly do not serve "crazy Americanized rolls," focusing solely on "real Japanese Sushi."
- Omakase Course: A pinnacle of their offerings, the Omakase Course provides a chef's selection of sushi and sashimi, embodying the "pinnacle of seasonal quality." This allows diners to experience the chef's expertise and the freshest seasonal catches. Prices for Omakase start at $300.
- Dinner Sets and Plates: Beyond omakase, Kurumazushi offers various dinner sets such as the Sushi Dinner (Appetizer, Soup, Small Sashimi Plate, Assorted Sushi Plate, and Ice Cream, starting at $160) and the Kurumazushi Dinner (elevated experience with refined sashimi and premium sushi, starting at $180). They also offer Sushi Plate and Sashimi Plate options.
- Lunch Specials: For those seeking a high-quality experience during the day, Kurumazushi provides lunch sets like Sushi Deluxe, Sashimi Special, and Chirashi Special, with prices starting from $40-$90, offering a more accessible entry point to their cuisine.
- A La Carte Options: A comprehensive a la carte menu is available, featuring individual sushi and sashimi pieces (including various tuna cuts like Fatty Tuna and Very Fatty Tuna), various fish sourced from Japan, and traditional rolls (e.g., Tuna, Fatty Tuna with Scallions, Freshwater Eel with Cucumber).
- Private Dining (Washitsu Room): Kurumazushi offers a Japanese-style washitsu room that can be reserved in advance for the ultimate in private dining, perfect for intimate gatherings or special occasions.
- Impeccable Service: Customers consistently praise the "impeccable" and attentive service, noting that the staff is highly observant and responsive to diners' needs.
- Master Chef Toshihiro Uezu: The restaurant is helmed by its founder, Master Chef Toshihiro Uezu, who has been serving exceptional sushi for over 50 years, bringing decades of expertise and tradition to every piece.
- Highly Authentic Experience: Kurumazushi is lauded for being a "VERY authentic Sushi restaurant," eschewing "crazy Americanised rolls" in favor of "real Japanese Sushi." This authenticity attracts a loyal clientele, including Japanese expats.
- Exceptional Freshness of Ingredients: A consistent highlight is the "so fresh" quality of the ingredients. Much of the fish is reportedly "brought from Japan by air," ensuring top-tier freshness. The "fatty tuna in Kurumazushi was divine, the best I had in NY."
- Traditional Ambiance: The restaurant maintains a traditional Japanese interior, providing a serene and focused setting for appreciating the sushi. The sushi bar is central to the dining experience.
- Meticulously Prepared Sushi: The nigiri pieces are often described as "small, jewel-like," with fish so perfect "it's almost melting in your mouth." This attention to detail is a hallmark of high-end traditional sushi.
- Focus on Edomae-style Sushi: While not explicitly stated in all reviews, the emphasis on traditional preparation and premium fish often aligns with Edomae-style sushi, which focuses on enhancing the natural flavors of the fish.
- Long-Standing Reputation: Established in 1977, Kurumazushi has a history spanning over 45 years in Manhattan, signifying its enduring quality and dedicated following.
Kurumazushi, as a high-end, traditional Japanese sushi restaurant, typically does not rely on promotional discounts or extensive happy hour specials to attract customers. Its allure lies in the authentic experience, the masterful skill of Chef Toshihiro Uezu, and the exceptional quality and freshness of its ingredients.
The "value" at Kurumazushi is inherent in the premium nature of its offerings, particularly its Omakase Course, which starts at $300, and its dinner sets beginning at $160. These prices reflect the rarity of some ingredients (e.g., specific fish flown in from Japan) and the meticulous preparation involved.
While a review mentioned that the "price is not worth it" for some, comparing it to Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo, this highlights its position at the higher end of the New York sushi scene. However, for New Yorkers looking for a taste of Kurumazushi without committing to the full Omakase, their Lunch Sets and A La Carte menu offer more accessible price points (Sushi Plate starting at $80 for lunch, individual pieces available). These options can be seen as "special offers" in the sense that they provide a chance to experience Kurumazushi's quality at a lower cost than the full dinner Omakase.
It is always recommended to check their official website or call directly for the most current pricing and any seasonal menu additions. Given its traditional approach, any "special offers" would likely be seasonal ingredient highlights or unique chef's selections rather than monetary discounts.
To experience the refined and authentic sushi of Kurumazushi, here’s how you can get in touch:
Address: 7 E 47th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Phone: (212) 317-2802
For direct calls from your mobile phone, you can also use: +1 212-317-2802
Given its reputation as a high-end establishment and a favorite among those seeking authentic Japanese sushi, making a reservation, especially for dinner or the Omakase experience, is highly recommended to ensure your seating and a seamless dining experience. The website also suggests that for the "Omakase Course," you can "Let us know your budget beforehand and our chefs will accommodate."
For New Yorkers with a deep appreciation for truly authentic and traditional Japanese sushi, Kurumazushi stands as a singular destination. Located discreetly on the second floor of 7 E 47th St, this Midtown East establishment offers a culinary experience that is increasingly rare in our city's evolving dining scene. It's a place where "no crazy Americanised rolls are served," and where you'll find only "real Japanese Sushi" crafted with decades of expertise by Master Chef Toshihiro Uezu.
The primary allure for locals, especially discerning palates and Japanese expats, is the unwavering commitment to "very authentic" preparation and "so fresh" ingredients, much of which is reportedly flown in from Japan. This dedication translates into sushi where the fish is so perfect it's "almost melting in your mouth." While the price point, particularly for the Omakase, places it in the luxury dining category, for many, the quality and authenticity justify the investment. It's an opportunity to experience a sushi tradition rarely found outside of Japan.
Furthermore, the "impeccable" and attentive service, combined with a traditional ambiance, creates a dining environment focused entirely on the art of sushi. Even if some previous patrons noted changes over time, the consistent praise for its authenticity and freshness from its loyal following reinforces its status. For New Yorkers who prioritize the purity of traditional sushi, value the expertise of a master chef, and seek a truly Japanese culinary immersion rather than a quick, casual meal, Kurumazushi is not just suitable – it's an essential and cherished destination. It's a place to savor, to truly appreciate the nuanced flavors of expertly prepared fish and rice, and to understand why it maintains its status as a beacon of authentic sushi in New York City.
Kurumazushi Photos










Kurumazushi Location
Kurumazushi
7 E 47th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Kurumazushi Reviews
A average sushi restaurant in overally. Most of the ingredients are fresh and the taste is okay, but it's a bit disappointing. First of all, the price is not worth it. I ordered an $300 omakase menu, but the size of the sushi was very small, and I was not full after one set. For the same price, I can even eat sushi with three Michelin stars in Tokyo. Secondly, the eel in eel sushi looks like it was bought outside, not like it was made by the restaurant, which is not what a sushi restaurant of this level should do. The sushi was served so fast that I had no chance to enjoy the deliciousness of the sushi. I went there once many years ago. The furnishings and sushi chefs in the store have not changed, but the feeling and the quality of the food are indeed not as good as before.
Jan 08, 2025 · Senji SaitoVERY authentic Sushi restaurant - no crazy Americanised rolls are served here and they only provide real Japanese Sushi. Everything was so fresh and the service was impeccable.No wonder do they have so many regulars including expats from Japan.
Feb 28, 2025 · Y OAn absolutely amazing, quick, Al a carte sushi experience amazing quality fish and rice!Fluke, Shima aji, red snapper, sea scallop, ikura, king crab, and sea urchin from Hokkaido WOW! Everything was incredible chef is super friendly! If you don’t know it’s there you could walk right past because it has no signage and is on the second floor of a building! But so amazing to have been able to dine there!
May 17, 2022 · David RosenmanExcellent place for $45 sushi lunch special. So much food for a great price. Also came with a miso soup. A hidden gem in midtown with a great wait staff.
Jan 15, 2025 · Jack WellsBelieve it or not, but Sushi in New York City actually predates the 2010s. The Omakase wasn’t served for the first time at Sushi Nakazawa after all.For many long-time New Yorkers, the history of sushi is centered around a few midtown sushiya that have served this city strong since the 1980s (and before).Hatsuhana. Sushi Zen. Sushi Den. Nippon.But it's almost impossible to tell the Big Apple Sushi Story (future kid's book) without mentioning the 45 year old Kurumazushi. 45 years isn't nothing - for instance, my brother was born in 1977 and he's old as dirt.But the most impressive part about Kurumazushi?Same Itamae since day 1.Toshihiro Uezo moved to New York City in 1972, and opened Kurumazushi in a different midtown location 5 years later.Despite two moves and a shift to the second floor of an office building, by all accounts the same hospitality Omotenashi (hospitality) and quality exists today as it did then.I had the fortune of sitting with Uezo-san in the middle of the day.Most of my reviews are during the dinner hour, but I was more than happy to join a friend at literally 11:30am (it’s five o’clock somewhere, right fellas?).And actually, some would even suggest that Kurumazushi is known for it’s lunch; that’s because business people, in New York for doing business things, found it incredibly convenient. And it’s still the case; reservations, even at 11:30, were difficult.We sat at the sushi counter with Uezo-san and his apprentice. Though Kurumazushi isn’t large – it occupies the second floor of a commercial office building – there are tables as well.Kurumazushi does have an Omakase option, but there is no price break at lunch – it’s about $300 for 16 courses as my NYC Omakase list will tell you. If spending $300 for ~90 minutes during the middle of the day isn’t your thing – as it wasn’t for us – consider that there are ways to order fantastic, seasonal sushi a far more reasonable rate.We elected to go with the $80, “Sushi Plate”, a seasonal combination of nine nigiri and a makizushi (negitoro on the day we dined), served in two plates.The beauty of nigiri is often in its simplicity, and the Chu Toro pictured on my blog is a great example of that. No extra toppings, a little shoyu applied, just the neta formed to the shape of the vinegered rice (as it should be).The Sushi Plate features popular year-round Neta like Maguro, Uni and Ikura, but it also had Botan Ebi, an autumn speciality, though unfortunately no tempura heads served as is often custom.My first visit to Kurumazushi was long overdue, but it won’t be my last. Every part of the meal – from the location, to the itamae, to the no-frills sushi, expertly prepared at an understandably-higher price point – screams throwback.Despite the fact that the midday rice put me to sleep during hours of afternoon meetings that could have just been an email, this was worth it.Recommended.
Mar 20, 2022 · The Sushi Legend
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