OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan

For New Yorkers with a discerning palate for truly authentic Japanese flavors, OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan offers a unique culinary concept that seamlessly transitions from traditional Japanese breakfast to comforting ramen and mazemen. Located in the vibrant NoMad district, this establishment provides a distinct experience, embracing the philosophy of "mottainai cuisine" – valuing every ingredient and minimizing waste, a principle championed by Chef Yuji Haraguchi.

By day, the restaurant operates as OKONOMI, serving classic "Ichiju Sansai" Japanese breakfast sets, which translate to "One Soup, Three Dishes." These thoughtfully curated sets feature exquisitely roasted fish, savory miso soup, perfectly cooked rice, and a rotating selection of seasonal vegetable sides and Japanese pickles, offering a nourishing and authentic start to the day. As evening approaches, the space transforms into YUJI Ramen, focusing on rich, seafood-based ramen and flavorful mazemen (broth-less ramen). While individual experiences with specific dishes can vary, the overall consensus from patrons points to an establishment that delivers on freshness, quality, and a commitment to genuine Japanese culinary traditions, all within a calm and impeccably serviced atmosphere that adds "the perfect touch to the Japanese culture."

OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan is conveniently situated at 36 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010, USA. This prime address places it in the heart of Manhattan's dynamic NoMad (North of Madison Square Park) neighborhood. NoMad is a bustling and easily accessible area known for its mix of trendy restaurants, historic buildings, and central location, making the restaurant a convenient destination for both local residents and visitors exploring New York City.

The restaurant's accessibility is a significant advantage for New Yorkers utilizing the city's extensive public transportation system. It is within a short walking distance of several major subway stations, providing excellent connectivity across Manhattan and other boroughs. Key subway lines and stations nearby include:

• 28th Street Station (N, R lines): Offers direct access from areas like Times Square, Union Square, and Lower Manhattan.
• 23rd Street Station (R, W, F, M lines): Provides connections to Midtown, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village.
• Herald Square (34th Street-Herald Square, B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W lines): A major transportation hub, a slightly longer but still very manageable walk away.

Given its central Manhattan location, OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan is an ideal spot for a unique breakfast experience, a satisfying lunch, or a comforting dinner. While street parking in this busy area can be challenging, the abundance of easily accessible subway and bus routes ensures that enjoying OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen's authentic cuisine is a convenient and stress-free experience for any New Yorker. Unlike its Brooklyn counterpart, the Manhattan location often has plenty of seats available, even on a weekend day, making reservations less of a strict necessity.

OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan offers a specialized range of services designed to provide an authentic and comfortable Japanese dining experience for its New York patrons.

• Dine-in: The restaurant offers a cozy, calm, and intimate dine-in atmosphere. The interior is often described as "super cool" and adds "the perfect touch to the Japanese culture," making it suitable for a relaxed meal. While the Brooklyn location is known for being small, the Manhattan outpost generally has more seating available.
• Japanese Breakfast (OKONOMI): By day, the restaurant serves traditional "Ichiju Sansai" set meals, featuring roasted fish, miso soup, rice, and various side dishes. This unique offering provides an authentic start to the day.
• Ramen & Mazemen (YUJI Ramen): In the evenings, the focus shifts to a diverse menu of ramen and mazemen, known for their rich, seafood-based broths and flavorful ingredients.
• Takeout: For customers who prefer to enjoy their Japanese specialties at home or on the go, convenient takeout services are available. Orders can be placed directly with the restaurant.
• Delivery: OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan partners with major third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Caviar, allowing New Yorkers to have their delicious bentos, ramen, and other dishes delivered right to their doorstep.
• No Reservations Required (Often): Unlike its Brooklyn counterpart, the Manhattan location frequently has ample seating, even on weekends, making reservations less critical, which is a great convenience for spontaneous dining.
• Dietary Accommodations: While not explicitly detailed for all dishes, the focus on fresh ingredients and traditional preparation may allow for some dietary considerations. Specific notes from reviews indicate staff confirming no contact with fish for vegetarian sushi orders, suggesting attentiveness to customer needs.
• Desserts & Add-ons: The menu also includes delightful desserts like Hojicha Panna Cotta and various add-ons such as Uni, Ikura, and Ajitama (marinated boiled egg) to customize meals.

OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan is celebrated by New Yorkers for a distinctive set of features and culinary highlights that truly set it apart in the city's Japanese dining scene.

• Authentic Dual Concept: The unique dual identity of OKONOMI (Japanese breakfast) by day and YUJI Ramen (ramen/mazemen) by night provides a comprehensive and authentic Japanese culinary experience not commonly found in NYC.
• Incredibly Fresh & High-Quality Fish: A consistent highlight from customers is the exceptional freshness and quality of the fish, whether it's in the yakizakana set, sashimi, or uni. Reviewers note the "quality of the fish was unmatched" and uni was "superior to many that I tried in Japan."
• Delicious Roasted Fish (Yakizakana Set): The "yakizakana set" is highly praised, with the yellowtail specifically mentioned as "very good and fresh" and "well cooked." These traditional Japanese breakfast sets offer a complete and satisfying meal.
• Sublime Uni (Sea Urchin): The uni receives outstanding acclaim, described as "INCREDIBLE" and of superior quality, even compared to those tried in Japan. This makes it a must-try for sea urchin enthusiasts.
• Flavorful Eel Dishes (Unagi): The eel (Unagi) is consistently highlighted as "amazing" and "incredible," even their miso soup is flavorful, indicating a mastery of this delicate protein. They offer Unagi Bento with freshly grilled eel.
• Comforting Ramen & Mazemen: While some specific noodle preparations might vary, the overall flavor profile of their ramen and mazemen, including the spicy tuna mazemen, is noted for its "great" tuna and spicy flavors.
• Outstanding Desserts: The "hojicha panna cotta" is a standout, described as "AMAZING," "light and flavorful and perfectly sweet," and remarkably affordable at $6. The Sake Kasu Cheesecake is also available.
• Calm and Inviting Atmosphere: The restaurant's ambiance is praised for being "calm" and "super cool," adding "the perfect touch to the Japanese culture." It's a cozy space that doesn't feel rushed.
• Impeccable and Attentive Service: Customers consistently describe the service as "impeccable," with waiters making sure guests "always had everything we needed, from refilling water to suggesting side dishes," without being overly intrusive.
• No Reservations Typically Needed in Manhattan: Unlike the Brooklyn location, the Manhattan branch often has plenty of seating available, even on weekends, which is a great convenience for spontaneous dining plans.
• Diverse Bento Box Options: Their roasted fish bento boxes (Salmon, Cod, Unagi, Tuna Belly, Red Perch) offer comprehensive, well-portioned meals with pickles, egg omelette, rotating vegetable sides, white rice, and miso soup.

OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan primarily focuses on offering exceptional value through its curated set meals and high-quality ingredients, rather than frequent, broad discounts. Their pricing for the comprehensive Japanese breakfast sets and ramen dishes is already considered competitive for the quality offered in New York City.

• Japanese Breakfast Sets (OKONOMI): The "Ichiju Sansai" set meals (e.g., Yakizakana Set, Unagi Bento, Roasted Fish Bento options like Salmon, Cod, Tuna Belly, Red Perch) are designed to be complete and nourishing meals at a fixed price (e.g., $23-$27 for various bentos), providing excellent value for a traditional Japanese breakfast experience. These sets include roasted fish, Japanese pickles, egg omelette, rotating vegetable sides, white rice, and miso soup.
• Ramen and Mazemen Pricing (YUJI Ramen): Their ramen and mazemen dishes (e.g., Shoyu Ramen at $18, various Mazemen for $18-$23) offer a quality meal at a reasonable price point for Manhattan.

While the provided reviews and current public information do not explicitly detail ongoing seasonal promotions or a traditional "Happy Hour" for this Manhattan location, the inherent value in their set meals and the quality of their ingredients act as a continuous draw. For the most up-to-date information on any current specials, daily features, or bundled meal deals, New Yorkers are encouraged to:

• Check their official website: www.okonomi.us (specifically the Manhattan menu section) is the best resource for updated menus and any specific offerings.
• Browse popular food delivery platforms: Services like DoorDash and Caviar will list current pricing and any active promotions for delivery or pickup.
• Call the restaurant directly: A quick phone call to (347) 271-1601 can confirm any current deals or unique daily specials.

For inquiries, takeout orders, or to learn more about OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan, you can reach them using the following contact details:

• Address: 36 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010, USA
• Phone: (347) 271-1601

OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan operates with specific hours, typically split between breakfast/lunch (OKONOMI) and dinner (YUJI Ramen) services:

• Monday - Sunday:
  • Morning/Lunch: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Evening/Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

It is always advisable to verify their current operating hours, especially for dine-in availability or on public holidays, by calling ahead or checking their official website or listing on popular dining platforms.

For New Yorkers seeking a truly authentic and high-quality Japanese dining experience that caters to different times of the day, OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan is an exceptionally suitable choice. Its unique dual concept—offering traditional Ichiju Sansai Japanese breakfast sets by day and rich, seafood-focused ramen and mazemen by night—provides a versatile and deeply satisfying culinary journey. This isn't just another Japanese restaurant; it's a place that brings a piece of genuine Japanese culinary culture to the heart of the city.

The consistent praise for the exceptional freshness of their fish, from perfectly roasted yellowtail to the "incredible" uni, speaks volumes about their commitment to quality ingredients. The detailed attention to their bento boxes, offering balanced and flavorful components, alongside the comforting depth of their ramen broths, ensures a memorable meal. Even the "amazing" hojicha panna cotta demonstrates their dedication to excellence across the entire menu. Coupled with an impeccably attentive yet unobtrusive service and a calm, cool atmosphere that beautifully reflects Japanese culture, OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan offers a serene escape from the city's hustle. Its convenient NoMad location, with easy subway access and often available seating, makes it an ideal spot for any New Yorker looking for an authentic, high-quality, and thoughtfully prepared Japanese meal, whether it's a nourishing breakfast or a comforting dinner.

OKONOMI / YUJI Ramen Manhattan

36 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010, USA