Sozai Japanese Restaurant: Your Midtown Spot for Authentic Izakaya, Ramen & Cocktails

Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) Introduce

Hey New Yorkers! Are you on the hunt for a Japanese restaurant that consistently delivers on both incredible flavors and stellar service? Look no further than Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) in the heart of Midtown. This isn't just a place to grab a quick bite; it's a vibrant spot where you can experience the best of traditional Izakaya dining paired with satisfying ramen bowls, all served with remarkable speed and genuine hospitality. Whether you're a local seeking a reliable lunch spot or someone exploring the city looking for a fantastic meal near your hotel, Sozai Japanese Restaurant is a true gem.

Sozai, with its focus on "Izakaya Ramen," perfectly blends the communal, small-plate eating style of an izakaya with the comforting, deeply flavorful world of ramen. Customers consistently rave about the "awesome food" and the "stellar service," noting that dishes are "brought out quickly" and are "freshly cooked" and "really delicious." This combination of efficiency and quality makes it an ideal choice for busy New Yorkers who don't want to compromise on taste or experience. Get ready to be pleasantly surprised by the creativity of their cocktails and the attentiveness of their staff – it's truly a winning combination!

Location and Accessibility

Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) is conveniently located at 19 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA. This prime Midtown Manhattan address places it in an incredibly accessible spot for New Yorkers across various neighborhoods. Nestled between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, it's just steps away from major landmarks like Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and Bryant Park, making it an ideal dining destination for business lunches, pre-theater dinners, or a casual meal while exploring the city.

The restaurant boasts excellent connectivity via New York City's robust public transportation network. It’s within very easy walking distance of multiple subway lines, including the B, D, F, M trains at 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center; the N, Q, R, W trains at 49th Street; and the 1, 2, 3 trains at Times Sq-42 St. Numerous bus routes also traverse 45th Street and the surrounding avenues, ensuring a convenient journey from almost anywhere in Manhattan or the connecting boroughs. This central and well-connected location ensures that Sozai Japanese Restaurant is a practical and appealing choice for a wide array of diners, whether you're a local on your lunch break or looking for a delicious dinner spot in the heart of the city. Its "wheelchair access" further enhances its suitability for all.

Services Offered

Extensive Izakaya-Style Menu: Sozai offers a wide array of Izakaya dishes, which are Japanese small plates perfect for sharing. The menu is diverse, including "Fried" options like Karaage (crispy chicken), Crab Croquettes, Takoyaki, and Tempura; "Grilled" items like Hamachi Kama (yellowtail collar), Gyu Tan (beef tongue), and Nasu Dengaku (grilled eggplant); "Special" dishes such as Miso Black Cod and Spicy Ushi Ebi (jumbo tiger prawn).
Signature Ramen Bowls: As part of its "Izakaya Ramen" identity, Sozai features popular ramen options including Tonkotsu Ramen (braised pork belly, seasoned egg), Spicy Tonkotsu, and Chicken Ramen. These bowls are known for their delicious broths and perfectly cooked noodles.
Fresh Sashimi and Donburi: The restaurant offers an impressive selection of fresh sashimi, available as assorted platters (Sashi Mori) or as "Donburi" (sashimi over rice bowls) such as Sake Don (salmon), Hamachi Don (yellowtail), Tekka Don (bluefin tuna), and luxurious Uni Ikura Don and Uni Hon Maguro Hara Don.
Rice and Curry Dishes: Beyond ramen and sashimi, Sozai provides comforting rice dishes like Garlic Fried Rice, Mentaiko Fried Rice, and a variety of Katsu Curry Rices (Pork, Karaage, Shrimp).
Creative Cocktails and Beverages: Customers highlight the "creative cocktails," and the restaurant also offers a selection of Japanese sake, beer, and other beverages to complement the meal.
Dine-In Service: Enjoy a comfortable and welcoming dining experience, whether seated at the bar for a quick lunch or at a table for a more relaxed meal. The staff is consistently described as "attentive" and providing "stellar service."
Takeout and Delivery: For the ultimate convenience, Sozai Japanese Restaurant offers pickup and delivery services through major platforms like Seamless, DoorDash, and Postmates.

Features / Highlights

Stellar and Attentive Service: A consistent highlight from customer reviews is the "stellar service" and "very attentive server." Staff members like "Phoom" are praised for their hospitality, making diners feel well-cared for.
Quick and Efficient Food Delivery: Despite being a busy Midtown spot, food and drinks are noted as being "really fast," which is a huge plus for New Yorkers on a schedule, without compromising on freshness. "Each dish was brought out quickly and you could tell it was freshly cooked."
Delicious and Fresh Cuisine: The food is consistently described as "awesome," "really delicious," and "freshly cooked." This applies across the menu, from the ramen broth to the sashimi and izakaya dishes.
Creative Cocktail Program: Diners appreciate the "creative cocktails," adding an extra layer of enjoyment and sophistication to the dining experience.
Diverse Menu Offering: The combination of Izakaya small plates, various ramen types, fresh sashimi, and hearty rice/curry dishes means there's something for every craving and every diner, making it versatile for groups.
Welcoming Ambiance: Whether sitting at the bar for lunch or at a table, the atmosphere is described as enjoyable, contributing to a "great find" for customers.
Reliable "Great Find" Status: Many customers discover Sozai based on positive reviews or proximity to their location and are "totally lucked out with a great find," indicating its consistent quality and ability to impress.

Promotions or Special Offers

While the provided customer reviews primarily emphasize the consistent quality of food and service at Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen), additional public information indicates that Sozai does offer promotions that enhance its value for New Yorkers.

Happy Hour Specials: Sozai Izakaya in New York offers a "Happy Hour Menu" available on Sunday, Tuesday–Thursday from 5 PM to 6 PM. This happy hour includes enticing deals such as "Unlimited hot sake for $15pp," along with discounted draft beer ($6) and various popular Izakaya appetizers like Edamame ($7), Takoyaki ($7), Gyoza ($8), Fried Oyster ($10), and Okonomiyaki ($14). This is an excellent opportunity for New Yorkers to enjoy a selection of their delicious offerings at a more accessible price point.
Lunch Specials: While not explicitly detailed in the provided reviews, many Midtown Japanese restaurants offer dedicated lunch specials. Sozai's online menus suggest various lunch sets, including "Lunch Ramen" options, "Lunch Donburi," and "Lunch Rice Set" such as Karaage Curry Set and Pork Katsu Curry Set, which typically offer a more economical way to enjoy a fulfilling meal during the day.

New Yorkers are encouraged to check Sozai's official website or call them directly at (646) 914-4242 for the most up-to-date information on their happy hour timings, specific items included, and any other seasonal or daily specials they might be running. These promotions make Sozai an even more attractive option for regular visits.

Contact Information

Ready to experience the amazing food and stellar service at Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen)? Here’s how you can connect with them:

Address: 19 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Phone: (646) 914-4242

For direct calls from your mobile phone, you can also use: +1 646-914-4242

Given the positive feedback on their service and the potential for a busy Midtown location, it’s always a good idea to call ahead for larger parties or during peak dining hours to inquire about wait times or make reservations, though the reviews suggest they handle crowds efficiently. You can also utilize their delivery partners like Seamless, DoorDash, and Postmates for convenient at-home dining.

Conclusion: Why Sozai Japanese Restaurant is Suitable for Locals

For New Yorkers seeking a consistently excellent Japanese dining experience in Midtown, Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) is an ideal choice. Its prime location at 19 W 45th St makes it incredibly convenient, whether you're working nearby, enjoying the city's attractions, or simply looking for a fantastic meal in a bustling neighborhood. The restaurant perfectly marries the casual yet diverse appeal of an Izakaya with the comforting depth of expertly prepared ramen, offering a menu that caters to a wide array of tastes.

What truly sets Sozai apart for locals is its unwavering commitment to both food quality and service. Customers repeatedly highlight the "awesome food" that is "really delicious" and "freshly cooked," ensuring a satisfying meal every time. This dedication extends to their "stellar service," with attentive staff ensuring dishes are "brought out quickly," a crucial factor for the fast-paced New York lifestyle. The "creative cocktails" also add a fun and sophisticated touch, making it a great spot for after-work drinks or a relaxed evening out.

The added bonus of a daily Happy Hour featuring unlimited hot sake and discounted appetizers makes Sozai an even more compelling option for regular visits, offering premium Japanese flavors at a great value. Whether you're craving a hearty bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, a refreshing sashimi platter, or an assortment of flavorful Izakaya small plates, Sozai Japanese Restaurant provides a welcoming ambiance and a culinary experience that consistently exceeds expectations. It's a "great find" that New Yorkers will undoubtedly want to revisit, solidifying its place as a go-to Japanese dining destination in the heart of the city.

Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) Photos

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Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) Location

Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen)

New York New York County New York West 45th Street

19 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen) Reviews

We had a wonderful time at Sonia! Each dish was brought out quickly and you could tell it was freshly cooked. Phoom was a very attentive server and the cocktails were so creative. I would absolutely come back and recommend the restaurant!
May 19, 2025 · brian friedrichs
Stellar service and awesome food. We chose the restaurant just based on Google reviews and being close to our hotel - totally lucked out with a great find. Food and drinks were really fast and really delicious. We sat at the bar for lunch and had a great time.
May 26, 2025 · Sarah Raposo
The pork katsu was flaky, crunchy on the outside, yet juicy, and tender on the inside. I appreciate that the sauce was separated on the side. The spicy tonkotsu ramen was one of the best ramen I have had in a long time. The broth was rich, the pork was tender and meaty, and the noodles were firm yet soft (almost chewy). The fried oysters were juicy. The salmon roll was filling and contained a respectable amount of salmon. The salmon itself was fresh and fatty.I came in for a late lunch, around 2pm, but luckily there was no wait. The booth I was seated in had convenient coat hanger.The ordering process was quick and the food came out fast. The staff members were polite and friendly.I highly recommended this restaurant if you are looking for a good and casual Japanese meal.
May 22, 2025 · Linh Pham
If I could give this place a standing ovation, I would and I rarely say that about restaurants in the city. Especially in this area with too many restaurants to choose from.I came here expecting a good meal, but what I received was a fresh serve of flavor, ambience, and care that stayed with me long after I left. Let’s start with the fried-We ordered the hamachi and were so floored by its delicate, buttery freshness that we had to order it again. Yes. Twice. at the end of the meal.Unapologetically. It melted on the tongue like silk it was so clean and elegant. the touch of grated daikon in the acidic yet balanced sauce topped it off.Then came the crab croquette & oyster croquette a surprising burst of texture and panko crisp that had me quietly closing my eyes with the first bite. It's rare for something fried to feel this sophisticated. And clean at the same time. The croquette followed suit: creamy, golden, softness. It reminded me of comfort food reimagined with finesse especially paired with the Asahi beer.The gin highball was thoughtful and well balanced, layered but never overpowering; each one playing into the mood of the meal with grace. You could tell they weren’t just mixed, they were crafted. Saw it he stir technique for myself.The ambience was sleek and warm. Dim but not gloomy, stylish but not trying too hard. Every detail felt intentional, from the lighting to the way the space encouraged laughter and lingering. Refill of the water in the carafe for example, made a difference in the vibe.But what elevated the whole experience was the team. Staff were intuitive, kind, and unhurried but efficient none of that robotic service, just genuine attentiveness. And a special shoutout to Ing and the hostess, who was absolutely wonderful present, welcoming, and sharp. They made the place feel personal, like we were dining in the hands of friends who knew exactly what we needed before we did.This place is a gem I’ll be returning to—likely for that hamachi (again). Highly recommend for a date night, a celebration, or just a moment to treat yourself and be reminded of how good food and warm hospitality can make a city feel like home.
May 20, 2025 · Elizabeth Tay
there are ton of snacks! if you like chitchat good vibes good food to bring good friends this pace is for you! the drinks are phenomenal. casual dining but fun! cozy and comfortable. friendly and effective service.
Apr 26, 2025 · Sandy Patumraat