SUKI DESU Introduce
For New Yorkers constantly seeking fresh, authentic, and memorable dining experiences, particularly in the vibrant Upper East Side, SUKI DESU offers a delightful and distinctive Japanese culinary journey. This isn't just another sushi spot; it's a cozy haven specializing in exquisitely crafted Japanese rice bowls, known as "kaisendon" or "donburi," that promise to satisfy both your palate and your desire for something truly unique. With its intimate setting and a focus on high-quality ingredients, SUKI DESU is quickly becoming a beloved addition to the neighborhood's diverse food scene.
What truly sets SUKI DESU apart is its thoughtful approach to traditional Japanese comfort food. Their rice bowls are celebrated for their generous portions of fresh fish and customizable toppings, all served in a setting that feels both welcoming and distinctly Japanese. The experience is further elevated by a unique touch: the option to have savory broth poured into your bowl towards the end of your meal, transforming the dish into a new, equally delicious experience. This innovative detail, combined with their commitment to fresh ingredients and amazing service, makes SUKI DESU a standout choice for anyone in New York looking for an authentic yet approachable Japanese meal that goes beyond the ordinary.
It’s a place where you’ll not only enjoy fantastic food but also feel a genuine connection to the care and passion that goes into every dish.
---SUKI DESU is conveniently located at 217 E 85th St, New York, NY 10028, USA. This address places it squarely in the bustling and highly residential Upper East Side of Manhattan, a prime location that ensures easy accessibility for a large number of New Yorkers. Situated on East 85th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, it's nestled among other local businesses, making it a natural stop for residents in the area.
Accessing SUKI DESU is straightforward for those relying on New York's extensive public transportation system. The Q subway line has a station at 86th Street and 2nd Avenue, just a very short walk from the restaurant. This provides direct and efficient access from various parts of Manhattan. Additionally, the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines are within reasonable walking distance, accessible via the 86th Street station on Lexington Avenue. Numerous bus routes also traverse 2nd and 3rd Avenues, offering convenient options for reaching the restaurant. For those living or working within the immediate vicinity, SUKI DESU is an ideal spot for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner without a long commute. While street parking can be a challenge in this densely populated area, there are often commercial parking garages nearby. The restaurant's cozy setting and accessible location make it a perfect urban escape for a delightful Japanese meal.
---SUKI DESU offers a focused yet comprehensive set of services designed to provide a high-quality dining experience centered around their specialty:
- Dine-In Service: Enjoy your meal in their "very small and cozy setting." The restaurant features primarily bar seating with a couple of tables in the back, creating an intimate atmosphere.
- Specialized Rice Bowls (Donburi/Kaisendon): Their main offering revolves around fresh seafood rice bowls, such as the popular hamachi, ikura, and uni donburi. They emphasize a good "rice-to-fish ratio."
- Broth Service: A unique highlight of their dining experience is the option to have savory broth poured into your bowl once you're about 80% finished. This transforms the dish, offering a "different way to enjoy the dish" and adding another layer of flavor.
- Appetizers and Desserts: Beyond rice bowls, SUKI DESU offers a selection of appetizers, like Tuna Carpaccio, Nihonkai salad, Wakame Salad, Mixed Tartare, and Unagi Tamagoyaki. They also serve desserts such as Yuzu Cheesecake and Matcha Mont Blanc.
- Beverage Options: They offer a range of non-alcoholic beverages including sodas, sparkling water, Ramune, and Calpico, as well as Japanese beers (Sapporo, Asahi, Orion, Echigo, Lucky Cat, Lucky Chicken, Lucky Dog) and a selection of sake and wine.
- Takeout Service: Customers can order their meals for takeout, allowing them to enjoy SUKI DESU's fresh food from the comfort of their home or office.
- Delivery Service: SUKI DESU is available for delivery through popular third-party platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash, making their delicious offerings widely accessible across New York City.
- Lunch and Dinner: The restaurant operates with specific hours for both lunch and dinner service, typically 11:30 AM–3:00 PM and 4:00 PM–10:00 PM for both pickup and delivery.
SUKI DESU has quickly captivated New Yorkers on the Upper East Side with several distinct features that make it a compelling dining choice:
- Exceptional Freshness of Ingredients: Customers consistently praise the "really fresh" food, particularly the quality of the fish in their rice bowls. This commitment to fresh ingredients is paramount for a seafood-focused Japanese restaurant.
- Unique Broth-Pour Experience: A significant highlight is the innovative practice of offering to pour savory broth into your finished or nearly finished rice bowl. This "different way to enjoy the dish" is a pleasant surprise that adds depth and versatility to the meal.
- Masterfully Crafted Rice Bowls: The donburi are the stars of the menu, praised for their generous "high rice-to-fish ratio" and delicious combinations, like the hamachi, ikura, and uni bowl. They also offer "Right Off the Flame" bowls with cooked shredded fish for those who prefer no raw seafood.
- Cozy and Intimate Setting: The restaurant boasts a "very small and cozy setting," primarily featuring bar seating and a unique "gravel floor." This creates a charming and authentic atmosphere that enhances the dining experience.
- Amazing and Attentive Service: Reviewers highlight the "amazing" service. The staff is friendly and attentive, making diners feel welcome and ensuring a great overall experience.
- Affordable & Value-Oriented: While offering high-quality ingredients, SUKI DESU is described as being in the "$20–30" range for its bowls, suggesting excellent value for the quality and portion size, a key consideration for New Yorkers.
- Appetizing Starters and Delicious Desserts: The menu extends beyond rice bowls to include enticing appetizers like Tuna Carpaccio and a range of desserts, such as Yuzu Cheesecake and Matcha Mont Blanc, allowing for a complete meal experience.
While specific, advertised "promotions" in the traditional sense (like weekly discounts on certain dishes) are not detailed in the provided information for SUKI DESU, the restaurant's value proposition and features inherently offer "special" benefits to New Yorkers. Given its relatively new presence and focus on quality and experience, these aspects serve as its primary draw:
- Unique Dining Experience: The innovative "broth pour" at the end of the rice bowl meal is a distinctive feature that offers an added layer of enjoyment without an explicit extra cost, enhancing the perceived value of the meal itself.
- Affordable Quality: Being described as a place with "fresh food" and "amazing service" in the $20-30 price range for a main course implies a strong value proposition, especially for the Upper East Side. The generous "rice-to-fish ratio" also speaks to value.
- Broad Menu Accessibility: While not a discount, the availability of both raw fish (donburi) and cooked options (like "Right Off the Flame" bowls) caters to a wider audience, ensuring that various preferences can be accommodated without the need for special requests or additional charges.
- Online Ordering & Delivery Convenience: The seamless integration with major delivery platforms (Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash) provides the significant convenience that New Yorkers highly value, effectively extending their reach and making their fresh food accessible with just a few taps.
For the most up-to-date information on any potential future promotions or seasonal specials, New Yorkers are advised to check SUKI DESU's official website (sukidesuny.com) or their listings on popular food delivery apps. This proactive approach will ensure you don't miss out on any new offerings.
---Ready to experience the unique rice bowls and cozy ambiance of SUKI DESU? Here's how you can connect with them:
Address: 217 E 85th St, New York, NY 10028, USA
Phone: (646) 429-9229
You can call them directly to inquire about their menu, current wait times, or to place a takeout order. For delivery, their presence on major food delivery platforms like Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash offers convenient online ordering. Be sure to check their current operating hours, typically split between lunch (11:30 AM–3:00 PM) and dinner (4:00 PM–10:00 PM).
---For New Yorkers, especially those in and around the Upper East Side, SUKI DESU is an ideal addition to their culinary rotation for several compelling reasons. Its focus on fresh, high-quality Japanese rice bowls offers a refreshing alternative to traditional sushi establishments, providing a satisfying and wholesome meal that feels both authentic and innovative.
The unique "broth pour" at the end of the meal is a distinctive touch that elevates the dining experience, adding an element of surprise and an extra layer of deliciousness that locals will appreciate. The intimate and cozy setting, primarily with bar seating, makes it perfect for a solo meal, a casual date, or a relaxed catch-up with a friend, fostering a comfortable atmosphere that contrasts with the city's usual hustle and bustle.
Furthermore, the "amazing service" and friendly staff ensure that every visit is pleasant, making diners feel truly welcomed. Its accessible location on East 85th Street, coupled with convenient takeout and delivery options, means that a delicious and fresh Japanese meal is never far away. SUKI DESU provides excellent value, delivering fresh food and a unique experience that leaves customers eager to return. For any New Yorker seeking a memorable, high-quality, and surprisingly affordable Japanese meal that stands out from the crowd, SUKI DESU is an absolute must-try.
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SUKI DESU Reviews
Interesting rice bowls in a very small and cozy setting.The rice bowls are good, with a high rice-to-fish ratio. They also offer to pour broth at the end of the meal which was a nice touch.The space is almost entirely covered by bar seating with two tables in the back. The gravel floor is a nice touch.I'll definitely be back again.
Apr 26, 2025 · Alessandro FratiI had a great dinner experience at this new Japanese restaurant. The food was really fresh and service was amazing. I ordered the donburi with hamachi, ikura, and uni. When 80% of the way finished with my bowl, savory broth was added for a different way to enjoy the dish! I will be back in the future to try the other dishes and dessert!
Apr 22, 2025 · Emily TamI just had an amazing lunch here with friends! The Kaizen don was fantastic - huge slices of Hamachi, loads of fresh fish, and topped with uni. We also got a delicious side of miso soup. Highly recommend, and I'll definitely be back soon!
Apr 25, 2025 · thawat kaewkoonChecked out this newly opened kaisendon spot, and it was great! The prices aren’t bad at all for NYC. Although the bowl might look small, it was so filling. You can also choose to get broth after! The fish was fresh but it wasn’t MINDBLOWING. We would skip on the tuna carpaccio next time. The waitress was lovely!
May 23, 2025 · Catherine ShiJust went here tonight they are brand new! Really good donburi bowls with high quality ingredients and great service. The last time I had this was in Japan and this place was just as good! Hope they stay in the neighbourhood, I’ll definitely be back.
Apr 19, 2025 · Lauren Smith
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