Yopparai Introduce
New Yorkers seeking an authentic and immersive taste of Japan don't need to book a flight across the Pacific. Instead, a true culinary journey awaits right in the heart of the Lower East Side at **Yopparai**. This hidden gem is more than just a Japanese restaurant; it's a genuine izakaya, bringing the vibrant and intimate atmosphere of a traditional Japanese pub to our very own city. For those who appreciate exquisite flavors, a vast selection of sake, and a truly unique dining setting, Yopparai stands out as a must-visit destination.
From the moment you step inside, Yopparai transports you. The intimate space, featuring traditional tatami mat seating, creates a cozy and deeply transportive atmosphere. This isn't your average dining experience; it's designed to immerse you in Japanese culture, making it an ideal spot for a special occasion, a unique date night, or simply an escape from the bustling city outside. The attention to detail in creating such an authentic ambiance truly sets Yopparai apart in New York's competitive dining scene.
Yopparai is conveniently located at **49 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, USA**. This prime spot in the Lower East Side places it within easy reach for anyone in the New York metropolitan area. The neighborhood itself is a vibrant hub of culture, dining, and nightlife, making Yopparai an excellent addition to an evening out.
Accessibility to Yopparai is straightforward, thanks to New York City's extensive public transportation network. Several subway lines are within walking distance, including the F, J, M, and Z trains, making it a convenient destination from various parts of Manhattan and beyond. Bus routes also serve the area, ensuring that getting to this unique izakaya is hassle-free. Being situated on Clinton Street, amidst other popular establishments, means it's easy to find and integrate into a night exploring the energetic Lower East Side.
Authentic Izakaya Dining: Yopparai provides a full-service izakaya experience, featuring a wide array of small, shareable dishes (tapas-style) that are perfect for pairing with sake.
Extensive Sake Selection: Known for its impressive collection of sake, curated to complement the diverse flavors of the menu. Expert staff can guide diners through the options to enhance their meal.
Traditional Tatami Mat Seating: Offers intimate and unique tatami mat seating areas, providing an immersive and cozy dining environment distinct from most New York restaurants.
Exquisite Japanese Menu: The menu boasts authentic Japanese flavors, ranging from delicate to comforting and exciting items, including popular dishes like nigiri, kakuni, and chicken meatball with egg.
Dessert Offerings: A selection of delicious traditional Japanese desserts to complete the dining experience.
Intimate Setting: The cozy and transportive atmosphere makes it ideal for unique date nights or small gatherings where a truly authentic experience is desired.
Genuine Japanese Izakaya Atmosphere: Yopparai is celebrated for faithfully recreating the ambiance of a traditional Japanese izakaya, making it feel like a mini-getaway to Japan right here in NYC.
Traditional Tatami Seating: A standout feature, the tatami mat seating provides a unique and comfortable dining position, enhancing the authentic Japanese experience and often lauded by customers for its comfort.
Exceptional Sake Pairing: The restaurant excels in pairing its exquisite dishes with a diverse and well-curated selection of sake, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the meal.
Diverse and Authentic Menu: Customers consistently praise the menu for its range of authentic Japanese flavors, from delicate dishes to comforting favorites. Specific highlights include the nigiri, tender kakuni (braised pork belly), and flavorful chicken meatballs with egg.
High-Quality Dishes: Every item on the menu, from appetizers to main courses and even desserts, is crafted with attention to detail and authentic taste, ensuring a high-quality culinary experience.
"Hidden Gem" Status: Often described as a hidden gem, Yopparai offers a more exclusive and less overtly touristy experience, appealing to those seeking a true taste of local and authentic dining.
Memorable Date Night Spot: The intimate setting and unique dining style make it a frequently recommended spot for romantic evenings or special celebrations.
As an intimate izakaya focused on delivering an authentic experience, Yopparai generally emphasizes the quality of its food and sake selection rather than frequent, widely advertised promotions. Special offers, if any, might include seasonal sake tastings, chef's tasting menus, or unique culinary events. It is always recommended to check their official website or social media channels for the most current information regarding any special promotions, tasting events, or seasonal menu updates. Given its "hidden gem" status, such announcements might be more targeted or exclusive, adding to the allure of discovering new offerings.
Ready to experience the authentic taste of Japan at Yopparai? Here's how to reach them:
Address: 49 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (212) 777-7253
For New Yorkers, Yopparai offers a distinct and highly suitable dining experience that goes beyond the typical Japanese restaurant. Its commitment to authenticity, from the traditional tatami seating to the meticulously crafted dishes and extensive sake list, makes it a true escape within the city. This isn't just about grabbing a meal; it's about immersing yourself in a slice of Japanese culture.
Locals appreciate Yopparai for its intimate atmosphere, making it perfect for those seeking a unique date night or a cozy gathering with friends where conversation flows easily over delicious small plates and fine sake. It's a place where you can explore new flavors, deepen your appreciation for sake, and enjoy a comfortable yet elevated dining experience without having to venture far. In a city where dining options are endless, Yopparai stands out by offering something truly special and memorable—a genuine taste of an authentic Japanese izakaya, right here in our own Lower East Side. It's the ideal spot for New Yorkers looking to enrich their culinary repertoire with an authentic, transportive, and incredibly satisfying Japanese adventure.
Yopparai Menu
Salads and Vegetables
- Edamame $7.00
Edamame beans freshly steamed in a cypress box
- Oshinko $8.00
Seasonal vegetables pickled in rice bran
- Tomato Salad $9.00
Ripe tomato topped with diced onions and served with dashi dressing
- Daikon Salad $10.00
Shredded daikon radish with umeboshi plum dressing on a bed of watercress
- Kaisen Sunomomo $15.00
Assorted seafood (squid, king crab, surf clam, scallops, etc.) and seaweed in vinegar dressing
Appetizers
- Motsu Nikomi $9.00
Traditional miso tripe stew
- Homemade Tofu $10.00
Served chilled with scallion, bonito flakes, and seaweed powder
- Chawanmushi *seasonal* $10.00
Savory steamed egg custard with salmon roe and shrimp (summer) or chicken and crab (winter)
- Karaage $12.00
Fried chicken marinated in rice malt and yuzu
- Kakuni $14.00
Berkshire pork belly simmered in sweet dashi broth
- Washu Gyu Tataki $18.00
Lightly seared Washu beef with ponzu dressing
- Hoba Miso $20.00
Miso, washu beef & wild vegetables cooked on a hoba leaf (contain cashew nuts)
- Homemade Yudoufu $22.00
Hot homemade tofu cooked with watercress and shiitake in a wooden box
Oden (Traditional Japanese soul foods simmered in dashi broth)
- Hanpen (grated fish and yam made into a fluffy cake) $4.00
- Satsuma Age (fried fish cake) $4.00
- Konnyaku (jelly-like yam cake) $4.00
- Tamago (boiled egg) $4.00
- Mochi Kinchaku (tofu skin stuffed with sticky rice cake) $5.00
- Daikon Radish $6.00
- Assortment of 3 items $12.00
- Assortment of 5 items $18.00
Chinmi (Rare snacks and tastes that pair well with sake)
- Homemade Natto $6.00
Homemade fermented soy beans
- Umeboshi $6.00
Pickled plum
- Wasabi Zuke $8.00
Chopped wasabi with sake lees
- Shiokara $8.00
Squid sashimi with salted squid organs
- Ika no Uni Ae $10.00
Squid sashimi mixed with sea urchin
- Mentaiko $14.00
Lightly smoked spicy marinated cod roe
Grilled Dishes
- Sunagimo Skewer $7.00
Chicken gizzards
- Jidori (Chicken) Liver Skewer $7.00
Dipped in yakitori sauce
- Torikushi Skewer $7.00
Chicken thigh, choice of yakitori sauce or salt
- Hotate Butter $11.00
Scallop grilled with butter sauce
- Butakushi Skewer $12.00
Kurobuta fatty pork belly with shio koji
- Tsukune $12.00
Signature chicken meatball, topped with raw egg yolk
- Anago Shirayaki $14.00
Grilled sea eel
- Ika Ichiyazuke $14.00
Grilled whole marinated squid
- Yasai Yaki $14.00
Mixed seasonal vegetables grilled with soy sauce
- Gyutan $16.00
Thin-cut Washu beef tongue prepared in Sendai style
- Miso Black Cod $16.00
Grilled black cod marinated in spicy garlic miso
- Kamoyaki $18.00
Duck breast grilled on a hot plate, served with sweet soba broth
- Washu Gyu Teppanyaki $22.00
Washu beef grilled on a hot plate
Simmered Dishes
- Nira Tama Tofu $12.00
Silky tofu and chives simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
- Kinoko Toban Yaki $14.00
Mixed Japanese mushrooms with sake lees, miso, and butter (contain cashew nuts)
- Ebi Shinjo $14.00
Shrimp and cod made into a fluffy dumpling, served in light dashi sauce
- Jidori Tamago Toji $16.00
Free-range chicken and tsukune simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
- Kurobuta Tamago Toji $18.00
Kurobuta pork belly simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
- Anago Yanagawa $20.00
Sea eel simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
Rice and Noodles
- Yaki Onigiri - Soy Sauce or Miso $6.00
- Yaki Onigiri - Uni or Mentaiko $10.00
- Isobe Yaki Mochi $6.00
Homemade pounded glutinous rice cake grilled with soy sauce
- Inaniwa Udon (seasonal) $14.00
Thin udon noodles from Akita prefecture, served chilled with sesame sauce
- Sansai Serio Meshi $14.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with mountain vegetables in a wooden box
- Shake Ikura Seiro Meshi $22.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with salmon flakes and salmon roe in a wooden box
- Kani Seiro Meshi $22.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with snow crab and tobiko in a wooden box
- Anago Seiro Meshi $22.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with sea eel in a wooden box
Sashimi
- Assorted Sashimi $32.00
- Assorted Sashimi plus Uni or Ikura $44.00
- Assorted Sashimi plus Uni and Ikura $56.00
- Bluefin Tuna Sampler $56.00
Two pieces each of lean, marinated, medium-fatty, and fatty tuna
- Bluefin A la Carte - Akami (lean cut, 3 pieces) $16.00
- Bluefin A la Carte - Zuke (marinated in dashi soy sauce, 3 pieces) $20.00
- Bluefin A la Carte - Chutoro (medium fatty, 3 pieces) $28.00
- Bluefin A la Carte - Otoro (super fatty, 3 pieces) $32.00
- Ikura $18.00
Marinated salmon roe served with nori
- Uni $20.00
Sea urchin served with nori \
- Slimy Bomb $16.00
Homemade natto with mixed Japanese veggies & fish
- Negitoro Taku $20.00
Tuna tartare with Tokyo spring onion and pickled daikon
- Hamachi Tataki $20.00
Seared yellowtail in ponzu dressing
Yopparai Details
Service options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Takeout
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Yopparai Photos










Yopparai Location
Yopparai Reviews
Yopparai, a hidden gem in the Lower East Side brings an authentic Japanese izakaya experience to New Yorkers. The intimate space features traditional tatami mat seating creating a cozy and transportive atmosphere for both sake lovers and food enthusiasts. Their exquisite menu is of authentic Japanese flavors from delicate to comforting to exciting items. Pair them with sake and enhance all those flavors. Dessert is just as delicious with traditional tastes. Whether you're after a unique date night or an immersive taste of Japan, Yopparai delivers an unforgettable dining experience.
April 06 · itzelenahoSo many great dishes at Yopparai. Some of my favorite dishes (not depicted) were the nigiri, kakuni, and chicken meat ball w/ egg. 🥹I also enjoy the comfortable seating positions you can take on in the booths!
April 17 · Alana W.DI was really looking forward to dining at this Japanese restaurant again, especially because of the unique tatami seating and beautifully styled interior. I had visited once before the pandemic and enjoyed a pork hot pot that left a great impression.This time, however, I came to celebrate a friend’s birthday and was honestly disappointed. The prices were very high—over $500for four people—and none of us felt full afterward. The food was just average, and unfortunately not to my taste.It’s a beautiful place, but with the current pricing and food quality, I don’t think I’ll be coming back.
April 04 · vivi ChanleThe vibe and food presentation are both stunning! The seafood donburi, named after the restaurant, is truly impressive—I’ve never seen such a generous serving in all of New York. It’s packed with fresh sashimi and delicious rice!
March 24 · Yuri PCame here for a birthday dinner - pretty good selection of small plates and we tried a number of different things. It did not wow me though but overall we had a good meal and worth trying if you like izakaya style food!
December 28 · K. Sher
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