OKONOMI // YUJI Ramen
| Address: | 150 Ainslie St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA |
| Phone: | +1 718-302-0598 |
| Site: | okonomibk.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 9AM–3PM 9AM–3PM Closed 9AM–3PM 9AM–3PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
XE
Xenia Viray
I am so happy that my roommate read about this place a year before it opened and that I have a schedule that allows me to come here on weekdays. Usually I cant deal with small places where there is always a wait. Theres always some hype. Theres always some stupid reason that has nothing to do with food that makes people go there. Except, NOT ALWAYS. This place helps me be better to myself. Serving a traditional Japanese breakfast that is sourced locally and sustainably, prepared lovingly, and presented unadorned in all its perfection, OKONOMI is my serious favorite spots. If you cant understand fish for breakfast, then I am sad to say you are missing out. Incredibly fresh pickled vegetables, a tiny bit of slow-cooked greens, a miniature baked omelette, the freshest brown rice and miso soup you will ever have, and of course, whatever fish they are offering for the day. Get the poached egg ! I really love the blue fish so I tend not to branch out from there. I used to mix it up a lot, but every time I wished I had the bluefish because its so tender and retains so much moisture no matter how they prepare. If youre a better cook then me, then go to their new fish market, too! Thank you Okonomi. OH also beautiful ceramic ware, and excellent staff.
ES
Esther L.
Everyday food at an everyday price. Okonomi brings old, deeply reverent simplicity to new life (in Williamsburg, duh). $9 buys you a healthful, tasty 一汁三菜 (ichi juu san sai) set meal in a tiny 10-seat pristine kitchen + dining room. This less-is-more meal is traditionally served with miso soup, a rice bowl, a protein, and three sides. Drink options: water, unsweetened iced tea, one warm cedar-aged sake, bottled Orion beers. When I went for the first time, Chef Yuji Haraguchi offered two options for the protein: sake-kasu (by-product of sake fermentation) marinated hake, and grilled mackerel. I tried both the hake and the mackerel--both excellent. Direct heat with no added fat. As for the san sai: the fish was plated along with lightly and refreshingly pickled daikon radish and seaweed tsukemono, a perfect petit-four of tamagoyaki, and broccoli rabe shirae. The miso soup also featured broccoli rabe flowers. And the brown rice was improved by crisped bonito flakes true to the mottanai philosophy espoused here on the ceramics, the walls, the place settings, the portions, the floral anti-arrangements, the kitchen.
ST
Stephen Lyman
"Okonomi" means "preference" in Japanese, a nice reference to Yuji Haraguchis preference for sustainably sourced fish and the Japanese concept of "motainai", which means "no waste" ... the bones and other "waste" parts of the local fish that are served for breakfast and lunch at this tiny restaurant with just 5 counter seats and 8 table seats are then used to create the broth for the ramen served at night. Ive only been for breakfast/lunch, but there youre given a verbal menu, usually 2 or 3 fish options prepared simply and freshly. All are served as "teishoku", which means as a set meal with pickles, vegetables, miso soup, rice, and an egg omelet. Additions include an onsen tamago (poached egg in a house made soy dashi), sea urchin (when available), and assorted pickling experiments. All dishes are beautifully prepared and plated. The shop cuts no corners on its tableware, glassware, or chopsticks/spoons. Really beautiful experience that were lucky to have in NYC. Kampai!
JO
Jo Z
Very tasty! Very tiny! If coming as a pair, will be seated at same small table next to strangers. $$ not $. Extended cut: If youre coming as a pair, youll more likely than not be seated next to strangers at the same small table/booth -- so if youre hoping to have a nice, intimate conversation with a date or friend-- this might not be the place. Most of our meal we couldnt help but overhear the loud conversation happening 2 inches away from us. If you have a group of 3-4 though and can get the whole table though, its great! Also, would be a nice place to grab a meal solo at the bar set-up. Also, dont be fooled by the $ on Google -- its much more like $$ // most ramen is $15-26 -- and its not incredibly filling, so expect to spend ~$30/person with a beverage and come out satisfied, but with the ability to easily eat another bowl of ramen... :) Also, expect to wait at the bar next door as the place is (again) very small, and they do not allow you to wait in the restaurant.
JE
Jennifer Chau
This place is GREAT! Its a tiny restaurant located on a quiet street. There are only 16 seats, I showed up around 1PM on a Wed for lunch solo and it only took less than 5 minutes to be seated. In the morning they serve traditional Japanese set lunch, which changes every day depending on what is available and fresh that day. I had the option of blue fish and another fish that was offered with 7 grain rice, pickled veggies and miso soup. I had the blue fish which was lightly salted and it was AMAZING. SO GOOD. The total came out to $22 and they dont accept any tips. Great place if you are ever in the area for lunch! I believe in the evenings they serve ramen and omakase on the weekend which I will definitely stop by for!
LY
Lynn S
This review is for Okonomi, which is when the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. (In the evening it becomes Yuji Ramen with a completely different menu.) Okonomi serves set meals with a fish of choice, the set meal includes miso soup, a small piece of tamago (egg) and a few small sides. You can optionally add on a bowl of rice and a soft-boiled egg. All fish and produce are sourced locally, so the options vary with the season. Its a tiny space that seats maybe 12 people so the wait times can be long, but they offer to take a number and text you when your table is ready so just build some time in to explore the neighborhood. The service and the food are both impeccable.
CR
Crystal Cun
Super cute, super tiny restaurant with a great Japanese breakfast (seasonal soup, rice, fish, veggies, tea) for $15-18, though youll be tempted by the other appetizers and add-ons (definitely spring for the runny egg on your rice, and if youre feeling extra fancy, $7 gets you an egg, roe AND sea urchin). This restaurant proves that you CAN have food that looks good, tastes good and is good for you! The only downside is the wait. Our group of 4 showed up at 11:30 am on a Sat, and waited 75 min to get one of the 2 tables. Luckily the cheese/beer/sundries shop around the corner was entertaining, and they have awesome breakfast biscuits to hold you over if youre starving.
TY
Tyler Evans
Let me preface this with the fact that I used to live in Japan. I live in Williamsburg and was excited to try this place. Size of a shoebox, unremarkable decor...but most frustrating was the fact that they do not take reservations (either online or on the phone)...they do not even have a telephone number to call to inquire about current wait times. When I arrived, I was told there was over a 2 hour wait for 2 people. When I noted how I was frustrated because of the lack of courtesy regarding peoples times, I was given a very disingenuous apology. This was in fact, very non-Japanese, in every possible way. Terribly disappointing.
CH
Chelsia Tam
A unique place in NYC! I have been here for Saturday brunch twice. The waits were long because the place is small. But it is totally worth! The fish was delicately cooked and well prepared. I am not a big fan of fish (except sashimi) but I love how they prepared the fish and it is yummy! The side dishes were incredible! Nicely prepared and presentable along with other elements on the plate. The set reminded me the meals I had in Japan. Super Japanese comfort food but they are not heavy/greasy and I have no guilt feeling at all. I also went there for ramen in one evening. Wonderful ramen and broth! And I would love to go again!
