Ashbox

Came here for lunch, and loved it. It’s been a while since I’ve had a comforting and tasty lunch like this. Ordered the tuna poke, soupy rice with salmon, iced lemonade green tea, and an egg sandwich. All simple, clean, and flavorful. You wait in line and she will make the food by each order. The food comes out fairly quickly. I read a sign in there that said the cafe will close early if they’ve sold out. We came earlier in the day but something to consider if you’re going closer to closing time.

I’m so happy to live next to this little spot. The menu is fresh, seasonal and made with a lot of love. Everything I’ve tried has been healthy, delicious and comforting.

Clean and delicious food! Prices are great and while the portions are a bit small, the flavor makes up for it. I was told that they will no longer be doing dine in but there are a couple benches and chairs outside that you can sit on if the weather is forgiving! Ordered: Yuzu vinegar drink, salmon sandwich and tuna poke

Very sweet chef. Delicious food. Homestyle, affordable, and heartwarming.

Grabbed a soupy rice (like porridge or congee), topped with pickled radish and mustard greens! The savory umami flavor was incredible and the mixed grain rice was cooked to perfection. I will absolutely be back. A great lunch or pick me up if you’re feeling under the weather. Service was friendly and very fast! There are two outdoor tables to sit at but no covering if it’s rainy.

Love this place, quintessential Greenpoint staple and one of the last remaining amazing locally owned shops. Highly recommend coming for the great food, cozy ambience, and to support an amazing owner.

Delicious Japanese home cooking. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and light! Will be coming back regularly.

This spot should have five stars. Amazingly fresh & delicious food every time. The owner is doing all the work herself throughout this covid era & is incredibly sweet every time I stop by for lunch. You can tell she puts her heart into her food. If you follow Ash Box on Instagram you can see what special menu items she’s working on, & she finds a happy medium between comfort food & healthy options. It’s also sold at affordable prices for a good portion (e.g. $6.50 for a spicy tuna poke), & way more filling than expected for the 12 oz cup. Of her regular menu options, I love her egg salad sandwich, the hibiscus tea + lemonade, & the spicy tuna poke bowl. The pictures I took are from a to go order, but don’t let it fool you. It’s so good! (Spicy Tuna Poke, Shrimp Curry, Hibiscus Tea + Lemonade, & a Seaweed Shot!)

Unique tiny delicious fresh jewel box of a place with few but choice offerings that always make you feel better for having eaten them.

I was on the phone speaking softly and almost whispering (I'm mindful of not speaking loudly in there) and I was told very rudely by the owner to step outside when speaking on the phone. First of all, it's a coffee shop and not a library. There isn't a policy on not speaking on the phone in coffee shops. I would also have appreciated that she would have said something more politely instead of being rude about it. I come in quite frequently. And when the owner needs a favor (made me sign a petition), the owner is nice to you. But any minor infraction you're met with rudeness and coldness despite the fact that you're a regular.

Everything is under $10, but the portions are also very small. The salmon rice is cooked shredded salmon with avocado, lettuce, and rice in a small coffee cup for $7.50, and the mini sandwich is slider size for $3.50. It's inexpensive yet deceivingly expensive. Tasty nonetheless. Also, the service is slow because the lady, albeit kind and sweet, is the cashier and prepares your food.

Japanese home cooking, focused on takeout with a very small eating area. The store-owner does everything by herself, so it's not a fast operation but she does make everything on hand as you order it. The store has been blocked off mostly except for a few tables in the front - no bathrooms or wifi, mostly a quick stop for people to get their lunch. Prices are very reasonable, recommend getting 2-3 things since they're on the smaller size.

I am obsessed with this place!! The iced matcha with oat milk is one of my favorites in the city and I have been to so so many cafes and tried so many different matchas. The onigiri and the seaweed wrap are also quite yummy, made with gluten free rice! The last thing I got was a side of the tofu salad which also was so delicious. The menu rotates out and is run by one woman who is so sweet! It's far from me but I will definitely be back for more matcha and to try the breakfast options.

Cute spot in Greenpoint with incredibly sweet and kind service. Not to mention delicious!

I feel so privileged to have tried the hoji tea ice cream! The barley in the rice = extra hearty

Was early for a meeting nearby when this cute cafe caught my eye with its cheery yellow exterior. You have to be patient to order because only one customer is allowed inside at a time. The owner is very sweet and friendly ; she is the only one taking orders and packing up your order. Credit card are accept with $10 minimum. I tried the Spicy Tuna Poke - which was featured on the menu written out on post its. It's healthy comfort food - spicy tuna poke, avocado chunks, arugula over a bed of rice seasoned with fresh ginger and pickled daikon - but simple and delicious. It reminded me of the snack / light lunch that I used to have in Hawaii. I really appreciated how thoughtfully composed the rice was for taste and textures and was not just a plain blob of filler rice. What a find! And a pleasant surprise to find a little bit of Hawaii here in Greenpoint.

Adorable little Japanese cafe with comfort food and excellent prices! Aptly named for its location between ash and box street. It's currently delivery only which wasn't an issue as we took our lunch to the park nearby. Excellent quality food and quite filling! I got the salmon avocado bowl with a tofu mushroom salad on the side.

Amazing cafe with great food. I had salmon ochazuke (salmon in green tea / bonito broth), which I have NEVER found at another place that sells this, except for Stonemill Matcha in SF. She changes up the menu daily, so definitely go there pretty often to try everything on the menu. Talk about talent, being able to cook so well!! :)

This is a very authentic Japanese cafe and I'm all about it. Happened upon a recommendation to follow their Instagram for daily specials! I walk by this place every day on my dog walk and so glad I finally tried it. First thought... The prices are very reasonable. Paid $6.75 for the poke bowl, $4.00 for for rice ball and $5.00 for the avocado bowl. We were worried the portions were going to be small, but everything was very filling! The rice is super yummy and has beans/different grain types. I will definitely mix things up a bit next time and try a salad or soup, because everything we got was pretty rice heavy. Overall, definitely loved it and will continue to try things on the menu!

Great place to get a healthy clean bite if you work at the 1205 manhattan ave building. It's one of the closest places to get to during a lunch break. Staff is super friendly, and the menu is mostly Japanese influenced. Cash only when I used to work in the area but that may have changed. Large selections of teas and sandwiches, and they also offer plenty of reading material.

Cute but they impose a hard $10 card minimum and everything is like $6-7... I had to order another tuna poke and leave it at the counter because I only wanted one.

Ashbox is a place that's very much "just is." And what it is is an oasis for your soul at the northern tip of Greenpoint. It's a small Japanese cafe that serves nourishing, healthy food, made with natural ingredients and lots of love and care. Yoko, the owner, single-handedly takes care of all the customers during Covid, so you may have to wait a bit. Because of this, I appreciate Ashbox as a place to slow down. My visits always make me feel like I could take a deep breath and reconnect with my inner patience. I always walk away calmer and happier. And of course, with a satisfied belly. My personal favorite is the avocado happy rice with salmon or cod roe, plus a side of tofu. The flavors are subtle but deliver a deep umami sensation. The tuna poke bowl is delectable as well; it's gingery and refreshing. The various vinegary drinks cleanse your palate and rejuvenate your senses. Lastly, my recommendation is to follow Ashbox on Instagram (@ashboxcafe) and keep an eye on their daily specials.

Absolutely incredible. The poke is to die for. And the fact that it's just one woman running the whole thing (taking orders and making the food in the back) just makes the experience that much more special. Incredible New York gem.

Such a cute little place for lunch in north greenpoint. I've only come during the pandemic where there is only person taking orders and prepping the meal so be prepared for a little bit of a wait. However, she is sweet and makes the space feel homey. I love the tuna poke and the onigiri and she constantly has specials in rotation. Some of the curry dishes and soups sound good but I have yet to try and definitely will in the future.

Delicious, vegan friendly restaurant with Asian inspired fare. The woman who runs it is an amazing cook who also works as a personal chef for the uber-rich. There are no keto options on the menu, but they were very accommodating and adapted their turkey egg brunch item to not include any fruit or rice so it was keto friendly. They have a large assortment of teas, including matcha, as well as a fridge full of fruit and vegetable juices for the health conscious, which seems to be the target market here, everything is very healthy.

Very healthy foods. The owner Doesn't update Yelp or check it much. I highly recommend following the Instagram @ashboxcafe for updates on current store hours and menu. Currently open 10 am till sell out and they accept cards now. No sundays. The owner is very nice and sweet, but is currently the only one working there. Expect some sort of wait. No indoor dining but there are some tables outside to sit and eat. She has special in rotations a lot. The menu changes daily, but some stuff are regulars. My favorites are the Tuna poke (haven't try much of the special rotations because I keep getting this when I come) Happy salmon / Happy kelp Avo sal wrap/ avo kelp wrap And any of her salads (her dressings are amazing!) Pre pandemic: The cafe was very homey, clean, and nice quiet place (no wifi) to relax.

This spot is gem! They offer Japanese rice balls (onigiri). They only make it after you place the order so it's always warm. awww! The salad is healthy and hearty too! This place is a avocado paradise, coz they offer, avocado salad, rice wrap w avocado in it, yum!!!

Love it here! Cute but lowkey vibe and I like that they offer reasonably priced drinks and food options that are more unique than the usual Brooklyn cafes. Hibiscus minty ice tea was refreshing and not too sweet at all, and the ume/avocado hand roll was freshly made to order and tasted amazing. It is a bit off the beaten path being so far north in Greenpoint, but that makes it a bit of a hidden gem. It's def worth the trek and more chill than some of the cafes closer to the train.

Great food and interesting drinks. the lady that runs is very nice. Great little neighborhood spot. Love the onigiri and there's always some interesting drink to try

I love this place! The owner is kind and makes all the food fresh. I have eaten an early lunch here all weekalways great;))

Absolutely delicious! The perfect lunch spot with the kindest service and incredible food. Will be back again and again!

Really adorable little place in Greenpoint. Went over the summer when indoor dining was closed, so it was takeout only. It looked like a cute and cozy space inside, so I'd like to go back some time. I enjoyed the house salad and iced tea - velvety thing was very fresh and healthy. The woman working there was very friendly. I look forward to returning.

Ashbox is one of my favorite spots in Greenpoint. It's a very tranquil Japanese café where you can have a tea, onigiri, or a miso soup and read a book or magazine. I could go here by myself or with my roommates who liked the spot, too. I like that it's a little bit way out of the way and close to the water and bridge. The cafe is never crowded or loud; I love that. It's like a cozy hideaway.

This place was really very nice overall and I came really close to giving it a full five stars. The Menu consisted of several sandwiches and traditional Japanese dishes including half a dozen varieties of onigiri. Pros: The decor is cute and quaint and really makes you feel good. The bathroom is really clean and nice. The onigiri were large and tasty overall. There is a large array of other traditional Japanese treats. Cons: Cash Only. Not a huge con, but can put a cramp in your plans if you are not prepared for it. The bread on the turkey sandwich was very touch and chewy. It did not impact the flavor but contributed to the sandwich being relatively mediocre overall. The rice in the best onigiri I have had had a wonderful flavor from being seasoned with rice vinegar and flame grilled. Comparatively the rice in the onigiri at Ashbox was not particularly flavorful. The overall quality of the establishment is wonderful. And despite the mediocre quality of the sandwiches the onigiri are really good. So give this luttle hole in teh wall a try!

I love this gem at the very north of Greenpoint! It might seem like a trek from the train but def worth it. The Japanese food is super yummy and cheap. They have these dishes called Happy Rice which is a rich bowl with your choice of fish or vegetarian option. They also have onigiri which are pretty big in size. Both items are about $4 each. I went there for brunch this weekend and only spent $8.00! My only feedback for this place is that it has several menus so make sure you look at all of them before ordering. They have brunch specials that come with salad and cold noodles. My friend ordered the seared tuna steak one and it looked great!

Ashbox is a neighborhood treasure. The food is beautifully prepared and healthy, the space is sweet, and the menu is a harmonious mix of American and Japanese home cooking. The prices are good, and the weekday "B" special is a downright bargain. I partly grew up in Japan, and Ashbox hits home in a way that other Japanese restaurants miss. Pro tips: You *can* use a credit card ($10 minimum). Arrive before 1pm to be sure your favorite special doesn't run out.

I am impressed, Ashbox was actually terrific. Ashbox has a positive, relaxed, friendly ambience. All of the food items are magnificent, their menu is very good, I really like their Healthy Tofu Salad. Not to mention, the service was excellent and the staff was very welcoming. Overall it was an amazing experience.

A beautiful example of a nondescript local cafe / eatery. However the subtleties of this Japanese cafe makes it extraordinary. This is not a local coffee shop that sells the same trendy coffees and few baked goods. What makes Ashbox a place I wished I've had near my neighborhood is a perfect offering of simple Japanese breakfast items, salads and your traditional American breakfast items. W

Clean, healthy and rice-filled, Ashbox is a cozy Japanese cafe with a delicious light menu. It is also a great breakfast spot as they open early and serve relatively quick. The cafe doesn't have wifi, discouraging people from treating the place as a work cafe. A great place to get that zen on, especially after a crazy work week. We went there on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and ordered happy rice (with salmon), tofu salad, and two ornigris with salmon roe and salted kelp. All were really light, yet filling. The portions weren't huge (as expected from the price), but allowed us to sample a variety of their food I highly enjoyed the tofu salad. Ashbox definitely resembles a feel good spot from its food to its ambience. FYI: Their menu is much larger at the store than what is posted online!

I hate to update like this, but I'm kind of miffed. I really love their "smoked turkey" sandwich (with wasabi mayo), so much that I even make it myself at home! I don't live in the neighborhood, so I don't go to Ashbox often, but when I'm around at lunchtime, I stop by. So, maybe 4 times total. The last time I went, I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich and asked to add avocado, like the last time. Instead, I got their "turkey and avocado" sandwich which had honey mustard and non-smoked turkey. Okay, fine, I get the confusion. It wasn't terrible anyway. So, this time I go in and make it very clear what I'm ordered. I want the SMOKED turkey sandwich, Letter C, yeah, that one. And can you please ADD avocado? Because it doesn't have avocado. And I get.....the "turkey and avocado" sandwich. This time I sent it back, apologetically. I asked for the other sandwich, the LETTER C SANDWICH, NOT the turkey and avocado, the one with wasabi mayo, please! See? They are different sandwiches! (lots of pointing at the menu board here) And I get....a stupid "turkey and avocado" sandwich, except this time, they've swapped the honey mustard for plain old non-wasabi mayo. I give up. It's not a language barrier; the guy I ordered from and talked to had a very clear American accent. I'll just go back to eating my homemade sandwiches.

I love Ashbox! They're a bit out of the way, and remember to bring cash (or hit up a deli nearby), but the food is awesome. Light options range from miso soup, to homemade tofu and seaweed wraps. They've also got a sandwich and salad menu. Service is pretty speedy. My go-to order? I get the homemade tofu with bonito flakes, avocado salmon seaweed wrap, and miso soup. It comes up to around $10, but more importantly, I don't feel bogged down for the rest of the day. The food is simple yet delicious and filling. When the ladies at Ashbox call my name to let me know that my order is ready, I know that I'm in for a treat.

The pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow. I promise you it is, well at least, Ashbox is at the end of Manhattan Ave. I just kept walking and walking and when I could see the water, I also found this charming place for lunch. How cute, quaint, cozy and oh so Brooklyn. There is a wind chime on the door and something about those things always makes moments magical. The whistling of the wind through the chimes feels mystical. This place serves up some great vegetarian Japanese options. I had some miso soup chocked full of tofu and seaweed and also an onigiri rice ball, accompanied by a nice tall iced soy latte. Excellent, refreshing light meal. The place is very charming and inviting. You could linger around here for awhile and just catch up on the daily news in the WSJ or just chat with a friend. I love that it is so close to the water. After enjoying a wonderful lunch, it is great to just go stroll along the water a bit.

Oh, Ashbox. I love you. I have been working right around the corner for over a year now and this is my go-to spot for lunch. I love this cafe so much that when I think about moving away, Ashbox comes to mind, and I realize how much I would miss it. I normally get the Tofu salad- it's a mix of greens, homemade tofu (which is super soft!), grape tomatoes, cucumber, kelp, sunflower seeds, and this amazing homemade lemon miso vinaigrette. delicious. Pair this with a Spicy Salmon Mayo Onigiri (rice ball) which is my fave of them all and I've got my perfect lunch. The miso soup with fried tofu is also great. My mom's japanese, I've lived in Japan and know what good miso tastes like and this is pretty comparable. It's perfect for those cold winter days. This place is always nice and toasty as well (a nice escape from my cold office). When I'm feeling like I need something a little heartier, I go for the Turkey or Egg Salad sandwich on ciabatta bread. You can't go wrong. The staff are always very friendly and polite. I've gotten some free drinks and cookies here with my to-go orders before (I think because 1. I'm a regular 2. I tip them every time 3. They love me). It can get a little crowded after noon, but there are usually plenty of seats. If you come after 3 on a weekday you'll dodge the lunch crowd.

Great café, apparently run by two older-than-their-20s Japanese ladies. They deserve a much less ironic clientele. (It was overrun by hipsters when I was there, including a couple making out in the corner for an hour and a half). Only had the drip, but it was good. The most impressive bit was the Saturday brunch on offer (see photo). Kimchee and Japanese style eggs, with brown rice and tea or coffee for only $8. Regular food offerings look good as well. Logistics: Hours are not very extensive. Closed Sundays, and only open until 7ish most other days. And getting a table occasionally a problem. But these facts just make it all the more homey.

As others have said, it's a charmingly unique place with really good food. Pre-pandemic, the space was quirky and comfortable with plenty of little tables scattered around. Now, the indoor space is takeout only - and the owner generally taking orders and making food, so the line can move slowly - but there are a few outdoor tables. Truly unmatched for simple, fresh, healthy, and above all delicious Japanese food. There are sandwiches and salads as well - i've never tried, being fully focused on my avocado happy rolls. These are basically onigiri wrapped around a healthy slice of ripe avocado. Definitely recommend the one with barley miso. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. But the rice is somehow always excellent - it's multigrain, which is even harder to do perfectly - and you should order anything rice-based. The onigiri are enormous (pro tip - the extra 50 cents to get a fresh shiso leaf is worth it) and any of the avocado roll type things are surprisingly filling. Two is a good light lunch for me. The special beverages are also worth a try - I tried the homemade ginger ale the other day, and while it wasn't traditional ginger ale, it was tasty and refreshing. Next time I'll go back to the yuzu vinegar drink - yum.

I ate a homemade onigiri (see Marianna's review for a perfect definition). Freshly-prepared. Remarkable. My lunch was a small salad with smoked salmon and a spicy salmon and mayo onigiri ("You must really like salmon!"). The price was about $8. My salad was served in a charming wooden bowl and I believe the dressing was homemade and possibly mixed right in the bowl. Ashbox gets the fifth star when the regular coffee is better, or when I've tried the daily special. It was a chicken curry, Japanese-style, when I was there. It was popular. I'll go back. I am learning to love what I believe is everyday Japanese food (see Niko Niko on Wall Street).

A very calm, very pleasant place to get good tea. Cups of tea are a mere $2.25 and served in large mugs like you'd more likely find at a biergarten. Between getting a pot for $3.50 or the single cup, I find it a little more reasonable to take the latter. The loose tea, primarily Japanese styles, is not served in metal strainers, something I don't particularly like for infusion, but in what I think are reusable bags. I've not confirmed this. Maybe the bags are just really nice. I've had the shiitake and avocado salad here which, while tasty, wasn't particularly impressive. It was served in a wooden bowl and this is not an insubstantial detail. There's no clanging of ceramic and metal, thus less noise and more calm. The space is beautifully lit in the afternoons, and typically patronized by a less intense crowd than typical cafe & coffee shops in the area. No wi-fi. No Facebooking. Mostly writers. There's certainly plenty of space to "spread out for an hour". I'm partial to the ambiance because the background music reminds me of Pilotwings 64. I want to put on springy shoes and bounce around the continent.

A treat, and it used to be one of the only spots up north of Greenpoint Ave. The hours can be a little inconsistent, but they're so nice that it makes up for it.

Very tasty and reasonably priced. A little bit out of the way and the cash only rule is a bit annoying,

I really wanted to LOVE this place. Coming inside it gave me a warm cozy feeling. But the rest of my experience gave me something otherwise. This is not a place to study in. There are minimal outlets and NO wifi. The food here was mediocre at best and left me with a weird aftertaste. I ordered a matcha latte hoping for the best but it literally tasted like nothing. I could've made a better latte at home. So disappointed considering it's a Japanese joint. I don't think I will return. There are better options for cafes.

Really interesting food. You have to check Instagram to see what's up to date. Regular menu items like onigiri and seaweed rolls are great, but the daily specials really stand out.

Great little Asian cafe/restaurant with a decent variety of fresh, tasty meals, sandwiches and crispy salads, all for very reasonable prices. The Onigiri rice balls are ALL sensational ($4) and the sandwiches large, with a variety of bread options (all great) ($7-$9). The salads are snap fresh with a perfect subtle dose of very tasty dressing. The soups are delicious but rather small so if you're hungry add some rice or a side dish. They make a good coffee and have a great tea selection. The decor is really homey and comfortable with low key music if any, and one very appealing aspect is the fact they don't have wifi, so no computers everywhere. Because people don't sit here all day Facebooking, you can always get a table (though it is very popular), and people are actually conversing and reading newspapers. Makes for a great ambiance. Highly recommend!

My favorite weekday lunch spot in Greenpoint. I always get the lunch special - a rice cup with either meat, fish, or veggies, and the soup of day. My favorite is Ponzu Beef or the Tuna Poke. The menu changes daily with lots of variety! Highly recommended.

A decent little lunch spot. I am a big luncher, so I like finding restaurants that do only that and don't worry about dinner. I had the lunch special - pork bagel with a salad. The pork was thick and tender, and the bagel was nice and warm. The meat was served on the salad so you could construct your own bagel, though I wish it had been assembled for me. I was really taken by how tasty the dressing on the salad was. A good portion size as well. And with my tea, lunch was still under $10. Pretty good deal. I'll definitely be back - want to try their soup next.

I've never had any of their sandwiches but I have had their Japanese offerings. Onigiri, miso soup, rice dishes, etc. It's a small selection of delicious Japanese foods, but worth. The onigiri and miso are some of the best I've had! Everything is fresh and healthy here. The staff is sweet, and there's places to sit down with your friends. Recommended walk to in Greenpoint. :)

I went here years ago while visiting my daughter. I love the place. The vibe. The food. Simple and elegant. Cozy.

Ashbox is our (bf & I) go to Brunch on most Saturdays. We usually order the same stuff: a Miso soup, Tuna/Salmon happy rice and a bonito flake wrap. Everything is made with love, and you can taste this. Aside from the delicious food, the atmosphere is tranquil and serene quite different from your typical brunch spots. If you're looking for quality Japanese comfort food, then this is your spot. Ashbox always takes me back to those cute hidden coffee shops in Tokyo.