hakubai

Excellent food, but our server misremembered our drinks and add ons. It’s located in the basement of a hotel. All the fish was very fresh. The courses aren’t too sizeable either. The best was the wagyu, perfectly tender. The crab rice was good, had a slight citrus flavor and salmon roe too. We sat at the counter, but there wasn’t really much to watch as only the starter raw courses and desserts are prepared there. Everything else is made in the back kitchen and brought out, so I think choosing a table is just as fine.

Hakubai is as close as one can get to Japan in New York City. The atmosphere, the service, and the decor are understated in a way that feels very Japanese. And of course, the food is excellent. The sushi comes out at the right temperature and the rice to fish ratio is ideal (not too much rice). The fatty tuna was my favorite of the evening. The wagyu fillet is the best steak I’ve had in NYC. It’s both lean and tender. I wouldn’t describe it as “melt in your mouth”, but a comfortable and gentle chew is all you need to get it down. It comes paired with ponzu. We requested wasabi + soy sauce, which we prefer. The service staff were very thoughtful. We ordered the assorted seafood and vegetable tempura under the impression that it came with matsutake mushrooms. When it didn’t come out with the mushrooms, they offered us a complimentary serving of them. The service structure feels a bit odd, in that we watch the sushi chef prepare our order in front of us at the counter, but instead of handing it right over to the customer, they set it behind the counter until a server is available to bring it over. The short wait time certainly didn’t affect the quality of the meal. However, I think this system could be refined such that the customer isn’t left watching their prepared food sit 3 yards away from them until someone brings it over.

3stars for desserts. It’s 350 per person after tax/tips but the food was not so good. My friend and I both disliked the sauce and the chirashi they had. The dessert was pretty good.

The sushi and sashimi was of a very high quality. However, I found it to be extremely overpriced; hence the four-star rating. I ordered the amberjack and sea urchin nigiri, which were outstanding. The tuna roll was good but nothing special. The restaurant offers excellent Japanese beers. The service is top notch.

Excellent food and presentation was novel. Service was good but felt like the attentiveness of the staff was just a notch down where it should have been. Atmosphere comes off as classy but seats were just a little uncomfortable. Worst part was that there were some bugs flying around and I had to worry about them getting into my food. Not like an infestation but gnats and I spotted a fly. Despite all of this, I still had a good time and really enjoyed the food. Sashimi was fresh and alcohol selection was large. My favorite part might have been the desert courses (tasty, cute, very refreshing- particularly the strawberry shortcake) which I have attached pictures of in addition to the main courses.

Been missing good Japanese food ever since I came back from my Japan trip. I left hakubai disappointed last night . Food was overall below average and nothing to note that was outstanding. however , Ingredients were fresh . My a5 wagyu was a bit overcooked and a bit chewy. Saw the table next to ours and theirs was cooked perfectly pink . The only dish that I enjoyed was the steam egg with uni . The steamed egg was silky smooth . There was a gentleman whom I assume is the manager walking around asking each table how the food was and he didn't bother to come to our table .I thought that was odd...

We came, we saw, we kaiseki-ed. You can scroll to the bottom of my review to see what we got. Suffice it to say, I've been searching for a kaiseki spot as wonderful as the now-decreased Sugiyama that used to exist in NYC. But with omakase hogging all the Japanese spotlight (why?), there's little incentive in the restaurant world to open places dedicated to this highest style of Japanese cuisine. Thank you Hakubai for being the maverick, for renovating to new levels of elegance, and for showcasing Japanese haute cuisine at a time when too many sheeple are paying inflated prices for nigiri and thinking THAT is Japanese fine dining. The classic Japanese traits of craftsmanship, perfectionism and attention to detail are on full display here. Sit at the bar or don't even bother coming. Try one of their inventive cocktails ($22+) such as the Kiku, which is made with chrysanthemum rum, orange, honey, lemon, seedlip grove, and milk. And come before they realize that $195 for 11 courses (for a KAISEKI!) is actually really low and start hiking up their prices. .................................................. Our winter menu: - Sakizuke: crab miso - Zensai: ezo awabi, komochi kombu, ankimo - Mushimono: uni chawan-mushi - Otsukuri: sashimi - Takiawase: winter vegetables, chrysanthemum dashi - Onsai: kinmedai kenchin - Yakimono: A5 wagyu, tamamiso - Oshokuji: hitsumabushi, ochazuke, akadashi, pickles - Mizugashi: yogurt sorbet, shiso jelly, buddha's hand - Omokashi: strawberry shortcake - Ocha: dorayaki, bonbon, yuzu tartelette

Such an amazing experience. Each dish so beautifully presented like jewels, so perfectly prepared. Every bite is full of surprises and you just find yourself trying to absorb everything from the masterful art of flavor and texture in your mouth, in this very calm almost therapeutic atmosphere. Definitely recommend the counter if you are a small party. It’s fun to watch the magic happen in front of you.

The kaiseki was amazing. We're not sure we've had better meals in Japan! The decor is elegant. Despite the formal ambiance, the staff allowed us to split the table with the adults eating the kaiseki and the children (ages 12 and 8) eating from the a la carte menu. At the end, they gave us the beautiful chopsticks we used, which I think were made in a special place in Japan(?); it was a nice memento for a wonderful meal.

My husband and I just came here for our anniversary 2 days ago. We send our warmest regards to the chef, Patissiere Chef and our server Drew for an amazing experience. The food was phenomenal as expected Drew was the most wonderful and provided the most amazing service my husband and I have ever had dining out. He even has a great sense of humor that my husband pointed out and enjoyed about him! His attention to detail and precision was the highlight of our evening as we never were anxious and everything came on time. His service had made our anniversary the most amazing and wonderful one yet! However we did have a concern with another one of the servers that approached us after our meal. As we discussed and mentioned with the hotel, we find it very concerning that this one particular server purposefully came after us and discussed the bill and gratuity after the meal that we had. That has never happened to us before and found it very rude. This server inadvertently came up to my husband and I and stated that service workers in New York are "entitled" to a 20% gratuity. I found it very odd as we put 10% of the gratuity on our bill- some partly in cash and the other in credit. As we shared with the hotel, we are from Canada- where gratuity stands usually at 10-20%. That's what is usually accepted. We found it odd and very unprofessional to go after a customer. After that weird encounter, my husband provided additional cash to meet the 20% tip demand made by the server, after which the server awkwardly thanked us. Apart from that, our dining experience at Hakubai was phenomenal and made our anniversary amazing. Kindest Regards, Nikkie

We came, we saw, we kaiseki-ed. You can scroll to the bottom of my review to see what we got. Suffice it to say, I've been searching for a kaiseki spot as wonderful as the now-decreased Sugiyama that used to exist in NYC. But with omakase hogging all the Japanese spotlight (why?), there's little incentive in the restaurant world to open places dedicated to this highest style of Japanese cuisine. Thank you Hakubai for being the maverick, for renovating to new levels of elegance, and for showcasing Japanese haute cuisine at a time when too many sheeple are paying inflated prices for nigiri and thinking THAT is Japanese fine dining. The classic Japanese traits of craftsmanship, perfectionism and attention to detail are on full display here. Sit at the bar or don't even bother coming. Try one of their inventive cocktails ($22+) such as the Kiku, which is made with chrysanthemum rum, orange, honey, lemon, seedlip grove, and milk. And come before they realize that $195 for 11 courses (for a KAISEKI!) is actually really low and start hiking up their prices. .................................................. Our winter menu: - Sakizuke: crab miso - Zensai: ezo awabi, komochi kombu, ankimo - Mushimono: uni chawan-mushi - Otsukuri: sashimi - Takiawase: winter vegetables, chrysanthemum dashi - Onsai: kinmedai kenchin - Yakimono: A5 wagyu, tamamiso - Oshokuji: hitsumabushi, ochazuke, akadashi, pickles - Mizugashi: yogurt sorbet, shiso jelly, buddha's hand - Omokashi: strawberry shortcake - Ocha: dorayaki, bonbon, yuzu tartelette

This is only for the bar area. I went by to check out this new spot and I loved the area. The bar area is secluded and spacious. No need to fight for a spot to sit. The bartender was amazing, and frequently came by to check if we needed anything. We only had one drink, but will return. We had the ume and it was light and refreshing.

Delightful kaiseki experience, seasonal selections of ingredients and plates, reminiscing childhood memories of hearty foods made by family members with love. All of the plates were artfully crafted and delivered a wide range of tastes, a fine line. Excited for the fall, winter, and more seasonal menus.

Been missing good Japanese food ever since I came back from my Japan trip. I left hakubai disappointed last night . Food was overall below average and nothing to note that was outstanding. however , Ingredients were fresh . My a5 wagyu was a bit overcooked and a bit chewy. Saw the table next to ours and theirs was cooked perfectly pink . The only dish that I enjoyed was the steam egg with uni . The steamed egg was silky smooth . There was a gentleman whom I assume is the manager walking around asking each table how the food was and he didn't bother to come to our table .I thought that was odd...

Gorgeous restaurant, amazing food, wonderful wine & sake pairing, incredibly hospitable staff. Definitely looking forward to returning soon!

Hidden, wonderful restaurant! Sushi incredibly fresh, eel might be best I have had. Desserts were wonderful too. Excellent service, and very friendly! Look forward to going back soon!

Steam egg, sashimi, and strawberry cake are super delicious. Will be back for them again

It was an incredible experience. ! The food. The sake pairings and the service were fantastic. Would definitely go back.

Went on April 2024. Authentic Japanese Kaiseki. $225 / person. Eight course with three deserts

I came here for my boyfriend's birthday and what a lovely restaurant inside The Kitano hotel. The waitresses were dressed in such nice kimonos and so accommodating. Even though we weren't in the private room the dining room were in sections, giving us some personal space. We ordered the Sushi okonomi kaiseki and special kaiseki. All the dishes were beautifully plated, like a piece of art, very delicious art. Ordered sake from their wide array of alcoholic beverages. We were satisfyingly full from their small dishes to the plentiful plate of sushi and their tender wagyu beef. The dinner ended with a dessert of black sesame ice cream, coffee jello with cream and a mochi. The restaurant knew it was a birthday dinner that they brought out a complementary chocolate mousse cake and a handkerchief from the hotel. Overall, what a great experience and well worth the price for a special occasion.

As always love Hakubai so so much. Def one of my fav Japanese restaurants. This time went there for my bf's birthday. We went for the special Kaiseki and seasonal Kaiseki. Service was as always GREAT. Food came with great portion (I was sooooo full afterwards). Loved every single course. Best part was that they prepared cheesecake for the birthday and the waitress sang the bday song walking over. People sitting around also clapped hands. Such a great atmosphere. We both felt so grateful. They also prepared a little pretty cloth as gift to us. Wonderful bday dinner. Will def come back again and again and again. Though Kaiseki for me is too much food. Next time might get a la cart.

Wow, oh wow. My sister invited me here for lunch, since she interns at the hotel Kitano. It looked pricey, but she promised we would get a discount. Honestly, even without a discount, I would come back, because this place is so legit. Hakubai reminds me of a Japanese restaurant that I ate at in Taiwan. All the servers are dressed in kimono and are extremely well-mannered. It doesn't matter who you are or what you're wearing, they will treat you with the same respect in every way. After being guided to our seats, we ordered - my sister ordered udon while I ordered the Chirashi. The meals came with an appetizer, on the house. The appetizers were very unique. My sister had a hard time eating it, as they were not for the faint of heart. They were vegetables - some unrecognizable green and some eggplant. The taste was very Japanese, but unlike anything I'd had before. The Chirashi was super fresh - you could tell the fish was fresh due to its lack of icy bite and the smooth texture. The quantity and variety of the sashimi was impressive. The fresh uni and scallop were my favorite. Dessert was simple but complex and elegant at the same time. My sister ordered what I wanted to order, which was a beautiful and more traditional Japanese dessert of red bean cream anmitsu. I went with the rooibos tea jelly, which was a delicate gelatin that tasted strongly of black tea. Service, quality of the food and display are 5 stars. Prices are a little steep but you definitely get what you pay for!

Delicious, delicious, delicious! We requested a tatami room and was lucky enough to get one on a busy weekend night. We ordered the Special kaiseki, sushi kaiseki, steak kaiseki, Miyazaki Wagyu A5 beef entree with side orders of salmon belly and toro. Every single course was awesome - as you would expect from a good Japanese restaurant. I definitely will come back here again.

Overall the food is good. The waitress all wear traditional clothes and we felt like we are In Japan. We came here for lunch and got the Hakubai lunch course. Overall the food is good but it's a bit pricy for its portion. The sashimi was amazingly good and I regretted not getting the sashimi set instead.

The place is relatively spacious - tables are large. Service is great. The food's pretty good, but definitely overpriced. For a $50 chirashi bowl, I was expecting a little more - and I don't mean quantity. The bowl is small, but the quality didn't live up. The fish is fresh, but could be much fresher, especially the ikura. I can get really picky about sashimi and the fish here just didn't justify that sort of pricing. The rice was good, delicately fat and round. Beef teriyaki was savory and sweet and had good depth, but the meat just wasn't tender enough and that's a big part of the dish. The green tea ice cream needed a lot more flavor. Loved that they have coffee jelly.

Long heard of its renown Buddhism feature, I was intrigued by Hakubai, a signature Japanese restaurant proudly serving seasonal Kaiseki cuisine. Chef Yukihiro Sato san has indicated his appreciation of Zen throughout the multi-course tasting menu, which I found myself deeply fond of. Sato san loves seasonal items - from the beginning towards the end! Sesame tofu with the sight touch of flora scent, baby squid with a bit of the flavor of miso sauce, octopus that was carefully marinated - this is more like a journey of food tasting! Wagyu grill was certainly highlight of the night. Sizzlingly in front of me, the meat was perfectly cooked and served with care. To be honest, after enjoying a set of wonderfully designed dishes, I was expecting more for dessert; however Hakubai let me down a bit. Vanilla ice cream and melon were certainly not bad, yet apparently was not living up to the hype. I would imagine something more delicate, more interesting, or, more exotic to come. As a city in scarce of Kaiseki cuisine, I saw New York needed to work harder. Hakubai was not flawless, yet I did see lots of potential from it. So far, my favorite Kaiseki remains Rosanjin (closed).

Excellent all around! The service is phenomenal. At no time was our waters empty. We started with edamame and an 5 appetizer platter. It was very delightful. For dinner We ordered maki rolls of spicy tuna, vegetable, avocado salmon and California King Crab. I have had a lot of sushi and can say this is the best. It was very fresh tasting. Even the ginger was not overly pickled tasting. It was fresh tasting and not sour or to hot. The hot sake stayed hot during our meal and was very nice as well. Meek sure to make a reservation as it is not a large restaurant.

This is a fantastic place! I am surprised to find not that many reviews for this place. We went there for birthday celebration and ordered the Sushi Kaiseki ($140) and the Special Kaiseki ($180). We were soooooo full and soooooo happy at the end!! There was so much food, all of them were super delicious and beautifully presented. And the Wagyu beef was, ah, like butter! So delicious. I definitely think the price is way way more than reasonable. This is a wonderful place, we will definitely go back!

I went here for a special dinner. I can't speak on the prices as I was treated to dinner and everything was ordered for the table. The hospitality was wonderful. The staff were all dressed in traditional Japanese clothing. The tables are all separated into separate, more intimate rooms. We had warm sake with dinner and it was very smooth. I'm usually not a sake fan but I had never had it warm before. It was much better than cold or room temperature sake. All of the food we tried was delicious. We had the dumplings, octopus(one of my favorites), pork, fried chicken, miso soup, tempura, cod (amazing!), sesame ice cream, and green tea ice cream. We had some other dishes but I can't remember. I tried the sesame ice cream just to try something new and I would definitely order it again. It was different but good.

This restaurant is downstairs of Kitano Hotel. We can here for lunch meeting this time and we had "weekly business lunch set" (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture). The price was just $38 and we receive Japanese style fried chicken, fish cake, dashimaki, sashimi, pickles, salad, Rice, Miso soup. (They change the menus every four days). All food was super fresh and the server is professional!

I went for lunch kaiseki and it was a great experience. The only disappointing course was the appetizer, which they incorporated different flavors and styles. I'd say I did not enjoy most of it. Otherwise, everything else was delicious. My favorite was the black cod, which was tender, flavorful and left me wanting more. If you want to experience good kaiseki but don't want to break the bank, try Hakubai's lunch. It is worth it!

If you're in NY, head down to the Kitano Hotel and experience this fine restaurant. It's very fine Japanese cuisine, none of this fusion food, just only the best ingredients ever. I had the Kobe Beef ($100) and wow, I gobble it like crazy. The meat was very tender and practically melts in my mouth. I'm going to try the Kaiseki, like Sebastian suggested. Should be yummy! Ok, I returned a month later and tried the Kaiseki. Kaiseki is a collection of small tapas-like dishes delivered to your table one at a time so you can experience each one. Exquisite. Yes I highly recommend it.

Came here for the Winter kaiseki. Even though its situated in a hotel. You do get a restaurant feel as they have the whole basement to themselves. The decor once you step in takes you to Japan. A section with tatami mats and tables and paper slide doors gives you a great ambiance. It's pricey for the kaiseki but to experience it was enjoyable. The wait staff service was great and they wore traditional kimonos. The food presentation was outstanding and took great care. Almost like artwork. Ingredients were fresh and tasty. I was quite a fan of the tofu and the oysters. The sushi fish was very fresh as well. For those special occassions it is rewarding.

Best sushi I have had outside of Japan. I love this place the decor is super traditional Japanese and all the waitstaff are Japanese. Service was excellent waitress was extremely attentive and polite. The sake menu was very deep with many varieties to have hot or cold. This is not your American style sushi the appetizers I had consisted of delicious monkfish liver and some sort of fish eggs. The sushi rolls were absolutely fabulous I loved how fresh the fish was and the spicy tuna roll was perfectly made with the right amount of wasabi in it. The vegetable roll was so good I'm still not sure what was inside of it but I really enjoyed it. I can't stop talking about quality here the salmon was so fresh I would swear it was swimming minutes before it was served. The ginger was of high quality. I cannot rate the desserts here because I indulged in too much sushi.

It pains me to leave just a so-so review of this place, as I like the ambiance and the staff are very courteous - Japanese style courteous. But the food (sushi) is just ok and for the price, it should be better. The soba and tempura are better, I think. I came here mostly to have a conversation. It's quiet enough for that.

Love their sushi kaiseki. Everything was done perfectly. The only compliant is that we didn't get to sit inside the room cuz the room is for 3+ ppl.

I brought my lovely man friend here last night for his birthday after grabbing an awesome deal for the omakase kaiseki menu from Travelzoo. You have to make a reservation at least 48 hours in advance to get this menu, and I can see why. Every single course is so thoughtfully prepared and served, presenting a wide range of flavors and textures. Each item we had was its own little adventure of freshness and flavor. Seriously, yum. I had to write about it today while the experience was fresh in my mind. Let's start at the beginning: You enter the restaurant through the lobby of the hotel, which yes, feels weird if you aren't staying there. It's down a little, hidden-feeling staircase in the back and you could easily miss it if you weren't looking. Once downstairs, you're lead to your table by a waitress is traditional dress and seated. We started off with some cold sake and got settled in for our epic eating adventure. First course was a sesame tofu/fava bean dish topped with wasabi. I can honestly say I've never eaten anything like it in my life. I thought that was awesome, but if you're not an adventurous eater look out. Next we were served a series of appetizers the strangest of which I think was herring roe with kelp, which kind of had the texture of eating a sponge, and the most delicious of which was some roast duck breast. Everything here was pretty good though and came in such adorable little pottery. Wrapping up the appetizer course we were served an egg custard dish that had crab meat and mochi in it. Wow, again, this was a crazy experience for my mouth in both flavor and texture. Definitely one of the standout items of the meal. Our next course was assorted sashimi, served in a beautiful bowl made entirely of chipped ice. It was like receiving a beautiful jewelry box that then you got to eat. Awesome. Then came lobster tempura. Hot, crispy, yummy and a large portion to boot. Moving on we were served another round of small dishes, this time the beef wrapped around asparagus and fried was definitely the stand out. The cod with sea urchin was interesting, but I'd have almost rather just had traditional sea urchin here. Up next: sushi and miso soup. Honestly I was so full by this point that it was over kill, but everything continued to be delicious. Lastly, green tea ice cream, fruit, and this crazy jelly and brown bean sauce dish. I nice balance of the familiar with the weird to end the meal. We basically had to crawl home we were so full. Everything was amazing. While the atmosphere isn't particularly sexy or fun, the food takes center stage here and I would highly recommend this for a special occasion dinner. Good service throughout the evening as well.

Hakubai serves up a variety of Japanese cuisine, but the main draw is what's known as a kaiseki course. For those that are unfamiliar, a kaiseki meal typically involves a variety of carefully crafted dishes. The flavor profile of the dishes is natural sweetness of the ingredients that are involved. Using ingredients that are in season is therefore critical. Presentation is also very important - and making the dish look as well as taste good is a key component of kaiseki. We've been to Hakubai twice before and tried the summer kaiseki omakase and the Valentine's special dinner. Recently, we were back for the winter kaiseki omakase menu with the Travelzoo $175 for 2 voucher. We called one week ahead to make reservations, hoping they would seat us together with 6 people (3 vouchers), but were told that we can only use 2 vouchers per table on Saturday. This was disappointing, as it seemed that there was no reason why they cannot accommodate this simple request. They certainly have available tables that fit 6 people. We had some amazing dishes last two times, with some memorable dishes being sashimi served on an ice bowl and lobster tempura in a basket. This time we were pleasantly surprised by sashimi being served in little drawers. Also, we were served an interesting dish that involved deep -fried brown rice mochi cooked in a delicious sauce, which was something that I haven't tried before. All the dishes were delicately presented, with each having matching dishware . The flavors are light and everything was fresh with the seasonal ingredients. The only thing I didn't really like this time was the sushi which was just average. Here is our menu for reference: 1st Appetizer: Sesame Tofu Topped with Salmon Roe and Wasabi in Dashi Broth 2nd Appetizer: Broiled Watercress with Mushroom, Daikon with Minced Chicken, Monkfish Liver, Crab Meat/Jellyfish in Vinegar, Burdock wrapped in Beef 3rd Appetizer: Clear Soup with Crab Cake 1st Course: Assorted Sashimi 2nd Course: Deep-Fried Brown Rice Mochi and White Fish 3rd Course: Washu Beef Steak 4th Course: Fresh Raw Oyster Main Course: Assorted Sushi and Akadashi Miso Soup Dessert Platter Overall, it was an enjoyable meal, and I would not hesitate to come back again if another coupon/voucher comes up. The original price of $175 per person is just too much even considering the quality of the meal that is being provided.

I too had bought a Travelzoo coupon for this place. Why did I buy it? Well, I really really like sushi, so yea I bought it out of the blue. This place was located in the basement of the Kitano Hotel. I was at the lobby waiting for my dining partner to arrive and I feel this hotel was very geared towards Asians. It seems like most of the people staying at the hotel were Japanese themselves, which to me was quite interesting. I guess it makes sense that a Japanese restaurant is inside a Japanese hotel. Anyway, the restaurant didn't seem too big, but I'm not sure about that since we sat at the bar-ish area. So with the Travelzoon coupon, we were limited to a lot of foods, so we had to be very selective of what we can order. For appetizers, we've gotten the grilled silver cod, which was pretty darn good, but it's really small. We've also gotten the simmered duck breast, which was pretty flavorful. For our third appetizer, we've gotten the salt grilled delicious part of pork, which they were right it was pretty delicious. Which part of the pork? I don't know, the delicious part! I still find it funny because it seem like it was a translation gone weird for this appetizer. As for entree, we've both gotten the assorted sushi and sashimi platter. We were aiming for the premium sushi and sashimi platter, but they told us the coupon did not include that. But on the coupon, it did not state that the premium wasn't included, but we did not argue with the server. Alright, as a sushi lover, how was it here. Umm...it was was alright, passable, but not amazing. I can get better sushi at a cheaper place. For dessert, I've gotten the Cream An-Mitsu, which has diced Japanese plain jelly and mixed fruit syrup, topped with vanilla ice cream and sweet red bean sauce. Now, the dessert was pretty good and I liked it a lot. As for my dining partner, he gotten the Rooibos Tea Jelly, which is their tea from South Africa with jelly topped with cream sauce and whipped cream sprinkled with biscuit. The name of this dessert sound really interesting, but it was on the bland side. Overall, the service was good. Some of the appetizers were good, but dang they are really small! Even with the coupon, the bill was still pretty steep.

I came here with a party of 7. Majority of us had the Okonomi Kaiseki. Very interesting, my first time at an authentic Japanese place where it's not run by Chinese ppl. Many differences, such as the service and atmosphere... So freakin quiet when we got there... So peaceful.. I know they like tranquility but Im not into that. It was nice that all the waitresses were in full kimonos. The many Kaiseki dishes were served in little bowls and plates. My favorite presentation was the sushi which sat atop a tree trunk with ice. Adorable! I chose the steak entree and I loved my choice. It came in a ceramic drawer. Very good.. I was actually full because our food came out one by one so I ate everything slowlyyy. Also had the Washu Beef shabu shabu course, which was really smooth beef that melted in my mouth. Delicious. The quality is def not like the Chinese shabu shabu places I always go to. I enjoyed this experience, but $1k for 7 ppl... This is probably goin to be the only time I come here. I like modern places, and would rather spend $ at morimoto again

As previous reviewers before me...I came upon this deal through the TravleZoo deal. I will say that the appetizers were good...I had the egg custard with crab meat, fried tofu and a mix of jelly fish and seaweed salad. I eat out a lot and tend to go to a lot of Asian restaurants so in comparison these were okay and for the price of the deal..very good. The entree is where my slight disappointment came. Since this was a Japanese restaurant I have to admit I was looking forward to having their sushi. I ordered the assorted sushi dish...which was listed for $40 dollars. When the dish came I must say I was disappointed to the point of being a little shocked. Yes the presentation was nice but the sushi itself was not. There were around 10 pieces and a California Roll. If go to a Japanese restaurant and order chef choice sushi....I wouldn't expect to get a California Roll of all things on my dish. The other pieces I got were Salmon, Tuna Fluke....nothing exciting or special. The Salmon piece was so large, reminded me of Korean sushi. The flavor was okay...It was nothing that I couldn't get at any sushi place with a $ 1 a piece sushi. My partner had Japanese Steak which was good. The desert was original something, I have not had before was the coffee jelly with vanilla ice scream. Overall it was a nice experience for the price of the deal. At the end of the meal, they expect you to tip on the full price of the meal which they list at $198...considering they deal was only $80...that seems steep. On the other hand I don't think the food I had was in anyway worth $198. In my opinion if you are advertising through such a venue and expect return service, I wouldn't be serving California rolls on a chef choice sushi dish that you charge $40 for. On the other hand they had a nice choice of noodles and rice dishes at very reasonable prices which I do want to try..So overall experience okay for the deal I got...not for what they charge.

Not even close. I have a feeling there are going to be a slew of reviews on Hakubai based on the Travelzoo deal, and I doubt many will be complimentary. Like others, I happened upon Hakubai through Travelzoo. I do not know if it is because of the Travelzoo voucher the food was poor, or if its poor in general. I don't like that it's not written anywhere definitely what you get with the Travelzoo deal. Apparently, one voucher gets you 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 drinks, and 2 desserts. Sounds like a lot of food, and it definitely is not. And the way Travelzoo sold it, sounded like it was the Kaiseki meal, which it also is not. The appetizers were good, though portions were tiny. The silver cod at $24 normally, I am not sure who in their right mind would order that if they knew the portion size. Nothing special on the squid. The two pork appetizers were good, and the duck was delicious, though portion size could have been improved. The entrees were really disappointing. We ordered 2 sushi platters and 2 Japanese steaks. The steaks were nothing special, and the sushi was so sad, I cannot imagine anyone paying $40 for the plate. The knife work on the sushi was poor, and the flavor was fine, but I've definitely had better, for a lot cheaper. It came with a piece of scrambled egg, less than 10 pieces of sushi, and a tuna roll (a very sad tuna roll where it's just a tiny bit tuna, rice, wrapped in seaweed. The dessert was so unforgettable, I'm not even going to bother. They expected to be tipped on the full price of the meal, which I get, but considering the food I received was not worth $400, tipping $80 on what I paid $158 on was ridiculous. And to top it off, I cannot say I even felt the food was worth $158, much less double that price. I get that you are advertising on Travelzoo, but this is their time to drum up business and get new customers. I WILL NOT be coming back, there are so many other places to go if I want over priced Japanese food. And btw, the bathroom did not have a good smell.

Located in the Kitano Hotel's basement level, this Japanese restaurant is hidden away from the normal public. The lunch boxes are a great deal for those who want to try a bit of everything. Start with a hand towel warm and wet. The unique sesame tofu starter is a must-try - it's superbly firm with a delicious taste and strong creme texture. The seaweed salad had a nice light summer feel to it. The tea was hot and served in the cup to a limit well-below the cup so that one could hold the cup without burning your fingers. I had a taste of the eel & cucumber roll - not too salty, a little too sticky on the rice. The soba was over a fresh bed of crushed ice and tasty, but the soba dipping sauce wasn't enough for the tempura and the soba. The tempura was a mixed vegetable and seafood, chopped up and covered in the breading and fried into a cake, cut in two... a little strange, and not entirely a great way of showcasing the tastes of the seafood or the vegetables well. Other people's tempura came in separate pieces, which I think were done very well. The salmon teriyaki compared favorably to another person's authentic experience. Dessert - the agar with red bean and vanilla ice cream was tasty, but the ice cream had some heavy ice particles, almost like it wasn't mixed right during the cooling process. From other reviewers, people noted the good service... I'm not as impressed. A group of five, we often waited on getting spoons, refills of tea, and even our dishes came somewhat separated. They did take my coat and offered for one companion, but not the other three. And they were fastest with the check. The server was perhaps too busy with the two larger tables with Japanese businessmen? No one at our table spoke Japanese, so perhaps that's the key. So the food was interesting and the service lacked. Something to experience once, but probably won't pop into here for more than the appetizer of the tofu again.

It easily becomes my favorite Japanese restaurant! I just came back from the popular Gari of sushi 46, and was Really disappointed as I just went to Hakubai yesterday, and had high expectation on what sushi of gari will offer. I would say hakubai worths every single dollar that you pay. Everything is so fresh and delicate! I enjoyed each bite of the meal and can't wait to come back again! Definitely try their omasake kaiseki and their seasonal special, you won't disappoint. From bluefin otoro, to giant clam and even their wangyu beef, everything is in perfection. In addition, the service is impeccable! All waitress and waitresses wear kimonos and they are all very knowledgable. If you are looking for traditional Japanese meal, love the freshness and quality of ingredients and a peaceful and quiet Japanese environment to enjoy a great meal, you won't definite won't disappoint.

3.5 stars. An intimate restaurant in the basement of a hotel... Given my love of Japanese food, and the fact that I've already hand-picked my favorite Japanese restaurants from our little island, it often takes a lot of courage for my foodpanions to suggest a Japanese restaurant. Despite the 3 stars (3.5 really), I give a lot of props to my date for picking this one... you know, considering... ;-) Our menu comprised: - cold tofu with okra & wasabi - assorted veggie apps - dashi soup with kona eel - sashimi (amberjack, sea bass, medium fatty) - lobster & zucchini, grilled sea bass with egg yolk, jellyfish & chicken salad - sushi (fatty tuna, amberjack, kohara, omelette, scallop, jumbo shrimp, eel, ikura, uni) - dessert (vanilla & green tea ice cream, mochi, tea jelly) Pretty satisfying selection of courses and everything generally tasted fresh/home-cooked. Our server recommended two different bottles of sake and we liked both of them. What I felt Hakubai lacked, however, was an oomph factor... you know, a little something to give your tongue a little jiggle and your belly a little giggle. Service was on par with what you'd expect from a nice Japanese resto. Decor was simple... the nooks and crannies of the floor plan made the space intimate. I would not mind returning, especially if convenient; but this isn't one I'd particularly recommend.

This restaurant was in a Japanese hotel. It's underground so expect no cell phone signal. The food was slightly above average (3.5 star). I really liked the dessert, which included a Japanese style sticky cake, a sesame ice cream, and a coffee jelly. The waitress was very polite but the food was served pretty slow.

This is one of the best japanese restaurant in New York! Its pricey but the fish quality is unbeatable! The sashimi was so fresh, and the grilled black cod literally tasted like butter! Love love love! Desserts are also good but simple, nothing too special.

This place is so overrated. The restaurant is located inside the Kitano Hotel, with waitresses dressed in kimonos. The place was filled with Japanese people. You can't go wrong right? My dining partner and I went there for dinner and had the Omakase Kaiseki. The food was uninspired and pretty bland. Seriously, that meal was not worth $170 per person. It has only been a week, and I would have forgot what I ate if it wasn't for the fact that we snapped a few photos. Not to mention that I've left other kaiseki places feeling stuffed to my guts and the meal was not as expensive as this place. This place most likely caters to the Japanese tourists that probably stay in the Kitano Hotel. Definitely not worth going back to - NYC has better options!

Easily my favorite Kaiseki in the city and currently my all-out favorite restaurant in the city if you want to drop $100+ on a meal. This is the most pleasant surprise as I wasn't really expecting much coming into the meal. Located in the basement of the muted, but beautiful Kitano Hotel in Midtown East, Hakubai is an absolute must for special occasions. I hesitate in posting a review only because I want to keep this place all for myself...but that'd be doing a disservice to the wonderful food and amazing service we experienced here. They are currently offering a seasonal "Summer Specialty" Okonomi Kaiseki menu that hovers around $100-120 depending on which main entree you pick. Given that many omakase places in the city easily cost $100 and up, this is ABSOLUTELY more worthwhile and way the hell more satisfying and filling. Good sushi/sashimi is obviously very good, but I find the exorbitant price points in the city laughable, especially when you know a $240 omakase isn't going to be 3x better than the $80 right down the street. Anyway-- here's the menu: Appetizer: Corn tofu topped with salmon roe, wasabi and dashi soup Light, bright, and vinegary, this dish wakes you right up Then comes a little 5-piece appetizer set that are all essentially bite size but beautifully done, and it consists of: 1. Deep fried tilefish in vinaigrette sauce: dope and generous portions of tilefish. 2. Green vegetable and deep fried tofu in dashi broth: reminiscent of the very first appetizer, I definitely appreciated how savory this one was. 3. Simmer chilled eggplant: oh-so-good eggplant that had just the right texture. 4. Steamed scallop and edamame with grated daikon: not for everyone because of the daikon, but this was some pretty decent scallop. 5. Asparagus marinated in sesame and vinegar sauce: I could eat this sauce with everything. Everything. First course: Clear soup of conger eel and vegetable Sounds much simpler than it is, but it is primarily a clear soup with general strips of eel that helps to clean your palate following the 5-cup appetizer you just finished. Second course: Assorted sashimi of the day-- varies given what fish they have on hand but we had a mixture of butterfish, mackerel, tuna, snapper, yellowjack and something else that I forgot. Generous cuts and delicious. Third course: Grilled Iberico pork, teriyaki squid and chilled steamed egg custard sea bream soup Good lord, both the pork and squid were decadent and perfectly done. The squid wasn't overly chewy at all and had just the right amount of crisp. Fourth course: Crab, Jellyfish, and cucumber marinated in vinegar Wasn't too impressed with this one, especially given the meager crab portion, but it was doable. Main course: Choose from-- prime beef, assorted sushi, tempura, or soba noodles with shrimp tempura I had the beef and my gf had the assorted sushi. The beef portions could've been bigger but beef doesn't get much better than that. The sushi portion was quite large and would totally order again. I would also happily come back and try the tempura as several others in the dining room ordered it. Dessert varies by day but on this particular one we had three--count them, three-- to sample. One consisted of that clear jelly topped with matcha powder bathed in a honey sauce. Another was a sesame ice cream, and the last was a jelly with fruit in it. This dessert would easily go for $15-18 in any other restaurant. Overall, I can't recommend this place enough and will definitely be coming back in the near future.

My husband introduced me to this place. 2012 was my first visit to this place. I usually had sashimi but our recent visit was interesting because I ordered the snapper fish head. Yes I like fish head and I don't feel like it's staring at me *:) This is a very traditional restaurant, so if you like modern fusion style sushi then this is not the place. When it comes to Japanese food, I prefer the traditional food. Overall I give this place 5 stars because they wear pretty kimonos *=) of course I'm joking about that but they do have pretty kimonos! The staff is very pleasant. We usually talk to our servers everywhere we go. I observe every corner every time I visit every restaurant. Loved my meal here! If I had 3 hands I'd give 3 thumbs-up. So I'm giving 2 thumbs-up! *:)

We came to Hakubai on a Travelzoo coupon sometime last year. It is inside the Kitano Hotel downstairs. It is kind of hidden so people won't know about the restaurant unless they stayed at the hotel. It is a cute Japanese restaurant that reminds me of Japan. It seems like a very authentic place. The customer service is also pretty good. It is an expensive place if you don't come here with a coupon. The coupon was worth it. I remember the food being pretty good and decent. More authentic and not like the items you would normally find at an American Japanese restaurant. And I appreciate that. It doesn't feel like you're going to a typical Japanese restaurant. I did notice a lot of people were there too. It seems like they're doing well.

We found this place on Google maps, so happy we decided to check it out. The sushi was freshly made, we loved the the warm sake but wished it was a little warmer. I highly recommend this place for anyone visiting midtown Manhattan and loves sushi

One of my favorite Japanese restaurants in NYC. Either a 4 or 5. Food I would say 5 but cost is more a 4. Sushi is super fresh (none of the fishy smell). Ramen is very fresh, light, has balanced vegetable and protein (it was a touch too flavorful for me, but my fiancé liked it perfectly). Their tempura was very good (fish especially good and so was the shrimp). Dessert is awesome, especially ice cream. Definitely superb and Naomi Osaka was at this hotel.

Was a little disappointed w this dinner last night as we all had great expectations before coming here. First, they never let my gf know that you have to order your kaiseki and omakase the day before so we were left w the a la carte choices. And I think the 25 cents donated to a lunch for children in underdeveloped countries is a shame bc they charge $10.25 for the Chawanmushi, really? You can't afford to donate at least $1? It was a shock to see that on the menu! The food was all very mediocre so I don't think it warrant the hype as now there are so many more creative Japanese restaurants out there

Best Japanese food I have ever had in America hands down!!! Definitely worth ever single dollar spent. The tuna roll just melted in your mouth... Same with the salmon nigiri. And the beer teriyaki was to die for. I ate there yesterday and I'm already thinking about when I can go back!

Seriously? I'm the first person to write a review for this place? I've been coming here for 15 plus years. It's amazing. My wife is Japanese. I'm a quarter. I've lived in Japan... I don't think you can find a more legit traditional style Japanese restaurant in Manhattan. The nabe yaki udon here awesome.

Wow! We have been talking about going here for a while, so glad we did. We will be back! We split the tuna, and premium sushi. The fish was so fresh it melts in your mouth. Large assortments of wine and sake. Cute restaurant,located in the Kitano hotel.