Juban

My fiancé and I are always looking for pockets of home (Hawaii) wherever we are, and we’re grateful to have found Juban in New York City. Not only is the food authentic and delicious (yakitori and sushi are to die for!) but the atmosphere is welcoming and cozy and the staff is like family to us. The sake selection is also on point! If you can, stop by for a drink, some skewers and the vibes.

I will try not to be biased as it’s the first time I encounter a business that shares my name, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Very intimate restaurant serving mostly smaller portions. I was a big fan of the sushi and skewers. The sushi was fresh and definitely higher quality. Many things are made in house. My wife liked the homemade Matcha cake. Service was top notch.

From across the street you are struck by the stunning brightly lit giant mosaic of what looks to be peonies in full bloom in a vibrant swirl of bright blues and pinks. The oversized wooden door is typically thrust open, weather permitting, in a welcoming gesture and you are further greeted by the oversized paper lantern by the door on your right as you enter taking two step up through the threshold of the doorway. When you walk in, you enter into a dark stone and wooden Izakaya which transports you to Japan. The aromas of fresh fish, homemade soy sauce, the grill, and fresh citrus fills the nostrils furthers the experience. On this evening, Mikio greeted a friendly, “hello” at the bar as he led me and my friend to our seats, a creative cubby style seating to accommodate two guests sitting in benches at an intimate 90 degree angle. I always drink the Tokyo Sour which has a perfect acidity to cut the fattiness of the Yakitori and some of the fish to come later on. We enjoyed the freshest seaweed salad with a delicately earthy sesame dip. The Tako Wasa is a must with the brightness of the wasabi and plesantly textured raw octopus. The staff seamlessly works together to replenish drinks and water, with the owner himself gracefully moving about in his precisely coordinated outfits. The Momo Yakitori with the delightedly juicy morsels which are perfectly charred, and are always my favorite here. The Sashimi Five Kinds, which is consistently served perfectly slightly below room temperature, had us nodding in enjoyment followed by a Toro-Scallion Handroll special with the extraordinarily crispy seaweed and fatty tuna which melts in the mouth, leaving the guests wanting more. The Salted Caramel Mochi is the perfectly salty and sweet morsel to simultaneously cleanse and amuse the palate. I have been gatekeeping this restaurant for a while now, but felt only fair to share my true thoughts about Juban. Thank you, Juban!

Great food and drinks, and the wait staff were very friendly! Loved the vibe and decor as well. Favorites were the spicy cucumber and karaage

It’s a very intimate space for dinner and the cocktails are worth the price. The yakitori was alright, the meatballs are dry not very juicy like other places I tried. Mushrooms are burnt… The appetizers are great! Recommend the octopus Kara age as well as the eggplant!

My husband and I travel to NYC a few times a year, and we always make a point to dine at this restaurant whenever we're in the city. The cocktails are consistently outstanding, the service is impeccable, and the food is absolutely delicious. We love to take our time here—starting with a fresh cocktail at the bar, chatting with the locals and friendly staff, then moving to a table to leisurely enjoy each dish. It's truly one of our favorite spots, and we can’t wait to return!

Great spot! The decor and vibe were wonderful. The food was delicious. Highly recommend the spicy cucumber and the octopus karaage. Will be going back!!

This is a small neighborhood izakaya that truly delivers. The staff is warm, welcoming, and attentive, and the food is consistently excellent. As someone from São Paulo—where there’s no shortage of great izakayas—I can say this place is truly on that level. The drinks are also incredible, and the bartender’s service is excellent. I believe the attendant’s name was Mikio—I hope I’m not mistaken! Either way, thank you, Mikio!