Kawabun NYC

Having visited Japan about 8 times, Kawabun transported us back for much less than a Japan Air ticket. This is our third visit - better now that they can serve beer and wine. The chef offers many classical favorites and lots of totally unique recipes I’d never tried before. The downstairs room is beautiful and comfortable and the service is enthusiastic. Highly recommended when you want something a bit different. Shout out to the sushi chef who was happy to split everything in half!

We went for happy hour during the week, honestly did not expect to have great food/snacks. We ended up ordering almost every dish on the happy hour menu 🤣 I love the sushi, it very refreshing to pair with the cocktails. If you are looking for something light before dinner, try this place.

Join me for Japanese culture and flavor from centuries old at Kawabun where it’s history can dateback to the first half of the 17th century with founder Kawachiya Bunzaemon. Step inside history with contemporary and modern setting with their friendly staffs. With warm cozy lighting, it’s an excellent place to enjoy a delicious meal and drink with friends, family and loved ones. They have seasonalmenus and sakes perfect for those who seek something different. Eachdish is made to order so there is a wait but I’m telling you, it’s worth the wait. Choose from sashimi, different kinds of sushi, appetizers, main courses, and a variety of Wagyu beef! Freshness and quality will be the feedback from your tastebuds. Make your reservations on Opentable and come taste the flavors of traditional Japan!

The eel rice is a MUST. The more expensive option comes with pickles and dashi so you can pair the eel with different flavors. While eel is definitely their specialty, the other dishes were also very good. The chicken Karaage was so juicy and crispy. When I bit in, the juice squirted across the table to the chair across lol. Overall, this place preserves the authentic Japanese tastes and traditions well. Will definitely be back again.

Had a lovely experience, albeit a little overpriced but really what can you expect? The food is pretty good, but the portions are a bit small and some of it is probably replicable elsewhere. The atmosphere and service itself was really great and we had an overall enjoyable time. The momo mocktail tasted very strongly of shiso rather than peach, if that’s your thing. We also got some sashimi, chicken karaage, and yasai tempura which were all excellent but not phenomenal. Overall, the high price tag and small portion size probably means we won’t dine here often, but a great place to celebrate something or take someone out on a date!

The food at this restaurant is quite delicious, whether it's the sushi or the hot dishes, all with flavors that lean more toward traditional tastes. Beyond the food, the service and ambiance are also excellent, creating a cozy atmosphere that makes it a great spot for small gatherings with friends.

really enjoyed this place. the food was excellent and unique (at least for me) and the flavors across all dishes were pretty outstanding. service was a bit slow but i think they were understaffed that particular evening. also its one of those places where you see mostly japanese eating and that's a great sign. We were four diners.

TLDR: Kawabun literally feels like going back to Japan. Came for a la carte but everything we ordered, we enjoyed. Shitake Ebi Shinjo, Tabaragani, Tai Donabe, Ume Potato Salad, Saba Buozushi. We weren't even planning to eat here but it was a very random meal and so tasty. The interior is done very nicely, this feels like being back in Japan. Upstairs is the Kaiseki counter, Kawachiya. I figured let's try the a la carte before the actual kaiseki which is a much larger investment. The cocktails were interesting. Both were decent but not sure if we loved the finish on these. Food-wise, we got a bit from each menu section and really enjoyed it. The Ume Potato Salad had a nice punch from the salted plum, very well flavored and the crispy lotus root slices were great for crunch. Tabaragani. King crab with grilled kani miso on top. It's a small portion but king crab is expensive. This quite rich but if you like crab - boom, it's nuts. Wagyu Sando. Three small pieces but cooked properly. No sinew, no chewiness, just pure tender fried A5 wagyu. Shitake Ebi Shinjo. Chopped rock shrimp inside a mushroom cap and fried. I love this, not greasy at all, there's salt on the side to dip and a bit of citrus finish I could taste. Saba Bouzushi. The scoring on this was beautiful, pickled mackerel, slightly seared. The sushi rice had the perfect chew as well. Tai Donabe. This was great, tender flaky slices of sea bream, watercress, chopped ginger and rice flavored with lots of dashi. I enjoyed the flavors of this which were pronounced but I could taste them all individually. The shichimi goes perfect with the rice bowls. We are absolutely going to be back. Probably one of the best finds of the year for us.

This was such an authentic Japanese experience. I loved it! Service was polite and attentive. Decor was modern and bright. Food has areas of improvement but at least no big errors. My friend and I were seated on the a la carte half of the second floor. I like the light wood decor more than downstairs' dark mood. I would say that the stairs to the second floor isn't the most ideal in terms of comfort. The bigger "complaint" is that there's no bathrooms up there. The bathrooms were nice though since they had Japanese toilets that have automatic lids and warm seats. The manager was serving us upstairs. His service level was just like the high end places in Japan. He's very polite and would "apologize" every time he comes up to our table. The way he bends over and practically kneels to take our orders is veryyy Japanese. I would've been taken aback if I haven't experienced it in Japan. I don't expect this type of service in NYC, but I appreciate it very much. When our rice dish took longer than expected, he offered us a complimentary pot of tea as an apology. At the end, when we got dessert, he gave it on the house as well. We ate (from most to least liked): 1. fried yama imo, 2. shiitake ebi shinjo, 3. kuzu mochi, 4. ebi sando, 5. wagyu tataki, 6. sea bream tai donabe, 7. yuzu sorbet with honey, 8. tebe no karrage 1. Fried yama imo is fried mountain yam with konbu bonito powder. I was actually imagining it to be like fried Chinese taro with sugar crystals. I like the smaller pieces which have a softer texture and higher ratio of powder to yam. The bigger pieces have crunchier insides and the gooiness is more apparent. The powder has natural umami and sweetness without being too overpowering. 2. Shiitake ebi shinjo is shrimp filled mushrooms. I personally just really like shiitake mushrooms and the way they cut it into quarters is so dainty. The yuzu salt on the side isn't too salty and is quite refreshing to dip the mushroom into. It still tastes good without. 3. Kuzu mochi is a type of mochi jelly with black sugar syrup, red bean, and hojicha ice cream. We chose this because we weren't familiar with what kuzu mochi tastes like. I ended up liking this for the hojicha ice cream. It's so creamy and deep. It could be less sweet but tolerable. The kuzu mochi isn't chewy, but the smooth texture is nice too. 4. Ebi sando wasn't particularly special but the texture of the shrimp was nice. On one hand I like the dainty bite sized cuts, but on the other hand the dish felt a bit small. 5. Wagyu tataki was wagyu slices with radish and chives. I couldn't tell it was seared. It was tender but each piece had a thin piece of tendon that affected the texture. Otherwise, I liked the brightness of the ponzu(?), radish, and chives. It wasn't salty. 6. Sea bream tai donabe was chosen to get something cozy and filling. We didn't want to repeat wagyu since we're getting it in a different format. It wasn't particularly special. Their five spice powder added nice umami to the rice. 7. Yuzu sorbet with honey was the complimentary birthday dessert. The honey drizzled on top kind of solidified into a gel probably due to the cold sorbet. The sorbet itself wasn't that special but it could taste less watery when melting in my mouth. 8. Tebe no karrage was a last minute add on right before their kitchen closed. My friend saw another table order it and was interested. It's just fried chicken wings with one of the bones removed. I put it last perhaps because I didn't enjoy it after eating all the other dishes. Also I didn't like the texture of the coating and the shape of the meat after it was cut. It felt like a hassle to eat, but they did provide a towel to wipe our hands afterwards. The marinate itself wasn't apparent. - They had a coat check at reception. Even if you don't hand it over I think there's sufficient space at the tables to keep your coat around. When I left, the original receptionist wasn't there. Instead, a staff wearing kimono (I assume she works on the kaiseki side) was there so she helped me get my coat. She was super polite and offered to help me put it on. The normal receptionist doesn't do that. After this meal, I'm interested in trying their kaiseki now!!

If you're craving some next-level foods with serious tradition behind it, you've gotta check out! ,They've brought over 400 years of Japanese tradition straight from Nagoya to the heart of NYC! Located in Midtown. The vibe inside is super cozy but modern at the same time--perfect for a chill dinner or date night. You have to try the Hitsumabushi . It's a grilled eel over rice . It's so good, nothing like what you'd get at other sushi spots. And their A5 Wagyu? So tender it practically melts in your mouth! Also, shoutout to Sinta for making the whole experience even better with her top-notch service! Definitely adding this place to my faves. Feature Wagyu Roast Beef. $40 Hitsumabushi $70 Ebi soba $28 Sake Miso ice cream 8 Raspberry Sorbet 14 Follow @spinx17 for more NYC foods recs!

Black miso cod is too small. It was too good, but I finished it in only a few bites. This is a Japanese tapas place. They're all tapas. If you need to have a dinner, you need to order double: You're here for drinks and appetizers. Be expected to order a lot. Come here for lunch, instead of dinner. Like others have said, you can find food that you can find in other restaurants. Then again it's NY. How hard is it to find a Japanese restaurant that doesn't serve tapas sized portions?

TLDR: Kawabun literally feels like going back to Japan. Came for a la carte but everything we ordered, we enjoyed. Shitake Ebi Shinjo, Tabaragani, Tai Donabe, Ume Potato Salad, Saba Buozushi. We weren't even planning to eat here but it was a very random meal and so tasty. The interior is done very nicely, this feels like being back in Japan. Upstairs is the Kaiseki counter, Kawachiya. I figured let's try the a la carte before the actual kaiseki which is a much larger investment. The cocktails were interesting. Both were decent but not sure if we loved the finish on these. Food-wise, we got a bit from each menu section and really enjoyed it. The Ume Potato Salad had a nice punch from the salted plum, very well flavored and the crispy lotus root slices were great for crunch. Tabaragani. King crab with grilled kani miso on top. It's a small portion but king crab is expensive. This quite rich but if you like crab - boom, it's nuts. Wagyu Sando. Three small pieces but cooked properly. No sinew, no chewiness, just pure tender fried A5 wagyu. Shitake Ebi Shinjo. Chopped rock shrimp inside a mushroom cap and fried. I love this, not greasy at all, there's salt on the side to dip and a bit of citrus finish I could taste. Saba Bouzushi. The scoring on this was beautiful, pickled mackerel, slightly seared. The sushi rice had the perfect chew as well. Tai Donabe. This was great, tender flaky slices of sea bream, watercress, chopped ginger and rice flavored with lots of dashi. I enjoyed the flavors of this which were pronounced but I could taste them all individually. The shichimi goes perfect with the rice bowls. We are absolutely going to be back. Probably one of the best finds of the year for us.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, Kawabun offers an intimate and refined dining experience, combining the best of traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine. The minimalist decor, featuring warm wood tones and soft lighting, sets the tone for a relaxed yet sophisticated evening. Some of my favorite dishes was the seared kamo, goma dofu, and wagyu hobyaki. The service is attentive and knowledgeable, with staff eager to guide you through the menu and recommend wine or sake pairings. Although the prices lean on the higher side, the quality and presentation make every bite worth it. For those seeking an authentic yet refined taste of Japan, Kawabun is a hidden gem that's perfect for a special night out or a quiet meal in an upscale setting.

Lovely experience for dinner! Ambiance and drinks were phenomenal! The food is a bit pricey, but it's justified by the uniqueness of the dishes and quality of ingredients. Standouts include the black miso cod (small but delicious), goma tofu (my favorite dish of the night!), and the shiso mocktail. Our server was great and they also randomly had a DJ. Would come back for a nice dinner!

Came here for lunch on the weekend. The lunch menu is really small. We are a party of 4 literally ordered everything on the menu was still hungry after the meal. The food is not very impressive. Very basic bento style for lunch. The grill eel is $60 for the portion you can get less than half for what you can get. All dishes are over priced and nothing stood out. The only thing needs mention is the great service. And the place is super cute upstairs and downstairs, warm lighting very cute.

Friend picked this place for lunch due to location, and while overall I enjoyed the meal - mostly the company - I am not sure I want to come back, at least not for lunch. The menu was very small. We ordered 80% of everything on the menu for 4 adults to share, including a double order of the fried chicken which was the tastiest item. The other dishes, while pleasant, were rather bland and certainly not worth the prices they were charging. It was pretty empty for lunch on a Saturday. I imagine more people come here for dinner / drinks downstairs. The cocktails were very good - we tried 4 of the 5 from their list of special drinks. I typically avoid cocktails in favor of straight whisky, but the Mizuki cocktail was excellent. Sake Sudachi Sour with Sake, elderflower, sudachi, and egg white. Quite yummy and the others with me agreed it was the best drink of the four we tried. My least favorite was the Kabuki "Japanese manhattan" which they rightfully tell you isn't a mahattan at all, rather a combo of plum wine and sake.. The ambiance and service are great though. Downstairs is a very chic bar and dining area - empty during lunch, again, I imagine packed for dinner. Upstairs is a large, brightly light dining room with bay window and fireplace. The envy of any Manhattan resident who wants that size living room.

RIP Kajitsu. But from the ashes of that one-of-a-kind shrine to veganism comes Kawabun, an apparently centuries-old restaurant from the motherland. Kawabun-ga! The Yasai Age was a delectable starter, with crisp vegetables sending umami waves down your throat in a wonderful dashi soak. My Chirashizushi Donburi was pretty tasty, though quite small. It did have some unique cuts, though, like sea breame. The Gindara Saikyou Yaki Ichijuu Sansai Set had melt-in-your-mouth cod, but was otherwise just okay. And I'd skip the shiso sorbet. I adore shiso, but this sorbet was just eh. Where K'bun really shines, though, is in its mocktails. That's probably not intentional, since they're working to get their liquor license, but it's not only one of the most extensive mocktail lists I've ever seen, it's also one of the most creative. Try the gorgeous Fortune Garden for oishii strawberry flavor like the kinds you'd find in Tsukiji, or the Southwest for spicy citrus done exceedingly well.

Good, not great, lunch. We had high expectations. First, the food: - Unajuu is expensive, but eel sourced from Japan is always expensive. Kansai (Osaka-area) style is chewy compared to Kanto (Tokyo-area) unagi. Flavor was nice, but prefer Kanto texture - Vegetable tempura is well-priced for the quality. Just okay - Goma tofu is inexpensive and delicious - Kawabun chicken salad is good, not great - Draft beer was refreshing, but overpriced Restaurant decor is typical Japanese. Service is attentive and professional. Although not a bad experience, we won't be returning.

Beautiful ambiance with high ceilings and natural light and great chairs and decor - feels very Japanese like back in Tokyo. The food was very good and traditional Japanese - great service from our server and the manager and hostess. We did happy hour at the bar before our meal- great quality ingredients. I liked the sea bream donabe and the special toro sushi and wagyu sando and potato salad

I used to be a fan of Kajitsu, the restaurant at the same location before Kawabun opened. I have been looking forward to trying the new restaurant for a while as I heard this is supposed to be the overseas location of the original Kawabun in Nagoya, Japan, which has 400 years of history. The restaurant currently doesn't have the Kaiseki option yet as it was just open, the first floor is for A-La-Carte. The interior design was modern and chic. The service was great, the waitress was very patient and attentive. In terms of the food, I would say it is of decent quality but nothing impressive. Based on the portion and the ingredients, they were kinda overpriced. TEBA NO KARAAGE (four pieces of chicken wings) costs about 16 bucks. WAGYU HOBAYAKI(a few slices of steak over rice in the clay pot) costs 60 bucks. Four of us each got one or two spoons of rice and that was it. The rice was kinda undercooked, as the crispy rice at the bottom was still soft and a little soggy, very underwhelming. We liked the Goma Tofu (the texture was more like custard, but more chewy, love the light sesame flavor) and the fried egg plant (little crunchy outside but very soft inside, the daishi stock and daikon/chives added more flavors, which was refreshing). Other than that, the rest were just typical dishes you would expect to see at a lot of japanese restaurants. They have not got the alcohol license yet, only mocktails available, both drinks we ordered were on the sweet side. I am not sure about the Kaiseki menu, but the a-la-carte experience did not impress me, lack of highlights overall.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about Kawabun. On one hand, the atmosphere and the food is really nice. I got everything from the sushi, duck, fish, tempura, croquettes, among others. I felt like each dish was really good and well balanced. Nothing was too salty or overpowering. I just felt like it wasn't that good to make up for the price. There are many other Japanese restaurants in NYC that offer the same quality or more for cheaper. In the end you're paying for the atmosphere and good service more than the food. They are also in the process of getting their liquor license so they are serving mocktails only until then.

I was excited to hear that they brought the Kawabun concept with a 400 year old history that stems from the original Kawabun in Nagoya, to NYC. The place maintains a rich tradition and offers a diverse menu of seasonal dishes, elevated mocktails, and delightful house-made desserts. The restaurant is still waiting on their liquor license. The atmosphere is a serene blend of quiet elegance, providing a peaceful setting for a meal. The Wagyu Sando Sandwich was a standout, and while the Gindara Saikyo Yaki and Tarabagani were delicious, the portions are on the smaller side. Service was generally good, though a bit more training could enhance the overall experience. Don't skip the Japanese tea and desserts at the end - they're a perfect conclusion to the meal. I'm already looking forward to returning, especially when they open the space upstairs for omakase.

Great food, incredible vibes, amazing service. I would love to go back in the future. This spot was on my friend's list to hit before moving out of the city and she invited me to tag along. After this meal I was so glad she did! This tiny spot was cozy and stylish, everything felt very lush and the service was impeccable making you feel like the most important person in the place. The tables are very close together so i definitely felt like i had to speak very softly (a little hard for an Italian) but otherwise a great vibe! We ordered the vegetable tempura, brussel sprouts, shrimp sando, 5 piece nigiri for dinner. Each course coming out in perfect time. We were never waiting but also never felt rushed. My top was the shrimp sando, i can't wait to go back and try the wagyu one! Also definitely checkout their mocktails, all the ones we tried were delicious! This place is a bit pricey but we knew that going in.

The dinner menu was separated into hot, cold, and rice sections - all of which were small dishes and no entree sized options. We were also hoping there would be a set kaiseki menu to try a bit of everything, but that was not available. We ended up choosing 3-4 dishes per person but probably didn't pick the best ones. The food was quite ordinary and doesn't set itself apart from other nicer Japanese restaurants in ny. They didn't have their liquor license yet but also do not allow byob.

Appetizer and dessert was the best. Top picks were egg plant tempura and the matcha dessert. Everything else was just okay. The sashimi platter was missing the wasabi. The wagyu didn't have much flavor. The vibe was cozy and modern. But maybe too close in tables. Servers were nice and they gave us a tour of the upstairs that opens up for lunch and possible omakase in future. Pretty expensive not sure if I'll come back.

I loved the daigunjo sake that goes with their saba bouzushi, wagyu hobayaki, gyutan shiokomi, Kawabun salad, vegetable platter, Yasai tempura, fried yama imo, shush sorbet, sake miso ice cream, and hototogisu momo Shiso caipirinha. While not all of it was cohesive due to ordering a la carte, I still enjoyed the experience and service, which was impeccable. Parking is tough on the street and you may miss this gem downstairs, but I'd come back to try their Kaiseki menu :)

My husband and I brought a family friend here for dinner a few weeks ago. They still did not have their liquor license when we went. We ordered a few small dishes including the sashimi, wagyu donabe, and salad. The sashimi did not taste fresh to me and was minuscule in portion. Our other dishes tasted fine but we're not very big considering the price. Although the service and ambiance were nice, I thought this place was very expensive for what it provided. I wasn't particularly impressed with any dish. I don't think I will return.

Not the best Japanese restaurant you want to go for this price range. Don't be fooled by all the social media posts. First, the service is nice but nothing impressive, the waiter kept coming to us too often evern when we were talking. Good services doesn't mean too much services, it should mean attend when is needed. Second, the food, I won't say it was bad but for this price range, the food seemed to be too standard. You probably won't remember what you ate the nexst day. I will say it is a bit overpriced and not a place that I would go back. Maybe I was comparing to the previous restaurant at the same location.

We came here for lunch. The place was nice but pretty small (roughly 6-7 parties). We got the black miso cod and fried chicken thigh lunch sets. Both of them were delicious, and the nagoya red miso soup was interesting. The service was really attentive too. However, while the cod and the chicken were pretty reasonably priced, lots of the items on the menu were on a pricier side so keep that in mind.

They were very eager to accommodate my special dietary needs. Friend staff, clean restaurant.

First time here and it is difficult to put into words what we had. It is more than dinner, it is stepping in to a world of the finest truly authentic Japanese cuisine I could ever imagine. It is an amazing experience and the staff was beyond helpful, explaining each course of the kaiseki cuisine. From the sashimi platter to the wagyu beef we were amazed by everything we were served. All this in a beautiful, tranquil dining room, being served by the most skilled and professional staff you'll find anywhere. Not inexpensive but well worth it. Treat yourself to the experience of a dinner here. We can't wait to return!

Bar none, one of the best meals of my life. Everything was excellent, top to bottom. I didn't know tongue could taste so good. By far the best eggplant dish I've tried. There can't be anything on this menu that isn't outstanding. Be adventurous and try everything. And the service couldn't be any better, top notch. I will be going back here soon!

It's like an upscale izakaya+popular Japanese dishes. Upscale in its ambiance and plates and not the food. I ordered around 6 to 7 things off the menu and ended up spending around $240. Didn't leave the place full or fully satisfied with anything in particular. As this is closer to what you'd find at an izakaya spot, it's critical that they have sake and beer and imo shochu to accompany the cuisine. They do not, so that took away from enjoying the food. Then again, I wondered what the check would have been with sake added. I imagine it would be like $500+. For that price point, it's not worth it. Maybe I'll stop by to sit at the bar and have a cocktail or two with one or two light snacks off the menu.

We had a lovely impromptu dinner here. The food, drinks and ambiance are all wonderful! Waygu sando was 10/10. The staff was so helpful and professional- they even mentioned that they recently got their liquor license and how they are now serving their Tasting Menu and Omakase menus in their second floor (main dining room) Everything here was wonderful. We'll definitely be back - a true hidden gem in the Murray Hill/Grand Central area!

One of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in NYC. The menu has a full range of authentic cuisines for lunch and a mixture of authentic and new age recipes for dinner. The mocktails are fantastic for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. The ambiance is also wonderful and elegant.

Kawabun is amazing! The Beef Tongue and Wagyu Uni Sushi are must-haves. Plus, their mocktail selection is super unique. The service was top-notch, with friendly staff, and the ambiance was just right-elegant and inviting. Will definitely come back!