SHINN EAST

The omakase here was absolutely fabulous and delicious. The staff was super friendly, and the sushi chefs knew how to make sushi to say the least. For the price it is very worth it. Recommend going here when you don’t want to break your bank and receive great sushi and ambience!

Rating: 7.5/10 Date Last Visited: 8/23/2025 We ordered the 13 course omakase ($69). Each piece was pretty good, with my favorite being the Hamachi, O-toro, and Hotate. However, I remember the sushi tasting better the first time I went (this is my second time), and I don’t think I would consider this to be above average in terms of my other omakase experiences. While the sushi pieces were good, I’ve had better at other places. For the price, it’s pretty good value but the taste is about average in terms of omakases. Overall, I would recommend trying at least once for the value, but I probably wouldn’t be back often.

The sushi was exquisite. The fish was fresh especially salmon. The omakase experience was amazing. We also had sake which paired well with sushi. We went for my birthday and they were kind enough to give a cute sushi cake. The place is tiny so it becomes a bit crowded even for 10 to 12 people at a time.

Good omakase spot, especially for 13 courses. All of the pieces were great, but notable ones were the fatty tuna, the scallop and the salmon one. Also, the sexy big mac add-on was absolutely just decadent, but it's worth for a one-time try if you want to taste what combining a lot of fancy ingredients together is like.

Food was 10/10 it's so fresh that most of them melted right in my mouth. The staff and chef were kind and explained each food. The only thing I'd recommend improving is the place. It's a bit crowded and tight. Everyone just sat right next to each other. We were so tight that I had to push my chair all the way out to the wall of get in and out. I felt like there was no privacy. Note** Reservation REQUIRED. We noted on the reservation the occasion was for a friend's birthday, and they were so kind to make an extra dish with a birthday candle on top for the birthday guest. Thank you!

Ordered through text, wish they had a better ordering system. I got the everything don and omakase set. Both were amazing quality and tasty. For the price, I would only go for a special treat. You do get premium ingredients though like caviar, wagyu, uni so I would say that the price is fair.

Highlight of my entire trip, and maybe the best omakase set I’ve had, not to mention it was to-go at that!! I would’ve loved to dine in, but an advance reservation is a must!! Happy I still got to experience this and will be back for more 🙂‍↕️

No frills dining experience. This was my first Omakase and I was not disappointed. Everything was delicious, and the fifty minutes flew by. They even gave us a little sushi cake at the end for our anniversary. Highly recommend this experience for the value, given the quality of ingredients and variety offered

This was yet another amazing but inexpensive Omakase in NY's East Village. Similar to other places and reviews I've written, you don't come here for a masterclass in service or for the wine selection, you come here for the fresh fish, no frills service and just a great sushi experience. It's getting hard to figure out which ones to return to and which ones to continue trying given new ones are opening so quickly but I think I'll be back here for sure.

I came here to say I'm a pretty slow eater and was hesitant as everyone mentioned an hour is a tight time frame but I actually felt really good here. It's smoothly ran and 1 hour is definitely enough. We wanted to do a cheap omakase in nyc and this was the only available option last minute for a res! Amazing fish and 10/10 no frills experience.

Incredible dining experience. Reservations are made at the top of the hour. A new group comes in so you only have 1 hour to dine. Everyone gets the omakase set but you can add additional pieces at the end. The scallop was great. The fatty tuna was yummy. It's a tight squeeze. Elbow to elbow with your neighbors. Have to pull the chair all the way to shimmy back into your spot

I visited Shinn East for their omakase during lunchtime on a weekday, and it was a pleasant experience. There were only two parties dining (including myself), so it was very peaceful and quiet, allowing us to fully enjoy our meal without the usual lunchtime rush. The atmosphere was calm, which made for a very relaxed and enjoyable meal. Our server was fantastic--attentive, friendly, and efficient. They kept our glasses full throughout the meal, and their timing between courses was just right, ensuring we had a seamless dining experience. The omakase itself was moderately paced, with limited interaction from the chef. While I personally enjoy a bit more conversation during an omakase experience, I understand that this style suits some diners more. There's nothing wrong with the pacing; it's just an observation. The value for the price was exceptional. At $69 for 13 courses, the omakase is very affordable, and there's even an option to add additional courses towards the end if you're still hungry. It felt like a great deal, especially considering the quality of the ingredients. As for the courses, they were quite good. The menu included - Hamachi Madai Botan Uni Ikura Zuke Akami Chu Toro Toro Caviar Hotate Saba Kanpachi Salmon Unagi Toro hand-roll Each piece of nigiri was made with a fresh cut of fish, and the flavors were clean and delicate. My personal favorites were the Botan Uni, O Toro Caviar, Ikura, Chu Toro, and Hotate. Each was perfectly prepared and stood out for its freshness and taste. Overall, Shinn East offers an affordable, high-quality omakase experience, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to indulge in sushi without breaking the bank.

A very solid omakase! Very tasty and fresh ingredients, good price, the rice was perfectly seasoned. A bit standard however, given it feels very similar to other sub-$100 omakases I've been to in NYC. Favorite bites: otoro (melts in your mouth), super sexy mac (it was super sexy indeed, with wagyu, foie gras, uni, and toro in one bite), ikura, botan uni.

Wow, I never thought I'd be able to find an affordable yet high quality omakase place in the US after I came back from Japan but I'm so happy to come across Shinn East. I don't think I can even describe in words how great the fish quality is, I literally felt like I was transported back to Japan with eating some of the nigiri. The sushi chef was also so sweet because he saw on our resy that we were celebrating a birthday and gave us a complimentary birthday "dessert" (uni, ikura, and toro)!! Probably the best dessert we've ever had and it came with a little candle. The one thing this place was missing was the chef really explaining what he was serving to us. We didn't make conversation with him much but honestly my bf and I don't mind at all. However if you truly want the omakase 'experience', maybe try some place else. I still recommend this place to all my friends though because we're not in the tax bracket (yet) where we truly care about the full experience. For $69 a person, you really can't go wrong with this place. If I ever come back to NYC, I'll definitely make the trip here!

Great fish quality, but ambiance was off. Detailed breakdown below: **Service, 3/5** Our chef was very efficient, but overall the atmosphere here felt rushed and impersonal. Made for a not-too-memorable experience. Come for the sushi, but not for a warm, friendly, or special evening (or if you're with anyone you're trying particularly hard to impress). **Price & portion, 5/5** The omakase value here is great, and you won't be able to find anything at this price point in the Bay Area. I appreciated the variety of nigiri and assorted toppings. **Taste, 5/5** All the nigiri was fresh and flavorful. Some of my favorite bites were unsurprisingly the otoro (fatty tuna) with caviar and the uni (sea urchin) -- delicious!

I really enjoyed this omakase experience! It's one of the more affordable omakase in NYC - you get 12 nigiris and a handroll for $69pp. Every piece of nigiri was melt in your mouth. Definitely worth the price. It was also my fiancé's birthday month so I put on our reservation that we were celebrating a birthday. To our surprise, they made a small "cake" of rice topped with toro, uni, and fish eggs. It was one of the best birthday freebie, we've ever seen! So cute and very enjoyable. Beware that this place leaves you wanting more. It's a great amount of food but one can definitely eat more afterwards.

Shinn East is an absolute gem for sushi lovers! Their omakase is only $69, and it's honestly such a steal for the quality you get. The fish is incredibly fresh, high-quality, and prepared with such attention to detail--it's clear the chefs know their craft. Every bite was a delight, from the perfectly seasoned rice to the melt-in-your-mouth fish. For the price, it feels like a luxurious experience without breaking the bank. 5/5, hands down--would highly recommend to anyone looking for a top-tier omakase experience at an unbeatable value! Nice ambiance and friendly service, too!

One of the most popular and affordable omakase in NYC. You get 12 nigiris and a handroll for $69pp. Each seating is just under an hour, so be sure to be on time as they call your name out for seating. There was a bit of confusion with our reservation not being in their system, but they still thankfully sat us. The omakase included a variety of fresh fish with each one being tastier than the one before. The uni on scallop and otoro were my favorites, which just melted in your mouth. I will say that some of my pieces were a bit smaller than everyone else's because I had the end of the fish, so felt slightly unfair though. You can see the mackerel didn't even cover the rice on my nigiri like the others, for example. Anyways, it is pretty cool that they give you a nice birthday freebie, which is a little bowl with various fish. Overall, great quality omakase for a good deal. It's not overfilling, but leaves you satisfied.

This is a very small and intimate spot for omakase. There are two chefs who each cater to half of the table. I loved that we were so close to them to see the preparation for each piece. Every single piece was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The one thing I didn't like was that the rice was undercooked so I couldn't enjoy the meal as much as I would've liked to. We were there for just under an hour and while we didn't leave full, I was pretty satisfied.

Wildly good omakase for an affordable price! For $100, you get 12 nigiris, a handroll, and you can order a la carte at the end if you're still hungry or have time (the seatings are 1 hour long). It's fast paced, but perfectly spread out. You're either savouring what's on your plate or watching the chefs prepare the next piece right in front of you. The venue is small and cozy with unostentatious decor. The fish is fresh and the experience is so much fun; I still think about this meal months later.

This place is a hidden gem! The best omakase I've had in the US, and such an affordable price--$69 for about 12 pieces. Great intimate, cozy vibe (can probably sit ~10-15 people). It was cool watching the chef prepare the nigiris and hand roll right in front of me. The quality of the fish was incredible--no fishy taste at all--and the decor was beautiful. I'll definitely be back!

I recently ordered the omakase set and the "literally everything" don for takeout. The omakase featured 12 pieces of seasonal sushi and a maki set. The don included sweet shrimp, Hokkaido scallop, negi toro, Hokkaido uni, and caviar on a bed of seasoned rice. Ordering by text was straightforward, though I did wait about 20 minutes for a response. You simply send your name, order, and desired pickup time. Upon opening the box, I was struck by how beautiful it was--almost too pretty to eat! However, the flavors exceeded my expectations. My favorites included the ikura, which was a literal burst of flavor and surprisingly sweet due to their marinade, and the otoro with caviar, which melted in my mouth with its rich, buttery texture. The hotate and botan-ebi with uni were also exceptional, showcasing the restaurant's skill. I found the rice-to-fish ratio to be perfect, allowing each piece to shine. The quality was outstanding--the freshness of the fish truly stood out. At $69, it's an excellent option for anyone wanting to experience omakase. I can't wait to return and try their sit-down omakase or explore more of their takeout offerings!

God I wanted to love this place so bad, especially considering thirteen water is their sister restaurant and I love that place so dearly. The fish here was fresh as were the ingredients but every single bite I had felt waaayyy too overpowered by wasabi. Some in my party also felt that way but others loved this place as much as thirteen water so it's probably just a preference. Nevertheless, I much prefer being able to taste the evolution of the sushi rather than have it be abruptly cut off by a sharp wasabi kick every time

Yummy boxes! These boxes are not cheap but boy are they the best. I enjoyed the box so much I returned a week later and tried it again! I had originally wanted to try their omakase option in house but couldn't get a same day reservation. All the better and cheaper to be honest to get one of these boxes to go! Fresh fish layered on top, they look so pretty and tasted even better. The uni and scallops has me thinking it has been too long and a return date is a must soon! You can order effortlessly on your phone and it will be ready right on schedule for pickup.

As other reviews have mentioned, you get 12 pieces of nigiri and a handroll for $69 with the option of adding additional nigiri or specials after the course is done. The dining window is pretty tight-- they cycle through reservations every hour. I came for a 7pm reservation and noticed a lot of people already waiting outside by 6:45pm. The customers in the 6pm reservation began leaving the restaurant around 6:50pm, and the staff checked our reservations and sat us by 6:55pm. The sushi chefs started the omakase course right on time at 7pm. I thought the pacing of the meal was fine, but I would not have minded having more flexibility to take my time with each piece. Quite often the sushi chef would have the next nigiri ready by the time I was finish chewing the previous one! The set was put together beautifully. Some pieces were decorated with caviar, uni, or foie gras for extra flavor. There were a few pieces that were brushed with a truffle oil/sauce which I found a bit too overpowering. At the end of the meal, I decided to try the seasonal special combo ($25), which had a saba nigiri, gindara nigiri, and blue crab handroll at the time. I honestly wish that I did not get the special combo because none of the specials were as good as the pieces in the set. The blue crab handroll was especially bland and a little soggy. I was disappointed that the special combo did not have the same quality as the standard omakase set.

I have eaten A LOT of omakase (more than 10x). This one is the only place I've ever visited more than once. Every piece of fish was fantastic. This truly is an eating experience. The chefs were kind and the drinks menu was intuitive. I also ordered a bottle of sake to share with my friend. So many of the pieces had amazing complex flavors and the price for this quality and quantity is unheard of. So many of the pieces just melted in my mouth. I took a friend to his first omakase here as well because I knew they would not disappoint. When you make a reservation, you can either pick sushi bar 117 (cool lighting, seats with backs) or 119 (warm lighting, stools).

Solid spot, great value, delicious fish. Service was attentive and accommodating. Quick experience but doesn't feel rushed

This is a super solid omakase spot!! First of all for only $69, you get 13 course set with the option to order specials at the end. My friends and I got a reservation and were seated right away when our entire party was there. We're given a menu that lists out the order of nigiri that will be served. I loved how the chef would explain each piece as he was making it. Each piece was crafted so well, with the best combination of flavors. My favorites of the night were: - botan uni - o toro caviar - hotate The botan uni was a fresh sashimi shrimp with uni on top. The shrimp was so fresh and so sweet, the uni gave it that ocean-y flavor and added to the creaminess of the entire nigiri. The o toro caviar was the perfect mix of fattyness from the toro and saltiness from the caviar. It's like heaven in one bite. The hotate is my personal favorite because I love scallops! The one was super fresh and sweet, and super soft to the bite. Overall a great affordable omakase experience in manhattan!

Back in the spring, we ordered the omakase to go and it was surprisingly delicious for a take out sushi. The fish was fresh and the portions were large. I would definitely want to try a sit down meal but for take out, this is definitely worth at $70 for 12 piece set. We weren't a fan of the scallops though, not sure it t

One of the best omakase spots to go to for lunch. My friend and I booked a same day reservation and my friend was running a bit late but the workers there were more than accommodating. This omakase set was $69 dollars not including tips and tax but it was still pretty affordable for the quality of this place. My favorite was the toro caviar and as well as a $18 additional roll of A5 wagyu and I opted to have truffle on top and it was so good. Although it felt a little bit rushed because there was only a 55 minute eating time we still had an amazing experience. The chef asked us if we had any allergies and also if we needed anything extra. The water was constantly refilled and the other workers there are pretty nice as well. Seating is small and limited but that's part of the gem. Definitely will come back next time.

There is a $100 deposit to make a reservation. The chef's table can seat around 12 people. There are 2 chefs preparing the dishes. A wet towelette waited for us before dining. $69 omakase dining limited to 55 min of dining. As such, the dining experience felt a bit rushed but overall we enjoyed the intimate experience. The chef asked if we had any allergies and I had specified that I didn't eat shrimp. One of the dishes was replaced with uni! Every single one was delicious, fresh, and packed w flavor! We also opted for 1 additional $18 wagyu piece and WOW it was phenomenal!! The sake was great and reasonably priced. Our waters were refilled often. Would highly recommend this spot!

Service: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Ambiance: elevated casual, quiet enough to hear each other talk Good value for an omakase experience. Dining area is split into 2 rooms, the one on the right has better lighting (brighter) imo. What I Ordered: - Regular Set: solid, classic. Covers all your typical courses, nothing particularly creative. favs: botan uni (shrimp + sea urchin), chu toro (med fatty tuna), o toro caviar (fatty tuna), sawara (spanish mackerel) - Seasonal Special: Japanese mackerel- fine, but i think i just don't like this fish; sable fish- a little chewy, but maybe i'm unfamiliar; blue crab handroll- sweet, simple, delicious.

I'd heard great things about shinn east as far as budget omakase places and I'm glad I finally tried it because I'd say I liked it a lot more than thirteen water! It's on the cheaper end of budget places (but places like tsumo are even cheaper, but have less going on), but you really get a lot for what you pay for. Each piece of sashimi was very fresh and delicate. I also liked how they started with lighter pieces, had some heavier/fattier pieces in the middle, and finished off with lighter pieces. They all had really unique flavor combos and were beautifully presented! Highly rec!

Very good sushi. Super reasonable price at $69. Everything was very fresh tasting. They are very strict with timing of reservations.

Madai / Sea Bream 5 chewy, refreshing Botan Uni 5 sweet shrimp, chewy and flavorful with balance of sweet and salty from uni O toro Caviar 5 creamy, melt in your mouth, with salty flavor from caviar on top, rich blend of flavor Ikura / Salmon Roe 5 sweet, refreshing citrus from lime peel flakes Best omakase

I was recommended Shinn East by a friend when looking for budget-friendly high-quality omakase in the NYC area, and I must say, Shinn East didn't miss a beat. I made a reservation for 2 on a Thursday night the night before through Resy, and there were plenty of reservations available for the upcoming days when I had checked. Note: Shinn East has two adjacent locations, which I believe is what you are signing up for when you book your reservation, and it prompts you to choose between the two bars. I'm not sure if it makes a difference where you are seated, or if the experience is different between the two rooms, but each room provided a very intimate space with only a few seats at the counter (approx 8-10). For a fixed price of $69, you receive 12 pieces of nigiri + 1 handroll, which is honestly a steal compared to most other omakase places in NYC. All of the fish that was served was fresh and of quality, and the omakase featured a variety of fish ranging from hamachi to toro to kanpachi. Out of the nigiri pieces, my favorite was the O toro caviar, which featured a melt-in-your-mouth, buttery toro that was topped with caviar and gold flakes to enhance the presentation - absolutely delicious. If you are looking for a budget-friendly, no-frills omakase option in the NYC area, would recommend Shinn East. However, if you are looking for more of an experience or other unique types of fish, I would recommend you to explore other options, as Shinn East keeps it simple compared to other, (oftentimes) more expensive options. Overall, an amazing experience, and would highly recommend it!

This review is part of my New York trip during Christmas. I love Japanese food particularly sushi. But this was my first time to try omakase in NYC! We made our reservation in advance. This place is tiny (probably similar to many found in Japan). We got there early, waited briefly outside, and were seated at our reservation time. Our group had five people, so we were lucky to have a dedicated sushi chef just for us. He was very friendly and, of course, very knowledgeable and skillful about his craft. It's so enjoyable to have a chef make everything and serve us exclusively. We had a thirteen-course dinner. The chef made each one like a piece of art with meticulous culinary craftsmanship. Watching him skillfully make every piece is a magnificent experience in itself. I particularly liked the toro caviar, botan uni, foie gras salmon, and handroll toro. They were all fresh and delicious, and each one had its unique flavor. At the end of the last item, we still felt like having more. We got one of the day's specials: wagyu uni. It was so good! The combination of the savory, buttery wagyu and the fresh, briny uni was a perfect conclusion to our meal. We totally enjoyed the experience, ambience, and wonderful service staff. I highly recommend Shinn East if you want a wonderful omakase experience.

Great service and sushi quality for the price. I think this is a good spot for entry into the omakase experience. I would come back here for a casual omakase experience. Great yellowtail and tuna.

I've been to Shinn East several times and it's a solid choice for anyone who is looking to experience omakase without breaking the bank. At a price point of $69, you get 12 pieces of nigiri and a handroll. The chef makes each piece in front of you and the fish quality is fresh. The one caveat is that the rice isn't as soft and pillowy as other omakase places I've tried (and the rice tends to break off once you pick it up with your chopsticks) but you can't expect perfection at such a low price point. Another thing to note as others have mentioned is that the service is very efficient and the pacing is quick. Don't expect much interaction with the chef. I wouldn't go here if you're looking for a place to sit around and chat as there seems to be a time limit for each meal. Reservations here are a breeze, I managed to snag a spot the same day. If you're seeking of an affordable and quick omakase experience, try out Shinn East but if you're looking for a more refined and traditional omakase, you might want to explore other options!

Made a last minute reservation and they seated us within 30 mins! The chef was quick because we were the last sitting but we didn't mind as we usually like to dine and leave. Each piece was generous especially the sashimi.... and the foie gras!!!! The best bang for omakase and definitely worth checking out.

We were starving after a day at the Met and decided to try one of Shinn's beautiful omakase boxes. You can text to place an order for takeout and we decided to go to Shinn East instead of West since it was closer to home, but they offer the same at both. Someone met us outside with the packaged boxes ready to go, and we paid on a handheld device and were on our way within a few minutes. Seating at the restaurant or even outside wasn't an option so we wound up at a nearby park and I gotta say this was the bougiest picnic I've ever had. We picked up one Literally Everything Don ($78) which came with premium ingredients like fresh scallop, uni, wagyu, and caviar along with two omakase nigiri boxes ($69) with 12 nigiris and 6 maki rolls (salmon) each. Everything was absolutely beautiful and super fresh, each bite was at the perfect temperature. Portions are pretty solid, great value compared to what's available back home, maybe since NYC has many more affordable omakase options nearby. The only thing I didn't like at all was the uni, although this wasn't a Shinn issue because I didn't like any of the uni I tried in NY. Living in LA has me spoiled with sweet, creamy SB uni and the east coast uni just doesn't live up to it :')

omakase for $69 say less shinn east serves up 12 pieces of nigiri and 1 hand roll in their omakase experience for a fraction of the price of other omakase spots. the fish were quality and paired with various items that melt on your tongue. if you're looking to spend a little for a date night, definitely check out this spot. i will say that the experience did feel a little rushed since we only had 45 mins to eat 13 courses

I had a great experience here celebrating a friend's birthday. Despite us being a little late, the service was great and we still were able to try every piece; our chef made them quickly and efficiently. They were extremely nice and gave my friend a mini birthday surprise piece, that was a nice touch to our overall experience!

Good deal for omakase. We went for a date night and it was easy enough to get a reservation a few days before on a Friday night. The meal moved quite fast, spending only about 45 mins for the meal. They have designated sushi chefs for every section of the bar tables. While we weren't stuffed to the briny after the omakase course, each piece of fish we had was incredibly soft and delicious. Such good quality of fish especially for the price point. They change the menu as it's seasonal, but if you have a chance, the hotate (scallop) and akami zuke were delicious.

One of the best and most affordable omakases in the city, hands down. I would definitely get a reservation and in fact, I don't think you can eat without a reservation. My friend who lives in the city has been multiple times and highly recommended, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time. The fish is of super high quality, and the sushi chefs efficiently get you every piece on time. Their timing is impeccable, and I highly recommend purchasing their add ons. You honestly will be pretty full even with the original set, and they don't skimp out on high quality ingredients like caviar and uni. It's seriously so good. I will definitely be back. Their rice quality is also impeccable.

Absolutely delicious and beautiful presentation. Service was quick and easy, you text their number with your order, then they bring it out to you when it's ready. Great to eat at the nearby park! My favorites were the ikura and uni. I've never been a huge ikura fan because it usually has a basic salty/fishy flavor, but this one was so complex and incredible. The uni was so buttery and fresh! I've never had uni that good!

This place is located near thirteen waters, a sister omakase restaurant. We made a reservation for lunch Saturday and was seated quickly. The food was fresh and quick. Pieces came quickly one after another. The price point is fair at $69/person. Pieces were fresh. We got seated in the front storefront which had nicer lightning and decor. Overall, a great entry restaurant to dip your hands into omakase. My favorite piece was the foie gras salmon. Was so smooth and melt in your mouth! Definitely worth the visit to this, Sanyuu west and thirteen water!

This is THE best sushi restaurant I have ever been too. The price of the Omakase is reasonable given the high quality of the fish and, of course, the location in NYC. My favorite was the toro with caviar on top. The fish melts in your mouth. The ambiance is modern, slightly upscale, but you can get away with dressing casual. It's always a pleasure to sit at the bar and watch the chefs make the nigiri one by one. Service is excellent from the sushi chef to the waitresses it was an incredible experience.

I came by for takeout after seeing this place online. The omakase takeout box was gorgeous so I had to try it. I ordered by texting a number on their website. They were pretty immediately responsive and we arranged a time about an hour and a half from when I messaged them. Pickup was easy. When I arrived I flagged the staff down and the handoff was seamless. The interior of the shop was very minimalist but with limited seating. It was busy for dine in even at 3-4pm time on a weekend. The box is packaged immaculately and is a generous amount of sushi for the price. All the pieces tasted different with their own toppings and fillings. I would absolutely return to try their different boxes and also instore as well.

Not sure if I'm disappointed because I've had better, or this place is objectively not worth it. Priced at $69 you know it's a budget omakase place. But I think if you go for a $89 price point, what you get is MUCH more worth it. Most of the pieces here were just okay. I'm no expert so if you told me this was just regular a la carte sushi I would believe you. The experience was extremely rushed. At some point you're struggling to swallow. They chefs were making pieces at god speed and at one point I saw the chef put a second piece on a guy's plate (he wasn't even eating that slow!!). There was no dialogue or attempt to interact by the chefs. I think it may be due to a language barrier which I understand, but if you are expecting a more personal experience and hoping to learn about the food, this probably isn't the best choice. The highlight was that we got an extra dish for our anniversary!

If you're looking for an affordable, high value omakase option in East Village and you don't mind an efficient, timed (55minute) dinner, then Shinn East is perfect for you! They have two separate areas, with seating for about 10-12 guests in each with two chefs in each room. For $69 we had 13 courses - all sushi including a hand roll to finish. We also had the option to buy extra servings at the end (double up on pieces from the menu or extra special options including Hokkaido uni or special combos). Dishes include hamachi, madai, botan uni, ikura, chu toro, otoro with caviar, scallop, sewara, shima aji, salmon and unagi. My favorite was the botan uni and the otoro with caviar. Serving slices of the fish were generous given the price so each bite felt indulgent and tasty. They offer bottles of sake, and I found the menu very helpful with color coding for taste profile (sweet, dry, rich, etc), and also offer beers.

Went here a second time for a friend's birthday. The fish was MUCH better quality this time since we went on a Saturday instead of a Thursday (pro-tip, never go to omakase in NYC on Thursdays... I've noticed the fish is always less fresh across all price ranges, lol). Definitely a decent omakase for the price, as long as you go after a fresh shipment gets in, and still a good starter omakase.

Best take-out sushi experience of my life, hands down! The presentation of this omakase take-out set is breathtaking! The box itself is pretty and the sushi was beautifully displayed! It definitely added to the experience. My favorite sushi was the salmon, truffle, and foie gras piece. Oh my goodness, the salmon literally melts in your mouth and the addition of truffle and foie gras was unlike anything I've tried before. Ordering is interesting because you text them your order and they give you a pick-up time as opposed to filling out an order online like other restaurants. They are quick to respond and willing to answer any questions. Would highly recommend this place!!!

Lovely lower priced spot and sister to Thirteen Water, Shinn East is a great intro to omakase or weeknight date spot. Much like Sushi by Bou, shinn feels like an omakase speed run. Surprisingly didn't care for the toro but loved the foie. Compared to other more budget friendly omakase spots, I'm more eager to return to the sister Thirteen.

This spot is a solid spot for inexpensive omakase. Coming from the Bay Area, I'm used to omakase being at least $125+, so I had to try the omakase here in NY! The service here is straight and to the point; you get about an hour of dining time to go through 12 pieces, 1 handroll, and any additional places you order at the end. If you're looking for place where you can leisurely catch up with friends and interact with the chef, then I'd suggest another place . The pacing is quick, and the chef makes the pieces one after another, even if you're not done with your current piece. I had read reviews prior to this before going here, and personally didn't mind it, but I can see how it would turn some people off. This place is great if you have things to do and places to be after because they will get you out in an hour. The fish tasted fresh, and the fattier pieces were so good! We got the yuzu sake which tasted like juice, which we prefer. I do wish the worker put the sake in a bucket of ice for us to help keep it cool. Overall, this is a steal for this price point! I've also gone to the Shinn West location in the same week and the menu for the fish was the same. There were some small differences for some of the pieces, but nothing too big. For example, the saba came wrapped in seaweed at Shinn West whereas Shinn East had it on top of sushi rice. If you're debating whether to go to Shinn East or West, I'd just choose the one that is most convenient for you.

Decent omakase for the price, but nothing too special. Pro: - fish was fresh - good variety of different fish types with the omakase menu - I asked the chef for no wasabi and he was able to do so for all my nigiri piece. I've had Michelin chefs forget and add wasabi on a piece half way through so I appreciate this Cons: - There's very little service and they rush you out in 40-50 minutes - We ordered a sparking white peach drink and they gave me sparking yuzu. We were ok w drinking the yuzu but how you gonna mess up when you're only serving like 5 parties and only need to take one drink order?? - chef doesn't wipe down the plate between pieces which im not a fan of.

It's a small unassuming place, there are actually two split into two storefronts. The signage is very very small and it's quite easy to miss. The fish itself was fresh, minimally dressed up except for a few pieces which was a nice highlight to the meal. All the nigiri pieces were pretty lean with the exception of a couple pieces. The highlights for me were: - Botan Uni - sweet shrimp with a creamy uni on top - O toro with caviar - Nice and fatty - Salmon with foie gra and truffle - so rich and decadent, I kind of wish they ended on this note as this was the most memorable for me. This is a more affordable omakase spot so it did feel a tad bit rushed which is expected as they need to seat the reservation directly after.