I got the Himokawa dipping udon set with tempura and it was so good! The noodles were perfectly cooked and chewy and the tempura were not greasy with a thin coating. The sauce that they gave to dip the udon was my favourite part. Loved the slight hint of yuzu! Near the end, the udon at the bottom were really difficult to separate so that’s the only thing that bothered me. We came at around 7:00pm on a Sunday and were lucky enough to get seated almost right away with around a 5 minute wait. They close a little early on Sunday at 8pm, so keep that in mind when visiting.

This place is very popular, and on weekends at lunchtime you’ll likely need to wait for a table unless you arrive right when it opens. That said, the wait usually isn’t too long. Their specialty is a variety of udon and cold noodle dishes—the noodles are springy and unique, and the toppings are well-seasoned without overwhelming the natural flavor of the noodles. The way the dishes are enjoyed also feels distinctive, making it a spot well worth visiting.

BackpackingAndy

We’ve come here a few times and really like it. It’s a quiet, warm Japanese restaurant. Food is mixed traditional with some new age twists. They have a little of everything.

Jia Sun

A tradition style Japanese restaurant in St Marks specializing in nabe and sukiyaki hot pot dishes. The place is semi underground, a bit cramped with the seating. Also available are numerous sushi rolls, yakitori and donburi sets. The apps came out quick, went well with the nigori. Nabe hotpots were delicious, cooked on the table, smell filled the air. The wait staff very attentive to our needs. Gotta try on the block in a cold night.

+28

Joyce Zhou

Very nice shabushabu place that I'll visit again! We ordered the US Wagyu set and the meat was good enough with beautiful marbles. Perfect for a sowny day. The price was quite reasonable as well. I'd personally recommend shabushabu over sukiyaki, as the sukiyaki pot tends to become too salty and sweet at the end. Also if you can only get the "covered outdoors" space in your reservation during winter, don't be deterred. It's like sitting ina greenhouse!

sabrina liew

I love this place!! I usually don’t like veggies or mushrooms but this place makes me love them. This place is very busy so make sure you book your reservation beforehand. I usually get the sukiyaki for 2 and it’s my favorite. The broth and the beef combo so good it’s a must especially when it’s cold out.

Foodie Elite

Next-Level Hotpot, Tokyo Vibes. Dining here feels like being transported to Tokyo. The collagen nabe hotpot is insanely flavorful. The bento box is packed with assortment of Japanese favorites. Every dish I tried was a win. To finish, the Hokkaido cheesecake + matcha almond tofu are absolute must-tries. One of the best Japanese spot I’ve found in NYC — full Tokyo vibes, full flavor, full experience! Follow me @foodie.elite on IG and TikTok for more!

+2

Des KF

I stopped into this restaurant to get some lunch! When I arrived I found parking close by. I walked into a small restaurant. I ordered with the wonderful owner the: Kubota Koju Sake Old Fashioned Scallop Skewers Karaoke & Wings Kimchi Beef Fried Rice Shabu Shabu with ramen The sake was great and I also loved their version of the hot pot with the ramen! It was a good experience!

+5

Namkwann (NK)

This place is a hidden gem for anyone who lives for cozy Japanese vibes and comfort food that slaps. Their nabe is absolute fire 🔥 bubbling hot pot loaded with tender meat, tofu, and veggies swimming in a broth that tastes like a warm hug after a long NYC day. The place itself is small, chill, and kinda gives “Tokyo hole-in-the-wall” energy but in the best way possible. Staff are sweet, service is quick, and portions are no joke. You’ll roll out of there happy and full, guaranteed. Perfect for cold nights, hangouts with your favorite humans, or those “idc, I just want something cozy” moods. 10/10 would nabe again 🍲💛

+8

Raiwin M.

Authentic Japanese dining experience! Kimura is a hidden gem with truly authentic Japanese flavors. Every dish was fresh, beautifully presented, and perfectly balanced — from sushi to grilled dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and elegant, and the staff were attentive and kind. Highly recommend for anyone who loves real Japanese cuisine in a relaxing setting. 🇯🇵✨

+3

Caspar Y

Had one of our favourite meals here. We were seated in a private little room in the back tucked away from the busy restaurant crowds. Their Motsunabe is an absolute must here. We also really enjoyed their grilled skewers and mackerel (goma saba). We'll be back for sure

Matata

Kimura is such a great spot for authentic Japanese comfort food! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are always friendly. My favorites are the Beef Yakiniku Don – perfectly seasoned, tender, and so satisfying – and the Shabu Shabu, which is rich, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

L Y

I went with a friend on a Sunday evening and we had a reservation. We were seated right away when we arrived. I got the pork belly nabe and it was delicious and flavorful! The chili sauce on the side (though not photographed) added the perfect—maybe a bit too much kick 🔥🔥🔥 to the broth, so I wouldn’t recommend overdoing it. Friendly and attentive service too. I can’t wait for a second visit!

Victor GZ

I visited Kimura Japanese Restaurant in the East Village on my own and was seated at the bar near the window, which was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the meal. The staff were very nice and welcoming, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere. I ordered the grilled beef tongue—it was soft, tender, and full of flavor. The mixed sashimi was fresh and high-quality, just what you’d hope for. The only dish that didn’t quite hit the mark was the salmon salad, which had a slightly bitter taste, possibly from the dressing. Overall, it was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it!

Annabelle Jiang

This place is beautiful and the people working are amazing. They’re very patient and helpful when we had questions. The food was BOMB and I really recommend the small bento boxes and the cheesecake for dessert. I def recommend this place to everyone who’s visiting!!

Min-Yuan Wu (吳名媛)

My son & girl friend treat me for BD. The food was so amazing. We tried two different two kinds of pots, both were very tasty! The Kimurs Benton was so delicious with all of varieties in rich flavors. We all loved the food we had. We truly appreciate the chef’s did an awesome job!

+9

Good place to grab a quick meal, either by yourself or with one other friend (bar-style seating). The udon portion doesn’t look like much, but was surprisingly filling with the tempura. Delicious, though not at Raku quality.

Came here at 5pm on a Friday alone and no wait at all. The menu is simple, focusing on Himokawa udon sets. The tempura here is well made and not overly greasy, pairing well with the dipping sauce. The only drawback was the saltiness of the hot broth - I tried drinking it alone and it was unbearable. Considering this wasn’t the cold dipping noodles, I assumed that this broth would be less concentrated and more clear. Service was great and as a solo diner, I didn’t feel rushed at all. Overall, I would recommend people to visit at least once, but would personally not rush back.

the tempura has a light, thin batter that pairs nicely with the dipping sauce, making it very refreshing. The wide udon noodles have an interesting texture, but the soup base itself is a bit underwhelming.

Overall a decent meal. The cold noodle set with the katsu is a must get. The soup noodle is very salty and mid but that comes with Japanese soup I guess. It’s a bit pricey but decent experience

Visited on a weekend afternoon after hearing about their flat udon noodles served tsukemen-style. The place has a Japanese bar vibe with only counter seating—no tables. Ordering is done by scanning a QR code at your seat, but I found it uncomfortable that you’re asked to tip before your food even arrives. My friend got the hot udon and I had the tsuke cold udon. Both came with six flat noodles and tempura. The food tasted good, but the portion felt small for the price, which was disappointing. The biggest letdown was that there’s no restroom available. It’s worth trying once for the unique noodles, but I probably won’t be back.

Udon noodle was great. But the chicken broth was salty in my taste. I liked the cold fish broth udon better. Their shrimp tempura was salty as well. It was a good shrimp tho. I would've ordered 5 myself if it wasnt salty. There can be a wait so I recommend going in a bit earlier than usual dinner time if going for dinner.

S P

Great value if you are craving Japanese. Good service and tasty. The only downside is the quality. The seafood wasn't so fresh. Delicious for the price, but not to die for.

+11

Gilbert Wu

A restful restaurant in a busy spot of Saint Mark's. The food hits the spot and the ingredients are good quality. Nabe and sukiyaki are authentic here. Overall the meals are delicious. I highly recommend the skewers. Very busy location, so reservations are recommended.

+4

Gregor J. Rothfuss

The nabe is nice in the colder months, you'll be aumo wrestling in no time. They have a shed in the backyard for additional seating.

allminenyc

The most amazing Suriyaki we’ve had! Great flavor without being overly sweet. The beef and the veggie were so fresh. The server did the cooking. Made it extra special to enjoy. The bento box was so stylish and fun. Great variety and deliciously good. The Kimura special roll came in a foil over fire. Very fun and tasty. All the dishes were delicious. The servers were all so courteous and helpful. We felt so were taken care of. One star off bc we almost passed out while waiting from the blast of the heater and the hostess took forever bringing guests to the table. Later we found out the hostess was also responsible for setting up tables for each part which made no sense at all.

+18

KK

Food is good! The beef intestines are chewy, and the classic soup base is full of umami. The beef tongue is also recommended. The fried skewers are very crispy, but lacking in flavors. The portion of the hotpot would be something I’d complain. There are only two small pieces of port feet in the pot… rest are all cabbages…

the noodles were unique - we tried the signature dipping set and broth set. my favorite was the sweet potato tempura. we waited almost an hour on saturday evening.

The udon texture is great—nice and chewy but not overly so. Tempura is also solid, especially the bacon one. It’s my first time trying bacon tempura and it was surprisingly good. The dipping udon broth is flavorful, and with all the extra seasonings, you can switch up the taste, which is fun. But the hot soup version was way too salty for me. That said, the set costs around $22–23 and only comes with six noodles… I mean, seriously? I’m not even exaggerating—it was literally six noodles.

Ms Nobody

The food was just okay. Miso soup was just okay. The lunch yakitori was salty and just okay. Mostly rice. And it was served with kimchi which I thought was weird. But the service was great and very friendly. Space was smaller than I anticipated and I felt awkward.. but when do I not?