Sake Bar Asoko

Rovik Robert

Big fan of this spot although it’s clearly a favorite of many others as well. Food is simple izakaya style but does the job, especially the Karaage. Sakes are diverse and tasty. Love the vibes

Elias Popa

Again. If anyone reads my reviews - I only post for places I love and leave the rest to weed themselves out. I’m beyond thankful that Sake Bar Asoko landed in Chinatown! It’s a scrappy operation in all the greatest ways that makes Chinatown / lower east side still a destination spot for anyone who wants to still feel the last remnants of a truly authentic experience in New York. As I eat more and more at different places, as a chef and restaurant owner, I will always care deeply about the quality of the food and drink. But what I really deeply care about is a sense of hospitality. Luckily, they have both. A small yet attentive team (it was a packed house and only 3 visible people working, 2 of which were the owners) and yet they didn’t skip a beat. My friend and I felt welcomed and cared for every step of the way. The sake? Consider it a sommeliers dream (for sake). Smoky. Sweet. Earthy. Crazy funky and out of left field. Hard to find and approachable. They had it all. And tried it all. This place is 100% worth any seat you can get. Stand if you have to. Take any spot you can - because it’s worth it. Really. It’s my new stop in spot - a perfect place if your friend is visiting NYC and you, like me, lack real planning skills but still want to show your guests a truly NYC experience - just go here. No frills. No gimmicks. Just good good good.

MO

Cuttest, eclectic bar! We were not so knowledgable about Sake but didnt realize the layers, notes and variety available. Warm welcome and was fun to hear about the offerings and try different sake. Fun experience, delicious sake & cool vibe. 3 seating sections of front, stand up bar and back tatami benches with all the nick nacks was a feast for the eyes as well as conversations.

Alyssa Jackson

Former managers of Sake Bar Decibel opened this spot on the LES and it’s such a vibe. Extensive sake menu, fun cocktails, delicious food, intimate ambiance. The owners are super chill and down to earth, and I will be dreaming of their spicy cod roe udon tonight. Salmon sashimi was also delicious — great spot for a date 👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻

Khoi Pham

The kindest and most welcoming staff. The front of the bar is table seating and the back is a standing bar area. The coffee-infused shochu cocktail was lovely and the Shishinosato Chokara sake was great.

Serena Elkaim

Owners are extremely welcoming - making sure you feel looked after and are enjoying. The decor is very cool, mix of classic and retro Japan. Sake selections is well curated and of course delicious, as well as yummy snacks.

g kotro

Excellent bar, service, and variety of sake. The food was delicious. Totally recommend.

Madilyn Bedsole

Delicious sake, space has a great vibe, & the owners are super sweet! Loved it and excited to go back to try some food.

Charlotte Zinsser

Cho, Arianna, and Yuri are wonderful people and have just opened this truly wonderful sake bar! (Which also serves beer and food) A new neighborhood staple. I always ask for the bartender’s recommendation, and they never let me down. I always leave pleasantly drunk, hunger satisfied, and full of love. Every time! ❤️❤️

I was just at L & L Hawaiian up on Allen St and boy was it not good! My appetite which was soured by that less than stellar Loco Moco was soon soothed however, by my magical experience that Sake Bar Asoko gave me. A nice dimly lit and decorated space welcomed me as I stepped through that magical door. There, I was warmly greeted before choosing to dine at the standing bar. I can't say enough good things. Overflowing pour, and a delicious plate of Hamachi & Salmon sashimi washed away all my aches and pains. I left very satisfied.

Super chill bar with the most welcoming owners! Love the sake selection here. There is also a variety of enjoyable small bites. The yellowtail sashimi is a must order as well as the udon. Can’t wait to go back!

Sake Bar Asoko is the closest I’ve felt to being back in Japan without leaving New York. It has that warm, cozy izakaya vibe where the moment you walk in, you instantly relax. The food is incredible. Every dish feels thoughtfully made and totally craveable and the sake selection is just outstanding. The salmon and yellow tail sashimi is the best I’ve had anywhere. The service is just as special. Arianna and Cho who are the co-owners are so welcoming and genuinely friendly, and Yuri’s food is exceptional. You can really feel the care that goes into everything here. They are also so knowledgeable about sake and guide you to get the perfect bottle. It’s one of those rare places that doesn’t just serve great food and drink it actually feels like home. Cute, intimate, and absolutely transporting. If you miss Japan, or just want a place with heart and amazing sake, Asoko is perfect.

Absolutely loved this Japanese bar! The atmosphere feels warm, intimate, and stylish. The sake and cocktail selection is fantastic. Great place to unwind with friends or enjoy a quiet solo drink. Highly recommend!

Hands down one of the best bar experiences I've ever had. The owners are absolutely incredible. Location and vibes are just perfect. Will make this my regular place now!

We came here while we visited NYC from California and had the best time. They have a very unique and interesting sake selection. Really appreciated that they opened our eyes to new and exciting sake coming out of Japan. The owners and staff are Japanese and you can tell they have many locals who come often. I felt like it was a family izakaya. If we lived here we would come all the time! Thank you Cho and Ariana for the wonderful experience!

Ask the staff about a sake that matches the flavor profile you want. They will treat you well. Excellent selection of you dare to dig a little deeper than the by-the-glass menu.

Such a great experience here! One of the owners, Arianna, welcomed us and guided us through the sakes - she was super friendly and clearly has a passion for her craft. The vibe was perfect, it felt like everyone there was already a regular. We will definitely be back and will be recommending this spot to friends!!

What an amazing experience. We came with a party of 7 on a Saturday night and they were able to comfortably accommodate us. Our server was so knowledgeable with great recommendations. We loved all the cocktails and will definitely be back!

Raymond Ulrich

Incredible service, gemütlich atmosphere, and top-notch vibes all around. Will be back

Amol Prabhu

Sake Bar Asoko is the closest I’ve felt to being back in Japan without leaving New York. It has that warm, cozy izakaya vibe where the moment you walk in, you instantly relax. The food is incredible. Every dish feels thoughtfully made and totally craveable and the sake selection is just outstanding. The salmon and yellow tail sashimi is the best I’ve had anywhere. The service is just as special. Arianna and Cho who are the co-owners are so welcoming and genuinely friendly, and Yuri’s food is exceptional. You can really feel the care that goes into everything here. They are also so knowledgeable about sake and guide you to get the perfect bottle. It’s one of those rare places that doesn’t just serve great food and drink it actually feels like home. Cute, intimate, and absolutely transporting. If you miss Japan, or just want a place with heart and amazing sake, Asoko is perfect.

Jenny Kim

Hands down one of the best bar experiences I've ever had. The owners are absolutely incredible. Location and vibes are just perfect. Will make this my regular place now!

Lucio Morales

Absolutely loved this Japanese bar! The atmosphere feels warm, intimate, and stylish. The sake and cocktail selection is fantastic. Great place to unwind with friends or enjoy a quiet solo drink. Highly recommend!

Matt Sanda

Ask the staff about a sake that matches the flavor profile you want. They will treat you well. Excellent selection of you dare to dig a little deeper than the by-the-glass menu.

Megan Nakao

We came here while we visited NYC from California and had the best time. They have a very unique and interesting sake selection. Really appreciated that they opened our eyes to new and exciting sake coming out of Japan. The owners and staff are Japanese and you can tell they have many locals who come often. I felt like it was a family izakaya. If we lived here we would come all the time! Thank you Cho and Ariana for the wonderful experience!

Miriam Yong

Really cool new hidden gem in LES owned by a husband and wife duo. Chill Japanese sake bar vibes. Music was a little too loud but otherwise I enjoyed the space.

Helen Moore

What an amazing experience. We came with a party of 7 on a Saturday night and they were able to comfortably accommodate us. Our server was so knowledgeable with great recommendations. We loved all the cocktails and will definitely be back!

Helen

Super chill bar with the most welcoming owners! Love the sake selection here. There is also a variety of enjoyable small bites. The yellowtail sashimi is a must order as well as the udon. Can’t wait to go back!

Kelsey Rogers

Such a great experience here! One of the owners, Arianna, welcomed us and guided us through the sakes - she was super friendly and clearly has a passion for her craft. The vibe was perfect, it felt like everyone there was already a regular. We will definitely be back and will be recommending this spot to friends!!

Jeffrey N

The sake selection will accommodate everyone, it’s the star of the show. The food has me regretting I’ve spent my money elsewhere. The sashimi dishes are on point, perfect temp and seasoning were amazing. Felt higher than most places. Awesome place to spend time with people you care about! Not pretentious at all, so friendly! You’re not going to regret the time you’ve spent here, you’ll be wondering where the time went.

I rarely write a review and I really wanted to like this place because the service was great but unfortunately, the food was not. Everything was super bland - definitely felt like minimal effort was put into making it taste good. Oden portion was tiny (literally 1 piece of fish cake), whereas you usually get a potful in other japanese izakayas. The sake was quite good, but sadly won’t be returning due to the food.