Visited several times but there's always a wait. You can check in advance on Yelp to be on the wait list. I like their katsu dishes. All well prepared and good quality. The price includes the tip so it's also not too expensive.

+2

Great selection of Japanese Faire outside of your typical noodles and sushi. The time square location is pretty with a good atmosphere. It can be pretty busy so you might expect a wait. The staff is helpful and friendly.

+6

Amazing restaurant - great service, tasty food. Very pleasant & welcoming atmosphere.

Food was delicious came out very fast. I got the udon with seaweed. It was very good :) i will he visiting here again to try so of the other dishes

+1

5+ stars for this restaurant! We were very lucky and were able to be seated right away. We arrived around 6:15 p.m. It was so hard to choose as I wanted to try everything! I ended up ordering the Kaasan ni (chicken with egg and grated daikon) and the Crispy 5 (Bigeye tuna, salmon, scallop, yellowtail and shrimp on crispy rice)! I would totally eat here again and again!!! The service was also terrific with friendly waiters and quick service. Doomo Arigatoo, Ootoya Restaurant!!

+5

Really good and authentic Japanese food. The spot is rather intimate and you can see into the kitchen. Got the tonkatsu curry and the katsu ju. Both were delicious and so were the desserts!

+2

Really good and authentic Japanese food for a reasonable price. (For $20-30 you can get a generous portion of delicious grilled fish that comes with rice, miso soup, salad, and several small side dishes.) Service can be a little slow, but the excellent food more than makes up for it.

I’ve been looking for a more authentic Japanese restaurant in NYC, and this place did not disappoint! The food was outstanding!!! Also, I’ve never had such fresh and juicy gyoza! It was also my first time having crispy rice sushi and it was so good. So fresh! The dessert was absolutely PERFECT. Such a great way to end a fabulous meal. The only thing I will say, though, is that Kimchi is a Korean dish, not Japanese. However, the “Pork Kimchee Nabe” was incredible. I was very impressed. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are a fan of Japanese food!

+1

First time in this Ootaya (visited another one before), tried the chawanmushi special - the steamed egg is so fluffy with many ingredients inside, toro with yuzu sauce - nice sour touch with the fish, and the mixed meat hotpot udon noodle soup. The latter two were a bit salty but bearable, the taste is still amazing. The interior design is well decorated similar to those places in Japan. But the drink I wanted was out of order. Will definitely try it again next time.

*Came back for my BD on 6/15. Amazing sesame dessert and best Japanese homestyle hotpot !! The most Japanese Japanese restaurant I have been in US, which makes me miss Japan a lot !! The interior design is very traditional and neat.

+6

Love Ootoya, authentic Japanese cuisine. Great table service and often times there's a wait during dinner rush hours so try to get there early or later to score an optimal seat. They have curry, katsu, sushi, donburi, steak and so much more. The variety is amazing. Best appetizer or add-ons are the onsen eggs, Chawanmushi regular and premium, and the Karaage. Steak jus was so delicious. As was the wagyu beef curry. Must try!

+6

The whole experience at this Ootoya location was great. The atmosphere was relaxing and very Japanese, and the food was very authentic and delicious. As a Japanese who has been in the US for years, it made be feel like I’m back in my home country. Granted, it is not the cheapest restaurant, but considering the quality and the location, I have no complaints. I would indeed love to come back.

+2

Their famous rice is just amazing! I got Katsu Toji Set. Super tasty. I finished everything! Went on a weekday for dinner. Party over 2 needs some wait. They are very busy! For a weekday lunch it’s a bit pricy.

+1

Honestly me and my mother really enjoyed this spot (also we are Japanese so trust me we are a little judgmental when it comes to Japanese food). Pretty pricey— but it’s sushi in Times Square so to be expected. The atmosphere is fun and good service.

10% Off on 100% Japan born cuisine. Large space to dine in. Drinks and dishes well fresh prepared for you lunch or dinner. Gently attended by personnel from Hostesses to waiters and barman. Warm ambience for all ages and cultures. Ask for take out at your delivery app. Prices razonables $$.

+6

First time having Waugh Sukiyaki and I love it! Butter fish is great option, very very rich flavored! Katsu Pork is extremely thick cut! First time heard of Beef Korokke which I think is unique. Matcha Pudding with red bean dessert ends my meal marvelously! Server told me they use to make their soba and noodle in house but no longer offer after pandemic, which is expected.

+1

Nice Japanese food at Time Square. Food was very very nice, selections are very broad (compare to the other Ootoya in Asia). We went here for lunch, it was pretty busy but we could walk in. At the front of the place, they sell onigiri for 5$.

The food at Ootoya always been great. Saba set during lunch and dinner time is my favorite.

My first time visit Ootoya from my friend's recommendation. The food are great, and the sweet level of desert is perfectly fall in my diet. Price is reasonable with It's location and quality.

I came here a few minutes after opening and was able to be seated immediately on the counter top (in front of the kitchen, really nice seat), but the tables were already gone. I ordered the tonkatsu curry set for lunch and it was really good, definitely among the best katsu I’ve had in NYC so far despite a few pieces being a bit dry. Overall it was a great experience and I’ll definitely be back!

This was our second visit, and our whole family enjoyed a satisfying meal together. We ordered from the seasonal menu — the chirashi was fresh and beautifully plated. The grilled fish was perfectly seasoned, tender, and flavorful. Overall, everything tasted wonderful, and we were very pleased with the experience.

Love this place! Food selections is great because it’s not typical “sushi” or “ramen”. They have many dishes that are typical Japanese dishes. Chicken Katsu is always kids favorite, cold noodles are simple and tasty, bara-chirashi in the picture was exceptional! Will be going back again.

Ootoya offers an excellent, authentic Japanese dining experience. The flavors took me right back to Japan, with every dish crafted to perfection. The sake flight was a highlight—well-curated and a great way to explore different varieties. The atmosphere was beautiful, making for an overall enjoyable and memorable dining experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for true Japanese cuisine!

I really enjoyed the authentic Japanese style of set piece and you can create your own combo! I got a salmon set piece and it’s so delicious, light and comforting! The seaweed rice is utmost delicious!🤤 The best part is its affordability given it’s in Times Square! 👍🏼

+3

If you want enjoy a really good high quality food in a super touristy area without breaking the bank, this is it. I usually go to their Chelsea location but my mom is visiting so I tried this location, and the food has the same quality as Chelsea location. I ordered miso gindara and my mom had the steamed chicken. I took her to eat at one of the most famous restaurants in NYC and she said her fav was Ootoya 🤪🤪

The food here is always very fresh and comforting, with innovative seasonal options. The people are also very friendly, with hospitality matching the most hospitable restaurants in Japan. It's a little pricey, but not terrible, and you get good food for the money.

This has been our go to spot before a a show... especially if you go closer to 5pm otherwise it gets quite busy. The sets are just so good. Deep flavors. The portions are good but not large. The sushi is quite fresh.

This was my first experience with Japanese cuisine and it did not disappoint! The food was phenomenal and staff was friendly and attentive. The food came quickly and was so fresh. My friend loved in Japan for 2 years and said this is the best Japanese food she has found in 5 years. 10/10 recommend.

I have been back after 8~10 years of absence. It is still the great food I still remember. I used to come here on a date with my wife before we got married. Now we are here with 2 children who are already in the elementary school. Time flew but the quality of food and presentation are still as good as I remember.

Always come here when I’m in the city. Great food, decently priced, great service and the setting is just right. I have yet to try everything on the menu but everything by has been delicious so far. Be sure to get reservations or it’s going to be an hour + wait. Or just get there when they open for early lunch.

+1

We had family visiting and had dinner here. Staffs are very attentive to take care of the baby with great care, with baby bowls, spoons, ice creams etc. food was great, service was great. The seasonal set was great too with a survey where we clearly see they care about customers. Definitely visiting back again.

I don't know why but I've been coming to this place a lot and i haven't even gave this place a review. Well theres nothing else to say but the food is amazing and the staff is really great. The vibe and atmosphere is really relaxing and the decor is really beautiful. They have a nice array of drinks such as sake, cocktails, beer, teas,shochu,etc.. i highly recommend if ever you're in bryant park or time square in general stop by and have lumch or dinner at this place.

Food was really good. Nyima was an attentive server.

Amazing food! Especially nice during winter season as the soup is really hot.

GREAT JAPANESE RESTAURANT 🇯🇵 We went to Ootoya in Japan and wanted to try this location before a show in Times Square. We went here with a group of 6 on a Saturday Night. We arrived shortly after they opened at 5pm and were promptly seated. The setting and atmosphere is very cozy. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here. Just take the wait staff suggestion on whatever you fancy and let the dishes come. You will not be disappointed. The mains are excellent and the crispy sushi 🍣 is amazing as they flambéed the sushi rice so that it’s crispy. Try a little bit of everything! Great to share. Also, there are no reservations so get there early! Highly Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

G Q

Really nice authentic Japanese spot. Server came around often to check in. The mains were good, the free sides not so much. Reasonably priced. Would be back again.

Junna Park

It was the first time i had Yosenabe and it was incredibly good! Deep broth with variety of meat you can enjoy. (Chicken, beef, pork, fish). Really soothing and enjoyable nabe during the winter.

Jon Cwern

I have been to the Times Square Otoya many times and have always loved it. This time it was Christmas Eve and the lady at the front said we could only sit at the counter since it was so crowded. We sat at the counter and ordered and then a chef came out and told us the food would take a while because there was a bunch of orders. Honestly the one star reviews complain that the staff is rude but honestly the staff is really nice. Food is good, a little pricey but it is almost worth it. Best thing on the menu is the kid's meal, the airplane.

Judy Wong

Went here with my gals a little later than lunch 1:30 Tuesday. It was busy but not overly crowded. We were definitely able to hear each other. I order the Saba set and it was very delicious. It came with, the grill mackerel, rice, soup, salad, radish and some tofu and green beans. We also had the chemachai ice tea. Felt more authentic to eating in Japan.

+2

Nazneen Malik

I looked up the meaning of Ootoya and understood they were going for home style meals. I love this idea in midtown especially where we eat out everyday at work. The playlist is calming, the service is prompt. The food is delicious. I got the gindara combination. This one a must try if you work in midtown lol

Cydonie Brown

The restaurant is very close to Bryant Park. The food was okay, though my soup could have used a bit more spice. My group enjoyed the soups from the “Nabe” selection. Maybe next time I’ll try the mini sushi variety.

+3

ivan garcia

This place is very authentic, coming from someone that has been to Japan a handful of times. My party all got the pork or chicken tonksu so I cant comment on the rest of the food but as I looked around it also appeared very nice. The vibe was chill and relaxed woth amazing staff making sure we were well taken care of. If your in the area i highly recommend this spot.

Anna

Ootoya in Midtown is my go-to spot for authentic Japanese set meals in a cozy atmosphere. I enjoyed everything about our visit. The food was delicious, beautifully presented, and felt like a comforting Japanese home-cooked meal. We ordered a kids’ meal for my toddler, and he absolutely loved it! The food came in a rocket-shaped plate, which made the experience fun and exciting. The seating can be a bit tight depending on where you’re placed, but it’s manageable. A great spot for anyone craving authentic Japanese flavors with a warm, welcoming vibe.

mag huang

Fantastic 100/10 food! Miso fish was super nice. Pork with egg was also great. Highly recommend this place, taste pretty authentic

Marcel Ramos

I've had unagi (eel) quite a few times but the unagi at Ootoya was spectacular. It was well cooked and tender. The rice portion was just enough to satisfy and the sweet soy sauce gives it the classic touch. The salmon sashimi was tender and flavorful with hints of citrus. The warabi mochi was made in house and was soft and slightly chewy. The brown sugar syrup at the bottom was a little too strong for my taste but the mochi was delicious. The mochi was definitely more delicate than what you can buy at the Japanese grocery store. Everything I ordered at Ootoya exceeded my expectations. I would definitely go there again and try other things on their menu.

Shiki

First meal in NYC. Waited for 5 minutes and sat on a bar table on Sunday night. Recommend Washu beef sukiyaki nabe (added a onsen tamago), Katsu toji with chicken, and beef potato croquette. All of them are tasty, and I feel it worthwhile to add rice to make it a set (really good Japanese rice). Paid 90 (before tax and tip) for 2 people, but in general I feel it a bit pricey though (but maybe that’s reasonable price on time square… I’m not sure) No one added water to our table so I feel the service could be improved.

Albert K

Great fish dishes here. Tons of different menus make it a bit confusing but that means more choices. Good sake options and various smaller dishes. Miso fish was my choice and a great one.

+12

Rachel Caitlin

Always love this place. Go early as no reservations for this location and it gets PACKED. Slightly limited menu at lunch ca dinner but you still get everything you could want! Always busy but some of the best food you could ever have. Any of their locations are great but this is the one i go to the most. They are also great at not rushing people during the meal but everyone is cognizant that there is usually a line of people waiting for a seat. Highly recommend truly some of the best Japanese food ever.

+8

They have sushi but not your typical sushi place. They serve a a specific style of Japanese food arranged in sets. Non-tipping restaurant! So the prices basically “include tip.” Keep this in mind when you order. I thought it was pricey at first but then when I realized...it wasn’t as bad. Food wise. I was blown away. It was okay - good. I don’t think it was bad but won’t go out of my way to come here.

Went there for lunch with friends on a weekend, no wait time, got a small eel don(they have bigger version too)and add on some udon noodles and salmon sashimi appetizer! Service was a typical time square manner (meaning non existing), but the food was good.

I had the onigiri and miso soup to go, it was well packed, and they gave it to me right away. In terms of the food, the miso soup was delicious but the quantity wasn’t that much, it was less than half the container. The onigiri was okay but the salmon didn’t have much flavor, but for a quick meal it’s okay.

Very nice place! The interior was nice and clean and service was very good and friendly. Only complaint is the savouriness of the food. We tried the crispy rice spicy tuna sushi and it was ok. The hotpots and pork belly egg rice were also very average compared to the price. Overall a nice place but a bit pricey compared to the savouriness of the food.

I have been rto other locations and all of the food are decent. But you can definitely find better in Manhattan. However, if you are seeking proper Japanese home style food, I believe you should try this place.

The broth is a little bit too sweet but other than that everything is solid

The Shima Hokke had a strong fish smell. Maybe an acquired taste. The Washu Beef was a much better choice 😋. The meat was well flavored, the broth was delicious. Very filling. Seating is arranged by table grouping. My coat was touching that of the next couple. We both apologized and continued with our dining experience. The hostess was very pleasant.

This restaurant looks amazing and serves great standard japanese food. The Washu Beef Katsu Donabe Curry, Kaasan Ni, and the Katsu Toji were all great dishes with each of our meats battered and fried nicely. The beef was especially tender. The service was great as well. Prices seem somewhat reasonable for a restaurant like this in Times Square. Only giving it 4/5 stars because it didn't seem exceptional in taste for the price.

Food was excellent. Nice little restaurant.

The Oyako don was seasoned nicely and the Salmon Tonyu Nabe had a creamy / smooth texture while soy milk added depth to taste and salmon added the oil-y and subtle umami. ngl It tasted like a chain restaurant or a home cook who got somewhat professional but not quite there - for the quality of cook on certain elements was obviously off: salmon itself was on the dry side and the eggs of the Oyako don were weirdly overcooked and undercooked at the same time) - as well as the grade? Freshness? Of individual ingredients... but the portion is so big I'd still recommend this place lol

Great service and delicious food. I hate that this restaurant doesn't use physical menus and uses QR codes instead.

Very popular so I recommend you make a reservation, not a big place so it fills up fast. The staff is kind and the food was very good.

I came here one day after the gym. I was starving and this was on my way to the train station. Food was good, service felt very rushed. I received my bill as I was still chewing. The whole interior felt very dark. I wouldn’t mind coming here again for a quick bite, but this is not the kind of place to hang out with your friends and chitchat for 2-3 hours over food and drinks. The chawanmushi was very light and not commonly found in a lot of Japanese restaurants in the area, so I was pretty happy when I saw it on the menu. It did not disappoint. Shishito peppers had a good mix of spicy vs non spicy. The crispy rice sushi was surprisingly good. I added two orders of salmon sashimi and it came out together with the chawanmushi. The Yuzu White Peach Moshi sparkling juice drink was a few times more expensive than the price I saw in a nearby Japanese market, but I know the restaurant has to pay rent too, so I expected the pricing.

I have been to Ootoya several times in Japan. I think this restaurant is a high-end restaurant in the style of Ootoya. The menu provided is also limited compared to Japan, and everything is a little sophisticated. The taste was perfect and reminded me of Japan. The price is high, and one rice ball is 4 dollars and 50 cents. Well, the location is good, so is it unavoidable in NYC?

We waited at lunchtime on a long line at Katsu Hama and didn’t want to continue waiting so decided to try Ootoya. Only a 10 minute wait for a seat. The chicken curry Katsu was very tasty although it was dark meat and a little chewy and fatty. The curry was decent. The Katsu came with a salad and miso soup. The highlight was the Uzu we ordered which was so delicious. I had never tasted anything like it and it was so refreshing! I honestly think Wagamama’s Katsu and curry had a bit more flavor.

Butterfish 3 bony, medium soft texture Steak 4 medium rare, tender, flavorful sauce Karrage 3 light yellow color, crispy, medium tender Beef Croquette 4 very crunchy, creamy on the inside Steamed Egg 3 not a lot of seafood, not flavorful Salmon Sashimi 5 fresh

Probably there is nothing here that allows one to brag around about. Nevertheless, there is nothing much to disappoint one, either. Both service and food were decent. I liked the special cold corn egg custard as well as the homemade tofu, which was endowed with a natural subtle sweetness. The beef sukiyaki should not be too bad - just that the sweetened flavor of this dish is never my thing and I had to admit that the beef was not very tender. My fav of the meal was the grilled mackerel - remarkably juicy and tender. To sum up, this is a safe choice if you want to hang out with some friends.

Always guaranteed quality, well prepared, and authentic Japanese food. You come here for food, less for service experience or atmosphere. My suggestions are the chirashi bowl, steamed egg is a MUST, and if you're around for lunch, getting the lunch sets are definitely a great deal (for this restaurant, still expect to pay about $30 which can be steep for casual lunch). They're known for their "hotpots", everything here is a bit on the sweet side, ask your server ahead of time.

+1

The interior design looks very Japanese and all the dish and cutlery too. The service was very good! The food was great! I loved their home-made Tofu! BUT I tried the sushis with crispy rice and I sadly did not like them. The texture was good but the taste wasn't. The crispy rice strong flavor overpowered the fish. I do not recommend even though it is very unique. It was a good experience overall.

Decor and sitting area is average. The crispy sushi set was crunchy delicious. Loved the creamy salmon tonyu nabe.

Decided to check out Ootoya for a team lunch. This place was packed during lunch time. They didn’t take reservation during that time but luckily we were able to grab a table for 8. They offer lunch specials but the menu is found using a QR code; however, you can request for a physical menu. I ordered the noodle set that came with a small Katsu Ju and cold soba for an additional cost. The set also came with a small salad and an okra side dish. Wasn’t a huge fan of the Katsu Ju but the cold soba was tasty and refreshing. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their lunch. The service was good and food came out promptly. I think it’s worth it for the lunch specials.

+5

First visit to this location, usually going to the Chelsea branch. As usual, good quality Japanese food at pretty good prices and good service in a pleasant spot, convenient to the theater district. Recommend!

+2

The experience was decent overall. None of the flavors were especially memorable, but everything was executed to a solid and reliable standard. The restaurant feels like a place where you can find a wide range of options depending on what you are in the mood for, and the dinner wait was not particularly long The set meal I ordered was beautifully presented, with layered bowls arranged across the entire tray. Before the food was even tasted, the visual presentation was already enjoyable. I tend not to appreciate dishes without plating unless the flavors are truly outstanding, and Japanese cuisine usually satisfies this expectation In terms of the food itself, the beef was cooked to a good doneness, and the eel was rich and glossy. The variety of small side dishes helped refresh the palate throughout the meal. The miso soup worked well to cleanse and balance richer flavors, while the kimchi tofu soup was comparatively ordinary and left little impression, though it was also much more affordable

Jenn L

This was my 1st visit to their Times Square location and I also haven't been to Ootoya in a hot minute. I stopped by for a birthday lunch and was seated at the counter. QR codes on the table needed to be scanned to view the menu but I think they also had physical menus as well. The Yosenabe Teishoku set had a kombu broth with 3 different kinds of fish, pork slices, beef slice and udon noodles. Talk about a lot of food! The okra side that it came with had a sesame dressing which I wished they offered refills for. The salad was just okay for me, the dressing was a bit tart for me. The miso soup was also pretty good with 2 small pieces of tofu and a few pieces of wakame. The star of this whole meal was definitely the hot pot. The first fish had quite a lot of bones but the meat tasted clean and was tender and flaky. The salmon was also pretty tender and definitely not overcooked. The third I wasn't too partial with because of the slightly fishy taste. The beef was just okay for me as I enjoyed the pork a lot more. More than just a boiled taste, perhaps the pork was seasoned but it was my favorite part of the hot pot. With some udon noodles at the bottom of the hot pot and a giant bowl of rice, this set meal was definitely very filling. 2nd visit: I tried the Kaasan Ni set. Onions were stewed till soft and paired well with the egg and katsu pieces. Next time I'll have to give the beef sukiyaki a try.

Noelle

freshness of sushi/bowls is generally not the best, but this is otherwise the place to go for japanese comfort food.

Hsin-Roe Pan

The food itself is top tier. I got the butterfish set and each dish was finely crafted with its own flavorful essence. The salad and radish have a more subtle flavor, but the punchy tang of the salted fish and soaked tofu balls balance it out. All I’d say is it’d be perfect if my data or wifi worked inside. The waitress also forgot my soup spoon lol

Jean Ng

We enjoyed the tasty food every time we visit any Ootoya. I do wished the grated yam could be a little more than just a dollop on top the rice. A good choice for pre show dinner if looking for good Japanese food.

+1

I did not enjoy the food here, unfortunately. Too pricy thiking of the portion. Tables were narrowly arranged so I could not hold any private conversation. Still, the staff was really kind and supportive, so I liked that.

We came here after looking at the reviews and also because it was a chain restaurant that was familiar. A bit of a mistake. First we walked in and wait wasn’t so bad. The hostess seemed to be busy talking to a “customer” to really pay attention to what she should be doing. Seating actual customers not chatting up some guy. As busy as it was the wait was minimal. We sat down and ordered right away. The ootoya lunch special and the miso tonkatsu. The food came out right away and everything looked good. But that’s where it ended. The tonkatsu that we ordered was described as being breaded and deep fried silky pork cutlet. If they mean blubbery full of fat and what meat there was being tough and gamey then yeah sure it’s silky. For what they charge you’d think they would tenderize the meat a little and cut out the fat but guess it’s better to make it look big then spending time on preparing. But other than all the fat and hard to chew meat. Everything else was decent enough. Maybe don’t order the tonkatsu rather order something else. The ootoya Special turned out to be a better option.

+6

Food has gone downhill. Half my dishes were decent and half tasteless with the raw salmon being slightly off-putting. Kudos for the matcha ice cream!

Let’s start with the positive - this restaurant looks the part and feels very authentic with quite a number of Asian guests. Service was kind and tried to be helpful if a little rushed as it was a little busy even though it was just before the dinner rush. The bad isn’t that bad… and the points below are jiggly but enough to lose two stars in my humble opinion… The menu is good and full of options. There was nothing wrong overall with the taste of the dishes but just lacking a little in comparison with the expectation from the look and feel of the restaurant. I’ll try to explain… The Daikon side dish is practically a full sized Salad plate (the small version is.. I dread the size of the large portion). This is good if you want a massive plate of it but it was a lot. The Sushi cut very thick - with no option by the chef to slice it thinner (even in a busy restaurant, a good sushi chef should be sliced to order if requested). A tiny droplet of wasabi (fresh I believe which is a positive) accompanied it which felt a little churlish. I’m sure I could have asked for more but it would make more sense to put an appropriate amount with the dish. The gyoza was simply too greasy, fell apart too easily and the edges rubbery with not nearly enough of a dipping bowl for the sauce. Finally the Tonkatsu Udon bowl - this should have been a highlight and the Tonkatsu was excellent with a mix of both the white loin and the brown meat mixed together and the broth and udons were excellent. The simple issue was instead of sitting on the noodles above the broth… the panko breaded meat was drowning in the broth which of course meant that it fell apart very quickly. Finally… and its just a cheeky jab… how can you run out of Ramunade? That’s just a cardinal sin 😊 Attention to the little details is the hallmark of great Japanese cooking and this was easily a restaurant that should not have these issues and I hope they are ironed out so that this place can get the proper 5 star rating it deserves.

This is an authentic Japanese restaurant providing working-class family style meals, simple and healthy. The portion and size of the meal, however, is tiny, compared to its price tag - a simple fish combo with rice and miso soup cost me $44 with tips. I feel this price is partially justified with the location, but at least provide a slight larger portion at least? Just my opinion.

This is a Japanese "diner" style restaurant that serves a variety of dishes. Some of the well known dishes to western states are katsu, noodles, and gyoza. The dishes can be in combination with soup, salad, and a starch bowl, or a la carte. Overall, it's a good place to grab a quick comfort bite with familiar dishes.

+6

The service was exceptional, friendly, and welcoming. However, I feel like the food is overpriced for an okay portion. I ordered an egg appetizer, but it tasted SUPER fishy even tho it’s just eggs. The sashimi tasted very fishy and not too fresh. However, I did enjoy the sushi and it’s different adding crunchy rice, but it was a bit overwhelming. It came with 11 pieces of sushi and the price is a bit high. I would recommend coming here to try their sushi because it’s a different, but most of the food tasted very fishy.

Last time I went, It was super crowed and I couldn’t in, I have to wait 1 hours. So this time I made reservation 2 days ago. I went for dinner with 2 other friends. This place was ok. New clean Japanese vibes. but I had high expectation from reviews, The food was ok and but overpriced. Staffs are nice and friendly. Unfortunately I’m not sure I will come back

+4

Qiaoyi Chen

Loved this restaurant. But feel like the price are much higher than before. Today I am checking my photo from last year? The same sukiyaki set for 35$, now sukiyaki itself is 35, if you want the set, that is 6$ more. And the old set used to contain salad, now it disappears. Taste is still good. Service is okay for me.

We came thinking it would be good because it is a franchised store. Unfortunately, the food was quite disappointing. The fish was very salty and smelled odd for some reason. The utensils honestly looked like they need to be replaced. While the cost is high, the portions are big. The staffs are nice and wonderful. Only the food needs work.

Don’t consider this as a normal “Ootoya” you visit in Japan or Taiwan. We stood at the entrance for a minute and nobody approached us even though there were staffs walked by. Lousy service as the waiter threw away the order paper and came back 10 minutes to reorder. No physical menu and the design of the digital menu on you phone is very difficult to use. The food quality was not good either. The fish could have it’s better days before being served on the table. It was smelly and not fresh at all not only compared to what they offered in Japan but also many other inexpensive Japanese restaurants in the US. The environment was not clean and they floor is somehow sticky. I would consider that as a nice touch as you don’t have to worry about falling over. Overall, it is simply a restaurant that has the same name and similar menu on the other side of the earth. It gave me hope and then beat me hard in realization.

6/27 update: the last time I tried to get the ebi chili onigiri, they were out, so I was very excited to get some today and ordered a lunch special (2 onigiri + a beef croquette). It was so disappointing. The shrimp was SO tough that I thought for a moment that I had gotten some overcooked chicken. I’m shocked that they would put such low quality shrimp out 👎 Original review: This review is specifically for their lunch onigiri counter. I first came upon this at a Japan Fes that accompanied the annual Japan Parade. They have a seasonal ebi onigiri that is delicious. On top of a tasty filling, the onigiri is covered in bits of tempura, giving it a light, crunchy bite. I really hope that they keep this flavor around!

Writing this hurts my heart as a Japanese person. I’ve been here several times before, and this was the first bad experience. I sincerely hope this isn’t the new norm. I ordered the Nabeyaki Udon lunch set. The miso soup was watery, and the bowl smelled like a dirty washcloth. The udon broth was also watery and full of brown foam and residue, giving it an unpleasant fishy taste. In Japanese cooking, this brown foam (aku) is carefully skimmed off while simmering so the soup remains clean, clear, and flavorful. Leaving it in completely ruins the taste. To make matters worse, I found a piece of plastic bag in the soup that was about 5 inches by 1 inch. I felt sick. I will not go back there anymore.

Sylvia Chen

I lived in this city for more than 4 years and went to Ootoya union square countless times. But this time, I had a very disappointing experience at Ootoya in Times Square, primarily due to the service. We arrived earlier and placed our order around 1:30 PM for two set meals and two small appetizers. I had a 2:30 appointment, so we were slightly mindful of time. Given my previous experience at Ootoya union square, I was pretty confident I could make it. By 1:50 PM, nothing had been served—not even the appetizers—so I asked a male server to help check. He went to the kitchen and told us it would take about five more minutes, so we continued waiting. By around 2:00 PM, still nothing had arrived. We then asked another female server for an update. To be clear, I was not asking her to rush the food or have it served immediately. I simply asked if she could check with the kitchen and let us know approximately how much longer it would take, and mentioned that even bringing the appetizers first would help. Instead of checking, she began lecturing us. She said that if we were in a hurry, we shouldn’t have ordered set meals and should have ordered “faster, pre-made dishes.” She then emphasized that their dishes—especially fish—require very delicate preparation and stated that each dish takes at least 15 minutes. At that point, I told her we had placed our order around 1:30 PM, so it had already been over 20 minutes. Rather than going to the kitchen to check on the order, she chose to walk to the cashier, pull up the order on the screen, and return in a condescending manner to argue that our order was placed at 1:35 PM, not 1:30 PM. The five-minute difference is irrelevant—even by her own record, 25 minutes had already passed by 2:00 PM. What stood out was that her priority seemed to be proving the customer wrong, rather than helping resolve the delay. I eventually got my food around 2:08pm. Shortly afterward she took an order at the table next to us. When they ordered sushi, she suddenly raised her voice and said in a sarcastic tone, “Just so you know, sushi takes a looong time—around 20 to 25 minutes. Are you okay with that?” This felt less like a helpful warning and more like a passive-aggressive remark clearly directed at us. I came here to dine, not to be lectured or ridiculed. Food quality aside (ironically, the fish soup we eventually received had a noticeable fishy smell), basic respect, accountability, and professionalism matter even more. The attitude and professionalism of this staff were completely unacceptable. With service like this, I will not be returning, and I cannot recommend this location.

Shan F (Jack)

I had a very disappointing experience at Ootoya in New York today. I ordered the Washu Beef Sukiyaki Nabe set, but the pot itself looked dirty and unwashed for a long time, which was very off-putting. The broth was overly sweet, the beef was tough and dry, and the scallions were just old green leaves. The grilled salmon tasted unfresh with a strong unpleasant smell, and the ikura (salmon roe) seemed like it had been sitting for 2–3 weeks — overly salty and fishy. The sashimi was far from fresh, the color already looked off as if the fish had dried out, and even the wasabi was darkened. In Japan, Ootoya is known as a casual, affordable spot for decent Japanese comfort food. But here in New York, the portion is small, the quality is poor, and the price is shockingly high — $50 for a set like this is unacceptable. Honestly, I don’t recommend coming here. This experience was far from what Ootoya is supposed to represent, and it’s disappointing to see Japanese food culture presented this way.