Because the East Village is saturated with unbelievable dining options — the neighborhood boasts an impressive five Michelin-starred eateries — choosing your culinary destination can be an overwhelming proposition. Interestingly enough, all five of the Michelin-recognized restaurants specialize in Asian (or Asian-inspired) cuisine, so consider this a walk-through of some of the best Japanese and fusion delicacies in the city.
8 Extra Place off East 1st Street
Mushroom takoyaki at Momofuku Ko (Image: T.Tseng/Flickr)
New York City tasting menu pioneer Momofuku Ko has received Michelin recognition every year since its 2008 debut. This year, the David Chang outpost has retained its longtime position in the two-star category and for good reason. With a meticulous 15-course (or more) meal dictated by market availability, Momofuku Ko asks that you reserve two-and-a-half hours (and $195, not including tax and tip) for your dining experience. Recent offerings at the small Asian-French fusion joint have included a chicken fried oyster puff with aioli, dry aged beef au poivre, uni with chickpea puree, and razor clams with pineapple and basil. With seating for just over 20 at a few tables and a central U-shaped counter surrounding the open kitchen, competition for reservations is fierce. If luck is on your side, however, you may find room at the small cocktail bar where you can order abbreviated five- and six-course options on a walk-in basis.
414 E. 9th Street near First Avenue
At Cagen, Owner/Chef Toshio Tomita — who also spent 16 years in the kitchen at Nobu — adds his one unique twist to traditional Kappo cuisine, making each omakase-style meal an exploration of boundless flavor combinations. “Cagen” means “just right,” a suitable name for an establishment seeking to blend old and new, classic and contemporary. The menu focuses on a highly curated list of fresh ingredients, many sourced directly from Japan, with an artful presentation that earns the restaurant one Michelin star. Recent offerings have included fatty tuna hand roll, tamagoyaki, grilled scallop, and miso black cod. Cagen offers both chef’s counter and table dining, but with lucky patrons boasting of Chef Tomita’s frequent interaction at the counter, we’re sure you know which to choose.
239 E. 5th St. at Second Avenue
Toro at Jewel Bako (Image: Chun Yip So/Flickr)
Jewel Bako’s Chef Mitsunori Isoda brings 20 years of experience to this East Village hot spot. Here you’ll find traditional sushi with a modern slant, offering a seasonal assortment of exotic and local fish presented with impressive imagination, artistry and balance. The dining room is warm and intimate, the sushi is presented on handcrafted plates and the long list of artisan sakes and curated wines enhance the overall experience. Jewel Bako has earned a well-deserved Michelin star for 11 consecutive years with delectable sushi and sashimi offerings including blue fin tuna, yellowtail, Scottish salmon, red snapper, and scrumptious eel.
175 2nd Ave. at East 11th Street
Kanoyama’s sushi bar (Image: T. Carrigan/Flickr)
In Kanoyama’s unassuming space — and with prices set at a rather remarkable value for a newly-minted Michelin-starred restaurant — guests go on a sushi “adventure” of quality and knowledge. Once you arrive at this popular and always tightly packed place, you’ll enjoy sushi and sashimi for three for $120, with an oyster bar and sake selection to add to the experience. The hamachi carpaccio and king salmon roll earn high marks, as do the restaurant’s desserts. If you want to dine at home, you’re in luck. Kanoyama delivers their Michelin-quality cuisine straight to your door.
94 E. 7th St.at First Avenue
Kyo Ya (Image: T.Tseng/Flickr)
This fifth Michelin honoree takes us underground for Kyoto-style seasonal specialties that are as authentic as they are delicious. The reservations-only, formal kaiseki dinners are memorable, but if you want to try one of the tasting menus, you’ll have to let them know at least one day in advance. Aside from the straight-from-the-sea assortment of sushi and sashimi, menu standouts include shrimp mousse balls, clay pot soup with blow fish, and slowly grilled duck with Mongolian salt.