Welcome to Kotobuki
Welcome to Kotobuki, a vibrant gem nestled at 30 Vandam St, New York. This Japanese seafood haven fuses traditional flavors with modern flair, all while offering an expansive menu that caters to both casual diners and sushi enthusiasts alike. Here, you can indulge in donburi rice bowls, savory ramen, and exquisite omakase. Signature dishes like the spicy tuna pizza and chirashi platter showcase seasonal freshness and creativity. The energetic atmosphere is perfect for groups, though it may not suit a quiet dinner date. Experience affordable yet delightful sushi, where every bite tells a story of satisfaction and culinary exploration.
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30 Vandam St, New York, NY 10013 Hotline: (212) 353-5088
Welcome to Kotobuki, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Manhattan at 30 Vandam St. This Japanese seafood restaurant is a delightful stop for sushi lovers and adventurous eaters alike. With its extensive and creative menu, Kotobuki offers a tantalizing array of dishes that cater to both traditional tastes and modern cravings.
At Kotobuki, the omakase experience is not confined to exorbitant prices. Here, you can indulge in expertly crafted sushi, like the Sashimi Lunch and Chirashi Lunch, each priced at a modest $21. The portions are generous, as many patrons have noted, ensuring you leave satisfied. Reviews highlight the freshness and vibrant flavors of the dishes, with particular mentions of their hamachi and an impressive variety of fish offered in the sashimi platter.
The menu also dips into various donburi rice bowls, such as the Unadon with a delectable broiled eel topping for $24, or the comforting Katsudon, featuring a crispy panko crusted pork cutlet for $19. Whether you're in the mood for a warm bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen or a light Tempura Udon, Kotobuki guarantees a fulfilling dining experience.
- Spicy Tuna Pizza: A must-try appetizer that has captured the hearts of many, blending crispy rice with vibrant toppings.
- Cocktails: Don’t miss the lychee martini, an affordable yet delightful choice at just $12.
- Atmosphere: A lively environment filled with a mix of college students and sushi aficionados, perfect for a casual catch-up with friends.
While some reviews may point out that Kotobuki's offerings lean towards the Americanized side, the affordability and quality cannot be overlooked. Customers appreciate the fun, Instagrammable rolls and the skillful blending of flavors that create an enjoyable culinary experience.
In a city where dining can often break the bank, Kotobuki shines as an accessible and enjoyable sushi destination. So, whether you opt for a quick lunch or a fun evening with friends, this restaurant is sure to deliver a memorable meal that doesn't skimp on flavor or value.
- extensive menu - americanized dishes - creative/fun rolls - instagramable appeal - it's not authentic by any stretch of the imagination but it's moderately priced for the area and reasonably fresh - personally, I didn't like any of the rolls that I tried (just too much going on, overly dressed) but I did like their sushi, specifically the sweet shrimp and any/all of the roe
I ordered the sashimi platter through Postmates and it was fantastic! The portion of fish was quite large - I had leftovers - and everything was very fresh and flavorful. I particularly enjoyed the hamachi, yum! Thick pieces of fish and a nice variety. They also include a couple pieces of cooked salmon, which was nice, and it came with some sushi rice to round things out. Delicious and great value - would recommend!
Kotobuki is one of the, if not the, best moderately priced sushi restaurants in Manhattan. Always high quality food no matter if you eat inside or get carry out. If you eat inside, the food is very prompt and the restaurant itself is relatively loud. Would not recommend as a date spot unless you already know the person well. Better for a group of friends. Always a decent amount of college kids given the price point. Highly recommend the spicy tuna pizza and getting one of the sushi combos (ie Sushi for one, two, three, four -- that is truly the best value) I love a dragon roll, but their dragon roll is not ideal. Way too big of bites
My friend found this spot on TikTok, and it is getting traction for being a delicious, but affordable spot for omakase in Manhattan! This restaurant is conveniently located right off Union Square. It is super nice and clean on the inside, but not too fancy. The menu is huge and extensive. Online, it doesn't look like they take reservations, but if you call, they do. We got reservations at 7 PM and were seated right away. My one negative was that the host at the front was very rude, in front of everyone, to multiple delivery drivers coming in. It was distracting, and kind of off-putting. Our server was super nice though and didn't rush us through the ordering process. I had the lychee martini to drink, and it was delish! For a cocktail in Manhattan, $12 was super reasonable. We split the tuna pizza to start, and it was incredible! I would actually come here again just for this. The crispy rice was the perfect base for all the toppings and the spicy mayo was *chef's kiss*! We then shared three rolls: Alaska roll, Daisy Dukes specialty roll, and Spicy Girl roll. All three were fabulous, but my fav was the Daisy Dukes. It was the perfect bite! I also got a side of spicy mayo, which was the perfect addition to each roll. All in all, this was delicious AND affordable sushi in Manhattan! A definite score! Other than the negative energy from the front of house, everything was 5 stars!
Look, contrary to popular belief you don't have to spend $100+ on an omakase experience for good sushi in NYC. Kotobuki is a prime example of a fun menu designed to accommodate sushi lovers for an affordable price. It's also right next to a movie theater, making it a perfect choice for a dinner and a movie date night. Service is quick so you don't have to worry about missing previews. Stop in!
I haven't gone to a non-omakase place in so long! This was a great spot for a variety of Japanese food, ranging from sashimi to udon noodles to rice places. I got the chirashi bowl. The rice was on the colder side. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be warmer. They gave me a variety of sashimi! I felt that it was a good amount for the price. The pieces were sliced thicker than what I would like. And the quality and variety werent near omakase pieces. But it's a good place to go for your run of the mill sushi and sashimi.
Would not come here expecting omakase quality but a solid place for speciality rolls and/or if you're looking for reasonably priced sushi. Service was also quick and attentive! Crispy rice & spicy tuna - came with 6 pieces. Rice was perfectly bite sized and crispy. Spicy tuna wasn't super flavorful but it wasn't bad. Beach monster (spicy scallop, eel, burdock, scallion topped w/ torch-seared super white tuna) and hole in one (shrimp tempura, avocado, tobiko, mayo, topped w/ lightly seared scallop & sweet sauce drizzle) - exactly what you'd expect from speciality rolls. Lots of different flavors and sauces with decent quality fish. Uni sushi - $8 and not the highest quality but also not the worst. Enjoyable nonetheless.
Came in on a very busy evening and luckily they had 2 seats at the bar. Without hesitation, we took them. When our food came out, we were so delighted. I loved how much variety was on my deluxe plate, and the hand rolls were filling too. Pricing wasn't too bad! Seems like a super popular spot, would try to make reservations if you can. Recommend!