We can’t say we miss the cheesy and noisy club that used to occupy 74 Wythe Avenue. RIP Output. Evidently, a new occupant is coming early next year. The ground level floor will be used as a rental for private parties. On the top level, there will be a Japanese restaurant that’s open to the […]
Samurai Mama
Excellent udon and sushi served in a minimalist setting. Samurai Mama is dimly lit with a long communal table and a few side tables. It’s from the same owners of Bozu and Momo Sushi Shack, but with a focus on udon. If you’re not in the mood for noodles or sushi, small plates are also available with standouts like homemade silken tofu, pork belly and fantastic vegetable tempura. This is a casual spot to have a meal or pre-game it before an event.
Featured Reviews
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A Japanese spot focusing mainly on udon (they also serve some sushi), Samurai Mama is a good place to know about when you’re looking for a casual spot to warm up your frostbitten self in Williamsburg. The vibe feels like a Japanese maze/hideout, with four different rooms, and would be good for an early in the game date. If it’s not winter, the probability that you’ll end up here is dependent on your appreciation for udon. Get the curry one.
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An unfortunate name for what is a truly excellent noodle shop, and what I hope will be the start of a new, moderately-priced Asian-themed noodle dynasty. The hand-made udon are certainly good enough to carry it. The wood-and-brick filled interior is moody but comfortable, with a single long communal table dominating the dining room, along with a few satellite banquettes. Thankfully, the table is large enough that you can still be afforded some privacy despite the communal setting.
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The focus here has shifted from the sushi on offer at his other spot, Bozu, to udon, with thick homemade noodles in spicy fish or vegetable broth and a selection of toppings including shrimp tempura, sweet potato, poached egg, or pork Betty (cooked pork belly, fatty and delicious). Sushi is available in both roll and “taco” form, the latter made with a seaweed shell of sorts. Fried selections make great starters
Bozu
An atmospheric Japanese restaurant the serves great izakaya and pretty good sushi. We’re never blown away by the latter here, but still love coming to feast on a few small dishes like Pork Betty, fried chicken, and dumplings. If you’re itching for sushi, get one of their sushi bombs which is essentially a dome-shaped roll. Their cocktails are strong and delicious and overall this is a great spot to have a few snacks with friends.
Featured Reviews
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Here’s the kicker, Bozu isn’t even really a sushi restaurant. It’s “Japanese Tapas,” because of course it is. I think what that means is that they have all kinds of inventive small plates on the strange tiny plastic menu they hand you, a few of which we tried and cared for very little. What that also means is that you won’t find straightforward sushi here either. What you will find are sushi “bombs,” which are basically rice and fish and other stuff pressed together into a neat dome shaped thing. The bombs we liked.
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Eating here is a blast, and their sushi is the bomb-quite literally. The unique sushi bombs (flat coin-like rice cakes topped with fish, spicy sauces and such) are one of the kitchen’s signature dishes and for good reason. But do try the tender pork Betty and delicious fried tako balls too. The menu here has been described as “authentically inauthentic.” But however named, the important thing is that the food is executed with care and attention.
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Bozu chef-owner Makoto Suzuki has expanded the definition of Japanese tapas (if there is one) to include deep-fried kataifi-crusted shrimp, pumpkin risotto croquettes stuffed with mozzarella, and an unconventional version of sushi. Suzuki’s “bombs” are the shape of things to come—small mounds of rice tinted red from cabbage or pink from codfish roe, and topped either traditionally (salmon, tuna, eel) or not (radish, mint leaf, green tomato sauce). These light bites can be eaten at the bar, on epoxy tables ringed with Eames chairs, or on the back deck.
Moku Moku, a new Izakaya restaurant in Bushwick, is now open
Moku Moku recently opened in Bushwick (you can call it East Williamsburg if you want). It’s from the same people who own Momo Sushi Shack which is next door: Opened in the former Olive Valley space, Moku Moku isn’t doing sushi, but rather a more meat-heavy menu focused on Yakitori, which in Japanese means grilled […]