Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

REVEL IN JAPANESE FUSION TAPAS AND WARM SAKE

Renowned for original Japanese tapas, the latest creation from Bozu in Williamsburg is Wagyu Sushi Bomb - 3 pieces of sushi topped with lightly roasted slices of Japanese beef that melts in your mouth. Their high quality beef is marinated in yuzu citrus soy sauce, homemade hot pepper shochu and sea salt, and is served with tangy yuzu jam that cleans your palate. The head chef Kitano suggests, "start with sake first, then revel in the sushi and finish it all off with the yuzu jam". He also recommends lukewarm sake to go with it. Sake changes flavors at different temperatures, and their sake is presented in a "sake tub"- a tabletop double boiler that gradually heats up sake to be enjoyed at various temperatures. Discover new flavor combinations with Bozu’s unique tapas and their exceptional sake.

NOTHING LIKE A BOWL OF STEAMY RAMEN ON A COLD DAY

You instantly forget the cold weather as the aroma and steam from Naruto Ramen's kitchen draws you inside. Their special menu for November and December are Tan Tan Men and White Meat Ramen. Tan Tan Men is a spicy ramen noodle soup prepared with red chili peppers and sesame seeds in a miso soup base. White Meat Ramen is a soy sauce flavored ramen noodle soup topped with chashu chicken - white chicken meat simmered with garlic, ginger, sake and soy sauce. It's light on your stomach but satisfies even the most seasoned of ramen enthusiasts. Their lunch sets are perfect gourmet cheap eats, and you can also try soy-sauce, miso and curry flavored ramen for $6.50 (reg. $8.50) on Mondays and gyoza dumplings for $2.50 (reg. $4.50) on Wednesdays. Ramen is the excellent comfort food that will always leave you warm and toasty in the chilly winter.

AUTHENTIC JAPANESE NOODLES FOR WINTER PARTIES

Onigashima's specialty is authentic handmade udon and soba noodles made from only the best ingredients imported directly from Japan. A dish you must try this winter is Nigiwai Udon Suki - an udon noodle soup served in a hot pot. "Nigiwai" means "brimming with excitement" in Japanese, and as the name implies, this dish is jam-packed with delectable ingredients such as shrimp, whitefish, sea eel and clams along with free-range chicken, tofu, mushrooms and vegetables. It is an exciting meal cooked at your table and can be ordered for 2 or more people. Their dinner menu also features sushi and sashimi as well as a wide variety of appetizers. Groups of up to 40 people can be accommodated in their private room, and Onigashima is the perfect place for a winter party with scrumptious noodles.

OPEN UNTIL 3AM- SATISFY YOUR LATE NIGHT CRAVING WITH WAFU-CHUKA

Saburi is the only restaurant in NY serving Wafu-chuka - Japanese style Chinese cuisine with a healthy twist. The owner Jun Cui is a veteran chef who worked under the "Iron Chef Chinese", Kenichi Chen, and a standard Chinese dish like Sweet & Sour Pork prepared in Japanese style will leave a new and refreshing impression on your palate. Chef Cui recommends Yuba Harumaki, a seafood spring roll wrapped in tofu skin, as a healthy alternative for an appetizer, and Spicy Miso Ramen, a well-balanced spicy noodle soup topped with minced pork, bok choy and bean sprouts, is guaranteed to keep you warm this winter. Their menu features other ramen flavors as well, and Chinese sake is offered at half price this holiday season. Enjoy Chinese cuisine like you've never experienced before.

ELEGANT FUSION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN CUISINE

Sachiko’s On Clinton serves a fusion of traditional Edomae-style and modern, creative sushi. Their chefs work magic behind the sushi bar giving off a sophisticated energy that adds elegance to the ambiance.  They have just introduced Sushi Kaiseki ($40), the courses of small dishes and nigiri sushi, based on authentic kaiseki ryouri.  Sachiko’s Sushi Kaiseki starts with sakizuke (amuse) and goes on to yaki hassun (5 appetizers), nimono (boiled dish), 5 piece nigiri sushi including tuna, fluke, foie gras, salmon-ikura, and sea eel. Matcha ice cream with shiratama ball ends the courses. They offer 6 course Christmas tasting menu ($65), including special 5 appetizers and a choice of steak or fish entree on Dec 20th, 21st, 23rd, and 24th. New Year's Eve tasting menu ($40) is also available. Private party section can be arranged as requested.

MOUTH-WATERING JAPANESE FOOD AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Serving homemade flavors of Japan for 31 years on the Upper East Side, Tokubei86 is cherished by patrons of all ages for their wide selection of menu items that include authentic Japanese dishes, daily combination platters and modern Japanese comfort food. The owner/chef Tokunaga’s M.O. is to serve mouth-watering dishes at affordable prices. He recommends Makunouchi Box ($20.75) which is a full course meal on a platter. It boasts of small portions of sashimi, assorted tempura, fried scallops, beef negimaki, sake-lee marinated Spanish mackerel, Tekka-maki, as well as oshinko pickles and miso soup! It is one of their most popular platters that satisfies a broad range of appetites. "Be it a party or dinner with friends, everyone and every occasion is welcome", says Mr. Tokunaga with a warm smile. 

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER WITH CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS AND DESSERT

Tokyo Bar located in Tribeca serves modern Japanese comfort food, and the interior decorated with manga comics and flashy neon signs makes you feel like you are in Tokyo. Their menu features dishes like Omu-Rice (omelet over rice) and Mentai Pasta with pollock roe sauce as well as creative cocktails. A unique cocktail to taste this winter is the Holiday Shot - colorful layers of liqueurs with peppermint, white chocolate and grenadine syrup. Its sweet and refreshing flavor is perfect for an aperitif or dessert, and it'll be on the house until the end of December when you present this article. Other cocktails include Peppermint Chocolate Schnapps and Hot Chocolate. The December dessert special is Strawberry Mousse & Hot Chocolate Shot; the contrast of sweet and tangy flavors on the palate is for those with sophisticated tastes.

A COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLE OF SAKE WITH HOLIDAY SPECIAL YAKITORI MEAL

Tori Shin specializes in authentic Tokyo style yakitori, and this December they are offering the Holiday Special Meal with a Christmas theme. The evening starts off with appetizers: oshinko pickles and a salad decorated like a Christmas tree with steamed chicken and shredded egg crape. The main course includes a roasted duck with saikyo miso gravy and mashed potato, 4 chicken skewers, 2 vegetable skewers and seasoned ground chicken over rice topped with a half boiled egg. Sake and white wine jelly is served for dessert, and when you bring this article for this meal, you'll receive a gift of 300ml bottle sake Shirakabe Gura Tokubetsu Jyunmai which won the Gold at 2008 U.S. National Sake Appraisal. Other yakitori course meals as well as a wide selection of vegetable skewers are also available.