NIPPON CHA | Bayside Restaurant

Fantastic Japanese restaurant featuring many authentic dishes that I don’t often see in nyc Japanese restaurants. Particularly fond of their ramen which they make using tochucha (tea?) noodles and their matcha drinks. Also highly recommend any menu item’s set version which comes with a variety of small appetizers. Excellent service as well 💪

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Staff is very friendly and attentative. Food is great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is delicious and staff and owner are so friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The beef nabe was delicious!! Definitely great for the cold weather. The tochucha udon was also really good and hearty. For the appetizer we had the classic takoyaki which came hot but delicious nonetheless.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The fried chicken & pork was crunchy on the outside and juicy and tender inside. The sashimi course was beautifully plated. Nothing was left on my plate. I even ate the garnish. The grilled octopus was tender and flavorful. When our waiter, Henry, found out that it was our first time at Nippon Cha he offered us complimentary matcha tiramisu. What a delicious topper to a wonderful meal and service. We'll definitely be going back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Perhaps this confusion is just from my own ignorance of the cuisine, but is onigiri supposed to fall apart the moment you hold it? I picked it up gently and 30% of it had already fallen off T-T I ordered two pieces of the onigiri so I tried to hold the second one more securely, but whatever was not on the seaweed would just plop right down :(

Since all of the rice was falling anyway, I just gave up and ate it with the spoon... Needless to say, definitely a flustering first-time experience of trying onigiri LOL I get food from this restaurant every so often and it's pretty solid. I also ordered pork buns last time and they removed the lettuce inside even though I never requested them to, so I'm rating 3 stars. There have been just a few harmless mishaps like this here and there with my food, but I always keep ordering because at least it's pretty tasty <3

The desserts were the star here! Service was also quick and respectful. It was a little getaway to Japan for the hour we were there.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is fresh and delicious. Waiter Henry is very kind and friendly. He cares about the needs and feelings of the customers. He is attentive and thoughtful. Overall it is a very good experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

delicious food, fresh sushi and high quality matcha.
can you guys pleassseee bring back the matcha coconut water beverage? it was SO good!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Yummy chicken wingssss🤤

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very affordable place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good food good price

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went on a date to Nippon Cha in Bayside and honestly, it was such a nice surprise. The vibe is super cozy and relaxed perfect for a chill night out or even a casual but thoughtful date spot. It has that clean, minimal Japanese aesthetic, but still feels warm and inviting, not stiff at all.

We didn’t order a ton this time, but everything we tried hit the spot. The Geso Fry (fried squid legs) was one of my favourites crispy without being greasy, and you could really taste the natural sweetness of the squid. It’s such a classic izakaya-style snack, and they did it well. Just a bit of lemon on top and you’re good.

The Sushi Fest, which includes 12 pieces of the chef’s choice, was beautifully done. The cuts of fish were fresh and well-balanced with the rice. You could tell the rice had just the right touch of vinegar and was served slightly warm ,just how it should be. Nothing overcomplicated, just clean and honest sushi.

We also got the Beef Soba and Negi Ramen. The soba had a comforting, homey taste tender beef slices with that earthy buckwheat noodle flavor. The Negi Ramen (scallion ramen) had a rich broth, but wasn’t heavy. It had depth, like something simmered low and slow, and the scallions gave it a nice brightness.

I was definitely eyeing a lot more on the menu and already planning what to try next time.

Yuzu Tebasaki (Japanese fried chicken wings with a citrusy kick),Uni Ikura Don (sea urchin and salmon roe rice bowl, a flavor bomb if done right), Salmon Ikura Don, Sashimi Feast,Salmon Mentai Yaki Soba (salmon with spicy cod roe, sounds like umami heaven)

The staff were friendly and lowkey helpful without hovering. Overall, Nippon Cha feels like the kind of place you want to keep coming back to. It’s not flashy, but it has soul. Can’t wait to come back and explore more of the menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Clean Tasty Japanese food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I tried Eel with rice, eel is fresh and well roasted with eel sauce, rice is cooked best, not soft not hard. It is making sweet in mouth and chewing feeling is best.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4