The food is great but the portions are small and the prices are incredibly steep for the value. The waiter also brought us our check without asking as if to tell us to leave. We definitely felt rushed.
One small note: the windows of the restaurant were really dirty. The inside was clean but overall felt unrefined and cheap for the price point.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Kimberly Lim Legaspi
Went to TORA NYC recently and decided to order takeout, but even from that short experience the hospitality stood out. While we were waiting, they offered us water and were really welcoming, which already left a good impression. The space itself looks beautiful modern, intimate, and definitely feels like the kind of place that would make a really nice date spot.
We ordered three dishes: the Yokan Roll, Negichutoro Don, and Gyudon.
The Yokan Roll was a really nice example of how modern sushi rolls balance texture and richness. Inside was spicy salmon and cucumber, and it was topped with lightly seared salmon, mentaiko sauce, tempura flakes, and tobiko. The seared salmon added a gentle smokiness while still keeping that soft buttery texture salmon naturally has. The mentaiko sauce, made from seasoned pollock roe that’s widely used in Japanese cuisine, brought a creamy, briny umami flavor that paired really well with the fish. Tobiko added those signature little bursts of saltiness, and the tempura flakes gave a light crunch that balanced the richness of the sauce and salmon. It was a well constructed roll where each topping actually had a purpose.
We also got the Negichutoro Don, which had minced medium fatty bluefin tuna over rice. In sushi terminology, tuna is categorized by fat content akami being lean, chutoro the medium fatty section, and otoro the richest cut from the belly. Chutoro tends to be the sweet spot because it has enough fat to be buttery while still keeping that clean ocean flavor. The texture here was incredibly soft and almost melt-in-your-mouth. Negitoro as a dish traditionally mixes minced tuna with scallions, since the word “negi” literally means scallion. The tuna quality here was great and the texture was amazing, but I do think it could be elevated slightly. If the scallions were minced and mixed into the toro instead of sitting on top it would distribute the flavor more evenly. A little shredded nori could add some aroma from the sea, and honestly avocado would pair really nicely with the richness of the tuna.
The Gyudon was probably the most comforting dish we ordered. Gyudon has a long history in Japan and became popular in the late 19th century as a quick, affordable rice bowl. Thinly sliced beef is simmered in a sweet savory broth that’s very similar to sukiyaki sauce, usually made with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sometimes dashi. The beef absorbs that slightly sweet umami flavor as it cooks. Here it was served over rice with scallions, sesame seeds, and an onsen egg. Once everything was mixed together, the egg yolk coated the rice and beef and brought everything together. The sauce, beef, and egg created that rich silky texture that makes gyudon such a comforting dish.
Even though we only ordered takeout, that level of service was noticeable.
Overall the food was really good and thoughtfully prepared. The fish quality was great, the bowls were comforting, and the hospitality stood out even in a quick takeout experience. The restaurant itself looks like a really nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal, so we’ll definitely be coming back to dine in next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wendy Zhou
Everything was tasty but nothing stood out. It’s a reliable Japanese spot considering there aren’t too many options in the area, but the prices (IMHO) are too high considering it’s generally classic izakaya-type food.
Rosie C.
Excellent service, attentive without being intrusive. The decor and ambiance was pretty standard. I was puzzled about the reviews I’ve read about being chic. It was just fine. The food was average. I got the grilled mackerel, which was huge (unlike Japanese mackerel) and not great tasting. Also ordered the yakitori chicken hearts and pork jowl, which were fine but unremarkable. My partner got the chirashi don, which he enjoyed.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Chynna Mohammed
Just dined here as a party of 6 (4 adults 2 children) and our expectations were certainly exceeded. Food was excellent. The menu offered enough of a selection without being overwhelming. The servers were courteous and kind. Will 100% return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moisey Zargarov
Please pass along to the chef, perhaps if the chef tried his/her food, they would see what I am talking about. Also, it would not be such a horrible idea for whomever is in the kitchen to perhaps try ramen from Ichiran. They know what they’re doing (I do not have any affiliation nor conflict of interest with Ichiran; just a suggestion). 1. May I please have more broth (spicy miso and tonkotsu) in my ‘sodium?’ 2. Chashu in the ramen starts out with an aftertaste. 3. Yakitori - chicken hearts were OK, slightly too burnt, but if one is hungry…. Short rib felt as if I was chewing on a pencil eraser. The squid, also very chewy and not fresh. Overall all the yakitori tasted like they were prepared on a dirty, uncleaned grill. I really do not make it a habit of leaving negative reviews, but I feel that with some minor corrections, your establishment could really flourish.
Margo Cappiello
Everything about this experience was fantastic, start to finish. I went on a frigid Monday night with a roommate after we decided we both needed to get out for a walk, a bite and some girl talk. Greeted as soon as we stepped inside the small but cozy space, we were offered a choice of table and sat promptly. The menus are very cool- tactile and printed on a heavy, shiny card stock with an elegant, clean design. Bar menu had some beautiful renderings of drinks. The food menu is extensive so it took a while for us to review and decide, but we never felt rushed to order. I had a drink- The Bushwick Bay - which was elegantly presented, delicious and well rounded. Roomie had a pot of chamomile tea that she shared with me, but they offered several choices. For an appetizer we shared the Tuna Tartare- perfection! Warned that it came medium spicy, it was very well put together and delectable, not overwhelming heat, garnished with micro greens and an edible flower. The seaweed chips inside the puffy rice chips was a really nice touch, and the color of the seaweed added depth to an already great dish. Then the mains- she got ramen which she seemed to enjoy, though I’m not sure which one she decided upon. I got a couple more apps- the crispy tuna which was absolute perfection and the corn ribs dusted in Parmesan which were good. Service was excellent, friendly and chill, and the cold weather was kept at the door, blocked by a heavy, blue curtain. There is a small bar you can also sit at, maybe next time. Overall, I was super happy with the experience and can’t wait to go back and order more from the long list of offerings!
This place is a real treat and totally worth it. I haven’t dined in at Tora yet, but I’ve ordered it on DoorDash three times now and it never disappoints. The food carries incredibly well, which says a lot, and everything has been consistently fresh and flavorful. If it’s this good delivered, I can only imagine how great it is in person. Can’t wait to finally eat there.
I asked for a green tea from the waitress like in any standard Japanese restaurant just for myself (table for one), and she brought a giant pot without thinking of informing me that would be $12 teapot for one person. And they had no to go container possible to take it with me. And the restaurant was ice cold that I had to sit with my jacket.
Overall this is a great restaurant. Beautiful presentation and delicious taste from all of the dishes. My only gripe was the quantity of the food was not enough given the images they have only. The miyazaki as hot stone only 8 thin slices of beef and that’s it? I could get an ayce experience for that price. Just wish the quantity for some of the dishes were actually enough because for me I left hungry even after spending more than $150 bucks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Chasteen
Can confirm the great reviews. Excellent, friendly and attentive service. Every dish was delicious and beautifully plated. The space was warm and impeccably clean and decorated. Excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dasha Alekseyeva
10/10 gem !💎
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffany Turner
Yummy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paulo Assunção
Food was amazing. Everything arrived fresh, tasty, and really well-packed. We also had an issue with DoorDash, and the owner immediately offered to help, making sure our order would still be delivered on time.
Highly recommend! And using this space to say thank you again for the help!
The food is great but the portions are small and the prices are incredibly steep for the value. The waiter also brought us our check without asking as if to tell us to leave. We definitely felt rushed.
One small note: the windows of the restaurant were really dirty. The inside was clean but overall felt unrefined and cheap for the price point.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Went to TORA NYC recently and decided to order takeout, but even from that short experience the hospitality stood out. While we were waiting, they offered us water and were really welcoming, which already left a good impression. The space itself looks beautiful modern, intimate, and definitely feels like the kind of place that would make a really nice date spot.
We ordered three dishes: the Yokan Roll, Negichutoro Don, and Gyudon.
The Yokan Roll was a really nice example of how modern sushi rolls balance texture and richness. Inside was spicy salmon and cucumber, and it was topped with lightly seared salmon, mentaiko sauce, tempura flakes, and tobiko. The seared salmon added a gentle smokiness while still keeping that soft buttery texture salmon naturally has. The mentaiko sauce, made from seasoned pollock roe that’s widely used in Japanese cuisine, brought a creamy, briny umami flavor that paired really well with the fish. Tobiko added those signature little bursts of saltiness, and the tempura flakes gave a light crunch that balanced the richness of the sauce and salmon. It was a well constructed roll where each topping actually had a purpose.
We also got the Negichutoro Don, which had minced medium fatty bluefin tuna over rice. In sushi terminology, tuna is categorized by fat content akami being lean, chutoro the medium fatty section, and otoro the richest cut from the belly. Chutoro tends to be the sweet spot because it has enough fat to be buttery while still keeping that clean ocean flavor. The texture here was incredibly soft and almost melt-in-your-mouth. Negitoro as a dish traditionally mixes minced tuna with scallions, since the word “negi” literally means scallion. The tuna quality here was great and the texture was amazing, but I do think it could be elevated slightly. If the scallions were minced and mixed into the toro instead of sitting on top it would distribute the flavor more evenly. A little shredded nori could add some aroma from the sea, and honestly avocado would pair really nicely with the richness of the tuna.
The Gyudon was probably the most comforting dish we ordered. Gyudon has a long history in Japan and became popular in the late 19th century as a quick, affordable rice bowl. Thinly sliced beef is simmered in a sweet savory broth that’s very similar to sukiyaki sauce, usually made with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sometimes dashi. The beef absorbs that slightly sweet umami flavor as it cooks. Here it was served over rice with scallions, sesame seeds, and an onsen egg. Once everything was mixed together, the egg yolk coated the rice and beef and brought everything together. The sauce, beef, and egg created that rich silky texture that makes gyudon such a comforting dish.
Even though we only ordered takeout, that level of service was noticeable.
Overall the food was really good and thoughtfully prepared. The fish quality was great, the bowls were comforting, and the hospitality stood out even in a quick takeout experience. The restaurant itself looks like a really nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal, so we’ll definitely be coming back to dine in next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was tasty but nothing stood out. It’s a reliable Japanese spot considering there aren’t too many options in the area, but the prices (IMHO) are too high considering it’s generally classic izakaya-type food.
Excellent service, attentive without being intrusive. The decor and ambiance was pretty standard. I was puzzled about the reviews I’ve read about being chic. It was just fine. The food was average. I got the grilled mackerel, which was huge (unlike Japanese mackerel) and not great tasting. Also ordered the yakitori chicken hearts and pork jowl, which were fine but unremarkable. My partner got the chirashi don, which he enjoyed.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Just dined here as a party of 6 (4 adults 2 children) and our expectations were certainly exceeded. Food was excellent. The menu offered enough of a selection without being overwhelming. The servers were courteous and kind. Will 100% return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Please pass along to the chef, perhaps if the chef tried his/her food, they would see what I am talking about. Also, it would not be such a horrible idea for whomever is in the kitchen to perhaps try ramen from Ichiran. They know what they’re doing (I do not have any affiliation nor conflict of interest with Ichiran; just a suggestion).
1. May I please have more broth (spicy miso and tonkotsu) in my ‘sodium?’
2. Chashu in the ramen starts out with an aftertaste.
3. Yakitori - chicken hearts were OK, slightly too burnt, but if one is hungry…. Short rib felt as if I was chewing on a pencil eraser. The squid, also very chewy and not fresh. Overall all the yakitori tasted like they were prepared on a dirty, uncleaned grill.
I really do not make it a habit of leaving negative reviews, but I feel that with some minor corrections, your establishment could really flourish.
Everything about this experience was fantastic, start to finish. I went on a frigid Monday night with a roommate after we decided we both needed to get out for a walk, a bite and some girl talk. Greeted as soon as we stepped inside the small but cozy space, we were offered a choice of table and sat promptly. The menus are very cool- tactile and printed on a heavy, shiny card stock with an elegant, clean design. Bar menu had some beautiful renderings of drinks. The food menu is extensive so it took a while for us to review and decide, but we never felt rushed to order. I had a drink- The Bushwick Bay - which was elegantly presented, delicious and well rounded. Roomie had a pot of chamomile tea that she shared with me, but they offered several choices. For an appetizer we shared the Tuna Tartare- perfection! Warned that it came medium spicy, it was very well put together and delectable, not overwhelming heat, garnished with micro greens and an edible flower. The seaweed chips inside the puffy rice chips was a really nice touch, and the color of the seaweed added depth to an already great dish. Then the mains- she got ramen which she seemed to enjoy, though I’m not sure which one she decided upon. I got a couple more apps- the crispy tuna which was absolute perfection and the corn ribs dusted in Parmesan which were good. Service was excellent, friendly and chill, and the cold weather was kept at the door, blocked by a heavy, blue curtain. There is a small bar you can also sit at, maybe next time. Overall, I was super happy with the experience and can’t wait to go back and order more from the long list of offerings!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Corn Ribs, Tuna Crispy Rice, Tuna Tartare
Everything was phenomenal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a real treat and totally worth it. I haven’t dined in at Tora yet, but I’ve ordered it on DoorDash three times now and it never disappoints. The food carries incredibly well, which says a lot, and everything has been consistently fresh and flavorful. If it’s this good delivered, I can only imagine how great it is in person. Can’t wait to finally eat there.
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Mentaiko Pasta, Corn Ribs, Tuna Crispy Rice, Gyoza, Tuna Tartare, Rolls
I asked for a green tea from the waitress like in any standard Japanese restaurant just for myself (table for one), and she brought a giant pot without thinking of informing me that would be $12 teapot for one person. And they had no to go container possible to take it with me. And the restaurant was ice cold that I had to sit with my jacket.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Overall this is a great restaurant. Beautiful presentation and delicious taste from all of the dishes. My only gripe was the quantity of the food was not enough given the images they have only. The miyazaki as hot stone only 8 thin slices of beef and that’s it? I could get an ayce experience for that price. Just wish the quantity for some of the dishes were actually enough because for me I left hungry even after spending more than $150 bucks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can confirm the great reviews. Excellent, friendly and attentive service. Every dish was delicious and beautifully plated. The space was warm and impeccably clean and decorated. Excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
10/10 gem !💎
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yummy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was amazing. Everything arrived fresh, tasty, and really well-packed. We also had an issue with DoorDash, and the owner immediately offered to help, making sure our order would still be delivered on time.
Highly recommend! And using this space to say thank you again for the help!
Food: 5
Service: 5
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