Excellent dining experience from start to finish. The sashimi was outstanding—fresh, clean, and well executed. The kimidai and aji were particularly impressive in both texture and flavor. The eel with rice was done perfectly: fresh, no muddy smell at all, and paired with a well-balanced sauce that complemented the dish beautifully.
The soba with uni was a highlight. The dashi was rich and deeply flavorful, enhanced by fresh wasabi, and when mixed together with the soba, it was simply exceptional.
As we were celebrating our honeymoon, the team kindly surprised us with complimentary ice cream—an elegant and thoughtful touch that truly made the experience memorable.
Special thanks to OKI, Tony, and KZ-san (Restaurant Manager) for their outstanding hospitality. Service was top-tier—attentive, warm, and professional throughout. Top service, great food, and a team that truly cares. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yass Monem
A masterclass in the 'hidden' New York experience tucked beneath a corporate lobby.’
Sakagura is the ultimate test of a local’s knowledge. To find it, you have to walk into the nondescript lobby of a Midtown office building, pass the security desk, and descend a sterile flight of stairs into the basement. The moment you open the heavy wooden door, the fluorescent lights of the 'real world' vanish, replaced by a sprawling, candlelit Japanese village. It’s one of the most transportive dining rooms in the city.
• The Entry Ritual: Don't be intimidated by the office building exterior at 211 E 43rd St. Just head straight for the elevator bank/stairs in the back. The 'secret' factor makes it an incredible place to impress a date or an out-of-towner.
• The Sake Library: With over 200 varieties, this is a pilgrimage site for sake lovers. Pro-Tip: If you’re overwhelmed, ask for a flight. The staff are true specialists and can navigate you through everything from bone-dry junmais to fruity, unfiltered bottles.
• Must-Order Plates: The menu is authentic izakaya style. The Onigiri (rice balls) are a comforting staple, but the Sashimi quality is rivaled only by the top-tier omakase dens in the city. Don't sleep on the Black Cod, it’s buttery perfection.
• The Hidden Feature: Even the restrooms are an experience here; they are housed inside giant wooden sake barrels. It’s a quirky detail that everyone ends up talking about.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hanna
Food is very small portion and they don’t serve sushi for dinner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Ronald Tan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Overall rating. Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sakagura earns a 4-star rating for food, service and atmosphere that creates a pleasant and enjoyable dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Justin Horst
A secret basement restaurant, serving a caliber of Japanese food that is difficult to find even in a place like Manhattan. Every dish is bold and unique, and the sake and whiskey lists are extremely impressive.
Frank Salerno
I used to love this place. Then they got an obscenely rude booking agent, and I haven't been since. I have no desire to dine at an establishment whose employees feel that its acceptable to abuse their patrons.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
L.
The shop is located on the lower ground floor inside a building, which took a moment to find. We were pleasantly surprised to find the interior completely shift into an immersive Japanese style. Small bites were great (I’d skip the underwhelming yuzu udon next time) including the agedashi tofu, which was much better than other restaurants in the city. Overall pretty pricey considering we went in for some casual dinner but the food is really good if you’re willing to spend.
Man Wu
Food-wise, the Japanese dishes were good, especially the eel rice, which was better than expected. The uni was just okay，comparing with other restaurants.
However, the service was disappointing. We waited a long time after being seated before anyone came to us. When the staff explained the menu, their attitude felt unfriendly and impatient. They only poured wine once when opening the bottle and never came back to serve drinks afterward. Overall, probably wouldn’t come back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Dana Fuchs
One of the coolest and most amazing dinner experiences I’ve ever had. The service was top notch, saki was phenomenal and the food was incredible. I would HIGHLY recommend this restaurant. Only thing is google says $50-$100 per person it was more like $300 per person if you want to get enough food for like an actual dinner.
My partner and I had dinner here on 11/25 to celebrate our anniversary, and we had an amazing experience sitting at the bar. Since my partner isn’t super familiar with sake, our waiter walked him through a few different types and let him try a couple to see which he preferred. All the food was delicious and the dishes were paced very well - our favorites were the wasabi garlic edamame, age dashi tofu, buta kakuni, and ginger crème brûlée. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth tender and so flavorful. The manager on service was so kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed, and even brought a candle with our dessert since we were celebrating. While the food is incredible, the service really pushed our experience over the top. We can’t wait for our next visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aneesha Aggarwal
This place is amazing, every time I’ve gone I get something new and it amazes me. My favorite was the sea bass in a miso sauce. Absolutely delectable!! Reservation recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Park Ave
Great food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra Plazas-Herrera
We just got home to NY from a 10 hour drive. We dropped the car off at Avis and happened to find this hidden gem. This meal was supposed to be quick and we certainly were not expecting an epic experience. Our waiter was so kind and elegantly shared some interesting information about Sake. If I was not so exhausted I would have followed his recommendation and had some. We ordered a braised octopus with wasabi scallions. My husband and I were amazed by the flavors. We then had the Otoro sashimi which literally melted in our mouths. The Japanese fried chicken was perfect. We had the mushroom udon soup special which was earthy, cozy with a hint of citrus. The unexpected flavors were balanced and a delight. We will be back for a more proper meal as we must try more! This place is a jewel!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terixo Smitix
This place has the comfort of a family kitchen. The food was really delicious. The team displayed genuine warmth additionally. We feel invested in this business's success. I have nothing bad to say!
Excellent dining experience from start to finish.
The sashimi was outstanding—fresh, clean, and well executed. The kimidai and aji were particularly impressive in both texture and flavor. The eel with rice was done perfectly: fresh, no muddy smell at all, and paired with a well-balanced sauce that complemented the dish beautifully.
The soba with uni was a highlight. The dashi was rich and deeply flavorful, enhanced by fresh wasabi, and when mixed together with the soba, it was simply exceptional.
As we were celebrating our honeymoon, the team kindly surprised us with complimentary ice cream—an elegant and thoughtful touch that truly made the experience memorable.
Special thanks to OKI, Tony, and KZ-san (Restaurant Manager) for their outstanding hospitality. Service was top-tier—attentive, warm, and professional throughout.
Top service, great food, and a team that truly cares. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A masterclass in the 'hidden' New York experience tucked beneath a corporate lobby.’
Sakagura is the ultimate test of a local’s knowledge. To find it, you have to walk into the nondescript lobby of a Midtown office building, pass the security desk, and descend a sterile flight of stairs into the basement. The moment you open the heavy wooden door, the fluorescent lights of the 'real world' vanish, replaced by a sprawling, candlelit Japanese village. It’s one of the most transportive dining rooms in the city.
• The Entry Ritual: Don't be intimidated by the office building exterior at 211 E 43rd St. Just head straight for the elevator bank/stairs in the back. The 'secret' factor makes it an incredible place to impress a date or an out-of-towner.
• The Sake Library: With over 200 varieties, this is a pilgrimage site for sake lovers. Pro-Tip: If you’re overwhelmed, ask for a flight. The staff are true specialists and can navigate you through everything from bone-dry junmais to fruity, unfiltered bottles.
• Must-Order Plates: The menu is authentic izakaya style. The Onigiri (rice balls) are a comforting staple, but the Sashimi quality is rivaled only by the top-tier omakase dens in the city. Don't sleep on the Black Cod, it’s buttery perfection.
• The Hidden Feature: Even the restrooms are an experience here; they are housed inside giant wooden sake barrels. It’s a quirky detail that everyone ends up talking about.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is very small portion and they don’t serve sushi for dinner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Overall rating.
Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sakagura earns a 4-star rating for food, service and atmosphere that creates a pleasant and enjoyable dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
A secret basement restaurant, serving a caliber of Japanese food that is difficult to find even in a place like Manhattan. Every dish is bold and unique, and the sake and whiskey lists are extremely impressive.
I used to love this place. Then they got an obscenely rude booking agent, and I haven't been since. I have no desire to dine at an establishment whose employees feel that its acceptable to abuse their patrons.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
The shop is located on the lower ground floor inside a building, which took a moment to find. We were pleasantly surprised to find the interior completely shift into an immersive Japanese style. Small bites were great (I’d skip the underwhelming yuzu udon next time) including the agedashi tofu, which was much better than other restaurants in the city. Overall pretty pricey considering we went in for some casual dinner but the food is really good if you’re willing to spend.
Food-wise, the Japanese dishes were good, especially the eel rice, which was better than expected. The uni was just okay，comparing with other restaurants.
However, the service was disappointing. We waited a long time after being seated before anyone came to us. When the staff explained the menu, their attitude felt unfriendly and impatient.
They only poured wine once when opening the bottle and never came back to serve drinks afterward.
Overall, probably wouldn’t come back
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
One of the coolest and most amazing dinner experiences I’ve ever had. The service was top notch, saki was phenomenal and the food was incredible. I would HIGHLY recommend this restaurant. Only thing is google says $50-$100 per person it was more like $300 per person if you want to get enough food for like an actual dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience and incredible food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My partner and I had dinner here on 11/25 to celebrate our anniversary, and we had an amazing experience sitting at the bar. Since my partner isn’t super familiar with sake, our waiter walked him through a few different types and let him try a couple to see which he preferred. All the food was delicious and the dishes were paced very well - our favorites were the wasabi garlic edamame, age dashi tofu, buta kakuni, and ginger crème brûlée. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth tender and so flavorful. The manager on service was so kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed, and even brought a candle with our dessert since we were celebrating. While the food is incredible, the service really pushed our experience over the top. We can’t wait for our next visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is amazing, every time I’ve gone I get something new and it amazes me. My favorite was the sea bass in a miso sauce. Absolutely delectable!! Reservation recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We just got home to NY from a 10 hour drive. We dropped the car off at Avis and happened to find this hidden gem. This meal was supposed to be quick and we certainly were not expecting an epic experience. Our waiter was so kind and elegantly shared some interesting information about Sake. If I was not so exhausted I would have followed his recommendation and had some. We ordered a braised octopus with wasabi scallions. My husband and I were amazed by the flavors. We then had the Otoro sashimi which literally melted in our mouths. The Japanese fried chicken was perfect. We had the mushroom udon soup special which was earthy, cozy with a hint of citrus. The unexpected flavors were balanced and a delight. We will be back for a more proper meal as we must try more! This place is a jewel!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place has the comfort of a family kitchen. The food was really delicious. The team displayed genuine warmth additionally. We feel invested in this business's success. I have nothing bad to say!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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