Benemon Introduce
Nestled in the vibrant East Village, Benemon is a beloved local gem that brings the authentic flavors of Japanese comfort food to the heart of New York City. Far from a typical Japanese eatery, this restaurant and bar offers a unique culinary experience, specializing in a variety of classic dishes that feel both traditional and innovative. Benemon is a place where you can unwind and enjoy a delicious meal in a setting that is both casual and trendy. The atmosphere is often described as cozy and intimate, making it perfect for a solo dinner or a relaxed gathering with friends.
The menu at Benemon is a testament to the rich culinary traditions of Japan, focusing on hearty and satisfying fare. Patrons can delight in a wide range of options, from a selection of small plates to their celebrated donburi and Japanese curry. The restaurant has also gained a reputation for its great wine list and original cocktails, providing the perfect accompaniment to the flavorful dishes. While some reviews note that the food might not be for everyone, many others praise its authenticity and unique flavors. It is a spot that encourages exploration of Japanese cuisine beyond the usual sushi and ramen, inviting diners to savor dishes like Katsu Curry and Unagi Don. The restaurant's focus on comfort food makes it a welcoming and reliable choice for a satisfying dinner in the city.
Benemon is conveniently located at 108 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003, USA, right in the bustling East Village. This neighborhood is known for its diverse culinary scene and lively atmosphere, making Benemon a prime destination for food lovers. The restaurant is easily accessible by various modes of public transportation. The F train at Second Avenue is a short walk away, as are the 6 train at Astor Place and the B/D/F/M trains at Broadway-Lafayette Street. The dense public transit network in this area makes it simple for both locals and tourists to get to the restaurant from anywhere in the city.
For those who prefer to drive, there is free street parking available, though as with many parts of Manhattan, it can be a challenge to find an open spot, especially during peak hours. The location's central position in the East Village means it's also a great starting point for a night out, with a plethora of bars, cafes, and entertainment venues nearby. Benemon also makes a conscious effort to be accessible to all diners, featuring both a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that everyone can enjoy a meal in its charming space. The restaurant's presence on a classic East Village street adds to its authentic New York City vibe, blending into the fabric of the neighborhood while standing out for its unique offerings.
Benemon offers a variety of services to accommodate the needs of its diverse clientele, from dining in to enjoying a meal at home.
Dine-In Options:
The restaurant offers a comfortable and casual setting for table service during dinner. It's a popular spot for solo dining as well as for groups and couples. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner, to secure a table.Takeout and Delivery:
For those who prefer to eat at home, Benemon provides curbside pickup, takeout, and delivery services, ensuring you can enjoy their food wherever you are in the city.Bar Service:
An onsite bar is available, offering a range of beverages including a curated wine list and unique cocktails. It's an excellent spot for happy hour with both drink and food specials.Diverse Menu:
The menu caters to various dietary preferences, with offerings that include vegan and vegetarian options, as well as comforting classics. It also serves late-night food, perfect for those with a late-night craving.Small Plates:
The small plates menu is a highlight, allowing diners to sample a variety of dishes from "From the Garden," "From the Farm," and "From the Sea." This is great for sharing with friends or trying multiple flavors.Flexible Payments:
Benemon makes it easy for guests to pay, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
Benemon is celebrated for several key features and highlights that set it apart in the competitive New York City dining scene.
Authentic Japanese Comfort Food:
The restaurant's specialization in Japanese comfort food, particularly donburi and Japanese curry, is a major draw. Signature dishes like the Unagi Don and Katsu Curry are highly praised for their authentic and hearty flavors.Cozy and Casual Ambiance:
The atmosphere is a significant highlight. It's described as casual, cozy, and even romantic, making it a versatile venue for different occasions. This welcoming environment helps diners feel right at home.Great Cocktails and Wine:
Beyond the food, Benemon is also known for its well-crafted cocktails and a great wine list. This combination makes it a destination for those looking for both a delicious meal and quality drinks.Fast and Efficient Service:
Customers often note the fast service, which ensures a smooth and pleasant dining experience, even during busy periods. The staff is typically praised for being attentive and friendly.Ideal for Solo Dining:
Benemon is a popular choice for people dining alone, which speaks to its comfortable and non-intimidating atmosphere. It's a great spot to enjoy a meal by yourself without feeling out of place.Gender-Neutral Restroom:
The restaurant provides a gender-neutral restroom, a thoughtful amenity that adds to its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
For reservations and inquiries, you can reach Benemon using the following contact information. It's always a good idea to call ahead for larger parties or to confirm a reservation.
Address: 108 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
Phone: (212) 614-3006
Benemon is a standout choice for anyone seeking an authentic and comforting Japanese dining experience in New York City. What makes it particularly worth choosing is its dedication to a specific and beloved niche of Japanese cuisine. While many Japanese restaurants in the city focus on sushi or ramen, Benemon shines a spotlight on classic comfort foods like donburi and curry, providing a unique and satisfying alternative. The cozy and intimate atmosphere, with its casual and trendy vibe, makes it a perfect escape from the fast-paced city life. It's a place where you can truly relax and savor your meal, whether you're dining with friends or enjoying a quiet moment alone.
The menu, with its variety of small plates and larger rice bowls, allows for a customizable dining experience. You can graze on appetizers or dive into a hearty main dish. The quality of their offerings, particularly the highly-praised Unagi Don and Katsu Curry, speaks to the kitchen's skill and dedication. The presence of a great wine list and creative cocktails further elevates the dining experience, making it a complete package for a great night out. While some have noted specific dish preferences, the overall consensus is that Benemon provides a valuable and authentic culinary journey. Its convenient location, combined with excellent service and a truly unique menu, solidifies Benemon as a top choice for a delicious and memorable meal in the East Village.
Benemon Food & drink
From the Garden
- Gobo Sticks $8.00
Burdock root sticks sautéed in sesame oil and flash fried
- Edamame Peperoncino $9.00
Young soy beans, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes
- Anchovy Fried Potatoes $12.00
Fried potatoes, homemade anchovy sauce, garlic, parmesan
- Tofu Fire $13.00
Light batter-fried tofu, sweet n’ hot chili sauce, topped with scallions
Fresh Greens
- Gomadare Salad $13.00
Arugula, sweet shiitake, daikon, red seaweed, sesame seed dressing
- Tofu Hijiki Salad $13.00
Crushed tofu, arugula, hijiki, lemon vinaigrette, miso dressing
From the Farm
- Kara-Age Fried Chicken $12.00
Japanese-style juicy fried dark meat chicken, lemon slice, homemade spicy mayo
- Salty Pork Belly $13.00
Smoked pork belly, shishito pepper, spicy black kaimi sauce
- Black Miso Chicken $15.00
Broiled dark meat chicken, crushed walnuts & black sesame, black miso balsamic sauce, topped with shredded scallions
- Beef Tataki $16.00
Seared rare angus beef, daikon sprouts, apple vinegar, onion soy sauce
- Garlic Beef Steak $16.00
6 oz. Angus NY Strip steak cooked rare, crispy rice patty, savory garlic sauce
From the Sea
- Shrimp Tempura $12.00
Tempura fried shrimp, kabocha, string beans, green tea sea salt
- Hot Squid $15.00
Sliced squid, lotus root, shiitake mushroom, sautéed in a spicy red pepper sauce, topped with cilantro
- Tuna Tataki $15.00
Seared tuna, Cajun spice, sweet miso-nuta sauce with scallions
- Soft Shell Crab $16.00
Deep fried soft shell crab, ichimi ponzu dipping sauce
Donburi
- Oyako Don $18.00
Grilled marinated dark meat chicken, shiitake mushrooms, onions, scallions and soft-cooked cage-free eggs simmered in a rich soy sauce broth, served over rice
- Katsu Don $19.00
Panko breaded pork cutlet, onions, scallions and soft-cooked cage-free eggs simmered in a rich soy sauce broth, served over rice
- Vegetable Ten Don $18.00
Deep fried airy and crispy kabocha, eggplant, string beans, shiitake mushroom, okra, broccoli, lotus root and carrot tempura served over rice with our original savory tentsuyu sauce
- Yakiniku Don $20.00
Tender slices of beef sautéed with onions in a savory Japanese barbeque sauce, topped with sesame seeds, scallions and a pinch of red ginger, served over rice
- Tsukimi Tori Don $19.00
Deep fried white meat popcorn chicken, shiitake & enoki mushrooms, shirataki noodles, onions, simmered in a sweet soy sauce topped with a cage-free soft-steamed egg, served over rice
- Nanban Don $19.00
Crispy white meat chicken tempura glazed with a sweet, rich nanban sauce and homemade tartar sauce, topped with sesame seeds and a pinch of scallions and ginger, served over rice
- Shrimp Ten Don $20.00
Deep fried airy and crispy shrimp, kabocha, broccoli, and eggplant tempura served over rice with our original savory tentsuyu sauce
- Una-Tama Don $21.00
All-natural eel, onions, shiitake mushrooms, scallions and soft-cooked cage-free eggs simmered in a rich soy sauce broth, served over rice
- Unagi Don $29.00
Delicately broiled all-natural whole eel fillet drizzled with a robust, sweet eel sauce , topped with sesame seeds and served over rice with shredded nori
Japanese Curry
- Vegetable Curry $18.00
Roasted eggplant, string beans, bell peppers, okra, and broccoli, served with an all-vegetable broth savory curry
- Katsu Curry $19.00
Pork or Chicken, Panko-breaded deep fried white meat chicken or pork cutlet served with an all-vegetable broth savory curry
- Beef Curry $19.00
Curry-spiced, tender stewed beef served with an all-vegetable broth savory curry
Cocktails
- Summer Echoes $16.00
Plum wine, yuzu juice, shiso leaf, pickled plum juice
- Await the Moon $16.00
Matcha green tea, pineapple-infused sake, honey syrup, egg white, whit chocolate dust
- White Clouds $16.00
Roasted green tea sake, Junmai sake, cream, brown sugar syrup
- Rise at Eve $16.00
Juniper-infused sake, shiso leaf, sudachi syrup, dried lime
- Tale of Old $16.00
Cedar cask sake, orange-infused sake, Lillet Blanc, lemon peel
- A Hundred Autumn Nights (Serves Two) $27.00
Warm yuzu sake carafe, lemon twist, shiso leaf, rock sugar
Benemon Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
Benemon Photos










Benemon Location
Benemon Reviews
eeltapassmall platestuna tatakipork katsu curryflightsoft shell crabcutletyakiniku donburivegetable curry
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Major dining pet peeve: Restaurants that are stingy with AC on hot summer days. Come on, we all have electric bills to pay, and we all know how high they get from May to Sept. But no one wants to sweat like they're doing HIIT while trying to enjoy a plate of hot food. Oooo, weak pee in my gnocchi....tasty.Benemon is another stingy-with-AC restaurant. On a sweltering day with 251,000% humidity, the air conditioner was barely on, the fan was non-existent, and perhaps most insulting of all, they served us tepid, room temperature water. We had to ask for ice, which they (begrudgingly) gave in small cubes that melted instantly.The food was fine, but not worth the suffering.We started with Beef Carpaccio that was a bit too cooked for my liking, and Tuna Tataki likely drowned a painful death in the too-sweet miso-nut sauce. The Soft Shell Crab was pretty good, but I could've used more than six tiny legs. My Katsu Curry featured cute, sausage-shaped cutlets, but most of the dish was just sticky rice and gravy that I could've made myself.In attempt to avoid feeling feverish, I also got Yuzu Shiso Spritzer to wash everything down. It was fine, but if I hadn't desperately needed more ice than the staff wanted to give, I wouldn't have bothered ordering this.Not worth the sweat or the schlep.
July 26 · Josephine LeeTerrible food, very surprised by this. Service was good though. I got the katsu and they just douse the overcooked meat in mayo and other sauces. Rice not seasoned. App not impressive and also drowning in sauce. Drinks not memorable. I only came by word of mouth. Please don't spend money here.
August 08 · Jubie TanFood was kinda hit or miss. The edamame, adegashi tofu, and soft shelled crab was good. The tuna takai pieces were small and over-sauced and looked nothing like the photos online. Service was good and the restaurant is located in a nice cozy spot.
March 21 · Mark LinReally dug this place.Not familiar with a lot of the restaurants in the neighborhood but this was suggested and they didn’t disappoint.I was THRILLED that music wasn’t loud and conversations could happen without much stress or strain.Staff was very friendly!The food was great - my party had gotten many dishes to share and all were solid choices.
August 02 · Jakob W. PlummerWaiter seated us 5 minutes before the kitchen closed, and our food still came out quick and tasty. In my opinion, this is the most bang for your buck unagi in manhattan. For 29 dollars, you get a large portion with a light char. Great texture and flavor.Get an entree plus a small plate or you will be hungry.
August 21 · Kenneth Liou
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