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Kome Waza
- 1275 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065

Japanese restaurant ★4.0 (5)·$20–30

1275 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA

4.0
I loved the idea of the restaurant. You can build your own bowl choosing flavors and assorted portions. I chose brown rice, salmon, seaweed with avocado sauce and it got delicious. - Carolina Schaffer
Kome Waza Overview Intro Vibe Detail Photos Location Reviews
$20–30 per person Reported by 5 people$10–20$20–30$30–50

Kome Waza Introduce

In a city as diverse and dynamic as New York, finding a restaurant that caters to modern tastes while offering a healthy and quick dining experience is a true win. Kome Waza, a Japanese eatery on the Upper East Side, has carved out a niche for itself by focusing on a concept that is both simple and exciting: build-your-own bowls and classic onigiri. This trendy yet casual spot is a go-to for many New Yorkers seeking a flavorful and nutritious meal without the long wait times often associated with sit-down restaurants. It's an ideal choice for a quick lunch break, a satisfying dinner, or a comfortable place for solo dining.

The core idea behind Kome Waza is to provide fresh and customizable Japanese-inspired food. As one satisfied customer noted, the ability to build your own bowl, choosing everything from the base to the protein and sauce, makes for a truly personalized and delicious meal. The restaurant's offerings are designed to be both healthy and comforting, with options for various dietary preferences, including vegetarian selections. It’s the kind of place that appeals to a diverse crowd, from college students to families and locals. Kome Waza aims to be a reliable, welcoming spot where everyone can enjoy a quality meal in a casual and friendly atmosphere.

Kome Waza is conveniently located at 1275 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065. This address places it in a bustling residential area of the Upper East Side, making it easily accessible for a wide range of customers. Whether you are living in the neighborhood, working nearby, or just passing through, its location on a major avenue makes it simple to find and a great option for a spontaneous meal.

Accessibility is a key priority for Kome Waza, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance to ensure that all members of the community can visit without any barriers. For those who drive, paid street parking is available in the vicinity. The restaurant also offers a variety of service options—including delivery, takeout, and dine-in—catering to the fast-paced lifestyle of New Yorkers. This flexibility ensures that you can enjoy Kome Waza's offerings whether you're grabbing a quick bite on your way home or settling in for a relaxed meal.

Kome Waza provides a focused yet comprehensive range of services and menu items centered around fresh, customizable bowls and traditional Japanese snacks.

  • A selection of signature bowls, such as the White Soy Avocado Bowl and the Pomegranate Citrus Spicy Bowl, featuring fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations.

  • Customizable "Build-Your-Own" bowls, allowing customers to choose their base (rice or salad), protein, toppings, and sauce to create a meal tailored to their exact preferences.

  • Classic Japanese onigiri (rice balls) with various fillings like Spam, Sake (salmon), and Plum, offering a taste of traditional Japanese comfort food.

  • A range of beverages, including soft drinks, to complement your meal.

  • Catering services, making it a great option for office lunches or events.

  • Delivery and takeout options for ultimate convenience, perfect for a meal at home or on the go.

  • Dine-in seating in a casual, comfortable, and trendy atmosphere.

Kome Waza stands out from other Japanese restaurants in the city with several notable features that define its unique identity and appeal.

  • Customizable bowls: The "build-your-own" concept is a major highlight, empowering customers to create a meal that is exactly what they want, with fresh, healthy ingredients.

  • Healthy and vegetarian options: The menu includes a variety of healthy choices and explicitly offers vegetarian options, such as the Hatcho Miso Tofu Bowl, catering to health-conscious diners and those with specific dietary needs.

  • Solo dining friendly: Kome Waza is a popular spot for solo dining, indicating a comfortable and welcoming environment for individuals to enjoy a meal on their own.

  • Transgender safe space: The business identifies itself as a transgender safe space, which is a significant and important highlight that demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and creating a welcoming environment for all members of the community.

  • Casual and trendy atmosphere: The ambiance is relaxed yet modern, making it a great spot for a casual get-together or a quick, enjoyable meal.

  • Quick and efficient service: As a "quick bite" spot, the restaurant focuses on providing fast service without compromising on the quality of the food.

For more information or to place an order, you can contact Kome Waza using the following details:

Address: 1275 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA

Phone: (646) 838-5828

When deciding whether Kome Waza is the right choice for you, it is important to weigh its strengths and potential drawbacks. The restaurant's core appeal is its commitment to fresh, healthy, and customizable Japanese-inspired food in a fast-casual setting. The "build-your-own" bowl idea is a huge plus, giving customers control over their meal and ensuring they get exactly what they crave. The friendly and casual atmosphere, along with its status as a transgender safe space, makes it a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone in the community.

However, it is crucial to consider the mixed customer reviews. While one reviewer praised the deliciousness of their customizable bowl, another raised a serious concern about perceived racial bias in portion sizes and a decline in quality. This kind of feedback is significant and suggests that the customer experience can be inconsistent. While the positive aspects of the restaurant, such as its menu variety and commitment to inclusivity, are strong selling points, the negative feedback about portion sizes and perceived unfair treatment is a considerable factor to be aware of. Ultimately, Kome Waza is best chosen for its potential to provide a quick and healthy meal in a casual setting, but with an awareness that customer experiences may vary.

Kome Waza Vibe

  • Onigiri

  • Spam Onigiri $4.00

    Spam, tamale, and spinach wrapped in seaweed.

  • Sake Onigiri $4.00

    Grill salmon, scallions, and spicy mayonnaise.

  • Plum Onigiri $4.00

    Plum and oba leaf.

  • Bowls & Soup

  • White Soy Avocado Bowl $14.00

    Seared tuna over 8-grain brown rice with mixed greens, hijiki quinoa, white soy avocado cream sauce, sesame seeds, garlic chips, kizami nori, tobiko, and salsa.

  • Pomegranate Citrus Spicy Bowl $13.00

    Salmon over sushi rice with mixed greens, tomato, onion, cucumber, edamame, pomegranate citrus spice sauce, goo seaweed, sesame seeds, tobiko, and radish sprouts.

  • Anchovy Mango Hamachi Bowl $12.00

    Hamachi and scallops over mixed greens with mango, hijiki quinoa, edamame, tomato, mango anchovy sauce, masago, sesame seeds, and radish sprouts.

  • Wasabi Cashew Tako Bowl $14.00

    Octopus, scallops, and shrimp over kale cold noodles with mixed greens, hijiki quinoa, tomato, wasabi cashew peanut sauce, ago seaweed, rice puff, and radish sprouts.

  • Hatcho Miso Tofu Bowl $12.00

    Tofu over sushi rice with mixed greens, hijiki quinoa, mixed seaweed, hatch miso glaze, radish sprouts, pumpkin seeds, kizami nori, and avocado.

  • Kome Waza Sample Bowl $17.00

    Tuna, salmon, hamachi, octopus, shrimp, scallop, and ikura over sushi rice with masago, pickled ginger, seasonal pickles, and kizami nori choice of any sauce but recommend ponzu soy sauce and it come on the side.

  • Beverages

  • Soft Drinks $1.50

Kome Waza Details

  • Service options

  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
  • Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Offerings

  • Comfort food
  • Healthy options
  • Quick bite
  • Vegetarian options
  • Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
  • Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Trendy
  • Crowd

  • College students
  • Family-friendly
  • Locals
  • Transgender safespace
  • Planning

  • Accepts reservations
  • Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards
  • Children

  • Good for kids
  • Parking

  • Paid street parking

Kome Waza Photos

Kome Waza Picture 1Kome Waza Picture 2Kome Waza Picture 3Kome Waza Picture 4Kome Waza Picture 5Kome Waza Picture 6Kome Waza Picture 7Kome Waza Picture 8Kome Waza Picture 9Kome Waza Picture 10

Kome Waza Location

Kome Waza

1275 1st Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA

Kome Waza Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 74 user reviews.

pokepricefishspicybrown rice

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

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