Ootoya Chelsea Introduce
For New Yorkers who appreciate the subtle art and comforting flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine, the search for an authentic dining experience can be a journey in itself. Thankfully, a true gem exists in the heart of Chelsea: Ootoya Chelsea. Unlike the city's countless sushi joints and ramen shops, Ootoya brings a unique focus on teishoku, a traditional Japanese set meal that offers a complete and well-balanced dining experience. This approach provides a taste of Japanese home cooking that is both wholesome and deeply satisfying, making it a beloved spot for those seeking a genuine culinary escape.
Established with a rich history in Japan, Ootoya has successfully brought its philosophy of authentic, high-quality, and affordable Japanese comfort food to New York City. The Chelsea location, with its stylish yet cozy atmosphere, serves as a perfect urban sanctuary. It’s a place where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, a peaceful solo dinner, or a vibrant gathering with friends and family. From the moment you walk in, the attention to detail in both the decor and the food preparation is evident, promising an experience that is far more than just a meal.
This article will delve into what makes Ootoya Chelsea a standout destination. We'll cover its convenient location, the extensive range of services and menu items, and the special features that have earned it a loyal following. Whether you're a connoisseur of Japanese food or a newcomer eager to explore, Ootoya Chelsea is a place that promises to deliver an authentic and memorable taste of Japan.
Ootoya Chelsea is conveniently located at 8 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011, USA. Situated in a prime area between the vibrant Flatiron and Chelsea neighborhoods, the restaurant is easily accessible from multiple subway lines, making it a simple journey for anyone in the city. Its central address ensures that it is a great spot for lunch during a workday or a dinner destination before or after exploring the area’s many shops and attractions.
The restaurant is committed to ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible restroom, and wheelchair accessible seating, making it a truly inclusive dining destination. For those arriving by car, there is paid street parking available nearby. The area is bustling, and while reservations are accepted and recommended, especially for dinner, the staff works diligently to accommodate all diners, even during the usual wait times associated with a popular New York spot.
Ootoya Chelsea provides a comprehensive suite of services to cater to every dining need. The restaurant’s flexibility and attention to customer convenience are key to its popularity. Here is a breakdown of the many ways you can enjoy Ootoya's authentic cuisine:
- Dine-in: The restaurant offers a comfortable and welcoming dining room with seating for various group sizes. Its casual yet trendy atmosphere makes it suitable for both intimate gatherings and larger groups.
- Takeout: For those on the go, Ootoya offers a seamless takeout service, allowing you to quickly grab a high-quality meal to enjoy at home or in the office.
- Delivery: Through various third-party services, you can have Ootoya’s delicious food delivered directly to your home or workplace, ensuring you can enjoy a fresh and authentic meal without leaving your location.
- Catering: Ootoya also provides catering services for events and parties, allowing you to share the unique flavors of Japanese home cooking with a larger audience.
- Bar Onsite: The restaurant features an onsite bar, offering a wide selection of beverages, including beer, wine, hard liquor, and creative cocktails, perfect for complementing your meal or for a pre-dinner drink.
What truly sets Ootoya Chelsea apart are the unique features and offerings that contribute to its authentic and highly-regarded dining experience. These highlights are what make it a destination worth seeking out for any food lover.
- Authentic Teishoku Experience: The main highlight is the restaurant's focus on teishoku, a traditional Japanese set meal. These meals typically include a main dish (like grilled fish or tonkatsu), rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. This style of dining is a core part of Japanese culture and offers a balanced and healthy way to eat.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Ootoya places a strong emphasis on the quality of its ingredients, from the fresh vegetables to the meticulously prepared meats and fish. This commitment to quality is evident in the rich flavors of their dishes, which have earned consistent praise from customers.
- Diverse Menu with Healthy Options: The menu extends far beyond teishoku, offering a variety of comfort foods, small plates, and unique items. Diners can choose from a range of grilled fish, chicken, pork, and beef dishes, as well as sushi bowls and noodles. The menu also includes healthy options, catering to a variety of dietary needs.
- Great Tea and Cocktail Selection: In addition to a full bar, Ootoya is praised for its excellent tea selection, offering authentic Japanese beverages. The cocktail menu also features expertly crafted drinks that are perfect for pairing with the food.
- Welcoming Atmosphere: The restaurant's ambiance is a perfect blend of casual, cozy, and trendy. It's a place where families can enjoy a meal with high chairs available, and groups of friends can gather for a great night out. The attentive and kind staff contribute to a calm and pleasant dining experience.
For more information, reservations, or to place an order, you can contact Ootoya Chelsea at:
Address: 8 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
Phone: (212) 255-0018
For New Yorkers seeking a true taste of Japan, Ootoya Chelsea is a compelling choice. It fills a unique niche by specializing in authentic teishoku, a style of dining that is still relatively uncommon in the city. This offers a refreshing alternative to the standard sushi or ramen-focused restaurants, providing a complete and well-balanced meal that is both healthy and deeply flavorful. The menu's variety ensures there is something for everyone, whether you're craving a classic Tonkatsu set, a hearty Beef Sukiyaki hot pot, or a fresh grilled fish entrée.
While some experiences with raw seafood have been mixed, the general consensus is that the cooked dishes and Japanese comfort foods are executed to perfection. The quality of basics like rice and vegetable side dishes is consistently high, and unique offerings like the seasonal desserts are a delightful surprise. Beyond the food, Ootoya Chelsea’s comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, combined with its kind and attentive staff, makes for a truly pleasant dining experience. The convenience of delivery and takeout services, along with the option to make reservations, makes it a practical choice for any occasion, solidifying its place as a top-tier destination for authentic Japanese home cooking in the city.
Ootoya Chelsea Menu
Signature Bento Box
- Ootoya Gozen Bento $35.00
OOTOYA Signature All-in-One Bento Box. Clockwise from the top left: 1. Fried vegetables served with a sweet and sour vinegar sauce, 2. Grilled yellowtail served with a Teriyaki sauce over white rice, 3. Dashimaki egg and steamed marinated chicken, 4. Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet, 5. Thinly sliced Washu beef and vegetables served with a soy-based Sukiyaki sauce, 6. Fried chicken flavored with a garlic soy sauce, 7. Hijiki seaweed and edamame over multi grain rice, 8. Grilled salte
Pork
- Tonkatsu Set $23.00
Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet served with an original Tonkatsu sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Japanese Curry
- Matcha Curry Set $25.00
Ootoya original Uji-Matcha mixed Japanese green curry with grilled Koji-marinated chicken. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Yasai Vegetable Curry Set $22.00
Japanese style curry with steamed vegetables and multi grain rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Tonkatsu Curry Set $26.00
Japanese style curry with a breaded and deep fried Herb port loin cutlet. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Appetizers
- Salmon Oshizushi $16.00
Three kinds of pressed salmon sushi; raw, seared, seared basil and mayonnaise
- Edamame $6.00
Boiled soybeans sprinkled with salt.
- Homemade Tofu $8.00
Homemade silky tofu served with shaved bonito flakes, grated ginger, and chives.
- Pork Gyoza $0.00
OOTOYA signature homemade grilled pork dumplings served with soy sauce based Koji dipping sauce.
- Tofu Salad $0.00
Homemade silky tofu served with tomato, broccoli, shredded cabbage, green salads, shaved bonito flakes, and a wafu vegetable dressing.
- Beef Potato Croquette $11.00
Breaded and deep fried mashed potato and minced beef croquette served with an original Tonkatsu sauce.
- Karaage $0.00
Crispy fried chicken karaage flavored with a garlic soy sauce.
- Rice & Miso Soup Set $5.00
The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Daikon Salad $0.00
Watermelon radish, daikon radish, red radish, and kaiware radish served with an original cucumber plum dressing.
- Chili Shrimp Gyoza $0.00
OOTOYA signature homemade grilled spicy shrimp dumplings served with soy sauce based Koji dipping sauce.
Beverage
- Jasmine Tea 16.9oz $4.00
- Calpico Soda (Can) 11.3oz $3.00
- Echigo Koshihikari $10.00
- Oi Ocha 16.9oz $4.00
- Fiji Water 16.9oz $4.00
Hot Pot
- Pork Kimchee Nabe Set $26.00
Mugifuji pork belly slices, kimchee, Tofu, egg, Nira chives and vegetables with an original spicy Kimchee soup. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Beef Sukiyaki Nabe Set $34.00
Japanese traditional hot pot; contains thinly sliced Washugyu beef and vegetables with a soy sauce based original sweet sukiyaki sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Pork
- Tonkatsu Set $29.00
Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet served with an original Tonkatsu sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Chicken
- Tori Shio Koji Set $24.00
Grilled chicken marinated in a special salt Koji based sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Chicken Katsu Set $21.00
Breaded and deep fried chicken cutlet served with an original Tonkatsu sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Tori Kurozu An Set $23.00
Fried chicken and vegetables served with an original sweet and sour vinegar sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Sushi Bowls
- Bara Chirashi Don $31.00
Finely diced assorted sashimi containing tuna, yellowtail, scallop, shrimp, salmon, egg, kanpyo, and salmon roe served on top of sushi rice.
- Kaisen Don $39.00
Assorted sashimi served on top of sushi rice. (assortment is subject to change based on availability)
- Salmon Ikura Don $31.00
Finely sliced salmon sashimi and salmon roe served on top of sushi rice.
Grilled Fish
- Gindara Miso Set $34.00
Grilled black cod marinated in an original blend miso served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Shima Hokke Set $32.00
Grilled Atka mackerel served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Saba Set $30.00
Grilled salted mackerel served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Salmon Saikyo Yaki Set $31.00
Grilled salmon marinated in a special Saikyo Miso served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Dessert
- Mochi Matcha Tiramisu
$11.00 Delightful twist on Japanese version of the classic dessert, featuring creamy mascarpone cheese and matcha cake layers and chewy warabimochi.
- Warabimochi $5.00
Japanese traditional dessert. Housemade mochi made of bracken starch served with red beans and brown sugar syrup.
Bowls & Noodles
- Unagi Ju Set $59.00
Grilled premium eel imported from Japan; cooked with an original eel sauce served over rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Katsu Don (Small) & Hot Udon Set $27.00
Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice and an original hot Udon noodles served in dashi soup.
- Oyako Ju Set $26.00
Grilled chicken and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Katsu Ju Set $29.00
Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Oyako Don (Small) & Hot Udon Set $24.00
Grilled chicken and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice and an original hot Udon noodles served in dashi soup.
Hot Pot
- Pork Kimchee Nabe Set $30.00
Mugifuji pork belly slices, kimchee, Tofu, egg, Nira chives and vegetables with an original spicy Kimchee soup. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Beef Sukiyaki Nabe Set $39.00
Japanese traditional hot pot; contains thinly sliced Washugyu beef and vegetables with a soy sauce based original sweet sukiyaki sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Bowls & Noodles
- Katsu Ju Set $25.00
Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Katsu Don (Small) & Hot Udon Set $25.00
Breaded and deep fried Herb pork loin cutlet and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice and an original hot Udon noodles served in dashi soup.
- Oyako Don (Small) & Hot Udon Set $22.00
Grilled chicken and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice and an original hot Udon noodles served in dashi soup.
- Oyako Ju Set $22.00
Grilled chicken and onion simmered in a dashi broth wrapped with a layer of half-cooked custard egg over rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Unagi Ju Set $50.00
Grilled premium eel imported from Japan; cooked with an original eel sauce served over rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Sushi Bowls
- Kaisen Don $40.00
Assorted sashimi served on top of sushi rice containing tuna, yellowtail, salmon, scallop, shrimp, egg, sea urchin, and salmon roe. (Assortment is subject to change based on seasonality and availability)
- Bara Chirashi Don $32.00
Finely diced assorted sashimi containing tuna, yellowtail, scallop, shrimp, salmon, egg, Kanpyo, and salmon roe served on top of sushi rice.
- Salmon Ikura Don $32.00
Finely sliced salmon sashimi and salmon roe served on top of sushi rice.
Chicken
- Tori Kurozu An Set $29.00
Fried chicken and vegetables served with an original sweet and sour vinegar sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Chicken Katsu Set $27.00
Breaded and deep fried chicken cutlet served with an original Tonkatsu sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Tori Shio Koji Set $30.00
Grilled chicken marinated in a special salt Koji based sauce. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Grilled Fish
- Shima Hokke Set $26.00
Grilled Atka mackerel served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Saba Set $24.00
Grilled salted mackerel served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Gindara Miso Set $28.00
Grilled black cod marinated in an original blend miso served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Salmon Saikyo Yaki Set $25.00
Grilled salmon marinated in a special Saikyo Miso served with Japanese grated radish. The set comes with Japanese premium white rice, miso soup, and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Japanese Curry
- Tonkatsu Curry Set $29.00
Japanese style curry with a breaded and deep fried Herb port loin cutlet. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Matcha Curry Set $28.00
Ootoya original Uji-Matcha mixed Japanese green curry with grilled Koji-marinated chicken. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
- Yasai Vegetable Curry Set $25.00
Japanese style curry with steamed vegetables and multi grain rice. The set comes with miso soup and a side of Japanese vegetables.
Ootoya Chelsea Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great cocktails
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Ootoya Chelsea Photos
Ootoya Chelsea Location
Ootoya Chelsea Reviews
tippingsobayakitorihot potcomfort foodcoldpicklesegg custardhot towelgrilled fish
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The ambiance and service at Ootoya Chelsea were both quite nice when we walked in, and we were initially excited about the meal. We ordered the beef croquettes, assorted sushi platter, and sashimi rice bowl.However, I was extremely disappointed with the uni from the sushi platter. Its appearance was off, and the taste was overwhelmingly fishy — clearly not fresh. When I raised the issue, the staff responded politely and explained that it’s “out of season,” and eventually agreed to remove the dish from the bill.While I appreciate the service, I don’t think uni — especially in that condition — should have been served at all. If you’re visiting, I would not recommend ordering any raw seafood here. Other items were decent and reasonably priced, but the uni really ruined the experience for me.
June 13 · MaydonshootsLovely, spacious spot with kind and attentive staff. The atmosphere is perfect if you're looking for some calmness.More importantly, they’ve nailed all the basics of Japanese comfort food: the rice, the vegetable side dishes, the presentation -- everything was solid.I “accidentally” ordered the dessert… (meant to cancel it but then forgot) and thank god I did. It was insanely good. The ube montblanc I had is apparently only available during spring season and you MUST try if you like sweets. Really well balanced and no matter how full you are you will definitely have space for it.
April 23 · Sel CLovely place with amazing food! The Toro Salmon Sashimi Ponzu melt like butter in your mouth and the OOTOYA Mazemen was very unique and flavorful! We also got the crispy rice set and it was one of the best one we’ve have!!
May 04 · Phuong Anh Tran HoangFresh, authentic Japanese izakaya. Prices are reasonable and service is good. All the side dishes are amazing and everything is cooked so perfectly. The miso soup is also fantastic. Food here is also on the healthy side. It’s delicious but not drenched in grease or salt!
May 14 · Angel HsuWonderful dinner with lots of options...but not for sushi. Their focus is on Crispy Rice sashimi - which was good tho I prefer my crispy rice crispier. That said, the Black Sea Bass was on point.
July 23 · samantha
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