Sakagura: Discover a Hidden Gem for Authentic Japanese Dining in Midtown

Sakagura Introduce

An Overview of Sakagura: An Izakaya Experience Beyond Expectation

In the bustling heart of Midtown Manhattan, Sakagura offers an authentic slice of Japan that feels both transportive and sophisticated. Located discreetly in the basement of an office building, this izakaya and Japanese restaurant is a celebrated "hidden gem" that has become a favorite for those in the know. Unlike typical sushi-focused spots, Sakagura specializes in izakaya-style dining—a Japanese gastropub concept where small, shareable plates are paired with an extensive selection of sake. This approach to dining creates a relaxed, social atmosphere that is both casual and upscale, making it ideal for a variety of occasions, from a romantic date night to a lively group gathering.

The restaurant is a pioneer in bringing authentic sake culture to New York, boasting one of the most extensive sake menus in the city. The food menu is equally impressive, offering a wide range of hot and cold dishes, including traditional entrées, creative crudos, and expertly prepared soba and udon noodles. The atmosphere is a significant part of the experience, with its cozy, trendy, and even romantic ambiance that successfully transports diners to a Tokyo izakaya. For New Yorkers seeking a genuine and high-quality Japanese culinary adventure, Sakagura is a destination that promises to exceed expectations.

Location and Accessibility

Sakagura is located at 211 E 43rd St B1, a central and highly convenient address in Midtown East, just a short walk from Grand Central Terminal. Its unique location in the basement of an unassuming office building adds to its mystique and makes finding it part of the adventure. Despite its hidden nature, the restaurant is easily accessible for both locals and tourists. The proximity to a major transportation hub makes it an ideal spot for a business lunch or a post-work dinner. For those who drive, paid street parking is available in the vicinity.

The restaurant is also committed to accessibility for all patrons. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the dining experience comfortably. The option for reservations is highly recommended, as the restaurant is known to be popular and can have a wait, especially during peak hours. The combination of a prime, albeit discreet, location and a thoughtful approach to accessibility makes Sakagura a practical and appealing choice for a wide variety of diners.

Services Offered

Delivery and Dine-in: Sakagura offers both dine-in and delivery services, allowing customers to enjoy their authentic Japanese cuisine wherever they are.
Table Service: The restaurant provides full table service for a comfortable and attentive dining experience.
Catering: For special events or office gatherings, Sakagura’s menu can be a great option for catering.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations and recommends them for both lunch and dinner, especially for groups.
Bar Onsite: A bar is located onsite, offering an extensive selection of sake, beer, cocktails, and wine.

Features and Highlights

Great Sake Selection: A key highlight of Sakagura is its world-class sake list, which features over 200 different varieties. The staff is knowledgeable and can help guide you through the extensive selection.
Authentic Izakaya Cuisine: The menu offers a wide array of authentic Japanese izakaya-style dishes and small plates, allowing for a tasting experience of various flavors. Standouts include the Stone Grilled A5 Wagyu, Dassai 'Sake-kasu' Salmon, and the classic Tori Karaage.
Upscale but Cozy Atmosphere: The ambiance is a major draw, with a unique blend of being casual, cozy, romantic, and upscale all at once. It's a perfect spot for a quiet dinner or a lively group outing.
Exceptional Service: Reviews consistently praise the staff for being "beyond attentive" and "extremely friendly," treating customers with genuine hospitality.
Quality Ingredients: The restaurant uses high-quality ingredients, from the "melt-in-your-mouth" sushi and sashimi to premium A5 Wagyu beef.
Comprehensive Menu: The menu caters to many different preferences with options including vegetarian dishes, comfort food, and healthy selections, along with late-night food.
Accessibility: The restaurant provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring it is a welcoming place for everyone.

Contact Information

Address: 211 E 43rd St B1, New York, NY 10017

Phone: (212) 953-7253

What is Worth Choosing at Sakagura?

For New Yorkers seeking a truly special Japanese dining experience, Sakagura offers a distinct and rewarding choice. What makes this restaurant worth visiting is its exceptional blend of authentic cuisine, an unparalleled sake selection, and an immersive atmosphere. It’s not just a meal; it’s a culinary journey. The quality of the food is consistently praised by patrons who highlight the freshness and authentic flavors. The extensive sake menu, curated with expertise, provides a unique opportunity to explore a cornerstone of Japanese culture. This dedication to both food and drink sets Sakagura apart from many of its competitors.

Moreover, the ambiance and service elevate the entire experience. The cozy, hidden-away nature of the restaurant creates a feeling of discovery and intimacy, while the attentive and friendly staff makes every guest feel valued. The restaurant is a perfect choice for those who want to move beyond standard sushi rolls and delve into the rich and diverse world of izakaya dining. Whether you're a sake enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking for a new and exciting spot for a dinner out, Sakagura delivers a five-star experience that is truly memorable. Its commitment to quality, authenticity, and impeccable service makes it a premier destination in New York City's dining scene.

Sakagura Menu

Dinner Menu - Hot dishes
Gomoku Kinpira $8.00
Sauteed root vegetables in sesame oil
Edamame $7.00
Lightly salted young soybeans
Surumeika $14.00
Grilled squid marinated in sake soy sauce
Chikuzen Ni $11.00
Simmered assorted root vegetables, chicken dashi
Tamago Yaki $9.00
Dashi egg omelette
Maguro Misoni $19.00
Simmered tuna and vegetables in miso dashi
Buta Kakuni $14.00
Braised pork belly with shishito peppers
Saba Shioyaki $13.00
Mojito salt grilled mackerel with grated daikon radish
Dassai 'Sake-kasu' Salmon $18.00
Grilled salmon filet marinated in sake-kasu and miso
Jidori Shioyaki $18.00
Grilled organic free range chicken with sea salt
Stone Grilled A5 Wagyu $52.00
Age Dashi Tofu $12.00
Flash fried tofu in dashi broth
Shishito Age $9.00
Flash fried shishito peppers with sea salt
Ebi Shinjo $12.00
Japanese style shrimp fritters with toasted almonds
Tori Karaage $14.00
Japanese style fried free-range chicken
Chawan Mushi $12.00
Steamed egg custard with shrimp, ginkgo and shiitake mushroom
Gindara Yuan Yaki $28.00
Grilled black cod simmered in yuzu soy sauce

Dinner Menu - Salad
Seaweed Salad $17.00
Trio of seaweed with sesame dressing
Daikon Salad $18.00
Daikon radish with mentaiko (spicy cod roe) mayo
Mixed Green Salad $8.00

Dinner Menu - Cold Dishes
Hiyayakko $7.00
Chilled Tofu topped with Grated Ginger, Scallion and Bonito Flakes
Uni Ikura Onsen Tamago $17.00
Soft Boiled Egg topped with Sea Urchin and Salmon Roe in Cold Dashi Soup
Kishu Umeboshi $6.00
Pickled plum "umeboshi"
Uzaku $10.00
Eel, Thin Cucumber Slices and Wakame Seaweed in Vinaigrette Sauce
Gomaae $7.00
Blanched spinach served with sesame sauce, chilled
Mishima US Wagyu Beef Tataki $24.00
Lightly seared beef sashimi with daikon radish and ponzu
Sashimi Moriawase $45.00
3pcs each of 3 types of sashimi
Sashimi Moriawase $79.00
3pcs each of 5 types of sashimi
Maguro Butsu $17.00
Diced fresh tuna sashimi with soy sauce

Dinner Menu - Crudo & Mediterranean Menu
Oysters (3PC) $14.00
with red grapes and celery mignonette
Hitokuchi Uni (M/P)
M/P Fresh sea urchin, shrimp consomme, clementine filet olive oil, Persian lime salt
Hotate $14.00
Hokkaido scallop, prickly pear sauce, Israeli EVOO, Italian chili
Hamachi $21.00
Yellowtail, charred red bell peppers and pine nuts romesko, almond-sesame "crumble", Persian lemon salt, Israeli EVOO
Sake (Salmon) $18.00
Lightly torched salmon, 'Atzukezuri' crème fraîche, pickled shallots and dill, fresh soba crumbs
Madai $15.00
Sea bream, plum paste, salmon roe, shiso, EVOO
Toro Tartare $24.00
Fatty tuna, soy-ginger vinaigrette, watermelon rinds relish, osetra caviar
A5 Wagyu Tartare $28.00
Freekeh, dates harissa, grape must reduction
Ikura Hummus $14.00
Soy marinated salmon roe and housemade hummus
Asari Couscous $17.00
Sake steamed asari with fennel and anise, Israeli couscous
Shrimp Yuzu Labne $22.00
Pan seared koji aged shrimp with charred vegetables yuzu-labneh sauce
Swiss Chard Sake-kasu Cod $28.00
Grilled cod marinated in tahini and Dassai sake kasu served with swiss chard prepared in two ways: grilled and marmalade

Dinner Menu - Rice / Noodle
Nihachi Soba $19.00
Housemade cold soba with nori and wasabi
Hot Inaniwa Udon $18.00
Hot udon noodle soup with yuzu and scallion
Una Ju $48.00
Grilled eel over rice
Maguro Zuke Don $24.00
Soy marinated tuna sashimi slices with uni and ikura over rice
Maguro Kimchee Don $16.00
Fresh tuna and kimchee with gochujang sauce over rice
Sake Ikura Chazuke $14.00
Rice soup with grilled fresh salmon and roe
Miso Soup $6.00
With tofu, seaweed, nameko mushroom and scallion

Dinner - Desserts
Arabic Panna Cotta $14.00
Labne yogurt, vanilla, rose water, honey and herbs. *Pairing with Dassai Nigori, unfiltered sake (add $6.00)
Cha-an: Homemade Daifuku Mochi $9.00
Your choice of: yuzu, strawberry, black sesame or green tea (availability will vary depending on the stock)
Cha-an: Chocolate Chip Mochi Cooker $9.00
Warm and fresh cookie served with the ice cream of the day.

Lunch Set Menu - Soba (Cold)
Zaru Soba $26.00
with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Tempura Zaru Soba $29.00
Shrimp & assorted vegetable tempura, cold buckwheat zaru soba served with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Natto Soba $28.00
Cold soba topped with fermented soybeans (natto). Served with with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer.
Spicy Maze Soba $29.00
Cold soba topped with minced pork, green onions, and nori. Served with with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer.

Lunch Set Menu - Soba (Hot)
Kake Soba $23.00
Hot soba noodles served with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Tempura Soba $29.00
Shrimp & assorted vegetable tempura and hot soba served with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, and kobachi appetizer
Sukiyaki Soba $29.00
Simmered beef and onion with hot soba, and served with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Aburi Cha-shu Soba $29.00
Roasted pork chashu soba. Served with with half roll, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer

Lunch Set Menu - Donburi (over rice)
Oyako Don $26.00
Chicken, Soft-Scrambled Eggs, Sliced Onion served over rice. With miso soup, pickles, kobachi appetizer, hot or cold soba
Gyu Don $28.00
Simmered thinly sliced beef and onion over rice. Served with miso soup, pickles, kobachi appetizer, hot or cold soba
Katsu Don $27.00
Fried pork cutlet, egg and onion simmered and over rice. Served with miso soup, pickles, kobachi appetizer, hot or cold soba
Tempura Don $27.00
Shrimp & assorted tempura over rice. Served with miso soup, pickles, kobachi appetizer, hot or cold soba
Bara Chirashi Don [RAW] $28.00
Assorted pieces of fish, tamago, and cucumber over rice. Served with miso soup, pickles, kobachi appetizer, hot or cold soba

Lunch Set Menu - Teishoku
Chicken Nanban $26.00
Fried Chicken with sweet vinegar tartar-sauce. Served with with rice, miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Pork Filet Cutlet $28.00
Fried pork filet cutlet served with rice, miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Tori Karaage $26.00
Japanese fried chicken served with rice, miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Buta Shoga $24.00
Sauteed pork with ginger. Served with rice, miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Sashimi [RAW] $38.00
Assorted sashimi. Served with with rice, miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Chutoro Uni Ikura Don [RAW] $86.00
Fatty tuna, sea urchin, soy marinated salmon roe over rice, and served with miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Chutoro Don [RAW] $64.00
Fatty tuna over rice, Served with miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Uni Don [Raw] $68.00
Sea Urchin over rice, Served with miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Ikura Don [RAW] $48.00
Soy marinated salmon roe (ikura) over rice. Served with miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Washu-Gyu Beef Steak Don $48.00
Washu beef steak served over rice. Served with miso soup, pickles, chawan mushi, kobachi appetizer
Una Ju $48.00
Grilled eel over rice

Lunch Set Menu - Rolls
Vegetable Roll $18.00
with miso soup, soba salad
Spicy Salmon Roll $22.00
with miso soup, soba salad
Spicy Tuna Roll $23.00
with miso soup, soba salad
Shrimp Tempura Roll $22.00
with miso soup, soba salad

Lunch Menu - Salad
Green Salad $10.00
served with onion dressing
Tofu Salad $12.00
Served with sour plum (ume) dressing
Soba Salad $18.00
Served with sesame dressing

Lunch Set Menu - *PRE-ORDER ONLY* Vegetarian & Gluten Free options
V: Zaru Soba $14.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you!
V: Kake Soba $14.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you!
V: Natto Soba $18.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead Thank you! Cold soba with fermented soybeans (natto) on top.
V: Tempura Soba $18.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Hot or cold soba, assorted vegetable tempura
V: Green Salad $10.00
Onion dressing. Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you!
V: Tofu Salad $12.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Sour plum dressing.
V: Soba Salad $18.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Sesame dressing.
V: Vegetable Roll $18.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Miso soup, soba salad.
GF: Sashimi $38.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Rice, miso soup, kobachi appetizer
GF: Chirashi $38.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Assorted fish over rice, miso soup, kobachi appetizer
GF: Vegetable Roll $18.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Miso soup and house salad.
GF: Spicy Salmon Roll $22.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Miso soup and house salad.
GF: Spicy Tuna Roll $23.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Miso soup and house salad.
Konjak Soba $10.00
Please call us at Sakagura AT LEAST one day ahead to pre-order this dish as we need to prepare ahead. Thank you! Konjak yam noodle - hot or cold.

Sakagura Details

Service options
Delivery
Dine-in
Takeout

Highlights
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
Healthy options
Late-night food
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy
Upscale

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Paid street parking

Sakagura Photos

Sakagura Location

Sakagura

New York New York County New York East 43rd Street

211 E 43rd St B1, New York, NY 10017, USA

Sakagura Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 1397 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Can't speak enough of the sushi experience I had here. The presentation was about as Instagram worthy as you can get, and the taste and freshness were amongst the best I've ever had. As a frequent traveler, I had a suitcase of which they offered to store for me without any ask from me. The staff were ALL beyond attentive and extremely friendly. Both myself and my friend were treated as well as anyone could expect from a dining experience. This was my first visit, but I can guarantee you there will be many more. Five star first class all around here.
May 02 · David Reynolds
Quality Japanese restaurant in NYC✔︎ I’ve been here twice. I ordered Kamo Namban soba (duck and leek) and Hayashi rice. Both were very authentic.✔︎ Service and atmosphere✔︎ Very reasonable and quality lunch option at 18 USD with limited availability. I tried Hayashi rice on Monday and it was delicious!
August 20 · Hanna H
True hidden gem!Sakagura delivers an authentic and elevated Japanese dining experience that’s hard to find.Tucked away beneath the city streets, this cozy izakaya-style spot surprises you the moment you walk in. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and the miso cod is an absolute must-have—flaky, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.The izakaya selections are top-tier, offering both classic dishes and inventive small plates that pair beautifully with their extensive sake menu. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and refined, and the service was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable without ever feeling rushed.If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine (or just good food), Sakagura is a destination worth discovering.
April 06 · Rekha Karna
Nestled beneath an ordinary Midtown office building lies Sakagura, a refined Tokyo-style izakaya and sake bar that feels like a secret sanctuary in Manhattan . If you really want to enjoy an authentic Japanese New York City gem 💎 🗽 🍣 🍶. MUST COME ! The manager Alex , Miguel and Herman the best of the best !
July 19 · Alejandro
Sadly, the atmosphere was the only perk here. It used to have a wide variety of selection for sashimi and other plates but not anymore. Hope this photo helps to guide others with what to expect with portion and quality. I think we paid $120 for all of this and 2 draft beer!
June 18 · J J