SOBOKU Introduce
SOBOKU stands out as a charming and authentic Japanese restaurant nestled in the vibrant Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, New York. For New Yorkers seeking a culinary experience beyond standard sushi fare, SOBOKU offers a delightful and comprehensive menu focused on traditional Japanese comfort food, most notably their extensive selection of Teishoku (set meals), rich Japanese curries, and satisfying Donburi rice bowls. The atmosphere is consistently described as casual and cozy, providing a perfect, relaxed setting for a neighborhood meal. Whether you're a local resident or exploring the charming streets of Smith Street, SOBOKU delivers a welcoming environment and an array of flavorful dishes that cater to both quick bites and full dining experiences. They have quickly become a popular spot for both lunch and dinner, praised for their fast service and quality, generous portions.
The restaurant's core offering revolves around a taste of everyday Japan. Patrons have the opportunity to explore Japanese dining traditions that emphasize balance and variety in a single meal. This approach sets the stage for a truly satisfying and authentic dining adventure right here in New York City.
Location and Accessibility
SOBOKU is conveniently located in the heart of Carroll Gardens, making it easily accessible for Brooklynites and visitors alike. You can find them at:
276 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA
The location on Smith Street is highly accessible via the New York City subway system, which is essential for any New York establishment. The nearest subway station is Carroll Street, serviced by the F and G lines, and is just a short, approximately three-minute walk (0.2 miles) from the restaurant. The F and G lines are pivotal for travel within Brooklyn and into Manhattan and Queens, making SOBOKU a convenient stop for a mid-day meal or an evening out. Furthermore, the restaurant offers an entrance that is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that the delicious Japanese comfort food is available to all members of the community. For those driving, both free and paid street parking options are available nearby, a welcome amenity in a busy New York neighborhood.
Services Offered
SOBOKU provides a comprehensive range of services and dining options to suit all customer needs, from a quick solo lunch to a relaxed family dinner.
- Dining Options: Brunch (weekends), Lunch, Dinner, and Dessert are all available, featuring table service.
- Service Methods: No-contact delivery, standard delivery, takeout, and dine-in options ensure maximum convenience.
- Atmosphere and Planning: The restaurant offers a casual and cozy atmosphere, and importantly for busy New Yorkers, accepts reservations.
- Payment Convenience: They accept all major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC mobile payments for a seamless transaction experience.
- Beverages: A full range of beverage options including Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Wine, and Coffee are served.
- Special Menu Categories: The menu features Japanese Curry, Teishoku set meals, Donburi rice bowls, Appetizers, and a selection of Japanese-style Burgers.
- Family-Friendly: The restaurant is noted as being good for kids, making it an excellent choice for family dining.
Features / Highlights
SOBOKU distinguishes itself with several key features that enhance the dining experience, making it a favored spot for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts in New York.
- Authentic Teishoku Experience: The emphasis on Teishoku—a balanced set meal typically featuring a main dish, rice, miso soup, and side dishes—is a major highlight, offering a complete and nutritionally balanced Japanese meal. Examples include the Salmon Teishoku and the specialty Hamachi Kama Teishoku.
- Fast Service: Customer reviews frequently point out the quick and efficient service, making it an excellent option for a reliable lunch break or when time is limited.
- Rich Menu Variety: The menu is robust and diverse, featuring not only the Teishoku but also hearty Curries (like Kurobuta Katsu Curry), comforting Donburi (such as Katsudon), and unique items like their Japanese-style Burgers (Ebi Katsu Burger, Hambugu Burger).
- Appetizing Presentation: Customers appreciate the menu’s use of pictures, which accurately represent the food and help in making delicious selections.
- Comfort Food Focus: The restaurant is a haven for lovers of Japanese comfort food, providing generous portions and deeply satisfying dishes, from Karaage (fried chicken) to Soboro Don.
- Dietary Options: The menu includes healthy options, small plates, and traditional comfort food, catering to a range of preferences.
Contact Information
For directions, reservations, or to place a takeout order, you can contact SOBOKU using the following information:
Address: 276 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA
Phone: (917) 909-0328
What is Worth Choosing
For New Yorkers looking to get the most authentic and enjoyable experience at SOBOKU, several menu categories and specific dishes are highly recommended. The restaurant truly shines in its non-sushi offerings, providing a comforting and hearty Japanese meal that is often hard to find with such quality outside of Japan.
The Teishoku menu is the best starting point to experience the true essence of traditional Japanese dining. Teishoku, meaning 'set meal,' is a complete dining experience where all components—rice, soup, and main and side dishes—are served together on a single tray, promoting balance and enjoying all flavors in harmony with the rice. You should consider the Salmon Teishoku or the Saba Teishoku for a classic, healthy fish option. A particularly unique and worthwhile choice is the Hamachi Kama Teishoku. Hamachi Kama is the grilled collar of the yellowtail fish, known for being the fattiest, juiciest, and most tender part of the fish, often considered a delicacy. When served as a Teishoku, this rich grilled fish comes with all the balanced sides to make it a deeply satisfying meal.
If you crave a dish with a robust, savory flavor, the Curry section is a must-try. Customer reviews specifically praise the curry here as some of the best in New York. You cannot go wrong with the Kurobuta Katsu Curry, featuring tender Black Hog pork cutlet served over rice and drenched in a flavorful Japanese-style curry sauce. For a spicier kick, the Spicy Sausage Curry is another compelling choice.
Finally, the Donburi (rice bowl) options offer quick, filling, and delicious meals perfect for a solo dinner or a satisfying lunch. The Katsudon - Pork is a classic, combining a crispy pork cutlet simmered with egg and a savory-sweet sauce over rice. For a change of pace, the Spicy Maguro Don offers a fresh seafood option, or the Buta Kimchi Don provides a bold, flavorful combination of pork and fermented cabbage.
SOBOKU represents a fantastic addition to New York’s Japanese dining scene, offering quality, authenticity, and a welcoming atmosphere right in the heart of Brooklyn. Its focus on comfort-centric dishes like Teishoku and curry provides an experience that is both nourishing and deeply satisfying.
SOBOKU Menu
Curry
- Kurobuta Sausage Curry $18.00
Berkshire pork sausage.
- Spicy Sausage Curry $19.00
Spicy berkshire pork sausage served with curry over rice
- Kurobuta Katsu Curry $20.00
Berkshire pork loin cutlet.
- Slice Beef Curry $21.00
Sliced beef served with curry over rice
- Karaage Curry $20.00
Fried chicken.
- Hambagu Curry $22.00
Japanese ground beef steak served with curry over rice
- Tori Katsu Curry $19.00
Chicken cutlet.
- Ebi Fry Curry $21.00
Breaded fried shrimp.
Side Order
- Japanese Mayo $2.00
- Poached Egg $4.50
- Wasabi Dressing $2.00
- Spicy Oil $2.00
- Tartar Sauce $3.00
- Curry Sauce $8.50
- Rice $4.50
- Ramen Noodle $4.00
- Katsu Sauce $2.00
- Tater Tots $8.00
- Miso Soup $4.50
- Marinated Egg $5.00
- Spicy Mayo $2.00
- Sesame Dressing $2.00
Teishoku
- Salmon Teishoku $24.00
Salt grilled salmon/ grilled salmon in teriyaki sauce served with rice, miso soup and salad
- Ebi Fry Teishoku $23.00
Breaded fried shrimp.
- Karaage Teishoku $22.00
Fried chicken.
- Tori Katsu Teishoku $21.00
Chicken cutlet.
- Kurobuta Katsu Teishoku $22.00
Berkshire pork loin cutlet.
- Aji Fry Teishoku $22.00
Breaded fried horse mackerel.
- Saba Teishoku $24.00
Salt grilled mackerel/ grilled mackerel in teriyaki sauce served with rice, miso soup and salad
- Hamachi Kama Teishoku $23.00
Deep-fried yellowtail collar served with house soy sauce
Appetizer
- Edamame $8.00
Steamed edamame pods with salt.
- Sweet Potato Tempura $11.00
Battered purple potato with yuzu salt.
- Crab Cream Croquette $13.00
Crab meat croquettes with Japanese tartar sauce
- Salmon Capaccio $14.00
Raw salmon with scallion and yuzu soy dressing
- Kibinago Fry $12.00
Fried silver-striped round herring with mayo.
- Pork Bun $7.00
Braised pork belly, mixed green, scallions, and BBq mayo in a steamed bun
- Garlic Butter Edamame $10.00
Edamame pods sautéed in soy garlic butter.
- Spicy Tuna Taco $15.00
Spicy ground tuna served with fried gyoza skin, scallion, and spicy mayo.
- Soboku Salad $14.00
Mixed green, shredded cabbage, watermelon radish, cherry tomato and dried seaweed with wasabi dressing and mayo.
- Karaage $13.00
Fried chicken with spicy mayo.
- Takoyaki $12.00
Battered octopus balls with dried seaweed and bonito flakes.
- Shishitp Pepper $11.00
Blistered Shishito peppers with yuzu salt
- Pull Pork Bun $8.00
Pulled pork belly, scallions, and a house special mayo in a steamed bun
- Avocado Crispy Taco $14.00
- Geso Karaage $12.00
Fried squid leg with mayo.
- Sesame Cucumber $8.00
Fresh cucumber with salt and sesame oil.
- Kaki Fry $16.00
Fried oysters served with Japanese tartar sauce
Donburi
- Soboro Don $19.00
Sautéed ground pork over rice with teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, scallions, sesame seeds and poached egg
- Katsudon - Pork $20.00
Berkshire pork cutlet, egg, onion and scallion simmered in a sweet and savory broth
- Katsudon - Ebi Fry $21.00
Breaded fried shrimp, egg, onion and scallion simmered in a sweet and savory broth
- Spicy Karaage Don $20.00
Fried chicken, red onion with spicy and sour sauce.
- Katsudon - Chicken $19.00
Chicken cutlet, egg, onion and scallion simmered in a sweet and savory broth
- Butadon $18.00
Sliced pork, onion, and scallion simmered in a sweet and savory broth served with poached egg.
- Oyakodon $19.00
Chicken, egg, onion, scallion simmered in a sweet and savory broth.
- Gyudon $21.00
Sliced beef, onion, and scallion simmered in a sweet and savory broth served with poached egg.
- Spicy Maguro Don $22.00
Spicy ground tuna with soy sauce and wasabi.
- Buta Kimchi Don $20.00
Sliced pork, kimchi, onion, scallion with house spicy sauce.
- Salmon Don $22.00
Marinated raw salmon, nori, scallion, served with soy sauce and wasabi
- Karaage Don $20.00
Fried chicken, scallion, sesame with spicy soy mayo.
Burger
- Ebi Katsu Burger $23.00
Breaded fried shrimp, shredded cabbage with japanese tartar and sweet and sour sauce.
- Aji Fry Burger $21.00
Breaded fried horse mackerel, shredded cabbage, cheese with japanese tartar sauce.
- Hambugu Burger $23.00
Japanese ground beef steak, cheese, caramelized onion, crunch onion with barbeque mayo served with tater tots
- Tori Katsu Burger $20.00
Chicken cutlet, shredded cabbage with katsu mayo and mustard.
- Kurobuta Katsu Burger $21.00
Berkshire pork loin cutlet, shredded cabbage with katsu mayo and mustard.
Soft Drink
- Diet Coke $5.00
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
- Calpico Soda $7.00
- Seltzer $5.00
- Coke $5.00
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
- Yuzu Soda $7.00
- Iced Green Tea $6.00
- Plum Soda $7.00
Summer Special Menu
- Tako Wasabi $10.00
Seasoned raw octopus with wasabi
- Tsukune $11.00
Japanese chicken meatball with teriyaki sauce
- Atsuyaki Tamago $10.00
Japanese rolled omelet
- Toryofu Mezamen $23.00
Broth-less ramen with ground pork, parmesan cheese, sesame cream sauce, truffle oil, corn, scallion, crispy onion, and poached egg
SOBOKU Details
Service options
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
SOBOKU Photos










SOBOKU Location
SOBOKU Reviews
burgertuna tacoscomfort foodshishito pepperssalmon carpacciokurobutacrab croquettehambagukagoshima berkshiretater tots
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Went exploring and found this nice little shop. Some of the best curry I’ve had around New York. The mackerel was great along with the salmon, very flavorful. Their menu had lots of pictures so it really helped to see what’s looks good and matches very well with what we got. They might be understaffed, very busy but was no wait line when we got there.
September 17 · Leo ZouGood food in a small setting. Friendly staff and food comes out quickly. The prices are a little high, but the portions are big for their entrees. Brunch is served on the weekends. The curry is good.
September 16 · Tiffany ChengI stopped in for an early dinner Friday night around 6pm. Since it was early it was rather quiet only 4 other tables dining in. Though being Friday it was still a work day & with the large amount of various delivery services coming in & out of the restaurant I can only guess many people in the area just wanted to stay home & unwind. I decided to try the crab cream croquettes for my appetizer which were lightly fried which I liked however the cream overpowered the crab to the point I couldn’t taste the crab. For t my main I went with the Kurobuta katsu burger (basically a fried boneless pork loin on a bun with shredded cabbage & mayo) which came with fried potato tots. Which was OK. I don’t know what I was thinking but in reality I had way too many fried dishes in this meal so perhaps that’s why I didn’t enjoy it as much as one normally would. I tried the Hikari from their cocktail menu which sounded good however the chewiness of the jelly wasn’t for me. Perhaps if you like aloe drinks you would enjoy this drink as well. The tables were rather close to each other so when getting up from the bench side (there’s one long bench across the entire back wall) of the table your guaranteed to bump into a table or two. Next time I’ll have to limit myself to one fried dish & perhaps my meal will be more enjoyable.
September 27 · J B CFinally had a chance to stop into this Japanese spot on Smith. On a block stocked with so many food options, it’s nice to find a delicious Don - rice bowl, and curry. The small interior is half open kitchen and half seating. It’s great and reasonably priced, which allows for solo and family dining. Lots of great starter dishes too, including the spicy tuna taco. Wish the ventilation system was better though. It’s either not enough A/C or there’s air in your section but the cooking oil smell is clinging in the air. But a quick meal on a not hot day should be fine.
July 18 · Lan CI found a hidden gem in Brooklyn for yummy Japanese comfort food in Brooklyn. Everything from the salmon carpaccio and takoyaki to kurobuta katsu to Japanese hamburg curry was fresh and delicious. The spicy tuna tacos is a must order! The portions were generous and all the dishes were made with care. I also recommend the hikari cocktail if you want a refreshing drink.
June 22 · Farrah Curtis
More restaurants near me

30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

707 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

106 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

108 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

711 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

719 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

114 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

116 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

721 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

725 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

118 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

120b DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Dining Insights Posts





