Yopparai Introduce
Welcome to the vibrant world of New York's culinary scene, where a hidden treasure awaits those seeking an authentic taste of Japan. Nestled in the heart of the Lower East Side, Yopparai stands out as a unique and inviting Japanese izakaya and tapas restaurant. Known for its dedication to traditional flavors and a warm, transportive atmosphere, Yopparai offers more than just a meal—it provides an experience. If you’re a New Yorker looking to escape the hustle and bustle for a moment and immerse yourself in a different culture, this is a must-visit destination. Whether you're a seasoned sake connoisseur or a newcomer eager to explore, Yopparai promises a memorable evening filled with exquisite food and drink.
Yopparai's charm lies in its ability to blend the traditional with the contemporary, creating a space that feels both cozy and trendy. The restaurant's design, including its famous tatami mat seating, invites a sense of intimacy and a relaxed pace, encouraging diners to savor each moment and each bite. This is not a place to rush through your meal; it's a place to linger, chat, and connect. The focus on high-quality ingredients and meticulous preparation ensures that every dish is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Japan. From delicate sashimi to hearty, simmered dishes, the menu is a journey through diverse and delightful flavors. And with a special emphasis on pairing these dishes with a curated selection of sake, Yopparai truly elevates the dining experience.
In a city brimming with options, Yopparai's commitment to authenticity sets it apart. The menu features a variety of traditional items that you won't easily find elsewhere, from the comforting flavors of Oden to rare snacks known as Chinmi, specifically chosen to complement sake. This attention to detail and a genuine love for Japanese culture is what makes Yopparai a beloved spot for both locals and visitors. It’s a place where you can feel the passion in every dish and the warmth in every interaction. If you're looking for an unforgettable taste of Japan right here in New York, make Yopparai your next destination.
Conveniently located at 49 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002, Yopparai is perfectly situated in the vibrant and easily accessible Lower East Side neighborhood. This prime location makes it a great choice for both locals and those exploring the city. The area is well-served by public transportation, with several subway lines and bus routes nearby, making your journey to the restaurant straightforward and stress-free. Whether you're coming from Midtown, Brooklyn, or anywhere else in the city, getting to Yopparai is a breeze.
The restaurant's setting on Clinton Street places it in the midst of a lively culinary and nightlife hub, allowing you to easily combine your dining experience with other activities in the neighborhood. After your meal, you can explore the area’s many bars, art galleries, and boutiques. The street-level location and clear signage ensure that Yopparai is easy to spot, and while it's a popular destination, the option to make a reservation means you can plan your visit ahead of time to ensure you get a table. This blend of accessibility and a desirable location adds to the overall convenience and appeal of dining at Yopparai.
Yopparai offers a range of services designed to provide a comfortable and satisfying dining experience, focusing on traditional Japanese hospitality and a diverse menu.
Dine-in Service: Enjoy the full Yopparai experience with their welcoming dine-in service. The intimate and cozy atmosphere, complete with unique tatami mat seating, is perfect for a relaxed dinner with friends or a special date night.
Table Service: The restaurant provides attentive and professional table service, ensuring that your needs are met throughout your meal. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and happy to offer recommendations, particularly when it comes to sake pairings.
Dinner Reservations: Due to its popularity, Yopparai recommends and accepts reservations. This is a great feature for planning your evening and guaranteeing a spot, especially during peak hours. You can make a reservation to secure your table and avoid potential wait times.
Alcoholic Beverages: As a premier izakaya and sake bar, Yopparai offers a comprehensive selection of beverages. This includes a wide array of sake, beer, cocktails, hard liquor, and wine, all carefully chosen to complement the food menu.
Late-Night Dining: Yopparai is a fantastic option for those seeking delicious food late into the evening. The kitchen stays open to serve its delectable small plates, making it an ideal spot for a post-show meal or a late-night gathering.
Yopparai stands out in New York’s dining landscape due to a combination of unique features and high-quality offerings that create an exceptional and memorable visit.
Authentic Japanese Izakaya Experience: Yopparai brings a true taste of Japan to New York with its focus on traditional izakaya-style dining. The menu features a wide variety of small plates designed for sharing, allowing you to sample many different flavors and textures. The atmosphere, complete with tatami mat seating, transports you to a cozy sake bar in Japan.
Great Cocktails and Sake Selection: The restaurant is celebrated for its well-crafted cocktails and, most notably, its extensive selection of sake. The staff is passionate about sake and can guide you through the options to find the perfect pairing for your meal, enhancing the flavors of each dish.
Fast and Attentive Service: Despite its intimate setting, Yopparai is known for its fast and efficient service. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience from the moment you arrive until you leave.
Perfect for Solo Dining and Groups: Whether you're dining alone at the bar or with a group of friends, Yopparai’s layout and atmosphere are accommodating. It's a popular choice for both solo diners looking for a quiet, delicious meal and for groups who want to share and socialize over an assortment of dishes.
Unique Menu Offerings: The menu goes beyond standard Japanese fare with special sections like Oden (simmered soul foods) and Chinmi (rare snacks). These unique offerings provide a deeper exploration of Japanese cuisine and are a major highlight for food enthusiasts.
Cozy and Trendy Atmosphere: Yopparai strikes the perfect balance between a casual, cozy feel and a trendy vibe. The intimate setting, combined with its popular reputation, makes it a comfortable and sought-after destination for a wide range of diners.
Yopparai is a true gem in the Lower East Side, and choosing to dine here is about more than just a meal—it's about the full experience. The restaurant is worth choosing for its authenticity, its diverse and delicious menu, and its inviting atmosphere. Unlike many larger, more commercial establishments, Yopparai offers a personalized and intimate dining experience that feels special and unique.
The quality of the food is a major reason to visit. The menu, which includes an impressive variety of dishes from Sashimi and Grilled Dishes to Simmered Dishes and Oden, showcases a genuine commitment to traditional Japanese flavors. The use of high-quality ingredients, such as Bluefin Tuna for their exquisite sashimi and Jidori chicken for their skewers, ensures that every bite is exceptional. The menu is structured to encourage exploration, with small plates and a wide range of options that allow you to curate your own perfect meal.
Furthermore, Yopparai's reputation as a top-tier sake bar makes it a standout choice. Their selection is curated to pair beautifully with the food, and the staff's expertise adds significant value to the dining experience. Whether you're an expert or a novice, you can discover new favorites with their guidance. The combination of a fantastic beverage program, authentic food, and a warm, transportive atmosphere makes Yopparai the ideal destination for anyone seeking an escape from the ordinary and a genuine taste of Japan right here in New York City.
For a truly memorable experience that combines excellent food, great service, and a one-of-a-kind setting, Yopparai is a clear choice. It is a place that leaves a lasting impression and is likely to become a regular spot for anyone who appreciates quality and authenticity.
Address: 49 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (212) 777-7253
Yopparai Menu
Salads and Vegetables
- Edamame $7.00
Edamame beans freshly steamed in a cypress box
- Oshinko $8.00
Seasonal vegetables pickled in rice bran
- Tomato Salad $9.00
Ripe tomato topped with diced onions and served with dashi dressing
- Daikon Salad $10.00
Shredded daikon radish with umeboshi plum dressing on a bed of watercress
- Kaisen Sunomomo $15.00
Assorted seafood (squid, king crab, surf clam, scallops, etc.) and seaweed in vinegar dressing
Appetizers
- Motsu Nikomi $9.00
Traditional miso tripe stew
- Homemade Tofu $10.00
Served chilled with scallion, bonito flakes, and seaweed powder
- Chawanmushi *seasonal* $10.00
Savory steamed egg custard with salmon roe and shrimp (summer) or chicken and crab (winter)
- Karaage $12.00
Fried chicken marinated in rice malt and yuzu
- Kakuni $14.00
Berkshire pork belly simmered in sweet dashi broth
- Washu Gyu Tataki $18.00
Lightly seared Washu beef with ponzu dressing
- Hoba Miso $20.00
Miso, washu beef & wild vegetables cooked on a hoba leaf (contain cashew nuts)
- Homemade Yudoufu $22.00
Hot homemade tofu cooked with watercress and shiitake in a wooden box
Oden (Traditional Japanese soul foods simmered in dashi broth)
- Hanpen (grated fish and yam made into a fluffy cake) $4.00
- Satsuma Age (fried fish cake) $4.00
- Konnyaku (jelly-like yam cake) $4.00
- Tamago (boiled egg) $4.00
- Mochi Kinchaku (tofu skin stuffed with sticky rice cake) $5.00
- Daikon Radish $6.00
- Assortment of 3 items $12.00
- Assortment of 5 items $18.00
Chinmi (Rare snacks and tastes that pair well with sake)
- Homemade Natto $6.00
Homemade fermented soy beans
- Umeboshi $6.00
Pickled plum
- Wasabi Zuke $8.00
Chopped wasabi with sake lees
- Shiokara $8.00
Squid sashimi with salted squid organs
- Ika no Uni Ae $10.00
Squid sashimi mixed with sea urchin
- Mentaiko $14.00
Lightly smoked spicy marinated cod roe
Grilled Dishes
- Sunagimo Skewer $7.00
Chicken gizzards
- Jidori (Chicken) Liver Skewer $7.00
Dipped in yakitori sauce
- Torikushi Skewer $7.00
Chicken thigh, choice of yakitori sauce or salt
- Hotate Butter $11.00
Scallop grilled with butter sauce
- Butakushi Skewer $12.00
Kurobuta fatty pork belly with shio koji
- Tsukune $12.00
Signature chicken meatball, topped with raw egg yolk
- Anago Shirayaki $14.00
Grilled sea eel
- Ika Ichiyazuke $14.00
Grilled whole marinated squid
- Yasai Yaki $14.00
Mixed seasonal vegetables grilled with soy sauce
- Gyutan $16.00
Thin-cut Washu beef tongue prepared in Sendai style
- Miso Black Cod $16.00
Grilled black cod marinated in spicy garlic miso
- Kamoyaki $18.00
Duck breast grilled on a hot plate, served with sweet soba broth
- Washu Gyu Teppanyaki $22.00
Washu beef grilled on a hot plate
Simmered Dishes
- Nira Tama Tofu $12.00
Silky tofu and chives simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
- Kinoko Toban Yaki $14.00
Mixed Japanese mushrooms with sake lees, miso, and butter (contain cashew nuts)
- Ebi Shinjo $14.00
Shrimp and cod made into a fluffy dumpling, served in light dashi sauce
- Jidori Tamago Toji $16.00
Free-range chicken and tsukune simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
- Kurobuta Tamago Toji $18.00
Kurobuta pork belly simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
- Anago Yanagawa $20.00
Sea eel simmered in dashi broth with soft scrambled egg
Rice and Noodles
- Yaki Onigiri - Soy Sauce or Miso $6.00
- Yaki Onigiri - Uni or Mentaiko $10.00
- Isobe Yaki Mochi $6.00
Homemade pounded glutinous rice cake grilled with soy sauce
- Inaniwa Udon (seasonal) $14.00
Thin udon noodles from Akita prefecture, served chilled with sesame sauce
- Sansai Serio Meshi $14.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with mountain vegetables in a wooden box
- Shake Ikura Seiro Meshi $22.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with salmon flakes and salmon roe in a wooden box
- Kani Seiro Meshi $22.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with snow crab and tobiko in a wooden box
- Anago Seiro Meshi $22.00
Blend of sticky rice with soy sauce and sake steamed with sea eel in a wooden box
Sashimi
- Assorted Sashimi $32.00
- Assorted Sashimi plus Uni or Ikura $44.00
- Assorted Sashimi plus Uni and Ikura $56.00
- Bluefin Tuna Sampler $56.00
Two pieces each of lean, marinated, medium-fatty, and fatty tuna
- Bluefin A la Carte - Akami (lean cut, 3 pieces) $16.00
- Bluefin A la Carte - Zuke (marinated in dashi soy sauce, 3 pieces) $20.00
- Bluefin A la Carte - Chutoro (medium fatty, 3 pieces) $28.00
- Bluefin A la Carte - Otoro (super fatty, 3 pieces) $32.00
- Ikura $18.00
Marinated salmon roe served with nori
- Uni $20.00
Sea urchin served with nori \
- Slimy Bomb $16.00
Homemade natto with mixed Japanese veggies & fish
- Negitoro Taku $20.00
Tuna tartare with Tokyo spring onion and pickled daikon
- Hamachi Tataki $20.00
Seared yellowtail in ponzu dressing
Yopparai Details
Service options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Takeout
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Yopparai Photos










Yopparai Location
Yopparai Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Yopparai, a hidden gem in the Lower East Side brings an authentic Japanese izakaya experience to New Yorkers. The intimate space features traditional tatami mat seating creating a cozy and transportive atmosphere for both sake lovers and food enthusiasts. Their exquisite menu is of authentic Japanese flavors from delicate to comforting to exciting items. Pair them with sake and enhance all those flavors. Dessert is just as delicious with traditional tastes. Whether you're after a unique date night or an immersive taste of Japan, Yopparai delivers an unforgettable dining experience.
April 06 · itzelenahoSo many great dishes at Yopparai. Some of my favorite dishes (not depicted) were the nigiri, kakuni, and chicken meat ball w/ egg. 🥹I also enjoy the comfortable seating positions you can take on in the booths!
April 17 · Alana W.DPositive: atmosphere. Negative: portion. Ok so this place is cute, good for an intimate date night or a place to grab a drink and bites after a full dinner, but not a good place if you want a fulfilling dinner. Izakaya with a steep price tag for dishes with portions that are small for ants. The place has a bar and Japanese style traditional tatami booth (shoes off), so pretty unique and a good place to have a conversation. This place is for someone with a tiny appetite or come hang out already full. We ordered a bunch of items from the menu, and each average costs about $25, but the portion for each was astonishingly small. We ordered the fish hotpot and we got literally five pieces of trout and a little bit mushrooms and watercress ($35). Oden tasted very good, but that small bowl (5 kinds) costs $21. Other food items all tasted alright, nothing special. We ended up spending over $100 per person, and had to go to another place to get more food because all of us were still hungry. So again, don’t come here if you want to get full, unless you want to spend over $250 per person. Good for a first date or business talk where you don’t expect to eat much.
June 15 · Kyle LiuI was really looking forward to dining at this Japanese restaurant again, especially because of the unique tatami seating and beautifully styled interior. I had visited once before the pandemic and enjoyed a pork hot pot that left a great impression.This time, however, I came to celebrate a friend’s birthday and was honestly disappointed. The prices were very high—over $500for four people—and none of us felt full afterward. The food was just average, and unfortunately not to my taste.It’s a beautiful place, but with the current pricing and food quality, I don’t think I’ll be coming back.
April 04 · vivi ChanleThe vibe and food presentation are both stunning! The seafood donburi, named after the restaurant, is truly impressive—I’ve never seen such a generous serving in all of New York. It’s packed with fresh sashimi and delicious rice!
March 24 · Yuri P
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