Yopparai التقييمات

One of the best meals I’ve ever had. The freshest tastiest fish, gorgeous presentation, breathtaking actually, incredible service-it was INCREDIBLE

My boyfriend and I were looking forward to a special evening out, and at first, this restaurant delivered in every way. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with impeccable service and hospitality that reminded us of the warmth and attentiveness we’ve experienced in Asia. The interior was stunning and elegantly designed. Our waitress, in particular, was exceptional. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and carried a sense of grace that elevated our experience. The first dish we ordered, a tempura platter, was perfection. We were so impressed and felt we were in for a truly memorable meal. But unfortunately, what started as a wonderful evening took a sudden and disappointing turn, and it all came down to the behavior of one of the chefs. When our sushi arrived, I was shocked to discover that it already had wasabi inside, something I cannot eat due to severe nausea. This wasn’t indicated anywhere on the menu, which is a surprising oversight for a restaurant catering to a diverse clientele in New York City. As someone used to the wasabi being served on the side, this caught me completely off guard, and I couldn’t eat the $40 sushi I’d ordered. When we brought this to the staff’s attention, instead of receiving an apology or a solution, we were met with an air of condescension. The explanation that “this is how premium Japanese sushi is made” felt less like helpful information and more like a dismissal of our concern. But what truly ruined the evening were the comments and demeanor of the one chef. While I was trying to manage the unexpected situation, the chef audibly muttered, “Real Japanese sushi is always made with wasabi,” and then laughed at my visible reaction. It wasn’t just the words—it was the way he shook his head, turned to his colleagues, and continued to whisper and laugh as though mocking us. From that point on, the staff began hovering near our table, their glances and quiet conversations making us feel self-conscious and unwelcome. As a woman, this treatment was particularly humiliating and made me feel out of place and unwelcome. What could have been an opportunity to educate first-time customers on their culinary practices, and create a positive experience was instead handled with arrogance and, frankly, rudeness. It’s deeply disappointing because this restaurant has so much going for it—the ambiance, the food, and the service up until that moment were outstanding. But the attitude of that chef completely soured the rest of the evening for us. I truly wish this had been a better experience. The potential is there, but until the staff—especially that chef—learn to treat all patrons with respect and empathy, I can’t see myself returning. Dining should be about more than just food; it should be about feeling welcomed, appreciated, and understood as a customer. I hope the restaurant takes this feedback to heart because it’s such a shame to see an evening that started so beautifully end on such a sour note.

Very overpriced mid food. Service was good though and they have cool booths.

Amazing gem of Clinton Street. Tempura vegetables over rice and the fish hot pot were standouts :)

Yopparai never disappoints. The most authentic Japanese experience you can get in NYC.

I wanted to love it here, but won’t come back here again either recommend this place to anyone. We had hotpot, onikiri, oknomiyaki, scallop and sake. Food was super bland, nothing tasty or special. Atmosphere was great, tho.

One of the few authentic Japanese restaurants I enjoy coming to. It's always nice to have a place like this after my friends take me to "this great Japanese restaurant" which are 99% of the time not Japanese at all. If you've actually been to Japan or have been to real Japanese restaurants/bars/cafes, you can tell from the moment you walk into any establishment if the place is Japanese run or not, and this is definitely one of those places. Highly recommended!

Food was delicious But it was overpriced, and the amount was small. One chawanmushi was 18 dollars

Dim lighting, intimate setting and food is pretty good at this upscale Japanese izakaya. We (3 couples) went for dinner on a Friday evening and tried a bunch of different dishes. We ordered a couple special dishes of the night, Braised Beef Tongue and Pancake. The tongue was flavorful. We also tried the Chawanmushi topped w/ Salmon Roe which is one of my favorite, it was so good. Karaage was alright, Grilled Scalloped in Soy Based Butter Sauce was delicious. The Grilled Miso Marinated Black Cod also my favorite of the night as well. The Tsukune Chicken Meatball Topped with Raw Egg Yolk was tasty. The Assortment of 8 Types of Sashimi, although fresh but small cut. Overall very decent food and good service.

Great place to experience tauthentic japanese atmosphere and food. Fine selection of sake varieties. The sushi is fresh and prepared with attention to smallest details.

Went to Yopparai on the 20th July 2024. I had the miso soup and the 6 piece sashimi and a beer. My wife hade the Tsukune and some sake. Loved the place and the service was great. Highly recommended!

What a great place. Very authentic!

Food is incredible . Pork belly, buttery scallops, and wagyu: perfect culinary experience