New York Japanese American Organizations Launch Project Bento
Project Bento is a program under the auspices of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. in partnership with Sunrise Mart that offers bento to seniors and disabled members in New York’s Japanese American community.
I’ve been working on an initiative during this COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m proud to share it with all of you.
Project Bento officially launched on Monday, May 4!
Project Bento is a program under the auspices of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. in partnership with Sunrise Mart that offers bento to seniors and disabled members in New York’s Japanese American community.
With each bento generously donated by Sunrise Mart, Ito En is providing Japanese tea, and Daiei Trading is providing senbei, or rice crackers. Volunteers throughout New York City are sewing masks, and JAA Vice President Yuki Kaneshige is collecting them so that each senior will receive one with the bento, tea, and senbei.
Each Monday Erina Yoshida of Sunrise Mart and volunteer members of JAA and other Japanese-related organizations travel throughout Manhattan and the Bronx, delivering these goodies to seniors in our community. We also deliver bento in Queens and Brooklyn on Thursdays.
Erina Yoshida (right) of Sunrise Mart and JAA Vice President Yuki Kaneshige on the launch of Project Bento on May 4, 2020
Support from Local Restaurants
Even in its infancy, Project Bento is resonating with people who want to help us make a difference. Last week bento maker BentOn joined Project Bento, providing bento to seniors living in Queens from their factory in Long Island City. While they are not making a 100% donation, they are providing the bento to JAA at cost.
SAPPORO USA and an anonymous donor collaborated with Lower East Side restaurant JUKU to provide 25 Japanese and JA seniors at Isabella Center with these delicious bento.
If you are affiliated with a restaurant and want to donate bento (or provide at cost), please email me at susan@japanculture-nyc.com.
BentOn in LIC joined Project Bento on May 14, 2020
Bento prepared by JUKU and delivered to Isabella Center on May 12, 2020 (photo by senior recipient)
(from left) Madame Yukiko Yamanouchi, Chef Shogo Tsutsumi, Erina Yoshida, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi, Chef Yasuhiro Shima at the Ambassador’s residence with donated bento
Support from the Japanese Consulate
Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi, Consul General of Japan in New York, supports Project Bento! On Monday, May 18, Chef Yasuhiro Shima and Chef Shogo Tsutsumi, the official chefs at the residence of Ambassador and Madame Yukiko Yamanouchi, prepared 25 bento for Japanese and JA seniors at Isabella Center. They will prepare 25 more bento next week, bringing the Consulate’s total donation to 50. Each meal comes with a mask handmade by JAA volunteers and words of encouragement written by the Ambassador and printed on origami paper.
Bento prepared by Ambassador Yamanouchi’s chefs and donated to JA seniors living at Isabella Center (photo by a senior recipient)
Project Bento is More Than Food
In addition to the volunteers who made deliveries, other volunteers call the seniors to do wellness checks to ensure their health and safety and to engage them in conversation. At a time when we can’t gather together, these seniors miss companionship. Hearing a voice in Japanese, even for a few minutes, has made a huge difference. These seniors have been craving Japanese food, and many don’t have access to Japanese grocery stores. A weekly bento has helped fill a void.
To see and hear the gratitude from the seniors we are calling and visiting has been heartwarming. While we are doing this as a service to seniors, the volunteers have found that Project Bento has been just as meaningful and fulfilling for them.
Project Bento: Bento from Sunrise Mart, tea from Ito En, senbei from Daiei Trading, mask from community volunteers (photo by senior recipient)
Grateful seniors send photos of their bento
Project Bento volunteers
How to Volunteer
We are looking for more volunteers to make phone calls and/or deliveries to seniors. Fluency in Japanese is not a requirement, but it is helpful.
If volunteers wish to make deliveries, we will pair them with seniors based on where they live. We do not want our volunteers to use public transportation or endanger themselves, so we request that all volunteers travel SAFELY (on foot, by bike, in your own car).
Before people are allowed to volunteer, the organizers of this project will vet them to ensure that they are reliable, have good judgment, are healthy, and will follow health safety protocols. We require all potential volunteers to answer a questionnaire and sign a liability waiver that they will receive once they express interest in volunteering. Send an email to me at susan@japanculture-nyc.com.
Flyer design by Emily Akpan; artwork by Lauren Sumida
How to Donate
We are also accepting donations to help defray expenses and to expand this program to reach more people and to provide other necessities. Project Bento wishes to expand to Japanese seniors and others in need who are not necessarily members of JAA.
Donations may be made online: http://jaany.org/donate.html
The Yoshida Family created a Project Bento GoFundMe campaign. Although Sunrise Mart is generously donating 100 bento per week, we will surpass that number as we continue to outreach. The Yoshida Family wants to keep Project Bento going. (And so do we.)
More Than a Box
A bento is a box. You can put whatever you want in each compartment. The Japanese would advise you to make sure your box has balance: balance in food groups (protein, vegetables, starch, carbs), flavors (salty, sweet), methods of preparation (grilled, fried, broiled), and even colors. There’s something about a bento that goes beyond the food. You can see it in the eyes, hear it in the voices, and read it in the thank-you emails of the seniors who are the recipients of this simple deed. Yes, a bento is a box, but to the seniors who are homebound during this pandemic, Project Bento is so much more.
Project Bento Volunteers
It Takes a Village
Project Bento is run by The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. in partnership with Sunrise Mart, Ito En, Daiei Trading, BentOn, and New York City Japanese American organizations: the Consulate General of Japan in New York, New York Day of Remembrance, Japanese American Citizens League NY Chapter, New York Japanese-American Lions Club, Japanese Americans/Japanese in America, Tsuru for Solidarity, the U.S.-Japan Council NY Region, and concerned individuals.
(Disclosure: I am one of the founding organizers of Project Bento. I serve on the Board of Directors of The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. as a Vice President and Secretary.)
Links to information on coronavirus:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
JapanCultureNYC is the English-language website dedicated to all things Japanese in New York City. Discover your next favorite Japanese anything at JapanCulture-NYC.com.
How to Support Your Favorite Japanese Restaurant During the COVID-19 Crisis
In accordance with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mandate, we should all stay at home and practice social distancing. At the same time, we can support our favorite Japanese restaurants by ordering take out or delivery where available. This is extremely important, as the National Restaurant Association estimated that the restaurant industry has already lost a staggering $225 billion in revenue and more than three million jobs were eliminated as a result of the crisis.
We are living in uncertain times with COVID-19 reaching pandemic proportions. I hope that you are all staying healthy and safe during this crisis. As the coronavirus started to spread in our area, New Yorkers began to see cancellations of events and closures of bars and restaurants at an alarming rate.
In accordance with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mandate, we should all stay at home and practice social distancing. At the same time, we can support our favorite Japanese restaurants by ordering take out or delivery where available. This is extremely important, as the National Restaurant Association estimated that the restaurant industry has already lost a staggering $225 billion in revenue and more than three million jobs were eliminated as a result of the crisis.
I’ve compiled a list of Japanese restaurants in New York City that are operating on a takeout and/or delivery basis. I used restaurant websites, social media announcements, and Resy as my sources, but please note: This is by no means a complete list. This situation is fluid, and things are changing on a daily basis. I will update this list as often as I can to give readers an accurate depiction of what’s going on with the Japanese restaurant scene. Please feel free to contact me at susan@japanculture-nyc.com if you know of restaurants that I should add.
Another note: This article addresses restaurants only. I will discuss alcohol in a future post.
So how can you help Japanese restaurants during this crisis? Let’s start with the restaurants that are open.
Order Takeout or Delivery
BentOn – Bento boxes, sozai deli foods, and bags of rice(!) for delivery. The FiDi location is closed.
Brooklyn Ball Factory – Bozu, Samurai Mama, and Samurai Papa
Go! Go! Curry! – Get the Go! Go! Pack of curry sauce, four to five servings that will last in the fridge for one or two weeks or in the freezer for six months. They have desserts, too!
Gyu-Kaku – Takeout and UberEats for Midtown and Times Square locations only
Hibino LIC – Brooklyn location is closed until mid-April
Hinoki – Forest Hills, Queens
Ichiran Ramen – They don’t have takeout or delivery in the traditional sense, but their Ichiran Home Ramen Kits are available for purchase through their online store.
Ivan Ramen – The Slup Shop at Gotham West Market is closed, but Ivan Ramen in LES is open.
Izakaya Mew – The Manhattan location is offering delivery, but the Flushing location is closed.
Japan Village – Order from restaurants in the food court through UberEats with the short code rb.gy/5qtqjc.
Jin Ramen – West Harlem location is delivering; UWS to begin this month.
Kajitsu Kokage – Bento boxes for pickup
Karazishi Botan – Open from noon until 8:00 p.m. They offer a 10% discount for pickup orders using the promo code Botan10.
Kobeyaki – Upper East Side location only
Kuu Ramen – Two locations: FiDi and UES. Use promo code STAYSAFENYC for a 10% discount.
Mountain Bird – Chicken-based, French-inspired cuisine by a Japanese couple. Accepting orders by phone only: 607-358-6125.
Odo/Hall – Michelin Star dishes available through Grubhub from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.
Okonomi/Yuji Ramen – Call the restaurant for pickup or Grubhub for delivery.
Omakase Room by Tatsu – Offering a mixed chirashi with red miso soup for $60 per person.
Omen Azen – This SoHo outpost of a 1,200-year-old Kyoto-based restaurant is not preparing meals, but you can support them with purchases from their gift shop.
Ootoya – Delivery and pickup from only their Greenwich Village location (from 11:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.) and bento pickup in Times Square (11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.)
Rabbit House – Offering their full menu for pickup and delivery. Even sake, wine, beer, and cider are available (pickup only).
Secchu Yokota – To-go menu available for pickup Wednesday through Sunday. You can place your order from noon until 8:00 p.m. (or until items are sold out), with pickup available from 1:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. (or until items are sold out). Follow their Instagram for daily updates.
Sugarfish by Nozawa – Pickup and delivery through Postmates or the Sugarfish App.
Sushi Ginza Onodera – Order between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for pickup from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday.
Sushi Ishikawa – Mini-omakase ($59) or maki set ($39) for pickup in the Upper East Side between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sushi on Jones x Don Waguy – Gotham West Market
UMINOIE – Serving Okinawan cuisine in the East Village from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. To order, email uminoienyc@gmail.com or visit nynojofresh.
If you don’t see your favorite Japanese restaurant listed, check the restaurant’s website or social media. Or visit a delivery app such as Resy, Caviar, Seamless, DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, UberEats, etc. Keep in mind that you might be out of delivery range.
Do not take the subway to a restaurant just to pick up an order. Save the subways for the essential workers who need the rides and the six feet of required social distancing between passengers. There are other ways to help.
©TIC Restaurant Group
Fundraising Campaigns
Some restaurants have had to furlough staff or close altogether. Many have started crowdfunding campaigns to pay their employees and their rents. Here are a few that are significant.
TIC Restaurant Group
Founded by Bon Yagi, who was recently awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Japanese government, TIC Restaurant Group operates 16 Japanese restaurants throughout the city, most of them concentrated in the East Village. Chances are you’ve had tea and a sweet at Cha-An, a bowl of ramen at Rai Rai Ken, and late-night drink at Decibel. All of the restaurants have been closed for a couple of weeks, and they set up a GoFundMe to raise money for their employees.
Suzuki | Satsuki
Suzuki Hospitality Group owns and operates the modern French-inspired Suzuki dining room, the Michelin Star sushi counter Satsuki, and the bar/lounge Three Pillars. Toshio Suzuki, the legendary former chef/owner of Sushi Zen who spent 40 years behind a sushi counter, retired in February. Through their GoFundMe campaign, they hope to pay outstanding food bills.
Brooklyn Ball Factory
The Brooklyn Ball Factory group consists of Bozu, Samurai Mama, two locations of Samurai Papa, Momo Sushi Shack, and Brooklyn Ball Factory (cafe and catering/bento division). While they are offering takeout and delivery (as mentioned above), they had to furlough the majority of their employees. 100% of the money they raise on GoFundMe will go directly to their staff.
EN Japanese Brasserie
Elegant kaiseki West Village eatery EN Japanese Brasserie is seeking funds through GoFundMe to provide support to staff here and from sister restaurant Chateau Hanare in LA.
Bessou
Maiko Kyogoku’s cozy homage to her family’s food traditions manifests itself in Bessou, where her dishes are a modern take on everyday Japanese comfort food. Please help the Bessou family by donating to @bessou-donations on Venmo or to maiko@bessou.nyc on PayPal. 100% of the donations will be going to the staff.
Rabbit House
This Lower East Side omakase and Japanese bar is run by owner/chef Yoshiko Sakuma. She is providing takeout and delivery but is in need of a little extra support on GoFundMe. She also hopes to provide meals to medical staff as well.
Basta Pasta
This Japanese expression of Italian cuisine has been a Chelsea stalwart since 1990. COVID-19 has forced the restaurant to lay off most of its staff and cut the salaries of those who remain employed. Please consider donating to their GoFundMe campaign.
Ramen Shack
Keizo Shimamoto revolutionized the Ramen Burger and brought the yatai culture to New York. He’s raising funds through GoFundMe to support his employees.
Secchu Yokota
This tempura-based, modern omakase restaurant is raising money for staff members through GoFundMe.
Nakamura
Owner Shigetoshi Nakamura created a Ramen Relief Fund on GoFundMe.
Shalom Japan
Aaron Israel, co-owner/co-chef of the “authentically inauthentic” Jewish/Japanese restaurant in South Williamsburg, is also a skilled ceramist. He’s selling his handmade plates and cups through the Shalom Japan website.
Other Ways to Help
Gift Cards
Please consider purchasing a gift cards to use when we all get back to normal. Simply visit your favorite restaurant’s website to make your purchase.
Petitions
Sign the ROAR (Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants) on Change.org, seeking more provisions in the COVID-19 stimulus package for the restaurant industry.
If You’d Rather Cook…
Grocery stores remain open and provide delivery. Depending on where you live in relation to the particular store from which you are ordering, delivery may take several days.
Dainobu
129 East 47th Street
36 West 56th Street
498 Avenue of the Americas
300 7th Street (inside J+B Design), Brooklyn
Dainobu also offers online shopping.
Japan Premium Beef
59 Great Jones Street
934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (in Japan Village)
Add Wagyu to your home-cooked meals.
Katagiri
224 E. 59th Street
370 Lexington Avenue
Both stores are offering delivery through Mercato.
NY Nojo Fresh
Online orders for Japanese groceries, vegetables, and prepackaged foods. Delivery areas: Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. (They are looking to expand to Westchester and towns in New Jersey in the coming weeks.)
Visit their website to place your order.
Osakana
290 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn
This Japanese-style fish market is selling trays of uni and other seafood. Check Instagram for daily specials.
Sunrise Mart
4 Stuyvesant Street
494 Broome Street
12 E. 41st Street
934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (in Japan Village)
All Sunrise Mart locations offer local delivery, or you can use Mercato for Midtown and SoHo.
Wokuni
The restaurant is closed, but the fish market is open daily from 11:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Stay safe and hope to see everyone at a Japanese restaurant very soon!
Links to information on coronavirus:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html