Food & Drink, Events Susan McCormac Food & Drink, Events Susan McCormac

Discover Okinawan Cuisine in NYC

Taste of Okinawa in NY Food Festival

Taste of Okinawa NY Food Festival

Enjoy the bounty of fresh foods from Okinawa during the Taste of Okinawa NY Food Festival, running from Friday, January 24 through Saturday, February 8. Ten member restaurants of the New York Japanese Restaurant Association (NYJRA) will feature various ingredients from Japan’s southernmost prefecture, including mozuku, a brown seaweed; shikuwasa, a lime-like citrus; and kokuto, an unrefined black sugar. Visit one or all the participating restaurants to introduce the delicious taste of Okinawa to your taste buds.  

Participating Restaurants

a-un Brooklyn
156 Knickerbocker Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-678-6628
Website: aunbrooklyn.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aunbrooklyn/
Menu items: Free Range Chicken Teriyaki, Acerola Chuhai

a-un’s Free Range Chicken Teriyaki

Kokuto and Shikuwasa Cocktail at Bozu

Bozu
296 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-384-7770
Website: bozubrooklyn.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bozubrooklyn/
Menu items: Mozuku and Carrot Kakiage Tempura with Okinawa Sea Salt, Kuzuyose Tofu with Sea Grapes

Cha-An Teahouse
230 E. 9th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003
212-228-8030
Website: chaanteahouse.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaanteahouse/
Menu items: Kokuto Anmitsu, Matcha Shikuwasa Cocktail

Kokutou Anmitsu at Cha-an

Hasaki
210 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-473-3327
Website: hasakinyc.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hasaki.nyc/
Menu items: Mozukusu, Okinawa Sour

Hi-Collar
231 E. 9th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-777-7018
Website: hi-collar.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi_collar/
Menu items: Kokuto Crème Brulee, Okinawa Sour

Sakagura
211 E. 43rd Street, B1
New York, NY 10017
212-953-7253
Website: sakagura.squarespace.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakagurany/
Menu items: Mozukusu, Okinawa Sour

Samurai Mama
205 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-599-6161
Website: samuraimama.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuraimama_bk/
Menu items: Mozuku and Carrot Kakiage Tempura with Okinawa Sea Salt, Kuzuyose Tofu with Sea Grapes

Samurai Papa
594 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
718-398-8181
Website: samuraipapabk.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuraipapa_bedstuy/
Menu items: Mozuku and Carrot Kakiage Tempura with Okinawa Sea Salt, Kuzuyose Tofu with Sea Grapes

Sushi Ryusei
216 E. 29th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-983-8880
Website: sushiryusei.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushiryusei/#
Menu items: Calamari Salad with Shikuwasa Dressing, Fluke Teriyaki

Mozuku Tempura Udon at Wasan

Wasan Brooklyn
440 Bergen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-864-3549
Website: wasan-ny.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasanbrooklyn/
Menu items: Mozuku Tempura with Deep Ocean Water Salt and Curry Salt, Mozuku Tempura Udon

Ingredients

  • Shikuwasa Citrus Juice

  • Acerola Syrup

  • Sea Grapes

  • Mozuku Seaweed

  • Teriyaki Sauce

  • Black Sugar

  • Deep Ocean Water Salt (Kumi no Shio)

  • Orion Beer

Health Properties of Okinawan Cuisine

Okinawa is a Blue Zone, an area with some of the longest living people in the world. Their longevity is attributed to the prefecture’s subtropical climate, communities’ supportive social networks, and a diet consisting of the items that are featured in a Taste of Okinawa. For example, mozuku is believed to be beneficial to digestive health and the immune system, while kokuto is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium and calcium. Including shikuwasa in your diet is said to enhance metabolism, and sea grapes (umibudo) contains fiber and antioxidants.

“For this fair, we have carefully selected a variety of ingredients nurtured in Okinawa’s rich natural environment. We hope many people will visit the participating restaurants and experience the charm of Okinawa firsthand. Don’t miss this opportunity to savor the authentic tastes of Okinawa in New York City!”

Satomi Watanabe
H.I.S International Tours (NY) Inc.

About New York Japanese Restaurant Association

NYJRA elevates Japanese cuisine in the U.S. by collaborating with Japanese restaurants and developing markets. The organization supports education programs for restaurants on topics such as the history of Japanese food, human resources tips, and culinary techniques, as well as assisting Japanese restaurants to address the major challenges they face today. To learn more about NYJRA, please visit their website.


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Food & Drink, Events, Community Melissa Avalon Food & Drink, Events, Community Melissa Avalon

The First Annual Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021 Is in Full Bloom

It’s been one year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in New York City, and we are still in the midst of the pandemic. Many Japanese restaurants have suffered due to restrictions and the difficult winter weather. After cold weather and a spike in COVID-19 cases, indoor dining was banned again in December of 2020, leaving restaurants with only outdoor seating options.

Now that indoor dining has been re-opened in time for spring, the New York Japanese Restaurant Association (NYJRA) established its First Annual Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021. Taking place from March 8 to March 21, the initiative features 92 participating restaurants offering special menu items that focus on a sakura theme.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (emergency support project for the development of overseas sales channels for Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foods) is subsidizing this event, and the Japan Food Restaurant Overseas Promotion Organization (JRO) is sponsoring as a collaborative project with the NYJRA.

Organizers and participants hope that Japanese Restaurant Cherry Blossom Week 2021 will provide an opportunity for these struggling restaurants to open their doors to the people of New York City to enjoy Japanese ingredients and cuisine.

Visit NYJRA’s website for details about each restaurant’s special for the First Annual Japanese Restaurant Sakura Week 2021. Contact the restaurants to see if they have indoor and outdoor dining, take reservations, or are take out/delivery only

Participating Restaurants

Manhattan

Aburiya Kinnosuke – 213 E. 45th Street

BAR GOTO – 245 Eldridge St. Ground Floor

Basta Pasta – 37 West 17th Street
and Bar B – 84 7th Avenue

Benemon – 10 E. 4th Street

BentOn – 156 East 45th Street

Blue Ribbon Columbus – 308 W. 58th Street

Blue Ribbon Izakaya – 87 Orchard Street

Blue Ribbon Sushi – 119 Sullivan Street

Blue Ribbon Sushi Brookfield – 225 Liberty Street

Cagen – 414 E. 9th Street

Cha-An BONBON – 238A E. 9th Street

Curry-Ya – 218 E. 10th Street

Decibel – 240 E. 9th Street

DokoDemo – 89 E. 4th Street

Donburiya – 253 W. 55th Street

Douska (formerly Douzo) – 63 Delancey Street

Dr. Clark – 104 Bayard Street

Gari Columbus – 370 Columbus Avenue

Go! Go! Curry! Chelsea – 144 W. 19th Street

Go! Go! Curry! Harlem – 567 W. 125th Street

Go! Go! Curry! Midtown East – 235 E. 53rd Street

Go! Go! Curry! Times Square – 273 W. 38th Street

Go! Go! Curry! Washington Square Park – 231 Thompson Street

Go! Go! Curry! World Trade Center – 12 John Street

Gorin Ramen – 351 E. 14th Street

Hasaki – 210 E. 9th Street

Hi-Collar – 231 E. 9th Street

Hide Chan Ramen Midtown East – 248 E. 52nd Street, 2nd Floor

Hirohisa – 73 Thompson Street

INASE – 1586 1st Avenue

J-Spec – 239 E. 5th Street

Katana Kitten – 531 Hudson Street

MakiMaki Sushi – 1369 6th Avenue

MakiMaki Sushi – 360 Lexington Avenue

Marezzata – 231 E. 50th Street

Marumi Restaurant – 546 LaGuardia Place

Minca – 536 E. 5th Street

Momokawa – 1466 1st Avenue

Ootoya Chelsea – 8 W. 18th Street

Ootoya Greenwich Village – 41 E. 11th Street

Ootoya Times Square – 141 W. 41st Street

Rai Rai Ken – 218 E. 10th Street

Rai Rai Ken Uptown – 1467 Amsterdam Avenue

Ramen Misoya – 129 2nd Avenue

RAMEN-YA – 181 W. 4th Street

Restaurant Nippon – 155 E. 52nd Street

Sakagura – 211 E. 43rd Street

Sake Bar Hagi 46 – 358 W. 46th Street

Sake Bar Shigure – 277 Church Street

Samurice – 261 Canal Street

Shabu Tatsu – 216 E. 10th Street

Soba Noodle Azuma – 251 W. 55th Street

Sobaya – 229 E. 9th Street

Sushi Ann – 38 E. 51st Street

Sushi Ikumi – 135 Sullivan Street

Sushi of Gari 46 – 347 W. 46th Street

Sushi of Gari TriBeCa – 130 West Broadway

Sushi of Gari Upper East Side – 402 E. 78th Street

Sushi Ryusei – 216 E. 39th Street

Sushi Tsushima – 210 E. 44th Street

Takahachi Bakery – 25 Murray Street

Takahachi Tribeca – 145 Duane Street

Tempura Matsui – 222 E. 39th Street

THE IZAKAYA NYC on 6th – 326 E. 6th Street

THE IZAKAYA NYC on 4th – 215 E. 4th Street

Tomi Jazz – 239 E. 53rd Street

Totto Ramen Hell’s Kitchen – 464 W. 51st Street

Totto Ramen Midtown East – 248 E. 52nd Street

Tsurutontan Midtown – 64 W. 48th Street

Tsurutontan Union Square – 21 E. 16th Street

Udon Izakaya West 46 – 150 E. 46th Street

WOKUNI – 327 Lexington Avenue

Yakiniku Futago – 37 W. 17th Street

Yakiniku Tohbay – 235 W. 55th Street, 2nd Floor

Yakiniku West – 218 E. 9th Street

Yakitori Torishin – 362 W. 53rd Street

Yakitori Totto – 251 W. 55th Street, 2nd Floor

Brooklyn

750 Myrtle Diner – 750 Myrtle Avenue

Andante – 255 Berry Street

BAR GOTO NIBAN – 474 Bergen Street

Bozu – 296 Grand Street

Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue

Karazishi Botan – 255 Smith Street

Momo Sushi Shack – 43 Bogart Street

Samurai Mama – 205 Grand Street

Samurai Papa – 594 Lafayette Avenue

Sunrise Mart Brooklyn – 934 3rd Avenue

Wasan Brooklyn – 440 Bergen Street

Queens

Ariyoshi Japanese Restaurant – 41-13 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside

BentOn Factory – 3739 Crescent Street, Long Island City

Hartsdale

FUJINOYA – 26 South Central Avenue

Kishuya – 163 South Central Avenue

 

Sharing is Caring

Spread the word by sharing the details of your meals on social media! Follow @nyjra_nyc on Instagram and use these suggested hashtags:
#NYJRA #NYJapaneseRestaurantCherryBlossomWeek #Cherryblossomfestival #Japanesefood #NYJapaneseRestaurant #sushi #sashimi #wagyu #bento #ramen #yakitori #udon #takoyaki #kaiseki #shabushabu #sukiyaki #onigiri and #tempura.

About the NYJRA

The purpose of the New York Japanese Restaurant Association is to heighten the status of and develop markets for Japanese food in America. NYJRA seeks to revitalize the prevalence of Japanese food and culture through organizational activities such as collaborating with Japanese restaurants to facilitate catering to offices; supporting education for restaurants on topics like the history of Japanese food, human resources tips, and culinary techniques; and assisting Japanese restaurants to address the major challenges they face today.

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