Gugu Room Introduce
Located in the heart of New York City's vibrant Lower East Side, Gugu Room offers a truly unique culinary experience that sets it apart from typical dining spots. This isn't your average Japanese restaurant; Gugu Room masterfully blends the refined techniques of Japanese cuisine with the rich, bold flavors of Filipino food, creating a fusion that is both innovative and deeply satisfying. It's a place where tradition meets modernity, resulting in a menu that is as surprising as it is delicious. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and trendy, making it an ideal destination for a variety of occasions, whether you're planning a romantic dinner, a casual meal with friends, or a memorable family gathering.
Gugu Room has quickly become a local favorite, known for its creative approach to food and its welcoming ambiance. The restaurant has garnered a reputation for its exceptional service and "amazing food," drawing in a loyal crowd of regulars and new patrons alike. One of the key factors in its success is the team behind it, the same great people from the beloved Ugly Kitchen. This connection ensures a high standard of quality and a passion for creating truly special dishes. The menu is designed for exploration, featuring a variety of small plates, skewers, and main courses that encourage sharing and discovery. From the delicately seasoned raw bar items to the savory grilled skewers, every dish tells a story of cultural collaboration.
The philosophy at Gugu Room is all about bringing people together through food. This is evident not only in their dine-in experience but also in their catering services, which have been praised for their collaborative spirit and attention to detail. The restaurant's ability to adapt and create custom menus, such as their impressive "kamayan set-up," showcases their commitment to providing a personalized and unforgettable experience. For many, Gugu Room offers a chance to reconnect with their heritage and savor authentic flavors in a new and exciting context. The combination of its culinary creativity, cozy atmosphere, and outstanding service makes Gugu Room a must-visit destination in the Lower East Side.
Gugu Room is situated at 143 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA, in the bustling Lower East Side of Manhattan. This central location makes it easily accessible from all parts of the city, whether you're a local or just visiting. The neighborhood itself is known for its lively energy, diverse culture, and eclectic mix of dining and entertainment options, making Gugu Room a perfect part of a night out.
The restaurant's accessibility is a key feature. It is fully equipped to accommodate all guests, with a **wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating**. This ensures a comfortable and hassle-free dining experience for everyone. For those relying on public transportation, the location is conveniently close to several subway lines, including the F train at Delancey Street and the B and D trains at Grand Street, both just a short walk away. While the restaurant does not have its own private parking, there is plenty of street parking available in the surrounding area, though it's always wise to arrive a bit early to secure a spot in this popular neighborhood.
Adding to its appeal, Gugu Room offers **outdoor seating**, allowing diners to enjoy their meal al fresco and take in the vibrant street life of Orchard Street. This option is particularly popular during the warmer months, providing a relaxed and scenic backdrop for a fantastic meal.
Gugu Room is committed to providing a flexible and convenient dining experience for all its customers.
- Dine-in: Enjoy the full Gugu Room experience within its cozy and intimate setting, complete with attentive table service and a bar onsite.
- Takeout: For those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home, Gugu Room offers a seamless takeout service.
- Delivery: The restaurant provides delivery options, bringing its unique flavors right to your doorstep.
- Curbside Pickup: A convenient curbside pickup service is available, making it easy to grab your order and go.
- Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, which is highly recommended for dinner, especially on weekends, to ensure you get a table.
- Catering: Gugu Room also offers catering services for events and private gatherings, with a proven track record of collaborating with clients to create custom menus.
Gugu Room stands out from the crowd with several unique features that make it a must-visit destination in NYC.
- Fast Service: Customers consistently praise the restaurant for its fast and efficient service, ensuring a pleasant and timely dining experience.
- Great Cocktails: The bar is a major highlight, known for crafting exceptional cocktails, including signature drinks like the "Ube baby," which are a perfect complement to the food.
- Unique Fusion Cuisine: The menu offers an exciting blend of Japanese and Filipino dishes, from classic kushiyaki skewers to creative mains like the Bone Marrow Denaku and the Yakionigiri Humba.
- Cozy & Trendy Atmosphere: The ambiance is often described as a perfect mix of cozy, warm, and trendy, making it suitable for a variety of occasions from a casual night out to a romantic dinner.
- Popular for Solo Dining: The bar seating is a great option for solo diners who want to enjoy a meal in a lively yet comfortable environment.
- Inclusive Menu: Gugu Room's offerings cater to various tastes, featuring a selection of small plates, comfort food, and alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and hard liquor.
- Flexible Payment Options: The restaurant accepts a range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, for your convenience.
For reservations, inquiries, or to place an order, you can contact Gugu Room directly.
Address: 143 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (646) 329-6875
Choosing Gugu Room means opting for more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity to embark on a delightful culinary adventure. The restaurant's unique fusion of Japanese and Filipino flavors is a breath of fresh air in the New York dining scene. It's a place where you can try something new and exciting, whether it’s the savory Ika Adobo skewers, the rich Bone Marrow Denaku, or a unique cocktail. The menu, with its variety of small plates and larger mains, is perfect for sharing, encouraging a communal and interactive dining experience.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere and service are what truly make Gugu Room stand out. The space is inviting and warm, providing a relaxed backdrop for a memorable meal. Reviews from customers consistently highlight the outstanding service and the genuine passion of the people behind the counter. One customer wrote, "The service was outstanding," while another praised the "cozy and warm" space, noting it was perfect for a romantic dinner or a family meal. This level of praise speaks to the consistent quality and care that Gugu Room puts into every aspect of its operation.
For those in New York City seeking a distinctive and high-quality dining experience, Gugu Room is a top recommendation. It’s perfect for groups, couples, or solo diners who appreciate great food, innovative drinks, and a welcoming environment. The combination of its authentic fusion cuisine, trendy setting, and exceptional service makes it a worthwhile choice that you won't regret.
Gugu Room Food & drink
Raw Menu
- Older Salt $1.50
- Royal Miyagi $3.00
- Creamy Kinilaw $12.00
Kushiyaki
- Teba $7.00
- Ika Adobo $6.00
- Wagyu Negi $10.00
- Quail And Bacon $8.00
- Campari Sinigang $6.00
Mains
- Chicken Inasal Musubi $8.00
- Bone Marrow Denaku $15.00
- Ebi Shioyaki $8.00
- Yakionigiri Humba $8.00
- Grilled Takoyaki Tail $15.00
Gugu Room Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Locals
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Parking
Gugu Room Photos










Gugu Room Location
Gugu Room Reviews
cocktailsskewersbone marrowmusicdjshort ribudonkamayanhappy hourmargarita
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Gugu room is the best. My wife and I are forever grateful and thankful for their amazing food and service.They catered our wedding and they had us do their tasting and were so great in collaborating settings and picking out the menu and things off the menu as well.Their space is really cozy and warm.Amazing food! The same great people from Ugly Kitchen.Here are photos from their kamayan set-up for our wedding at The Bell House in Brooklyn.
July 27 · Hermes ArriolaIt would be a pleasure to discuss this establishment with you. The ambiance was wonderful, perfect for a romantic dinner, a gathering with friends, or a family meal, as was the case for my family. The drinks were exceptionally good, and the prices were reasonable as well. The service was outstanding.I was delighted to discover authentic Filipino food and reconnect with my heritage.I ordered the Ube baby, one of my favorite drinks. We also had the ribs. My daughter, who our server kindly called a sophisticated palate, ordered the bone marrow, which was definitely a showstopper. I highly recommend this place; you won't regret it.
February 19 · Vicky Terry-RijoThe beverage director/mixologist (Kat) knows exactly what she’s doing! She hooked us up with a drink that’s not on menu yet and it was super smooth and refreshing. If I’m not mistaken I believe she said it was inspired by her Filipino roots! 10/10 would recommend letting her craft a drink for you.There’s also a very cute pittie who manages the bar and she’s sweet :)
April 20 · Marisabel Santiago• midori sour - delicious.• rizal highball - stupendously strong. we requested more syrup to be added but each sip still felt like a car crash. it’s worth your buck but it’s not for me.• sampler platter- liempo: the best outta the bunch while the rest were forgettable for its price. compared to the kanto flavors that i long for, this was a letdown.• spicy yuzo adobo ribs - my partner actually asked for the spicy sizzling chicken adobo. i’m not sure how it even got mixed up but we were far too hungry to care. it was tender and moderately seasoned.• soft shell crab aligue palabok - i don’t have much to say other than you can get this at jollibee for less. the crab was good but again, nothing exceptional.notes:the menu delivered an elevated experience that harmonized japanese and filipino inspiration but it lacked an edge that separated them from the rest of fusion restaurants. however, they nailed the vibes. this place is undeniably magnetic, oozing romance and secrecy. we went here around 10pm and the music is far too loud for dates where you actually want to converse but vibes are vibes. overall, the food was lackluster but the scene is something that you might want to check out.
March 14 · gia !An interesting twist to elevate and evolve Filipino food. Some dishes were top notch, straight up deliciousness, while other dishes were lacking in quality. Let’s start with their drinks. They have a nice happy hour with $10 sangria and some cocktail options. I enjoyed the calamansi margarita. It was sweet, sour, spicy and strong. The ube cocktail, not a part of their happy hour, was like an ube milkshake - so tasty. Now the food. I was with a group of friends so we got to sample a few dishes. The skewer sampler was good. The sauce and the way the meats were cooked were perfect. The nori spam fries was a little disappointing and gimmicky. It was literally just spam cut in the shape of fries. There wasn’t any change in the taste of a regular spam. The nori truffle fries weren’t anything too special. It was tasty, but nothing new. The beef bone marrow salpicao was chef’s kiss delicious. The soft shell crab palabok was probably my favorite dish. The palabok was traditional but the fried soft shell crab added a salty, briney, crispy addition to a very traditional dish. I plan to order this every time I’m here with a group of people. The biggest disappointment for me was the bagnet kare kare which is a traditional kare kare sauce (fantastic) but with a crispy pork belly instead of a stewed oxtail. The pork to me was chewy and dry. It was either overcooked or stale because it also had a strange taste.A couple of the dishes were real knockouts so I’m interested in tasting a few of the other dishes on the menu. I’d love to try the short rib kare kare, the sinigang, and the bulalo next time. The staff was very nice. The bartender makes killer drinks. The inside has a dark and sexy but casual vibe.As a filipino, I love supporting filipino businesses. Also as a filipino, I’m a purist when it comes to filipino food, so I’m always a little reluctant trying filipino fusion or modern-takes to filipino cuisine, but this restaurant had plenty of dishes where I tasted both nostalgia and innovation, so I absolutely plan to come back to check out the other dishes.
March 03 · TravelingGayPanda
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