Restaurant Nippon Introduce
For more than 60 years, Restaurant Nippon has been a cornerstone of authentic Japanese cuisine in New York City. Since its founding in 1963, this iconic establishment has been a pioneer, bringing genuine Edo-mae (Tokyo) style dishes to the American palate. Located in the bustling Midtown East neighborhood, Restaurant Nippon offers a dining experience that is both timeless and innovative. It’s a place where tradition is honored through classic dishes and techniques, while a subtle touch of modernity keeps the menu exciting and relevant. The cozy and trendy atmosphere provides a perfect backdrop for a delightful meal, whether you're dining solo, with a date, or with a group of friends or family. Restaurant Nippon is not just a restaurant; it’s a piece of New York’s culinary history, identified as both an Asian-owned and women-owned business, adding to its significance in the community.
Restaurant Nippon is famed for introducing several now-common Japanese dishes to New York, including the widely-loved Beef Negimayaki and pioneering the concept of soba salad. The restaurant’s commitment to quality is evident in every detail, from the use of premium ingredients to their in-house creations, such as hand-cut ni-hachi soba noodles and fresh, house-made tofu. This dedication has earned them a loyal following and a reputation for excellence. Whether you're in the mood for an exquisite sushi lunch, a comforting bowl of soba, or a full-course Kaiseki meal, Restaurant Nippon provides an authentic and deeply satisfying experience. The menu is a testament to the breadth of Japanese cuisine, with options ranging from light and healthy fare to rich, flavorful hot pots and main entrees. It’s the kind of place where every visit feels special, transporting you to a world of exquisite flavors and impeccable service right in the heart of Manhattan.
## Location and Accessibility
Restaurant Nippon is conveniently located at 155 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022, USA. This prime location in Midtown East makes it easily accessible from various parts of the city. Situated between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, the restaurant is just a short walk from major subway lines, making it a convenient destination for a lunch break or a post-work dinner. For those traveling by car, paid street parking is available in the vicinity. The restaurant is committed to ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests and provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible seating. This thoughtful consideration ensures that everyone can enjoy a meal at this esteemed establishment. Its central spot means it's a great place to stop for a meal before or after visiting nearby attractions, providing a quiet and refined escape from the city’s usual pace.
## Services Offered
Restaurant Nippon provides a comprehensive range of services to cater to every customer's preference, from quick meals to elaborate dining experiences. Their service options are designed for maximum convenience and flexibility.
Dine-in: Enjoy your meal in the restaurant’s cozy and trendy atmosphere, with options for both table service and counter service.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, with both lunch reservations recommended and dinner reservations recommended, making it easier to plan a visit, especially during peak hours.
Takeout: For those on the go, you can place an order for pickup and enjoy your meal at your leisure.
Delivery: Restaurant Nippon offers both standard delivery and no-contact delivery, bringing their authentic dishes right to your door.
Catering: The restaurant also provides catering services, perfect for special events, business lunches, or gatherings where you want to serve high-quality Japanese cuisine.
Dessert: A delicious selection of desserts is available to complete your dining experience.
## Features and Highlights
Restaurant Nippon stands out with several key features and highlights that emphasize its authenticity, history, and commitment to quality.
Pioneering Cuisine: This is the birthplace of Beef Negimayaki, a dish that has since become a global favorite. They were also among the first to serve sushi in NYC and to introduce authentic, hand-cut soba noodles.
In-house Creations: The restaurant takes pride in making its own premium ni-hachi soba noodles by grinding buckwheat daily and crafting fresh, house-made tofu. This attention to detail elevates the quality of their dishes.
Diverse Menu: The menu is incredibly varied, offering everything from Sushi and Sashimi to traditional hot pots like Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu. They also feature a wide range of vegetarian options and other healthy dishes, including their popular Original Soba Salad.
Special Dining Options: For a truly authentic experience, guests can reserve a private, Japanese-style tatami room with traditional floor seating. The restaurant also offers an elaborate Kaiseki course for a multi-course culinary journey.
Bar Onsite: A full bar is available, offering a selection of alcohol, beer, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor to complement your meal.
Historical Atmosphere: The restaurant's interior is celebrated for its timeless elegance, evoking a sense of New York in the 1970s and providing a sophisticated yet cozy environment. It’s a great place for a solo dining experience or a date night.
Family-Friendly: With a kids' menu and high chairs, Restaurant Nippon is a welcoming place for families.
## Contact Information
To make a reservation or for any other inquiries, you can reach Restaurant Nippon using the following information:
Address: 155 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022, USA
Phone: (212) 688-5941
## What Is Worth Choosing
Choosing Restaurant Nippon is an experience unlike any other in New York City, primarily due to its deep-rooted history and unwavering commitment to authenticity. This isn’t just a place to eat; it's a place to participate in a living culinary legacy. The fact that the restaurant invented the now-ubiquitous Beef Negimayaki is a testament to its innovative spirit and culinary influence. A customer review highlights this, noting that it was a "blissful starter" and a must-try for those in the know. The menu also features other original creations, like the Soba Salad, which are staples that showcase the restaurant’s originality and quality.
Furthermore, Restaurant Nippon is a destination for those who appreciate the true craftsmanship of Japanese cooking. Their dedication to making key ingredients in-house, such as their hand-cut soba noodles and fresh tofu, sets them apart from the competition. These are not just dishes; they are products of a refined art form. The cold soba with a side of nostalgia, as described by a satisfied customer, perfectly captures the feeling of dining at a place that has been serving the city with excellence for decades. The meticulous preparation extends to their hot pots like Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu, which are cooked right at your table, providing a truly immersive and engaging dining experience.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere and service make Restaurant Nippon a must-visit. The staff is consistently described as polite, professional, and attentive, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable meal. The option to dine in a traditional tatami room offers a unique, intimate setting that’s perfect for special occasions. The menu’s depth is another reason it’s worth choosing. From the luxurious Kaiseki course to more comforting and affordable options like the Nippon Original Beef Curry, there is a dish for every taste and budget. It is a place that successfully marries fine dining with a welcoming, cozy environment. Restaurant Nippon offers more than just a meal; it offers a piece of New York’s Japanese heritage, crafted with passion and served with the utmost care.
Restaurant Nippon Food & drink
Lunch Menu
- Sushi Lunch $60.00
8 pieces of nigiri sushi and 1 roll
- Sashimi Lunch $60.00
10 slices of an assortment of 4 sashimi
- Chirashi Sushi Lunch $60.00
Sushi rice topped with an assortment of fresh sashimi, egg and other garnishes
- Tempura Lunch $38.00
Lightly battered and fried shrimp, whitefish and vegetables, served with a dipping sauce "tentsuyu" with grated daikon radish
- Shrimp Tenju $32.00
Assorted shrimp and vegetable tempura dipped in lightly sweet "tentsuyu" sauce then placed over steamed rice
- Salmon Teriyaki $32.00
Grilled salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce
- Eel Unaju $52.00
Tender caramelized grilled Eel (unagi) served over rice and topped with a savory sauce. Paired with a side of Japanese pickles
- Beef Sukiyaki Small $36.00
A traditional Japanese hot pot dish, with thinly sliced premium beef and fresh vegetables, in a rich, savory-sweet broth
- Beef Sukiyaki Large $48.00
A traditional Japanese hot pot dish, with thinly sliced premium beef and fresh vegetables, in a rich, savory-sweet broth
- Nippon Original Beef Curry $29.00
Japanese home style curry rice: recipe compliments of former Yankees star Hideki Matsui's mom
- Chicken Karaage $28.00
Bite-size and boneless, Japanese fried chicken thighs. serves with tartar sauce
- Tonkatsu $32.00
Pork tenderloin coated in a light and crispy panko breadcrumb crust, deep fried until it’s crispy and golden brown
- Shokado Bento (Japanese Lunch Box) $45.00
Combination of white rice and various side dishes: chicken karaage, fried eggplants with nanban miso,egg omlette, salmon teriyaki, fried shrimp, veggie nimono, gomaae, pickles, beef oroshi
Chef's Recommendation
- Seasonal Appetizers $35.00
Variety of bite-sized portions together
- Grilled Black Cod with saikyo miso $18.00
Broiled saikyo-Miso cured Black Cod as a traditional Japanese dish
- Simmered Kinmedai $45.00
Golden Eye Snapper
- Kabutoni (Madai) $50.00
A fish head simmered in a flavorful broth made from ingredients like soy sauce, sake, mirin, and dashi (a Japanese stock)
- Soup of the Day $17.00
- Fresh Tofu Skin $12.00
Smooth, silky texture and mild, creamy flavor. Made from the skin that forms on the surface of hot soy milk
- Beef Oroshi $21.00
Sautéed thin sliced beef with grated daikon radish sauce.
- Mozzarella Agedashi $15.00
Deep fried mozzarella served in savory, slightly sweet sauce made with dashi broth
- Corn and Bay Scallop Kakiage $16.00
Sweet corn and bay scallop kakiage tempura
- Beef Tataki $25.00
Thinly sliced, lightly seared Prime Beef with ponzu sauce
- Okara Croquette $18.00
- Crab Potato Salad $18.00
- Anago Eel Tempura $25.00
Appetizers
- Organic Edamame $11.00
Organic soybean pods lightly seasoned with sea salt
- Gomaae $10.00
Boiled spinach tossed in a flavorful black sesame dressing
- Hijiki $9.00
Hijiki seaweed simmered with ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, and mirin
- Shishito Peppers $11.00
Fried small, mild chili peppers tossed with sea salt
- Beef Negimayaki $20.00
Thinly sliced beef rolled with green onions and then pan-seared
- Agedashi Tofu $15.00
Fried house-made tofu served in a savory, slightly sweet sauce made with dashi broth
- Eggplant with nanban miso $12.00
Fried eggplant topped with sweet and tangy nanban miso sauce
Entrees
- Tempura Small $24.00
Lightly battered and fried shrimp, whitefish and vegetables, served with a dipping sauce "tentsuyu" with grated daikon radish
- Tempura Large $38.00
Lightly battered and fried shrimp, whitefish and vegetables, served with a dipping sauce "tentsuyu" with grated daikon radish
- Shrimp Tenju $32.00
Assorted shrimp and vegetable tempura dipped in lightly sweet "tentsuyu" sauce then placed over steamed rice
- Salmon Teriyaki $32.00
Grilled salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce
- Eel Unaju $52.00
Tender caramelized grilled Eel (unagi) served over rice and topped with a savory sauce. Paired with a side of Japanese pickles
- Beef Sukiyaki Small $36.00
A traditional Japanese hot pot dish, with thinly sliced premium beef and fresh vegetables, in a rich, savory-sweet broth
- Beef Sukiyaki Large $48.00
A traditional Japanese hot pot dish, with thinly sliced premium beef and fresh vegetables, in a rich, savory-sweet broth
- Nippon Original Beef Curry $29.00
Japanese home style curry rice: recipe compliments of former Yankees star Hideki Matsui's mom
- Tonkatsu $32.00
Pork tenderloin coated in a light and crispy panko breadcrumb crust, deep fried until it’s crispy and golden brown
- Chicken Karaage Large $28.00
Bite-size and boneless, Japanese fried chicken thighs. serves with tartar sauce
Original Soba Salad
- Original Soba Salad $21.00
Cold house-made soba(buckwheat) noodles served with a variety of locally-grown,organic mesclun salad and arugula,hijiki, vegetables witht tangy dressing
- Tofu Soba Salad $26.00
With our house-made fresh tofu
- Chicken Soba Salad $27.00
With hand-pulled, oven roasted chicken breasts
- Beef Soba Salad $33.00
With thinly sliced and pan-seared Beef Ribeye
- Salmon Soba Salad $33.00
With salmon sashimi
Soba & Udon
- Zaru Soba $16.00
Cold house-made soba with dipping sauce served with wasabi and green onion
- Kake Soba $16.00
Classic Japanese noodle dish that featuring buckwheat noodles served in a hot and savory broth
- Tenzaru Soba $31.00
Cold house-made soba accompanied by shrimp and vegetable tempura
- Tempura Soba $31.00
Buckwheat noodles in a hot and savory broth accompanied by shrimp and vegetable tempura
- Kamo Nanban Soba $35.00
Soba noodles and duck breasts served in a warm, flavorful broth made from a combination of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi.
- Tantan Tsukemen $30.00
House-made soba with a spicy and savory sesame dipping sauce *uses beyond meat
- Kake Udon $16.00
Thick, chewy udon noodles in a hot and savory broth
- Tempura Udon $31.00
Thick, chewy udon in hot broth with shrimp and vegetable tempura
- Nabeyaki Udon $35.00
Thick, chewy udon noodles in a hot and savory broth with egg,shiitake mushroom, scallion and Shrimp & vegetable tempura
Salad
- House Salad $8.00
- Seaweed Salad $17.00
Nabe (Hot Pot)
- Kamo Nabe Set $65.00
Sliced Long Island duck breasts, tofu, assorted vegetables and duck hotpot sauce.
- Sukiyaki US Beef Set $55.00
Sliced prime ribeye beef, tofu, assorted vegetables and sukiyaki broth
- Sukiyaki Wagyu Beef Set $120.00
Sliced Wagyu Beef, tofu, assorted vegetables and sukiyaki broth
- Shabu Shabu US Beef Set $55.00
Sliced prime Ribeye Beef, tofu, assorted vegetables and 2 kinds of shabu shabu dipping sauce: ponzu & sasame sauce
- Shabu Shabu Wagyu Beef Set $120.00
Sliced Wagyu Beef, tofu, assorted vegetables and 2 kinds of shabu shabu dipping sauce: ponzu & sesame sauce
Sushi Bar
- Sashimi Appetizer $35.00
- Sashimi Main $75.00
- Omakase Chirashi $75.00
Sushi rice topped with an assortment of fresh sashimi, egg and other garnishes
- New Yorker Sushi $75.00
Chef's choice of 8 nigiri pieces and 1 roll
- Sushi Nippon $95.00
Chef's choice of 8 nigiri pieces and Negitoro roll
Kaiseki course
- Kaiseki $125.00
Please call at least 24 hours in advance to reserve our course menu. The menu has been updated by the restaurant as of 07/28/25.
- Vegan kaiseki $100.00
Please call at least 48 hours in advance to reserve our course menu.
Desserts
- Anmitsu $15.00
Traditional Japanese dessert made with agar jelly cubes, sweet azuki (red bean) paste, and fresh fruits
- Green Tea Ice Cream $9.00
- Lychee Sorbet $9.00
Served with lychee and raspberry sauce
- Vanilla Ice Cream $9.00
- Shiratama Zenzai $11.00
Sweet red bean soup with mini mochi(shiratama)
- Mochi Ice Cream $5.00
Matcha flavor. Soft, chewy rice cake on the outside,Rich and creamy ice cream on the inside.
Restaurant Nippon Details
From the business
- Identifies as Asian-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Paid street parking
Restaurant Nippon Photos










Restaurant Nippon Location
Restaurant Nippon
155 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022, USA
Restaurant Nippon Reviews
sukiyakisobafugusaladtempurafishdinnercurrykaisekibento
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Delightful spot to eat solo, or with company. On this 90 degree day I ordered the summer classic cold soba with a side of nostalgia. I'll be back again to try the sushi some time soon!
July 25 · M AblesWhen coming here I came from the knowledge that Beef Negimaki was invented in this restaurant. It was a blissful starter for my meal. After I had the Godzilla Curry as my entree and it was perfect. Just the right temperature for rice and curry with a hint of spice that just relaxed me with my green tea by my side and a water. I will come back for more with my family to try more dishes
February 08 · James HallahanrI never tried Japanese food before, just sushi and ramen ! It was my first time with my friends from Japan ! It was incredible ! Thanks for everything ! 🇯🇵
July 24 · Emeline ChatelotPricey but great food. The service is top notch too.
June 20 · DoraemonIt's hard to find fault with anything at this place. It's been years... decades... since I've been here, and not a thing has changed. If I understand it, it was the first, or maybe just the longest currently existing Japanese restaurant in NYC. No surprises, just great service, tranquil atmosphere, and really superb, classic Japanese food.
June 19 · Dan Perlman
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