Izakaya MEW Reviews

The restaurant is playing loud hiphop-music, which I do not like. However, when you’re with good company that does not matter anymore. The staff was really friendly and helpful. We are sure to say that Izakaya Mew has the best sushi we have ever had. The food was fresh and well made. Also, the gyoza is a real must-have.

This is an excelente place. Sushi & sashimi’s are really good. Not expensive. Not credit cards. Good service.

We visited Japan last year and the Izakaya Mew makes us feel like we were not in the middle of Manhattan but somewhere in Japan with very tasty food and good prices. A hidden gem that is between other asian restaurants and you have to go downstairs so don’t missed it. We try sushi, ramen and noddles and steak and rice. Everything very tasty!!!

We came to NYC for a few nights and this was the first place we had dinner. Just around the corner from where we stayed and we nearly missed it but doubled back and thank the Lord almighty himself we did. Some of the best sushi we have had. Everything is good but the dumplings and dynamite sushi were 🧨. If you are in the area don’t miss it . 💫

We got in just after opening and, despite the fact that most tables were empty, couldn’t be seated because we were waiting for one person to join us. Friendly - if chaotic - service with many different people helping our table. Happy hour drinks are very affordable and the wine selection is reasonable - hot or cold saki is also an option. Sushi is good but not outrageously so. Bathrooms are small and crowded + odd.

The restaurant is always packed with many people waiting outside. We had to make reservation ahead of time. Foods were served fast and all of them very delicious. Service was excellent, there were many waiters/waitresses and if you ever need anything, they’ll quickly help and serve you.

Make a reservation This restaurant is crazy busy because everyone knows how great the food is ! Great choices on menu Spicy Ramen was best i have ever had ! You order and come is served as soon as it is ready Restaurant is full of chatty young people so noise level is high ! Very close to Macys Will definitely return next time in NY See photos of what we ate below

We arrived to a very long wait list but we were sat after an hour. The sushi was well worth the wait. We ordered sashimi, which was very fresh and the tori Karaage, fried chicken, which was really good. We then ordered a selection of sushi rolls which were great tasting too. Good value for money

Ate here as a party of three on Wednesday evening at 9pm. Waited only 5 minutes for a table even though the restaurant was full. The service was really good and quick and the food was amazing! Noodles, sushi, sashimi all really great! I know why they’re the top rated Japanese restaurant and well deserved! Highly recommended

This place was hard to find, but it was totally worth the effort. It’s downstairs, with the entrance between 2 Korean restaurants. Place has a really cool vibe. It was only about 6:30pm and it was packed. Food was delicious. We had the yellowtail carpaccio and the hotate carpaccio. I also had the fatty tuna roll. My son had the grilled mackerel. Ended with their homemade tiramisu. This place seems like the kind of place only NY locals know about. It’s definitely a hidden gem and I’ll definitely be back.

My mother and I really felt like Japanese food during our stay here in New York as it is one of our favourite cuisines. After having a little read on trip advisor and Izakaya being a short walk from our hotel we decided to come here. We couldn’t believe how busy the restaurant was as it had only been open around half an hour, luckily we got a table. Spoilt for choice with the menu so we ordered a few dishes to share. It was the best Japanese food we have ever had!!! The atmosphere was lovely and the place was completely full, staff very friendly and the price extremely reasonable for NYC! We loved this place so much we will be going back again before we fly home!

Delicious, fresh, unique and so reasonably priced! Had the salmon farm bowl - so good and healthy! Definitely recommended!

You absolutely have to remember to reserve your table because the place is in high demand. The dishes are plentiful and very good. The budget is very reasonable

A favorite of my sister. Located between 2 Korean restaurants. There is a narrow doorway leading you downstairs to a young & cool vibe. Service is fast - sushi is fresh and all flavors/texture, perfect! Enjoyed a variety of dishes and happy hour wine. A delicious beginner, Tuna Dome. Very reasonably priced - loved this!. Plan to arrive early (betw 5-6pm) for no-line and happy hour. Enjoy!!

Often when your in New York the hardest thing about going out for dinner is deciding which restaurant to choose.. just so many options and choices! Well if like me you love Sushi & want a restaurant with a lively atmosphere that feels like your part of the in crowd then Izakaya Mew is THE place to go to.. We only had to wait 15 mins on a Tuesday night at 20:00 an it was getting busier and vibrant as we sat down to eat.. the service was fast and superb and the food quality really was excellent! The value for money was wonderful for NYC and for the first time ever here actually was surprised at the amount on the bill - I really would highly recommend searching out this wonderful restaurant!!

A wet Thursday night and this place was packed. I waited 20 minutes for a table and the food came quickly. Sashimi, rice, tofu and watercress salad - all quite tasty and good value.

Izakaya's are generally drinking places that serve food. Izakaya Mew is better than that. Food choices are much greater than most izakayas but well prepared and service is brusque but efficient. No reservations so come early for dinner before 6 if you want to have a table.

Found the restaurant almostby accidwnt. Popped-in, added my party on the waiting list and then the great start . The staff was super frowny and helpful. Despite the long waiting list it took us about 20 min maximum to get seated and perfectly accommodated. Food is amazing!!! Fresh, very tasty and so nicely prepared. No way you won't enjoy it. Will visit again for sure next time in NYC

Great food, great service, great drinks. We had our first night dinner of a 5 days holiday in NY at Izakaya and as the service and food was so great we came again. Sushi, dumplings and salads where really awesome. We can only recommend the place.

We arrived for lunch without reservation. Only needed to wait 15 minutes, even though the place was full. Amazing food and the service was super. We can really recommend the cocktails, which are freshly made.

Frozen kirins are unique and worth a try, but wouldn’t order again. Just frozen beer that taste like the head of beer and difficult to drink. Still love the idea. Service prompt, ambiance on point. No complaints. Cannot get dinner menu at lunch so be aware when you go. Small signage to a basement doesn’t look for the flag.

Me and my partner visited on a Friday evening, put our name down on the waiting list, and 45 minutes and a bottle of wine at another pub outside later, we had our seats. They text you when they’re ready for go in. What a place, very chic and modern with a traditional twist, and the sushi and sashimi is amazing. I also highly reckoned the house sake! Excellent place, worth the wait.

This was worth the taxi ride across town to have some good food with fast friendly service in a cool underground gritty joint.

We used eat here on our first night in NYC and in the past 8 years it was always excellent. During the last couple of months we noticed a steady decline, especially in the taste of the food. What once was en par with the food we know from our trips to Japan is now just nothing special anymore, still good but not great. Hope it will get better and we just catched some bad days.

Fair price, place frequented by Asians (excellent signal) and very well served! We ordered edamame ($4.00 and a huge portion!) and gyoza for starters. I had the best ramen I've ever had and my husband ordered delicious tonkatsu!

Hole in the wall restaurant with a tasty Japanese menu. Note the address as it is tricky to find. Enjoyed the shishito peppers, gyoza, gyu don and yaki udon. Great meal with 2 drinks for $60.

My favorite place in New York. Ever. It's romantic, it's lively, it's delicious, it's everything. Later I came back with friends and it was just as good!

If you don't pay attention, you'll just walk past this hidden gem in New York! The restaurant is not notable for its distinctive placards or large neon lights, but that makes discovering it all the more special. Once we found the entrance, a staircase led us down, where we ended up in a cozy basement Upon entering we immediately experienced the lively atmosphere; it was super busy, but that only added to the coziness. The nice thing was that we could join a table without a reservation, which was a pleasant surprise. The food was really delicious! We enjoyed every bite, although it was a bit loud next to the music box. The welcome was friendly and the service was also top notch; we felt really welcome. This restaurant is definitely recommended for anyone visiting New York! I was sent there myself by a colleague, and I'm glad I found out. A hidden gem you don’t want to miss! 🍛🍜

Noisy restaurant located in the basement. Everything seems chaotic and the decor is really "base" set up. But it's always stuffy. If you are looking for simple service, good sushi and co. at a super fair price, this is the right place. Cool and highly recommended.

This is clearly a busy and popular place but comparing to UK the food was disappointing. Queues to wait are long. The atmosphere is very good and friendly staff. Food arrived quickly don’t expect to linger here it’s quick turn around.

A Japanese of another level, if you want to taste the true taste of Japanese food, go here and you will not regret it.

Really fresh and tasteful sushi. The staff is friendly. You are not rushed even if there are people waiting, which is really nice. However,, this also means that you have to wait for a table. But after saying your name you can leave and come back. It is worth the wait. It is not possible to make a reservation.

Very tasty food and the cocktail was great too! Restaurant is in a basement, reservations necessary. Basic furnishings, available music (we sat under a speaker). Service was smooth and the food was really great. Will probably go there again this holiday.

Cool but welcoming atmosphere. Sushi, tempura and skewers are all recommended. Will definitely be back.

A little apprehensive about the insipid, easy to miss, doorway from the street but halfway down the stairs it was clear the restaurant was heaving. Excellent food and atmosphere along with very speedy service.

We were looking for sushi near our hotel and TA had high rates for this place. We were here about 2:00 PM and had a 5 minute wait. After we were seated we quickly had our food: edamame, shumai and a dragon ball. All were excellent! We plan to come back and have a big meal the next time!

We recommend this restaurant to everyone who loves simple and very good food. It is a bit loud and chaotic but super good. Also great value for money. Highly recommended

Restaurant that offers a bit of the new wave of Asian specialties but not only cocktails (also offers wine) Seriously I didn't believe it, but I admit it's quite astonishing, no sign at the entrance, staircase in the basement, which leads to a room, high volume of sound, like almost everywhere in NY. The service is fast without being rushing. Have a nice evening.

What a great way to start the weekend! This is a Gem The food was Amazing and service was fast/ great You must try the Kirin beer w frozen Kirin on top🌟

Top Restaurant! Cool location. Nice Waiter. Super good and delicious food. Had some sushi rolls and rahmen afterwards. Waiting time can be reduced by using the possibility to pur yourself on the online waiting list of the restaurant on Yelp before you start! We will come back!

5 of us went there at 6pm on Sunday after the 6 Ave parade to get ahead of the crowd. We were squeezed to sit at a 4-person table and rubbing shoulders with those sitting on left & right. Our request to switch to a 6-person table was turned down impolitely. Frankly, that was a very uncomfortable sitting arrangement to really enjoy the food and that costs 1 star deduction in rating. The food is just so-so, nothing spectacular and nothing much to brag about. It is just average Japanese food. Portions are on the small side. Personally, I don't like the Ramen dishes which are unhealthy and cheap food after all. Stay with Sushi & rolls is the best bet.

We have visites today izakawa and the first idea is to Run away, the entry us very Bartow and the restaurant is in the basement, very small , with a lot of people waiting for a table , of you want a table you must book it in a tablet at the entry , insert your celular Number and they call you when it’s your turn. The wait it worth it, they are very fast and the menú is very deep The ramen espectacular, the sushi as well

We arrived before 6pm, and, as expected, there was a wait, so I added us to the computer. When I asked the hostess how long it might be (our hotel was literally two steps away), she told me that if we were willing to share a table we could be seated immediately. The service was friendly, fast and incredibly efficient. We ordered gyoza, udon noodles and rolls. Everything was very tasty (I was just in Japan in March) and staff was excellent at taking away dirty dishes immediately and refilling water. I was tempted to return the following evening! Definitely recommend; definitely returning next NYC trip.

Good was amazing and concept of sharing plates(tapas) was awesome to taste many options. Everything we tasted was great and even my 8years old thought it was delicious

Just excellent, nice place, good vibes, the food is delicious and fish is really fresh. One of the best places.

As ever an amazing meal! Whenever in New York we always make a bee line to this special and very friendly restaurant. It is loved by the locals and there’s a reason why - the food is authentic, generous and absolutely delicious. A hidden treasure that is worth every penny. The sushi and Ramen are particularly fabulous. Thank you for another amazing dining experience. We will be back again next time!!

Nice place, without aesthetic pretensions (it is located under the stairs and furnished in a minimal way) but with excellent Japanese cuisine. Really good and plentiful dishes, low prices, a surprise considering the New York average. There are many young people who frequent it and for this reason it is a bit... noisy, but I would define it as a rare pearl.

No trip to Manhattan is complete without Izakaya MEW. Hidden gem off the beaten path. I absolutely love everything about it. We got lucky tonight for no wait, but would have gladly waited an hour.

I ordered their Sushi New special roll, Dynamite roll and Omusoba. It was pretty good. Tasted nice...

Very unusual atmosphere for a sushi restaurant : underground location, noisy but fun. Express service, good food and fair prices. MUST DO!

Read the reviews and had to try it for myself. While the decor is kind of "uber-shabby chic," the food is amazing! The sushi was fresh, beautifully presented and unbelievably delicious! For those who won't eat sushi, they have fried rice and other entrees for you. Had saki after dinner and really enjoyed it. Dining room is loud, though, so be prepared for that.

We went without reservation as we didn’t succeed to make it either online or by calling them. Food is delicious, normal quantities, nice people reasonable prices for NYC Overall experience was very good

Went for lunch with my sushi-loving teenager, we both loved the cool casual izakaya ambiance. The food was very good and the prices better than expected. Service was a tad bit slow (they were packed at 1:30pm) but effective and very friendly. We look forward to coming back.

Amazing Izakaya in NY, food was absolutely amazing, the best place we ate in Manhattan. The fish was the highlight, very fresh and tasted wonderful. Very nice ambiance in a basement.

It’s a bit loud inside, look closely to find the entrance. Hands down the best sushi I’ve had in years.

Fantastic Japanese Izakaya style dining and bar. If you're a Japanophile in New York, you can't do better than dining here, absolutely delicious!

After about 30 minutes of waiting we sat at a table that was a bit narrow for two people. My partner had a decently made salmon sashimi and creamy noodles mixed with cream and garlic as if it were raining. However, at the invitation of the waiter who served us at the table, I was recommended the "chef Experience", a selection of sushi and sashimi prepared by the chef. I kindly point out to the waiter that I am allergic to eel and therefore cannot eat it, therefore I ask if the only piece of sushi in which this type of fish is present can be changed. The waiter replies that it is in no way possible to modify the dish and that he could have done me the courtesy of removing the single piece of sushi without any change in the price. Basically, I pay the same to eat one less piece. It seems absurd to me that I can't modify a nigiri for an allergic customer. Finally, once the bill arrives, I decide not to leave any tip given my terrible experience. The waiter gets annoyed telling me that in NY it is compulsory. I point out to him that it is actually "suggested" and that given the terrible experience I choose not to pay for it. Terrible experience, believe me!

Non-descriptive folding sign in front of a door leading to a basement restaurant. Enter and you are transported to a Japanese true Izakaya maybe located in Shinjuku Tokyo. Industrial walls, concrete floor, hanging strings of lights and an open kitchen. An underground, underworld where Japanese is shouted to fill air. Not too loud music I can recognize or sing to from the 80s makes for a cool sound track. The food is delicious and straight from the real J-Town. This is what the business men and women have for their after work meet ups. The fish in fish dishes is really fresh Try the avocado/ tofu salad with miso with finer dressing. 2 kinds of fried chicken (soft fried with creamy potato salad or crispy style). Octopus balls which are equal to Osaka’s famous. Four to five dishes is enough for a couple. Sapporo and Kirin on tap. A fun authentic meal. Reasonably priced.

Very good sushi. Excellent kalbi. Don buri was very good Good plum wine. Cab get a bit noisy. Authentic expericnce. Over all Very good.

First-class organization in table assignment and service. Horrendous speed in the meal sequence. The dishes are all very good in taste and high quality in food. Despite the enormous power of the staff, the friendliness is always maintained.

My husband and I were meeting an old friend from our time living on Tokyo. She picked this place for old times sake. It was great. Good food. Great atmosphere. We were early on a wed but by 7pm it was very busy. Overall I liked it a lot.

If you did your best to hide a restaurant from the customers, Izakaya Mew would be a contender:) I am happy we took the time to find the small discrete door and walked all the stairs down to Izakaya! Unfortunatly their kitchen closes (early)... we came at 21.50 and the place was full... I am thankful they allowed us to wait in the bar with a nice drink, 10 min later we had a table! Our new problem was that we had to order all food at once since the kitchen was closing. We had in total 7-8 dishes, we found out they are not very big BUT they are delicious! So what should you eat? - Sushi Bomb - Tuna Tataki - Kimchi Cream Udon The menu is huge so alot to try... the only thing that we saw could improve is the wine menu!! Believe we ended up paying around $140 I would recommend booking a table in advance!

Liked the food, starting out with the beer. was very busy friday night, but even 45 min wait was worth it. Just passed time sipping beer at bar. Anyway, great udon soup with tempura shrimp, although i did not like the chicken added in that. The calamari appetizers were super.

One of our favorite places when we come to the City. The sushi is so fresh. In addition to rolls, we had the Tuna Tataki and Gyoza and both were amazing. This is a hopping place and the staff and service are wonderful.

There's a long wait so leave your name at the door well ahead of time. Very laidback setting in a basement. Value for money is amazing, especially given the location. Tasty sushi and well fried tempura. There's an additional array of cooked dishes which we haven't tried yet

Very tasty! The restaurant is in the basement, so it is a bit louder when it is full. Every new guest who comes in is cheered by the staff, which is very amusing. Each guest orders 2-4 dishes, everything is eaten and shared together. (Like tapas) The prices are moderate for New York. The food is brought quickly, the staff is very friendly. I would definitely go back!

Lively atmosphere and a good ‘buzz’. Attractive food options, quick service and good (for NYC) prices. I would certainly go again.

Great food and service. Snd you really can’t beat that price in this part of town! I was here on my own but atmosphere was good too! Will definitely be back when in town.

Best find of our week long stay in NYC! Husband had the Una Don and my garlick chicken was delicious! Would definitely recommend this place.

Love sushi and this place delivers. Its tucked away from the main street so you have to really look for it. Great, chill atmosphere and quality sashimi.

So so so noisy we checked it and it was between 80 and 90 decibels The cocktails are good the food so so the tuna was very thick and not very easy to cut

Visiting New York after about a three-year absence and looked on TripAdvisor and saw this restaurant with great reviews tried it was excellent very happy with the food

New York ? It means a fixed stop at Izakaya!!! Small messy noisy place all served by sushi, udon, sashini and much, much more really. Everything exceptional, highly recommended place!

I visited Izakaya MEW with my daughters and we arrived promptly for our reservation. I understand that the restaurant prides itself on only reserving a handful of tables to allow for unscheduled guests. However, it negatively affects the service. Our waiter was friendly, but told us 10 minutes into our service that they would need our table as soon as possible. We had ordered four items with the idea that we would order more after we gauged what we liked. He there was no way that would fill us and they preferred that we ordered everything at once. When he brought the bill, I still had half a cocktail left and was securing last minute Broadway tickets. He came by three times in five minutes, and the last time he actually asked me to get my card out. I have never experienced this. It had still been less than an hour, but I think they would have liked us out in 40 minutes. To be fair, we really enjoyed all the food and the cocktails. If you are in a hurry, it will be great!

You might walk right by this place if you weren't looking for it, but if you manage to find, you're in for a delicious, funky, no-frills treat. They're all about the food here, so don't expect tablecloths, fine furniture, or fancy decor: it's plain wooden tables and an industrial feel. Oh, and bring cash, because they don't take credit cards.

While this location is tough to locate, small sign above door to basement, the food was exceptional! We ordered a ton of different small plates and all of them were delicious. Will definitely visit again when we are in town.

Very friendly welcome. I was surprised by the variation in quality. Yellowtail carpaccio was not carpaccio in the sense I would recognize, thickly sliced (0.5 cm?) fish with some onions and ?lime juice. Perfectly tasty but not skillfully made IMO. The two winter specials, tempura lotus root with minced shrimp, and grilled miso eggplant with scallops and ginkgo nuts, were both spectacular and I wanted more, just no room. Cocktail special not to my taste. Would definitely go back and focus on the cooked dishes.

This restaurant has fairly priced food that is HEAVENLY. I ordered the takoyaki, and the yaki cheese potato. I also recommend the creamy kimchi udon! Quick service, told a 20 minute wait but it ended up being 10. Their desserts are amazing too, the tiramisu was great and the cheesecake was my favorite I’ve ever had! (Whole life) I didn’t try the mochi ice cream so I can’t say if it’s good but it looked good!

Excellent restaurant located down a flight of stairs in a basement Busy spot with lots of young people , i imagine it is always busy so book a table Great staff and service was quick considering the restaurant was full Everything we ate was delicious and would definitely return the next time i am in NY !

Great food! Great service! Reasonably priced - espec for NYC, and also in comparison to 2 other pricey sushi joints we tried on other nights. Awesome selection, and all of the sushi was very fresh, and obviously brought right out to the table from the kitchen. What should have been hot was piping hot -- just the way we like it ----- But talking about "hot" - our only issue was that it was really hot inside the restaurant, and we were literally and very uncomfortably sweating the entire meal. Must be like that a lot as we noticed some of the servers wearing t-shirts with the sleeves torn off. Kind of disappointing as it was really hot outside and we were anxious to eat in air conditioned comfort, but that wasn't the case. Still, the food was good, and for that we'd probably go back - but I did subtract one star for the (lack of) AC,

On 8/31/2024 I had dinner at this restaurant at 8:19 PM. Unfortunately I found an incorrect use of my credit card: I left a tip of $5 and you arbitrarily charged me $15. I should not have left even a dollar given the terrible service, they made us eat in 20 minutes and then almost kicked us out to free the table. This is proof of how much the American tipping system needs to be revised. I will send the documentation in my possession to the competent authorities to report this fraudulent behavior.

Having recently visited Tokyo, I was really looking forward to experiencing real, traditional, non-Americanized Japanese food again. Izakaya MEW did not disappoint! I had the tonkatsu (deep fried pork loin with cabbage) and the gyoza (dumplings), and my meal was absolutely delicious. The pork was both crispy and juicy, every bite perfect! The gyoza was flavorful and hot, just perfect on a cold winter day. We made 12pm reservations before a 2pm Broadway show. We were served quickly and dined comfortably (i.e., we were not rushed) and had no risk of missing the opening for our show. The prices were really reasonable for NYC too! My pork was on a lunch special for $11.95! I’m a very happy customer and would be delighted to visit again.

For NYC a virtual bargain- service is hi- energy and attracts a largely young asian clientele. Food is absolutely spot on and a fantastic tantan men. Service is friendly and fast - so dont expect to hang around waiting for the bill- as there is always a line. Overall, highly recommended

This was the best food and best atmosphere in our time in NYC. Everything we had was so amazing, if I had unlimited funds and a bottomless stomach, I would never leave! It is a bit loud (think music and talking without soft surfaces to absorb the sound) Reservation recommended but not required, we walked in and waited about 30-40 minutes for a table for 2. 10/10 highly recommend!

Good food decent prices, would gladly eat here again. Went here with the family without any expectations and was pleasantly surprised

My first night in new york on holiday. Looing for somewhere closeby our hotel to eat. Never had Japanese food so I was dubious. With an amazing welcome and the food was incredible. Of all the places to eat we ate here twice. Cannot recommend this any more the staff are super friendly, welcoming and helpful!

Selected this restaurant as the family wanted sushi for dinner. I found it via TripAdvisor and despite it not being easy to see from the street, we arrived at a full restaurant. We were number 17 in queue but was shown a table within 30 minutes. The wait was okay as we got a round of drinks at the bar. The restaurant is in a cellar and interior is decorated simply with no nonsense. Service was friend attentive and fast and the food was simply great. The kids loved it and we had to order extras. We were recommended the fried chicken and ordered that besides the sushi. All of it was well tasting! Only downside was the noice level in the restaurant which was well above average and brings the overall rating down from a clear 5 stars.

We came for lunch twice during our stay in New York. As indicated in some comments, you have to look for it before finding it because it is located underground. Very popular with the Asian population, it is a sign of quality. Easy booking. Our first meal at 12 p.m. with a menu offering a wide variety of choices (chicken fries, sashimi, skewers, noddles, sushi...). It was excellent. Good value for money. On the other hand, we came back a second time after 1:15 p.m. and the menu was no longer the same...one wondered if we were in the same establishment. My son was disappointed to have the rather mediocre canned tuna rolls. So I advise coming at the start of the service with a broader menu.

Creat place and great sushi! We also ate pork ribs and it was so tender that it melted to my mouth. The staff was nice and service was fast. You can't book a table beforehand so prepair to wait for a bit (you can add your name to a waitlist). Would definitely go again!

Food, service and price. All excellent. I went with my children who only eat the basics, because they were delighted with everything they ate.

The atmosphere was lively and fun. It was great for families, couples, solos, big & small groups. We went at 4:45pm and were seated right away, but by 5:30p it was a 1 hr wait. The service was efficient. The wait staff were ever present. The food came out quickly. The yellowtail carpaccio was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. The aged tofu was also excellent. The prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend this restaurant.

This place was recommended by the receptionist in the hotel where we are staying, which was 2 buildings away. We decided to try the place and was soooo glad we did. All the food we ordered were good. Definitely highly recommend this.

Great ambiance in the basement, great food, good service, our first dinner out in nyc - couldn‘t be better. Lots of locals We loved it!

Come downstairs into a crowded, very popular and extremely noisy restaurant. The menu is fun and varied, service is efficient and friendly and the food is reasonable. This is not your classic sushi restaurant so do not expect a gourmet dinner. Come for fun food at fair prices.

6 years later, and the creamy kimchi udon is still good as ever! Could have used more shrimp (there was only one) but it's definitely not a dealbreaker. I ordered via GrubHub for takeout. I got there a bit early but my order was still finished before the quoted time frame. They have indoor dining and separated partitions, and they take temperatures, but I'm still not comfortable doing indoor dining, so I just got it for pick-up. This time, we had the kalbi, tan shio (beef tongue), katsudon rice with chicken, and Mew special roll. The kalbi was flavorful and tender (for the most part). It came with some cabbage and a side salad, so that was nice. On the other hand, the beef tongue was pretty chewy and it was pretty bland. The katsudon was good - no complaints there. It was nice to have some of that rice with the kalbi. Mew special roll is another go-to but for take-out, it isn't as good because I think the heat from the seared salmon ended up cooking it the rest of the way. I'm glad this place survived the pandemic because I need to come back again for that creamy kimchi udon!

There is a waiting list and if you are more than two like us you will have to wait, but it is worth! The food, especially the sushi are just great. Meat was a little bit disappointing but the Namen very good too. The place is cozy but very loud, for Europeans sure too loud. The Service was good and once ordered everything came very fast. We enjoyed it! And the prices are very reasonable!

As everyone mentioned-dont let the outside looks and the basement fool you- by far the best place to eat for such low prices for absolutely ridiculously amazing fresh food! Loved it 1000%

I went here with a reservation for 3 adults at 5:00 when they opened on a Sun eve. Small place in the basement, but had a huge variety and top quality of food and service! The garlic rice was perfectly done and spiced, the Zuke Salmon Don was very fresh and the Kimchi Cream Udon was so creamy and perfectly cooked! We also had the cold eggplant special which was very good. We also had a Sexy Roll and we all loved it. The Tuna Tataki was so fresh and melted in your mouth! Service here was quick and they are very attentive. We were in and out in less than an hour, but never felt rushed. Can't wait to go back when I'm in the city again!!

A friend recommended this restaurant. Almost didn’t find it, as you need to go down from the street level by the stairs. Waiting time was fine, 15 minutes. And. Was so much worth it. Had tuna tataki, several Susi rolls, a variety of sashimi. Was to hungry and forgot to take some pictures. All was so fresh and delicious. Service was great, although felt like they are pushing us to finish our dinner as the waiting line was long.

Superb small Japanese restaurant. Best justo turn up and not book. We enjoyed excellent short ribs, salmon teriyaki and fantastic rice. Very friendly staff and excellent recommendations for Saki. We will definitely return!

I have been eating in this place for several visits in New York since 2017. The place has amazing food for its price tag. Really tasty and affordable. The ambience is special. The service flawless.

A very popular place We had to put ourselves on a “waiting list” to be able to get a place and we had to wait more than half an hour But it's worth it! Excellent meal! Amazing tastes and really very good! Welcoming and very good Service A beautiful discovery not to be missed

Incredible variety and selection of food at Izakaya Mew. Stopped in for dinner with my wife during a recent NYC trip. Thankfully another TripAdvisor member had posted a photo of the door to the restaurant or we would have never found it. Arrived for dinner just past 8:45 PM and only had to wait 5-10 minutes. The restaurant is VERY loud so you will have to shout to carry on a conversation but the food is incredible. Service was okay - waiters and waitresses were definitely busy and hustling but it wasn't as organized as it could have been. The food though......incredible. We ordered Seaweed Salad, a Salmon Roll, a Mew Special Roll, and a Black Dragon Roll. We found the Mew Roll to be our favorite of the dishes, but all were very well prepared and presented. Loved this restaurant so much that we dined here both nights for dinner while in the city. Will definitely be back next time!

Local below street level with a nice atmosphere, but really loud music for a convivial dinner. Not all courses are level, I have tasted almost everything, but many things do not taste noteworthy. Noteworthy instead is the Omu Saba! really exceptional. there is also a good choice of sake for all budgets. negative note for the limited evening service hours at 9.30pm as last order. too early for the hot NYC.

If you aren't careful, you can easily miss the entrance to Izakaya Mew on the north side of West 35th. The "door" is almost invisible between two other businesses. Once through it you head downstairs into a lively, funky space that proves to be a lot of fun. There's a more-or-less full bar serving drinks, beer, wine and sake. We enjoyed several dishes from the very large menu including some sushi, a roll, yellowtail carpaccio, and the Mew chicken, crispy, sweet and sour. Everything was fresh and very tasty. Although we didn't try it, the ramen at the table next to us looked great, and next time we'll certainly try some of the grilled items. Mew is worth hunting for.

Asian food good quality, informal place and regularly young diners. Good prices and different dishes.

This is very authentic with excellent food. The space is minimal and in a basement (cool). The air is filled with happy conversations and the menu is extensive. Nice sake and wine selection. They even have a frozen topped beer!. Not expensive with lots of options. Service is slow but that is because it is mobbed every night. No bar seating. A perfect K-town experience for locals or visitors

Izakaya Mew is located on 35th Street, within blocks of Macys, Penn Station, and the Empire State Building. The entrance is barely noticeable. Lodged between other restaurants, the entrance is marked only by a very small sign adjacent the door, which merely opens to a very unimpressive stares into a basement. Do not be fooled - the restaurant far exceeds its entrance. Small, crowded, and noisy, but for a very simple reason - the food delivers. Which is why the restaurant thrives with an entrance that attracts no one. Delicious gzoza dumplings, sashimi, sushi, and more. We tried 6 different sushi rolls and all were outstanding, as were the appetizers. Two items of caution. First, the bathrooms are rather simple - don't expect much. Second, the restaurant does not take reservations. Dinner hours start at 5PM and the line will be up the stairs by then. Come by 5PM or use their Yelp listing to get on their wait list. There are happy hour drink specials 5-6PM. We arrived at 4:45PM and we were first to be seated, barely. We left at 6:15PM - the restaurant was full and lots of people were waiting to be seated. Prices are moderate and the restaurant is very casual. Will surely dine here again.

We had to wait for like an hour but it was completely worth it. Food was delicious and the service was outstanding. I really want to visit it again so I can try the rest of the menu.

This is by far our favourite place to visit in NYC. The food and service is second to none. You will leave with a full stomach and purse..the food is very affordable and always fresh. Cannot wait to come back!

I went here with a good friend who lives in Manhattan. He suggested we go here, since it was very good - according to him. When we arrived the place was packed! Good that we had a reservation. The food was amazing, I think we ordered about 10 different dishes to share.. not if, but when I go back to NYC, this will most definitely be on my list!! I didn't think is was expensive at all. For what we paid, we had an amazing meal!

Greatly enjoyed this basement restaurant. Enjoyed a super-strong Monkey47 at the bar whilst waiting for table. Then a panoply of quickly served tasty dishes. Very reasonable. Worth the short wait for a table.

If you can find this place, I am sure you will enjoy it. You need to find a little curtain over the doorway (think Japanese short curtain split in the middle) and walk down a steep flight of stairs to the basement. I know, sounds scary especially in NYC but go see and then decide. There is almost always a wait as many have discovered this place so strongly recommend you go online and get on the wait list or come early or late. The have an extensive menu with Japanese and Korean leaning dishes and I have tried about a dozen items and all were very good. Prices are modest for the quality and quantity of food. Check it out.

I went to New York for a week and a friend of mine recommended this place. It's one of those places where you order dishes and share them amongst you and your friends/family. We ended up getting 8 different dishes for three people and to be honest, it was more than enough food (I'd say 6 is still plenty). By far my favourite was the amakara ribs and the omu soba! Word of caution though, they get pretty busy and don't take reservations so you might have to wait for awhile to get a seat. One upside to this, however, is that they have an online waitlist through Yelp or tablet at the entrance of the restaurant. This way they'll text you when your table is being cleaned! Very convenient in my opinion.

We had travelled from the UK to meet our friends from New York when we came across Izakaya Mew on trip advisor. After walking past a couple of times we finally found it at 5pm with a queue already forming. We turned to look at each other and said “this is going to be good” Stairs lead down to a basement restaurant with a really cool vibe. Bench style seating and sharing tables give it a minimalistic Japanese feel. The staff here are wonderful, friendly, and offer great suggestions! A little cheer as new people enter the restaurant we’re later told is a common Japanese welcome and really gives the place its buzz. The restaurant opens at 5pm and by 5.30pm there’s barely an empty table in sight. You could say this is partly down to the $4 sake at happy hour but I think it’s because of the food! Meals are prepared fresh, the sushi is the best we’ve ever eaten. I’d highly recommend the Mew special rolls and the gyozas. We ordered salmon rolls, gyozas, Salmon sashimi, yellowtail carpaccio, edamame and Raman among other things. The food was so good and we were having such a great time that we reordered more. By me end we’d got through three separate plates of gyozas, each one tasting better than the next! After eating ourselves, and drinking sake to our limits, we were even more pleasantly surprised by the bill. Exceptionally reasonable prices for something that was so fresh and beautiful, really was the icing on the cake! We hope to be back before we return home to the UK and I know our friends from New York will be sure to return when they’re back in the city! Highly recommended, a true hidden gem not far from 5th Avenue really makes you wonder why people bother with the other tourist trap, low quality meals that other eateries offer. This is a cut above the rest! Now can you open a restaurant in the UK, we’ve yet to find sushi that good at home!

This restaurant is amazing! It is somewhat hidden, given that it’s underground, but it’s extremely worth the search. It offers Yelp waitlist which helps you see what position in line you’re in on your phone. It has such a cool vibe and the food is amazing. My dad says it’s the best sushi he’s ever had!

We had a great time here! My favorite thing was the tofu. Service was a bit slow but that’s just because they were so busy. Popularity is a curse I suppose!

Very atypical!!! The restaurant has no facade. We're going down to a basement. Once downstairs a superb atmosphere, fast service, and really very good!! Everything is served with a miso soup, value for money really good for New York and then it is really exotic! We recommend! Bravo.

Our first time at Izakaya Mew, but we will definitely be back when were in NYC. The food was fantastic, the service people were exceptional. Don't let the fact that it's in the basement fool you, its worth the stairs. But, best get there early otherwise it might be a long wait to get seated.

Very good quality food. I got the oyster ramen and the broth was light and tasty. The ambiance is quite good for couples. Prices are reasonable. It’s hard to find in the basement.

Wow! What a hidden gem. It’s so hidden that I had a tough time finding it. It’s in the basement! So, remember to look for the black curtain that says the name of the restaurant that could easily be found by everyone except me. Btw, this place is cash only. That’s right, what’s in your wallet and under your mattress? Bring your piggy bank! Anyway, my friend suggested that we meet here for lunch and I said yes right away. The place was packed during lunch. I ordered salmon teriyaki and she ordered a bowl of chirashi. Both ordered from lunch specials. My salmon was good but I should have ordered chirashi because I tried it and loved it. Well, next time. The salmon is served with rice and soup plus some pickles and potato salad. Chirashi came with just the soup. The two orders were priced fairly. We got plenty! I enjoyed looking at the decorations. Some old Japanese stuff are all around such as an old sewing machine by the restroom entrance. I found some sumo wrestling painting on the wall. They displayed some Japanese boxing equipment too. This place has a little bit of everything, about Japan. Neat!

We had the best dinner here during our visit to New York! We were in a bit of a time crunch, but the service was speedy without feeling rushed. Our sushi rolls were divine. Can't wait to come back next time we're in the city!

Ohhhh I love this hidden right in the middle of the NYC restaurant!!! The best sushi, the best sashimi, the best ramen! The taste is the same as it was in Japan. And I love to order a small jar of hot house sake at those cold days. The best way to warmth your body and soul. Literally. You should come in (but first - to find the entrance!:)))) and order a table from the hostess, then leave ‘em your cell no. and they’ll send you a message when the table is ready. So you should not wait on line.

If you love Sushi you have to visit this place, excellent service, nice decoration and most important food is delicious!

We enjoyed our food here, but honestly it was so busy and the wait (even with the yelp checkin) was crazy. It was pretty pricey for what it was and I guess was just a little overhyped for us. It was good, just the reviews made it sound amazing. Cocktails were great.

So this place: the food is still as good as I remember and it was packed with people. I gave it a 3 because of the following: 1) was not greeted very welcoming, it was more like “we will do you the favor of seating you if we can” treatment. No matter how successful you are that’s not the right attitude at 8:45pm, I know you want to go home but it shouldn’t be obvious to your customers. We walked several blocks in the rain to eat there. Next, I ordered 3 starters and was pressed to submit the complete order and told “last call is at 9:20 just so you are aware”. Rushed, so I ordered. My main dish arrived on 5-7 minutes (the roll was cool, clearly already prepared based on delivery speed but ok) still no appetizers. Not good. Staff was telling other customers the same thing, “order soon as we are closing”. The staff was furiously clearing tables around us and meanwhile we ran out of water!! Had to ask for water and then my appetizers appeared. Was still chewing when I was pressed for dessert and given my check. Food is good but not THAT good. Can’t see going back

Service and food quality were excellent. Great vibe, especially for young people. My only complaints are that the acoustics are terrible, thus amplifying the music. My other minor complaint is that there is no pacing here, but it's a plus if you're in a hurry since the food is prepared exceedingly fast but brought out as soon as it's ready. Very efficient, especially if you need to get somewhere. Reservations are a must! Our reservation was for 5:00 pm when they opened and the tables were full in no time. If you want a hip vibe with great service and food, check it out. However, if you want an intimate, quiet conversation go to Hangawi which is wonderful for asian (Korean) food, too

Very good food. Come very early though, there is a long wait. The place is on 35 the street just off 6 th Ave; blink and you'll miss it. You go downstairs like in a cave. But the food is very good and not expensive for Manhattan. The cocktails were underwhelming, we should have gotten sake or beer. I'll be back for more food.

Just amazing sushi, atmosphere and the service was impeccable. Wasn't expecting much, but got the best I've had in a long long time. Strongly recommend.

Loved this place. On holiday for 5 days and the family decided we should try sushi that day. This was our venue of choice and it didn’t disappoint. Lots of dishes ordered and all delicious. The matcha tiramisu is an acquired taste but I only tried it because it was there! Would thoroughly recommend it but get there early to avoid queues.

This was a superior meal. I am not a big fan of Japanese food but the reviews convinced me to give it a try. I was not disappointed. I had two dishes, Age Dashi Tofu and Sashimi Don, just the right amount for one person. The first dish was like a soup with four squares of tofu, each sprinkled with four light and interesting toppings in an absolutely delicious broth. The sashimi was so delicately flavored. I could have chosen something less expensive than the sashimi and, I think, ben very happy with my meal; but the splurge was well worth it. The servers were all very busy, yet managed to be attentive. I had a couple of questions about how to eat the dishes and they were very kind and happy to explain. I got there shortly after five pm and was seated right away, but the restaurant filled up shortly thereafter. The restaurant is very noisy so I was actually happy to be dining solo. Conversation would have been difficult. Without question, I would eat here again and try some of the other items. I would happily come with a dining partner with the understanding that we would not be having a heart-to-heart— just trying some really tasty dishes.

Incredible! My favorite restaurant at the moment in NYC. Good vibe with friends or even dates. Food is excellent and me and my friends are obsessed

Lovely place and atmosphere! Always a pleasure eating here :) I can't wait to come back and stuff my face with more.

Hands down the best Korean/Japanese food. They don’t take reservations and the wait is always at least 45 minutes to an hour but it’s sooo worth it! My fiancé and I came here twice and we order anything and everything we want. Drinks, apps, entrees— the meal would be less than $100. And you fill up quickly. Besides the weird smell you get after you leave, this is our spot every time we come to the city. Best prices and it’s like the best hole in the wall kind of restaurant. Must check out!!!

Perfect sushi and excellent service, no reservation on a Saturday but they offered a table in 20 min.

So 35th in waitlist translates into about 1 hr in this basement Izakaya that promises good food. Kitchen was accommodating when asking for the most basic Chicken Katsu and white rice for a 7 year old while mom n dad hunkered down for some more adventuresome dishes. Reminds me of mainland Japanese fair. Quick, comforting food, cold beer and Sake and other cocktails to be had, loud and boisterous with laughter and smiles. Good place if you have the time to get a seat. Not a bad problem to have.

Great place that is located in the basement... reasonably priced, nice place, efficient staff... great food... what more can you ask for?

Food and service were excellent. Speedy and friendly service. The portions are smallish so understand you will be ordering 2 to 3 items person to share.... think tapas size portions. Try to get there early or have reservations. As it is a popular spot. Also be aware this place is loud. Not a place i would recommend for date night if you want to havve conversation.

Probably for the best that this place is tough to find even with the Google Sat Nav on. Crazy busy restaurant - you can’t book a table so stick your name in the waiting list and download Yelp - they let you know where you are in the line - there were a couple of bars nearby in which to pass the time. The restaurant itself is tiny but lively and buzzing with voices and activity, I also like how they don’t even place a knife or fork - use the chopsticks for the Japanese experience. The dumpling starters were fresh and tasty with excellent dips, ramen for main was also fresh and excellent leaving us pretty full after starters and mains. For Midtown Manhattan - so reasonably priced - had we been staying for longer we would have certainly gone back. Go here if you want cheap quality food (who doesn’t) and like, or want to try, Japanese or East Asian cuisine. We will go back and find it again.

Restaurant in the basement a little hard to find. Atypical, very good atmosphere. It's very loud. The food is good, fresh fish. Reasonable rates for the neighborhood ($180 for 3 with a glass of wine), very busy but not overrun with tourists. The place is worth a visit.

I was there a couple days ago with a co-worker. We were craving sushi this place was recommended by a friend. Food was super fast and delicious!! The crowd was young and energetic!! Staff worked like a machine, It was a beauty to see. Great job guys!!

The sushi is sooo good, big portions and the service is also very good. Loved it. Definitely going back!

Amazing restaurant We love all the dishes Izakaya Mew. Sashimi salmon tacos, tartare sushi, dynamit, edamame, corn tripl AAA

If God had a favourite restaurant in New York, this would be it! Huge menu, tasty as hell, and a fraction of the cost of the high end places. Recommend the Seared Tuna, outstanding. The only draw back is you cannot book - you have to queue and wait for a table.

I love the frozen beer and the drinks... soft but good. The food was interesting, tasty and original. I just put 3 points because the girl who has to give your table was kind of rude when I ask for a chair for my daughter. It wasn't nice because the chair was next to my daughter and she didn't let her use it.

There were 2 people in our party. Did not have/make reservations, but we were seated very quickly. Best salmon sashimi I’ve ever had. Great service. I would definitely recommend going here. Kimchi Cream Udon was fantastic. Tuna Tartar was fantastic as well

There’s always a line, so plan on having a drink at the bar while you wait for your table. The food is awesome. Service is friendly. Try everything.

They don't know take reservations, so we walked in (it's easy to go by this spot) and there was a spot to put yourself on the waitlist. We were 17th in line and decided to go across the street for a drink. We were able to use the Yelp app to see our spot in line. They texted, we got our table, and the menu was HUGE. The atmosphere is busy and noisy, lots of action in a small place. We had a lot of sushi and it was all delicious. We saw a lot of other tables with a mix of food. What a great dinner. Cathy was great!

Hard to find the location (a tiny door with a discrete mew sign) but once you get down the stairs you are warmly welcomed in a noisy yet dynamic atmosphere. The food is great, the restaurant specials are amazing. Won’t be deceived neither by the food nor by the helpful team !

Interesting spot with huge variety of choices. Casual. High quality Japanese food. Grandparents went with two teen boys. Ordered 10 different dishes delivered to share as they were prepared. Maybe ordered two dishes too many. All were great though and polished off as we sat there. It's not elegant - but definitely was fun. And the service was great - multiple servers refilling water, clearing plates, bringing food, and asking if we needed anything more. Quite efficient. We had a reservation - I would say that's a must. Book online up to a week in advance. Lines out the door for those who walk in. Oh, it's located in the basement with a relatively small sign outside.

Hip atmosphere for drinks. Frozen beer, sake with fruits, cocktails,... and food available if you’re hungry. Sushi rolls and an assortment of Japanese centric offerings. Place is small and diners are squished near each other. Got there around 6:30pm on a Thursday night and waitlist of 20 parties in front of me. Enter your name into iPad to get on the waitlist.

Izakaya MEW is one of this trendy Japanese restaurants that is known as a drink hall with many dishes to order. They have a fairly extensive casual sushi/roll menu with many small hot dishes, as well as rice/noodle dishes that fuses Japanese and Western elements. The service was good and the food was delivered quickly. However I have to report that the bathrooms in the restaurant were definitely not up to par. It was really more like a bathroom you found in a dive bar. They needed to be better because it is a restaurant, not a bar. We even had an early dinner and god knows what it would look like later in the evening.

very interesting place. they don't take reservations but getting on a wait list thru Yelp is definitely a way to go to avoid a half hour wait. Just put yourself on the list about 30 minutes prior you ETA. lot of very interesting things on the menu. Kimachi cream udon with shimp is a must! this is definately a place to explore and try new things as your usual sushi iteams are limitted and not as good as in your high-end sushi restaurant. its more of an Asian Japaneese/Korean modern style tapas then a sushi place. Overall, a great value, great service,hip atmosphere and delicious food.

Amassing Restaurant, from entrees to cocktails and desserts, this place is all about great food, outstanding service and really nice experience. Definitely a must for Asian food lovers!

We literalily considered leaving the place becsuse of the noise, it was like a mad house, never experienced something like this. (And I reviewed our first NY evening italian restaurant as being noisy - lol). Stayed because of the stellar reviews for food. Well, very good but not the best. Moreover, tables are sticky and they forgot one of our items (out of 10).

We just checked in to the hotel next door and were looking for a Japanese restaurant for dinner. Luckily we came across Izakaya Mew! It's easy to miss, as it is in a basement. We got there at 5:30pm and were seated right away. We ordered 2 different sushi rolls, tempura set, and the kushi yaki. Our server suggested we get one more item and recommended the omu soba. We also ordered a Sapporo (it was happy hour) and a sakura cocktail (really good). All of the food was delicious, especially. the omu soba, we are so glad he recommended it! Wish we lived closer so we could go back, but I guess it will have to wait until our next NYC visit.

Easy to miss the entrance to this basement restaurant - but very glad we found it. Great sushi, and a fantastic, bustling lunchtime atmosphere.

The flavor of everything we ordered was amazing. The ramen was delicious. Service was fast. I recommend trying small dumplings with shrimp as starter.

Firstly, this place is incredibly difficult to find. When you think you´ve found the address, you can´t see the restaurant. But it is there, a narrow door behind a black curtain and down å staircase. And there it reveals an rustic basement, lots of people, fantastic food and nice staff. It is not possible to book table in advance, but you can register electronic on arrival to know how long before you get å table.

We visited on a Monday night at 7:30 and were lucky to get a table - for good reason. We had two spicy rolls that were roll your eyes delicious! Each piece was luscious and beautifully crafted. We also ordered fried octopus that, unfortunately, was over-breaded and tough. But the rolls were superb. The service was attentive and prompt. The restaurant is a little hard to find - a simple dark doorway that leads downstairs. But by all means, go!

Mew provides excellent Japanese food and service at great price. It is down stairs and does not do bookings but you can register on yelp. Wide range of Japanese food options. All the ones we had were tasty. We ordered 5 courses for the two of us which was about right. Loved the ribs! It was very busy and involved a short wait for a table.

Were there for a Sushi night. Very delicious dishes, great specials. Deserves a top spot on my favorites list.

We left a 10% tip because the service was not the best and they charged us 20% without our consent. We said so through the bank and they ignored us. Be very careful with the bills.

I'm not local, but I still think of their kimchi udon from time to time. The cravings are real. Def stop by if you get the chance.

Izakaya Mew is a fantastic hidden gem tucked away in Midtown Manhattan. From the moment you step downstairs into the cozy, dimly lit space, you feel transported to an authentic Japanese izakaya. The vibe is trendy yet relaxed, making it perfect for a casual night out or even a fun date. The menu is extensive, offering a great variety of small plates, sushi, and hot dishes. Every dish we tried was flavorful and beautifully presented. The spicy tuna tartare and the uni pasta were definite highlights, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Service was quick and attentive despite the place being packed, which speaks to their efficiency and experience. Be prepared for a bit of a wait during peak hours, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern twist in NYC, Izakaya Mew is a must-visit. Highly recommend! E.A.S / entrepreneur and traveler