Japonica Reviews

Went there for dinner waiting for table name on list promised next table then sat people ahead of me and then being unsure when we could be seated Gave poor explanation why Just walked out and will never come back

yummy sushis!

Our group of 8 friends met at Japonica as we knew it to be a good fit for our gluten free and vegan friends. We were warmly welcomed, enjoyed a variety of wonderful dishes, and permitted to linger for an overall excellent lunch!

My all times favorite sushi restaurant has relocated. The quality is still great and so is the service. The new location is much smaller and I missed their signature tatami rooms. Their yellowtail sushi and rolls are, in my opinion, the best in the city.

They have incredibly good Sukiyaki, which is one of my favorite Japanese dishes. A broth/meat stew with fresh vegetables. Very tasty. The place is always very crowded since in the NYU area. Go early, or reserve and plan to wait a bit anyway...

Well priced good sushi hardly ever exists but between 12pm and 5pm (I think) at Japonica you can get a sort of bento box with several options. I usually have a mini salmon donburi, tempura, salad, edamame and fruit for $20 (there are cheaper alternatives for about $13/$14). It is just off Union Square so after a good day of shopping this is a great place for a well earned break.

Japonica has been a fixture on University Place and East 12th St. for many years and it is with good reason. This is a very pleasant restaurant that consistently serves high quality Japanese food. Its Bento boxes for lunch are exceedingly generous. Not only are they filled with a large number of items but the choices abound. Everything is fresh and tasty while the prices are reasonable. I have eaten there many times but only for lunch since this is near my office. It is generally crowded because people do return and like this cheerful and reliable place.

I ate here a couple of years ago and it was really good... tonight, not so much. The salmon was tough , as was the Tuna. I tasted my daughters spicy tuna roll & it was just ok. The house salad came with some type of mayonnaise dressing so we had to ask for ginger dressing. service was good... the fish unfortunately was not. :-/

The food was tasty and very fresh. I had the box lunch special and the amount of food was just right. Service was fast and pleasant. Enjoyable and I will go back.

Food is fresh and delicious. Ask for an apple martini, steamed white rice, sushi is just the best ever. Service is flawless. Great place, authentic,

Delicious food and cheap. The restaurant has excellent infrastructure, location and menu to enjoy, very professional service.

Family and children dined at Japonica. The service is great and we were given a private room due to the two infants. It is truly very relaxing and friendly. I enjoyed the food and the service.

If you want the freshest, most authentic, Tokyo style (extra large fresh fish pieces sliced over small rice cakes) sushi in New York City at moderate prices, in a soothing atmosphere with wonderful service, you cannot go wrong at Japonica. The staff goes out of its way to make you feel at home, the traditional Japanese menu is large and varied, local celebrities and movie stars dip in and out through concealed entrances and exits, while anyone passing through the front door is made to feel right at home. My favorite is to mix it up with many of the daily Bento box offerings that always offer a selection of the day's freshest sushi selections. You cannot wrong here, and you will enjoy the whole experience.

Japonica it is one of a few sushi places left in the village. The fish is very fresh. Normally the chef slices small pieces of delicate fish. Yesterday my colleague and I were served humongous pieces. Some were not even cut properly. He had a sushi lunch and I had a roll and two pieces of sashimi. We both had green salads and green tea. The bill was $64 including tip.

These days there are so many Japanese sushi places, some with very trendy approaches. Japonica is subtle, professional but not overly formal. The service is great and occasionally you will see some subtle humor. Decor is basic. Yes, the seating might be a little tightly spaced. Food quality was great, not overly frou-frou. Thorough menu for even diners who aren't interested in seafood. And the price was pretty reasonable. It is in an area where there are some tacky restaurants so it was nice to see this one stand out as good quality. An article on the bathroom wall referenced a food award, and also that the restaurant first opened in 1979. Not sure of the authenticity though.

It is one of the best Japanese food restaurants in town, not another sushi restaurant. I have been to this restaurant for about 20 years, it is one of my favorites, in Japanese food, I continue to be amazed by delicious creations. I miss the space and the atmosphere with the sushi bar that had in the previous location, the present one is very small and I hope that they move to a bigger one, because the reduced space affects the quality of the time of enjoyment during the meal.   The service is excellent and the prices reasonable.

Always been one of my favorites and it still is. Very NY, small, loud and lots going on. Make a delicious Sukiyaki or Shabu Shabu, meat stew to die for. Delicious!!!

They have a lucnheon speciail box that is a good value and when paired with saki will make your afternoon go quickly. Service very efficient and turnover is quick. Located very conveniently.

Not bad; a cozy little place. But there are so many great sushi places in NYC. Food was average, service slow. I won't be going back.

First, all I eat is cooked Japanese food, and this place is excellent for that: my friends who eat sushi rave about the place: freshness and size. Great staff and service.

Really easy and accessible to get to, we didn't make a reservation and it was a Thursday evening at about 7p so we waited around 15-20 minutes. It was a warm evening so it wasn't a problem but there's nowhere to wait inside so bear that in mind if it's raining! The sushi was really good, the service was excellent and despite it being small and a tight squeeze I would definitely go back

When I lived in NYC, I dined here on average once every other week. I always loved their sushi, as it was fresh, with great taste, and a very wide selection of what you could get. They also had an appetizer of Monkfish Liver, that was so good, and that I have not found anywhere else. I don't miss living in NYC, but I do miss going to Japonica. If you are a lover of sushi, and appreciate quality, you will not be disappointed.

I have been going to Japonica for about twenty years and, by far, it's the best Japanese restaurant I have ever been to. Lunch is delicious, ample and reasonably priced. Perfect for a quick stop over if you are in the village. But the dinner selection is the real star. It's always amazing, very fresh and very inventive. Try fresh sea urchin on a shell and you will feel like you are at Neptune's table. Portions are huge -- tuna sushi looks like the rice ball covered in a baby blanket. We have been coming for so long, that we feel not only like regulars, but like a part of the family.

The fish was absolutely fresh and well prepared. The sashimi was nicely cut fairly thick but extremely buttery and delicious. The service was impeccable and courteous. The hamachi collar was very good.

Thanks to yelp we decided to try Japonica for dinner on Friday. This restaurant is located in Union square and very close to the subway. It was a last minute decision and we did not have any reservations. Our wait time for a table for 2 was about 15 minutes. The place is beautifully decorated in a traditional setting. I liked the decor and felt it was very aligned to their culture. We started off with hot green tea, sauteed mushrooms, vegetarian steamed dumplings and shishito peppers. Shishito peppers is usually our test to see how authentic the sushi place is. Not everyone serves these peppers and surprisingly a lot of sushi places in NY have not even heard about it. The mushroom was absolutely delicious. The peppers has a little punch to it. The dumplings were scrumptious. They were filled with cabbage with gave them a slight crunch. The appetizers came fairly quickly. Then there was a long wait for the main course dishes. I would say the service was a bit slow. We must have waited for longer than 15 minutes for the main dishes. We ordered California King Crab Roll, Lobster Roll and Fire Cracker. All of them were excellent. The fish was very fresh. And the rolls were tasty. Overall we had a very good dining experience. Will definitely come here again. Pricewise It's a bit steep. Our bill was around $90 + tip. The lobster roll is definitely expensive. If you want a truly authentic Japanese experience with good quality food, this is your place.

Don't hesitate! The Beef and Tuna tataki are excellent!nice ambiance and well situated. The Miso soup was not that good and the Tuna tartar very tiny but good

We had an excellent meal for a very good price given the quality and quantity of the food. We both ordered the Bento Box for $27 and had a variety of choices and food to eat. There are a lot of specialty items on the menu as well. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was intimate.

I had a business lunch with 3 other guest here. The place feels crowded, though by NY standards, it is pretty roomy. We had a good waiter who helped us by bringing a platter of assorted Sushi. He did pretty well with his selections, as every item was tasty and fresh. A bit pricey, but for business lunch, it gives the right ambience needed.

This Sushi place has little atmosphere. You sit at tables next to lots of different people....That said, the Sushi is Fresh and Fantastic. Creative rolls and delicious cooked items for those that don't eat raw. Japonica has been around for 25+ years and I always see why. Cannot wait to come back! This place brings in the NYC Jet set who like casual excellent sushi...I have sat next to no less then three movie stars here and some giants of business...just chowing down!

I know this restaurant for almost two decades. They moved to a smaller location but just block far. Actually a bit too small, but it's always Japonica. Great food, friendly service and reasonable prices. It is my favorite Japanese restaurant ever. Just try it, you'll fall in love

Japonica used to be a very good restaurant. For the past year or so it has gone steadily downhill. We have gone there many, many times over the year. Last night will be the last time. My salmon teriyaki was dry and tough. The salmon was low quality. The teriyaki sauce was thin and flavorless. The rice was not hot and dry. My husband had soba with tempura. The soba was okay but bland and the tempura was mediocre. The reason for the slow death of this once excellent Japanese restaurant is unknown. To save money? Lost of interest? Given the lack of customers on a Friday night in this once popular place, we are not the only one who have noticed the decline in quality.

This is a village institution. Although they moved to a smaller space on University Place, the food and service have not diminished. The staff is friendly, professional and always on their game. Sushi and Sashimi are fresh and delicious. Everything I've eaten here has been wonderful. I was a regular when I lived in the Village. It is on the expensive side but well worth it for the freshness and quality. Since I've moved away, I try to get here as often as I can. It is well worth it if you love authentic Japanese food in a pleasant atmosphere.

The food here has usually been good but the service, particularly when calling for takeout has been rude - enough so that you have to consider not calling again.

Our friend, a longtime patron who lives nearby and who is friendly with the staff, may have been responsible for the friendly service we received, but no question that Japonica is a superb place. The sashimi and rainbow rolls were about the best we've ever had. Even though it was a crowded and noisy Saturday night, conversation was still possible. Definitely on the list for a return!

Great little Japanese restaurant with a comprehensive menu and every was prepared fresh on ordering. Decent value for money and a relaxing atmosphere.

decent sushi and better cook food. Don't think I will come back here for sushi, but the Monk fish liver is the best i've had. Would i come back? Maybe if i was in the area but i would rather walk down the block to 15East.

We came across Japonica as a referral from a friend and it did not disappoint! A small place best suited for a max of 4-5 at a table but the sushi and rolls are so fresh and tasty. Attentive and friendly staff, too! On the list to visit again!

Don't let the prices on the menu scare you off. The Sushi sports outsized pieces of fish. The menu has a vast assortment of regular and special fish. There are cooked dishes, but they are not of par with the fish. Dining room is relatively small, but a group can fit up front.

Close to Union Square and the terrific Strand bookstore. Won't break the bank. Go if convenient. Not worth a detour. Won't be over-crowded usually. Won't be noisy which is nice.

PLACE: kitch japanese FOOD: a fish blanket on top a rice pillow PEOPLE: students and foodies CHERRY ON THE CAKE: kobe beef carpaccio GO THERE FOR: best sushi in town

The selections and Lunch menus are outstanding. You can get a quick Sushi Lunch or a Bento Box with your personal choices, or anything in between. Lunch is crowded at peak hours and some groups linger, so go before noon or after 1:30 PM. THE FOOD IS TERRIFIC. THE SERVICE IS FAST, FRIENDLY AND EFFICENT. This is NYC and restaurant choices abound but Japonica is a stand out for Japanese food. Go, enjoy and have a great experience. This is your best chance to try something you have been meaning to try "one day".

Very good good and service.the tuna tar tar was súper yummy. A bit pricey but normal for área. Would go again

We met friends here for dinner on a busy Thursday evening - they live in NYC and we hadnt met for a few years so we had a lot of catching up to do. As a result we probably took longer than we should have to decide what to order but the wait staff were very patient & didnt rush us! We had beautiful tempura vegetables to start and then I had a Japanese beef stew which was delicious and full of flavour. My husband and his friend drank 300mls of sake each, us girls had a glass of wine each. Bill came to $280 - pricey,but it was a nice one off for us. We were back in China town the following evening!

If this restaurant has a negative, it is that the tables are on top of each other so you do hear your neighbors fighting, laughing, talking etc, this place is not for privacy as it is small. That said, their sushi is fabulous and fresh, not cheap but worth every bite. The toro was fantastic as was the madame butterfly roll. They had two types of Uni and we tried all, fantastic and fresh. If you know sushi, this is where you should visit and you may also see a movie star or two.....they all know about this place and dine with the rest of us. Safe travels! NYC

We went there to eat on business. Food is OK. Nothing too special, but fine quality of good. Food is pretty expensive, as expected I guess. We had some kind of issue to get a proper reciept in the end, which ended up poorly.

Every time I come to NYC from the other side of the World, (New Zealand), I'm drawn back to this restaurant and it never disappoints me. I make a point of trying out as many Japanese restaurants as I can when I visit any city or country but I just have to sneak back to this one. The food is consistently great and always tastier than I remember. Service is professional and attentive without being too much. It's a quiet atmosphere and you almost forget you are in NYC. I'm a vegetarian and they do a excellent teriyaki tofu and their dressings are deliciously tasty. The carnivores in the group loved their flesh dishes and dine there regularly. I rate this restaurant as my best for Japanese food styled more traditionally but Kazu in Wellington still nudges out Japonica for best food - fusion yum.

delicious sushis!

not cheap but absolutely one of the best value per money Japanese restaurants in the world and I have lived in Tokyo. recommended to sit on the bar and watch the chef cut the fish for me it is simply zen in motion.

Food are expensive!

Has a long way to go before serving good Japanese food. On the bright side, it has a good atmosphere and good service.

When I am in NYC Japonica is a must every time. They have the best seaweed salad ever, so big and incredibly tastefull!!! Service is very friendlyand they have a menu that also changes. Sushi ad sashimi arealways very fresh and nice, you cannot book and if uou have to waitmax 5mins. Definetively a YES ALWAYS

We went here for dinner based on good reviews from Trip Advisor. We arrived early--about 6:30pm, expecting to wait, but we were seated immediately. We ordered sashimi, and a couple of special rolls. The food was very good, and service was prompt and friendly. The prices were very reasonable for NY. I was actually surprised. We each had a glass of wine, sake, and I think my husband had another wine after that, plus the food, and the bill was about $120. The fish tasted very fresh, and I really liked that the rolls we ordered specifically said there was no mayo inside. The restaurant had a neighborhood hangout vibe. Granted, we were there early, but there were quite a few families in attendance. We were looking for something a little more upscale, but we didn't have any complaints, either. Recommended and a good bargain.

Nice spot for some spot-on sushi. The grilled hamachi appetizer is to die for! Order grilled with salt, not teriyaki. Generous portions. Extremely proficient and friendly staff. Not the best sake selection but not bad either. The atmosphere is casual and not too spiffy but makes for a comfortable dinner out. Won't impress your date unless they value food over ambiance.

Each time i come to New York i try to come and eat at Japonica. Very good, fresh food, impeccable and friendly service. Only negative is prices, which have been following the growing popularity of the restaurant. But still reasonble given th quality of food and service.

If you are in Union Square area on a Sunday, when the better sushi places are closed, this will do nicely. Typical Japanese atmosphere and service but nothing impressive, sushi is quite expensive but good quality. There are better places nearby, but not on Sunday.

The lunch special is the way to go. Plenty of fresh variety with favors that delight within reason price wise. I let my daughter order a la carte, without checking the menu's right side. Rainbow roll--$30!!! She loved it and claimed it was the best she ever had, better b for that price. Service was lovely. Linen napkins. But no hot towels?! Still, would return

Had dinner there while in NY recently. The service was very good - friendly and promptly. The food was decent - good selection of dinner boxes.

I have been eating at Japonica for years...probably over 15. Their selection of fresh fish is fantastic. Not just Toro, also more rare and interesting fish. They have a board when you walk in with "specials" whats in season. They also have sushi meals with a soup or salad. All is fresh and delicious. The staff have worked here for years and while not the most fancy place, I find the sushi good sized and the staff quite knowledgeable. Enjoy, this place is a find!

Haven't been here in many years however still the best sushi in NYC. Fresh, large portions. Excellent service. You won't be disappointed. Make sure to try the BBQ salmon with crunch.

I have eaten sushi all over the City since I live here but I can tell you that this is my favorite. It's only a few blocks from Union Square and the food and atmosphere are awesome. Plus the free glass of plum wine at the end doesn't hurt. If you have a group, make a reservation because it packs in.

Enjoyed a lovely meal with family and friends at Japonica. We were seated at a quiet table near the back of the restaurant. We very much enjoyed delicious salads and a variety of sushi. The bento and combo platters are great value. Beyond sushi there are many hot cooked options. Sometimes it is difficult to go to a Japanese restaurant if not everyone in the party eats sushi but Japonica is highly recommended for sushi and non-sushi eaters alike.

Writing this as an Asian tourist who visits Japan regularly. Pretty authentic and fresh sushi with all the correct flavours. The grilled hamachi was done to perfection with a delicious burnt crust but yet retain all the moisture to remain juicy and succulent . Worth a visit . Service was friendly and accommodating.

The sushi at Japonica is superb! We're lucky enough to live within easy walking distance of the restaurant, and we eat there every few weeks. The fish is fresh and delicious, and the pieces are very large, compared to what one finds in Japan. And the miso soup and green tea are both rich and delicious. I'm sure the other food is excellent, too, but we can rarely resist ordering the Nigiri sushi plus an extra eel roll or the Deluxe sushi.

We recently had an excellent dinner at Japonica located at University Place on 12th Avenue in New York City. Just to wander around the "village" is a treat . This part of New York City feels more like a college town, which in itself can be a refreshing break for people who might be visiting New York or even for folks who live in or near the metropolitan area. We started with a few appetizers: assorted tempura with vegetables and fish. I was impressed by how lightly fried and delicious everything tasted. We also ordered edamame, which was lightly salted and also excellent. Japonica has a special on their menu where you can get soup, salad, a choice of rolls ( I had the California roll) and vegetable (I had a special asparagus dish) and the choice of 5 or 6 items from their menu including sushi for a reasonable price of about $25. My friends ordered the sushi and I had the chicken teriyaki. We also had different kinds of Japanese beer. Everything was excellent however,the night we were there, it was very noisy, so go for the food but don't expect to be able to hear what your guests are saying, but assume that they will be mostly talking about how wonderful their meal is.

It had been 30 years since I last dined here, but my positive memories of Japonica were kept intact by a delightful meal. Yes, they have the standard sushi fare including some great looking rolls. But their specialty dishes are what makes this restaurant so special. Try the seaweed(s) salad... or build your own Bento Box. Efficient, unobtrusive service and a convenient location just two blocks from Union Square makes this a must-try restaurant if you're at all serious about sushi.

We had to wait for a table but it was worth it. Japonica was spot on. I don't eat fish I know I know but they had a great selection of non fish veggie options. The menu is even broken into sections to make it easier. We had the avocado salad with daikon radish amazing. The shitake crunch with avocado amazing and the kamboacha squash roll which was also amazing. I would go back today if I could! So good.

Cozy atmosphere with very good sushi and bento box that makes it a real experience. Small and very clean.

I once took a taxi straight to Japonica for dinner during a 6 hour layover at JFK and was not disappointed. The chirashi is delicious and I’m told the eggplant and tofu dishes are exquisite. This is not westernized sushi. Time to experiment and expand the boundaries of your palate. Sit at the bar, just you, or there are small tables. Good service and it’s not cheap but nothing in nyc seems to be these days.

I've been eating at Japonica since Middle School in the late 1970s. It was among the first places I ever encountered (and ate!) Sushi. Thirty years and two moves later (it recently --September 2014 -- re-located into its original space, albeit modernized), the sushi still shines. Impeccably fresh fish cut and plated with care. The cooked food is much better than average (for example gyoza, age tofu, tempura, sukiyaki), but for me and loads of other fans Japonica is all about the fish. Inventive and special maki rolls made with seasonal seafood are also wonderful (late spring heralds Japonica's "Softshell Crab Roll" season). The new space is small and can get tight with a wait, but the friendly service, lovely fish keeps me going back and I have no problem eating early (to avoid crowds).

Great staff, we were warmly welcomed. We were there for lunch. Wonderful dishes, excellent fish and homemade ice cream for dessert. Highly recommended if you are in the Union Square area.

Great SUSHI! one of the best I had. Plum wine is tasty!

It is expensive, but worth it. Too bad can't be the place where you could afford to go very often these days....! The owner is a very nice person as well as the rest of the staff.

We love to eat at the sushi bar, Japonica has VERY GOOD food First the green salad is good! I love the abury sushi, the fish is a bit cooked... The service is very very good We eat at Japonica once a week, I think that should tell you how much we like it

Love this place, venue, staff & food. The seating is very compact, you have enough room but very close to other tables so you can't really have privacy. I ordered a Kirin & the chicken teriyaki entree with salmon appetizer. You get miso soup & a lovely fragrant side salad with & a piece of pineapple. All amazing!

I have been going to the same restaurant for the past 31 years. Fantastic food albeit quite expensive. The the service and the food is fantastic in this understated restaurant. If you want to have a no frills good meal that's the best place to go

Where do I start??? I had been bragging about the place to a friend. So we went. I had eaten at Japonica since it opened at least once a week or more for about 20 years. But then I moved out of the city and hadn't been there in 20 years. BOY was I in for a huge disappointment. Akiko, the owner (who I knew as she and her husband lived across the hall from me) was always the gracious hostess and made sure the place ran smoothly. You were always greeted with smiles from every staff member. The Sushi bar was great - about 15" long and so delightful to sit there. The Sushi was fabulous. Thick pieces of glorious fish. NOW, the sushi bar is gone... replaced with a tiny melamine counter which was sagging. We were greeted with a sourpuss on the guy running the place. We sat in a wooden booth with thin cushions - more on that. The waitress was quite dour. And she corrected me on pronunciation. I have been eating sushi for twice as long as she is alive. THEN a ROACH on the table (which came from under the cushion on the seat. OMG. The horrible thing after seeing that was that the staff didn't blink an eye!!! AND didn't even offer any apology much less anything re the bill. To say I was disgusted is putting it mildly. Apparently Akiko is returning from Japan in September. Hope she does something about it all. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

For 6 travelling Australians staying in Union Square, we dropped into Japonica on a Wednesday night, queued for a table, and while we waited, chatted to locals in the line up, all who loved this place, ate there regularly and some had travelled specifically to get there : one couple who come weekly from the upper East side right down to E 12 th St to eat there and swear its the best Japanese in New York City. For us, it was crowded, noisy and rushed, but the food was authentic and fresh and we enjoyed it. Our waiter was friendly and efficient but it's not a restaurant to linger in or for a quiet meal : I guess most would eat and move on to their movie, show, band or bowling next door! Recommended, but with the above proviso.

Everything about this place was good - the food, the freebies, and the polite nature of the staff. The decor and atmosphere are on par with other Japanese restaurants, and so is the general service. First let's talk freebies - the salad that came with the meal is the biggest I've seen across all the Japanese restaurants I've ever been to. The dressing was great - I finished the whole thing. A freebie, good sized portion of free tuna was given to me and my friend. It was VERY good. Then at the end of the meal we were offered a free taste of Japanese wine. Second - the food. My friend and I both had Sukiyaki. It was very very good - good size, great mix of ingredients (Chinese cabbage, beef, mushrooms, tofu, noodles). Third - there is no third. You don't need to know anything but GO! It got pretty busy at about 730-ish on a Friday night, so either opt to sit at the bar for a (hopefully) shorter wait, or expect to wait.

I've been traveling to NYC for school and then business since 1979 ... I only eat sushi at Japonica on University .... enough said !

I went with colleagues and got surprised about the high quality of the food. I ask even a dish out from the menu and they prepared it for me. Great service, I'll come back!

I love Japonica. The staff is very nice. And the sushi very good. There are also many options (e.g., brown rice on your maki/sushi). The only downside is that the ambiance is slightly lacking. But for the prices and quality, the ambiance can be overlooked.

Pleasant atmosphere and good location, however very untasty. For such prize i expect the chef to be able to cook. But everything what we ordered could barely taste worst.Therefore only 2 stars.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. The food is fresh and well prepared. I am a big fan of the sushi. The service is efficient and the ambiance is cozy. The place is a bit on the pricey side, but I think it's well worth it.

nice food and service.

In the Village, something for everyone, had a whole tableful of people and all left happy and full. Good service.

This is a very nice relatively inexpensive sushi restaurant in the village. The food is well presented and it has a very nice relaxed atmosphere. great place to have lunch and the combination lunch boxes are great value and a great intro to sushi for beginners. We have been there many times over the last four years and will be going back.

Always appreciate visiting a restaurant when i am always recognized (even though I visit infrequent). My beverage awaits me at my table and above all I am never rushed. Food is outstanding, you don't need to hear that from me... their reputation proceeds it's self. Highly recommended, especially to the particular diner.

Their lunch box is great so is the tempura. The service may not be that efficient. If you are in a hurry, this may not be the right place. But if you want to find a great japanese restaurant with good environment, this is the one!!

The interior is a bit beaten up and tired, though that seems to be the way of things around this studenty part of town. The food and service, however, are amazing. Girlfriend had a bento box while I went for the sushi/sashimi mix. The rice-ratios were spot on and everything was incredibly fresh and prepared with care. The service was good with staff being attentive and pleasant. An excellent sushi experience.

My daughter and I went to Japonica based on TA reviews two weeks ago. We ate an early dinner, so we didn't have to wait in line. MJust a few minutes after we qwere seated, the place got really busy....always a good sign for a NYC resturant. We love sushi rolls mostly and leave the "hardcore" sushi to others. The food was excellent. Miso soup that actually had flavor and the rolls were terrific, well presented and very tasty. We are also saki newbies, so got a suggestion for a beginner's saki from the waiter that turned out to be quite good. Prices were very reasonable for NYC. I'm looking forward to going back next time with my son who is voracious with all types of sushi. Highly recommended.

This might be one of the earliest Sushi restaurants I ever ate at, going back to the late 1980's! It is crowded, a little chaotic, but the meal -- whether lunch or dinner is fantastic. As corny as it sounds, their lunch bento box is the best I have ever had. When my daughter had her first job in NY, it was right on University and we always ate there and had a great time.

Our first night in NY was spent wandering around the Village and finishing with a great meal at Japonica. The menu is extensive, food fresh and delicious. The bento box is excellent value. Japonica is well priced for NY.

with a few business friends, we had the sushie on the floor in the special place, this is really the best place in NY.

... for quality, service, price-to-value equation. With so many Japanese restaurants in New York (and many decent ones), this remains THE ONE I always go back to when I want the best. I yet have to be disappointed.

There are many Japanese restaurants in NY but Japonica stands out in Greenwich Village. I eat there about once a week and I am always delighted with the freshness and quality of the ingredients served with great care in the presentation. The staff is invariably friendly. It tends to be crowded since it is such a popular restaurant and they rarely accept reservations. But if you are lucky you can even spot Alec Baldwin at the bar .... Last night I selected "rainbow sushi" (picture) and my friends their exquisite and plentiful "chirashi".

Most of the places that deliver sushi/sashimi in NYC are usually pretty blah. Was VERY pleasantly surprised by Japonica. Delicious sashimi.

From the outside, Japonica is nothing special. The restaurant looks like your standard, no-frills sushi place, which was why I was shocked to discover such an over-priced menu. However, I had heard the food was amazing, and my passion for food won out over the steep cost. My friend and I luckily snagged a table along the windows facing out onto University Place, offering great people-watching. The service was extremely attentive. We started with two appetizers: the monkfish foie gras and grilled yellowtail collar. The foie gras was definitely an acquired taste with a strong, tangy flavor. The fish collar was moist, flaky, and spectacular. I also ordered an eel roll and a fried spicy chopped salmon roll. The eel roll was very bland, and the fried exterior of the salmon roll added a greasy flavor. I also tried a piece of sea urchin sushi, which was pretty tasty. My friend, however, ordered the Chirashi, which turned out to be a massive bowl of rich and some of the freshest sashimi I have ever tasted. At $27, it was probably the best deal on the menu. I would definitely recommend Japonica for traditional sushi at an occasional splurge of a price. Also, order anything but the rolls, which is what you should do at any real Japanese place anyway.

This was one of the best sushi places I have encountered. I would say it is up there with my favorite NYC restaurants.

Excellent food and excellent service. Get there before 5:30pm because it gets crowded!

I was introduced to Japonica back in the early 1990's by one of my aunts. And I have been a die-hard ever since. I would eat here two to three times a month and it was awesome every time! Recently Japonica moved into a much smaller spot which was it's original location. However, I like the other location better. The new/old spot was hard to find. I walked pass it twice and still missed it. I had to call and have someone come out to wave so I can find it. There is a lot less seats and it is not as cozy either. But the food was just as amazing as ever! My tempura appetizer was delicious. My favorite is the inside out Hama-Pena roll. The salmon sashimi was very fresh and the size was about three times as large as any other sushi place. I ordered four pieces which is the equivalent of 12-15 pieces anywhere else. I move out of New York City over five years ago so on every trip back, Japonica is at the top of the list of places that I must go eat at. Right after I landed, checked into my hotel, I was in an Uber heading to Japonica!

We went to Japonica on Jul. 2011, and we had a great impression: a huge list of sushi and many other different dishes. We went with our daughter and our child (at that time 1 year old), and we had a good impression also for the hospitality. Prices are ok. We'll definitely come back nex time!

They do not take reservation, but we were seated quickly. The wait staff was efficient and helpful. The menu is large and varied. I loved the atmosphere, not too loud. Overall I had a great experience and look forward to going back!

The last time I was here was exactly three years ago. This is my #1 go to Japanese restaurant. This old school place is so much better than all the commercialized fusion nonsense stuff that so many so called wannabe celebrity chefs serve. My sashimi deluxe platter was awesome. Every piece of fish was fresh and huge. The salmon and yellow-tail were especially delicious. My Hama-Peno roll really hit the spot with the Jalapeno peppers sliced into the roll. And of course my Ikura sushi popped in my mouth with each bite. If anyone is looking for truly a great sushi/sashimi experience, this is the place to find it. I can't wait until my next trip to New York City because Japonica is the first place I would go to for a great meal.

The sushi here is really nicely presented and there is a huge variety. I have Gyoza's and they were really delicoius. My boyfriend had a sushi roll and was equally impressed. Nice area dn very cosy setting. Recomended.