The idea behind Ootoya is to introduce the world to Japanese home cooking – meals that are eaten in real Japanese households on an everyday basis. In other words, not the sushi and sashimi most people associate is the beginning and end of Japanese cuisine. There are now 2 Ootoyas in NYC, which speaks to the popularity and success they’ve found here.

For most of the entrees, you can elect to get it teishoku style or a la carte. The teishoku or meal style comes with a bowl of miso soup, pickles, and egg custard. I got the mini soboro don which is minced chicken with egg served over rice. This tasted so homey and comforting. Sometimes, I find the sweet soy sauce used in Japanese cooking to be too sweet, but I think it was very balanced here. I licked my bowl clean.

The rosu katsu ju is fried pork loin wrapped in layer of egg custard, also served on top of rice. The pork is cooked in dashi, so it’s very flavorful.

Despite Ootoya’s very limited dessert menu, the anmitsu matcha is great. It’s a conglomeration of agar jelly, shiratama (mochi), red bean, and green tea ice cream all sitting in soymilk with a side of kuromitsu brown sugar syrup to pour on top. The elements were wonderful together except for the kuromitsu, which I found too cloying. We left it unpoured.

Ootoya has a really extensive menu full of yummy sounding choices, so anyone interested in Japanese food should come back with me to try more of it.

Ootoya

8 W 18th St (btw Avenue Of The Americas & 5th Ave) New York, NY 10011