Restaurants We Know You Want to Put on Your Radar: Nakaji and Bar at Nakaji

As long as you’re not this whackadoo from Westchester, we think you’ll understand the beauty of eating sushi straight from the hand of a chef. That’s why we’re giving a shout out to Chef Kunihide “Nakaji” Nakajima’s new two in one Chinatown escape, Nakaji and Bar at Nakaji.

The first thing you’ll notice about this spot on 48 Bowery is that you won’t notice it. It’s got a whole Jabba the Hut Palace kind of feel where unless you know what’s behind the entranceway, you may walk right by. But if you trust that we’ve given you the right address, and look for the light box, you’ll see there’s a discreet operation waiting for your company.

There is a restaurant beyond the wall, we promise. Photo: Melissa Hom

Chef Nakajima previously held the title of Executive Chef of Sushi Inoue in Harlem, which was awarded a Michelin-star because he knows all about that fine dining life. And because he knows the exact fish he wants, he’s going to be working with several fish markets including Tokyo’s Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Markets, as well as the New Fulton Fish Market in the Bronx. Here, guests will be treated to Edomae-style sushi, which traces its roots to Tokyo, and is available via a 12 piece/$165 per person tasting menu that comes with a starter and dessert. If you find yourself looking at that price tag and saying, hey that’s not baller enough, don’t worry. There’s a $195 per person offering too which adds sashimi and hot and cold apps on top of everything else. And really if you’r dining at Nakaji, why not go big? Dishes like stewed abalone and a grilled seasonal fish make up a few of the seasonal starters that kick off your meal quite nicely, while the current omakase menu includes wild bluefin otoro, wild jackfish, and sea urchin.

Nakaji offers two different 12 piece sushi omakase menus in its main dining room Photo: Nakaji

But part of the reason we’re profiling this new spot is because we KNOW some people cannot get past those price tags, and for those who would rather something more casual, the Bar at Nakaji is going to be the right fit. Here, you can order sushi a la carte and small plates . You’ve also got Suntory Toki Whiskey Highballs on tap, and a cocktail list highlighted by Asian ingredients like roasted green tea and shiso bitters. There’s even a cocktail omakase for $30 where you can get three 3 ounce cocktail tastings based on what you tell your bartender.

Cocktail omakase? Yea we’re into that. Photo: Melissa Hom

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30PM to 12:00AM. Reservations are needed for the chef’s counter, which offers seatings in different time spots from 5:30PM to 6:30PM and 8:30PM to 9:30PM. At Bar at Nakaji, reservations are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Reservations can be booked via Resy. Take a peak below at what you’ll find beyond the wall.

Chef Nakaji at this newly opened restaurant, Nakaji Photo: Melissa Hom

Eat fish with your hands if you want to stay O.G. Photo: Nakaji

Smoke’ em if you got em am I right? Photo: Melissa Hom

A look at the chef’s counter at Nakaji. Photo: Melissa Hom