Sake Bar Asoko

“THE best bar in NYC!!!!! Hands down!!! Great staff with THE best style. Attentive, fast and knowledgeable. Great date spot. Ask CHO and Ariana to teach you the secret handshake, it will make your night.”

“It was our first visit to this lively and intimate sake bar last night. They have a wide variety of sake and delicious Izakaya dishes. We had karage, seared scallops, quail eggs, tofu dashi, pork shabu, yellow tail and salmon sashimi and they were all yummy and authentic. The bar’s design is cool including an old nintendo display and cute Japanese manga stuff reminding us of Tokyo (we visited Japan a few rimes). The founders (the Chos) were friendly and attentive (they are husband and wife)! So happy to see them in their own establishment since we also like the Sake Bar Decibel (they are the alums).”

“Sake Bar Asoko is the closest I’ve felt to being back in Japan without leaving New York. It has that warm, cozy izakaya vibe where the moment you walk in, you instantly relax. The food is incredible. Every dish feels thoughtfully made and totally craveable and the sake selection is just outstanding. The salmon and yellow tail sashimi is the best I’ve had anywhere. The service is just as special. Arianna and Cho who are the co-owners are so welcoming and genuinely friendly, and Yuri’s food is exceptional. You can really feel the care that goes into everything here. They are also so knowledgeable about sake and guide you to get the perfect bottle. It’s one of those rare places that doesn’t just serve great food and drink it actually feels like home. Cute, intimate, and absolutely transporting. If you miss Japan, or just want a place with heart and amazing sake, Asoko is perfect.”

“Again. If anyone reads my reviews - I only post for places I love and leave the rest to weed themselves out. I’m beyond thankful that Sake Bar Asoko landed in Chinatown! It’s a scrappy operation in all the greatest ways that makes Chinatown / lower east side still a destination spot for anyone who wants to still feel the last remnants of a truly authentic experience in New York. As I eat more and more at different places, as a chef and restaurant owner, I will always care deeply about the quality of the food and drink. But what I really deeply care about is a sense of hospitality. Luckily, they have both. A small yet attentive team (it was a packed house and only 3 visible people working, 2 of which were the owners) and yet they didn’t skip a beat. My friend and I felt welcomed and cared for every step of the way. The sake? Consider it a sommeliers dream (for sake). Smoky. Sweet. Earthy. Crazy funky and out of left field. Hard to find and approachable. They had it all. And tried it all. This place is 100% worth any seat you can get. Stand if you have to. Take any spot you can - because it’s worth it. Really. It’s my new stop in spot - a perfect place if your friend is visiting NYC and you, like me, lack real planning skills but still want to show your guests a truly NYC experience - just go here. No frills. No gimmicks. Just good good good.”

“Big fan of this spot although it’s clearly a favorite of many others as well. Food is simple izakaya style but does the job, especially the Karaage. Sakes are diverse and tasty. Love the vibes”