TORA NYC

“Ordered takeout - for 2 spicy salmon rolls and great miso soup was only ~$20! It was ready in 10 minutes, friendly staff, beautiful space, and smells just incredible. There is a small patio seating area out front. They also have a full bar. 10/10!”

“Had two wonderful dinners within a week while visiting Brooklyn. Tried different items in the menu and they are consistently good. Good sake too. Highly recommend making reservation to prevent disappointment. We've tried the sashimi plate, miso black cod, pork jowl and beef short ribs yakitori. The cucumber salad and scallop salad are also worthy of praise. Definitely coming back on my next trip.”

“Went to TORA NYC recently and decided to order takeout, but even from that short experience the hospitality stood out. While we were waiting, they offered us water and were really welcoming, which already left a good impression. The space itself looks beautiful modern, intimate, and definitely feels like the kind of place that would make a really nice date spot. We ordered three dishes: the Yokan Roll, Negichutoro Don, and Gyudon. The Yokan Roll was a really nice example of how modern sushi rolls balance texture and richness. Inside was spicy salmon and cucumber, and it was topped with lightly seared salmon, mentaiko sauce, tempura flakes, and tobiko. The seared salmon added a gentle smokiness while still keeping that soft buttery texture salmon naturally has. The mentaiko sauce, made from seasoned pollock roe that’s widely used in Japanese cuisine, brought a creamy, briny umami flavor that paired really well with the fish. Tobiko added those signature little bursts of saltiness, and the tempura flakes gave a light crunch that balanced the richness of the sauce and salmon. It was a well constructed roll where each topping actually had a purpose. We also got the Negichutoro Don, which had minced medium fatty bluefin tuna over rice. In sushi terminology, tuna is categorized by fat content akami being lean, chutoro the medium fatty section, and otoro the richest cut from the belly. Chutoro tends to be the sweet spot because it has enough fat to be buttery while still keeping that clean ocean flavor. The texture here was incredibly soft and almost melt-in-your-mouth. Negitoro as a dish traditionally mixes minced tuna with scallions, since the word “negi” literally means scallion. The tuna quality here was great and the texture was amazing, but I do think it could be elevated slightly. If the scallions were minced and mixed into the toro instead of sitting on top it would distribute the flavor more evenly. A little shredded nori could add some aroma from the sea, and honestly avocado would pair really nicely with the richness of the tuna. The Gyudon was probably the most comforting dish we ordered. Gyudon has a long history in Japan and became popular in the late 19th century as a quick, affordable rice bowl. Thinly sliced beef is simmered in a sweet savory broth that’s very similar to sukiyaki sauce, usually made with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sometimes dashi. The beef absorbs that slightly sweet umami flavor as it cooks. Here it was served over rice with scallions, sesame seeds, and an onsen egg. Once everything was mixed together, the egg yolk coated the rice and beef and brought everything together. The sauce, beef, and egg created that rich silky texture that makes gyudon such a comforting dish. Even though we only ordered takeout, that level of service was noticeable. Overall the food was really good and thoughtfully prepared. The fish quality was great, the bowls were comforting, and the hospitality stood out even in a quick takeout experience. The restaurant itself looks like a really nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal, so we’ll definitely be coming back to dine in next time.”

“Everything about this experience was fantastic, start to finish. I went on a frigid Monday night with a roommate after we decided we both needed to get out for a walk, a bite and some girl talk. Greeted as soon as we stepped inside the small but cozy space, we were offered a choice of table and sat promptly. The menus are very cool- tactile and printed on a heavy, shiny card stock with an elegant, clean design. Bar menu had some beautiful renderings of drinks. The food menu is extensive so it took a while for us to review and decide, but we never felt rushed to order. I had a drink- The Bushwick Bay - which was elegantly presented, delicious and well rounded. Roomie had a pot of chamomile tea that she shared with me, but they offered several choices. For an appetizer we shared the Tuna Tartare- perfection! Warned that it came medium spicy, it was very well put together and delectable, not overwhelming heat, garnished with micro greens and an edible flower. The seaweed chips inside the puffy rice chips was a really nice touch, and the color of the seaweed added depth to an already great dish. Then the mains- she got ramen which she seemed to enjoy, though I’m not sure which one she decided upon. I got a couple more apps- the crispy tuna which was absolute perfection and the corn ribs dusted in Parmesan which were good. Service was excellent, friendly and chill, and the cold weather was kept at the door, blocked by a heavy, blue curtain. There is a small bar you can also sit at, maybe next time. Overall, I was super happy with the experience and can’t wait to go back and order more from the long list of offerings!”

“This is my third time eating at Tora, and I have genuinely never had a bad experience here, in fact, every experience has been amazing. The first time I came here, I had the tonkotsu ramen and my partner had the negichutoro don, both of which were great. The ramen surprised me so much, I haven't had a bowl that I love in New York as much of this one when it comes to noodle texture and broth depth and flavor. We also had the hamachi crudo, which is fresh and excellent, and is highlighted by the yuzu truffle vinaigrette. The second time I came here I had ramen again hehe, but we also got a grilled mackerel which was grilled to perfection and could have been an entree instead of an appetizer with just a side of rice for the generous portion. We also tried the mentaiko pasta which was great, but honestly not our favorite when it came to the balancing of flavors; it was a bit too rich. This time around, we got our favorite: the hamachi crudo again :) We also got the truffle wagyu ramen which lacked a little depth in the middle of the bite, but the quality of the beef and the broth were great. I also got the chashudon which was the perfect comfort food on a cold day when I wanted a filling meal. Overall, I absolutely love this place and I hope that it starts to get more business!! But not so much that I can't get a table haha. Not every dish is for everyone, but I love getting to come here and try something new every time, knowing that at the very least it's going to be good and at its best be amazing. The service is exceptional and caring, and the drinks are great too. Definitely recommend this place to anyone I know in the Bushwick area and I hope this review convinces you to give it a try :)”