SakaMai

Name: SakaMai
Address: 157 Ludlow St., New York, NY, United States, 10002
Telephone: (646) 590-0684
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5

336 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary Asian

Top Tags:

Creative Japanese cuisine by internationally-celebrated chef, Takanori Akiyama. We also offer an extensive sake & shochu selection, rare Japanese whiskies, and original Japanese-inspired craft cocktails.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary Asian, Japanese, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Monday - Thursday: 6:00pm - 11:00pm Friday - Saturday: 6:00pm-11:30pm Sunday: 5:30pm-10:30pm
Phone number
(646) 590-0684
Website
http://www.sakamai.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Takanori Akiyama
Catering
Please contact us for catering. Please visit sakamai.com/catering<br />or email: reserve@sakamai.com
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, SakaMai can accommodate all your special event needs. Please contact us at reserve@sakamai.com for more information.
Private party contact
Alice Chang: (844) 274-9214

Location
157 Ludlow St., New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood
Lower East Side
Cross street
Stanton
Parking details
None
Public transit
F/M/J/Z trains at the Delancey St / Essex St Station. M9, M14A, M15, M15 SBS
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

Saba Jerky$7.00
smoked mackerel jerky
Kani Monaka$12.00
dungeness crab, mochi wafers, avocado puree, dashi vinegar gelee
Ramen Potato Salad$8.00
tonkotsu potato, pork char siu, soy boiled egg, menma, scallion
Mochi Isobe Yaki$6.00
natto butter, dried soy sauce, nori
Ankimo$9.00
steamed monkfish liver, smoked takuan pickles, ponzu, grated chili daikon, kyoto scallion

Sashimi

Sashimi Platter*
5 types of sashimi
- 10pc$38.00
Shigoku Oysters*
- per pc$4.00
Bluefin Tuna*
- Toro (5pc)$28.00
- Akami (5pc)$18.00
Japanese Seabream*
- 5pc$18.00
Amberjack*
- 5pc$18.00
Salmon*
- 5pc$18.00

Vegetables

Shishito Peppers$9.00
smoked Maldon sea salt, lime
Spicy Cucumber$11.00
whole Japanese cucumber, spicy sesame soy, crispy onion, kelp
Kari Kari Crispy Salad$16.00
nappa cabbage, crispy baby sardines, fried potato, fried maitake mushroom, parmigiano-reggiano, sesame dressing
Charred Broccolini$12.00
parmesan crisp, charred soy sauce, shichimi
Kabu Truffle$18.00
baked hakurei turnip, truffle, yuzu miso, flax seed

Seafood

Egg on Egg on Egg*$19.00
sea urchin, sturgeon caviar, scrambled egg
Ikura Tofu*$12.00
salmon caviar, homemade tofu, pickled wasabi stem, yuzu zest
Grilled Octopus$18.00
gochujang pepper, watermelon radish, frisée, shio kombu
Sake Steamed Mussels$18.00
garlic dashi soy, chive, toast
Shi Chimichurri Hokke$17.00
grilled atka mackerel, kuro shichimi, baby watercress

Meat

Kakuni Sliders$15.00
Mugifuji pork belly, karashi mustard, tomato, frisée, shiso, brioche
Beef Tartare*$22.00
bone marrow, red miso, crispy maitake mushroom, horseradish
Kara-age Fried Chicken$14.00
harissa soy vinaigrette, brûléed lemon
Dry-Aged Duck Breast$16.00
lollipop kale, ginger scallion soy
Miyazaki Wagyu Katsu Sando$85.00
6 oz A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef cutlet sandwich

Sizzling Plate

Ibérico Pork Steak$48.00
pluma ibérica de bellota, sweet onion soy, jalapeño sauce, ponzu
Filet Mignon Steak$36.00
butter poached 6 oz filet, sweet onion soy, jalapeño sauce, ponzu
Wagyu Hamburger Steak$28.00
American Wagyu, sweet onion soy, jalapeño sauce, ponzu
Dry-Aged Tomahawk Steak$108.00
28 oz bone-in rib eye, sweet onion soy, jalapeño sauce, ponzu
Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Steak$85.00
6 oz A5 wagyu strip loin, sweet onion soy, jalapeño sauce, ponzu

Sizzling Plate Supplements

Shropshire Blue Cheese$9.00
Foie Gras$20.00
Bone Marrow$9.00

Rice and Noodle

Wagyu & Uni Hand Roll**$24.00
A5 Miyazaki wagyu, sea urchin, shiso, nori seaweed, wasabi
Bluefin Tuna Hand Roll*$12.00
chopped tuna, scallion, nori seaweed, wasabi
Madai Hand Roll*$12.00
chopped seabream, shiso, shio konbu, nori seaweed, wasabi
Kanpachi Hand Roll*$12.00
chopped amberjack, yuzu pepper, scallion, nori seaweed, wasabi
Cha Soba Salad$18.00
green tea soba noodle, sesame soy dressing, tomato, avocado, cucumber, corn, walnuts, nori
Uni Mazemen*$32.00
temomi ramen noodle, sea urchin, bone marrow, bottarga
Gindara Don*$27.00
miso black cod, egg mousse, potato mousse, koshihikari rice, shiso, shio konbu, sesame seed, miso soup, japanese pickles
Truffle Toro Tekka Don*$38.00
bluefin toro, truffle, soy egg yolk, koshihiari rice, miso soup, japanese pickles
Wagyu Curry$24.00
potato purée, eggplant, tomato, shishito peppers

Dessert

Mochi Parfait$9.00
mascarpone gelato, hazelnut, almonds, chocolate, corn flakes
Black Sesame Crème Brûlée$9.00
matcha-almond tuile
Yogurt Crèmet D'Anjou$9.00
mixed berry sauce, kuromitsu black sugar sauce
Gelato / Sorbet Trio$9.00
choose three: dark chocolate, mascarpone, grapefruit-campari, mango

After Dinner Drinks

Aged & Specialty Sake

2.5 oz

Hanahato Kijoshu 8y$18.00
rich and sweet, with full caramel from extensive aging
Hakkaisan Kijoshu$10.00
2014 vintage, clean and light, with a burst of sweetness and dry finish
Kamoizumi "Sachi" I7y$21.00
17-year aged Junmai Ginjo sake with deep flavors of plum and molasses
Tamagawa "Time Machine 1712"$15.00
brewed to a recipe recorded in 1712, fabulously sweet but no cloying
Nanbu Bijin "All Koji"$13.00
brewed only with kome-koji, this sake is sweet with balanced umami

Japanese Tea

Hojicha$7.00
Japanese roasted green tea, smoky flavor with low caffeine
Sobacha$7.00
toasted buckwheat tea, nutty and naturally caffeine free

What 336 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5

4.5 based on all time ratings

4.5Food
4.4Service
4.3Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

S
Sat0707
San Francisco
17 reviews
vip
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on June 29, 2018
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food amazing!!!! Service was also great!!
AF
AbeF
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 23, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely delicious! The egg on egg on egg was amazing and the wagyu sandwich melts in your mouth!
M
Michael
New York Area
30 reviews
3.0
30 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2018
overall3food4service3ambience3
After we ordered they told us they ran out of RICE! Of all things in a Japanese restaurant! 😂😂😂
DL
DhimiterL
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing, the staff was super helpful and friendly. The food was to die for.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on June 15, 2018
overall1food5service3ambience2
Date- we were sitting by the corner next to the curtain. Our candle light was caught on the curtain. They had to throw water to take the fire out....
E
Ezio
New York Area
31 reviews
vip
4.0
31 reviews
Dined on June 6, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience3
Food is more American than Japanese, service is good, price is fair. But, does not have coat check.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2018
overall3food3service3ambience3
It’s only few people on a Thursday night, quiet and quick
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2018
overall2food2service1ambience3
One of the worst experiences i had in NYC resturants. Asked if the chef could boil some plain ramen, the waiter said no. Askes if they had toothpicks, they gave us bamboo sticks for sliders, saying this was the only thing they had. The food is mediocre at best, I have much better japanese food, especially sashimi, in Shanghai and tokyo. It was generally overpriced, though the plating was aesthetic. DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place! Definitely coming again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience5
We love sakamai and have been here a few times! The food, service and ambiance are amazing. The only complaint I have this past dining experience is when we ordered 1 carafe serving size of sake and when we ordered a second carafe serving, we were not offered if we want to upgrade to the bottle as promised at the beginning of the order.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 4, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience5
日本にいるような感じがするくらいクオリティが高く、お料理も丁寧で美味しかったです。
NB
NessaB
New York Area
61 reviews
vip
4.0
61 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2018
overall4food5service5ambience5
I enjoyed a lovely meal with a friend at the bar at SakaMai. We started with the AMAZING egg on egg on egg (a sea urchin shell stuffed with delicate scrambled eggs, and topped with twin streaks of sea urchin roe and caviar.) I could eat several dozen more of these... We also shared the duck breast (delicious but teensy), the monkfish liver, the kara age (feather-light japanese fried chicken) and the beef tartare with marrow bones. We sampled a wide range of excellent sake as well, and a couple of excellent cocktails. Very peaceful atmosphere, nice decor, super clean, excellent friendly servers. Highly recommended!
KA
KADOCHV
London
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on April 29, 2018
overall1food1service1ambience1
Horrible service They don’t speak English The dishes are awful, not at all Japanese food!!! Not tasty , and very expensive I don’t recommend this restaurant
RS
RyokoS
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 26, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service. Exciting dishes. Wonderful atmosphere. Great Sake selections.
f
flyinhawaiian
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 19, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful just wonderful.
C
Cynthia
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 14, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious Japanese fusion dishes. Egg on Egg on Egg is my favorite. Amazing flavor!! Also recommend duck breast and pork steak! I believe all kinds of meat are cooked just perfectly!
J
Jeff
New York Area
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on April 10, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience4
Like SakaGura in midtown, this place is a high-end izakaya that specializes in sake. It's still worth going even if you're not into sake, but the sake menu is about a mile longer than the food menu, which is actually pretty thin. For an izakaya, I'd expect a few more "small bites" or shareable dishes - there are only about 6 of the former, and fewer of the latter. That said, the food they do have is pretty authentic and tasty, with some western fusion elements. My wife, who is from Japan, got the uni mazemen (it was the reason she wanted to go), which even she was surprised came with the marrow still in the bone, to be scooped out by the diner and mixed on the plate. This is a typical Japanese combination of ingredients but not typical Japanese presentation. I got the filet mignon, which was prepared simply but served with three sauces, two of which were Japanese (the third was jalapeno). It was very tender, though.
EN
EveNYC
New York Area
57 reviews
vip
4.0
57 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience4
Very good food, on the expensive side! Cocktails are great, wine list could be better. Excellent restaurant Lower East side where we can hear each other!!!! 😊
RW
RebeccaW
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 7, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely restaurant with creative, delicious options. I have visited three times and never been disappointed. A little pricy, but very high quality.
D
Daniel
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 31, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
By far the best Sushi I have ever had! Hamachi was awesome!!! A MUST TRY!
A
Aaron
New York Area
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on March 25, 2018
overall2food1service1ambience1
The uni not even fresh, and the truffle rice just gave us a little truffle
Y
Yeser
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 25, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place has an amazing atmosphere and an out of this world food and service the A5 wagyu beef sandwich is like nothing else I've ever had and I'm always on a look out for A5 wagyu or Kobe beef and this is one of my top three places to have wagyu ,the chef really knows what he is doing and I can't wait to go back again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Mexico City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 22, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic, purely fantastic
EW
ElizabethW
Denver
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 17, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was a great spot to have dinner with a few friends that were in from out of town! We absolutely loved the little secluded booth we had. The sake was delicious, and all the fish was as fresh as can be. Not to mention our server was friendly and very attentive.
JJ
JJlovesNY
New York Area
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 16, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of my favorite restaurants!!!!!!
LG
LanG
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience2
I love the food and the presentation. The service is very good and it’s not as noisy as most restaurants in NYC. You can actually have a nice conversation without speaking out loud.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
vip
2.0
1 review
Dined on February 24, 2018
overall2food2service2ambience4
I was served cold steak 😑
m
marcelaf
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 24, 2018
overall4food3service5ambience5
The room that was booked was perfect. The service was great but the food, although very good, was not enough and a bit pricey.
YA
YaAnnie
New York Area
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
really tasty food！Love the uni dishes very much. This is the first time that I think the sashimi is delicious！
AL
ALEXG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 18, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Awsome food and qualified staff. HIgh quality products such as food and saké. Thx for the great night!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is my second visit to SakaMai, and it remains one of the best restaurants I have eaten in the last 12 months. The service is amazing, knowledgeable, not overbearing, and the food is unique, tasty, rich. Umi and bone marrow aren't for everyone, but I do believe this can be a great introduction to these foods. The charred Broccolini is to die for. I dream of it.
YA
YaAnnie
New York Area
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2018
overall5food5service4ambience4
Uni dishes are fully recommend to all the people who willing to go to the restaurant.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food. Loved the uni egg and uni ramen!!! Very good service and great plum wine! Definitely one of my favorite spots in New York City:)
OT
OpenTable Diner
Yorkshire
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2018
overall5food5service5ambience5
We really enjoyed our Valentine's tasting menu meal tonight. Beautiful, tasty food, great service from attentive knowledgable servers and a lovely ambience. Would highly recommend!!
M
M100
San Francisco
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2018
overall1food1service5ambience4
I have eaten at SakaMai multiple times and going for the Valentine's dinner really kind of ruined it for me. The prix fix menu looked really good on paper, but each course was a disappointment. Additionally, the wait between servings was extremely long - at times as long as 45 mins. I don't think I will opt to visit her again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 9, 2018
overall4food4service5ambience5
I noted that it was a friend’s birthday, but unfortunately it wasn’t recognized at during dinner. but food was delicious, the waiter was super friendly and efficient. we had a great time there.
NC
NickC
Central Coast
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 3, 2018
overall4food5service5ambience4
This place is simply terrific. Great unique food made with love If you like Japanese food and want something up market and great then this place is for you. The Bluefin Tuna roll is a must have so unique and delicious. The Saki selection is another worthy feature. All round a really great place for a meal or a drink for anyone who is a foodie
E
Eric
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 2, 2018
overall3food3service3ambience4
Overall not as great as I thought. Food was good but didn't have that amazing taste I expected. Some of the food was so mild it was borderline bland. Very expensive, too. So it felt overpriced. The cocktail I had ("The Sakamai Punch") was very good. I would definitely return for the cocktails, however, the food was overpriced. Dessert was a redeeming item as well ("Mochi Parfait"). Service was attentive, however, one of our dishes was very very slow and when it arrived it was overcooked ("Wagyuu Hamburger Steak"). They claimed the delay was due to a ticketing issue in the back. We canceled the order and didn't want to wait another half hour for that one steak. Overall, my opinion is that it's overrated but not a bad place to try once for a special occasion. I would definitely return for drinks and dessert though.
L
Layla777
New York Area
15 reviews
vip
4.0
15 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2018
overall4food5service4ambience4
Loved the food. A bit crowded and disorganized. Will be back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
28 reviews
4.0
28 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2018
overall4food4service4ambience4
Extensive sake selections. The truffle and uni rice is expensive $75 but delicious. The sashimi portions are on the smaller side. The cabbage salad was delicious.

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You can order delivery directly from SakaMai using the Order Online button.

SakaMai is rated 4.5 stars by 336 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

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Order delivery or takeout

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Additional information

Cross street
Stanton
Neighborhood
Lower East Side
Hours of operation
Monday - Thursday: 6:00pm - 11:00pm Friday - Saturday: 6:00pm-11:30pm Sunday: 5:30pm-10:30pm
Cuisines
Contemporary Asian, Japanese, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
None
Public transit
F/M/J/Z trains at the Delancey St / Essex St Station. M9, M14A, M15, M15 SBS
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Takanori Akiyama
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

Website
http://www.sakamai.com/
Phone number
(646) 590-0684
Catering
Please contact us for catering. Please visit sakamai.com/catering<br />or email: reserve@sakamai.com
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, SakaMai can accommodate all your special event needs. Please contact us at reserve@sakamai.com for more information.
Private party contact
Alice Chang: (844) 274-9214

SakaMai

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Options

Additional information

Small Bites

Saba Jerky$7.00

Kani Monaka$12.00

Ramen Potato Salad$8.00

Mochi Isobe Yaki$6.00

Ankimo$9.00

Sashimi

Sashimi Platter*

Shigoku Oysters*

Bluefin Tuna*

Japanese Seabream*

Amberjack*

Salmon*

Vegetables

Shishito Peppers$9.00

Spicy Cucumber$11.00

Kari Kari Crispy Salad$16.00

Charred Broccolini$12.00

Kabu Truffle$18.00

Seafood

Egg on Egg on Egg*$19.00

Ikura Tofu*$12.00

Grilled Octopus$18.00

Sake Steamed Mussels$18.00

Shi Chimichurri Hokke$17.00

Meat

Kakuni Sliders$15.00

Beef Tartare*$22.00

Kara-age Fried Chicken$14.00

Dry-Aged Duck Breast$16.00

Miyazaki Wagyu Katsu Sando$85.00

Sizzling Plate

Ibérico Pork Steak$48.00

Filet Mignon Steak$36.00

Wagyu Hamburger Steak$28.00

Dry-Aged Tomahawk Steak$108.00

Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Steak$85.00

Sizzling Plate Supplements

Shropshire Blue Cheese$9.00

Foie Gras$20.00

Bone Marrow$9.00

Rice and Noodle

Wagyu & Uni Hand Roll**$24.00

Bluefin Tuna Hand Roll*$12.00

Madai Hand Roll*$12.00

Kanpachi Hand Roll*$12.00

Cha Soba Salad$18.00

Uni Mazemen*$32.00

Gindara Don*$27.00

Truffle Toro Tekka Don*$38.00

Wagyu Curry$24.00

Dessert

Mochi Parfait$9.00

Black Sesame Crème Brûlée$9.00

Yogurt Crèmet D'Anjou$9.00

Gelato / Sorbet Trio$9.00

After Dinner Drinks

Aged & Specialty Sake

Hanahato Kijoshu 8y$18.00

Hakkaisan Kijoshu$10.00

Kamoizumi "Sachi" I7y$21.00

Tamagawa "Time Machine 1712"$15.00

Nanbu Bijin "All Koji"$13.00

Japanese Tea

Hojicha$7.00

Sobacha$7.00

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