Welcome to ISE Restaurant
ISE Restaurant, nestled in the heart of New York City, offers an authentic Japanese dining experience that captivates both locals and visitors alike. Renowned for its expertly crafted soba noodles, including the remarkable squid ink soba, ISE combines quality ingredients with meticulous preparation. The tranquil ambiance, enhanced by soothing jazz, creates a welcoming atmosphere for all diners. With a diverse menu featuring dishes like pork katsu and expertly prepared sushi, each bite promises to delight. Attentive service and reasonable prices further elevate the experience, making ISE a must-visit gem for authentic Japanese cuisine enthusiasts.
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63 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003, United States Hotline: +1 212-228-4152
Welcome to ISE Restaurant, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of NYC at 63 Cooper Square. This establishment stands as a testament to authentic Japanese cuisine, vividly reflecting the culinary traditions of Japan through thoughtfully crafted dishes that leave a lasting impression. Diners rave about the delightful experience that unfolds upon entering — from the serene ambiance accentuated by soft jazz to the attentive service provided by the warm and polite staff.
At ISE, every plate is a celebration of flavor and artistry. The pork katsu and squid ink soba have garnered particular acclaim, with patrons like Marina Chen dreaming of their next bite. The pork katsu stands out for its crispy exterior and succulent meat, making it a must-try for any visitor. Meanwhile, the squid ink soba, adorned with uni and salmon roe, provides a cohesive blend of richness and sophistication, tantalizing the taste buds with each mouthful.
But that’s not all; the selection here goes beyond these favorites. The carefully prepared appetizers highlight the skill of the chefs, where every detail is attended to. Notably, the napeyaki udon and tempura have won over many, while the fresh sushi and sashimi create a wonderful symphony of flavors. Ian notes that ISE excels at presenting a variety of dishes, perfect for those looking to indulge in a little bit of everything.
Even the desserts, such as the matcha mille crepe, are crafted with a keen understanding of balance and taste, leaving diners pleasantly surprised at their simplicity yet rich flavors. As Xinyi Mo discovered, the emphasis on fresh ingredients, like the tender fish liver and perfectly chewy seaweed, showcases the restaurant’s commitment to providing a genuine experience reminiscent of dining in Japan itself.
With reasonably priced dishes—averaging around $30—ISE Restaurant offers excellent value for a quality meal. Whether enjoyed in the inviting indoor space or on the outdoor patio, diners can expect not just food but a complete dining experience that caters to both the palate and the soul. As Cindy W aptly put it, ISE is one of NYC’s best-kept secrets, appealing to both casual diners and dedicated food enthusiasts alike.
In short, ISE Restaurant stands as a delightful canvas where traditional Japanese flavors are elevated with modern flair. If you find yourself in New York, make it a point to immerse yourself in the culinary magic that this restaurant has to offer. You may just find your new favorite spot in the city!
One of my favorite Japanese restaurants in NYC. I leave here continuing to dream about the next time I can have their pork katsu or their squid ink soba with uni and salmon roe. The prices are reasonable for a nice meal out (around 30 a dish) but you’ll know once you’ve had the food here that this is a place to save down and try to be a regular at. The waiters are also very nice and attentive and the food comes out relatively quickly so you’re not hungry for too long! Caveat I’ve only been here for Sunday lunch so hopefully these items are also available during the week but the squid ink soba and the pork katsu are my favorite dishes!
So impressed with this place, would strongly recommend! It really reminded me of Japan. The vibes inside are really nice and calm, with jazz in the background. The waiters are polite and nice. The food tasted a lot better than it looks in my opinion. It had a very Japanese and authentic taste - the flavours were not overpowering but had a sophisticated edge. The appetizers were very meticulously prepared and I enjoyed every bite. The cake looked really small and simple but tasted delicious. It really reminded me so much of being in Japan. I was really not expecting to like this place so much and would definitely return.
The food here is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The flavors are also outstanding. I love ordering their combos and tasting a bunch of different dishes. They have outdoor seating available with both heating and barriers to block any wind. Recommend giving it a try if you’re in the area. Takeout/delivery is also available and just as yummy.
I got the ten zaru, tuna sashimi, and cold eggplant appetizer. The sushi wasn’t amazing, which makes sense for a soba restaurant. The soba and tempura were both delicious tho. The soba noodles are a bit on the chewier side, which I didn’t like as much but my boyfriend liked a lot. The matcha milli crepe was decent, but we thought it wasn’t as good as Lady M.
It was so good!! Nabeyaki Udon,Tempura, Katsu don. Freshest sushi and sashimi. Zaru Soba. 10/10 cannot wait to come back. Real Japanese chefs.. not a Japanese restaurant with a Chinese chef lol. So clean too. Very nice staff, we are happy customers
Nice place for having high quality soba (tempura soba is great) maki, and izakaya dishes with good price. Wine selection included sake and wine, but no cocktails. They also have lunch set, very valuable. Been this place a lots of time, but still good option for hang out with friends and having some hot dishes.
Had a wonderful night spent here! We loved this place so much that we decided to make another reservation after this one to celebrate post-Chinese New Year! Very fresh ingredients and really great tasting! It also contained everything my family wanted to eat and all of them gave us such wonderful surprises! Food: The fish liver was quite a unique dish that none of my family have had, and it's distinctive fine and smooth mouthfeel gave us such delighted experiences. Sashimis and sushis are all prepared with fresh fish - they were so fresh that they would almost melt on your tongue. For the maki sushis with the seaweed, the seaweed itself was way bouncier and chewier than any other makis we have ever had in a good way, we were able to tell that they took care and paid more attention with the ingredient selection, kudos! The tempuras are crispy, though might be just a little oily, but it does not affect the delicacy at all. Sobas are with big portions, thus very delicious and fulfilling! Pricing: Not overpriced at all but still satisfied our cravings for Japanese food so well! We ordered more than my photos shown but it only costed us 300, which is less than half of our guessed price lol. All in all, really good Japanese restaurant, made me feel confident with the Japanese restaurants in NYC again!
Wow!!! Hands down, Ise is one of the best kept secrets in town. The meals were well priced, and we enjoyed how authentic everything was And if you like soba, this is the spot to visit. We got the squid ink soba and the combo special (soba, sushi, and some hot items) - both dishes were delicious. The restaurant had an interesting layout with 2 sections of counter seating, some mini booth, and tables. Either way, plenty of seating for a small storefront. Service was friendly, but the server couldn’t really recommend any dishes to us. Complimentary hot tea at the end of the meal was a nice touch. We left with our bellies satisfied!