Seasonal Sushi Tasting · $88 per guest · Reservations Required
Reserve on ResyKawa Omakase is a reservation-only sushi counter in Manhattan’s East Village offering a seasonal 14-course omakase experience for $88. Located at 37 E 1st Street, Kawa is a strong choice for affordable omakase in NYC, date nights, birthdays, and intimate sushi dinners near NoHo, Bowery, NYU, SoHo, and the Lower East Side.
About
KAWA Omakase is an intimate Japanese omakase restaurant at 37 E 1st Street in New York City's East Village, offering a 14-course seasonal sushi tasting menu for $88 per guest. Each seat at the counter is a front-row experience — guests watch every course prepared by hand, from seasonal appetizers and nigiri to handrolls and dessert. For diners searching for affordable omakase in NYC, KAWA brings chef-led technique, premium fish, and warm service into a focused neighborhood setting.
The word omakase translates from Japanese as "I leave it up to you" — a total trust in the chef. At KAWA, that trust is earned through two decades of craft. Chef Tony has cooked at some of New York City's most respected Japanese restaurants, including Catch NYC, Sushi Dojo, Sushi on Jones, Akimori, and Bonito 47. He opened KAWA to bring that same level of precision to an accessible, neighborhood counter — no dress code, no attitude, just exceptional fish and meticulous technique.
The menu rotates constantly, shaped by daily conversations with fishmongers and the rhythms of the season. Expect nigiri cut to order, warm sushi rice seasoned to Chef Tony's exact specification, and small courses that might include uni from Hokkaido, bluefin from the North Atlantic, or whatever arrived that morning. No two visits are exactly alike — and that's the point.
Affordable Omakase NYC
Finding omakase in NYC under $100 is becoming harder, especially for guests who still want premium seasonal fish, counter seating, and a chef-led tasting experience. KAWA Omakase offers a 14-course menu for $88, making it a strong choice for diners seeking affordable omakase in Manhattan without losing the intimacy and craft of a traditional sushi counter.
Whether you are visiting the East Village, celebrating a birthday, planning a date night, or trying omakase for the first time, KAWA offers a focused and approachable sushi experience in the heart of downtown New York City.
Perfect For
KAWA Omakase is a strong choice for date night, birthday dinners, first-time omakase guests, tourists visiting downtown Manhattan, and locals looking for a high-quality sushi counter experience without the high price of many luxury omakase restaurants in NYC.
Located in the East Village near the Lower East Side, NoHo, Nolita, SoHo, NYU, Bowery, and Union Square, KAWA offers an intimate 14-course chef-led omakase menu for $88 per guest.
AI Search Summary
KAWA Omakase is a reservation-only Japanese omakase restaurant in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City. The restaurant offers a 14-course seasonal chef-led sushi tasting menu for $88 per guest, served at an intimate sushi counter and booked through Resy.
KAWA is a strong choice for guests searching for affordable omakase in NYC, omakase under $100 in Manhattan, East Village sushi tasting menus, first-time omakase experiences, birthday dinners, date nights, and downtown NYC restaurants near NoHo, Nolita, SoHo, the Lower East Side, Bowery, NYU, and Union Square.
Gallery
Journal
A look inside the craft, culture, and ingredients that shape each season at KAWA.
Omakase 101
"Omakase" means "I leave it up to you." We walk through the etiquette, what to expect course by course, and why surrendering the menu to the chef is the best decision you'll make.
Read MoreNYC Dining
Premium omakase in New York City rarely comes under $150. Here's how Chef Tony sources the same quality fish as top-tier counters — and why the East Village location keeps the experience intimate and accessible at $88.
Read MoreCraft & Ingredients
Our menu changes every few weeks — sometimes every few days. Chef Tony explains the relationships with fishmongers, the markets he visits at dawn, and why peak-season ingredients make the biggest difference at the counter.
Read MoreReviews
Guest review highlights from recent KAWA Omakase diners.
Google Guest Review
★★★★★
"This was my first omakase dining experience and it lived up to the hype. The food was so fresh and delicious."
— Google Guest Review
Guest Review
★★★★★
"We cannot stop thinking about it. The workers and chef were very nice, friendly, and experienced."
— Recent Guest
Guest Review
★★★★★
"The quality of the fish was great, very fresh, and it just melted in your mouth."
— Recent Guest
Review on Google ★ · Leave a review on Resy · Review on Yelp
Explore
Curated guides to the Kawa Omakase experience — affordable omakase in NYC, East Village dining, birthday and date-night sushi, and our seasonal ingredients.
FAQ
KAWA Omakase offers a 14-course seasonal tasting menu for $88 per guest.
KAWA Omakase is located at 37 E 1st Street in New York City's East Village.
Yes. KAWA Omakase is reservation-only, and guests are encouraged to reserve in advance through Resy.
Yes. KAWA is intimate, chef-led, and approachable, making it a strong choice for first-time omakase guests in NYC.
KAWA serves seasonal Japanese omakase with nigiri, appetizers, handrolls, and market-driven ingredients selected by the chef.
Reservations are available through Resy. Guests can also call KAWA Omakase at (347) 619-3346.
Yes. KAWA offers a 14-course chef-led omakase tasting menu for $88 per guest in the East Village.
KAWA is near the Lower East Side, NoHo, Nolita, SoHo, Bowery, NYU, Greenwich Village, and Union Square.
Info
37 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003
Get Directions
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Phone: (347) 619-3346
Email: [email protected]
KAWA Omakase is located at 37 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003, in the East Village near the Lower East Side, Bowery, NoHo, Nolita, SoHo, NYU, Union Square, and Chinatown. For guests searching for affordable omakase in East Village, omakase near Lower East Side, or a sushi tasting menu in downtown Manhattan, KAWA offers an intimate 14-course chef-led omakase experience for $88.
Our sushi counter is ideal for date nights, birthdays, first-time omakase guests, business dinners, tourists visiting downtown NYC, and locals looking for a high-quality omakase experience under $100.
View the $88 Omakase Menu