Kenka
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 254-6363
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue
- Directions:
- F, V at 2nd Ave; 6 at Astor Pl
- Best of Citysearch:
- Cheap Eats 2006
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri-Sat 6pm-4am, Sun 6pm-2am
Editorial Review for Kenka – by Justin Hartung
In Short
This St. Mark's izayaka, a Japanese snack and booze cafe, complements the street's growing number of Pan-Asian restaurants. Boisterous waiters greet a streaming crowd of regulars, students and tourists who wait for one of the cafeteria-like tables. The gargantuan menu offers pages of small bites ranging from familiar dishes like dumplings and noodles to items that challenge even the most jaded East Village foodie--body parts usually left to anatomy lessons in this country.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasWhile waiting for a table (and you will), stave off hunger with a trip to the whirling cotton candy machine up front
Save MoneyBeer is a pittance at $1.50 for Sapporo or Kirin, and sake and soju are also available.
User Reviews for Kenka
09/03/2008 Posted by verybecca
This is one of my fave places in NYC to turn my brain off, drink and eat Japanese student food. I always order veggie dishes (Age Dashi Tofu, Cucumber and Miso, Rice Ball with Miso, Spring Rolls) because the meat scares me here, but there are so many great things to drink that the food is merely there to help you get through it without getting sick. I love the little chairs, the inattentive waitstaff, the offensive, mysogynistic imagery and the cotton candy machine at the end. This place is magical.
Pros: Great for the money, fun, dependable
Cons: don't think about it too much and you'll be fine, long wait
03/31/2008 Posted by luvnyc401
I've been here twice and had fun both times... the wait is long, the chairs are uncomfortable, the music gets to some people- but between the cheap food and drinks you end up walking out pleased with the experience. The sake is very good- we had one of the cheaper bottles which still was great. They have interesting entree chokes as well as menus with some funny pictures on them ;) The food isn't amazing but it is great for the prices. A fun place to get drunk with a group of friends!
Pros: Great sake, cheap drinks, colorful music, fun crowd/time
Cons: Line gets very long, chairs are a little uncomfortable
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