Unlimited omakase & AYCE sushi, plus sake/beer, for under $100! A gluttonous Japanese feast with a lively, party-like vibe.
Will Hartman reviews SourAji, an East Village sushi spot offering a unique sub-$100 omakase and all-you-can-eat option, praising its quality nigiri and fun, gluttonous dining experience.
This East Village gem redefines the omakase experience with a sub-$100 tasting menu that includes high-quality nigiri and unlimited drinks. After the initial curated courses, diners can indulge in an all-you-can-eat selection, making it a fun and gluttonous affair. The atmosphere is lively and social, akin to a dinner party, with a focus on generous sake and beer pairings. It's a highly recommended spot for celebrations or a memorable dining experience.
The restaurant offers a unique all-you-can-eat omakase experience, which is highly praised for its value and quality. Dishes like the toro hand roll, torched fatty tuna, and various nigiri pieces are frequently mentioned. While most feedback is positive, there's a minor concern raised about the use of butane torches and potential residue, though others counter that the torches are used correctly.
"Highly recommended dishes include the Toro hand roll, Spanish mackerel with ume and crispy onion, torched fatty tuna (chutoro), and torched salmon. The negroni sake and plum sake are also highlighted as favorites."
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment towards the restaurant, praising the quality and value of the omakase and all-you-can-eat options. The unique combination of a sub-$100 omakase with unlimited drinks is frequently highlighted as a major draw.
Important Note
One user expressed concern about potential unburned butane residue on fish due to torching, although others disputed this. Another user noted that AYCE sushi is generally for students, implying a different target audience than traditional omakase enthusiasts. There's a mention of a possible charge for not finishing AYCE items.
"Sour Ani is described as labeling itself an AYCE omakase in the East Village, with the commenter unsure of its quality but believing it allows for additional pieces at the meal's conclusion."
Neutral"Sour Ani is mentioned as an establishment in the East Village that offers omakase with an all-you-can-eat component, though there's a condition that only one order is allowed at the end."
Neutral"This user mentioned SourAji as a not-bad option if one prefers something cheaper, in the context of recommending fun omakase experiences."
Neutral"This user dismissively states that all-you-can-eat (AYCE) sushi is primarily intended for college students, implying a lower quality or less sophisticated dining experience."
Negative"Having researched the topic, this user confirms that food-grade butane is acceptable for charring but points out that there are other methods available to achieve a similar char."
Neutral"This user is highly intrigued by the mention of "negroni sake" in the original post, expressing a strong desire to try this unique drink combination."
Positive"This user, while not an omakase expert, found the omakase itself to be just "fine." However, they felt the all-you-can-eat (AYCE) option and unlimited sake significantly enhanced the overall experience, making it enjoyable."
Neutral"This user expresses a strong negative reaction to the restaurant or its concept, indicated by the concise exclamation "Ew.""
Negative"While acknowledging the visual concern, this user believes the torches used appear correctly set for complete combustion, reducing food safety worries. However, they still view torching as "dumb performative stuff" common in omakase places aimed at maximizing profit."
Neutral"This user suggests a challenge for sushi chefs to stop using butane torches, indicating a preference for alternative or traditional preparation methods."
Negative"This user finds the "gambling" aspect at the end of the meal, likely referring to an interactive element of the AYCE experience, to be a fun part of the visit."
Positive"This user states that SourAji is great for an all-you-can-eat experience, but it is not what you would be looking for if you desire quality traditional omakase."
Neutral"This user expresses concern about the potential for unburned butane residue on the fish, indicating a negative view on the torching method used for certain dishes."
Negative"The 13-course omakase was described as "literally sent from heaven," and the all-you-can-eat (AYCE) deal, especially with sake, was considered very worthwhile. The negroni sake was a table favorite, and the plum sake was a good ending to the dinner."
Positive"The user has tried Souraji before."
Neutral"There's also omakases with AYCE options at the end for 20-30 minutes such as Souraji"
Neutral
