AYCE omakase w/ unlimited sake & beer for under $100. Expect a fun, gluttonous sushi party!
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 Japanese spot offers a unique and indulgent dining experience, blending a traditional omakase with an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) concept. The meal typically begins with a multi-course omakase, featuring premium ingredients, followed by unlimited selections of nigiri, including options like wagyu and fatty tuna. This generous approach, often paired with unlimited sake and beer, creates a lively and gluttonous atmosphere, making it a popular choice for celebrations.
This Japanese restaurant specializes in an all-you-can-eat omakase experience. The meal starts with a curated omakase selection that often includes premium items like toro and uni, followed by unlimited rounds of nigiri featuring fatty tuna, wagyu, and salmon, which are often torched. While many find the quality and value exceptional, some critics note issues with rice preparation or prefer traditional omakase over AYCE.
"The 13-course omakase, the AYCE deal (especially with sake), torched wagyu nigiri, and fatty tuna nigiri are frequently highlighted as exceptional and worthwhile."
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment, praising the unique AYCE omakase concept, the quality of the fish, and the value for money, especially with the unlimited drinks.
Important Note
Some reviews suggest that while it's an AYCE omakase, it may not satisfy purists looking for traditional high-quality omakase, with criticisms regarding rice quality and fish portion size in some instances. One user also expressed concern about the use of butane torches on fish.
"Souraji is ranked last, with the rice using a heavy amount of vinegar, making it hard to stomach over time."
Negative"The author dislikes Souraji (any location) due to poor rice quality and very small fish portions, making it not worth the lower price."
Negative"This location is not recommended, with the food and menu being significantly different from the West Village location. The reviewer felt the location had not been sufficiently upgraded since its previous iteration as Domakase."
Negative"This restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat omakase experience, which is unusual. It's noted as one of the few places that combines these two concepts."
Neutral"Sour aji offers AYCE omakase, but it has significant restrictions and is not considered high quality by the commenter."
Negative"This user suggested SourAji as another option for birthdays, highlighting its all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink offerings."
Positive"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
