Indulge in AYCE omakase w/ unlimited sake & beer. 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.
SourAji offers a unique and highly praised all-you-can-eat omakase experience in the East Village, setting itself apart with an approachable price point for the quality offered. The meal typically begins with a curated tasting menu, followed by unlimited rounds of premium nigiri and complemented by bottomless sake and beer, ensuring no one leaves hungry. It's described as a fun, social, and indulgent dining adventure.
The Japanese cuisine here focuses on an all-you-can-eat omakase experience, which includes an initial tasting menu followed by unlimited nigiri like fatty tuna and wagyu. While highly recommended for its value and indulgence, some comments suggest it might not be the choice for traditionalists seeking a purely authentic omakase. A point of contention was the use of butane torches on fish, though this was debated.
"Highly recommended are the '13-course omakase' described as heavenly, and the all-you-can-eat deal paired with sake. The negroni sake was a particular table favorite."
Customers overwhelmingly praise the exceptional value and indulgent experience of the all-you-can-eat omakase, highlighting the quality of the sushi and the generous drink offerings.
Important Note
Some diners suggest that while the AYCE aspect is excellent value, those strictly seeking traditional, high-quality omakase might find other options more suitable. There was also a discussion regarding the use of butane torches on fish.
"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"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
