TLDR
Crispy katsu and addictive corn ribs in a cozy, wood-filled setting; a hit-or-miss spot depending on your stance on dinner rice policies.
Instagram Posts References
Konban is noted for its iconic corn desserts.
Konban NYC offers a cozy, warm, and classic wood-filled atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to bring visiting people. Recommended dishes include corn ribs, mazemen, pork katsu, truffle rice, and corn ice cream. The restaurant has a rating of 8.8 and is priced at $40.
The post specifically praises the umami tobiko clam pasta from Konban NYC. The reviewer found the noodle-to-clam ratio to be excellent, indicating a well-balanced dish. The flavor profile was as expected, suggesting a classic and satisfying taste.
Konban NYC is mentioned as the established sister restaurant of Konya NYC, known specifically for offering some of the best katsu in New York City. Its reputation for katsu serves as a positive point of reference for the quality expected at Konya.
Konban is presented as a beloved Japanese restaurant in New York City, consistently revisited by the author. It's lauded for its exceptional take on Japanese cuisine, with specific dishes receiving high praise. The corn rib appetizer is a standout for its flavor and seasoning, considered a must-get. Their katsu, particularly the pork katsu, is noted for its unparalleled crispiness and thick breading, while the ebi katsu is also highly recommended. The mazemen noodles are described as bouncy with an 'insane' spicy sauce made with almond butter and butter. Furthermore, the sushi set, featuring eight different premium fish, is highlighted as an excellent value at $35. The restaurant also offers an ube tiramisu dessert, which is recommended for those who enjoy ube.
Konban is highlighted as the user's favorite Tonkatsu restaurant located in Chelsea, New York City. The post visually features a variety of dishes, including a classic tonkatsu cutlet, a delicate beef or tuna tartare topped with uni, and a refreshing citrus-based crudo. It emphasizes Konban's expertise in Japanese comfort food, specifically the breaded pork cutlet.
Details
Known for its unique fusion of Japanese and Korean flavors, this spot has built a reputation for its crispy pork katsu and creative appetizers like corn ribs [1], [2]. While many diners laud the quality of the food and the cozy, warm atmosphere, the restaurant has faced significant criticism regarding its portion sizes and the policy of excluding rice from dinner katsu orders [3], [4], [5]. Ultimately, opinions are split between those who value it as a repeat destination for specialty dishes and those who feel the value proposition does not meet expectations [6], [7].
Food Overview
The menu features Japanese-inspired dishes with a Korean influence, with standouts like pork katsu, mazemen noodles, and corn ribs receiving high praise [1], [2], [5]. However, the katsu is a point of contention; while lauded for its crispiness, many customers are dissatisfied that it is served without rice and side dishes, often leading to complaints about value and presentation [3], [4], [8].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About KONBAN NYC
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Is Domodomo Nyc Owned By The Same People In
"Mentioned as part of the restaurant group that also owns DOMODOMO."
NeutralFrom post: Recommendation For Corn Ice Cream In Manhattan Or
"States that the corn ice cream is pretty good."
PositiveFrom post: What Are Your Top 3 Most Frequented Restaurants
"Mentioned as a frequently visited restaurant."
PositiveFrom post: Lastminute Reservation Downtown To Catch Up With
"This user listed Konban as a recommendation."
PositiveFrom post: Whats Your Favorite Singular Dish Or Entreeapp
"The Katsu and corn ribs at Konban are suggested as a good solo dining option."
Positive