Sake Bar Hagi Sake Bar Hagi

Sake Bar Hagi Menu

152 W. 49th St. (Seventh Ave.)
New York, NY 10019
212-764-8549
Map
Cuisine: Japanese / Sushi / Small Plates
A subterranean Japanese tapas bar hides in Times Square.
Openings: Dinner nightly

Features

  • Dress code: Casual


Sake Bar Hagi Restaurant Review:


Sandwiched among two mainstream Japanese restaurants, tiny, plain Sake Bar Hagi is a Tokyo-like saké bar sitting at the bottom of a flight of stairs where refrigerated cases of saké sit adjacent to waiting patrons. With a no-reservations policy, lines begin from the moment the bar opens until the wee hours. Tables of adventurous eaters select an array of small plates from a multi-page menu written largely in Japanese but with helpful photos. An extensive saké menu complements, offering sakés by the glass, can or bottle. Unusual dishes for travelers more familiar with Japan include the richly smoky fried octopus balls (takoyaki) and grilled enoki mushroom wrapped in bacon. Seared bonito with a light ponzu sauce and topped with fried garlic is one of the few sushi-like choices. Eel tempura is sheer bliss, lightly fried without a hint of oil. Yellowtail collar is served hot with just the right amount of grated horseradish and salt. For heartier appetites, larger plates of pork belly, udon or okonomyaki, a Japanese omelet-pancake with seafood or pork, are very shareable as well. A blackboard listing of specials changes daily. Just leave room for a slice of green tea crêpe cake for dessert.