A Japanese Trilogy

One restaurant. Two names. Three set menus. Okonomi is a hybrid restaurant that serves a traditional Japanese breakfast during the day, ramen for dinner and a 10-course omakase tasting menu on weekends. An explosive triptych. Did we lose you? Let us explain.

The day starts early at Okonomi with a traditional Japanese breakfast set called “Ichiju Sansai”. There is no better way to start your day than this balanced Japanese meal including rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, a choice of fish and two amuse-bouche-sized sides. It’s fresh, healthy and refined. For the uninitiated to Asian culinary traditions (or just those not inspired by early morning fish) be reassured: they serve Ichiju Sansai until 3pm, so you can turn it into a lunch. At night, the space gets taken over by “Yuji Ramen”, a seafood-only ramen dinner place. Torched squid and whelk in a miso broth. Grey tilefish sashimi you cook yourself in a fragrant fennel and sesame infused broth. There is delicacy and poetry in Chef Haraguchi’s cuisine. Finally, weekend evenings feature an amazing 10-course omakase tasting menu. One-of-a-kind. Just beware: you’ll need to book several weeks in advance.

Okonomi is one of those hidden gems we love in Brooklyn. Chef Haraguchi managed to recreate a 100% traditional Japanese counter in the heart of Williamsburg. Everything about the place embodies the Japanese concept of “mottainai”, a philosophy which lets nothing go to waste. For example, the leftovers from earlier in the day are used to cook the broth for the evening ramen. With only 12 seats, it is a peaceful haven where time seems to go a tad slower than anywhere else. You wish you could loaf there the whole day with a glass of sake and a Haruki Murakami book.

Okonomi in Japanese means “what you want”. Between Okonomi, Yuji Ramen and the tasting menu Ramen Omakase you are indeed spoiled with options. Our recommendation: try all three of them!

 

Okonomi
150 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn
718-302-0598
 

Okonomi : M-F, 9am-3pm. Sat & Sun, 10am-4pm
Yuji Ramen: M-F, 6pm-11pm
Ramen Omakase: Sat & Sun Nights