Kenka: Experience Authentic Japanese Flavors in the Heart of NYC

Amazing authentic Japanese eatery, all the food was cheap and tasty, our favorites were the pork belly yakitori and tonkatsu kimchi. We did try some delicious home made Japanese sodas peach was our favorite. Once we got the bill the waiter brought us 2 mini cups with flavored sugar. We did not what it was for so he told us there is a cotton candy machine outside where everyone can make their own desert. That was a cool touch. Best time to come is when they are opening at 5 if you don't want to wait. If you come later be prepared because this place gets packed.

A classic spot and one of the more unique on St. Marks. Expect a line, but it does move fast - luckily they’ve cleared some space to wait inside due to the cold. The prices are great and so are the vibes, and being cramped and loud and sitting on slightly uncomfortable seats is part of the vibes. The menu (both food and drink) is huge and diverse. Perfect for a pregame before a night out in EV! My parents liked it too lol.

Kenka – A must-visit Japanese Izakaya on St. Mark’s! I love this place and always bring my friends and family here — everyone I’ve taken has loved it, and it’s never once disappointed. The food, flavors, prices, and overall vibe are spot-on. The restaurant opens at 5 PM, and it gets very busy fast, so make sure to come early and write your name down. It’s a first-come, first-served system. The interior has a gritty, authentic Japanese street-style izakaya vibe — not in a basement, but it feels like a tucked-away Tokyo spot. The menu is mostly photos and can be a bit tricky to understand, especially for first-timers, so take your time when ordering. We started with two pitchers of beer — grapefruit and peach flavors — at only $13 per pitcher, which is such a great deal. We ordered a bunch of dishes: • Tako Wasabi • Japanese Sausages • Japanese Pancake • Takoyaki • Fried Squid • Raw Salmon Sashimi • Grilled Salmon • Mentaiko Onigiri Everything was super tasty, and most dishes range from just $3 to $8 — great portions, great prices. This is a place that’s best enjoyed with a group — it’s fun, flavorful, and full of energy. The staff and kitchen crew are all Japanese, which adds to the authentic feel. One tip: order everything at once, because the second round of orders can take a while to come out. The only downside is the restroom — it’s not super convenient, but it’s usable. Overall, Kenka is an awesome izakaya experience in NYC. Highly recommend — don’t miss it!

Absolutely loved it. Went thursday night and there was a huge line out the door. They take your name and the number of people in your party and the line moved rather quickly and we got inside. I got the agedashi tofu and it was heavenly. The tofu's seared on the outside but it was also cooked all the way through and was very soft and hot on the inside. I also ate the edamame which i liked very much and my friend got the udon noodles with chicken and said they were great as well. Staff was very nice and food arrived quickly. I wouldn't go on a thursday night again though because it was packed and really loud but that's not the establishment's fault.

Unique dining experience with great Japanese bites. We shared the seaweed salad, edamame, and pork dumplings which were all delicious. I got the cold udon noodles which were super refreshing on a hot day. After paying you receive the sugar for the cotton candy machine outside, which makes the eclectic experience.

If you're looking for a restaurant to chill at and chat with friends after work, this place is perfect. I ordered grapefruit and peach beers to enjoy with my friends. As for the snacks, I ordered a lot, but my favorite was the tako wasabi — great for snacking on while sipping beer and chatting. To finish off, the restaurant has a fun gimmick: a cotton candy machine you can play with and make your own dessert. The atmosphere is really nice too. I’ll definitely come back when I get the chance.

Fun spot with great vibes! The food was solid—especially the karaage and yakisoba. Service was quick and friendly, and the prices are really affordable for the area. Loved the playful atmosphere and the cotton candy machine at the end. Great place to go with friends!

food is always on point. sure theres a bit of a wait but thats usually because of how busy it is. but thats a small thing compared to the great food and its great on your pockets too. sake menu is bananas. order a shot or a bottle. dry, sweet. theyre all good. just remember, some dishes have a lot of ketchup. ask for it to be on the side.