Yakiniku Gen East Village

Jiaoyan Shen 4 weeks ago

Absolutely loved Yakiniku Gen East Village! The BBQ was SO good — the meat was fresh, tender, and super flavorful. Everything tasted even better straight off the grill, and we honestly enjoyed every single dish we ordered. The whole meal was satisfying from start to finish. Definitely one of my favorite yakiniku spots in NYC and I would 100% come back again!

Alex 3 months ago

The restaurant is quite unassuming, but the food is excellent. The music is a jazz-oriented mix. While I'm not particularly fond of jazz, it really fit the overall vibe of the restaurant. The meat was really good! They had two small dipping sauces: one was a lemony seafood flavor, and the other was soy sauce with a tiny hint of sweetness. The presentation of every dish was amazing! They were like little works of art, and the taste was just as good.

S P 3 months ago

I had a nice experience overall. The server was very kind and attentive, and the atmosphere was pleasant. I had seen some reviews describing it as a more “sophisticated” place, but to me it felt more casual and comfortable rather than formal or upscale. It is a nice spot for a casual dinner, especially if you enjoy yakiniku and want something a little different in the neighborhood. The food itself tasted good, and I especially enjoyed the side dishes. Their kimchi was really delicious, and the namul-style sides were also tasty. One thing to note, though, is that the side dishes are not complimentary. I think some people might assume kimchi or small side dishes come with the meal, especially if they are used to Korean BBQ restaurants, but here they are all paid separately. They were good, so I did not mind trying them, but it is something to be aware of before ordering. My main hesitation is the portion size. The portions were extremely small for the price, so I did leave feeling like the value was not quite there unless you are using a promotion. They apparently have a promotion on the 29th of every month, so I would probably recommend going then if you want to try the place. Wit

Christine L 4 months ago

I should start off by saying that the staff is very friendly and they definitely were a saving grace of our experience here at Yakiniku Gen East Village. The vibes were ok. A little too smokey which I get it, but kind of wish they had better ventilation. The food was decent but definitely not worth the price. The tasting menu had some variety but it did not feel like we got our moneys worth. The meats were just ok and the seasoning on the other foods were a little too salty. I really appreciated that they cook your meats and such for you. However, I was a little disappointed again when they burned two pieces of our foods and didn’t offer to replace them. They just left it to the side and disregard it. I probably would not try again just because of the amount of money spent. Now for my standard comments. Location is clean and well kept. Seating is comfortable but can be a little cramped.

xinyi chen 5 months ago

Came here for the lunch menu and it exceeded expectations. The lunch set is a great value — you get quality yakiniku plus rice, miso soup, and small sides, and the portions are very satisfying. The beef was tender and well-marbled. Grilling at the table was fun, and everything cooked quickly without being overly greasy. We also ordered the stone bowl bibimbap, which came out sizzling hot — crispy rice at the bottom and perfectly balanced flavors. Service was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The atmosphere is cozy and calm, making it a great spot for a relaxed lunch rather than a rushed meal. Overall, excellent quality for lunch pricing. Would definitely come back, especially for the lunch specials.