Kintsugi — A Truly Satisfying Lunch in NYC 🍣

After feeling uninspired by Chicago’s sushi scene, I headed to New York for more Japanese-Korean eats. Even with mixed online reviews, I decided to try Kintsugi. With a flight to catch that afternoon, I went for the basic omakase + uni tasting + unagi rice bowl — and still left happily full! Highlights: 🍑 Peach + Spanish mackerel — and, well, the chef’s nice hands (oops 😅). 🌊 Uni tasting — California, Saga red, Hokkaido bafun, and Kumamoto purple uni. The red had rich nutty notes; the purple brought back childhood flavors. There was also a smoked uni (not pictured) — sweet with a deep, smoky layer. 🦪 Oyster + sablefish — felt like it should’ve been served as a shot! Would’ve been even more intense. 🐟 Kinmedai (golden eye snapper) soup — light yet deeply flavorful, like the dashi at Odo. I could drink a whole pot. 🐠 Kohada (gizzard shad) — that bold vinegar-and-fish punch you rarely find in Chicago. 🐟 Aji (horse mackerel) — bright, tangy, another satisfying silver-skinned fish. 🐟 Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) — melted in the mouth. Could imagine it over rice too! 🍱 Unagi rice bowl — fragrant, oily but not heavy, with slightly sweet-tangy sushi rice. Would’ve loved a tamago on top. Almost wanted to take a bento box for dinner! From the kintsugi-inspired tableware to creative fish pairings, this was a clever and enjoyable experience. I’ll be back — next time with more room for their evening menu! Kintsugi: 28 Grand St, New York, NY 10013 #NYCEats #Omakase #Kintsugi #Sushi #UniLover #NYCFoodie #JapaneseCuisine #MustTryNYC