Honshu — Restaurant in Jersey City

We don’t usually give bad reviews but this time I can’t resist. We own a Japanese restaurant in another state, we understand that a restaurant is not easy to survive at this environment, but We think honesty to our customers is very important. We went here to eat a lunch for our last meal of the trip. We ordered 2 sets of lunch special, one of them was a sushi set supposed to come with 5 premium sushi and tuna rolls, the 2nd set was called the sushi sashimi lunch comes with 5 pieces of sushi, 5 pieces of sashimi, and one tuna roll. we assumed the premium sushi set has different sushi than the regular sushi combo because of the word “premium”. Once 2 sets came out the sushi in both sets were the same which we felt like we got scammed by the word “premium”. We asked the server what’s the different between premium sushi and regular sushi and he said they are the same, then he asked the manager over. The manager was so rude and didn’t let us speak by keep saying that’s what you get for $20 if you want something different, you can pick the $30+ one. I asked then what’s that mean by a premium sushi and we can get 5 more pieces of sashimi by choosing the regular combo since the sushi is the same for regular combo and premium combo. The manager didn’t apologize at all about the confusion on the menu. Very bad experience and we can tell the quality of the food is very low too. We still gave them 15% tips for the server’s hard work, but the manager/owner definitely needs...

I had a very disappointing experience with Jason when placing my takeout order and when I called back to report an issue with my order, I was met with the same treatment.

I placed a takeout order with Jason and inquired about their Nabeyaki Udon, requesting to replace chicken with beef. He said it was not possible because it’s mostly vegetable, and so I asked for a Beef Udon and he said they can do that. I also ordered a Kitsune Udon (Tofu Skin & Fishcake as labeled on their menu. My receipt as shown:

Kitsune Udon - $14 Beef Nabeyaki - $18 Brown Rice - $2.50

I was told it was an additional $2 charge for beef. When I got home and took out the food, I discovered that both Udons were exactly the same, except one with beef and the other with 3 pieces of tofu skin (no fish cake). Essentially, I paid $6 extra to replace tofu skin with beef. When I called to report how absurd that is, Jason said verbatim “I told you it was $20, and where are you going to find beef for $6?”

First of all, Jason said it was “$2 extra” on top of Nabeyaki, not $6 on top of Kistune. If it’s $2 on top of Nabeyaki, I fully expect Nabeyaki, not a bland vegetable stock.

Secondly, the quality of the Julianne’d beef is ruined when you cook it by boiling it in water and sealing it in a steaming hot container.

Despite me reasoning with Jason, he was not very accommodating and rather combative. I told him I don’t want to argue and I’ll just write a review. I hung up, and he proceeded to call...

My girlfriend and I dined in at Honshu for the first time tonight. You know how a lot of sushi places are barebones places with those sticky black tables and menus that look like they get cleaned with a dirty rag every once in a while? Well, this one isn’t one of those places! Immediately upon entry, it’s set aside by its elegant, yet casual atmosphere. This place is on the second floor of a building in downtown JC, so it’s extra special that there’s also an outdoor section. It let us sit outside in the fresh air without feeling like we’re in the middle of traffic.

We were pleasantly greeted and sat immediately. The service was quick and efficient. We weren’t too hungry, so we just ordered 2 mushroom miso soups, a seaweed salad, a yellowtail scallion roll, 2 salmon sashimi (=4 pieces), a Honshu specialty roll and green tea creme brûlée for dessert. Everything was flavorful and delicious. The fish was fresh and beautifully arranged. The Honshu roll was amazing - a huge mouthful of fish in every bite and just the right amount of ‘crunch’. The salmon sashimi was not sinewy at all - good cuts! Yellowtail roll was very simple but with amazing creamy yellowtail tuna flavor. The creme brûlée was so decadent!

All this for a total of $55 (before tip)! We will definitely return.

They do have Omakase starting at $85… and also a rotating menu of specials from oysters to fish from different regions of the world. We’ll try...