Goku Kitchen NYC — Restaurant in New York

This was a pleasant discovery. I was looking for a lighter, earlier lunch yesterday during a snowstorm and overall nippy winter day. If that doesn't sound like a recipe for soup dumplings, I don't know what is. I used to go over to Three Times on Water Street for dumps, but that place was always super busy/chaotic and even if I ordered ahead of time I usually had to wait 10 minutes. This was definitely a step up, and much more inviting - it never occurred to me to consider sit-down service at Three Times, and yet I couldn't imagine not doing so at Goku. Go figure.

My animation of choice is early 90s Disney so the theme here is not something I can appreciate quite as much as my other compatriots. It IS unique though; I felt like I was eating dumps in a comic book or collectables store, which is not a sensation I've experienced before. I got here a little after noon and there were a few customers, but filled up quickly, to the point where I had to awkwardly maneuver my gynormous polar vortex jacket out of the way for nearby patrons to sit down. A testament to the popularity of this place (and that I'm not the only one who makes a beeline toward dumplings when it's snowing out).

I ordered the Signature Pork Soup Dumplings ($11.95). It's a little more expensive than Three Times and a few other places I've gone to by a dollar or two, but not insanely so. The dumplings were flavorful and fresh, served with both chopsticks and a soup spoon (I usually eat them with my hands when I get them to go, but it seemed best to be civilized in this situation). Like all soup dumplings, if you aren't careful the soup is super hot and can potentially burn the roof of your mouth, but a dump pro shouldn't have an issue. I always look like a bit of a barbarian when I eat dumplings, but I saw no judgment cast my way. The only issue I had was that they tore apart pretty easily - more than half of them ripped a little bit when they were separated from the bottom of the bamboo steamer, so there was some mild leakage drama as I tried to navigate them to my mouth.

The service was excellent. I was shown to a table immediately, and ordered within literally a few seconds. The dumps came by about 10 minutes later, and though no assistance was needed during the meal, the waitress was literally five feet away by the register to potentially hail down. When I went up to pay the check, that was also a seamless process.

This is the best soup dumpling place I've found in this neighborhood. Is it the best in the overall area? No (there's an establishment in JC that is just as tasty and the dumplings stay together better), but it's a very solid addition that I wouldn't hesitate to come back to, especially when the temperature...

You know, I really, really wanted to like this place, but after visiting it yesterday, I'm not convinced that all the hype is worth it on social media. First, my boyfriend tried to call earlier to make a reservation, and he was misinformed that you don't need one, especially for just two people. We get there, and the person in charge says all tables are reserved, and we would have to do takeout. So we order and wait. A big group leaves, leaving a big empty table. However, we were told we couldn't sit there because it was reserved. We waited over 20 minutes for our food, during this time no one came for any of the reservations. I believe that if a reservation doesn't show up for 15 minutes, patrons waiting to eat should be allowed to sit. By the time our food was ready, four more tables had emptied out, but we still weren't allowed to sit. If it weren't for a couple who walked in and told the person in charge, "Hey, this big table is empty, can we eat here and can they eat their takeout here too?" this is the only reason we were able to stay and enjoy the restaurant's decor. As for the food, it was okay. It was hot, but the flavor was a bit too sweet for my taste. If your significant other is a hardcore Dragon Ball Z fan, this is a must-visit place. Do it once, take your pictures and videos, and you'll be fine. However, for me, it was a two out of five-star visit due to the customer service and flavor...

Stumbled upon Goku Kitchen NYC in the Financial District, and wow—what a find! This spot is a dream for anime lovers, with crazy cool décor that’s both immersive and entertaining. The vibe is fun, the staff is incredibly friendly, and the manager made sure we had an amazing experience.

Now, let’s talk food. We tried the chicken curry, beef ramen, and their signature pork buns—each dish was flavorful and satisfying. The cucumber salad was a refreshing surprise, and their signature drinks were just as impressive: a tropical passionfruit refresher and a creamy taro milk tea.

But the real showstopper? The Black Lava Buns—a visually stunning black bun filled with warm, creamy custard. Absolutely delicious and a must-try!

If you're in FiDi and love Japanese comfort food with an anime twist, Goku Kitchen is a must-visit. Will...