NIPPON CHA | Bayside Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

I came here on day 3 of their grand opening week and sampled their preview menu. This menu is not finalized and is subject to change based on customer reactions. The owner also explained to us that their may be slight errors with spelling or descriptions - no biggie.

The decor: Wooden frames, tables, chairs and benches. The vibe is inviting with a rustic feel. The tea bar and kitchen are open which is nice.

The staff: although they are obviously trying, there seems to be confusion and miscommunication. My table only got our water refilled once after an hour and that was after we requested it. We also had to call the waitress over after finishing our meal to order dessert. I'm hopeful this will get better as time progresses and they gain more experience.

What we ordered

/Appetizers/ A5 Tamagoyaki $6, I confused this with okonomiyaki :( this is basically a semi sweet egg omelet that is folded several times.... I wouldn't order it again. A8 Eihire $6, skate collar, I didn't realize this would be similar to fish jerky. Although tasty I would also not order this again lol

/Entrees/ N2 Tonkotu Shouyu ramen $12, the soup base is delicious with just the right amount of salt and garlic. Unlike others I happened to like their noodles however I DO wish it came with more than just one piece of chashu pork... CS5 Unagi Toufu $10, this was an eel with tofu, egg casserole served in a small cast iron skillet. Although this was really good we felt the need to order rice on the side because it was a bit on the salty side.

/Dessert/ - their ice machine was broken so they didn't have ice cream or ice for cold drinks so that was a bummer... but we still tried: T2 Matcha Latte $5, which it tasted good I needed more matcha, the milk totally overpowered it. Also the drink didn't have it's signature latte foam on top of mine. D8 Omatchamatcha Purin $8, Matcha Pudding with azuki and whipped cream. the pudding was more like a jello consistency. You can really taste the matcha but this dessert just wasn't for me... M1 Omatchamatcha Shakashaka set (how much fun is the name LOLOL?!) $8, this was INSANELY fun and probably the #1 reason I would come back. At just $8 dollars you can have a master semi-train you to make matcha! I feel like this price will probably go up soon so definitely go and do this before they do!

Bottom-line The service needs improvement and the food needs better descriptions. I would come back again for the ramen and to get someone else to order the Omatchamatcha...

I was excited to try this Japanese restaurant on Bell Blvd in Bayside's restaurant row. Hoping to find a ramen place that was decent enough to short cut having to go into the city. Bottom line - jury is still out. First of all, the focus of this place is green tea. Which explains their name. Second of all, the all important noodles were quite good, but the tonkatsu broth was ... different. From the start then. The space itself is a little cozy. Regular tables up front and middle, a slightly elevated section in the back right, and a tea "bar" in the back left. It's not fancy but it's not a shack either. For the three of us, we ordered the octopus balls and fried chicken for appetizer and then two tonkatsu ramen and a tuna sashimi salad. First the salad. It was red chunks of sushi grade tuna on greens in a staying that I've never had before. It definitely has wasabi and maybe soy sauce in it. But it paired really well with the actual salad. Next the octopus balls. They were golf ball sized balls of breaded chopped up octopus bits with fish flakes for flavor. A little gooey inside with a bit of creamy salty sauce. Good portion size - 8. The ramen was definitely good. It had two chunky pieces of charsiu pork, the soft boiled eggs, and some bamboo shoots (?). All good but the broth was not what I was expecting. The noodles had the nice bouncy firm with good bite texture you get in a real ramen shop. Then the fried chicken came out. Yes, I think they forgot and my main complaint that the apps came after. But it was good. Huge chunks of chicken thigh meat, deep fried in a light batter. Warning. The thing was HOT and stayed hot even after a few minutes. The meat was juicy inside. After a small squeeze of lemon and a light dumbo in the soy sauce doing sauce, delicious. Lastly, my son wanted to try the dessert and got the green tea latte float. Green tea ice cream scoop in a tall glass with green tea and milk. Not overly sweet and a lot of green tea flavor. The waitress kept refilling our mugs with free hot tea the entire time. True to Japanese food, kind of pricy for the three of us but a good first time - we'll be back to...

Tldr: Nippon Cha offers an exemplary Japanese dining experience with a warm atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious food. Highlights include the fresh and flavorful Charashi bowl, the soft Eel avocado roll, the comforting Tochucha Udon, and the unique Matcha float. A highly recommended spot for an authentic Japanese meal.

Nippon Cha has become my go-to spot for an exemplary Japanese dining experience. The ambiance here is consistently warm and inviting, making it a perfect place for everything from romantic dinners to relaxed gatherings with friends and family.

Every visit, I'm greeted by their attentive staff who never fail to ensure a seamless and pleasurable dining experience. The Charashi bowl is a personal favorite - each bite is a delight with fresh, flavorful salmon perfectly complemented by the seasoned rice. The touch of avocado adds a decadent feel, transforming this dish into a luxurious treat.

The Eel avocado roll never disappoints with its soft, melt-in-your-mouth eel and creamy avocado - a sublime combination that I find myself craving between visits. The Tochucha Udon is always comforting, a warm hug in the form of a bowl. The blend of sweet onions, savory mushrooms, and perfect scallops is a consistent joy to the palate. The chewiness of the udon noodles and the sweetness of the cabbage, all swimming in a delicious dashi-based broth, is a combination I look forward to every time.

A meal here isn't complete without their Matcha float - a harmonious blend of milk and Nippon Cha's own matcha ice cream. The sweetness is just right, allowing the matcha to shine through - a wonderful treat to round off the meal.

In summary, Nippon Cha continues to provide a fantastic dining experience with its exquisite food, excellent service, and warm ambiance. It's a place I find myself returning to often, and I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable...