Ootoya - Union Square

The food was good, especially the grilled fish and the chicken. I was looking for some healthier options and it delivered flavor, without being over condimented. The diva noodles were just okay, too soft in my opinion. The waitress never came back after taking the order and I had to get her attention to being the check; there were too many customers per waiter. The counter sitting looks into the backroom and it doesn't have the same nice ambience as the main room or the regular bar.

Ootoya is always one of my classic go-tos in the area. Price point can be a bit high, but the food is always so fresh and delicious :) Some highlights I've had: -- Katsu ju is one of my favourite dishes here. The pork is very tender and flavourful, and while the broth keeps it from being very crispy, it doens't get soggy at all. The dashi can make the rice a tad salty, but overall it balances quite nicely against the savoury pork. -- Oyako ju is similar and also a great choice. Other than the yummy chicken, the lightly sweet onions paired really nicely with the mix of fried chicken and egg. -- Yosenabe has such a variety of fresh meats and veggies. The pork belly and beef slices were delicious, but do note that the broth has a much fishier (strong mackerel) flavour throughout, if that'

Four of us travelled down to Union Square at 11th street to have lunch at Ootoya. We have been to other Ootoya locations including in Tokyo. The service was very friendly and professional. Restaurant is nicely decorated with quite a few tables. We were given a nice table near the rear. I ordered the eel bento box and the others ordered tonkatsu and mackerel boxes. All dishes were nicely presented and delicious. Prices are very reasonable for the lunch menu. Highly recommended.

Ootoya at Union Square is a solid spot for comforting Japanese food. The menu has a great variety, and the dishes are well-prepared with fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a nice place to relax over a meal. Service was attentive, though the wait times were a little longer than expected. Overall, delicious food and a pleasant dining experience — worth a visit if you’re in the area.

I love Japanese food so much. What a great find! It was restaurant week so we got to try more! The menu is extensive and the food is great. My hubby has more photos on his phone, but all the flavors just take me back to Japan. Definitely try it!