KENKA

Kenka – A must-visit Japanese Izakaya on St. Mark’s! I love this place and always bring my friends and family here — everyone I’ve taken has loved it, and it’s never once disappointed. The food, flavors, prices, and overall vibe are spot-on. The restaurant opens at 5 PM, and it gets very busy fast, so make sure to come early and write your name down. It’s a first-come, first-served system. The interior has a gritty, authentic Japanese street-style izakaya vibe — not in a basement, but it feels like a tucked-away Tokyo spot. The menu is mostly photos and can be a bit tricky to understand, especially for first-timers, so take your time when ordering. We started with two pitchers of beer — grapefruit and peach flavors — at only $13 per pitcher, which is such a great deal. We ordered a bunch of dishes: • Tako Wasabi • Japanese Sausages • Japanese Pancake • Takoyaki • Fried Squid • Raw Salmon Sashimi • Grilled Salmon • Mentaiko Onigiri Everything was super tasty, and most dishes range from just $3 to $8 — great portions, great prices. This is a place that’s best enjoyed with a group — it’s fun, flavorful, and full of energy. The staff and kitchen crew are all Japanese, which adds to the authentic feel. One tip: order everything at once, because the second round of orders can take a while to come out. The only downside is the restroom — it’s not super convenient, but it’s usable. Overall, Kenka is an awesome izakaya experience in NYC. Highly recommend — don’t miss it!

Fun spot with great vibes! The food was solid—especially the karaage and yakisoba. Service was quick and friendly, and the prices are really affordable for the area. Loved the playful atmosphere and the cotton candy machine at the end. Great place to go with friends!

One of my favorite places in the city. I recommend this place if you want to have an unique dinning experience, with a 90 min turn table I recommend to order everything at once, and if you can write down your order to help the staff (they can get pretty busy). The food is good and the service is also alright, not bad but not the best. Unique decoration and great prices, it is the perfect place to have snacks and beers with some sake. Be ready to wait at the line, especially on weekends.

Unique dining experience with great Japanese bites. We shared the seaweed salad, edamame, and pork dumplings which were all delicious. I got the cold udon noodles which were super refreshing on a hot day. After paying you receive the sugar for the cotton candy machine outside, which makes the eclectic experience.

If you're looking for a restaurant to chill at and chat with friends after work, this place is perfect. I ordered grapefruit and peach beers to enjoy with my friends. As for the snacks, I ordered a lot, but my favorite was the tako wasabi — great for snacking on while sipping beer and chatting. To finish off, the restaurant has a fun gimmick: a cotton candy machine you can play with and make your own dessert. The atmosphere is really nice too. I’ll definitely come back when I get the chance.

Absolutely loved it. Went thursday night and there was a huge line out the door. They take your name and the number of people in your party and the line moved rather quickly and we got inside. I got the agedashi tofu and it was heavenly. The tofu's seared on the outside but it was also cooked all the way through and was very soft and hot on the inside. I also ate the edamame which i liked very much and my friend got the udon noodles with chicken and said they were great as well. Staff was very nice and food arrived quickly. I wouldn't go on a thursday night again though because it was packed and really loud but that's not the establishment's fault.

After finishing a lengthy meeting, my colleagues and I decided to stop into Kenka for dinner on a Thursday night. While we were waiting in the extremely long line, one colleague realized he had left his wallet at the bar we’d just come from. He sprinted back to get it like he was auditioning for a Nike commercial, and during that time the manager—a young woman with fake eyelashes applied with the enthusiasm of someone frosting a cupcake—rolled her eyes and refused to seat us until everyone was present. We explained the situation, but empathy was clearly not on the menu, so she gave our table to another group. After a few more minutes standing in the kind of cold that could turn nipples into medieval weaponry, our colleague returned and we were finally seated. The dining area was exactly what you’d expect from a grungy St. Marks spot—nothing shocking, unless you count the décor, which seems to have been curated by someone who collects chaos. When it came time to order, our waiter, took our order and everything seemed normal. We got our pitcher of beer, and then one entrée arrived… and nothing else. We waited, and then another person’s dish came out several minutes later, then another much later. The food delivery was so staggered I started to wonder if the kitchen staff was cooking each dish one at a time on a single tea candle. I thought this was a restaurant, not a drive-thru with commitment issues. I asked the manager about the missing rice, and she gave me a slow up-and-down like she was scanning me for weapons, then said, “It’s coming.” Fifteen more minutes passed—still nothing. When I followed up again, she responded, “I don’t know, maybe tomorrow,” and walked off. I was stunned. I’m usually very respectful to restaurant staff because I know service work is hard, but this felt like performance art. She then sent our waiter over, who seemed to mock the interaction with a scheming grin on his face by saying my entrée would arrive “tonight.” At that point, I canceled the dish, partly because I was uncomfortable and partly because I didn’t trust squid cooked under these conditions. We finished our beer, and despite the cancellation, the entrée still came out like a plot twist no one asked for. We declined it. Then we waited a long time for the check, which included an automatic 7% gratuity—probably their way of admitting they know exactly how the service is going. Meanwhile, one of my colleagues—who ordered the beef stir fry, theoretically the safest item on the menu—started feeling sick and had to leave early. When we checked on her afterward, we found her curled up on the floor of her apartment like she was auditioning for the role of “Dramatic Hospital Patient #3.” She normally follows a very strict diet, so this reaction was extra alarming. I’m writing this review while she’s still in the bathroom, rethinking her life choices. Overall, the service, the food timing, and the attitudes combined into an experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I genuinely don’t understand how this place continues to operate the way it does. If you want to avoid feeling disrespected—or hearing your stomach make sounds from a horror movie—there are much better options nearby, including the conveniently located Raising Cane’s. Stay safe out there.

Kenka is one of my absolute favorite spots in NYC. It feels like stepping into a cool, chaotic Tokyo alley. The food is always delicious, flavorful, and affordable. One of the best parts? You get cotton candy at the end of your meal – such a fun little touch that makes the experience even more memorable! If you’re looking for great Japanese food with a cool vibe and a full-on experience, Kenka is a must-visit. I’d give it more than 10/10 if I could!

This place is oozing with vibes. Maybe not the vibes that you like, but vibes regardless. They certainly give off a gritty and rebellious aesthetic: writing in the bathroom, NSFW mags on the walls, a BDSM display on the side of the restaurant. It really brings the izakaya experience together. I got in at 5 on the dot since I knew that this place was going to have a pretty solid wait. The restaurant was quite packed even upon opening. There is a huge selection of items. The menu is very much clutter-core. Options are inexpensive as well so you can order a lot to share with the table. There is $8.50 ramen! The quality isn't incredible, but I think you're getting what you're paying for (still delicious, don't worry). And I'm sure you're not caring about the quality too much when you're getting drinks as well. We got sake and it came in an enormous bottle! I thought the service was fast and efficient, and they kept the good times coming with more drinks for our large table. Also, they gave pink sugar at the end of our meal that is used for the cotton candy machine outside! What a cool way to end the experience. It's hard to say what would ever make this place 5 stars. But I know they give a unique feel that isn't captured by many restaurants.

If the rating was solely based on fun I'd give it 5 stars for the vibes and $8 pitchers!!!! Such a cool spot to hang out and chat and drink while feeling like you're at a lil restaurant in Tokyo. If you're really hungry I'd suggest eating beforehand as all our food came cold and a significant while after ordering. Some didn't come at all :( they also don't have ponzu so don't expect to dip your yakitori in it. The servers are nice but also in no hurry so just get ya pitchers and carry on with your conversation, cause you're gonna be there awhile. The cotton candy at the end is also so cool. Would recommend everyone to come here at least once just for the experience :)

There's no way you're gonna look at this platter and tell me that my meal at Kenka was in anyway forgettable - this little basement restaurant had a line wrapped around the corner for good reason. the prices are unheard of especially for a spot on St Mark's place. we had a table of four and got a pitcher of beer and multiple things to eat each and it was an $80 bill. even as a non beer drinker I have to shout out a $8 pitcher of Sapporo - there are so many yakitori options so anyone in their right mind would get the $25 sampler platter. it came with four different types of meat: succulent herby bbq chicken, the softest melt in your mouth meatballs, salty chewy pork, and....nasty flavorless hard squid. three out of four seems like a pretty good win considering the chicken is a double portion. - the menu is massive with photos for every item in a collage sort of format. it's hard to tell what you're getting but you get the idea you can't really go wrong. we got the katsu over rice and the chicken was light and crispy sitting on a bed of moist rice with a light salty sweet sauce. - the Katsu curry was a solid portion for 10 bucks with the same crispy light chicken in a rich curry sauce! def recommend - they have $6-8 sushimi that despite the price isn't sus at all. we split items so couldn't try the ramen options but saw all the steaming fat bowls of noodles heading to every other table - the whole restaurant is filled with bizarre art of anime and nude photos. the tables are all tiny and go up to about your knee. you feel like you're sitting in a doll set. this is such a unique experience and a great place to take out of towners to show them New York's true personality. at the end of your meal, you get little pots of sugar to go make your own cotton candy in their machine outside!

Fun, funky, and eclectic spot to experience. The best word for this place is maximalist. The menu can be overwhelming. I was not impressed with the sashimi but the okonomkyaki was good. Service was fine, they got the job done. They also offer sugar to make your own cotton candy at the end of your meal. It was definitely an NYC experience.

WOW! It's mandatory for me to visit Kenka with friends everytime I'm in the city. $1.50 draft beers, $8.50 pitchers a lively ambiance of younger crowd to start the night! A very extensive menu so there's something for everyone to enjoy with dishes being under $12 mostly. Right when you step in, it feels like you're taken back to Japan, friendly fast service as well. If you do mind a wait go right when they open at 5 pm and add your name on the list! I've never waited more than 20 minutes during the first hour of opening.

A pitcher of Sapporo for $8?? In Manhattan?? I genuinely thought it was a typo until it showed up at the table, cold, foamy, and glorious. I've paid more for a sad pour of beer at a concert, and this place out here serving entire pitchers like it's still 2010. The food is pretty good. Surprisingly flavorful, ridiculously affordable, and way better than it needs to be at this price point. We got a bunch of small plates and left full and happy. The vibe is chaotic. It's loud, it's cramped, and it's absolutely perfect for messy, cheap nights with friends. If you know, you know. And now you know. Bonus: you get cotton candy after your meal, which you can make outside!

Came here for dinner last night with friends. There is a waiting list outside, the wait wasn't too bad. It was very busy, food did come out quick. Food and service were ok. I don't think there was a stand out dish for me, the yakitori combination plate was dry and tasteless, the squid was very rubbery, the onigiri didn't have a lot of salmon inside, the croquettes were average. Place is definitely affordable for big groups. Interesting decor. Don't think I'll be back.

Cool Japan-centric theme with a weird dominatrix doll in a display area, and walls with weird decor, and crazy vintage Asian music and art and more at this izakaya spot, lots of small dishes to share and try - menu has a lot of pictures and items, and they're a bit old and falling apart. Stairs down - not sure this is handicap friendly at all. Tiny low ceiling, low light. Line can take a while with bigger parties - for 2, it was quick. Liked the miso ramen but it was salty. The pan-fried pork with kimchi was just right, not spicy. They were out of the whole squid; squid legs were a bit tasteless and rubbery as food goes. Tako wasabi was excellent, good size. Took forever and a day to get the agedashi tofu (came after our bill, actually). Cheap beer ($1.50!) and the sashimi Moriawase Deluxe was a nice sashimi and salad plate. Little cup of sugar for you to go out to the front and make a small cotton candy for yourself afterwards, too. Service - like I said, delayed dishes, hard to find someone to order from and the guy was better than the girl who was just not happy at being there, I think... but food was a fun mix of Japanese small bites. Will have to try the fried chicken and gyoza here next time. Food - great bites here and there. Service - meh. Cost - very reasonable. I'll be back!

TL;DR Go for the izakaya ambiance. Prices are low, but quality isn't high. Order up and share plates/drinks. Kenka, located in NYC's East Village, is a pub serving both traditional and modern Japanese cuisine. While walking through St. Mark's Place, the crowd of people gathered at the entrance caught our eyes. We decided to give it a try! There's a clipboard at the front for you to write your name down on the waitlist. Weekends are PACKED, so be prepared. The first notable thing I have to say about this place is that the decor and ambiance are spot on. The entire restaurant is decorated head to toe in Japanese memorabilia. You will really feel like you were transported to an izakaya in Japan. It's loud, a bit rowdy, and very dark in there. Actually, a bit too dark because we were struggling to read the menu. It was also FREEEEEZING COLD... I don't know why they didn't have their heaters blasting on a 15 degree day. Wild. Anyway... we squinted our eyes in the dark as hard as we could to look through the menu. There's a large variety of dishes to choose from, ranging from street-style food to sushi to noodles to grilled meats to seafood to desserts and so on. They also have a full drinks menu with sake, beer, wine, ramune, and milk teas, so you can drink your heart away. Prices are SURPRISINGLY CHEAP! You can definitely order and share a bunch of items tapas style. We ordered: *Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) with curry and rice $9.50 - I was disappointed in this. The breading wasn't crispy or flaky enough and the pork wasn't that tender. I've had much better. The curry was good though; it had the right amount of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. *Yakisoba (stir-fried noodles with pork, squid, vegetables) $8.50 - Skimpy portions of meat and too many vegetables for my liking. They chopped up the squid in pieces that were so small... The noodles were decent, but nothing to rave about. *Miso Ramen $9 - My +1 liked this and finished the whole bowl. *(2) Sake (Japanese rice wine) $9 each - We both got the Junmai sake. This was actually the highlight of the meal! It was strong and refreshing, but went down smoothly with a dry finish. Overall, the food was average and was just enough to fill our bellies when we were starving. The cheap prices made up for it. Service could have been improved. It took awhile for someone to come over to our table once we sat down. Our server didn't introduce himself and wasn't very attentive throughout the dinner. After we placed our initial order, we didn't see him until it was time for the check. I understand that they're super busy, but that doesn't excuse lackluster or poor service. When we got the check, we were also given small cups of these pink powder mixes. We had NO IDEA what this was... we even googled it lol. We wanted to wait and ask our server, but didn't want to be stuck waiting there in the cold restaurant any longer. It wasn't until I did my research later on... The pink powder they give you is a COTTON CANDY MIX! They have a machine at the front of the restaurant where you can make your own for free. That's such a cute idea and a sweet way to end a meal. I wish they would have just told us because we would never have figured it out. Oh well.

I really wanted to like this place but the service was unforgivable. Me and my partner ordered at the same time. They brought my omurice, and they never brought her order. We waited like 40 minutes before we we asked. "It must have gotten lost" is what they said. Really? We waited like another 20 before we both finally had our food on the table. The omurice isn't even real omurice by the way. They simply put egg over rice. Not what the dish calls for. Also we asked for a compensatory beer pitcher for the egregious experience we been having and i'm pretty sure we got charged for that in the end too. Goodbye.

As someone who lives in SoCal, I don't know any other place that serves alcohol for $1.50 (and if you do, please let me know where)! Kenka is a pretty cool Japanese-themed izakaya/bar with an extensive menu and several alcohol options. The menu can be quite hard to read though, but it's part of the ~experience~. My friends and I came here on a Friday night and it was poppin with a line out the door. I'm assuming it's not as crowded during the week, but I can see why it can get busy on weekend nights when everyone is going out to drink. My group was on the smaller side (there were only 3 of us) so we got seated fairly quickly, before any of the larger parties in front of us were able to be seated. So if you're coming with a large group, I recommend coming earlier in the night or be prepared to wait a bit. They sell beer for $1.50, which is a crazy cheap price in my opinion. I'm not a big fan of beer though, so I got one of the soju cocktails, which range from $5-$6.50 (which is still a huge steal). I got it with the lychee soda base and it doesn't taste like there's alcohol in there at all, but a few sips got me buzzed very quickly. Perfect for a girl who likes to get drunk but hates the taste of alcohol. We were told some "requirement" about ordering but we couldn't quite understand since it was so loud, so maybe you have to order above a certain price point or order food? Either way, we got another lychee soda cocktail as well as fried squid. The squid was pretty good as it wasn't your typical fried calamari but more of a Japanese-style squid which I really like. I think their biggest selling point is how cheap the alcohol is here, so I would say come here for the drinks and order something small as a snack if you have to get food.

I have been coming here for at least 10 years, you'll never have 5 star service here but you will always leave with a smile on your face after having a great time. Be prepared to wait, people start lining up for 30 mins before opening most days. First come, first serve and most people that come, come in big groups. Drinks are cheap, their house cold sake is pretty good. The beer flights are such a steal! For food, anything fried will be great, we always love to try something new, everyone orders one thing and we all share. Plates range from $5-$12 for most. I don't know if their kimchi is house made but I will go through at least 2 bowls myself. For ambiance, the decor looks like someone had an acid infused dream about Asia and decorated it as such. Do not bring your grandmother, she will be in shock

I think the vast majority of people who go here and leave bad reviews for the food don't know what to order. If you ever go to Kenka,,, get the cheap and delicious Japanese beer and the stuff I ordered in the receipt I attached in photos. It all comes hot, insanely delicious, and filling. My favorite is the Buta Kimchee and Yaki Udon. For 3 people--38.65 is nuts. Service is mid. They're definitely trying to rush you out and the food is sometimes really slow to come. BUTTTTT they get the job done and that's all I can really ask for. It's still a really good time. The decor and chaos of the place does make up for it.

This is a cute funky Japanese restaurant in the heart of the east village in nyc. The fish was incredibly fresh melted in mouth so delicious. My hubby said the sea food noodle soup was fabulous season perfectly. Btw the price was right a bill was a bit under 100 bucks for the below dishes plus warm tea.

Cheap drinks which was nice. Food was mid at best, but that's ok since it's mostly a bar-style restaurant. My 3 star comes from the fact that one of the waitresses gave a bit of attitude when we asked to order additional items after paying, which may have been a customer error, but regardless we are giving them service and money, so I don't really see the problem.

It's so difficult to find Japanese food for a good price in Manhattan, so Kenka is very special for that. Their menu has so many options, and everything is quite cheap. I had a katsu curry, and it was a huge plate, with delicious crispy katsu and a heaping side of rice. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is pretty rowdy, and there is usually a line during busy hours. The staff are extremely friendly. After you eat, they give you some sugar so you can make cotton candy yourself at the machine right outside the restaurant. I definitely recommend!

Great place with the real izakaya spirit with several options for an affordable price. The portions are not huge which will allow you to taste several meals. We shared the kaarage, oyakodon, saba and croquettes. Everything was delicious We had a great time ! Ideal to go out with friends for drinks

My friend brought me here and it quite crazy the amount of times I've walked by this spot. All you need to some dirt cheap draft beer and that's what keeps bringing me here with other group of friends. Can't beat $1.50! The food are also pretty affordable as well, although I haven't ordered any food here. Great for college students, which attracts hoards of them anyway to St. Marks Place. Service is okay. Expect to put in effort in waving down a waitress to place your order or to get your check and pay.

Went to catch up with friends and had a great time. An izakaya vibe, a little loud but it was expected with how large the space is. My focus will be on the food, though I have to say the decor gave raunchy 70s Japan, so think twice before bringing your mother. The food was mostly good but I have to address the burnt squid. Because the environment is fast pace expect things to be a little on the greasier side. The soup dishes were amazing especially on a cold day. I recommend all the rice dishes, takoyaki and gyoza as well. The warm sake was pleasantly nice, again for a cold day. At the end you get to make your own cotton candy, which was pretty cool. Beware of empty cups in the machine though. Probably should be cleaned out more often.

I love this place. I always get two items from the menu because it's so cheap for what you get. The ambience is also super unique in a way that I think is cool, but I could see certain people not liking it. The service is normal on average but sometimes it takes a while for one person in my party to get their food after we all have ours.

The restaurant is pretty dark and a bit warm. The atmosphere is very interesting, a lot of sexual decor and even a brightly lit room showcasing a tied up mannequin. I would say they are not known for their services. We had to ask for water on multiple occasions before someone came to refill our cups. The food was pretty good. The portions are pretty large, and the price was very affordable. I ordered the karaage, Yakitori, and katsudon. 1. Karaage: crispy but lacked any flavor 2. Takitori: good chicken, not the most tender, there was a bite but still would get again. 3. Katsudon: it came with a lot of rice, but the dish was pretty authentic.

Been here so many times and the food is always great, the place can use an upgrade in aesthetics but otherwise, great. Will always keep coming back

This place is vibrant . I felt like I was in Japan again. Waiters and waitresses are super fast in giving out food. Definitely check out their bathroom before you leave. And also remember to take the pink sugar outside and make yourself a cotton candy for free. Keep the vibes going

You'll immediately notice this Japanese spot if you find yourself in St. Marks as long lines form to get in. For years, the hype existed and for good reason. Prices are dirt cheap and the ambiance is quite great. It's one of those packed, loud restaurants where your seat is most likely touching someone else's seat behind you and the bathrooms are filled with graffiti akin to a dive bar, yet it totally works. We came here at 10:40pm on a Friday night and were lucky to get seated after a 5 minute wait. Yes, even at almost 11pm people are lining up, trying to eat at this place. The kitchen closes at 11pm, so our server was quick to get our orders and serve our food. - Shio Shake: For $6.50 in 2024, this large cut of salmon is a total steal. Salmon was light on the salt, but the grated daikon and lemon elevated each bite and the skin tasted great. - Oyako Don: Another steal for $6.50. Chicken and egg over rice is your classic Japanese comfort meal with the rice perfectly sweet and the chicken cut in large chunks. Amazed by the quality considering the prices. - Takoyaki: Classic Japanese street snack with all the right ingredients. Generous serving of bonito flakes, Takoyaki sauce, and pickled red ginger. The diced octopus inside the batter is always a great treat. Goes well with your $8 pitcher of Sapporo and is perfect for sharing (6 balls). This spot is great for a night out with friends and the food is surprisingly high quality at insanely low prices. You get cotton candy powder with your bill, if you'd like to make cotton candy right outside, but as you may have guessed already, there's also a line for access to the free cotton candy machine.

I'm really sorry to say this but I'm so disappointed by Kenka. Every time I walk by, there's always a huge line out the door so I knew that I had to try it out. We came at around 5:45 and were easily able to grab a table for 4 which was great. The inside decoration is actually insane - it's like the peak of a specific sub-culture in Japan all crammed into one place. Honestly I would recommend going just to be in the vibes. However, the food was very mediocre to say the least. - Okonomiyaki - I think this was also one of the better things to order as I did appreciate the thick cut pancake filled with lettuce. - Chawanmushi - I think this was the biggest disappointment of the night. It tasted like the egg was steamed in water and the mushrooms were just chopped in there with no flavor. - Green Apple Soda - The soda was interesting and definitely very alcoholic and artificially-flavored. - Tantan Ramen - This ramen tasted a bit like it came out from the frozen food aisle but I will say that unfortunately this was one of the better things of the night. The quantity was quite big compared to the other dishes we recieved. - Gyoza - The gyozas here felt like they got some frozen dumplings with very thick dough and pan-fried them. It didn't feel like anything special. - Yakitori - We got the huge plate of yakitori and honestly none of them were good. They were all a bit cold with no flavor. We also ordered a lot more but unfortunately I cannot remember them anymore. Go for the vibes and not the food. Honestly one visit is enough.

My seat by the wall smelled like piss, the whole restaurant gave off a piss smell so if you have a problem with smells and eating, then I suggest skipping this place. Aside from that ... MY LEFT LEG WAS COVERED IN FLEA BITES WHEN I LEFT! 12 bites to be exact. Not sure what the heck is going on with the hygiene and cleanliness there but this place AINT IT. Food was pretty on par with a Japanese Izakaya in Japan. Ordered okonomiyaki, takoyaki, yakitori and onigiri. Wouldn't go back, the smell of pee while I ate ruined my appetite and WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THE FLEAS

This place is unlike any place I have been (in a positive way). It's kind of like a fun cheap Japanese pub? There is a bit of sensory overload from the menu being so large, to the music, to the loudness of the customers. That being said- I loved it. Couple friends and I stopped in here for a little early dinner/pregame on before heading to a Liberty game. We got 2 pitchers of beer, and like 8 dishes to share, and the total came out to only $80! The food was just OK but got the job done. I did notice there was a line out the door on weekends so maybe try a weekday. Must try once for the experience and value not necessarily the food itself.

Great vibes. Food was okay. I was having a great time until my friend pulled 2 super long hairs out of her mouth that were hidden in her omurice. Then I lost my appetite. Wish I had gotten a picture but the waitress just came and took the plate away. At least it wasn't on our bill :(

I had to come here because I saw the menu, and it was designed similar to the menu of an izakaya I went to in Japan. The vibes were similar too. Fried Rice: I'm not a big seafood person (outside of fish and shrimp), but this was really good. The flavor is unique and addictive. Karaage: Very solid and good karaage. Tonkatsu: The crisp is real! However, I likely wouldn't order this again, since the meat was too hard for my liking. Calpico Sour: I couldn't find this on the menu, but they were able to make this for me. This is shochu and the Calpico soft drink. It's my favorite cocktail, and I can't ever find it at bars in the US. The alcohol in this was a bit too strong for my taste, but it was really close to the way I like it. (The service is amazing -- the staff is attentive and helpful.) If I go back, I would consider ordering this again. Yakitori: I would personally skip. It wasn't marinated enough or didn't have enough flavor. Cotton Candy: You get the sugar to make your own cotton candy at the end of the meal, which is a cool experience! I wish I had room for more, but I guess I have to return to try everything else.

The meal had moments that stood out as special. Amazing food, great service, and extremely friendly staff! This represents the peak of service quality. Every item we selected was fresh, flavorful and showed cooking expertise. All things considered, service was good and I'll return.

Came here with a group of 4. Walked in around 530pm on a weekday and didn't have to wait for a table. Chairs are kinda small and uncomfortable. Ambiance is somewhat dark. Menus smelled funny. Food was ok. We ordered a bunch of things to share. The only things that really stood out to me was the fried squid legs and buttered mushrooms. The takoyaki was decent as well. I didn't like the combination yakitori plate. The sticks were just average tasting and I didn't really like it. We ordered the seafood nabe. It was quite big and just right for 4 ppl but taste was kinda bland. Overall, it's good for cheap beer but food is just mid.

I came here with a friend on a Wednesday night for dinner. It was super busy, but there was no wait. We ordered quite a few things, including kimchi, a salad, fried chicken skewers, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and potato croquettes, which were all delicious and came out relatively fast. Definitely not the cleanest-- there are always flies buzzing around-- but it's worth it once in a while.

After my girlfriend and I came back from our trip to Japan we were finding ourselves in a predicament. We missed the Japanese izakaya so my gf being the detective she is she found Kenka and let me tell you. The ambiance and food to the service it resembles and brings back to that day I first went into a izakaya. Such a great find!! There are more than small eats I saw on the menu you can get a full meal too good ramen and donburis. Will be coming back

Came on a thrusday night around 5pm. It wasn't busy at the time, but as we were there there were more people coming in. Eventually when we left, there was a short wait. Decorations are interesting. Definitely not your typical izakaya. The okonomiyaki was soggy. The flavors were there, but it didn't have the nice pan fried crust on the outside. Everything fell apart too. The meat could've been more distributed as well. However this was the better food option. Yakitori combination platter either lacked flavor or tasted strange. The meatballs threw me off. Not sure what they were seasoned with. The chicken skewers could've used more salt. Squid was super chewy. Katsu skewers also could've used more seasoning as well. Kenka is good if you want a cheap eat and low cost alcohol. A pint of Sapporo or Kirin was only $1.50 each, and they have a good variety of other low cost alcohol options. However, there's more to be desired in regards to food.

The bar is very lively at night! It is a great place to bring a group of people to drink and have cheap eats. The service is fast. The menu is extensive which is nice for people to get different items. My party got the skewers platter which was really good. I liked the chicken skewer the best but the meatball ones were also a hit. The fries were nothing special but are good to munch on. I would come back if I want a lively place to eat and drink!

Cheapest prices i've seen in NYC but don't expect high quality food. you get what you pay for. the ambiance is very interesting and unique and the service is good too.

Always fun coming here although it def isn't as welcoming as it used to be. Fried frog is amazing but the fact that we have to look at their complex menu on our phone while being rushed was off putting. Still gets 5 stars as it's still a nostalgic place for me

I've been to kenka so many times now and it's always a great place to go for cheap Japanese bar food. Don't come here if you're expecting a fancy izakaya and drinks. Its also very loud and they have sirens going but that's part of their aesthetics. They offer cheap beer and cheap food to match. While the food is cheap, it doesn't mean the dishes are bad. Everything I've had so far tastes similar to what I've had at other basic Japanese restaurants but a fraction of the price. If you go i recommend the Niku udon, cream croquettes and karagge. The okonomiyaki and takoyaki are both good too and I alternate between them depending what I feel that day. They hav a huge menu so im sure some things are a miss, but the prices arent too bad to try things if youre curious. Their eel over rice was the one dish I didn't like so far because it was pretty bland and was mushy on top of mushy for $18. Their curry udon tastes like the packaged udon which isn't a bad thing but take that for what it is. They get pretty crowded as the night goes on and I get why since you can get 5 dishes and literally only pay $20 split between 2 people which is rare these days.

The restaurant is extremely loud, with blasting music and a packed crowd of young people, making it nearly impossible to have a conversation without shouting. The space is tight, with tiny tables and awkward seating arrangements. My group was seated slightly in the main walkway, which felt uncomfortable and added to the overall chaos. If you're someone who dislikes loud, crowded, and cramped environments, this place will likely overwhelm you. The dishes are cheap and decent, offering a variety of Japanese street food and izakaya-style bites. While nothing was particularly outstanding, the affordability makes it a good option for those on a budget. However, the dining experience was so uncomfortable that it overshadowed the food itself. Because this place is so close to NYU and other nearby colleges, Kenka seems to cater primarily to a younger crowd--think college students looking for a fun, rowdy night out with cheap drinks and food. If you're in that demographic, this might be your spot. While the food is affordable and decent, the overwhelming noise, cramped seating, and chaotic atmosphere made it a deeply uncomfortable experience for me. I wouldn't return, but I can see how it might appeal to younger diners who don't mind the loud, crowded vibe and are looking for a cheap night out.

I love that place the first time going with a friend but when i went the second time alone, they treated me like I was invisible. Terrible place to do solo hangout. I waited forever to place order and pay. Waiters don't even acknowledge me, when I placed my order they looked annoyed while they are attentive to others. Only perk of this place was the draft beer but don't go there alone.

Ate here saturday night, so the place was extremely crowded. They have a clipboard where you can write down your name as a reservation, but honestly just stay near the front door and pay attention when an employee comes out to ask for anyone waiting for a table and you'll find that the projected wait time is a lot shorter (people leave/don't pay attention and wander off sometimes). If it's at a busier time, it'll be slow to get your food and/or check, but understandable given the very high customer density. The food itself was good and very filling. The omurice had very flavorful fried rice, although the amount of ketchup/mayonnaise on top was a bit too much. The size of the dish was a bit smaller than expected, but still sufficient for a medium-sized meal. The madon yaki (okonomiyaki with pan-fried noodles) was significantly larger than expected. I would recommend either sharing with some friends or being prepared to take out some leftovers. Skimpy on the meat a bit- perhaps the okonomiyaki has better mileage- but still had good chew to the pieces that were there. Cheap prices, especially for NYC. Do note that the decorations have sexual elements (for example, there's a naked female mannequin tied up with rope), so probably not a place you want to take children.

This spot is perfect for a budget-friendly pregame. Most entrees and drinks are under $10, which is practically unheard of in NYC. Located in the heart of the East Village, it's super convenient for restaurant and bar hopping after grabbing a quick bite at Kenka. The interior really transports you to Japan, and the vibes are overall great. I've been here twice this month because I wanted to try more from the menu. The cocktails and highballs - a must. However, I wouldn't recommend the pork belly hotpot--it was lacking in flavor, and the broth was way too light for my taste. The tuna tartare was also a letdown. It didn't taste fresh and was pretty bland. All in all, this place is great for the vibes and as a cheap spot to grab drinks. The food is pretty much what you'd expect for the price. The curry is something I'll definitely be ordering again!

Kenka was a super fun place to eat but I strongly advise you to get there at least 20 minutes before opening and writing down your name to save your spot! It's a very popular spot on St. Mark's from what I learned and it gets busy even before it's opened. My friend and I had been walking around and I remembered that this place was popular so we went to check it out. We had no idea how lucky we were to get there early and write our name down because it got so crowded outside it was actually hard to walk. We got seated within minutes and I believe you get an hour or two time limit to eat and order. My main takeaways are that the menu is huge and can be a bit overwhelming in trying to decide what to eat. However, there were so many options that were cheaper than compared to other places and it got me excited to try multiple items. We ordered many dishes and I would definitely go back for more of their sashimi! It was one of my favorites. The grilled mackerel was cooked perfectly but make sure to eat slow and carefully as there are bones. The udon was surprisingly sweet and I loved it! I think this place was really fun to eat at and they have so much to try. There's a lot of Japanese classics and I think that you really can't go wrong with what you get.

I first heard about KENKA from a friend who couldn't stop raving about the $1.50 beers. Naturally, I had to check it out for myself. Arriving around 5pm when they open, it's quite easy to get seated, but be warned - as the evening progresses, the place fills up quickly and the wait can get quite long. I was immediately taken by the fun and quirky interior. The decorations are fascinating and eclectic, adding a unique charm to the dining experience. The menu is massive and just as visually stimulating, offering a visual feast before you even place your order. And yes, the beer is indeed as cheap as promised. At $1.50, it's a steal. The food is also cheap, good, and plentiful, making it easy to indulge in a variety of dishes without breaking the bank. Beware, though - you'll likely want to stay here for a long time, soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the drinks. However, they do have a 90-minute seating limit, so plan your visit accordingly. And a heads-up about the bathrooms: they are quite "interesting," adding yet another quirky element to the KENKA experience. Unfortunately I don't have any photos to post in this review as I have such a good time inside I always forget to capture the moment!

Japanese street food with a really cool vibe! It's really popular so the waiting time is appreciated 20-30 mins around a Friday night (7pm) The price of the food is really students friendly and the portion is on a smaller side. Would come back for sure!

wow this place is fire. i always walk past this place but i never go. when my friend was like let's meet up here i was like sure and searched it up and i was like omg this is the moving mannequin place. we came quite late. like 45 minutes before closing but they sat us down right away. we got this vitamin c tonic which was good and everything here was lowkey dirt cheap. my friend got sushi and i got okonomiyaki cuz i was craving it and the last time i had it was like in little tokyo like three years ago. but it was good. service was quick and they were nice. we yapped and it was nice to finally talk to someone for the first time even though we have known about each other for a bit. we walked around and i think we got dessert i lowkey forgot. but we went back to my school and i gave them a tour and we ate dessert at my dining hall. how fun!

Mediocre food but so affordable vs other spots in NYC. I can see why this would be a happening spot for college students on a budget looking for a fun vibe. There's lots of interesting decor all throughout the restaurant that are more on the NSFW side, so this also might not be a spot you want to come to with younger kids! It's an izakaya, so food is small in portion-size and expected to be shared. We got a few diff dishes like karaage, omurice, yakitori, etc. and everything was decent but not great. We got around 2-3 dishes per person and we're pretty full by the end. Service was pretty fast and we never felt like we were just waiting around. I've seen lines extend so long for this restaurant before, but we came over the summer when presumably the college students were off so it was extremely empty.

You best believe I will not be stepping foot here again! I remember not liking it here as a college student, but my stance still stands, if not, vividly why now. We came here for the beer and vibes really. Beer we got, but vibes? Not our type of vibes. My friend wanted to check this place out after hearing about it, but immediately no when she sat down and was met with a disturbing female sex doll she was creeped out by the whole time we were there. Not to mention the music/mix of weird sounds they were playing throughout. We got the Flavored Beer ($14) and tried Yuzu and I don't even remember what other flavors. They all still tasted like beer in the end. After trying the beers, we were going to leave, and they even presented our bill and everything. But a worker then came over and said we had to spend a certain amount per person? I have never heard of such an absurd scam of a policy from a food place before. Water continuously spills and drips all over us from their slanted tables, but she still presented us with new menus to make us stay. So in the end, we were forced to order their trash food. The pictures speak for themselves when I said they gave us burnt fried chicken and the fishiest tasting squid. You could have your judgement for liking the ambiance, but the food? I am judging hard if you actually enjoy it!

My friends and I spent the day walking around and one of them asked me what the sign said... I can't read kanji. But with what was going on outside, I knew this place was strange, we needed to go in. We sat down and the menu was EXTENSIVE! Lots of items and drinks. We ordered a bottle of Onikoroshi (demon slayer) daiginjo sake. Well, I asked if they had it... they did. It came to us in an ice bucket, freezing cold, and what I was wanting. We ordered food. Well, I ordered the food. Me being the drunken smart aleck that I was, I ordered in Japanese. The waitress was shocked that I was ordering it in Japanese, even more shocking to me, I was saying it all correctly. Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and karaage. They did not disappoint with waiting and it was all worth it. The food was DELICIOUS and my friends loved everything I had ordered. Here's the part that might make people not go. Tip: DO NOT bring your kids. This place's decorations are BIZARRE. Personally, I loved the theme and it was a lot of fun. Other reviews mention the room with a mannequin tied up (aka Shibari, rope bondage), a clown, and other random items. This place is in a famed area known for punk culture, CBGB, and is a place for those that like to live outside of the normal boundaries. If you want a normal, typical restaurant, go elsewhere. But if you want to experience wild, fun, and no boundaries, Kenka is DEFINITELY the place you MUST visit. I will absolutely go back again (except maybe not when I've been drinking a lot)