Ni Japanese Delicacies
“The Vegan Bento Box had a mix of different veggies.”
“Such nice people…and such an array of stuff crammed into a little stall!”
“I had the salmon onigiri, which is served warm and sandwiched between a fresh sheet of nori, and the brussels sprouts with yuzu and shiitake.”
Ni Japanese Delicacies
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
3 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Are you looking for the secret Japanese eatery that's hidden halfway along a wonderous maze with promises of fairy dust sprinkled food and wish granting cats?
Well, Ni can meet you half way. It's a little hidden treasure, but it's not as if you need a password to get in and answer an ancient riddle. Don't spend time on thinking up your perfect wish for the felines. You'll look silly, it's just in Essex Street Market.
After reading a review in the NY Times about half a year ago, then planning a trip to NYC with one of my top five things to do being "eat at Ni," I was on the edge of my seat for a day and a half immediately preceding my visit to Ni. People who live in NYC have no idea how good they have it, or do they? Well, my friend can attest to how cray cray I was (like a crack addict hopped up on five espressos) the day and morning prior.
The food was simple and magnificent. It was the carpenter's chalice in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Simple and perfect, home-cooked and magical, logical and comforting. Golly I can't wait to return.
What did I have? It doesn't matter, everything was good.
No really, what did I have? The Vegan Bento Box and a Salmon Rice Ball. Oh, and Barley Water. I suggest all of these. It's a big meal, so maybe get the Rice Ball to go. It comes wrapped in plastic anyway.
The Vegan Bento Box had a mix of different veggies. On the day I went (I think it changes often, if not daily) there was a pair of tiny rice balls with shaved sour plum on top. A cauliflower mix. Vinegary potato salad with peppers. Portabello mushrooms. The seasonings were simple; the vegetables didn't really need it, they spoke for themselves.
The Rice Ball was the size of a baseball. It was mixed with just a bit of salmon, then you wrap it in a half piece of nori. Of the two, this was my favorite. Slightly savory, mostly carby.
Cozy, cute shop tucked away in Essex market, it has plenty of Japanese fare. There is even hot food like ramen and udon. I opted for the onigiri…my soft spot of snacks. I decided on the grilled salmon for the interior. Man, it was downed in approximately 13 seconds. It had the right amount of salt, rice, and nori seaweed wrapping. The man who worked there even heated it up for me, so it ended up filling me up. I would come back. Too bad, there is no seating, just standing near the mirrors lining the walls as you come in.
I finally stopped in for lunch and must say the options available to order at this tiny food stall – and there are many– sound a lot better than the ones I tasted.
I got a spicy yellowtail roll and a cold kabocha pumpkin and potato salad. The fish in the roll was unexpectedly chewy, which I do not normally associate with fresh raw fish. The fish did not taste spoiled, however.
The chunks of potato in the salad were dry- almost dehydrated- somewhat crisp and flavorless and reminded me of boxed instant potato flakes that had been vacuum sealed together in a mold. I pressed on, however, and eat nearly all of it as I tried to recondition my tastebuds and appreciate the subtlety that can be the treasure of authentic Japanese food. Despite that effort, these potatoes were just no good to me. On the other hand, the pumpkin–mixed with sesame seeds and other spices– was deliciously simple and delicate yet wonderful.
Two small containers of food ran me approximately $14. I love the idea of supporting Essex Market (but don't normally get good reasons to do so) and I have wanted to come to support this little spot, so I probably will come back again to sample other offerings. If my experience mirrors this one, however, I will not be making a habit of returning.