Sake Bar Hagi
“Some of my favorites include: pork belly, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, mentaiko, fried squid legs (sometimes not on the menu).”
“Ticked right in between Radio City and Times Square is this terrific hole in the wall.”
“The menu was the same as an Izakaya in Japan – a variety of items, grouped by type (ie fried, soup, snack/appetizers, pasta).”
Sake Bar Hagi
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I won't be coming back here or to the much superior 46th street location. The service is just appalling. This is my third time waiting 45 minutes for ramen. And no, there was absolutely nothing special about it that warranted this kind of unpardonable wait time.
Been here a few times now as its near the office. It's simple with a large menu and well priced. There can sometimes be a wait but it was short this time. The curry meatballs were quite nice as were the squid legs. The seaweed salad and green salad were both very refreshing. I did not care for the bonito sashimi but the okonomiyaki was good as always. The hamachi kama was good but I've had better. Solid meal and go to place for a pre or post theater bite.
I don't mind getting a little tongue in cheek … as long as it is tender thin beef tongue in my cheeks … dancing past my lips and taste buds.
The first slip of the tongue at Sake Bar Hagi was love at first bite. The second order of thinly sliced Gyutan 牛タン confirmed this was true love while the third order of $7.50 thinly-sliced tender beef tongue means I love moo way too much.
So, loosen up with a pitcher of Sapporo Beer, a bottle of Sake, or both.
Then get tongue tied with as many orders of the thin tender Gyutan Beef Tongue as your own tongue desires.
Mix in some skewers of Yakitori and Kushiyaki. My recommendations at Saki Bar Hagi include:
* Tori 鶏 Chicken $2.00
* Shishito Peppers 獅子唐 $2.00
* Aspara Bacon アスパラベーコン Bacon-wrapped Asparagus $3.00
* Reba レバー Chicken Livers $2.00
* Kawa とりかわ Crispy Chicken Skin $2.50
* Tsukune つくね Chicken Meatballs $2.00
This underground bar is small, crowded, loud, and funky. I enjoyed it, but it was the first time Sake Bar Hagi slipped me the tongue … beef tongue … that I fell in love. It's called Gyutan 牛タン in Japan and it's called tender and terrific in Sake Bar Hagi.
The food was so mediocre. But I can see if you're drinking up a storm, it can be a tad bit more satisfying. Ordered the pork belly with kimchi, the tendon, and the takoyaki. All were kind of terrible. The tempura rice bowl was especially greasy and oily. Better to hit up a Korean fried chicken place if you need some late night food. Very disappointed. Really was hoping for a better experience.
Where do I start? With the food? Scallop mushroom appetizers were fine, but way too expensive for what they were. Ramen burger was pathetic and lacked flavor. The yaki udon, on the other hand, had a very strange and pungent flavor. After a couple of bites, I had to stop. I couldn't stomach whatever sauce they used. It was supposed to be the yaki udon sauce, but I've had that before and it never tasted like that. The omusoba was stuffed with ginger and soaked with oil. Also inedible.
Now the service, ignored and neglected for the most part. Couldn't even get our bill. After we handed our waiter a credit card, he took it away and didn't bring anything back. He walked passed us several times and we had to ask for the card back. He then informed us that there was a problem with the machine and it would take a couple of minutes. Well, isn't that something you should have told us earlier on? Also, we noticed that other tables received wet wipes upon being seated, but we did not.
Best-value eel rice! First, the eel rice tastes great. Ton of sauce, big chunks and very satisfying. What's more, it come with TWO LAYERS of EEL for only $18. In comparison, normally you get one thin layer of eel for above $20. This is the best deal I've ever got on eel.
Fish salad, ramen were just as expected. Not impressive though. Red bean pastry and ice cream was great!
Will come back for more eel!!!!!
When in NYC, you have to eat late night snacks. I found out about this on Yelp, and dragged my hubby there. The place was packed on a Thursday night at 11:00pm, that's how you know it's good, lol
We ordered a bunch of skewers and the frog leg, everything tasted soooo good! I wish there's a place like this in ATL
Mixed feelings about the food here– impressed by some, not so much by others. Sushi sashimi salad was topped with fresh and delicious salmon, but the taste of wasabi in the dressing was much too strong. I'm not a huge fan of wasabi, so I found the sauce-drenched pieces of lettuce at the bottom of the salad to be almost inedible. The pan fried octopus balls were mushy and I did not particularly enjoy the sweet and sour sauce that was drizzled on top. Pan fried balls might be a bit healthier but is not worth the sacrifice in taste and texture– would definitely stick with fried takoyaki from now on. The skewers were great, but the avocado salmon hand roll, not so much. Ended the meal with a green tea mille crepe cake, which was exceptionally well done. There was a perfect amount of cream between each layer and the cake just melted in my mouth–mmmmm!