Sake Bar Asoko
The sake comes by the carafe here at about $33 in October 2024, poured into glassware the owner's grandmother owned.1
Why go
Will Hartman reviewed it for The Infatuation in October 2024, and the useful part is the staff. He names a warming unfiltered nigori, a savory kinoene umakara and a rich ginjo, which are three good things to ask for by name.1 The room runs vinyl on the turntable and a map of Pokemon regions in the bathroom.
Order this / avoid
- Order: a carafe of something you have never tried.1
- Order: the crunchy daikon salad in sesame dressing, and the hamachi, sliced thick and coated in crunchy acidic leeks.1
- Avoid: bringing four friends. The bar is about the size of a train car.
What locals & experts say
- Will Hartman, The Infatuation NYC, 2 October 2024, on the range:
we like this place because it appeals to all levels of sake literacy.
1 - The same review, on the service:
The people who work here will earnestly ask about your day and might even compliment your outfit before taking your drink order.
1
Good to know
- Walk in, and go early. It is one narrow room.
Verdict
could-visit — This is a second-drink bar. Tell whoever is pouring what you already like.