About - Oi bozu
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Amenities and More
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Top Reviews
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The brussel sprouts are just normal roasted brussel sprouts which although were tasty, didn't feel Japanese. The shrimp katifa was good but seemed like a glorified shrimp tempura taste, not worth the price. The ramen was ok, I wish the broth flavor was richer. The gyu kushi yaki was horrible with very cheap teriyaki like sauce and was too salty. The service was very slow. They forgot part of our order so we ended up staying longer than we wanted. Overall this place felt overpriced for ok quality.
Oi Bozu is the reincarnation of BBF - or perhaps not so much reincarnation as a slightly pared back, refined version. It's the same owner we all love, but some behind-the-scenes dispute with the other guy behind the venture led to the renaming and shrinking of the menu. Still the same guy behind Brooklyn Ball Factory and Bozu. There's no more cafe and the phenomenal hoji lattes will be missed; their hours are 6pm-11pm now. What remains is (still) the most underrated spot in LES, with unbelievably good dinner options and great drinks at great prices. I'm fond of their whiskey highball and whatever is in their heavenly lychee cocktail; my favorite food item before the rename was the hamburg steak bowl (which I think has probably gone to Japanese heaven for the time being) but I can happily recommend the ramen as well. I really am not kidding when I say the food here is as good as it gets. You'll find cool takes on Japanese food that aren't so devoid of creativity like the nth oversalted tonkatsu ramen shop opening up on your street; instead, we've got epic pickled veggies, one of the best veggie ramen broths in the business, and sushi bombs - which really might be a better way to eat sushi, and I have a feeling they're going to have their moment in a year or two. Eat them here and you can say you knew all about them before they were cool. That's before we talk about the old charming diner-bar hybrid inside, with chatty and funny bartenders. Seriously, where do they find them? Marie is awesome and as hilarious as it gets. Service is casual but excellent. Not to mention if you come here a little later, you'll probably find the owner chatting away with a guest or three, one or two of whom is likely another Japanese restauranteur in New York City. This is absolutely an If You Know You Know spot and I would love to see it become a Everyone Knows spot - it definitely deserves it.
Sushi Bombs were delicious. Fave was the salmon. Ordered yellowtail and eel ala carte. Also a private Omakase bar in the back. Got to try next time. Also handmade ramen!