About Yakiniku Tohbay

Discover Yakiniku Tohbay, a refined Japanese barbecue destination located at 253 W 55th St #2Fl, New York, NY 10019, United States. As a food blogger always in search of standout local dining experiences, I can confidently say that Yakiniku Tohbay in New York delivers a premium yakiniku experience that rivals some of the best restaurants in New York.

Yakiniku Tohbay specializes in authentic Japanese-style grilled meats, where quality and precision take center stage. The menu is curated with a focus on premium Wagyu cuts, fresh seafood, and traditional Japanese small plates. Prices lean toward the upscale side, with most items ranging from $18 to $60 depending on the cut, but the quality justifies the investment. Diners can expect attentive table-side grilling setups, making the experience both interactive and memorable.

Among the standout offerings, the A5 Japanese Wagyu is the undeniable star—richly marbled, buttery, and melts effortlessly with each bite. The Harami Skirt Steak offers a more robust, beefy flavor, perfectly complemented by house-made dipping sauces. For variety, the Yukhoe (Japanese-style beef tartare) is delicately seasoned, showcasing freshness and balance. Each dish at Yakiniku Tohbay reflects a commitment to authenticity and high-grade ingredients, setting it apart from typical barbecue spots.

Customer reviews consistently highlight the restaurant’s excellence. One guest shared, “The quality of the meat at Yakiniku Tohbay in New York is unmatched—every bite feels luxurious.” Another noted, “From service to flavor, this is one of the best Japanese BBQ experiences I’ve had in the city.”

The atmosphere at Yakiniku Tohbay is intimate and modern, with sleek wood finishes, soft lighting, and a clean, minimalist design that echoes Japanese aesthetics. The second-floor location adds a sense of exclusivity, creating a calm retreat from the busy streets below. It’s ideal for date nights, small gatherings, or anyone seeking a more elevated dining environment.

Amenities include indoor seating with built-in grills, attentive service, and a thoughtfully selected sake and beverage list. While not a casual drop-in spot, Yakiniku Tohbay caters to diners who appreciate craftsmanship and detail. A subtle but delightful touch is their presentation—each cut of meat is plated beautifully, enhancing the overall experience.

Compared to other local dining experiences, Yakiniku Tohbay stands out for its premium sourcing and authentic approach. While some competitors focus on quantity or all-you-can-eat formats, this restaurant prioritizes quality, making it a top choice for serious food lovers.

If you’re exploring the best restaurants in New York and craving an unforgettable Japanese BBQ experience, Yakiniku Tohbay deserves your attention. Step inside, savor the craftsmanship, and let each bite redefine your expectations of yakiniku.

Location

Yakiniku Tohbay Services

Customer Reviews

“ Great yakiniku or Japanese BBQ joint. Items are reasonably priced. Service was good. Everything was clean. Highly suggest you make a reservation via phone. Each item is great to share between two people. The meats were excellent quality. About 80g per item. There are Kobe cuts, Miyazaki A5 cuts and Angus cuts. Beef tongue is a must both the regular cut and premium cut were great. Kobe flap meat was tender and flavorful. Miyazaki A5 lifter meat was excellent. We were really here for the intestines. Liver sashimi was fresh and tasty. Yes, it's raw liver and it was great. We also ordered one of each intestine; small, large, mountain chain, tripe, and another liver for grilling. I highly recommend the small intestine (harumone or goochang). These were 100g per item. Definitely get a bowl of rice with it. The fat and the meat goes super well with rice. Any rice. 5/5 for the hot tea at the end! And the matcha pudding was good as dessert. Great cuts and fresh. Cuts you probably won't find anywhere. Good value. Good portions. Clean place. Excellent service. ”

Jackson May

“ Phenomenal restaurant. We wanted to go to the place next door originally (which is also great) but we’ve seen this one and I decided to experiment. We’ve never done the “cook for yourself” thing with various meats before so this was our first time and we had a blast. We tried the wagyu and the beef tongue. Clearly the meat is high quality and it was thinly sliced so it’s ready in a minute or two. Both the edamame and the cabbage appetizers were good and my bibimbap was amazing as well as my husband’s curry. Sake is also tasty and we arrived at the right time as there was happy hour with 50% off drinks. Yay! Our waitress was lovely, polite and very helpful (as I mentioned this was our first time in a restaurant like this so we needed some guidance, lol). The tea at the end of the meal was such a thoughtful gesture. Highly recommended!! ”

Alexandra Dékány

“ A Japanese yakiniku place. Food was pretty good but service was too slow even though it was not busy at all. Happy hour deal is a good deal. The meats’ quality were good. The temperature of restaurant was a little cold. ”

perle75nyc

“ Great service! We’ve booked the table for 6 adults and 5 kids at 5:45pm, the table was ready for us when we got there. It’s quiet, kids friendly; they even kept our strollers into a secure space! The meat is fresh with some great cuts; the bibimbap and other stone bowls were on the smaller side, my kid could finish one bowl and still be hungry. But food was nice and hot when served. ”

Cherri Chan

“ Reason for visiting: dinner while on vacation Date/time of visit: Wednesday night, ~7:00 PM Parking: street parking; we walked from the Marriott Residence Inn Manhattan/Central Park Party size: 17 (6 kids) Environment/ambience: was quiet, until we got there, haha. No TVs, clean restaurant. Bathroom was clean as well. First floor has a small bar I believe; we were sat on the second floor. We were split into 2 tables right next to each other since our party was large. Each table had 2 burners, cooking pits. Service: was good. He was attentive and came around often, was always around when we needed something. Food: we ordered the following: pork belly, octopus/squid, kimchi, assorted Wagyu meat, assorted beef, beer, sake, rice (grain and white) Cost: expensive, ~$1200 total. When they label meat by the grams, you know it will be expensive (portions in LA seem to be more than NY) ”

Michael Han

“ Pretty good yakiniku, although it’s a little pricy but overall is pretty good! I would recommend the assorted set and the assorted marinated beef set! The raw egg rice is pretty good in terms of the flavor, but the $7 price is a bit pricy. Overall, still a recommended yakiniku restaurant with great service and meat! ”

Stanley L

“ Good quality food, fast service. The assorted beef platter is a good option. The individual meat dishes are much smaller than what you see on the photos. Stick to the BBQ meats, the other dishes are so so. Service is fast and very friendly. ”

Jacqueline Chen

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