Ootoya Times Square

the ultimate japanese comfort food in the heart of nyc with amazing service and the perfect ambiance! We got 2 of their noodle lunch sets, if you look at my photo, the top is their Katsu Ju set and the bottom is their Ootoya Yosenabe set. Highly recommend either one!Definitely coming back for their other menu items in the near future!

I've frequented this establishment numerous times due to its convenient Midtown location, making it an ideal meeting point between work commitments. Unfortunately, recent changes in ambiance and pricing have diminished its appeal.Food: 3/5The menu has become notably pricier. For instance, a simple steamed or onsen egg is now priced at $3 each. I opted for the hot pot, while my partner chose the salmon set; both dishes were satisfactory but lacked the robust flavors we've enjoyed elsewhere.Service: 4/5Previously, this was a no-tipping restaurant, which set it apart in a city where tipping is customary. However, they've transitioned to a tipping model, which is somewhat disappointing from a patron's perspective. Additionally, their policy requires all guests to be present before seating, even for a party of two, which can be inconvenient.Upon being seated, I waited for a physical menu, only to realize orders are now placed via a QR code on the table. When I ordered tea, the cup provided was dirty, which I had to point out before it was replaced. While the staff was apologetic and rectified the issue promptly, such oversights affect the overall experience.OverallGiven the increased prices, shift in tipping policy, and decline in service quality, I find it challenging to justify returning, especially with so many other options available in Midtown.

I would always give this place a 5 just because of the tofu salad. It's soooooo special, so delicious and made me wanna kneel as a meat lover.If all salad taste like this I'm willing to eat salad all the timeWhy 4 then?Also got croquette, it's not that special, dashi pot and it was very very very very salty. The price is not cheap, so I feel like the food should taste better. Service is not bad. Very spatial too

Decided to check out Ootoya for a team lunch. This place was packed during lunch time. They didn't take reservation during that time but luckily we were able to grab a table for 8. They offer lunch specials but the menu is found using a QR code; however, you can request for a physical menu. I ordered the noodle set that came with a small Katsu Ju and cold soba for an additional cost. The set also came with a small salad and an okra side dish. Wasn't a huge fan of the Katsu Ju but the cold soba was tasty and refreshing. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their lunch. The service was good and food came out promptly. I think it's worth it for the lunch specials.

Ordered the mackerel set for delivery. The food was so good and was still very warm when it arrived. The fish was cooked perfectly and it was easy to take all the bones out. The miso soup, rice, and side vegetables all tasted good as well. Also tried beef potato croquettes. They were so good. Perfectly crispy and not soggy or oily. Inside was seasoned well and so yummy. Would definitely recommend!

The food was delicious but very pricey especially considering the size of the portions. I would only go here for special occasions.

Once you step in, it almost feels like you've been transported out of NYC and into Japan. From the welcome to the service itself, the whole experience is extremely cordial, even serene. You forget that you're in the middle of Times Square!Fantastic meal sets and pretty customizable. Digital menus make it easy to scroll through and find the options that are right for you. Sure there are more affordable spots elsewhere but if you're looking for the complete package of a Japanese meal with the ambiance & experience then this is it.

The ambiance is calm and music levels are low. I could speak at normal volumes with my friend. We had gone on a Wednesday night when the restaurant was filled and even the counter tops had to be used. The wait staff were friendly. The wait time for our entrees took extra long but the staff acknowledged the problem and provided complimentary soup. Also, the food was worth the wait. The curry was tasty. The dessert box was my favorite for $12! I got to sample a light flavored cheesecake with a hint of yuzu, homey tasting mochi with red beans in the middle, and cooling my palette with green tea ice cream at the end. Despite the wait, will give this place a second chance for the food.

Ootoya Times Square is an extremely popular Japanese restaurant with a fairly large food and drink menu. It used to be non-tipping (no longer true). There will be a a wait list, the food is very overpriced for the size and taste, but the service was A+. --Personally, the best part of my meal was the service- a server offered to charge another patron's phone which was low on charge while he ate. Portions are small, our food was soggy (but hot and came out fast). I would highly recommend checking out other Japanese restaurants in the area for better value and taste. --As a first time diner at Ootoya Times Square, I can confidently say this will be my last time here. I arrived around 5:30 PM (around when they reopen for dinner) and put my name on the wait list. I was informed the wait was around 45 minutes and this estimate was accurate. The seating area is very nice/comfortable for those waiting for a table and we didn't mind the wait. Overall, the ambiance is clean and fairly quiet considering how crowded the restaurant is. As a holiday weekend, it seemed busy and understaffed. Service was slow, but extremely friendly. Like I highlighted above, another patron was on low battery and the restaurant took his phone to charge for him while he ate! I was impressed by their going above and beyond! Additionally, the food was ready in 10 minutes! We were happy it was very fast as we were very hungry. We ordered the pork katsu ju (breaded pork cutlet) and kaasan ni (fried chicken cutlet with soy broth). The katsu rice dish has a laughably small amount of chicken and rice for $27. The breading flavor was phenomenal but it was a shame it was soggy. Also, the chicken was overcooked and chewy. The egg was delicious. The kaasan ni hot pot was so extremely salty I actually only took a few bites before giving up and just accepting that's $26 down the drain. (It does not come with noodles or rice. Rice costs extra!) It actually hurt my lips drinking the broth since it was so salty, and for me personally I could not taste anything over the salt. I ended up just eating the plain white rice on its own and this was my favorite part of my meal. Overall, we were extremely disappointed by both the size and flavor of our food, but we were thoroughly impressed by the service. Since we were still hungry after we left, we had to immediately grab fast food. I would not recommend dining at Ootoya unless it is for a lunch deal/special and it is not busy.

Ootoya, part of a global chain, is a good choice for a well made and decently priced Japanese meal in the Times Square area. The staff is attentive and the vibe is calm and relaxing, which is a nice respite from the craziness in the area. This restaurant can get pretty crowded at times on weekends and during dinner hours.There are plenty of options on the menu, from teishoku sets, salads, hot pot, sushi bowls, sushi bowls, rice bowls and noodles. The menu has changed over the years but the food has remained pretty good. The dishes come in sets, with the diner able to make many choices for their set.I've been here (and the Chelsea location) for lunch and dinner and it's always been good. The staff is very well versed in taking care of its guests and folks don't linger too long after they are done eating. There is seating at the bar and at individual tables. Prices are reasonable.