FAQ

Yes, you can book a table on Resy. Walk-ins and the waitlist are always welcome and always will be.

At peak times, and at weekends in particular, a reservation is worth having. Weekend waits run 30 to 60 minutes depending on the day.

Two things worth knowing before you book: we hold a table for 15 minutes past the reservation time, and tables run to a two hour maximum. Neither is us rushing you out. It is the only way a room this size gets to seat the people waiting at the door.

We're closed Mondays. Tuesday through Sunday we're open 12pm to 10pm, and last seating is 9:45pm. Come before then and the kitchen is yours.

Yes — order direct through Toast for no added fees. We're also on the major third-party delivery apps.

Please let your server know about any allergies when you visit and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Because our kitchen prepares a wide range of dishes, we can't guarantee any item is fully free of a given allergen. On nuts specifically: we do not cook with them, but we cannot promise no cross-contact, since bought-in spice blends like the ones in our curry are outside our kitchen. If you have a severe allergy, call us ahead at (212) 477-0100 so we can talk through options.

Japanese food makes this harder than most kitchens do. Soy sauce and miso both contain gluten and they are in almost everything, so rather than claim the whole menu works, we picked the things we could do properly and did those.

The skewers are entirely gluten free. The tare is built on tamari instead of soy sauce, which is the whole reason that was possible.

The handrolls are gluten free too, apart from the eel. The spicy tuna comes with tempura crunch on top; ask for it without and that one works as well.

What we cannot do is noodles. There is no gluten-free ramen, and we would rather say so than serve something we are not confident in.

Those are recipes without gluten in them. The kitchen is small and shared, so if your reaction is a severe one, call us first at (212) 477-0100 and we will talk it through.

Yes, and not as an afterthought. The veggie ramen is on the regular menu, along with agedashi tofu and nasu, which is Japanese eggplant. A number of other dishes are already vegetarian or vegan, and a few more can be modified on request. Tell your server what you are avoiding and they will walk you through what is open to you.

A traditional izakaya. That means small dishes built to go with drinks, ordered a few at a time and shared, rather than a starter and a main each. We do not do omakase and there is no tasting menu. Order several things, order more later, and keep the drinks coming. That is how the food is designed to be eaten.

Yes. Our largest table seats 12 to 14, and we have three more that seat 6 each. For anything at that size, book ahead rather than chancing it.

Parties of 5 or more carry a 20% gratuity. We also ask that checks be split across no more than two cards, which keeps the bar moving on a full night.

Yes. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and the restroom is ADA compliant. Certified service animals are welcome, as the law requires. There is no outdoor seating.

Kids are welcome. Worth knowing what you are walking into, though: Juraku is a pub, and at peak times it is loud. We also do not have high chairs or booster seats. Earlier in the evening is the easier shift for it.

We take all forms of payment. We do ask that checks be split across no more than two cards. As for the dress code: dress for fun.

Yes, with one thing to know first: every meat-based ramen we serve has pork in the broth. That is the stock, so it cannot be left out. The veggie ramen is the exception, and a good deal of the small-plate menu is pork-free. Tell your server you are avoiding pork and they will steer you.

More than a soft drinks list. Two alcohol-free beers, Asahi Zero and Hitachino Non Ale, plus Ayaka's Oolong, which is oolong tea with a yuzu slushy in it and is the one to order.

Beyond that: Calpico, Ramune, and canned green and oolong tea.

We are right around the corner from the Essex Street and Delancey Street stations, which is the easy way in. Driving, there is a parking garage directly across the street, and metered street parking out front when you are lucky. This is the Lower East Side, so the garage is the surer bet.

Worth setting expectations first: we have no private rooms and no private booths. It is one room. We also do not generally do full buyouts, though they are possible on the right night and carry a minimum spend.

For a large table rather than the whole room, see the group answer above: the big table seats 12 to 14.

Either way, email hello@izakayajuraku.com with your numbers, your date and what you have in mind, and we will tell you honestly whether we can do it well. Catering is the same answer: we do not offer it as a standing service, but we are happy to talk through what is possible.

The five things people come back for: karaage, garlic edamame, wasabi Shake Shake Fries, the brown butter miso ramen, and the skewers. Order a few, share them, order more when those are gone. That is how an izakaya is meant to go.

To drink, The 212 or the MatchaRita. Or skip the cocktails and work your way down the Japanese beer list, which is longer than most people expect.

A small selection rather than a full dessert menu: dorayaki and mochi ice cream. If you are celebrating a birthday, you are welcome to bring your own cake.

Yes, up to two bottles. Corkage is $35 a bottle, or $70 for magnums. One rule: please do not bring something we already pour. If it is on our list, order it from us.

Yes, and the full menu is served at the bar, not a cut-down version of it. We do not generally take bookings for bar seats, so it is first come first served unless we are running a waitlist that night. If you are two people without a reservation, this is usually your best route in.

Neither, and that is deliberate. Sake here comes as cup sake, or in small and large bottles. It is meant to be poured for the table and shared over a few dishes, which is how it is drunk in an izakaya, so there is no by-the-glass list and no flights. A small bottle is the easy way to try something without committing the whole table to it.

Not very. There are only a handful of genuinely spicy dishes on the menu. Where the heat goes on at the end, like the spicy ramen, we can put the chili oil on the side and let you decide. Just ask.

Both — gift cards and loyalty program sign-up are both on Toast.

We love working with creators who share our passion for Japanese food, culture, and hospitality. If you're a food & beverage content creator, or you run a page focused on Japanese or Asian culture, we'd love to hear from you. While we prioritize NYC-based accounts, we're open to others if the fit feels right.

What we offer

A complimentary dining experience for two, in exchange for a collaborative post (tagged + co-posted if possible), Instagram story content from your visit, and any additional photos or videos you're willing to share afterward.

When to visit

Please avoid Fridays and Saturdays, especially during peak dinner hours — weekends are our busiest time and we can't always guarantee the space or attention needed for quality content creation. We're closed Mondays.

How to apply

DM us on Instagram @izakayajuraku or email hello@izakayajuraku.com with links to your social pages and a short intro.