New York Japanese Restaurants Marking National Dashi Day With Special Menus
National Dashi Day celebrates the savory broth that forms the heart of Japanese cooking. Dashi, made from ingredients like kombu seaweed and bonito flakes, brings umami flavor to soups, noodles, and countless dishes.
Across New York City, top Japanese restaurants are honoring this special day with creative menus that showcase dashi in exciting new ways. I’ve rounded up 14 spots where you can taste the magic of this essential ingredient.
1. Ichiran Ramen
If you’re craving ramen that truly honors the art of broth-making, this spot delivers with its signature tonkotsu base enhanced with special dashi elements. I love how they let you customize every aspect of your bowl, from noodle firmness to spice level. Their National Dashi Day menu features a limited-edition broth that combines traditional pork stock with layered dashi flavors.
Each bowl arrives in individual booths, creating a focused dining experience where the broth takes center stage. The chefs simmer their dashi for hours to extract maximum umami depth.
You’ll notice the difference in every spoonful it’s richer, more complex, and absolutely comforting. Don’t skip their special add-ons like extra chashu pork or a seasoned egg that soaks up all that delicious broth goodness.
2. Ippudo NY
When it comes to celebrating dashi, this beloved ramen chain goes all out with a special tasting menu that highlights different broth styles. I’m impressed by how they’ve crafted five mini bowls, each showcasing a unique dashi preparation from light and delicate to bold and hearty. It’s like a broth flight that teaches you about the versatility of this fundamental ingredient.
Their chefs have been perfecting dashi recipes for decades, blending traditional techniques with modern creativity. You’ll taste kombu-based versions alongside katsuobushi-forward broths that pack serious umami punch.
The presentation alone makes you appreciate the craftsmanship involved. Pair your tasting with their house-made gyoza, which comes with a dipping sauce also built on dashi foundations for consistent flavor harmony.
3. Sushi Nakazawa
How does a high-end sushi restaurant celebrate National Dashi Day? By creating a special omakase experience where dashi plays a supporting role in every course. I find their approach fascinating because they use dashi not just in soups but also in rice seasoning, sauces, and even some fish preparations. Chef Nakazawa’s team has designed a menu that reveals dashi’s subtle influence throughout Japanese cuisine.
You’ll start with a delicate dashi-based consommé that cleanses your palate before moving through nigiri courses.
Some fish pieces get brushed with dashi-infused soy sauce that enhances rather than overpowers the seafood. It’s refined dining that educates while it delights. Reservations fill up quickly, so I recommend booking well ahead if you want this exclusive experience.
4. Tanoshi Sushi
It’s rare to find such an intimate setting where the chef personally explains each dish’s connection to dashi. This tiny 10-seat sushi bar transforms into a dashi education center on National Dashi Day, with Chef Toshio creating a special menu that features dashi in unexpected ways. I appreciate how he breaks down the science and tradition behind each preparation, making you feel like part of the culinary process.
His signature move involves serving a warm dashi shot between sushi courses to reset your taste buds.
The broth is crystal clear yet incredibly flavorful, made from premium ingredients sourced specifically for this occasion. You’ll also try sushi rice seasoned with dashi-infused vinegar. This experience books out fast because of limited seating, so grab your spot early.
5. Kajitsu
Are you ready for a completely vegetarian take on dashi? This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in shojin ryori, Buddhist temple cuisine that relies entirely on plant-based ingredients. Their National Dashi Day menu showcases kombu and shiitake dashi in ways that prove you don’t need fish to achieve deep umami flavors.
I’m always amazed by how satisfying and complex their broths taste without any animal products. Each course arrives like a work of art, with seasonal vegetables bathed in delicate dashi broths or sauces.
The chefs change their menu based on what’s freshest, so every visit offers something new. You’ll discover how mushrooms, seaweed, and other plants create layers of flavor you never knew existed. It’s a peaceful, contemplative dining experience that honors both tradition and nature.
6. Momonofuku Noodle Bar
Did you know that David Chang’s famous noodle bar started the modern ramen craze in New York? For National Dashi Day, they’re bringing back a classic ramen bowl that originally put them on the map, enhanced with an extra-special dashi base. I love their approach because it blends traditional Japanese techniques with bold American flavors, creating something entirely unique.
Their special menu includes three ramen options, each built on different dashi foundations one with pork, another with chicken, and a vegetarian version using shiitake and kombu.
The broths are rich without being heavy, allowing you to finish every drop. You’ll also find their signature pork buns served with dashi-glazed belly that’s caramelized to perfection. The casual atmosphere makes this a great spot for groups or solo diners alike.
7. Tsukiji Sushi
Though this restaurant focuses primarily on sushi, their National Dashi Day special menu highlights how dashi enhances raw fish presentations. I’m intrigued by their chef’s decision to offer a dashi tasting alongside a sushi platter, showing how the same broth can be prepared three different ways light, medium, and intense. Each version pairs with specific types of fish to enhance natural flavors.
You’ll receive a flight of three small dashi cups served at different temperatures, followed by nigiri selections chosen to complement each broth style. It’s an educational experience that changes how you think about sushi and its accompaniments.
The chefs explain which fish work best with which dashi preparations and why. This hands-on learning approach makes the meal memorable beyond just great taste.
8. Nakamura
When you want the full kaiseki experience with dashi as the star ingredient, this restaurant delivers a multi-course journey through Japanese culinary tradition. I find their National Dashi Day menu particularly impressive because each of the eight courses uses a different dashi preparation from clear soups to simmered dishes and even desserts. Chef Nakamura studied in Kyoto for 15 years before opening in New York, bringing authentic techniques to every dish.
The meal progresses from delicate to more robust flavors, teaching your palate to recognize subtle differences in dashi styles. You’ll taste seasonal ingredients at their peak, all enhanced by perfectly balanced broths.
Each course arrives with an explanation of the dashi type used and its regional significance in Japan. It’s expensive but worth every penny for serious food enthusiasts.
9. Raku
If you prefer casual izakaya-style dining, this neighborhood spot offers a fun approach to National Dashi Day with small plates designed for sharing. I enjoy how they’ve created a menu where dashi appears in everything from grilled fish to vegetable dishes and even cocktails. Their signature item is a hot pot that arrives bubbling at your table, filled with seafood, tofu, and vegetables swimming in aromatic dashi broth.
The atmosphere is lively and social, making it perfect for groups who want to try multiple dishes. You can order skewers grilled over charcoal, then dip them in dashi-based sauces that add moisture and flavor.
Don’t miss their dashi chazuke rice with tea and toppings that you pour hot broth over at the table. Prices are reasonable, and portions encourage adventurous ordering without breaking your budget.
10. Shuko
Are you looking for a modern interpretation of traditional dashi? This contemporary sushi spot blends classic techniques with innovative presentations that appeal to adventurous eaters. Their National Dashi Day menu features a progression of dishes that start with pure, simple dashi and gradually build complexity through layering and reduction. I’m impressed by how the chefs use dashi as both a cooking medium and a finishing element.
You’ll experience dishes like dashi-poached fish served with dashi foam, creating textural contrasts while maintaining flavor consistency.
The omakase format means you’re in the chef’s hands, trusting them to guide you through their dashi exploration. Each course builds on the previous one, creating a narrative arc throughout the meal. The space is intimate and stylish, with a soundtrack that enhances the modern vibe.
11. Noda
When handmade soba noodles meet expertly crafted dashi, magic happens at this artisan noodle shop. I love watching the chefs make noodles from scratch in the open kitchen while dashi simmers in large pots nearby. Their National Dashi Day special includes three soba preparations hot noodles in dashi broth, cold noodles with dipping sauce, and a mixed temperature bowl that showcases both styles.
The buckwheat noodles have a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with their light, refined dashi made primarily from kombu and katsuobushi.
You’ll notice how the broth doesn’t overpower the delicate noodles but instead supports and enhances them. They also offer tempura on the side, which you can add to your bowl or dip in the dashi-based sauce. It’s comfort food elevated to an art form through attention to detail.
12. Okonomi
How does a restaurant known for savory pancakes celebrate National Dashi Day? By incorporating dashi into their okonomiyaki batter and toppings, creating depth you won’t find elsewhere. I’m fascinated by their creative approach they’ve developed a special menu where dashi appears in the pancake mix, the sauce, and even the mayo drizzled on top. It’s a festival of umami that works surprisingly well.
Their signature dish for this occasion is a seafood okonomiyaki loaded with shrimp, squid, and scallops, all cooked on a hot griddle right at your table.
The dashi-enriched batter stays fluffy while developing crispy edges that contrast beautifully with the tender interior. You’ll also find dashi-based soups and sides that complement the main dishes. The interactive cooking experience makes it fun for dates or family outings where everyone participates.
13. Zauo
It’s not every day you catch your own dinner before it gets cooked with premium dashi! This interactive restaurant lets you fish for your meal from indoor pools stocked with live seafood. For National Dashi Day, they’re offering a special preparation where your caught fish gets cooked in a dashi hot pot or served as sashimi with dashi-based ponzu sauce.
I think it’s a brilliant way to connect diners with their food while celebrating this essential ingredient. Kids absolutely love the fishing experience, making this a family-friendly option that’s both educational and delicious.
Once you’ve caught your fish, chefs prepare it multiple ways some raw, some grilled, some simmered in dashi broth. The freshness is unbeatable since the fish goes from water to plate in minutes. It’s entertainment and excellent food rolled into one memorable experience.
14. Bessou
If you want homestyle Japanese cooking that reminds you of a grandmother’s kitchen, this cozy spot delivers with soul-warming dishes built on fantastic dashi. Their National Dashi Day menu features classic comfort foods like miso soup, simmered vegetables, and rice bowls all elevated through careful attention to their broth base.
I appreciate how they make traditional Japanese home cooking accessible to New Yorkers who might not be familiar with these dishes. The chef-owner draws from childhood memories to create recipes that feel both authentic and welcoming.
You’ll find generous portions of dishes like nikujaga (meat and potato stew) and oden (assorted ingredients simmered in dashi) that showcase how dashi forms the backbone of everyday Japanese meals. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious, like eating at a friend’s house. Prices are reasonable, making this a great introduction to dashi-based cooking without intimidation.
