Features, Food & Drink

Bringing Japanese Comfort Food to NoMad

New York’s izakaya boom is still going strong, with dozens of Japanese gastropubs serving up skewers and small plates of Japanese comfort food. High on the list is Izakaya NoMad, which opened in mid-2014. Not to be confused with the NoMad Hotel nearby on Broadway and W. 28th, Izakaya NoMad is one of the shining stars of this resurgent neighborhood.

Stretching from 23rd to 30th Streets between Lexington and 7th Avenues, NoMad – short for North of Madison Square – was once New York’s cultural center, but it was also known as “Satan’s Circus,” home to brothels and gambling establishments. The influx of creative and tech companies, world-class hotels, upscale shopping, and restaurants such as Izakaya NoMad has helped the area regain its luster.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why Izakaya NoMad should be on your Japanese tapas radar.

Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
The super-cute menu is filled with great dishes.

Things You Must Order:

Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Skewers (from left to right): Aspara bacon, tomato, and skin
Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Fried Ebi (shrimp)
Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
“Rocket” Tsukune (chicken meatballs)
Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Avocado with dashi and yuzukosho
Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Kakuni (pork belly) and Daikon (Japanese radish)

You should order any skewer that’s wrapped in bacon. Don’t worry; there are plenty of vegetarian choices on them menu, too.

Izakaya NoMad has an extensive sake, wine, and craft beer list, but you can never go wrong with Asahi!

Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Beer!

If you sit at the bar, you’ll have an up-close and personal view of the grilling of the skewers.

Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Overlooking the grill

The food is great, and the interior is pretty cool, with dark wood, exposed brick, and whimsical murals.

Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Great decor
Izakaya NoMad, izakaya, NYC, Japan, Japanese comfort food, tapas, small plates, NoMad, North of Madison Square Park, gastropub, beer, sake, wine, craft beer, tsukune, skewers, kakuni, Asashi, Doraemon
Do you recognize all of these Japanese pop culture icons?

Izakaya Nomad
13 W. 26th Street (between Broadway and 6th Avenue)
212.213.6258

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