Teruko
New York
Bewertungen
We visited for my birthday, and we enjoyed every second of it! From the moment we walked in, the service was outstanding—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The food was absolutely delicious, with generous portions and excellent quality. Even though they don’t have a kids’ menu, my 6-year-old loved everything she tried, which says a lot! The atmosphere is warm, peaceful, and perfect for having a great conversation. It does get busy on the weekends, but it never takes away from the overall experience. If you’re a whiskey lover, you’ll appreciate their impressive selection. They also have bar seating if you prefer a more casual experience, and they can easily accommodate larger groups. This was the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion, and we’ll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!
Absolutely spectacular. The perfect way to spend our last night in New York. The restaurant itself is beautiful, tucked away in the basement of the iconic Hotel Chelsea, with a hidden, intimate feel that makes the experience even more special. The food was outstanding. We loved the Torotororo, sea bass sashimi, A5 Wagyu, and the spicy scallop and spicy tuna rolls. Everything was fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. We also enjoyed Brooklyn Kura sake and a fantastic Japanese Koshu wine from Yamanashi, both excellent recommendations. A special thank you to Saint, who took wonderful care of us throughout the evening. He was incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming, and truly elevated the experience. One of the best meals we had in NYC. Highly recommended.
I recently caught wind of this new Japanese restaurant/whisky bar located in the basement of the historic Chelsea Hotel, and just had to check it out! Teruko did not disappoint. I began with a Kinoko Old-Fashioned (Japanese whisky, bourbon, shiitake mushroom, vetiver, and awamori) served by the skilled and friendly bartender Haruka. It was well-balanced and tasty. My wife ordered the Melon Daisy cocktail (tequila, cantaloupe, sesame shochu, pandan, hops) which she loved. With 365 whiskeys from Japan to select from (the largest collection of Japanese whisky in North America), I was ready to try a whisky pour. The selection was incredible with pages and pages of options at various price points - including luxury pours such as Hibiki 40 year. I opted for an Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Whisky, served neat. The whisky was elegant and complex. Brian Evans, the director of the Chelsea Hotel's bar programs and whisky curator, was at Teruko. We had a great chat about Japanese whisky. He graciously offered us a delicious sample of Kanosuke 2025 IPA Cask Finish, a rare bottling. The ambience was perfect - dimly lit and intimate. The hot edamame was the perfect accompaniment for our beverage tastings. Teruko is the perfect spot for a date night, for lovers of Japanese food/culture, and for whisky afficionados. Reservations are recommended. There were ample available bar seats at 5:30 PM on a Wednesday, but the crowds were building.
Teruko - What a welcoming environment. I'm not sure what's in the air here at Teruko but I couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear while I was at the bar. Nevermind the huge selection of whiskey, the hospitality made me feel like I was a regular. The one two punch of Haruka and Alex made me feel like I could sit at the bar for hours. Those ladies are absolute gems of hospitality. Melon Daisy - A beautiful daisy with just a little bit of nutty flavor on the back end from the sesame shochu. There's pandan along for the party but it isn't loud or outrageous. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Kome Bamboo - I usually like my drinks high powered with octane to spare but a low abv is nice every now and then. Sherry, toasted rice, plum, Sake, and charcoal oil. A light weight plum forward sipper. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Million Dollar Cocktail - I love a good egg white drink and this one fits the bill. Gin, tomato, pineapple, yuzu and egg white bring a great cocktail to your lips. Don't be swayed by the tomato, it adds a nice salinity to the drink. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the speakeasy Japanese restaurant Teruko in Chelsea, NYC, USA. A beautifully designed Japanese restaurant located in the basement of the Hotel Chelsea. You access it by the stairs to the right of the hotel entrance, from the outside when facing the building. Inside, the atmosphere is dimly lit and sophisticated, with a mix of table seating and counter seats. If you’re dining solo or as a couple, I highly recommend the counter seats, where you can watch the sushi chefs in action — including, notably, a female sushi chef, which was a rare and welcome sight. The restaurant boasts what must be one of the largest whisky lists in New York, truly impressive even though we didn’t sample any. Service was attentive, efficient, and friendly throughout. We tried a range of dishes: the house-made tofu with scallion sauce was one of the highlights — delicate and full of flavor. The miso black cod was well prepared and nicely balanced, while the pork tenderloin katsu was also good, though I would have preferred a slightly deeper soy flavor. The lobster tempura was technically well executed, but the batter somewhat overpowered the lobster’s delicate texture. The miso soup was solid, and the sushi selection — especially the uni, eel, and snow crab — was excellent. Dessert was another standout: a miso caramel with sesame crumble, combining rich and unexpected flavors beautifully. Overall, the cuisine ranges from good to outstanding, depending on the dish, and the setting is truly elegant. However, the bill was quite steep, so I’d recommend this spot more for a drink and a light meal rather than a full dinner if you’re mindful of value. Still, it’s a memorable dining experience and a great addition to the Chelsea scene.
