New York · Izakaya · a la carte
Kenka
IzakayaIzakayaOffalEast VillageSt. MarksLate Night
The most izakaya-ish izakaya on St. Marks Place — Kenka serves offal yakitori, cheap beer, and very late hours for a raucous, authentic East Village night out.
- Price
- ¥
- Area
- East Village
Plate № 790
About
Kenka at 25 St. Marks Place is consistently cited on Reddit and in New York food media as the most authentically izakaya-feeling bar in the city — cheap, noisy, full of offal-heavy yakitori, and drawing a crowd of Japanese expats and adventurous locals well after midnight. The menu includes grilled tongue, heart, intestine, and other izakaya staples at prices significantly below comparable Manhattan spots.
Neighborhood & visiting
Kenka sits in East Village, one of New York's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Voted NYC's 'most izakaya-ish izakaya' on Reddit FoodNYC
- Offal-heavy yakitori menu — tongue, heart, intestines grilled to order
- Late-night hours with Japanese expat crowd
- Among the cheapest authentic izakaya experiences in Manhattan
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Frequently asked
About Kenka
- Is Kenka an authentic izakaya restaurant in New York?
- Yes — Kenka is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for izakaya in New York: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
- Where is Kenka located?
- Kenka is located at 25 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003, New York, USA in the East Village neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Kenka?
- Kenka does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in New York we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Kenka?
- Kenka sits in the ¥ price range — typical for izakaya of this format in New York.
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