New York · Donburi · casual
Onigiri Tanakaya
SushiOnigiriTakeoutCasualEast Village
A tiny East Village counter specializing in handmade Japanese onigiri — one of the city's most authentic rice-ball shops, operating from a compact space on Third Avenue.
- Price
- ¥
- Area
- East Village
- Since
- 1907
Plate № 1010
About
Onigiri Tanakaya has served handmade rice balls from its East Village counter for years, offering a range of traditional Japanese fillings — salmon, tuna mayo, pickled plum, and seasonal specials — wrapped in fresh nori to order. The shop traces its lineage to a famous Tokyo onigiri tradition and is one of very few dedicated onigiri specialists in New York City.
Neighborhood & visiting
Onigiri Tanakaya sits in East Village, one of New York's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional donburi restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- One of NYC's only dedicated onigiri specialists
- Handmade rice balls wrapped to order in fresh nori
- Traditional Japanese fillings: salmon, ume, tuna mayo
- Authentic Tokyo-style rice ball tradition
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Frequently asked
About Onigiri Tanakaya
- Is Onigiri Tanakaya an authentic sushi restaurant in New York?
- Yes — Onigiri Tanakaya is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for sushi in New York: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused donburi format.
- Where is Onigiri Tanakaya located?
- Onigiri Tanakaya is located at 171 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003, New York, USA in the East Village neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Onigiri Tanakaya?
- Onigiri Tanakaya does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular donburi restaurants in New York we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Onigiri Tanakaya?
- Onigiri Tanakaya sits in the ¥ price range — typical for sushi of this format in New York.
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