It’s been three weeks since signage went up at Sushi Koya, a new Omakase joint at 163 West 71st Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues). However, the proprietors – who we first reported leased the space back in August 2023 – actually opened their doors on January 26.
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Nearby scaffolding coupled with a phenomenon known as “Inattentional blindness” – a psychological phenomena where people fail to realize or notice something new in their line of sight because they are focused on something else – may have caused certain people to inadvertently pass by this new Upper West Side restaurant without knowing its existence.
However, in spite of the aforementioned circumstances, this twelve-seat eatery has done remarkably well, part of which the owners attribute to platforms such as Resy.
Be that as it may, Sushi Koya has too much to offer for it to only be discovered via third party apps. The owners of the new omakase spot take particular pride in their special dry ager refrigerator which co-owner Sean says enhances the flavor and texture while eliminating the fishy odor.
Sushi Koya has twelve seats at its bar and offers four daily seatings (5 – 6:15 p.m., 6:15 – 7:30 p.m., 7:30 – 8:45 p.m., 8:45 – 10 p.m.). The eatery offers 13- and 18-course menus, respectively priced at $85 and $115.
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One of their dishes includes a plate of three appetizers: Marinated Smoked King Salmon, Fluke in Yuzu Garlic Sauce, and Kumamoto Oyster topped with Yuzu Jelly, Shiso Flower and Lime Zest.
Another menu item is a bowl of Snow Crab in a Tosa Vinegar Jelly.
They also offer an Omakase Fish Box.
Sushi Koya is open daily from 5-10 p.m. Take out service and delivery options are also available. To learn more, call the restaurant at (917) 675-6355 or follow @sushi_koya on Instagram.
One Bite is another recent addition to the neighborhood, well worth a visit. It’s on Amsterdam and 80th.