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Kajitsu

(Now Closed)
Japanese Restaurant and Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant$$$$
Murray Hill, New York
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  • Stars
    The folks at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and Village Voice like this place. Would you agree?
    • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    • Village Voice
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  • Marine S.heart icon on user image
    Marine SergentDecember 13, 2016
    An incredible mix between tradition and experimental food in an intimate and delicate atmosphere. I had some non-vegan friends with me and they really enjoyed the vegan zen buddhist food as well !
  • 7th.List
    7th.ListJune 27, 2013
    For dinner - There are four-course “Kaze” ($55) and eight-course “Hana” ($85) menus. Tip - Menus change monthly. Try the Seasonal Special Menu - http://www.kajitsunyc.com/pdf/sp_menu_2013_05.pdf Read more
  • The Food Sluts
    The Food SlutsJuly 24, 2012
    Some of the finest kaiseki cuisine in New York. Perfect for vegetarians, vegans and those looking for a lighter, healthier meal. Super reasonable, too: $50 for 4 delicious courses, $70 for 8. Read more
  • Sandy P.heart icon on user image
    Sandy PaoMarch 8, 2014
    Everything is impeccably pickled and comes with great service. The shojin ramen here is very miso-y. Not your typical miso broth. And comes with just the torched fat of the pork, not the meat part.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsMay 8, 2013
    Tasting menu based on the principles of Japanese Buddhist Shojin-ryori cuisine, one of the best vegetarian/vegan meals in town in a serene setting.
  • Premshree P.
    Premshree PillaiDecember 13, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    One of my favorite New York restaurants, the zen-like space is very calming. Combined with friendly and genuinely warm service it sets the right tone for the simple, beautiful food.
  • Steven Y.
    Steven YFebruary 23, 2014
    Very flavorful vegan cuisine - the menu changes monthly; nearly everything in the restaurant, from the ingredients to the glassware/cutlery to the cedar wood on the ceiling, are imported from Kyoto
  • Sophia K.
    Sophia KangAugust 3, 2013
    Great vegetarian place! Limited menu, but great taste. The crispy fried noodle in the set is really refreshing! Love love love!
  • Arjun Shivanand K.heart icon on user image
    Arjun Shivanand KannanDecember 11, 2016
    Zen dining indeed. Thoughtfully presented, creative, delicious cuisine. Fantastic experience. (Make sure to try their sparkling tea too - very unique)
  • Harumi U.
    Harumi UOctober 2, 2014
    Tasting menu is great! Vegetarian and healthy don't always go together, but here, you know you are eating wonderful food which is clean enough for monks
  • Prins P.heart icon on user image
    Prins PoloNovember 12, 2020
    Mixed feelings. Love the concept (which reminded me of meals in Kyoto) but the food was very starchy and left me bloated.
  • Luis N.heart icon on user image
    Luis NovoApril 13, 2013
    The 8 dish meal is a one-of-a-kind experience. Flavors I've never tasted. I am big carnivore and didn't miss the meat at all! Come prepared. It is a lot of food!!!
  • Amy R.heart icon on user image
    Amy RobertsonMarch 15, 2015
    Tasting menu is great--prepare to take several hours to really enjoy. It's a bit heavier on presentation than powerhouse flavors
  • M R.heart icon on user image
    M RJanuary 17, 2020
    Very good ramen - the soup is perfect the noodles can be better but overall I will come back
  • Eheart icon on user image
    EMarch 18, 2015
    Pure and elegant vegan restaurant. Although I'm not vegan I left feeling very content! They will show a basket of all ingredients used in your meal before you eat!
  • Village Voice
    Village VoiceFebruary 1, 2013
    The menu changes monthly to use in-season produce; hope that Kajitsu keeps the Lotus Roots and Golden Beets on the menu from January 2013!
  • Layla K.
    Layla Khoury-HanoldMarch 27, 2013
    Stunning showcase of vegetables and flavors in a serene space. Get the prix fixe for best assortment and appreciation. A refreshing, must try experience!
  • Rachel FG
    Rachel FGAugust 23, 2011
    Some of the most beautiful and interesting food I've ever eaten. Have one person get the four course menu and one person get the eight, that way you taste everything but it's not too much food
  • Risako Y.heart icon on user image
    Risako YangMarch 18, 2022
    Amazing Japanese vegan shojin food that truly brings out the flavors of the ingredients while adding their own touch.
  • Chris L.heart icon on user image
    Chris LFebruary 8, 2016
    Hushed elegance and graceful service inspire diners to slow down, enjoy their food, and chat sparingly and quietly. It's zen bliss!
  • Paul C.heart icon on user image
    Paul CavallaroJuly 15, 2016
    Had the egg omelette, the fried tofu, and the wagyu beef donburri. They were all delicious! Looks like the soba is good too!
  • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    Highlights include wakame soup w/ homemade tofu & black truffle rice. Downstairs, Kokage has zen, but not vegan, lunch. – Green Guide Editor
  • Lisa S.
    Lisa SchreibmanOctober 12, 2013
    It may be necessary to have a lesson on Zen Buddhist food before arriving. But for a truly different dining experience, it is worth every penny.
  • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    Kajitsu sells a few exclusive products from Kyoto including green tea and seasonal incense. You can also purchase a container of the mysterious house-made pickled kelp with sansho. - Inspector
  • Stephen P.
    Stephen PerleAugust 2, 2021
    This was one of the worse meals I’ve had & $400 for w people! My wife actually spit out a couple of dishes. She never has done that in the 40 years we’ve been married & was a vegetarian for 20 years
  • Isabella I.heart icon on user image
    Isabella IzquierdoFebruary 19, 2015
    Amazing tea and sake menu! Top notch service! Delicious food! Very zen and cozy! Will come back!
  • Elizabeth W.
    Elizabeth WashburnAugust 24, 2013
    Hearty and delicious vegan, will convince any skeptic. Upstairs has a lovely view of the quiet street.
  • Lina T.heart icon on user image
    Lina TrifonAugust 9, 2016
    The food was amazing! Take the $95 menu - it's worth every penny.
  • nymag
    nymagDecember 26, 2010
    Vegetables are the new meat at this elegant spot for shojin Buddhist cuisine like persimmon with sesame cream and fragrant rice balls called ohagi. Featured in Where to Eat 2011! Read more
  • New York Post
    New York PostSeptember 21, 2014
    There’s nothing Zen or light about Kajitsu’s noise level or its onslaught of fried veggies, even with the citrus water ripple. ★ 1/2 Read more
  • Riona M.
    Riona MacNamaraApril 9, 2016
    Had the tasting menu here twice now, with sake pairings. Easily in my lifetime top 10.
  • momofuku
    momofukuJanuary 31, 2012
    chef masato nishihara serves shojin temple food in an excellent and affordable prix-fixe style. we promise, you won’t miss the meat.
  • Joshua B.heart icon on user image
    Joshua BoggsJuly 14, 2019
    The ultimate vegan experience. So many good things to taste.
  • James H.
    James HMay 23, 2017
    Elevated Japanese cuisine. Best in NY IMHO.
  • Alex H.
    Alex HayworthJune 19, 2017
    Some kind of Buddhist-inspired, vegan, magical food goin' on here. Need a reservation, probably. Pricey, but very unique.
  • Mark B.
    Mark BusseFebruary 12, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Try the Celery Root With Early Spring Vegetables - Inspired by snow covered plants, this dish is as wonderfully flavored as it is beautiful.
  • Sara S.
    Sara SotoSeptember 21, 2010
    The 7 courses were WAY too much food for a very hungry me, and I can easily polish off an entire pizza in one sitting. The food is delicious, but don't stuff yourself!!
  • Jay M.
    Jay MandelAugust 31, 2013
    Sit at the "bar" and watch the chef artistically prepare your meal.
  • Eater
    EaterNovember 24, 2014
    Kajitsu is Manhattan's only restaurant dedicated to the meat-free fare beloved by Buddhist monks. The dishes are hyper seasonal and composed of locally sourced product. Read more
  • Adrianaheart icon on user image
    AdrianaSeptember 9, 2019
    Everything!!! Omakase is the way to go
  • Ru L.
    Ru LuAugust 14, 2014
    Perhaps the best vegan omakese I've ever had and I'm not even vegan.
  • Shindy C.
    Shindy COctober 25, 2013
    I felt like a squirrel munching away. Tbh my focus was more on the elegant Japanese minimalist decor, cutlery and tableware.
  • Melody H.
    Melody HanAugust 17, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    Food so beautiful I gasped. Vegan Japanese resto where I didn't miss meat at all. That's saying something. Course tastings $50-$80.
  • David P.heart icon on user image
    David PessahJanuary 9, 2020
    An experience worth having
  • Renato T.
    Renato TrevesAugust 23, 2013
    One of a kind Japanese. Do not expect your classic sushi platter. Go!
  • Soy A.
    Soy AliceJuly 9, 2014
    Food was excellent & the room was very peaceful!
  • Jenny G.
    Jenny GregoryFebruary 9, 2014
    One of the 10 best vegetarian restaurants in New York according to Village Voice
  • Kelly B.
    Kelly BoneAugust 9, 2011
    Since your already spending the money, splurge on the sake paring. It's a delicately orchestrated addition!
  • Olga G.heart icon on user image
    Olga GonzalezMarch 26, 2015
    Absolutely wonderful food!
  • Frances B.heart icon on user image
    Frances BerrimanJanuary 28, 2013
    Interesting, complex vegetarian food. Super tasty.
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