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New York is home to plenty of weird and wonderful things, from strange museum displays to odd local food offerings and out-of-the-ordinary party locales. Recently, though, a new restaurant that has been making waves on social media has caught our attention: Shirokuro, an omakase spot that just opened at 103 Second Avenue, near Sixth Street in the East Village. It labels itself as a 'two-dimensional restaurant' and most definitely looks the part.
With black-and-white interior and trimming, the destination follows a 2D trend that took over Seoul back in 2017 and landed in Brooklyn in 2023 with the opening of Kravings Kafe at 2171 Utica Avenue, basically an immersive art experience that involves unique food offerings as well.
The experience at Shirokuro, which first debuted at the end of March, can only be described as stepping inside a drawing.The floors, walls, chairs and tables are all white with black trimmings that have actually been drawn on with what seems to be a Sharpie. That's all fitting: in Japanese, "shirokuro" literally means "white-black," a term that can directly refer to the very concept of monochrome, among others.
Once seated, you can order a la carte, including a pretty good deal on three rolls for $25, or opt for the omakase option. In the latter category, choose between a 10-course omakase meal for $50 or go for the 16-course option at $80. The menu also features appetizers, entrees, desserts and drinks—including beer, sake and cocktails.
To be candid, the entire concept feels somewhat gimmicky—a meticulously crafted, Instagram-driven endeavor designed to capitalize on virality. Yet, there’s an undeniable ingenuity to it that commands admiration, and we can’t help but commend Shirokuro for its creativity.
Let's just say that if you've ever dreamed of starring in an anime, a visit to this new East Village spot might be your best shot. At the very least, you're going to gain a few more social media followers after posting about it.