The pedagogue: Before launching his bento-box spin-off, owner King Ang garnered acclaim with his sushi-and-sake bar Tanoshi, starring Tokyo-trained raw-fish whiz Toshio Oguma (Morimoto).
Get schooled: Tucked next to its mobbed sushi-counter sibling, this pocket-sized Yorkville haunt features a menu as stripped-down as its humble, ten-seat digs. On offer are five varieties of bento (a traditional one-box Japanese meal), each order showcasing an array of dishes from the curtained-off kitchen: Lacquered trays come teeming with two types of seaweed salad, white or brown rice, pork shumai and a choice of protein. Nuggets of chicken karaage ($19.99)—with a deep-fried crunch that would make Kentucky jealous—hide hints of mirin, sake and ginger beneath their golden shells, served alongside creamy Kewpie mayo flavored with plum paste. Salmon teriyaki ($18.99) is also a standout—no surprise, given the gleaming fish served at its omakase neighbor—basted until soft and succulent, with an indulgent sweetness that never verges on cloying. Pro tip: Snag a cold six-pack of Kirin on your way to this BYOB joint. 917-265-8254