Souen East Village - New York City

Good, healthy food that is sufficiently flavorful. They have their own take on dishes.

I loved the food here. Space was tight, but it is Manhattan, right? My friend got the macro plate which looked super filling and healthy, we got some yuba wrapped in tofu skin to share, and I got the curry ramen with soba noodles. Everything was delicious, the curry had a reasonable level of spice and was filling. The staff were very engaging and helpful. Totally looking forward to going back.

As for the food, everything is simply delicious. It's one of those places where you can blindly point to a dish and know it will taste amazing. My go-to order is the macro plate — it's a heavenly combination that's both nurturing and packed with nutrients. You can really feel the benefits for your body. The plate arrives warm, accompanied by fresh legumes, and their vegetables are always crisp and vibrant. Every sauce they serve is outstanding. The service is impressive as well; even though they're always busy, the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. I'm often amazed at how they manage to keep moving without ever seeming to take a break. They also remember the locals and regular customers. Regarding the atmosphere, the restaurant is quite small and cozy, so it's not ideal for large dinner parties. The space is narrow, but as soon as you step inside, you can tell that a lot of thought has gone into creating a welcoming environment — from the food to the decor. The whole vibe feels very conscious and intentional.

I usually visit the Soho location, where the food is outstanding. This was my first experience at this location. It's a bit smaller but has a clean and cozy atmosphere. The service here is better, likely because there are fewer tables, making it easier for the staff to keep an eye on things. At the Soho location, there are many tables, and the lighting is dimmer, so I often find myself having to wave down a server quite vigorously before anyone notices me. However, the food quality at both locations makes the wait worthwhile.

The atmosphere and service is wonderful! They did a great job of balancing out feeling fancy and chic while not being intimidating/unwelcoming. The did menu options are fun and creative. I was underwhelmed by my macro plate, but will def try it again given that I loved everything else about it.