Soy

I don’t understand how this place even got good reviews. Either New Yorkers really aren’t picky with their food or maybe I’ve been spoiled by all tough criticism from elite Unilocalers in CA. This place is really small, cash only, and all their plates are made for a kid’s tea party. We ordered the gyoza, beef and potato croquettes, their «famous» avocado and spicy tuna rice bowl and their Niku Jaga. Honestly, I was not impressed at all, the tuna bowl had no flavor and I swear the gyoza was one of those store bought frozen packages. I’m not a mean person to give bad reviews for no reason but more upset the fact that I couldn’t get my poki fix!
Also, a heads up, please close the door behind you because the owner will get super irritated with you.

my Fiancé took me here for a sushi making class and the sushi was amazing and the owner and chef equally amazing. SOY is not a a sushi place but the sushi making classes were great and we did make the spicy tuna, the spicy tuna avocado bowl is on the menu and its amazing. its fresh and not grinded. i can not wait to go back

I dream of your hayashi beef now that we have moved out of the city. And your delicious tofu lemon steak, miso soups, ginger lemonade and perfect chocolate chip cookies!

The vegetarian food here is excellent, particularly the tofu treasure sacks, veggie curry and veggie gyoza. The place is small and intimate, but the food is spectacular. The service is attentive. I’ve been here /​ordered from here several times and think this place is wonderful. Sometimes however they can’t accommodate delivery orders if the kitchen is too busy.

This place is an instant classic. I will probably give it 5 stars ***** once I go back a few times.
This is original organic vegetarian food made in a mom and pop, really cozy shop.
The tofu steak is amazing and the portion is perfect to fit but not bloat you. I recommend the house specials with soup or rice if you’re extra hungry (say, main dinner dish).
There’s lots of interesting things on the menu so I’ll definitely be back. They also have cookies and a drawing/​coloring book :3

It’s a been a while since I had authentic Japanese food! I went there after work one day and the taste of the food still lingered in my mouth the very next day. I suggest for all you big eaters to start off with an appetizer because the main dishes will leave you craving for more.
I started off with their meat gyoza. It wasn’t deep-​fried and oily, but rather homemade and flavorful. For my main course, I ordered the Niku Jaga (beef ‘n potatoes). I was a little disappointed with the portion size but man, I forgot about all of that once I put the thing in my mouth. The food for sure was authentic and simply divine. The beef was so scrumptious that I actually finished the entire meal in like five minutes.
My only regret was not getting their green tea cake but I totally will next time =).

This place is awesome. I can’t believe I’ve been walking by it for years and never came in.

This is a small mom and pop Japanese place. They serve different type of tofu dishes, hence the name soy. However, they do have a meat entrée and a spicy tuna bowl.
I ordered the spicy tuna avocado bowl. Was a bit surprised at the small portion, but then the price was around $ 10 so it’s not too bad for what it is.
Tuna and avocado was pretty good but definitely not the best tuna I’ve had. I liked that the rice was steaming hot when served.

An amazing and affordable Japanese home-​style restaurant. It’s on a quiet street with the street view. It’s a comfortable place for lunch or meet up with friends. You have to get the steak tofu (it’s super amazing). The tuna avocado is also good. They have puzzles and little toys, a perfect place for kids.

One of my all-​time favorite places in the Lower East Side! I often work just a few blocks away, and get lunch or dinner here 1 – 2 times per week when I do (as do almost all of my coworkers.) Their tuna-​avocado bowl is so delicious and satisfying, as is their beef niku-​jaga, and their curry is the most comforting dish ever. They also have amazing soy croquettes. And to top it off, the people who own the place are incredibly sweet and the service is great. I really like the chill, homey, hole-​in-​the-​wall atmosphere– very relaxing and humble. So it’s great for either eat-​in or takeout any time of day!

The Tuna and Avocado bowl here is EXCELLENT. A bit spicy but very tasty.
Also tried their Hayashi Beef Stew special and that was tasty but filling. They serve Pokka canned teas here.

A very cozy and cute spot. The spicy tuna avocado bowl has always been my fave! Don’t forget to add the crunchy tempura pieces.

I have become a regular of this place for its homey, healthy style of cooking. The spicy tuna avocado bowl is a must for everyone who hasn’t had it. And I love most of the appetizers here. The sesame pudding is a great treat after a full meal

We decided to check out Soy after reading the rave review in NYT.
It was worth the trip. Good Japanese comfort food in a homey setting.
Very small area and difficult/​impossible to bring strollers though.
Cute place.

Excellent food, very casual atmosphere, small space. Highly recommend the Spicy Tuna & Avocado Bowl ($ 9.25). Dish was fresh and delicious. Also had the green tea cheese cake which was a delight. We sat at the counter and the service was great. Go here with the idea that the mother of an old friend will be making you a delicious and nourishing meal. Be considerate of others and understand this is a casual dining experience. I will definitely be going back.

Its japanese home-​style cooking that’s supposed to be very gentle on your stomach and not too heavy. the restaurant itself has a similar feel to when you’d be going over to your asian aunt’s house for lunch. The owner’s life is pretty much plastered onto the walls with her child’s drawings & there’s old books and home goods that hang in the corners and recesses of this tiny restaurant.
the food is okay. if you’re starving, i wouldn’t recommend coming here. the portions are quite small. yummy but small.
my husband and i were starving so when we came, we ordered a shit ton of food… like all the croquettes, gyoza, the tofu, the spicy tuna bowl, the beef and potato. and we were still hungry. maybe we’re just fatties.
mixed feelings, but overall, i think i’d come back if i were in the neighborhood. its not worth risking your life in the rain/​snow to make it out here.

Absolutely delicious. It’s a little place but very welcoming and warm, like walking into someone’s kitchen.

Ridiculous! I could eat every heaven-​concocted item on the menu for ever meal on every day for the rest of my life. If you haven’t been here yet, you’re not yet quite alive. Soy Croquettes! the Spicy Tuna Acocado bowl!
Change your life today.

I really wanted to give this place a good review, because the flavor is there… but I subtract 2 stars because it isn’t a good value for what you get.
I’ve eaten here several times, paid for by work, and everything tastes great! They deliver well, and the flavours are complex. It’s the epitome of comfort food, without being that bad for you. However, the portion sizes are very tiny. My favorites are the «Curry rice», which indeed has half a small potato in it and 3 cubes of beef, plus a lot of rice. And it’s the most delicious beef cube ever, but it’s not enough to satisfy. I am 110lb 5’2″ and it is not enough. I recommend ordering 2 beef croquettes (also very tasty) to try and fill it out more, otherwise you’re just eating rice. I noticed another reviewer mused that this may be indicitive of portions in Japan… that’s not quite true. I lived in Japan for a few summers and a meal should still have more filling than this; at least they should load it up with more potatoes (which are very cheap) to flesh out the meal more. Or don’t use beef, use pork and add more pieces. Or charge $ 2 more and add extra meat, people will pay that for satisfaction. Nikujaga is also delicious but similarly lacking; again there are 2 – 3 cubes of meat and half a potato.
The red bean, green tea, etc. smoothies are pretty good.
I only eat here when my office pays for it, otherwise it’s not worth it for what you get. Which is unfortunate, because the flavor is great. I recommend you go elsewhere, unless you have the money to burn on 2 – 3 entrees for yourself.

I was so hungry and wanted something light and healthy. I was pleasantly shocked when I found soy! The special was miso chicken and option to sub brown rice were reasons enough to eat there.
I realized that soy was named for the soy specialities it has, like tofu desserts and dishes. Again, I had the chicken because I was starving and gave into the allure of the matcha tofu. I love all things matcha and I could imagine what the tofu pudding would taste like. Luckily, it did not disappoint. There’s a bit of tanginess to it that I don’t care for but it was overall good. It is more like american pudding vs flan. The chicken was good as well, a big hint of Mirin flavor gave it depth that miso alone would not achieve. It came with piping hot brown rice and cabbage, pickled daikon and watercress.
Service was quick for only having one server/​cook, although it felt too long. Not a problem, I just took my time between soaking in the quaint environment and being entertained by the drawings done by the grandson of the owner. This place is dangerously close to where I live and I’m hooked!