My mother and I checked this out after hearing some good things about it from friends. We both grew up in Japan and have had a very hard time finding ANY satisfactory Japanese food in NY.

Unfortunately we were disappointed in this place. The menu is way overpriced for the neighborhood and there isn't much selection. It's also chock full of ridiculous hybrid Japanese food that isn't nearly as good as the classics.

Needless to say, we won't be going back.

sat at the bar, was just 2 of us. the food was excellent - ceviche is top notch, definitely get that. the salad was a nice touch, crunchy and crisp, and the bombs, though nothing terribly special, were well done. it's hard to find decent japanese food at this price in williamsburg, and this place is only 2 blocks from my place, so it's very convenient. sure, it's no zenkichi, but at its price, it does the job.

can't say too much about the service, we were sitting at the bar, and taking our time, so we had no problems, though i could understand how others had bad service. i'll definitely go back, though, until williamsburg picks its shit up and finally spawns a great japanese place (cmon trustafarians, do your shit).

This used to be my favorite sushi restaraunt. To the point where I took all my friends and family whenever they visited and spent a ton of money there, as the food there is really quite expensive.

The food there is delicious, but I've never had a worse customer experience in my life. The first time occured after a dinner there, after we had been eating frequently at Bozu for about six months. We mistakenly tipped rather though (something like 5% due to poor math), and then we were chased down the street by a different waitress then had served us, and harassed for the extra 10%. Although we readily admitted it was an oversight on our part, and hatily corrected the amount, the waitress continued to be rude and did not seem to appreciate that we gave her a bigger tip.

After that experience it took some months for us to go back to Bozu. But we figured that just one experience shouldn't erase all the good that we had had there. So we went back and took our rather large group of friends with us (6+ people). Before we ordered, the large male waiter (think he's the owner) tried to sell us on the "tasting menu" (that was not printed anywhere) saying that when there were more than 6 people he suggested it so that all of our food would come at the same time. Since we've been there so often, we politely declined with some joking about how we know what we want, etc. etc. and ordered our usual favorites.

It seemed that because of that our food just didn't come, and when it did come, it would come in strange intervals, with not a single dish of any of ours coming at the same time. On top of that, our water glasses were not refilled, and dirty dishes were left on the table long after we finished our meal. We also had to ask for the check as it never arrived at the end, and then had to ask for it again once we had given our credit card as it took more than twenty minutes for them to process it. In that time span we saw many other tables receive their food, and checks.

The kicker was watching the waiter walk around the tables, chatting with other patrons, while holding the check which finally made its way back to our table. And he had written in a tip for himself that was over the standard 20% gratuity that they automatically charge parties of 5.

Unfortunately, no food, no matter how good, is worth being ostracized to this point for, and these two horrible experiences have now turned six people off of Bozu for good.

For those of you who think Bozu has deluctible food, you're wrong. The food is mere average. It's just that most of you "locals" are from out of state and have yet had the experience of great japanese cuisine. Here's a tipster for all you hipsters: the food sucks.

Ridiculous!

I went to Bozu with a friend the other night.....the waitress forgot utensils and napkins for me multiple times so i just grabbed from a neighboring table, also my plates were cleared so we kept having to put them on neighboring table.....after dinner the bill came ....we tipped but we split the bill and i guess we left only 10%, by accident.

As we were getting our coats on to leave- the manager/owner came over and explained to us that a tip is meant to show your appreciation for service- he gave us each back our bills and basically shook us down for more $$!!!
i was stunned,
even though we didn't mean to leave a small tip - at least we left one!

It was so rude to do this to us in front of other diners... i was so shocked i didn't' even have anything to say!
all i can say now is be prepared to have good food, pay too much for it and also be hassled if you tip isn't satisfactory!

i loved Bozu. the owner/manager was very sweet- made great recommendations- i would have never tried the tofu salad without him- and you should try the tofu salad.

the sushi is so fresh and the house martini is delicious.

please go.

The Food is great however, the owner is very rude, throughout all the restaurants i've been to around the city, this is the only one that has asked my table of 5 and i to move out of our table so another party can sit down. As an owner that is not acceptable. I found the recommendation through this site and i thought it would be a nice place to eat however i would not recommend this place!

Bozu rocks! This is, hands down, the best sushi in Brooklyn. The sake selection is amazing and the owners are very knowledgeable. I always have a great experience at Bozu and if you're wondering if you should try it I would say YES! Try the cold sakes, there are so many to try and they are all amazing. Also, get the party bomb platter! You'll love it, I swear!

Simply one of the best restaurants in NYC. The staff is really friendly and into food and Makoto (owner/chef) is a genius, fusing traditional Japanese with mediterannean accents. The cocktails are brilliant too: try the Shiso Mojito or Wasabi Sake/Vodka Martini: unbelievable! Go once and you'll be back again and again.

I went here the other night for the first time after walking by it a million times. Overall I really liked it and the backyard patio probably contributed alot to that. Our server was flighty (which most servers in Williamsburg tend to be...) but the owner was so helpful and patient with us as we were rather indecisive about which shochu and tapas to get. Food was very good and fresh and the Shochu was delicious. Stay away from the infused ones...
On a side note I don't really get why so many people from the 'Burg keep complaining about how this place and others on Grand St. like Baci&Abbracci are overpriced or expensive...I don't think this place is expensive...I would say it is moderate. It's not a dive so why would you expect it to have dive prices?

horrible, horrible service. i wasnt too hungry and was merely craving some edamame and some miso soup. i also ordered a side of white rice. i got the soup right away but waited and waited for the extremely unfriendly, unprofessional waitress to bring me my rice and edamame. its rice and edamame! how long does it take to get those things made and served??? after waiting 20 minutes i canceled the order and just paid for the miso soup. the waitress never apologized or enquired as to what the problem was. what a fucking let down. i'll NEVER go back there again.

Did that guy really get drinks comped and then write a bad review? What a douchebag.
My experience at Bozu was delightful. The owner is lovely, the drinks were sublime and the darling little sushi bombs were delectable, as was everything we ordered.
It is a little pricey, but if you want quantity over exquisite quality, go to Wasabi.
BTW, it's effing New York. There are cockroaches everywhere. you should just be lucky that yours was so helpful.

it was exactly as described in the other reviews - small portions at high prices - but no one mentioned the highlight of my dining experience, which was a delightful coachroach on the wall inches from my face, giving helpful suggestions to the complicated drink menu.

party bomb is the way to go! this place is a little pricey, but well worth it if you have a few extra bucks to spend.

What I find very funny about the comments on this page is that some of these writers have completely missed the point. The restaurant sells Japanese TAPAS. Tapas. Having eaten tapas at many many places, both in this city, and in the countries from which they originated, I can tell you that the portions are fine. Tapas are meant to be ordered in groups. Several plates for a couple of different people to compliment your wine, sake, whatever you're drinking. My experience there was amazing. The owner, as has been stated, is what every restaurant owner should be. He is knowledgable of both his food and drink, personable, and the man designed every inch of place, for chrissake.... Our sake was absolutely gorgeous, the food was flawless and beautiful, and the atmosphere was perfect. I had such a good experience at Bozu from beginning to end that I find it surprising that anyone could find any fault. I would pay twice as much for the quality of service and meal.

The owner of this stylish Japanese joint on the edge of Southside is reason enough to stop by. The infused vodkas are the drink specials (not in price) but you should totally try one. The food is small and tasty. There is a tuna/guacamole roll to die for and the stuff mushrooms are great too! Totally a place worth stopping by for a late snack and infused vodka goodness.

I loved this resturant. The food was amazing. As was the sake. As were the people who worked there. And desert amazing too. Odd to have chocolate stoffle at a Asain resturant but teamed with the rasberry sauce it seemed to be the perfect end to a lovely meal.

Bozu is a gem, plain and simple.
The owner is not only warm and welcoming, he truly cares about the food and drinks he serves. The personal touch, taste, and innovation that goes into the dishes is entirely unrivaled at any of the local japanese joints, and even comparably priced manhattan eateries. And where else can you get that an a great selection of sakes at 3:30am? The back patio in the summertime is not to be missed...

This place has the best cocktails in Williamsburg--plenty made with fresh fruit puree. The chefs take their art seriously, turning out carefully prepared, eye and palate pleasing little creations. Those complaining about the price should try and purchase like meals in New York! You'd pay at least 3 times as much!

homey gets comped drinks and then gives em a bad review...shmuck. this place is good. a little pricey, but the nice staff make up for it.

This place has a nice atmosphere and a great owner. Really nice guy who comped us some drinks when I told him I lived in Japan for a long time. This would be a nice place to get drinks and chill over some shochu. But the food was nothing special and the place kind of floats on some gimmicks. They usually feature "sushi bombs" which are just small sushi servings pressed in mini-biscuit trays. The fish our night was not particularly fresh or tasty- even the special. Sushi bomb is a cute name and they look cute, but it's not the real deal and the prices aren't really fair considering. The shumai were obviously frozen instant types, and the overpriced tofu salad can be made at home for a fraction of the cost. I suppose a second visit would be more deserving, but I agree with the other comments regarding price and portion size. My wife, who is Japanese, and I bring this place up from time to time when we lament the lack of good Japanese food in the neighborhood....Oh, and the infused shochu thing is cute as well, but pretty gimmicky. These cocktails are overpriced and small and even Tokyo has better value for these- which are pretty standard and done without all the fanfare. Besides, the particular brands they have at Bozu are much better appreciated straight up or on the rocks. Bozu- good for drinks, but a pass for dinner.

so yum, but $$$ and hyper small portions. if you are on a diet and rich it's a great place

Top three eateries in Williamsburg. Tiny bit on the pricey side, but everything has that special touch, making it all worth it. Ceviche (yes it is a Japanese place) is the best I've had. Specials are frequent, and the infused sochu display is remarkable. I totally got laid after this one.