Bite of the Issue

There’s a pretty strict dichotomy between the types of restaurants you find in Manhattan, especially around Stuy. Scrolling through Yelp, or even Google Maps, you’re likely to find either beautiful but exorbitantly priced bistros or cheap ‘hole-in-the-wall’ diners with AI-generated advertising. And so, after an AP Chem double that never seems to end, a pop quiz in Lit, and 10 new homework assignments due at 11:59 p.m., simply finding a reasonably priced and good-tasting spot to eat may seem hopeless—until you come across salvation. Tang Sushi, located in the East Village, provides mouthwatering sushi, unbeatable prices, and an inviting interior that makes you forget about all the homework you have due tomorrow.

Walking into Tang, one is immediately greeted by a lively, bustling atmosphere. Even without making a prior reservation, hosts are quick to clear empty tables and offer a seat. The warm atmosphere and plush, comfortable chairs serve as a wonderful distraction from cold New York winters. The lighting isn’t fluorescent, but it’s also not gloomy and dark. Instead, it’s a perfect balance to foster a happy dinner. Whether you’re catching up with friends, having a celebratory dinner with your family, or simply escaping the dreaded Google Classroom notifications, you’re enveloped in the warm, orange lights. Two Diet Cokes in, your eyes glance upon what may be the best sushi deal in the city: All You Can Eat (AYCE) sushi.

Tang’s AYCE deal is like no other in Stuy’s proximity. Typically, an AYCE deal in Manhattan offers a detrimental tradeoff between price and quality: you either receive sloppy rolls and thin cuts of sashimi for lower prices, or the most delectable meal you’ve ever eaten that leaves you begging your friends for cash in the weeks after. Tang gives customers the best of both worlds. For $46, customers receive an hour and 45 minutes of sushi bliss. Ranging from standard California rolls to experimental specialty rolls, each piece is handcrafted by chefs at a bar right next to customers, offering an intimate look into how each dish is carefully prepared. Apart from the AYCE deal, each roll and piece of sushi is masterfully crafted. Full cuts of fish and perfectly prepared roe complement golden fried Gyoza and hearty Udon soup. 

In true ‘Bite of the Issue’ fashion, the standout dish from Tang’s menu is definitely their Yellowtail Jalapeno hand roll. Handrolls differ from traditional cuts of sushi and sashimi, as the fish and vegetables are neatly wrapped into conical shapes, meant to be held by hand, hence the name, rather than by chopsticks. It’s typically quite difficult to make a perfect hand roll: either the fish-to-vegetable ratio isn’t quite right, or the seaweed is so overstuffed that it explodes the moment you take the first bite. But Tang mastered the art of the perfect hand roll. The buttery Yellowtail wonderfully contrasts the sharp heat of the jalapeño, leaving a combination so delicious that it would be worth ordering six extra orders, even without the AYCE deal.

Of course, Tang Sushi isn’t necessarily the place you go to for an extravagant fine-dining experience. You won’t find yourself surrounded by elaborate decorations or tiny portions made up of ingredients that cost more than you can rationalize. But that’s precisely what makes it appealing. Tang Sushi lets you enjoy a delicious meal at a reasonable price in a place where you can actually relax. In a city full of sushi restaurants competing to be Nobu, Tang is just right.

Directions: Walk down Chambers Street to City Hall (at Broadway and Warren), and enter the N/R/W station. Take the R train three stops up to 8th Street - NYU, and walk to the intersection of East 6th Street and Second Avenue.