Some restaurants are just dinner. Teruko is a whole story. Down in the old nightclub space beneath the Hotel Chelsea, past guitars and a secret stairway that feels straight out of a film noir, you’ll find Teruko. The new Japanese hideaway that’s turning heads and raising chopsticks. The place is an art installation, a restaurant and a tribute to the painter Teruko Yokoi, who once lived and worked in that very basement.
About
Let’s just say if the walls could talk, they’d whisper in hushed tones about abstract expressionism and perfectly torched kampachi. The name isn’t just a branding exercise. It’s the soul of the place. Teruko Yokoi was a Japanese-Swiss artist who took up residence at the Chelsea in the late 1950s. Her work leaned abstract but always had this undercurrent of quiet rebellion. Much like the hotel itself. She painted down here, under these very bricks, in the thick of the hotel’s creative heyday. The current owners went deep—acquiring eight original pieces from her estate and letting them guide the entire design. You can spot them around the restaurant, kind of like spiritual anchors. So no, it’s not just a pretty name on the door—it’s a resurrection of a vibe, a memory turned into omakase.
The Restaurant
The team behind the Teruko restaurant is Sunday Hospitality, and partner Charles Seich. The first thing you notice is the lighting—low and seductive. Then there’s the sculptural bar, an import from Tokyo’s Orchid Bar, that glows like a quiet ember in the middle of the room. The seating is a mix of moody alcoves and velvet-wrapped booths. Surrounded by reclaimed wood, vintage limestone, denim wall panels, and ceilings so dramatically arched you half expect to hear Gregorian chants. (Don’t worry, it’s hypothetical). There are three main zones: a bar for cocktails, a sushi counter, and a handful of booths for more extended rituals. Everything feels intentionally cinematic. Even getting in is a bit of a journey, through the lobby or via the guitar shop next door, and down a metal stair. It’s the kind of place where someone in the know takes you.
The Food
Let’s start with the Ozaki Wagyu. It shows up at your table, gently grilled over binchotan, sliced like silk, and served with freshly grated wasabi. You’ll probably be thinking about it for a week. Chef Tadashi Ono, who leads the much-missed Matsuri, is back with a menu that walks a delicious line between restraint and play. There’s kampachi smoked over hay, Dover sole done karaage-style with a citrusy ponzu and robata skewers with just the right amount of char. And, there’s a menu of edomae-style sushi and sashimi, crafted by Chef Hideaki Watanabe. We’re talking something like yellowtail with jalapeño salsa and spicy tuna with a crispy edge.
The drinks are a different story entirely. The cocktail list celebrates Japan in clever ways. Shiitake Old Fashioneds, sakura slings, and a Gari martini that somehow makes pickled ginger flirty. The sake list runs deep also. For those who must have their Burgundy or Champagne, the wine list by Claire Paparazzo is carefully curated and borderline dangerous. But what really seals the deal, though, is how immersive the whole thing is. The 12-seat sushi counter is worth booking if you want the full show—the knife work, the torching, the little brushstrokes of soy sauce. It’s dinner and a show.
Other Articles You’ll Like
Sushi by Scratch NYC
Yves Saint Laurent does Sushi
Crispy Rice Salmon Sushi
FAQs
Q: Where is Teruko restaurant located?
A: Teruko is located beneath the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
Q: What is the concept behind Teruko restaurant?
A: Teruko restaurant is inspired by artist Teruko Yokoi, who once lived and painted in the same basement.
Q: What type of cuisine does Teruko restaurant serve?
A: Teruko restaurant serves Japanese cuisine, including edomae-style sushi and robata dishes.
