IKIGAI

Ikigai (生き甲斐) is Japanese for a sense of purpose, a reason for living

Ikigai is a not-for-profit, with all proceeds going toward fighting food insecurity.
To date, proceeds have helped rescue over 1,000,000 pounds of food.

87 LAFAYETTE AVE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

A New York Expression of Kaiseki

Kaiseki is the Japanese art of expressing the season through hyper-local ingredients and a thoughtful, deliberate progression of dishes — each course building on the last in flavor, texture, and temperature.

At Ikigai, we honor this tradition by grounding our menu in the ingredients and expectations of our own surroundings. We source exceptional Japanese fish and seasonal specialties at their peak, while also gathering fresh produce from the local NYC farmer’s market. We embrace familiar Japanese ingredients, while also embracing flavors that feel natural and familiar here in New York.

In staying true to the spirit of Kaiseki, we reflect both the season and honor the place we inhabit. The result is a modern Kaiseki experience rooted in Japanese technique, shaped by our environment, and unique to our restaurant.