Fifteen East officially reopened in Union Square on July 22 under new ownership and culinary leadership. The reimagined restaurant continues its focus on high-end omakase, now led by Chef Tasuku Murakami. Guests can look forward to a 16-course omakase experience and a forthcoming bar program centered on sake and whiskey.
Highlights
- Michelin-starred Fifteen East has reopened in Union Square under new ownership.
- Executive Chef Tasuku Murakami leads the revamped omakase menu.
- Reservations and private dining options are available via the restaurant’s official website.
Fifteen East Reopened Under New Ownership
Fifteen East at 15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003, officially reopened in Union Square on July 22, 2025. This sushi restaurant once earned a Michelin star and has now reemerged under new management. The seasoned restaurateur Jay Lim owns the restaurant now, and Chef Tasuku Murakami will lead the team.
Murakami has worked across different continents and brings a depth of experience. He has earned a Michelin star as the Executive Chef at Sushi Azabu in New York and has led the Lobster Club under Major Food Group.
The restaurant offers a 16-course omakase menu for $235 per person. This elaborate menu is served with two rounds per evening, with eight guests in each. The hours of operation are Tuesday-Thursday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM and Friday–Saturday: 5:30 PM – 12:00 AM. An intimate 8-seat bar, expected to launch soon, will feature sake and whiskey-based drinks alongside sushi and curated bar snacks.
Innovated Menu at Fifteen East
At the heart of Fifteen East’s menu is sake kasu, a nod to Japan’s culinary heritage. It is a rice byproduct from the sake brewing process. Use of sake kasu to marinate fish for sushi pays tribute to the old traditional sushi from a thousand years ago. Here, it is Fresh Sake Kasu Ceviche on the menu, and it is also used in Sake Cheese.
Chef Murakami has carefully designed the menu so that guests can have an elevated flavor of every dish. Pickled ginger and appetizers are used as palate cleansers between nigiri, enhancing the rhythm of the meal. He says, “At Fifteen East, we use appetizers themselves to refresh the palate between nigiri, creating a rhythm that flows perfectly. We believe this level of intentionality is part of the true omakase spirit.”
Beverages at Fifteen East are as exciting as the menu. The beverage program features sake kasu-inspired cocktails and a curated selection of rare sakes, beers, and wines from boutique Japanese breweries.
Fifteen East’s return brings fresh energy to Union Square’s upscale dining scene. Fifteen East sets itself apart with Michelin-level precision and a price point that invites broader access to omakase dining.
