Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Japanese Restaurants in Murray Hill
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Brooklyn Ramen at Katagiri Japanese Grocery
Ramen counter hidden in a historic Japanese grocery, serving serious bowls in a grab-and-go format.
Notable Picks
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Tucked inside Katagiri’s Lexington Avenue grocery, Brooklyn Ramen runs a compact counter turning out shoyu, tonkotsu, and veggie miso bowls in disposable containers. It’s a low-frills but flavor-forward option for commuters who want real ramen instead of deli soup before or after a Grand Central train.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shoyu Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Veggie Miso Ramen
What Makes it Special: Ramen counter hidden in a historic Japanese grocery, serving serious bowls in a grab-and-go format.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Katagiri-grocery counter built around handheld onigiri that hit best as a fast, affordable Midtown meal with zero ceremony. Pick two rice balls with contrasting flavors, eat them fresh, and treat it as the quick win it’s designed to be.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled eel onigiri, Spam musubi, Spicy tuna onigiri
What Makes it Special: Handmade onigiri variety inside Katagiri for fast Midtown fuel.
#3
Bento NYC
7.6
Bento NYC is a compact sushi and bento counter on Third Avenue that leans hard into lunch combos and takeout. Office workers and locals rely on it for fast maki sets, teriyaki bentos, and straightforward rolls that are easy to grab between meetings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maki roll combo lunch specials, Chicken teriyaki bento lunch, Any 3-roll lunch set with miso soup
What Makes it Special: Grab-and-go sushi and bento shop built around efficient lunch specials.