New York City Has One Authentic Japanese Tea House

On this episode of Shokunin, sushi chef David Bouhadana visits a traditional Japanese tea house hidden above New York City's bustling Union Square. Watch as Bouhadana learns about the intricacies of a traditional tea ceremony, and the benefits of cultural exchange.
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[@fb079]

I'm glad they got a good presenter. Who respected the culture.

[@dominicweber]

He’s a sushi chef, so I’m sure he knows about Japanese culture

[@cpunching]

I hope this guy becomes a regular. He's well spoken and this video was well paced.

[@cpunching]

Well shit. I guess Eater is just poaching the worst of Munchies off, which somehow is ending up better than 99% of their own staff.

[@eater]

+cpunching We don't poach. We slow simmer.

[@cpunching]

poach1 /pōCH/ verb cook by simmering in a small amount of liquid. dumbass lol.

[@broodstar258]

+cpunching Amazing.

[@eater]

+cpunching Glad to see that joke didn't go over your head.

[@thanhdinh3179]

That building interior looks so cool

[@cristianrivera9871]

Japanese culture is just so beautiful i love how detailed they but in a simple way !

[@JtrainMedia]

My favorite Eater vid yet. Such a great find.

[@Jo-yo1hv]

This video is so beautiful! The place that was taped is beautiful too!

[@undeny]

You are very patient, courteous and receptive as a vblogger. I hope to see more of you in future videos!

[@geminiproject062]

Even though I could extrapolate where this is, since I live in NYC, I imagine you can't just waltz in there, and that you would need a reservation? Or a good reason to make a reservation? There isn't a name either, so I highly doubt that there will suddenly be a large influx of guests, for those commenters saying people will go "ruin" it now.

[@THEORIGINATOR83]

On a hectic work day this was a nice video to watch and chill for 5 minutes.

[@chrsummit]

Congratulations on finally hitting 100.000 subscribers.

[@eater]

+Christoffer Sylvest Thanks so much! We're happy that our hard work has been noticed.

[@chrsummit]

It's been bugging me for a long time. I can tell that you're working hard. You're creating excellent content. Keep it up and you will grow bigger and grow bigger faster during 2016.

[@edwarddht]

I wish I had a room like that to decorate it. Love Japanese space in the house. And certainly, take tea ceremony. 🥰🌿

[@CartyCantDance]

I love tea! I currently work for MarthaBar in Brooklyn and Chelsea, and we make this kind of blend between Japanese matcha green tea and Brooklyn culture. Tons of respect for this video Eater, you guys killed it with your host choice and the design for this video.

[@eater]

+carty caruso We just shot a segment at MatchaBar this week. Stay tuned and thanks for watching!

[@CartyCantDance]

Yes! Hope you guys loved what you found.

[@mrclueuin]

This was sooo soothing. Thank you for uploading this video! My soul needed this so badly. 😌

[@ChicagoTurtle1]

Nice. Ya a real tea ceremony is a great experience. I hope those who attend get the idea.

[@morganolfursson2560]

Real ??? Are you kidding me ? There is nothing real here except for their egos .

[@judylloyd7901]

@@morganolfursson2560 And the Tea Master.

[@internationallyME]

Such a beautiful video !

[@fenton9408]

First! This is a very well filmed show, very beautiful in a cinematic sense.

[@eater]

+Matt W Stay tuned for more episodes! Thanks for watching!

[@fenton9408]

+Eater Thanks guys, more this, less Solares.

[@eater]

+Matt W If you like our long form content, check out our series Dining on a Dime as well!

[@fenton9408]

Eater Yes Lucas is great at presenting more of him too.

[@collindani4817]

Another fantastic series on Eater! Extremely refreshing!

[@eater]

+Collin Dani Thanks for watching!

[@alexh5725]

Fun fact about slurping and tea: Slurping when you drink tea actually helps oxidize the tea as it enters your mouth and accentuates the flavor.

[@DonaldJPump24]

Bald dude looked high af

[@albertnortononymous9020]

He’s high off his chutzpah

[@MrMiggoH]

Oldest weeaboo i've ever seen

[@OnnaBlade]

Hahaha funny

[@jauzihalwa]

That looked and felt like Heaven, OMG!

[@hanssusser1314]

Unpretentious and beautiful. Thank you :-)

[@davidsamson9596]

You guys deserve 100k! I love your channel :D

[@ChibiPanda8888]

freakin awesome. I wanna go.

[@handzmagic]

Please... What is the Name & Address? Thanks ☺

[@ThyLoverly]

Went there awhile ago for an exhibition, didn't know it was a tea house. Wow now the space makes sense haha

[@lorpa2102]

Tea Ceremony is the creation of heaven on earth.

[@Pablo-em7fy]

0:46 authentic person that stereotype culture.

[@eqlzr2]

I have a Japanese friend. You go to his house, he has on jeans and a t-shirt, newspapers and magazines scattered around, Disney characters on the wall, a window is open and the neighbor is mowing his lawn, he offers you a cup of tea, boils some water on the stove in a pot with a whistle that sounds like Popeye's pipe, he pours your tea in a Dunkin' Donuts cup, and serves it with some Oreos. Very pleasant, very normal, sans hype and sizzle, probably more like real human beings do it in Japan than this video. And I bet way cheaper, too. Peace out.

[@dermoland7355]

I liked the way you described it.That is true. what did you enjoy the most when it comes to drinking tea?souzan

[@eqlzr2]

@@dermoland7355 Frankly, I would be happier if he served coffee. But like everything, a little change of pace is the spice of life. Many thanks.

[@chrisstevens6227]

Okay brainless one. Your friend has Disney characters on his wall and boils water on a stove? What a cool guy….. no wonder you are friends. Peace out

[@AdrianAfanasiu]

ohh, i'm falling in love with the Japanese culture, if i only could visit japan...

[@judekanawati7467]

Same!

[@hmuphilly9129]

new york of all places

[@alexandrutimaru5509]

Very nice video! I really enjoyed it :)

[@SuperRoyGBiv7]

loved this

[@luisamallare4825]

How much does it generally cost to experience this marvelous japanese tea culture?

[@StaryStarDust]

Im so glad I found you guys :D great content and at a nice pace! How do we go to that tea place? Would be fun to visit some time.

[@nephildevil]

we get it, it's a Zen thing, a moment of peace and quiet

[@unruly_ronin]

I love the pacing of this video, if that makes sense, haha.

[@the.mistaal]

where is this place exactly in nyc?

[@itsmephil]

Amazing!

[@RhondaRolf]

Actually, there is at least one other tea house in NYC, it is a branch of the Urasenke school of Tea. they give tea lessons and have events for the general public: www.urasenkeny.org/

[@oTwOrDsNe]

This is awesome!

[@eater]

+oTwOrDsNe It was an incredible space to shoot in. Thanks for watching!

[@nbrandilyn957]

if you put any two cultures together in the amount just right.... you'll be able to achieve whatever "electricity" between those two cultures he's talking about....

[@Razan3bdullah]

i love this momento that was cute

[@sally3704]

OMG!!! what's the exact addy of this japanese tea room.. i really want to goooooo...

[@arlenevillareal2745]

Where is this in New York? Pls?

[@_StandardIssue]

Great host

[@kbr22]

That guy has a yellow fever that I've never seen before lol

[@morganolfursson2560]

There are tens of thousands of tea houses in Tokyo which is far bigger, far more crowded and far busier than NYC so what's so exceptional about this video or a tea house in new york exactly ?

[@albertnortononymous9020]

lol more like a green fever-he knows there are enough people out there with yellow fever that will pay to be a guest at a tea ceremony.

[@SWMJ97]

What is the name of this place and where exactly is it????

[@yarixzamendoza6314]

Esen Arıkan somewhere in NY near union Square. they say it in the video.

[@MissConscience1]

Matcha 🍵💚

[@RunTheAtlas]

Berkeley has one too! Vid in my channel 🎥 feels exactly like Japan

[@kienfung3045]

Thea is original from China, first recorded in 59 BC, probably originated even earlier. So maybe a video about green thea were it really came from. So i think the credits goes to China.

[@Chronolink444]

Kien Fung It's "Tea Ceremony". Not about tea or casual drinking tea.

[@judylloyd7901]

@@Chronolink444 and Kien Fung; Yes, the tea ceremony was brought from China to Japan by a Buddhist monk. I don't remember what century. When visiting Japan, he liked it so much, and thought it was a very meditative and deliberate ceremony so he brought it back to Japan to teach to his own people. 😁

[@DanBlabbers]

"sound changes..." okaaayyy??

[@hungrysimi]

2:58 he mean to say "less is more" ?

[@Clippurr]

Is that John Malkovich?

[@Lateralus03]

Asked for green tea matcha, took them about 30 minutes for 1 cup. Tea was alright and place was clean, but service sucks. 2/5

[@albertnortononymous9020]

🤣

[@mordecainaphtale6032]

DOPE

[@AzianRudi]

what do you call the lady that specializes in tea making ?

[@eater]

+AzianRudi She's a Tea Master. Thanks for watching!

[@morganolfursson2560]

And a person who teaches the tea ceremony is a Tea-cher . Oldest joke in the book of tea . Now having lived in Japan for 25 years i was wondering. There are tens of thousands of tea houses in Tokyo 90% of them being far more authentic than this one, and 10% being the real deal. And Tokyo is far bigger, far more crowded and far busier than NYC so what's so exceptional about this video or a tea house, well a tea room actually, in New York exactly ? Wouldn't that be a bit like saying there is a real steak house in Tokyo or a real pub that sells British beer . I am not getting what's so exceptional about it and i am not getting the authenticity either . This , is an authentic tea house . kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHOXqZ-DadSUnMU kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5a6oZuPZqd-kNE and this is how they are built today kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH_MhneZrs92aMU This, is how they were built in the most authentic way kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZLdmKFuft-Xibc kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIWopaKngMqhl8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4bUfqd_rbSSec0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/apTVl32jfJl5bpo kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYSaoZqkrtp0aqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6GxdGaHqd2af6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6LOip6ujaukadk I am sorry sir, but there is nothing authentic about your tea house/room in NYC

[@judylloyd7901]

@@morganolfursson2560 They make and serve tea there. That could be a good reason 🤪

[@albertnortononymous9020]

@@morganolfursson2560 lol it’s the closest thing to a Japanese tea house available in New York rn. Maybe if this attracts enough business, they will open up more tea rooms in NY, and some might be much more authentic.

[@razakiqbaal]

boosted board!!

[@borinnub]

Anyone else think David kinda looks like Shia LaBeouf?

[@consciousmatter7584]

Why the heck would they use that ball strainer? That’s EXTREMELY inauthentic

[@judylloyd7901]

That was at the beginning when they were talking about tea and tea drinkers, not necessarily in Japan. You'll see that the teapot wasn't Japanese either. Maybe it was just a take on tea 😄

[@kevinjohn9244]

what does the guy burn at the beggining

[@walkinghome1146]

Kevin John sage I believe

[@kevinjohn9244]

@@walkinghome1146 thanks

[@LifeOfTheParty323]

I mean it looks cool and pretty but my friends wouldn't go for this. They're a Starbucks and go type.

[@MK-ex4pb]

It's probably swamped now

[@ZKZ123]

Nice idea, but 1) Something is always lost in translation from Japanese to English, so the essence is diluted, but maybe that's fine and it makes a New Yorker's version for now 2) This guy really needs a shave! Oh wait, here come the hipsters..

[@eater]

+ECBanker David chose to grow a beard while he's on sabbatical. As a sushi chef, he's very rarely allowed the chance to have facial hair. Thanks for watching!

[@ZKZ123]

+Eater thanks for replying! I wonder who "allows" a sushi chef to grow facial hair. Because in Japan it is a definite No-No for a sushi chef and a common courtesy for anyone behind the kitchen to sport facial hair. But if he's on vacation, it's his hair to grow lol

[@eater]

+ECBanker It's definitely a no-no that David adhere's to. But since he's taking a break from behind the knife, he took the opportunity to grow a barrier against the cold NYC weather.

[@hmuphilly9129]

is the woman chinese or japanese? I cant see to tell

[@avamusic8176]

Ehmmm......

[@sagewynngames4222]

+1 Boosted boards in new york.

[@sgg3745]

With that tea infuser?! Hell, no

[@drewhuso9496]

he cute tho.

[@Eeluon]

The ceiling is too low, and the windows are not see-through. I feel like I'm suffocating..

[@judylloyd7901]

@Katrina M The ceremony is not mostly about the tea (he said so in the video). It's about hospitality and quieting one's mind to notice things, such as the sound of the water boiling, and perhaps the birds, if there are birds. It's not to be pretentious, it's to be mindful, to be deliberate and focused in the present moment. As far as the rooms themselves, that is typical Japanese type ambience. You don't have to like it. 😁

[@nsdefunctworkstation1076]

No offense but David looks kinda like Shia LaBeouf...

[@DavidinNYC]

is it just me, or the bald guy is creepy AF?

[@dracula1980]

Wtf did I just watch.

[@Sudhana]

This is the whitest video i've ever seen. I'm aware of the irony.

[@morganolfursson2560]

Now having lived in Japan for 25 years i was wondering. There are tens of thousands of tea houses in Tokyo 90% of them being far more authentic than this one, and 10% being the real deal. And Tokyo is far bigger, far more crowded and far busier than NYC so what's so exceptional about this video or a tea house, well a tea room actually, in New York exactly ? Wouldn't that be a bit like saying there is a real steak house in Tokyo or a real pub that sells British beer . I am not getting what's so exceptional about it and i am not getting the authenticity either . This , is an authentic tea house . kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHOXqZ-DadSUnMU kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5a6oZuPZqd-kNE and this is how they are built today kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH_MhneZrs92aMU This, is how they were built in the most authentic way kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZLdmKFuft-Xibc kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIWopaKngMqhl8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4bUfqd_rbSSec0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/apTVl32jfJl5bpo kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYSaoZqkrtp0aqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6GxdGaHqd2af6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6LOip6ujaukadk I am sorry sir, but there is nothing authentic about your tea house/room in NYC

[@judylloyd7901]

@@morganolfursson2560 The fact that they make and serve tea there is probably a big clue as to why it's called a tea house... and that's what makes it an authentic tea house 🤪🤪

[@dicedragon1200]

No desrespect. Respect own to desire leave culture to japanese dont make your own. Plz keep understanding follow your own dont make other peoples cultures yours same w history .stealing karma w follow an always love creator dont take others techniques. As yours an embrace there quality . this wrong so many levels .🙌✊🐲🐉

[@judylloyd7901]

There's nothing wrong with adopting things from other cultures. I can't see why you would think it a problem. You know that they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I'm sure the Chinese, from whom the tea ceremony originated, are not upset that a travelling Buddhist monk brought the tea ceremony back to Japan with him because he was so impressed with it that he wanted to teach it to his own people .

[@KennethBicocchi84]

what is this hipster bullsh*** ?