House of Small Wonder

I was excited to try this brunch spot after hearing rave reviews from my friends over the last year.
Is it cute? Yes. I absolutely love the creative décor. Its vintage + nature inspired, and the ways they’ve repurposed old items so that it’s decoratively functional is a good enough reason to check this place out.
Did we finding parking on the same block on a Sunday for brunch? Yes.
Was there a wait? Yes, ~30 min around 12pm.
Service was ok. They aren’t particularly friendly but got the job done.
Tables are small, cozy, and close to each other. If you’re sitting by the wall, the booth seats are linen, so they can get dirty easily. You’ll see food particles and/​or stains on them…
…but most importantly, I just wasn’t crazy about the food. It’s okay and I don’t think I’d be back. We shared the Tsukune Don and Hamburg Steak. However filling, both dishes seemed bland to the both of us, and we decided we didn’t particularly enjoy it enough to want to come back. There are just way too many places in NYC to try for brunch.

This place is amazing. I went all the way to Brooklyn multiple times here just for the chicken and lavender latte. The décor is also very cozy. It’s a gem

Been here 2 times and I have to say that the service is really attentive.
I really wanted to try the sashimi don but everytime I went, it was sold out.
The first time I went was around 3−4pm.
I got the Tsukune don and my sister got the kale salad.
The tsukune don was so good. It may look small but it is actually really filling. It comes with miso soup as well. We also got the lavendar latte.
The tsukune don is like mini balls of pork that are shaped into meatball sizes. The base is sushi rice and they also give some nori on top of it. I rate it 4.5÷5 stars. Portion wise was small and expensive but it was worth it.
The kale salad was pretty good. It had kale, sweet potatoes, beans, and carrots. Seasoning was really good. ⁴⁄₅ stars.
Lavender Latte: 3.5÷5: Half of it was a bit bitter but they don’t use Lavender syrup like most coffee shops do.
The second time I went was with my friend. We got there around 11:30 and they just sold out the Sashimi plate again :(! I got the Sake Teshouku dish and it was around $ 17! It had edamame, hijiki and mushrooms, rice and salmon. They also give you a lemon for the salmon as well.
Salmon: 3.5÷5 stars. It was good but I rather get the sashimi plate. The edamame was a bit burnt but the hijiki and the mushroom was better.

This place is more adorable than a puggle pushing puggle puppies in a stroller. It’s more adorable than a toddler falling asleep while hugging a kitten. More adorable than a baby goat frolicking with a baby tiger (assuming the goat doesn’t get eaten).
It’s so adorable that I’m not even that mad about the mostly awful service we experienced last time.
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Interlude About The Mostly Awful Service Last Time:
Basically, after a lengthy discussion with the server about my friend’s debilitating gluten allergy, they served her a sandwich on glutinous bread. Which meant that we had to send it back, which meant that everyone else’s food just got cold as we waited for hers. Which really wouldn’t have been a big deal, but an apology would’ve been nice.
Obviously, it’s my friend’s fault for developing a debilitating allergy that prevents her from having delicious gluten, but seriously, an apology would’ve been nice.
Interlude Over.
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It helps that this service seems to be the exception to the rule, and that beyond the adorable décor, they serve genuinely delicious and gorgeous plates of food. I would eat the Tsukune Don anytime, or even just stare at it for a while. The meatballs are obscenely tender, the soft egg explodes runny yolk all over everything, and I want to eat it all damn day.
See you next time, House of Small Wonder. And please don’t try and kill my friend again, that wasn’t cool.

Ok everyone, this is a MUST-​TRY. Firstly, it’s a small Japanese fusion restaurant. If I were to guess, I’d say it seats no more than twenty and seating is tight! I would describe the décor as natural and rustic, but in a way you’ve never seen and can never describe but it works. It’s sort of an open-​air restaurant with its glass ceilings (I think) and a large live tree growing right through it.
My sister and I came for lunch. She ordered Tsukune Don, which was teriyaki meatballs on a bed of rice. It sounds basic but it is so flavorful, so eye-​bulgingly good! I stole two meatballs –it was her own fault for not eating fast enough. I’m gonna order that the next time I’m there. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my dish too. I had the Okinawan Taco Rice. It is a fried egg over marinated ground pork (I love pork!) over fresh chopped bell peppers, avocado and greens all over rice. If that sounded like a lot, it was. I can usually eat a lot and I couldn’t finish it. Neither did my neighbor. I really tried though. –It feels wrong to leave uneaten food on your plate, but it feels especially bad when it’s really really good. Anyways, I found the combination to be both hearty and refreshing and I loved it.
Our server was super sweet and didn’t bug people much, except to refill waters. They must know we are too busy stuffing our faces to make time to chat. Yes, it’s THAT good. So clearly, I think this spot totally warrants a visit and I truly believe you won’t regret it. My sis and I both swore we need to come back here soon.

If I lived in the area, I’d visit often because they serve Japanese comfort food and brunch food all day. And it helps that it looks so much like a tree house. I have a non-​traditional work week schedule, so I was able to beat the crowds by going at 1pm on a random weekday. Otherwise, I hear it gets quite busy during weekend brunches.
I went with the tsukune don. It came with 5 giant tsukune (ground chicken) balls on top of a bed of rice with nori, sesame seeds, shiso, scallions, and a glorious poached egg on top. The sweet soy glaze wasn’t too sweet, and it went well with the shiso and egg. It didn’t look like a lot of food, but it was actually quite filling.
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Likelihood of another visit:
The tsukune don, while nothing too out of the ordinary, had that ‘home cooking’ quality. I’d love to try their Okinawan taco rice and the sashimi zuke don soon.
Cash only. Boo.

The name itself just makes me wish I was back in Japan, or sitting on my couch Netflixing a really good movie (and chilling).
House of Small Wonder was quite a Brunch spot. It was a very hipster-​Japanese café that made me question whether I was really in Brooklyn. My friends and I decided to come here on a Sunday morning, which was a terrible idea due to the long lines. However, we decided to wait out the hour, and finally snagged a seat.
The moment we walked in, we were greeted with the giant tree growing in the middle of the restaurant.
SICK.
Anyway, it was time to stop admiring the tree and getting down to the food. A lot of the menu options seem to change, but are a modern take on some unique Japanese options. They have everything from regular donburi to Okinawan fare with an American twist (hey hey taco rice!)
I myself ordered the Salmon Lunch Set (Sake teishoku), which came with rice and a side salad. The grilled salmon was very good: lots of flavor and just enough juice to get my senses tingling. Feel free to ask for a lemon to squeeze over it to make it even better.
Overall, it felt like a fairy tale brunch with the wonderful ambiance and lighting. Definitely cute. Definitely worth a stopover while in Brooklyn.

Scratch my earlier comments about the restaurant feeling tiny, it is tiny.
I got the matcha cappuccino and it was really good. It comes in 2 sizes. I got the small ($ 4) and I was actually able to drink it throughout the whole meal. It was super milky but the matcha taste came through.
I got the Tsukune Don ($ 13) — chicken meatballs. When it first came out, the egg looked really undercooked because the egg whites were really jiggly. But when you mix it all up, it provides a nice silky texture to the rice. The chicken was also really tender. I had no problem finishing it, unlike my sashimi bowl. It also comes with a small bowl of miso soup!
We had to ask for water, which I thought was strange. But otherwise, House of Small Wonder is still a cute place to eat at.

I went on a Sunday morning around 11 am and only had to wait a few minutes but I sat at the counter. I was really sad to hear they didn’t have the Sashimi Zuke Don. I ordered the Taco Rice, Tsukune Don, Banana Nutella Croissant and a cup of coffee. Everything was delicious but I’m definitely coming back to try the Sashimi Zuke Don. There’s also a random tree in the middle of the restaurant going through the roof that both confuses me and intrigues me.
Tip: go early to avoid the wait times, there’s very limited seating available.

Such a beautiful concept for a restaurant — the atmosphere was on point — but the customer service was horrible for food that was alright but severely heavy handed with the spices.
When I came here for brunch, the waiter sat me down right away and then when he realized that the entire party was not here awkwardly suggested that he may have to ask me to get up. That would be fine if there was a queue of people’s waiting — I guess that’s something they’re use to? But there was no one waiting to be seated. And again as soon as we had finished eating and paid our bill, they had asked us to leave.
But whatever, took my order, had a lovely lavender latte — not too soapy although the garnish of bits of lavender kind of added this unsavoury bitterness that was unnecessary.
The sashimi zuke don was beautifully plated — gorgeous selection of fish. My one gripe with this dish was that the seasoning was so heavy handed for Japanese food — I felt like parts of the dish was drowned in soy sauce and seasoning.
Overall, food wasn’t bad, the atmosphere of the restaurant was great, but the customer service — especially for a Japanese restaurant was abysmal. Why rush a customer out of your restaurant when there is no one waiting to be seated anyway?

This place really IS a House of Small Wonder. I got to taste
~Tsukune Don… 13.00 (4.5÷5)
Japanese Chicken Meatball with teriyaki sauce, nori, scallion, sesame, and soft egg over rice. Served with miso soup.
~ Sashimi Zuke Don… 15.00 (⁴⁄₅)
Soy sauce marinated sashimi of the day, avocado, sweet mushrooms, sesame, egg sprinkle served over sushi rice (Limited availability)
~ Japanese Hamburg Steak… 15.00 (⁴⁄₅)
Organic ground beef patty with melted gruyère cheese on top, simmered in demi glacé sauce and served over rice with mixed green salad and sliced hard-​boiled egg
~ Okinawan Taco Rice… 13.00 (4.5÷5)
Invented in the 60’s, Tex-​Mex favorite with a Japanese twist, ground all natural pork, chopped vegetables and cheese and fried organic egg over rice
The food here is amazing and I recommend all of the above!
The bathroom is so cute and tiny.

I cannot stop dreaming about House of Small Wonder’s Lavender Latte. It’s subtle, strong, ever so slightly sweet without being cloying… And to top it off, they’ve found the trick to making a coffee drink that pairs perfectly with raw fish.
But maybe I should start from the beginning. House of Small Wonder is Zenkichi’s little sister, a daytime only restaurant with a focus on simple Japanese breakfast food. Like Zenkichi, it would be worth a visit based on ambiance alone. While located in a much smaller space, the room has the advantage of a greenhouse-​style roof which lets in sunlight aplenty, transforming the small, rough-​hewn café into a delightfully bright little nest. Decorations include all manner of greenery: terrariums, cut flowers, and even a live tree. This is all made habitable with tiny tables and vintage accents. Admittedly there’s not much room to move around, but sitting and soaking up the atmosphere is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Just be prepared to wait for a table.
There’s also a clear overlap between the dishes these two restaurants put out. But because the food here is less ambitious, it’s also more consistent. Presentation is homey and informal, and also more filling. Of special note is the Croissant French Toast, a decadent and eggy take on a brunch staple, as well as my favorite– Sashimi Zuke Don, which always sells out early. Although technically a fish of the day dish, tuna and/​or salmon are usually included. Every component is lightly but expertly seasoned, right down to rice. And seriously, order a Lavender Latte too. The floral flavors are so delicate they actually complement the taste of good sushi.
It’s this kind of subtlety that elevates House of Small Wonder not just above the level of most brunch spots, but makes it a five-​star restaurant in it own right.

Cute small place with a menu that goes along with it. Cash only. It’s difficult to get a stroller in here, I actually found parking down the block so I actually had to put the stroller back in the car and just bring my 3 month old in his car seat. A few women came out as I was going on, two with strollers and they said they had some difficulty getting their strollers in but managed to. The taco rice is good although I found the portions to be a little small. Great atmosphere, beautiful space.

Everything inside house of small wonders are simple yet hearty. Menu has two sections — American plate which features pastries and eggs, as well Japanese home-​cooked dish, focusing on raw fish. My friend and I shared two Japanese plates — chicken meatball rice and the rice taco with veggie and fried egg. It was really hard to decide which one of the two I liked more, as both were hearty and flavorful.
By the time I got there, they were running out of sashimi rice; however I’m still more than satisfied with what we have ordered. Everything was not too huge in portion, so that I could enjoy a bite here and there.
Lovely place! Looking forward to its sister next door (for Omakase).

A little gem hidden in Williamsburg! Stopped by for lunch on a weekday and was pleasantly surprised! The décor of the place makes you feel like you have stepped into a greenhouse with wooden tables and little plants everywhere.
We had the Tsukune don (chicken meatballs on rice with a runny egg and nori). This was pretty darn good. Chicken was flavourful and tasty. And the portion was filling! Comes with a miso soup (which was quite bland). We also had the sandwich/​salad/​soup combo set. The set was simple and refreshing. A good sandwich — we had the tomato & mozzarella, but would have liked the cheese to be melted… maybe I just like warm sandwiches :)
Overall a pleasant little café that offers Japanese fusion lunch/​brunch.
Cash only!

Delicious food but I’m not sure it is worth the 1.5 to 2 hour wait and the trek outside of Manhattan.
Food:
Croissant french toast — very good
Tsukune don (chicken meatballs on rice) — sauce is good but the chicken meatballs are a bit bland
Vegetable curry — very good but this is what you would expect Japanese curry to taste like
Taco rice — delicious; favorite dish here

The place really was awesome. The décor was very homey and super inviting, with an all female Japanese staff. The décor was very wood based, it kinda felt like I was in the inside of a bird house, in a cool way. The place is cash only and there’s an ATM on site, but it was kinda weird looking, you will know what I mean when you see it. The place doesn’t really feel like you are eating at a Japanese restaurant, it kinda feels more like you are eating really comforting Japanese food from the Japanese aunt you never knew you had lol I think they are owned by the same people as Zenkichi and they are physically connected but with a different entrance. The place is rather small, so try to go early since the waits can be painful. For lunch, their Sashimi Zuke Don is really popular and sells out super quick, they open at 10am and usually sells out by 11am.
The food:
Tsukune Don– Japanese Chicken Meatball with teriyaki sauce, nori, scallion, sesame, and soft egg over rice. Served with miso soup. I really wish I ordered this for myself since it was so good. It was an excellent Tsukune. I thought the flavor of the meatball was excellent and the texture of it was great while still being juicy. The nori was kind of an unusual addition but it really paired well. For me, this is not necessarily an exciting dish but definitely one to order if you are into simplistic Japanese comfort food.
Okinawan Taco Rice– Invented in the 60’s, Tex-​Mex favorite with a Japanese twist, ground all natural pork, chopped vegetables and cheese and fried organic egg over rice. I will be the first to say, wtf is this? lol But I am glad I ordered it since it was so goooood. It’s kinda like a Sloppy Joe on top of rice and veggies with a runny egg. The flavor of the pork was sweet and savory and it kinda took me off guard but really balanced each other out nicely. The rice was a nice texture and the runny egg makes everything better, and like I said with the Tsukune Don, this is a homey dish and is not really exciting but the flavors are really great. It’s not fancy, but it’s good, honest food.
Organic Egg Scramble– Parmesan & thyme egg on croissant. I thought this was OK, the croissant was like a baby croissant but it was way too buttery for me. Also, the eggs didn’t have a lot of flavor, I didn’t really notice the Parmesan or thyme, really. Overall, just OK.

Her: Let’s go here for brunch.
Me: ok
Her: They have this sashimi zuke don and reviewers say there is a limited supply
Me: Let’s get moving and go before they run out.
Her: ok
This is a hole in the wall kind of place in Williamsburg. It is very small and the restaurant is quite unique. It is like dining in a cabin in the middle of the forest. They have this big looking tree right in the middle surrounded by antique items, feels very relaxed and reminds me of the pre-​technology days.
When we arrived, i asked the waiter and she said there are two more sashimi zuke don, it was on a weekend and we were there just before 12. It had sashimi of the day (salmon and tuna), avocado, mushrooms, egg over sushi rice, it’s really similar to a poke bowl. Everything was very fresh and not fishy.
Also had the matcha cappuccino which was very rich and creamy, order this, tasted delicious.
It’s a good place to bring your date. Prices are okay. There isn’t really much to do in the area except for the flea market and the east river is close by if you want to walk by the water.

House of Small Wonder reminds me of secret garden! Its décor is incredibly magical like an enchanted forest. This is a hidden gem in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that shares the same space as Zenkichi next door (most likely related). It was a bit hard to find without their menu board outside. The outdoors of this place can be mistaken for an abandon garage. This is a really small space but fills up immediately right after it opens.
For brunch, one of my friends and I got the infamous Okinawan Taco Rice. This is a Tex-​Mex with a Japanese twist — grounded pork with cheese and chopped vegetables over rice topped with two fried eggs. A very delicious and very light dish. It is recommended to mix everything together to enjoy the mixed flavors together!
My friend got the Tsukune Don which was a tasty Japanese chicken meatball dish with teriyaki sauce topped with nori, scallions, sesame seeds, and soft poached egg over rice. Miso soup on the side. Chicken meatballs was really tender and freshly made. I loved how well the flavors blend together.
Lavender Latte was the BOMB! It is a latte with infused lavender flower flavors and topped with petals. A cup was definitely not enough, so next time I’ll take two cups!
Matcha Cappuccino. This is another favorite here but I felt that it was way too milky for my taste. It did not have a lot of matcha powder taste.
I really did enjoy my time here in such a secret and secluded brunch spot! Sashimi Zuke Don is probably their best item on their menu and sells out quickly. If you would like a share, get it right when they open. Hopefully, next time I will be able to come early enough for it!
Cash Only!

Came here on a Tuesday afternoon at 12 PM, no wait, sashimi zuke don still in stock YAS, & ordered that with the okinawan taco rice with a cup of coffee and chai latte. First off, the atmosphere here is BEAUTIFUL. The way the sunlight filters in through the glass roof and the wooden and antique décor really makes you enjoy eating here. Second, the food is absolutely delicious. I tried both of their popular dishes, and I would definitely come back for more when I am in the area.
I took away a star because despite it being chilly today, I felt as if the heat was not turned on at all. My chai latte was also a bit lacking and the coffee was nothing spectacular. If you came all the way out here to eat, there’s also some cute cafes and some shopping places nearby to check out before you head back out in to the city! :)

Amazing croissant! I had to get two!

HOLY FUCK.
That is a good croissant.