Bento Ya Masako

Honest, authentic Japanese home cooking much like the hot pot shops in Japan and Taiwan. I have eaten here several times and have never been disappointed. It is a place that you definitely need to have someone take you to the first time you go otherwise it will be a bit of an experience getting service. If Masako-​san is not too busy, she greats everyone who comes through the door with a smile. Get there early because the place fills up for lunch by noon with barely a place to stand much less sit. Also, she closes a couple times a year to go Japan during certain Shinto holidays. Don’t expect sushi, expect noodle bowls of goodness.

Authentic Japanese food! Love mackerel and donkatsu.
Food comes out pretty slowly, esp. when it is crowded. Only accept cash, so have your cash ready.

If you like authentic Japanese food, this is definitely the place to go. Hidden on the 2^nd floor on Market St., it’s often a pleasant surprise for the visitors I brought there. Family style food. Owner’s husband is a local glass artist, whose art in exhibition at the airport.
Only thing is at peak lunch time service could slow down. Better make a phone call first.

I was pretty shocked when I was there, however the price and the food were incredible good. So, I kinda ignore the environment. If you guys have a chance to be in that area, I recommend you trying the salmon dish :)
Give it a 9 out of 10

Every time I come home this is one of my go to places. Misako makes the best homemade Japanese food I have ever had. My staples are the sushi — vegetarian and in varieties, tempura, and beef plate. You’ll never find Japanese food like this. It’s a small kitchen, the food is fresh, lines are long, and hours are short. Cheap. Cash only. Simply amazing.

The food is good, but really that’s about it.
I’ve moved here recently, so I wasn’t totally expecting a truly bare bones, mom and pop, former studio apartment turned into a «hole in the wall.»
Service: non-​existent. We were not acknowledged in any way when we walked in and sat down. There were no signs telling us to order at the counter either. The one assistant to the mom and pop was the first one to address us and then the pop told her to quit talking to us. He then walked away. What? My husband compared this place to the Seinfeld Soup Nazi, as in you gotta know what you are doing when you go there, but they are not mean, they just ignore you.
Ambience: Not really. The kitchen is completely open to the dining area. It is not attractive at all for a kitchen. They were cooking on two small, beat up, residential grade, non-​matching ranges! There are 7 folding tables with folder chairs and plastic table clothes. A few pictures on the wall and some cheap, thin carpeting. That is about it. BTW, none of the tables can seat a large party.
Menu: very limited and consists of sheets of paper stapled to the wall. You have about 15 selections including appetizers. I’ve never been to a Japanese place that didn’t have a la carte sushi. Very disappointing for me.
Washroom? No. The place looks like it is only 500 square feet at most.
Food: Good. Big portions. My husband was very pleased with his sushi plate. (The owners were concerned that he wouldn’t like the exotic raw seafood, LOL, he loves it!) I thought the tempura vegetables, were just OK.
Future diners should know that they only accept cash.

This is THE place to get japanese food in Corning and the area as a whole. It advertises as lunch only but is usually open other hours when festivals are being held on market street. The prices are low, a party of three can be fed for 25 $ with drinks and tax included.
Note: it is essentually run out of someones apartment so its not a very formal establishment, also it happens to be really hard to find if you don’t know what to look for. Near the sign they put out you should find a door that leads to a staircase, at the top of it is the resturant. Also it doesnt have much dining space, large groups may want to call ahead.

We were looking for a place to go (on our way from Niagara Falls to NYC and we had quickly Unilocaled for good food in the area.
We found this lovely hole in the wall and enjoyed the home cooked food. The entrance is very difficult to find — but the address listed is correct.
We were just able to barely make it before she closed the shop. Thank you for taking us late!
While Masako was preparing our food, she had been conversing with my parents and friends about her life story and shared a bunch of information about the area. She was a not only a great cook, but just a good person. Please go if you have the chance!
I had the tonkatsu and I would order it again if I could fit it in my stomach.
I think one of the reviews (Nicole) spoke about some tips that are worth mentioning. Definitely recommend doing your part in helping out :) Thanks Nicole!

Great authentic Japanese lunch. Quick, cheap, and delicious. Not the nicest atmosphere, but for the price and quality you can’t beat it in the area.
Feels like homemade from the time you walk in to the time you return your dishes after eating.

A Market Street gem, open only for lunch. Authentic Japanese food and a set menu. Cooked to order by the owner Masako. Only signage is a small sign set out each day with a balloon attached, but people somehow find the place and keep returning. Today was my third or fourth time there and I’ve not been disappointed. Today had a huge bowl of soup with buckwheat noodles, plus deep fried and lightly breaded asparagus, sweet potatoes (yams) and shrimp. All perfectly seasoned as far as I’m concerned. $ 8.50 for my meal. A fair price. Complimentary green tea. Bring cash.

Bento Ya Masako is definitely a very unique lunch-​only experience, and one of Corning’s little secrets. Personally, I like the place very much. It is a 2^nd floor Market St establishment with a plain, very small dining area containing mismatched tables and chairs. You order at the counter, and pay at the counter when leaving. There is a mini fridge with miscellaneous beverages you may choose from (self service), or there is complimentary hot green tea (again, self serve). Your food is brought to you either by the owner herself, or at busier times a very nice young man, or even her husband who I’ve often seen there helping out. Masako the owner, is the cook, and sometimes also the «waitress and cashier». The food is delicious, I have tried most everything on the menu and have enjoyed everything. The prices are reasonable, as you’re not paying for overhead, atmosphere, and fancy table-​side ordering contraptions.
Tip #1: if you go in the height of the lunch hour there may not be a table available. And when it is very busy, and you stop up to order takeout you may be asked to come back later if she is too busy.
Tip #2: when you are finished eating, take your dishes to the counter and throw all your disposable items in the large trash can by the door. Do not get up and leave a dirty table — trust me on this one :)
In closing, I eat here often and will continue to frequent this little establishment. However, if you’re seeking a fancy place with table service, and a uniformed chef this in not the place for you.

Hole in the wall Japanese joint serving no frills delicious quick eats. I came here about once a week for lunch when I lived and worked in Corning. My favorite thing to order was the yakisoba yakitori. As others have noted, the location can be a little hard to find, but it’s a hidden gem.

This is truly what you call a «hole in the wall» place its on market st in the upstairs. The couple is retired and only has it open for lunch during the week with very few hours. So far I’ve tried has been great, the tempura, and the udon they both were great. If you want some good for lunch stop by it is great! The only Asian food open as of now on market st.

Ok, so looks can definitely be deceiving. This restaurant is located in an upstairs apartment and doesn’t look like anything special… that being said the food is legit. Everything I’ve tried has been great, the tempura, udon, gyoza. If they put some money back into the seating and restaurant I think they’d be a local hot spot!

I have lived in Corning my entire life and had never been to this restaurant – I tried it for the first time today and was pleasantly suprised. Upon first glance I was suspended in disbelief at the atmosphere of the place: I truly felt like I was being welcomed into somebody’s home. Then, when the food came out, I was even more pleased – the ramen was amazing. This hole in the wall was truly a great all around lunch experience!

Best Asian (Japanese) in the twin tier; nothing else comes even close! Not fast, as all orders cooked from scratch by owner, but well worth the wait. Seriously good food.

Good food with great service from very nice owners.