Japadog

Is it fair for me to rate a closed location? Probably not but whatever.
Now it’s been a few years since I’ve been to this place but a few things still stick out to me. First thing I remember about this place is that it seemed a bit dirty/​grimy for a somewhat newer location on St. Marks Place.
The variety was amazing though. I do remember there being over a dozen types of hot dog varieties and toppings as well as some Japanese drinks.
One thing I did notice was the disorganized staff. Seemed like one of those too many chiefs not enough Indians sort of thing.
I don’t know why they closed but I probably wouldn’t have returned.

Omggggg nooooo, I finally got around to finishing this review, and they closed!
So sad. I don’t even know why – they got really good reviews! I hope they are reading this and see how many people are still raving about them post-​humously, lol. We split a yakisoba dog about a year or two ago and it really hit the spot! Such a great idea. I just hope they turn themselves into a food truck or something if it’s too expensive to keep a shop. You guys can do it!!! We’ll hunt you down next time we go to NYC ;)

I am so upset they’re closed. The hot dogs were a bargain, and also delicious. The fries were also interesting, as they come in different flavors like curry. Please come back Japadog, how I miss you so…

Unfortunately when I went, they ran out of both beef and pork options. What? It’s a hot dog place… I did go later in the day (⁷³⁰⁄₈ PM?) but a friend went after work, and they were sold out even then.
Their hot dogs are definitely very fatty and rich. But delicious. I tried the «Love Meat» which is topped with cheese that’s torched for melty deliciousness. However, the toppings made my bun soggy. And the cheesy sausage I got was a little difficult to chew.
Overall, my friends were raving about the «Yaki Soba» hot dog. Need to try that next time.

Stopped by cause I was hungry and late to meet a friend by 5 pm. My gosh was the only person placing an order, looked and had the
#4 Croquette
#8 Oroshi
Really what a complete fail, the hot dogs weren’t even hot just warmed up. And this didn’t help the Oroshi which came with a freezing cold condiment of grated radish on top.
I see why it caters to the college crowd, either they have no taste buds or they must be stoned. Lol
This place should be called Crapa Dog !!!

Had to try the most hyped about dog at this place, the Kurobuta Pork Terimayo ($ 4.14). If you’re ever confused about what to order at places like these with some many different variations of the same kind of food, go with the one they most rave about. If they choose to serve the kurobuta pork terimayo to celebrities and news channels, then it must be the best one, right? (Hopefully)
The pork hot dog is pretty good by itself too and the teriyaki/​jap mayo sauce and seaweed flakes on top made a really great combination. However, I felt as if the seaweed flakes overpowered the overall taste. It was still pretty delish though.
Also got curry fries to accompany ($ 2.37) and wasabi mayo to dip. Curry fries were sweet but I didn’t find the curry to be consistently spread on all the fries. Not bad at all though. Wasabi mayo was very interesting and not spicy. I tried my friend’s shichimi and garlic. It was good but reminded me of the Cajun seasoning at Five Guy’s.
Service was fine. Asked for water and he brought out chilled glasses (prob for beer) and filled it with water. Love cold water so this was a nice touch. Tables were clean and went around 1PM on a Friday. ample ample ample seating (probably cuz we were the only ones eating there).
Overall, it was a solid lunch place. Would go back if I was in the area and haven’t had it in a long long while but I probably wouldn’t treck out to St. Marks just for this place

I ordered the kurobuta terimayo hotdog with shichimi and garlic fries. It was really good! My wife got the same thing, but with the curry fries. The curry fries were most interesting because it has a sweet taste. It’s definitely a twist to French fries. The curry fries were good, but I preferred the shichimi and garlic because they packed a bit of a spicy kick.
We’ve been here before and I think the fries are a new addition to the menu although my wife says they were there the last few times.
I’d recommend this place to anyone that wants to try something new. Japadog is a great Japanese/​American fusion place. Be advised it does come with a price since it’s not your typical restaurant. For two hotdogs, two fries, and one drink we paid around $ 15.50.

3.5 stars.
Really interesting and appealing concept but the tonkatsu on the tonkatsu dog was overcooked and tough. The dumpling dog was not very good. (Microwaved dumplings on top of a hotdog) But their fries are very good especially the Shichimi and garlic fries. They have a bunch of condiments and pickled items you can use. They service was on the slow side. I wanted to try the ice cream on fried bun but I was full. Maybe next time.

Like japanese food? Like a nice dog? Well then come on over to Japadog to have em both! This is no papaya king, where they serve classic good ol American hotdogs with simple toppings. At Japadog, you can get gyoza, yakisoba, ramen, okonomi or even croquettes on your dogs.
Since I have time today, I decided to get some snack from here and ended up with two dogs. At first it is quite confusing as the board outside advertised $ 1 dog but when you get in, you have to decide the type of meat (pork, beef or chicken all at different price) then pick toppings (ramen, okonomi, gyoza, terimayo, croquettes, cheese etc… again at different price). After understanding the 2 simple steps, I ordered a pork okonomi and beef croquettes and siper dry asahi. That comes up to about $ 13bucks or so. The dog are really good, reminds me of crif dog few blocks away, but this is definitely more an asian twist. They even have wasabi mayo which I realy enjoyed. The pork sausage is definitely the way to go! Next time ill like to try the ramen or meat/​cheese one. Its quite filling given how big this thing is and gets a little messy. But hey! Its a hotdog afterall!

Before I say anything else, I just wanted to say I love hot dog, any type of sausage, wurst or whatever it is you want to call it.
With that being said, i think japadog is good but i feel like the actual hotdog is missing love. I know its fast food and blah.blah.blah, all i’m saying fast food can be something that blow you away and this japadog will not blow you away. I bought three different kind of hot dogs and they are all good but not that good. Ohh, one more thing it seems like the staff are not happy to be there, which will only equal to mediocre service.

Dear Japadog,
Yesterday night, on Halloween night and completely dressed to the nines as a feisty Firefox worthy of comic-​con glory, I popped my Japadog cherry. My friend Ingrid S. has raved about you to me and about how deliciously succulent your hot dogs are. I figured you were a Japanese-​y type of Crif Dogs. I was so wrong and I’m sorry.
Upon entering your hallowed, hot dog loving walls I realized this was going to be a hot dog experience unlike no other. Earlier this night I walked by your entrance and was caught off-​guard by a sign advertising your ‘Gyoza Dog’. I absolutely love gyoza (ie. Japanese dumplings, traditionally pan fried and filled with pork and chive — sometimes some cabbage, not my preference though as far as that filling goes) and anything dumpling-​related.
I thought to myself «HOW CAN THIS BEEEEEE?! DUMPLINGS ON A HOT DOG!!!» and I was pulled away by Amanda Bynes, I mean — Ingrid S. (in costume and wholeheartedly correct about Drake being one UGLY dude) when I attempted to eat their sign. I knew I would come back one day for my «Gyoza Dog», I mean — it was hot dog love at first sight.
After having one too many glasses of rose and red sangrias at a wine bar up the block, two my best gal pals wanted to go the chichi route and hit up the scene at Meatpacking district. I didn’t really care where we went, but with it raining I just didn’t want to be at the mercy of the MTA and I was pretty ravenous with hunger and very low on cash.
At this point we were literally across the street from you, my sweet sweet Japadog. With $ 5 burning a hole in my pocket, a hole in my stomach that needed to be plugged with nourishment and with a also hungry Ingrid S. in tow we split here. My gal pals went to Meatpacking and we went to Japadog. No regrets here because I finally got to try this place out and be introduced to my handsome «Gyoza Dog»…
…
Okay, so I’m tired of writing in ‘love letter’ format, lol. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a varied selection of hot dog/​sausage types, toppings, French fry seasonings and stuff. I mean it’s crazy. Everything on the menu pretty much looks delicious.
I could throw a boiled pasta noodle at their large display menu and probably love whatever the pasta noodle sticks on (this was in reference to when Honey Boo-boo’s mom throws pasta at things to see if the pasta is ready, lmao — that chick is cray!).
On this spooky night, Ingrid S. and I both went with their «Gyoza dog» (as you know by now… haha!) which is apparently new to their NYC location’s menu (along with another new hot dog I’ll be back for — the RAMEN DOG, omg WANT, oh OH and also their TERIMAYO hot dog, I’ll be back for that one as well!
* We also shared an order of French fries — you can get them «shaken and tossed» with the seasoning medley of your choice. We went for Shichimi & Garlic and it was delicious. To be honest I don’t feel like the garlic really came through and I thought they were very reminiscent of Old Bay seasoning, but hey! I LOVE me some Old Bay!
I was honestly expecting the hot dog to be good and for the gyoza to be DECENT at best, but I was surprised by the flavor and quality of the gyoza. As I told my friend after she questioned my having taken 16 photos of our food last night, «I want to have this gyoza dog’s babies and I want them to see photos of when we first met».
Yeah, I’m weird — but what’s the fun in reading a boring review of a spectacular food joint? My Japadog review had to be over the place… just like the delicious flavors that Japadog bestowed on my mouth, lol. Mmmmm… JAPADOG.

Maybe because it was a slow Sunday? New employee? I came here before and I was satisfied but this was very upsetting.
My buns and toppings were cold. it’s supposedly toasted and the toppings were suppose to be crunchy or warm at least. It was soggy to the extreme.

Came to japadog on a whim. In St marks specifically for dessert at Spot but since I had a light meal before, I wanted to get me some Japadog. Got the Terimayo. I’m not a big hotdog person. In fact, I can go forever without it. It was pretty good tho, not ur usual salty American hotdog. I enjoyed it. Also got the Curry Shakes fries. Didn’t taste much like curry. I’d prolly would have appreciated it more if it was just plain French fries.
Pretty good place if you’re hungry and needed a quick bite.

I got the terimayo, love meat, and whatever the ice cream on a fried bun is called.
The terimayo was interesting, but not mind blowing.
The love meat was basically a chili cheese dog. A good one, but nothing special.
The ice cream was the big disappointment for me. I ordered black sesame. I got a few scoops of gray ice cream as i expected, but it didnt taste heavily of black sesame. It was very close to vanilla.

The Japanese have done it yet again
My Japadog checklist:
Terimayo dog a must:
Hot dog, check… with good pork, check
Hot dog bun… check
Teriyaki sauce, ill take that
Mayo, ill take that too
Nori, why the hell not!
Thought one of these would hit the spot, ended up eating two, and almost went for three but needed to save room for the Tonkatsu dog where katsu pork met cabbage met sauce and met bun, what else do you need
Staff:
Friendly, check
Real Japanese guy, check
White guys speaking Japanese, double check
Kobayashi should try his luck next time with these dogs instead
Great place overall
Will need to be back to add to the check list

Japanese version of a hotdog!
Located in a low key, urban-​like neighborhood, I ordered up their terimayo with topped seaweed flaked hotdog and it was splendidly yummy!
Simple hotdog shop that has a mini dining section. It’s a plus that they have wasabi and sauerkraut as a couple of their condiments! It makes the whole hotdog a blast in your mouth! Yes, I said it. A Japadog is a blast in your mouth!

The service is good, the people were polite and friendly. There’s lot of seating too and the front is open so you can sit outside and enjoy the food as well.
I ordered the Terimayo dog and my boyfriend ordered the Hot And Spicy dog. The price isn’t expensive, we ordered two meals and it cost around $ 15 something probably (?).
Japadog is good if you want a snack but don’t want the same-​o.

Japadog is the perfect stop for a quick snack that won’t fill you up, but will give you a good snapshot of what food in NYC is all about. The street hot dog is the epitome of fastfood in NYC. Take that as the centerpiece, fuse it with Japanese izakaya food and you get Japadog.
The two most popular dogs are the Terimayo and the Okonomi. The former features teriyaki sauce, mayo, and nori sprinkles while the latter has bonito flakes. For me, the combination of a hot dog and Japanese flavors is more gimmicky than anything else. It’s not particularly good as much as it is interesting. The type of interesting that you try once and don’t really have a craving for thereafter. In any case, Anthony Bourdain tried it and for around $ 2 – 3, so should you.

While not as good as its Canadian counterpart (something must have gotten lost in translation) it’s still better than your average hot dog. 3.5 stars.
It’s a little cramped when you’re trying to order, but the orders are quickly filled so it shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. The hot dogs are smaller and cheaper than they used to be. We ordered the spicy cheese terimayo (the exact one I had in Vancouver) and though it was better than your average hot dog, it just wasn’t what I remembered it to be. With so many hot dog choices in the city, I’m not sure this would be what I craved when wanting a hot dog. Sometimes a plain hot dog from your neighborhood wiener joint will do just fine.
Worth a taste if you’ve never tried it, but it probably won’t leave you wanting more.

I like the concept of Japadog, but it didn’t hit the spot for me. Each dog costs about $ 4 to $ 8, depending on which one you get and how many toppings are on it. I ordered the Okonomi and my boyfriend ordered the Meat Lovers. In addition, we ordered the fries topped with shichimi (red pepper) and garlic. ¾ of my toppings fell once I picked up my dog, and after scooping back onto my hot dog with every bite I took, I thought it was pretty tasty. My boyfriend inhaled his Meat Lovers hot dog, so I’m assuming it was good! The bun tasted fresh and soft as well. The fries were overly seasoned and mediocre tasting… I felt like I’ve had better fries at McDonald’s.
The service here was great throughout our meal, from the cashier, to picking up our food, and leaving. For $ 17 altogether, I was still hungry afterward…