Village Yokocho is the perfect spot if you are looking to hang out with some friends and drink a few pitchers of icy cold beer while chowing down on Japanese tapas.  Or, better yet take a seat at the open-air kitchen and watch the chefs in action, grilling up yakitori with the smoke wafting into the air. 

Glowing red paper lanterns will guide you to your table.   The place is always packed and the tables are very close.  Here you will find everyone from Japanese tourists to East Village hipsters.  There is definitely a cool vibe and lots of conversation going on.  This is not the place if you are looking for a quiet romantic dinner.

Our meal began with some gyozo, Japanese-style pot stickers, that are deep fried and crispy with bits of juicy pork inside.  The miso soup is also very good.  From there it was onto the yakitori, perfectly-prepared skewered meats that are flame grilled.  We sampled the pork, chicken, beef and duck.  Each bite was a bit of heaven.  My personal favorite is the bacon-wrapped scallops.  Amazing!  

The oddest dish of the night hands down was a plate of sauteed noodles with beef and shrimp.  It is topped with flakes of what appeared to be fish skin that moved and shimmered on the plate, giving the impression that the dish was alive.  It was also very delicious.

Village Yokocho is fun and flavorful, and a perfect spot for a late night out.