Ensō Budapest image

Ensō Budapest

Restaurant

👍👍 Incredible gem hidden in the 8th district. Funny opening hours, and need to book a table days in advance. Staff is super happy and kind (unique in Hungary) and explained us the whole menu. Food was really good (I still dream about the Mac and cheese) and I can’t wait to go back. People often mention great, service, menu, staff, ramen, restaurant, Budapest, recommend, nice, Japanese,


Address

Budapest, Baross u 85, 1082 Hungary

Website

ensobudapest.hu

Contact

+36 70 608 4090

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (310 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 4 to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 4 to 10 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 4 to 10 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: (Easter), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (Easter Monday), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 4 to 10 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (18) service (15) menu (14) staff (14) ramen (12) restaurant (10) Budapest (10) recommend (9) nice (9) Japanese (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Juliana 1 year ago on Google
    Incredible gem hidden in the 8th district. Funny opening hours, and need to book a table days in advance. Staff is super happy and kind (unique in Hungary) and explained us the whole menu. Food was really good (I still dream about the Mac and cheese) and I can’t wait to go back.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael B. 1 year ago on Google
    Food was delicious and even better service, staff were super friendly and took time to explain the whole menu to us. Would recommend the Bonbons for dessert too they were yum.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Szonja B. 1 year ago on Google
    Some of the food are very nice, steak was great but wine selection is very basic, majority of the food is average and there is no heating system in the restroom, it is outside of the restaurant. Chairs are inconvenient. I cannot recommend this place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marchello L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very cozy place! With very delicious Far Eastern flavors, kind staff! Soups: 10/10 🥣 Recommended !! (Original) Nagyon hangulatos hely ! Nagyon finom tàvol-keleti ízekkel ,kedves személyzettel! Levesek: 10/10 🥣 Recommended!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tamas V. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice setting and rare menu with kimchi, taco, and ramen. Everything looks fine, tastes good, but the portions are a bit small and for me the overall effect wasn’t five star.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gail E. 2 years ago on Google
    definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city❤️ tried the majority of the dishes in their menu throughout 3 trips and enjoyed all of it. Great cocktails and drink selection. Very cute interiors and atmosphere, excellent service.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anikó L. 8 months ago on Google
    We spent our 1st year anniversary here, and we did not regret! (Don’t forget to book a table before you visit.) The place has a cool atmosphere, decorated with contemporary art-type of pictures. The staff was nice, we had a great chat about the foods with the waitress, she could answer questions about ingredients and was very helpful. The steak is made on a special Japanese grill (forgot its proper name), which gives a smokey flavor and the light soy sauce they get you on side makes it perfect. Have tried several types of steaks, this became one of our favorites. Tried duck ramen too, it had good flavors, I liked the texture of the pasta as well, although it was my second ever ramen. Would recommend. We shared a ragù that was similar to bolognese, but had more eastern spices and pineapple in it. It was an interesting combo, we both liked it. Prices are okay, we’ve spent more we usually would because we wanted to try more foods. This is one of the top experiences we’ve had for eating out.🍜 thank you for your job ♥️
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 taha 1 year ago on Google
    Elite culinary experience with a casual setting. Service is perfect, our server took the time to explain every dish carefully. The oyster mushrooms were delicious. The highlight for me was the mackerel and the steak. Great experience will definitely be back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 N. H. 1 year ago on Google
    I booked a table months ago when I knew I’ll visit Budapest. It’s really hidden, it’s an closed big metal door when the restaurant is closed and when it’s open, it’s beautiful. Music is great, self made ice tea is great, ramen were amazing and the chicken was so tender and delicious .. and also the staff was so friendly. Really amazing place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Luca C. 1 year ago on Google
    Good quality of product but the ramen soup was way too salty; also very expensive
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David A. 1 year ago on Google
    Ensō is my absolute favorite restaurant in Budapest right now. The best quality to value ratio you can find in the city. The menu isn't large, but it doesn't have to be. It's best for foodies who are a bit adventurous, as some of the dishes are really quite unique and rare for Hungary, outside of very posh establishments. I've been 3 times and thoroughly enjoyed my experience every time. Robert has been our waiter twice, and he is great! I wish I could afford to eat at Ensō more often, but I'll try to go every couple of weeks if I can! The menu changes every 2 months. On the current menu, my favorites are the Edamame, Brokkoli Yaki, and Angus Steak. (I still haven't tried everything yet though 😢)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Camous M. 1 year ago on Google
    The very definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away in an unassuming courtyard, behind a nondescript door with nothing but a small sign above hinting that there is anything of worth found there. The food is great and pretty special, the staff accommodating and passionate and the atmosphere unmatched. Book in advance though.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Alfred 10 months ago on Google
    Good for the adventurous as long as you’re not expecting authentic Japanese food. The branding and interior is Japanese. The cuisine is meant to be fusion. In practice, they take ingredients from various countries (not just Asian) and prepare them in non-traditional ways. Which sometimes works, but not always. I first visited in March ‘22. Ended up eating almost the entire menu then with friends and all loved it. This time around in May ‘23, with a new menu some of the dishes were a miss. Fried calamari was crispy and light. Pork bao also had some crispy yet juicy meat. Miso asparagus was charred nicely. Kimchi and duck nigiri were nothing special. Tteokbokki had too much black pepper and the preparation with the purple cabbage was underwhelming compared to the original with gochujang. Staff was nice. Paid 15,000 HUF per person with a cocktail (£35 or €40).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Frederik K. 2 years ago on Google
    Really nice little place, the staff was super helpful and the food was really good. The biggest minus was the fact we needed someone to explain/translate the menu for us…
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 sonia B. 10 months ago on Google
    The decor is very nice and the staff is very friendly. However, it is very confusing that the store's signature is Japanese ramen, but the ramen is placed in a bowl with "Chinese flavor" written on it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Benedek J. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best asian restaurants in Budapest
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eszter K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Budapest's first Izakaya bar, special, hidden place, exciting food, amazingly friendly service, open kitchen, where the chef spins, music goes from vinyl, while sake is going on ... We love it! (Original) Budapest első Izakaya bárja, különleges, eldugott helyszín, izgalmas ételek, elképesztően kedves kiszolgálás, nyitott konyha, ahol pörög a séf, bakelitról megy a zene, közben folyik a szaké... Imádjuk!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Afrodité D. 3 years ago on Google
    Best Ramen in town !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janka W. 3 years ago on Google
    So cozy vibe and delicious food! Loved it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Virág L. 3 years ago on Google
    Ensō is a very unique restaurant/bar, especially on BP s gastro map. Its a great place to meet, eat, taste, drink, vibe. Never miss the blonde truffles!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tamás F. 3 years ago on Google
    cozy and stylish environment, great food and very nice staff 👌🏽🥢🍜 highly recommend!👍🏻 duck ramen and blonde truffles are must haves 😋😋😋
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 zack t. 3 years ago on Google
    Very cool. Totally worth finding. Great and simple menu. We had a vinyl dj and great service. Gonna come again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rudolf K. 5 months ago on Google
    Cool industrial style bar and restaurant (Izakaya) in the heart of 8th district (don't worry, it is safe now). Despite defined as pan-asian, there are meals from south America as well. Dishes are really delicious and sometimes spicy, so worth to ask the staff before order, as the menu is not too detailed. The service is very friendly and caring! Try the Tarja Màró <3

  • 5/5 Ákos K. 8 months ago on Google
    The food is always great and something new and interesting is on the menu, the staff is always helpful and nice

  • 5/5 Szilvia B. 7 months ago on Google
    It is a hidden treasure in an unusual and maybe at a surprising location. I love the whole concept&interior. It was my 2nd time here and highly recommend to visit the place. The foods are amazing and there is always some twist in it and “sharing is caring”. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable and always there to help. Enjoy your summer break and see you soon😉

  • 4/5 Fruzsina K. 5 months ago on Google
    I really liked the fried crickets and Bloody Mary. The duck ramen was okay but not my best.. Also I would prefer warm water for hand wash.

  • 5/5 Judit B. 4 months ago on Google
    Interesting restaurant, with an unusual appearance. You definitely should make a reservation, we went there on a Tuesday night, and it was quite full in the later hours. The ramens were great, but for us, the angus petite steak was the best, I can hardly recommend that one. Bit pricey though.

  • 3/5 Tim De V. 4 months ago on Google
    We had a super cute waiter with a red sleeve tattoo, great service, friendly, nice atmosphere - but the food was definitely a let down in taste or quality - it's not Asian, Japanese or whatever and it's not even one of the better Asian restaurant in Budapest. For a fun night it's OKAY if you know restaurants well or go out to eat a lot the food will probs disappoint you.

  • 5/5 Tamás S. 1 year ago on Google
    Cozy restaurant tucked away in an alley, but the food and the service is amazing, with interesting combinations. Inside it's a little bit dark but neat and it all adds up to a great atmosphere.

  • 5/5 JRB 3 years ago on Google
    Every plate was a new taste for me. The duck ramen is a must. Best Japanese fusion in Budapest.

  • 5/5 Zlataulada H. 2 months ago on Google New
    Amazing place. Ramen was among the best I’ve tried. Chicken tacos were slightly disappointing. Service was great, ambience unique, a rare find for Budapest. Book in advance!

  • 4/5 Sarina Venus M. 1 year ago on Google
    We visited Enso for a birthday celebration. The service quality and hospitality of staff were effortlessly outstanding. The famous duck ramen lived up to its reputation, and the rest of the main courses we ordered were enjoyed too. However, the desserts and cocktails did not live up to the standard set by the rest of our experience, there is room for improvement.

  • 5/5 Fraser R. 1 year ago on Google
    I'm always a little baffled that there aren't more places like this in Budapest. They invented ruin pubs here - why aren't there more restaurants that lean into the aesthetic and vibe? Most good food in the city seems to cling to the trappings of traditional dining, maybe because they're afraid of not being taken seriously enough. So it's either French-inspired modern dining, or sterile, cookie cutter "street" food. This is a better model to aim for - fresh, innovative, unique and approachable. It almost has a speakeasy vibe, not in the usual affected cocktail bar sense but rather because it's so far outside the restaurant mould that it's always a slight surprise to turn up and find it exists. The food is consistently excellent - Japanese base flavours, with influences from Korea and Mexico (and probably more I missed). No slavish adherence to reproducing an "authentic" dish, but also not performative fusion for the sake of it. These are all incredibly difficult balances to strike, and I can't think of another venue in Budapest that pulls it all off.

  • 5/5 Márton V. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious food and great service. My only minor issue was the lack of side options. I understand the concept behind the minimalistic menu, nonetheless I would appreciate the possiblity to order a simple side dish of a small portion of rice to counterbalance the excessive spiciness of some of the food

  • 5/5 Stephanie F. 1 year ago on Google
    Best Restaurant I’ve ever been. From outside you do not expect what treasure is in there, for real. Every dish was just amazing (we had different Japanese food for sharing). Also the service and the atmosphere (Dj who played vinyls) was sooo nice. Would always come back. Thanks for this experience Enso☺️

  • 5/5 Benedek N. 2 years ago on Google
    Unique atmosphere with relaxed vibes. Amazing service and great Japanese fusion kitchen

  • 5/5 La S. 2 years ago on Google
    The richest ramen broth I have ever tasted in Budapest.

  • 5/5 András L. 2 years ago on Google
    We have been here twice so far and it is great - both food and cocktails are really recommended.

  • 5/5 haruko c. 2 years ago on Google
    Every dish we ordered was delicious, and the service was fantastic. The trout ceviche was truly superb. Will definitely be back again.

  • 5/5 Sára I. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best restaurants I have ever been too. Not only they serve delicious food, but they are able to take the whole experience of eating out to the next level. The place itself is so welcoming and unusual along with decoration and the layout of the tables. The staff is friendly, approachable and eager to tell more about the food. Reservations are highly recommended, You won’t regret.

  • 5/5 V O. 2 years ago on Google
    The food is truly excellent. Great service and price. Cool restaurant interior. I highly recommend Ensō.

  • 5/5 Orsolya V. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Exciting food, drinks, super kind service. Tucked away on site, cozy evenings. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone! 🥢🍾🎉 (Original) Izgalmas ételek, italok, szuper kedves kiszolgálás. Eldugott helyszínen, hangulatos esték. Szívből ajánlom mindenkinek!🥢🍾🎉

  • 2/5 Gál I. 3 years ago on Google
    Amateur team, bad service... again

  • 5/5 Vivien V. 3 years ago on Google
    We had a great night at Enso! The food, the drinks, the design, the staff were just amazing! Ramen is a must try! I truly recommend it to everyone!


Call +36 70 608 4090 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery

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