NYCReview
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Gugu Room
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Gugu Room bills itself as a Filipino-Japanese izakaya. Let’s break down that description.
While there are a handful of items on the menu that combine both cuisines, most dishes here are Filipino. And is this place an izakaya? It doesn’t really feel like one—but that’s how you should use it.
Just like somebody whose “music means everything” to them but is still going to law school, we feel like this place isn’t what it’s meant to be: a full-on bar. The space is dark and moody, and you'll see a DJ station under a neon "GR" sign in addition to a lounge area with a disco ball and a fun geometric print.
Instead of having your standard three-course meal (which isn’t even possible because they don’t serve desserts), we suggest you get some drinks alongside a bunch of small plates—which we much prefer to the entrées.
photo credit: Michael Tulipan/MST Creative
There are a ton of bars where you can eat on the LES, but none offer the combination of creative cocktails and Filipino food found at Gugu Room. Start with their version of a margarita, infused with wasabi, then, work your way through the skewers, which are our favorite things to eat here. The best one is the slightly sweet longanisa, but the teriyaki-marinated ribeye is a close second. If you want one of their few fusion entrées, the bulalo with udon is satisfying, but we prefer the traditional Filipino dishes like the slightly funky kare-kare with fall-off-the-bone short rib.
The next time you want to get a little sloppy, bring a group of friends to this spot (but not too many because the space is pretty small). We’re not saying you won’t have a perfectly enjoyable evening if you do a full dinner here, but you’ll probably walk out thinking, “We should come for drinks and snacks next time.”
Food Rundown
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Longanisa
Kamote Fries With Kosho Miso
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Chicken Karaage
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Short Rib Kare-Kare
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Cod Katsu Sisig
photo credit: Dane Isaac
Laing
photo credit: Dane Isaac