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It screams lower east side. Kind of hidden (upstairs, barely a sign), looks like it was once someone's studio apartment. I wouldn't say any one dish was outstanding, but in the end, the dinner was better than the sum of its parts. BYOB with a reasonable corkage fee is a plus. The portions for tapas were decent, and the service was fine. It's a great place to go on a date that isn't generic and won't kill your wallet since you can bring your own.

We managed to get a reservation on Saturday at the last minute and I was glad we did, especially after witnessing the half a dozen walk-ins they politely turned away. The four of us got six plates to share and it was more than enough to fill us. The chinese sausage is perfection, as is their shumai...actually everything we had was fresh and delectable. The service was also impeccable: friendly and knowledgable, which is refreshing for a small, popular place that could easily swing the way of the once-great Freemans. The place is tiny, but the tables are well-spaced so you're not on top of any other diners. Just a great place all around and the BYO policy is the cherry on top.

I have now been going to Kuma Inn for about three years. I go with my friends and my family. My 17 and 14 year old kids love it. They saw it is very cool. The lower east side has many restaurants, but this one is very special. The owner King and his wife Annabel, and the very knowledgeable staff do everything they can to inform and tantilize you with this eclectic and original fare. It is called "Asian tapas" but it is really a fine chef's take on the food of the east I recently had a party for ten and everyone had the best time. The food included spicy pork shumai very crunchy pork spring rolls, the best edemame with basil-lime-chile sauce p.e.i. mussels with lime coconut curry chinese sausage with chili-lime sauce asian paella and killer deserts including a spicy chocolate sorbet. Prices are reasonable - do not read cheap - but fair and affordable. You will leave smiling knowing a terrific meal did not cost several hundred for two.

After reading the reviews on this site I was not sure what to expect, especially in terms of service. But I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprised. It really made my date night top notch. The reviews are right- the chinese sausage is a must have. I especially liked the spicy shrimp as well. The tuna tataki was so/so, but the edamame were great and the atmosphere is intimate and great for people watching.

Great food here at Kuma but It's not cheap! $10 to $12 and upward for small plates (keep in mind it's tapas) and to really have a full meal, you're going to want about 7 to 8 plates (yes, that's how small the portions are!) I loved the scallops but there were only four small pieces in a little bowl. Very, very tasty and the atmosphere was cozy plus the waitstaff were super friendly but it's not cheap. Again, it's great food and I would go back but more than likely by myself.

despite the fact that prices have slightly increased, this restaurant is still under the radar and a great value. byob. make sure to bring your own bottle of chilled white wine. signature dishes your best bet, skip the dessert. don't come for the ambience or the music. two people can pig out for $60. service with no attitude.

I went particularly for the Filipino food; I had the bistek, loompia, and turon. Bistek was too chewy (medium well, which they didn’t ask), loompia was decent, turon a little too fancy for Filipino food (cut in triangles with some caramel drizzled on top). It is tapas style, so portions are small as usual. Though the ambiance is real nice considering the location in the LES; small and intimate. Though the waitress was real nice, service was bad considering it was jam packed (on a Tuesday night 9pm). Bottomline: I’ve had better Filipino food in the city.