You’ve probably driven past it a dozen times without a second glance — and that’s exactly what makes Ebisu.2 one of Rhode Island’s most rewarding discoveries. 🍜
Tucked into 250 Warren Avenue in East Providence, this hidden Japanese gem is the second outpost of the beloved original Ebisu in Providence — and it delivers the full izakaya experience with zero pretension, zero selfie walls, and maximum flavor.
From soul-warming ramen to addictive robata-grilled skewers and fresh sushi, Ebisu.2 is the kind of under-the-radar restaurant that food lovers whisper about to their most trusted friends. 🏮
How Ebisu.2 Won East Providence’s Hearts
Ebisu was never designed to chase trends — and that’s precisely why it has endured.
The original location on Pontiac Avenue in Providence opened in 2008 with a singular vision: bring the authentic, casual spirit of a Tokyo izakaya to Rhode Island.
An izakaya — a Japanese pub-style eatery found in the narrow alleyways of Japan’s cities — is not a white-tablecloth destination. It’s a place where people linger over small plates and cold craft beers, where the menu is adventurous without being intimidating, and where the whole point is to share food and conversation with the people you care about. 🇯🇵
Rather than simply expanding the original location, the owners made a thoughtful decision: open a second restaurant in nearby East Providence to give the community on that side of the city the same experience. Ebisu.2 was born, bringing the full izakaya menu — ramen, tapas, robata yaki, and fresh sushi — to Warren Avenue. 🍶
The Japanese comfort food on offer goes far beyond what most Rhode Islanders had encountered at Americanized Japanese restaurants — this was the real thing, from from-scratch pork dumplings to richly layered ramen broths to robata-grilled yakitori skewers.
Every dish felt like something you might stumble upon in Shinjuku, but at a price point that made it an easy weekly habit. 🌟
The East Providence location also added something the Providence original doesn’t offer: a full sushi program.
Fresh maki rolls, sashimi, sushi bowls, and inventive fusion items like the Spicy Tuna Tostada and Tuna Wonton Tacos expanded the menu in exciting directions while keeping the izakaya soul fully intact.
That combination of traditional Japanese small plates with creative fusion bites proved irresistible to a new wave of diners — and Ebisu.2 quickly earned its own devoted following separate from the original. ☀️
Food Highlights
- Spicy Pork Katsu Ramen 🌶️: Ramen in a spicy red curry tonkatsu broth with bok choi, shiitake, corn, katsu pork on the side, and a soft-boiled egg.
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Miso Ramen 🍜: Rich pork miso broth with soft-boiled egg, chashu roasted pork, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, spinach, fish cake, and seven spices.
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Tan Tan Men 🥢: Spicy pork miso broth with ground pork, shiitake, fish cake, bamboo shoots, and a soft-boiled egg.
- Ebisu Tower 🗼: A showstopping sushi rice tower topped with spicy crab, avocado, spicy tuna, spicy salmon, tempura crunch, and sesame seeds, finished with eel sauce and spicy mayo.
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Spicy Tuna Tostada 🐟: Crispy tostada shell topped with fresh spicy tuna, avocado, and chili sauce.
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Pork Belly Bun Tapa 🥟: Tender braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, peanut sugar, cilantro, and scallion in a soft steamed bun.
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Spicy Honey Chicken Buns 🍯: Katsu chicken glazed with spicy honey sauce, romaine lettuce, and scallion in a soft steamed bun.
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Hakka Eggplant Tapa 🍆: Wok-fried eggplant tossed in a spicy hoisin sauce with fresh basil.
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Tako Yaki Tapa 🐙: Wheat flour balls filled with tender octopus, lightly fried and served with traditional toppings.
- Rice Burger 🍚: A crispy rice patty filled with your choice of beef, chicken, pork, or vegetables.
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Gyoza 🥟: Homemade pan-seared pork dumplings, golden and crispy on the outside, juicy within.
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Baby Back Ribs 🍖: Tender baby back ribs glazed with house-made BBQ sauce.
Atmosphere
Ebisu.2 is the textbook definition of a no-frills gem — a cozy, unfussy space on Warren Avenue that feels exactly like the Tokyo izakayas it was inspired by.
Casual, dimly lit, and always buzzing with the energy of devoted regulars, it’s the kind of place where you slide into a booth, order too many small plates, and realize two hours have passed without anyone noticing.
The staff is warm and genuinely knowledgeable, happy to guide first-timers through an extensive menu of authentic Japanese tapas and ramen. Pair your meal with a Japanese craft beer or a cup of sake, and the izakaya experience is complete. 🍻🏮
Bottom Line
Ebisu.2 is the best Japanese restaurant most Rhode Islanders haven’t tried yet. An authentic izakaya experience with zero pretension, a sprawling menu of scratch-made ramen, inventive tapas, fresh sushi, and addictive fusion bites — all in a warm, casual atmosphere that makes every visit feel like a night out with old friends.
Address:
250 Warren Ave, East Providence, RI 02914
📞 (401) 434-0037
🕔 Open Mon–Thu, 11 AM–2:30 PM & 4:30–10 PM | Fri, 11 AM–2:30 PM & 4:30–10:30 PM | Sat, 12–10:30 PM | Sun, 2–10 PM