New York City is home to a thriving Korean culinary scene. At the best Korean restaurants in Koreatown NYC, you can get everything from blockbuster omakases and all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue extravaganas to low-key family-owned spots whipping up traditional favorites like bibimbap and pajeo.
Head to the Meatpacking District for epic river views and elegant takes on Korean classics. Feast on playful Korean-Southern mashups at a lively NoHo hotspot. Celebrate a special occasion with a MICHELIN-Starred tasting experience in Hell’s Kitchen.
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Read on for a guide to nine standout Korean restaurants NYC.
For high-end Korean barbecue with an all-you-can-eat wagyu omakase option: HYUN (Midtown East)
HYUN is where you go for luxurious Korean barbecue and exclusive meats, sourced from top Japanese farmers, butchered in-house, and prepared tableside in a sleek, stylish space. For extra-special occasions, indulge in the all-you-can-eat wagyu omakase tasting experience starring up to a dozen cuts of perfectly marbled beef served with housemade kimchi. Decadent dishes like caviar and a sea urchin- and truffle-topped rice round out the menu.
For a playful Korean-meets-Southern mashup in a lively setting: C as in Charlie (NoHo)
Packed since opening in 2022, C as in Charlie is chef Eric JaeHo Choi’s love letter to his Korean heritage and Southern upbringing. Settle into the dark, compact space lit by a neon sign for playful, made-for-sharing small plates like a green tomato hot pocket and a riff on a Salisbury steak with gruyere grits. Add in a killer natural wine list and top-notch sakes, and you have all the makings of a seriously fun night out.
For traditional Korean barbecue at an NYC institution: Antoya (NoMad)
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant Antoya is a NYC Korean barbecue favorite located in a chic, tri-level space in NoMad. A K-pop soundtrack creates a festive atmosphere, as do servers cooking the restaurant’s signature marinated galbi (short ribs) and other high-end meats over tableside grills. Other standout dishes include soondubu jjigae (tofu soup) and crispy mung bean pancakes. Don’t miss creative cocktails like a house martini with sage, yuzu, and umami bitters.
For gastropub-inspired dishes at one the best Korean restaurants NYC: Barn Joo Union Square, Barn Joo 35 (Midtown East), Barn Joo NoMad
Part Korean barbecue spot, part clubstaurant, Barn Joo is always a good time. Bring a crew to share group-friendly small plates like steamed buns, chicken wings, and fried dumplings . Or go all in on the Korean barbecue experience, complete with banchan and traditional sides like egg soufflé. The cocktails are as fun as the made-for-sharing menu—try the soju highball or the rotating house slushie.
For a fancy, family-style Korean barbecue feast: Dons Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar (Midtown East)
With its sleek, all-black decor, premium meat platters, and lively bar, Dons Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar is the ultimate group dining destination. Dig into traditional Korean dishes like mul naengmyeon (cold noodles) and pajeon (scallion pancakes) before the main event—high-end meats like a pork belly marinated in cabernet sauvignon and ribeye steaks cooked tableside over a gas grill. Then toast with a glass of sake or wine from the restaurant’s top-notch selection.
For a blockbuster MICHELIN-Starred tasting menu: Kochi (Hell’s Kitchen)
Come to Kochi for elevated Korean street food, thanks to Per Se alum Sungchul Shim. At this MICHELIN-Starred restaurant, expect artfully plated dishes like pork katsu, grilled skewers, and kampachi bibimbap topped with wasabi chimichurri and an optional sea urchin supplement. The best seats in the cozy dining room are at the marble countertop looking into the kitchen—ideal for an intimate date night or other special occasion.
For an innovative, handroll-inspired tasting menu at one of the best Korean restaurants in NYC: Mari (Hell’s Kitchen)
At MICHELIN-Starred Mari—which means “roll” in Korean—chef Sunghul Shim dazzles with a stellar tasting menu starring its namesake dish. Grab a seat at the rectangular counter in the minimalist space to watch chefs prepare standout seasonal handrolls like a spicy tuna with gochujang and pickled serrano peppers along with other can’t-miss dishes like egg and caviar. If you’re drinking, try one of the clever cocktails, including an espresso martini with black sesame cream.
For epic Hudson River views at one of the best Korean restaurants NYC: Genesis House Restaurant (Meatpacking District)
For fancy Korean dishes paired with killer views, head to Genesis House Restaurant in the Meatpacking District. Whether seated in the industrial-chic dining room or on the garden patio, dig into elegant takes on Korean classics like yukhoe (beef tartare) topped with Korean pear and fresh and fermented vegetables. Desserts are equally as stellar—try the strawberry-gochujang chocolate macaron—then linger over a cup of tea while browsing the restaurant’s collection of rare Korean art books.
For classic Korean dishes at a family-owned favorite: Mista Oh (NoMad)
For traditional Korean dishes, book a table at Mista Oh in NoMad. Grab a seat in the compact, family-owned spot to feast on favorites like bulgogi kimchi fries, chicken katsu, and hearty stews and ramens. The restaurant’s menu also features Korean barbecue and meat dishes like galbi (braised short ribs), brought out by attentive servers that make you feel like you’re a guest in a friend’s cozy living room.
From cozy, family-owned spots to intimate, MICHELIN-Starred tasting destinations and lively clubstaurants, the best Korean restaurants in Koreatown NYC offer everything from traditional barbecue to elegant handrolls and fancy omakase tasting experiences. From NoMad to Hell’s Kitchen, Korean-Southern small plates to premium meats grilled tableside, don’t miss out on these top Korean restaurants in NYC.
