Best Korean Restaurants in NYC

Korean dining in NYC is glorious these days. From late-night comfort food to beautifully polished tasting menus, the range of restaurants feels both expansive and delightfully varied. This year brought another surge of energy across the spectrum. While the top end continues to push boundaries, it’s encouraging to find real momentum among more accessible spots. 

Mari.ne stole our hearts with its delicious simplicity: counter-only setup, a-la-carte handrolls, and a $13 bowl of janchi guksoo with noodles so chewy you’ll be craving it the next day. Everydaily is a newcomer whose low prices and unassuming, bare-bones charm only make it more lovable whether you stay in or take out. And then there is Samwoojung, a classic that has become one of the city’s most reliable sources of a soul-warming, authentic bulgogi dinner, all without forcing you to spend more than you planned.

The upper tier of Korean dining remains as ambitious as ever. Jungsik continues to define the special-occasion category, though prices and demand have climbed accordingly. Genesis House surprised us this year with a noticeable lift in its cooking and an abundance of available reservations, a rare and welcome combination. Bom remains a place we return to with admiration, even as we continue to wish for seating beyond the counter where larger groups can sit and talk.

The collective judgment of our experienced reviewers anchors these rankings and reflects a familiarity not just with New York’s restaurant scene but with the evolving standards in Seoul and beyond. 

Getting a Reservation 

One of the hardest things about trying the best Korean restaurants in NYC is getting a reservation. The most popular places never seem to have an opening available. Here are some tips for having the meal of your dreams at a top restaurant:

• Try making an online reservation on the first day the tables are released.
• Try calling the restaurant to see if they have a table available. It helps to give the reservationist a few options for days and times. Day-of calls are sometimes effective due to cancelations.
• Dining early is good for your health! Try making a reservation for 5pm or even 4:30.
• Restaurants like Coqodaq are open for lunch and reservations are much more plentiful. 
• If all else fails, try writing a hearfelt email to the restaurant explaining how much it would mean to you to celebrate a super special occasion at the restaurant. Again, give a few options for days and times. 
• If all else fails, try waiting in line before the restaurant opens at restaurants that accept walk-ins. 

Now that you are equipped with the know how to get a reservation, here are the Korean restaurants in Manhattan that we loved best this year.

Best Fine Dining

 

1. Jungsik – The pinnacle of Korean fine dining in New York, Jungsik is the OG restaurant that pioneered New Korean cuisine in Seoul back in 2009. Chef/owner Jungsik Yim masterminded the exquisitely precise, boundary-pushing interpretations of Korean flavors in a serene, meticulously run dining room that sets the standard even today. Jungsik is the only Korean restaurant in America to be honored with three Michelin stars. Reservation
2. bōm – Chef Brian Kim’s tour de force counter restaurant serves masterfully prepared premium courses that feel more genuinely rooted in Korean flavors than many other New Korean interpretations. Bom delivers one of the most compelling and consistently excellent course menu in New York. Located inside Kim’s other excellent restaurant, Oiji Mi. Reservation
3. Cote – Restaurateur Simon Kim invented a whole new style of Korean barbecue by infusing it with the swagger of an American steakhouse, creating a genre so fresh and influential that spots around the world are popping up racing to imitate it. The Butcher’s Feast set menu ($78) is the best deal in town if you can snag a reservation at this very special venue. For appetizer don’t miss the Steak & Eggs (tartare and caviar on sumptiously buttered milk toast.) Reservation
4. Jua – Chef Hoyoung Kim serves up a refined and deeply focused Korean tasting-menu experience within a deliberately stark dining room that amplifies the precision and quiet confidence of its cooking. Reservation
5. Oiji Mi – Polished, contemporary Korean dishes in a plush, design-forward space that consistently feels like a smart and celebratory choice for a special night out. Reservation
6. Mari – Helmed by chef Sungchul Shim, Mari delivers a thoughtfully crafted Korean hand-roll focused tasting menu that stands out as his most refined restaurant to date. Reservation
7. Joo-ok – Chef Chang-Ho Shin brings the ambitious tasting-menu vision he built in Seoul to New York, uprooting his acclaimed restaurant to create a moody, hyper-polished Korean dining experience that feels both transportive and boldly new. Reservation
8. Genesis House – Genesis House is mostly under the radar, perhaps because the food was underwhelming when the restaurant opened in 2021. The tasting menu is much improved under executive chef Mincheol Shin, and reservations are readily available (a wonderful combination). Lovely interior with great views of the Hudson River. Plus you can check out the latest in Genesis cars in the showroom on the first floor. Reservation

Best Everyday Elevated Dining

1. Moono – A stylish Korean gastropub from the chef of Jua, set in a historic and beautifully preserved space that lends warmth and character to its comforting, shareable dishes. Reservation
2. Howoo – Sleek, upscale Korean barbecue restaurant in KTown specializing in premium dry-aged beef and A5 wagyu, served in a modern space with booths and private rooms. Reservation
3. Coqodaq – Another Simon Kim master creation, Coqodaq brings a gleaming, high-energy vision of elevated Korean fried chicken to Manhattan, pairing cathedral-like interiors with luxed-up riffs on a beloved classic to create one of the city’s most stylish and exuberant dining rooms. Reservation
4. Her Name is Han – A cozy, effortlessly cool spot serving deeply comforting jipbap-style Korean homestyle dishes, channeling the warmth of a Seoul kitchen with a modern New York sensibility that keeps the room buzzing night after night. Reservation
5. Nubiani KTown – A polished but unfussy destination for Korean meats, this K-Town favorite elevates BBQ with sharp technique and high energy. Reservation

Best K BBQ 

1. Cote Korean Steakhouse – The gold standard for modern KBBQ with impeccably sourced dry-aged meats, flawless service, and a polished steakhouse-meets-Seoul experience. Reservations are difficult. Reservation
2. Howoo – A huge restaurant that does a lot of things right, including mimicking the winning formula of Cote NYC while having reservations readily available, for now. Best mul naengmyeon in town. Reservation
3. Nubiani – Premium meats in a cool space, delivering a slightly upscale but relaxed Korean BBQ experience. The uptown location has a strict 90 minute policy which can feel a bit rushed. Reservation
4. Wonjo – A Koreatown classic praised for its big portions, wide menu, and lively atmosphere that’s perfect for groups. Reservation
5. Kunjip – The OG restaurant in Koreatown beloved for its fast service, delicious banchan, and comfort‑food vibe that makes it a go‑to late‑night BBQ stop.
6. Jongro – Recreates an old‑Seoul feel with charcoal grills, traditional cuts, and nostalgic décor that transport you straight to Korea. Reservation

Best Traditional Casual Dining

1. Samwoojung – Cozy, old‑school spot famous for its Seoul‑style bulgogi that feels comforting yet modern. Have a bowl of cold kimchi noodles after your bulgogi and don’t skip the frozen persimmon for dessert. Ask to be seated upstairs. Reservation
2. The Kunjip – Koreatown staple known for big portions, fast service, and a huge menu, making it an ideal casual go‑to at almost any hour.
3. BCD Tofu House – Specializing in bubbling soon tofu stews and simple combo plates, offering a reliable, no‑frills meal that’s perfect for a quick, very satisfying lunch or dinner. Be prepared to wait in line as they don’t take reservations.
4. Agassi Korean BBQ – Fun place to go with a group and eat meat and drink soju. Reservation
5. Don Don – Specializes in samgyupsal or any other cut of pork cooked on a grill. Music is loud and the people are young. Reservation

Best Modern Casual Dining 

1. Moono – Stylish, modern Korean spot by the chef/owner of Jua. A bridge between casual and fine dining, with creative takes on classic dishes in a gorgeous, high‑ceilinged space that still feels relaxed. Reservation
2. 8282 – Hip, buzzy restaurant known for playful, shareable Korean small plates and inventive flavors, making it a great choice for casual dinners with a bit of a nightlife vibe. Don’t miss the Sujebi with clams. Reservation
3. Kisa – Fun, nostalgia-filled setting with Korean comfort dishes made to be reminiscent of restaurants in Seoul that cater to taxi drivers. Be sure to grab a cup of vending machine coffee before you leave. Reservation
4. Mokyo – Chef‑driven, intimate spot where Korean flavors are fused with global influences in creative small plates, perfect for a casual but food‑focused night out. Reservation
5. Mari.ne – Casual take on sister restaurant, Mari. Modern Korean hand rolls and snacks, combining fresh ingredients and clean flavors in a casual format that’s ideal for a light, stylish meal or drinks and bites. Counter only. Reservation

Best Korean Chinese 

1. Octo – Bold, modern Korean-Chinese flavors with standout jjajangmyeon and jjambbong in a sleek, casual space. The octopus jjajang with a side of extra noodles is a must-order. Reservation
2. Shanghai Mong – Koreatown staple that serves a decent menu of Korean Chinese classics.

Best Place to Grab a Quick Bite 

1. Mari.ne – After indulging in the many wonderful tasting menus that NYC has to offer, Mari.ne is a refreshingly light and simple meal at a counter. Have some rolls and a steaming bowl of janchi guksoo. Reservation
2. EveryDaily – Speedy, everyday Korean staples like kimbap and donkatsu in a no-fuss setting ideal for lunch rushes or casual snacks. Very low prices for NYC.
3. Gammeeok – When craving seollungtang in Manhattan, this is the only place to go. The kkakdugi and kimchi are always reliably ripe. 
4. Okdongsik – Cozy, counter-seating specialist in pork gomtang (dwaeji gomtang) soup over rice. If you don’t like pork, you are out of luck, but they do have a kimchi mandu that is very tasty. Reservation
5. Woorijip – Cafeteria-style spot offering affordable, homestyle Korean dishes like bibimbap, kimbap, tofu stews, and banchan, where you grab pre-made trays, heat them up, and eat in or take out.

Best Korean Fried Chicken

1. Coqodaq – Uber elevated Korean fried chicken with premium, sustainably sourced birds, and a buzzy, club-like vibe perfect for sharing buckets and champagne. Get the Tartare Trio and the Bucket List with original only (unless you’re dying for the glazes). Green dipping sauce for the chicken is the bomb. Reservation
2. Turntable – Retro, vinyl-spinning spot serving modern Korean small plates and cocktails in a casual, music-infused atmosphere ideal for after-work bites. Reservation
3. Moono – Crispy and delicious fried chicken with a gochujang dipping sauce is offered alongside other inventive Korean dishes like fermented seafood and galbi jjim in a stunning Koreatown space. Reservation
4. Pelicana – Crispy, flavorful Korean fried chicken wings with signature sauces in a fast, no-frills cafeteria setting great for quick grabs or groups.
5. Osamil – A whole chicken is fried up in authentic Korean style. Refined yet approachable modern Korean options in an stylish but fun setting. Have after dinner cocktails at the gorgeous cocktail lounge upstairs. Reservation