Where Koreans Find Home in NYC
- Amy Shin
- May 1
- 6 min read
I know I am Korean when I cannot last a week without kimchi. Sure, Don Angie’s velvety folds of lasagna melt away my worries and L’Industrie Pizzeria’s hot honey burrata slice hits me with a sweet-and-spicy kiss that could rival any K-drama romance–but honestly, where’s my kimchi?
Let me put things into perspective. If you ever find yourself stumbling into what appears to be an “authentic” Italian restaurant in Korea and order a classic carbonara, don’t be surprised when the waiter places a complementary side of kimchi beside your steaming plate. No matter how genuine the pasta claims to be, for Koreans, the presence of kimchi is non-negotiable. Its tangy, spicy explosion karate kicks right through the carbonara’s cheesiness, striking a perfect balance in flavor and leaving you twirling your fork for more.
This small but telling detail reflects how inseparable Koreans are from their mother’s humble kitchen, anchoring themselves, no matter the distance, with flavors of home. Growing up in Hong Kong, I spent every winter break in Korea, where my grandmother would greet me with a roasted sweet potato and her signature, freshly made kimchi––all in one bite. The potato’s soft, caramelized sweetness blended seamlessly with the kimchi’s crisp, spicy crunch. Check out Chef Cho above: his blissful expression perfectly encapsulates how I feel whenever this harmonious duo of kimchi and sweet potato is placed before my eyes.
Koreans are built differently. For us, eating our own cuisine isn’t merely a matter of preference; it’s deeply wired into our internal system from the day we entered this world. Over the past three years living in New York City as an international student, I’ve navigated through every bustling corner of K-Town with a magnifying glass and scrolled endlessly through Beli, desperately in search of home, whether it be in a simmering bowl of ox bone soup or the glimmering glaze of sweet and spicy tteokbokki that beckons towards me.
While all the restaurants in NYC, be it fine dining or hole-in-the-wall, are miles away from emulating my mother’s home-cooked dishes, here are some of my most savored spots that come quite close to what it feels like to sit at my wooden dining table in Seoul.
Cho Dang Gol
55 W 35th St, New York, NY
I guarantee, every Korean friend will say “YES!!” the moment you suggest heading to Cho Dang Gol. This beloved restaurant has held an undisputed spot in the hearts of both young and old since opening its doors in 1977. There’s something to be said about its warm, rustic atmosphere––the familiar hum of conversation, the comforting sound of Koreans chit-chatting with waiters they’ve befriended over countless visits.
And don’t even get me started on the dishes. Whether it be the fall-off-the-bone galbijjim or hearty mushroom stone pot rice, everything on the menu charms effortlessly in its simplicity––no caviar or truffle needed to win you over. Additionally, they don’t serve water here. They serve warm barley tea––that’s when you know you’ve come to the right place.
Cho Dang Gol specializes in a wide array of homemade tofu freshly made every morning, featuring dishes such as sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) and kongbiji jjigae (soybean pulp stew). Be sure to arrive right when they open (or even 5-10 minutes before), as they sometimes open their doors early for all the hungry passersby bobbing their heads through the crowded windows. Trust me, this place fills up within a matter of seconds. You’re in for a soul-nourishing experience to say the least.
Moono
15 E 31st St, New York, NY
Chef Hoyoung Kim, the culinary genius behind the Michelin-starred Jua, lends his sophisticated touch to traditional Korean dishes at Moono––a spot more laid back than its fine-dining sibling, yet equally outstanding. The menu includes dishes such as crispy, twice-fried chicken glazed in spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, marinated beef tartare, and a dry-aged branzino grilled to perfection. Set in a spacious, bi-level dining area accented by warm terracotta tiles and soaring, cathedral-like ceilings, Moono fosters an atmosphere that's instantly grand and inviting.
I often find myself dreaming of their Pyongyang Cold Noodles—a North Korean-style dish featuring house-made buckwheat noodles submerged in the clearest broth imaginable. It’s incredibly refreshing, gentle on the palate, yet packed with such a deep, intense flavor that words would fail any English major.
Moono is the one and only place in NYC where you can taste this iconic North Korean specialty, noodles to soup prepared entirely from scratch. Another standout is their Bossam, paired with an exceptionally crisp, flavorful Bossam Kimchi that only comes upon order. I speak with immense pride when I talk about the kimchi there, and dare I say, it’s even better than my grandma’s.
Jua
36 E 22nd St, New York, NY
Jua offers a unique seven-course dining experience with its wood-fired approach to Korean cuisine. Each dish on the tasting menu is crafted to highlight the subtle nuances of traditional flavors—from the delicate sweetness of perilla leaves that accompany your main dish, to the Goguma Juak as the grand finale: a glutinous rice cake perfectly crispy on the outside and mochi-chewy on the inside. My personal favorite is the smoked eel jook (rice porridge)––each spoonful speaks to my inner child while simultaneously elevated by a modern twist of foie gras gently incorporated into the folds of a feel-good porridge.
Courtesy of Jua
And, of course, there’s the unforgettable Caviar Kim: seaweed-wrapped tuna tartare generously topped with a lavish spoonful of caviar, a stunning opener that boldly sets the tone for the ensuing courses. With its intimate size, warmly dimmed lighting, and minimalist decor, Jua creates a serene, yet sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for date-night dinners. For those seeking refined Korean flavors that linger long after the last bite, Jua deserves the top spot on your dining list.
Nubiani
315 5th Ave, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016
Trust me, I’ve tried almost all the KBBQ spots that New York City has to offer, and funnily enough, I keep finding myself stumbling into Nubiani. Their customizable meat package, offering a choice between premium pork and beef, along with selected cuts, consistently delivers an exceptional quality that translates into remarkable taste.
One of my biggest red flags with KBBQ spots is the overwhelming smell of smoke and grilled meat that usually seeps into your clothes, clinging to you long after the meal is over. Nubiani, however, is a delightful exception. Its spacious setting, private tables, and upscale ambiance all contribute to a refined dining experience free from intrusive odors.
Courtesy of Amy Shin
And I must mention: the egg souffle, rice, vegetables, side dishes––all refillable free of charge. With attentive servers expertly grilling meats tableside, your only job is to pick up your wooden chopsticks and savor each bite.
Samwoojung
138 W 32nd St, New York, NY
Founded in Seoul's Seosomun district, Samwoojung has been serving its signature bulgogi for over six decades, dating back to 1963. Its first New York City location opened in June 2023, introducing authentic Seoul-style bulgogi prepared in a distinctive dome-shaped copper vessel. Unlike the more common grilled bulgogi, Samwoojung’s version gently simmers in a subtly sweet soy broth, accompanied by generous servings of cabbage, mushrooms, glass noodles, and an assortment of seasonal side dishes.
While waiting for the bulgogi to simmer, I’d recommend ordering the crispy octopus scallion pancake, perfect for sharing with friends or family. And you don’t want to leave without trying their dessert, a frozen persimmon served with Korean honey and ricotta cheese––the ultimate creamy, sweet finale to your meal. Thank me later.
Dining at these restaurants, I’ve slowly pieced together a lingering sense of home, rediscovering the flavors I left behind and spreading this joy to those around me. Whether it’s the nostalgic Seoul-style bulgogi at Samwoojung or the Bossam kimchi at Moono, each meal has fostered moments of comfort I didn’t realize I needed. So if you ever find yourself alone in the city feeling homesick, adventurous, or simply in need of a warm meal, these places have got your back.
Just remember––there’s always a table waiting for you.
Comments