Her Name is Han

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Overview:

I won't pretend to know the first thing about "authentic" Korean food. But I know what I like and if the continuous line to get into Her Name is Han is any indication at all, this place is pretty damn good. The rustic-modern space is casual and fun. In terms of the menu there is a lot to choose from in a list of dishes that include homey Korean pots, noodles & BBQ. Options range from traditional offerings such as gochujang marinated pork rib and bulgogi to less traditional like fried avocados and corn croquettes. Food appears at your table quickly so this is a great option if you need to get in and out fast, or share a bunch of items with a group.

Information:

Address: 17 E 31st St, New York, NY 10016

Phone:  (212) 779-9990

Neighborhood: Koreatown

Price: $$ -$$$

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Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong

photo: The Infatuation

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Overview:

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong is like the answer to the endless complaint: I have nowhere decent to eat near Penn Station. The casual, bustling space is outfitted with rows of traditional Korean BBQ tables and is packed with groups from open to close. The loud & fun atmosphere comes equipped with a show right at your table of servers grilling up a wide variety of premium beef and pork cuts on signature tabletop grills. Meats are heavily marbled and marinated to impart the most flavor. Supplement your meal with a huge list of vegetables and small plates like seafood soft tofu stew, spicy buckwheat noodles, house made kimchi and other assorted banchan (traditional Korean side dishes). Great any time of the day and especially fun for a late night hang. 

Information:

Address: 1 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016

Phone:  (212) 966-9839

Neighborhood: Koreatown

Price: $$ -$$$

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Talde

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Overview:

Talde was opened in 2012 by 3 partners including Top Chef alumni Dale Talde. The decor is tavern-like and casual. There is a small bar in the front and a long narrow dining room with an open kitchen & chefs counter. The menu is modernized Asian food; taking influences from places like Korea, Thailand & Talde's native Philippines. There are time tested staples like their pretzel pork & chive dumplings, kung pao wings with peanuts and Korean fried chicken. You will see dishes you recognize like pad thai and tom kha soup but they are entirely re-imagined and presented beautifully. I've traveled all around the world and this is still one of my all time favorite places.

Information:

Address:  367 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Phone: (347) 916-0031

Neighborhood: Park Slope, Brooklyn

Price: $$-$$$

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Ms. Yoo

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Overview:

Ms. Yoo is a new club/restaurant from the owner of the always delicious Mokbar, Esther Choi. Choi named the place after her grandmother and the sleek space features a dining room, beautifully decorated bar, and large club space on the second level. The food is contemporary Korean gastropub fare. The snacks are addictive like nori popcorn, honey butter chips and squid fries. Choi makes an insanely gluttonous 10oz. burger smothered in kimchi bacon onion jam & american cheese. Finally, her take on mac & cheese is brilliant subbing out Korean rice cakes for noodles.  Portions are large and the food is heavy, so it's best to share as you make your way through their list of craft cocktails. 

Information:

Address: 163 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Phone: (917) 261-2490

Neighborhood: Lower East Side   

Price: $$-$$$

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Cote

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Overview

Cote is like an Asian meat palace. Restaurateur Simon Kim took the idea of humble Korean BBQ and elevated the concept into something chic. The space is minimalistic- high ceilings with clean lines and communal tables all outfitted with sunken grills. The meat is undeniably excellent and the selection is vast. Their staff expertly grills cuts of dry-aged and fresh meats like hanger steak and kalbi, or marinated short ribs.  They offer a la cart items but the star of the menu is the butcher’s feast arriving with prime beef with sides of ban chan, savory egg soufflé, kimchee and dwen-jang stew. 

Information:

Address:   16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

Phone:    (212) 401-7986

Neighborhood: Flatiron  

Website: https://www.cotenyc.com/

Price: $$$

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The Green Street LIC

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Information:

Address:  10-39 47th Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101

Phone: )646)-681-1109

Neighborhood: Long Island City

Website : https://www.thegreenstreetlic.com/

Price: $$$

Attire: Casual

Good for: organic, gluten free, paleo-friendly, vegan, bbq, groups

Overview 

Green Street LIC is tucked away in a residential area that was desperately in need of some restaurant loving. Walk through the unassuming facade and you'll find a massive space with an all day coffee bar serving sandwiches & juices adjacent to a lively open kitchen. The lofty, industrial dining space is filled with communal tables all equipped with a barbecue pit. The cuisine is Korean BBQ that's largely organic, gluten free & paleo-friendly. Opt for one of their tableside BBQ sets that come with a staggering array of sides including spicy tofu stew, bibimbap, kiimchi & vegetables. Their double patty kimchi burger is a thing of beauty, good luck fitting it in your mouth. The menu is rounded out with ample salad, vegetable & small plate options like pajun (crispy Korean pancakes) and spicy fried chicken wings.  

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Insa

Assorted banchan

Crispy Rice Cakes, Spicy Sauce, Fried Egg & House-made SPAM

Mushroom & Rice Grits, Soy-Scallion Condiment, Nori & Soft Boiled Egg

Bacon & Shrimp Pancake, Gochujang Sauce, Side Salad

“Shin” Ramen, Spicy Bone Broth, Brisket, Tendon & Soft Boiled Egg

Mochi Waffle, Pear Compote, Maple Syrup

Breakfast Hash, Soy Braised Beef & Potato Hash, Scallion Butter & Fried Egg

Yangnyum Galbi - Marinated Beef Short Ribs w/ banchan spread

Address: 328 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Phone: (718) 855-2620

insabrooklyn.com

Atoboy

Kimchi Trio

 

Beef Tartare, Oyster Cream

Fried Chicken, Peanut Butter

NOODLES - Beef Guksu, Garlic, Bean Sprouts

Rice- Foie Gras Braised Brisket Bowl, Garlic, Moo

Rice- Spicy Cod Bowl, Scallion, Gim

HANSANG
A complete set of platter with Daily Special Menu
Multigrain Rice / Daily Soup or Stew / Market Special Fish or Meat / Light Salad / Cooked Vegetable / Kimchi

Address: 43 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016

atoboynyc.com/

Mokbar

Mokbar, how I love thee, let me count the ways. First, I get to delight in a stroll through Chelsea Market en route to my dinner. Buy some new jewelry at Artists & Fleas, meander into cheese & seafood shops, dodge a few tourists, and then I am in the alcove of the market where Mokbar resides. Oh, the Korean delicacies that await my mouth. There is a bustling counter space where patrons can sit and watch the team cook up all their meal, which I adore. The owner of the restaurant, Esther Choi, can always be found there. She is small in stature, but a powerhouse in the kitchen. Zagat named her a “Zagat 30 under 30” NYC Culinary Rockstar and she more than lives up to the name.

They specialize in traditional Korean soups with fresh Japanese ramen noodles.  You can choose from brothy or saucy noodles, but obviously I choose both #fatkidproblems. Most of the dishes contain gochujang. Never had it before? It’s a traditional Korean red chili paste made with dried chili peppers, fermented soybeans, & glutinous rice. I highly recommend you go pick some up if you’ve never tried cooking with this wonderfully complex ingredient. It’s definitely available at the market.

Everything that pours out of the tiny kitchen is complex & exciting. I’d like to say that it transports me back to Seoul but this is better than anything I ever ate there (sorry Seoul). Their ho’ cakes might be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth (I’m talking to you too, ex boyfriends). They are crispy fried buns with heavenly pork belly filling, served with kimchi pear puree. The bulgogi sliders are crazy flavorful, the wings are meaty and sticky, and everywhere you look…more kimchi! I’ve been here 10 times and I’d go 10 more. Here’s what we had: 

RAMEN Mokbar Classic- pork broth. braised pork. triple seasonal vegetable   Kimchi - kimchi bacon broth. braised pork. stewed kimchi. scallion.   Vegan Miso -kombu shiitake doenjang broth. tofu. triple seasonal vegetable. crispy potato.  Marinated ribeye- Triple seasonal kimchi. Poached egg. Scallion. Spicy Tofu- pork and tofu sauce. spicy garlic paste. minced pork. poached egg. scallion

Halmoni Dumplings- ground pork, zucchini, cabbage, tofu, kimchi, garlic chive relish

Kochi Sticks- Crispy rice cakes. Scallion. Sesame. Mokbar spicy sauce.

Mok Wings - Crispy cornflake fried wings w/ choice of spicy housemade gochujang sauce or mild bulgogi sauce

Bulgogi Sliders- Mini marinated ribeye, mozzarella cheese, ssamjang mayo, cucumber kimchi, brioche bun

 

Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Phone:(646) 964-5963

mokbar.com