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    Cafe Lily

    4.2 (87 reviews)
    ModerateRussian, Korean, Uzbek
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    CAFE LILY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Lily

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    Reviews With Photos

    Begonia Korean Fern Salad, Steamed Bun with Meat and Cabbage, Cold noodles with meat
    Michelle C.

    A charming little mom-and-pop café with a warm, cozy atmosphere. When I first walked in, I was greeted by a large celebration gathering with an impressive spread of dishes across their table. My friends and I specifically came to try the fern salad, cold noodles, and plov. We were also hoping to sample the dumplings and Korean blood sausages, but unfortunately, they were either sold out or unavailable at the time. It was a bit disappointing, but given how busy the café was when we arrived, it was understandable. Out of everything we tried, the cold noodles were definitely the standout dish. The plov and fern salad were close contenders. While the flavors were on the milder side, they were especially enjoyable and refreshing considering how hot it was that day. The homemade fruit punch was also incredibly refreshing and complemented the meal perfectly.

    Bread basket with butter they give u - delish
    Sandra S.

    I regret not coming here earlier as I pass by this place so many times! I came here with a friend & we both finally got to try this rare Korean Uzbek place. We ordered to share: 1) Kuksi, 2) Fern w/ Meat, 3) Lyulya, 4) Pigodya. Kuksi - cold noodle soup w/ shredded carrots + egg pieces, beef pieces and vegetable. This was definitely a uzbek korean dish. It looked like a korean cold noodle but it wasn't. Taste & things on it was different. The broth was light, sour and refreshing. The beef pieces was my least favorite - it was a bit hard to chew. It was interesting, but not my most favorite. I still prefer the korean cold noodles more. Fern w/ meat - This item was our most favorite & it was very unique. We both have never had fern or a dish like this. The fern was so crunchy and chewy in a good way. The meat gave the flavoring to the fern, however, it was a bit too salty. The spice was ok. Lyulya - ground beef & lamb shish kebab. It was very meaty and delicious. I liked it eaten w/ the bread they give you & some fern in it. Pigodya - steamed beef bun - this reminded me of the chinese steamed meat buns. It was so fluffy & delicious. The special sauce they give you was very interesting - it tasted like satay, soy sauce & had a little spice in it. They give you a basket of breads w/ butter & they were delicious. Service was excellent. Tons of seating inside. We were the 1st ones in & within 45 minutes it was almost full on a Saturday evening. P.S - They accept cash or credit card. If you pay w/ credit card, they charge an extra fee (I think it was 4%). Highly recommend to use cash!

    JiHae L.

    My friends wanted to check out Café Lily after seeing it on IG, so I tagged along. Heads up the street parking is tough to find. You don't need reservations though, since there was plenty of seating on a Friday night. The service was honestly horrible. When we asked for bowls, they gave us ones that were still wet like they had just been rinsed and not dried. Prices weren't too bad, but the food was a mix of Korean and Uzbek cuisine and most of it was disappointing. We got the dumplings, and when we asked about the meat, the staff guessed it was just beef, but it was actually beef and lamb. My friend noticed right away since it tasted gamey. Employees should really know what's in the dishes they're serving (and maybe even taste them). The rest of the food was subpar, and to top it off, they told us five minutes before closing that they were done for the night and started clearing the table while my friends were still eating. Definitely not the best experience.

    Kuksi / -

    It was so lovely being at cafe lily! The food is cheap and delicious. You must try the self serve chill sauce! It's so unique and tangy. Although the service is somewhat slow and can be awkward if there's a language barrier between the sever, it is still very nice! The lady who severed me was very nice and sweet. Would definitely love to come here again sometime soon :)

    Namesake
    Karen Y.

    Must have passed Cafe Lily more times than I can remember... and finally went for lunch, Solo and then w/ a friend. A Uzbek restaurant, mix of Russian and Korean fusion cooking... I used to live near another spot that served up really delicious Uzbek food on 19th Avenue & 86th St (I love their fern salad!!) Situated on a quiet street with a mish-mosh of shops, and tinted windows, can seem uninviting... and staff could be a bit slow with service, so if you're in a rush, come when you have time to enjoy the meal. My first meal was of course to try their version of "cold noodle"... similar to the Korean style cold noodle but not made with buckwheat noodles. Here, they serve it with white noodles and tops with veggies and beef. The soup was not icy cold but also vinegary. It was good but I prefer the Korean style naeng-myeon which offers more chew & texture. My 2nd meal, had to try my other fav - Yuk Kae Jang; but here they call it Yu-KajJan. Now this one is interesting, the soup comes out bland... and you mix in the aromatics to your taste and eat over a bowl of rice. I actually enjoyed this a lot and would recommend this! My friend got their crispy potatoes & mushroom, it was ok. Nothing special. Also tried their meat manty - didn't like this, the skin was dry and tough to eat, the meat was a little gamey - perhaps bc it's lamb. Not my kind of dumplings! Also got their fern salad and the sauce, OMO delish! Soak it up with the toasted bread and your belly will thank you! The price is ok, not too crazy but also not an everyday lunch outing. Overall would come back for the Yu-KajJan & Fern salad.

    Fried Salmon
    Jaida F.

    I went with a friend to try out this Korean-Uzbekistanian spot in Brooklyn based off of a TikTok that emphasized that the food itself is not a fusion but the food of a "dying culture." As someone who loves to eat, I know that culture is preserved in the food. So I just had to check it out with my friend before they left NYC for the next few months. Highlights below! ---- Wait staff was super attentive and friendly Service was fast and very considerate Very patient with us as new comers Friend's meal- Pigodya ---- Good portions Came with a spicy sauce: a little salty but very good! The meat is very tender The cabbage has a good flavor and very well seasoned The dumpling dough itself was very airy Vegetable/beef broth Super juicy but not too liquidy Needed some acidity like some soy sauce or something vinegary My meal ---- Fried salmon I do wish I had more greens The salmon was very good! I do wish it was a little more tender but I love the way it was fried, perfectly crispy ---- We also shared some of their homemade compote which was super fresh and refreshingly sweet! If you're in the neighborhood you definitely should give them a try

    Plov
    Sarah A.

    Came here as a party of 3. We ordered the plov, cold noodles, fern salad, and a pitcher of their homemade fruit punch. They also provided a basket of yummy bread for the table. It was very soft and I ended up dipping the bread in the fern salad sauce. The fruit punch was not overly sweet and it was refreshing although I am not sure what fruits they used. It was my first time trying fern salad and I actually really enjoyed it. But my favorite dish was definitely the cold noodles. I would definitely order it again next time and try other dishes as well. The plov was good too, but way too little meat compared to the amount of rice they give. And some pieces of the meat were less tender than others. They had plenty of seating when we came on a Friday afternoon around 2pm. And the staff was so friendly.

    Kuksi - cold noodle soup
    Anna S.

    This place is such a hidden gem! Uzbek + Korean fusion... I only discovered it after seeing an Instagram reel advertising this place. I think since then it blew up because when I visited the staffs were definitely overwhelmed by the traffic coming to the restaurant. They had to turn down many groups - so just be aware that they might be busy but if you don't mind waiting they will still accommodate you. We got the Korean salad sampler, Korean fern salad (amazing!), and kuksi. We had ordered manti and shurpa but they messed up and forgot our order - which actually turned out for the better because we were so fully already as they are very generous with their portion size. The meal also comes with complimentary bread and butter. The highlight was the Korean fern salad. It was served warm and seasoned so nicely with garlic sauce. I was dipping the bread in this sauce! Their menu is very extensive. The staffs are so friendly and I could tell they were overwhelm but still trying their best to accommodate everyone. I can't wait to come back again and try out all the other items on their menu.

    Annie N.

    Came here yesterday with my friend for lunch. We came around 2pm and it was empty besides 1 other table. The younger waitress was so sweet, she remembered my friend who came the week before and also gave good recommendations. It was me and two other girls and we shared the plov, fern salad and the cold noodles. I think my favorite was the plov and the cold noodle, I found the fern salad a little too salty imo and the carrot salad bland. We also go the campote to share which was nice, I liked that it was not overly sweet. The guy (owner) there was really friendly also, he was explaining to us that with credit card there would be extra fees and recommended cash instead for a slight discount

    Kimchi, carrot salad, and cucumber salad
    Hannah Q.

    The plov. You must get the plov. The fried tofu was also devine. 10/10 service, our server made the best recommendations and everything was plated perfectly. My previous neighbors were immigrants from uzbekistan and used to cook for my family; this dinner took me right back to their home.

    Kim-chee /  Korean Carrot Salad /     Assorted Korean Salads /
    August Q.

    Just yes. Guys this place is so underrated. Pllleeaaaseee go give our girl Lily some loovvee. The Plov will change your LIFE. Hospitality was amazing too everyone is soo sweet and there was car video games on the tv which was honestly very fun. 100/10 experience, food, and service.

    Tofu with Vegetables in a Spicy Sauce
    Maggie B.

    I came here with a group of 5. One member of our party arrived early. They showed her to the patio and gave her bottled water while she waited, which was very kind. We sat in the back patio on a raised platform table with seating on the floor. The table had cushions all around it, as well as carpeting, so it was comfortable to sit. The patio was lovely with faux greenery and flowers adorning the walls and a wooden ceiling. It felt like an oasis. To eat, we shared the korean salad platter. It included carrots, cabbage, and eggplant in a kim chi style. All the vegetables were pickled, but they were well seasoned and tasty. For my main, I had the tofu with spicy sauce. I enjoyed this dish. The tofu was a perfect, firm texture. It was accompanied by peppers and onions. The sauce was flavorful and slightly sweet with a subtle spicy kick. They also provided warm bread and butter for the table. My friends got several of the meat dishes and loved everything. We also got the compote punch. It was fruity, but quite sweet. Similar to a classic fruit punch, but I wouldn't order it again. Our waitress was gracious and welcoming. A lovely restaurant to visit for a very authentic meal.

    Jessica H.

    The food was good overall, service was decent but staff could be bit more attentive, and ambiance is rather chill (albeit too lax for me, as there were screaming kids running around who I assume are the owner's or friends).

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    7 years ago

    Love this place! The food is delicious, and the owner, Lily, is very sweet and warm. I highly recommend this place!

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    The interior needed renovation! But the Korean food was very delicious and owners are very friendly. Thanks for keeping family traditions.

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    6 years ago

    Yummy food. The owner was very nice and friendly. My family and I always get pigodis from there it's so yummy

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    9 years ago

    Amazing food. I like this place. I ordered beef dumplings , assorted salad and kebab. Everything was great. Thank you!

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    10 years ago

    An interesting cuisine and charming staff. You will never again taste Korean-Uzbek-Russian food like this if you do not go to Uzbekistan.

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Cafe Lily

    Is the meat served halal?

    Based on this article in the New York Times there maybe some food items that are halal. I think the place is worth a try. Worst case scenario seafood items. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/dining/cafe-lily-review-bensonhurst-korean-uzbek.html

    Is the meat served halal, kosher or regular?

    Based on this article in the New York Times there maybe some food items that are halal. I think the place is worth a try. Worst case scenario seafood items. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/dining/cafe-lily-review-bensonhurst-korean-uzbek.html

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    Haenyeo - Daegu jorim

    Haenyeo

    4.1(296 reviews)
    4.5 miPark Slope
    $$$

    As frequent KBBQ eaters, my boyfriend and I decided it was time to try a more refined take on…read moreKorean dining. Since I was staying in Brooklyn for work, Haenyeo was an easy choice for a date night dinner. We went on a Thursday evening around 8pm. We didn't have a reservation but were seated immediately without a wait. The restaurant was fairly busy; if you're planning ahead I would consider making a reservation. We started with an order of the Japchae. Then we ordered the Bibimbop with chicken and the Bulgogi. The Japchae was underwhelming. Not a strong flavor profile, leaned sort of bland. The entrees were much better. The rice in the Bibimbop had a really yummy crispy layer. When all mixed together, it's a great melody of flavors and textures. The Bulgogi was equally enjoyable. Definitely recommend the red spicy sauce it comes with. We shared both entrees among 2 people and felt the portions sizes were decent - neither left hungry. The service was okay. We didn't seem to have a dedicated server. It felt like all the wait staff takes care of everyone simultaneously? Everyone was friendly; there was just a long wait for someone to come for our food order. If you're looking for an authentic experience with Korean food, this may be the spot for you.

    My boyfriend and I have been on a quest to introduce his mother to as many new cultures through…read morefood as we can when she visits us in Brooklyn. Last night we decided it was time she try Korean food, and specifically he wanted to choose a Bib Gourmand restaurant. We booked this reservation the same day, and watched spots get taken as we booked on the website! Street parking wasn't hard to find and we were greeted and seated immediately. We loved the calming atmosphere inside and had a table with a view of everything. After offering us water, we decided on drinks. I ordered the Velvet Reviver, which was described as an espresso martini meets a White Russian. It was delicious and almost like a dessert drink. My boyfriend ordered The Squid & The Whale which grew on all of us, especially paired with our food. To start, we shared the Yache pajun (vegetable scallion pancakes) and the Dukboki fundido (a Mexican inspired spicy, hot, cheesy dip with my favorite chewy Korean rice cakes inside). The scallion pancakes were delicious and had much more texture than once I have tried in the past, paired with a perfect vinegary sauce you can spoon on top. We all loved the dip and it was the perfect amount of spicy and comforting chewiness. I then was recommended a white wine to pair with the appetizer I chose as my entree, the Yeoneo. Each slice of salmon was incredibly fresh, and they were very generous with the amount of row that was served as well. The greens and avocado slices were great as well to add more texture. My boyfriend then ordered a yummy beer and the Daegu jorim. We absolutely adored this dish and noted that the cod had perfect structure to it, that almost mimic that of the deliciously cooked radishes in this dish. His mother ordered the ultimate comfort dish of the night, the Kalbi jjim (with no jalapeños). We were in awe at how the meat fell apart due to how tender it was. If you like melt in your mouth beef and stew like dishes, this is the dish for you. Our food was served with some banchan: amazing kimchi, myeolchi bokkeum (dried anchovies, much more mild than you'd expect), and kongjang (soy beans, also mild and with more chew than a typical edamame you might expect). We absolutely loved our dinner here and how helpful and kind the weight staff was, explaining different dishes and flavors, and clearing and switching out our plates at every turn.

    Photos
    Haenyeo - Inside

    Inside

    Haenyeo - Saucy and Spicy Rice Cake Fundido

    Saucy and Spicy Rice Cake Fundido

    Haenyeo - Daegu jorim

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    Daegu jorim

    Gahm By Mokbar

    Gahm By Mokbar

    3.9(45 reviews)
    4.9 miProspect Heights, Park Slope

    After seeing reels of this restaurant's crab fried rice, I had to give this a try. We arrived in…read moreFriday night, the staff was friendly and the decor was nice. Seating is a little small, so any parties of 4 or larger probably require a reservation. The food came out fairly quickly. We ordered the Tteokbokki. The dish was purposely cooked to be crispier than what you would normally expect, it was very delicious. The jjapaguri was flavorful and the meat and seafood was great. The main course of crab fried rice was amazing. Poured over a sizzling pan, the waiter made sure we had time to get our phones ready. The dish stirred and seasoned well and had a nice fresh taste. Our dessert was black bean and vanilla, which was refreshing and a generous quantity. Overall, our experience here was amazing and would recommend for anyone wanting high class Korean fair.

    While I would recommend the drinks, I think the food was disappointing. I ordered the Strawberry…read morefields cocktail that contained vodka, yuja honey, strawberry, lemon which was pretty nice and sweet and not bitter at all. It was literally the only thing I enjoyed. In terms of food, I mainly went for the crab fried rice. It was decent but rice were kinda burnt and crab was minimal for the extra $7 weeks added for king crab. The chicken karaage was in small pieces and had whack batter. The wild mushroom pajeon was not good at all.

    Photos
    Gahm By Mokbar - 7 barley tea...made from 7 types of barley i think. Little too light

    7 barley tea...made from 7 types of barley i think. Little too light

    Gahm By Mokbar - Yuja pineapple sorbet, perfect to cut off the slight richness.

    Yuja pineapple sorbet, perfect to cut off the slight richness.

    Gahm By Mokbar - Best corn cheese ever !!

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    Best corn cheese ever !!

    Slow Loris - Slow Loris Roll (~$22)

    Slow Loris

    4.2(210 reviews)
    3.7 miProspect Lefferts Gardens
    $$

    We wandered in on a scorching day, and were treated to lovely service, amazing kimchi, and…read moredelicious pork Bao.

    Ordered: Edamame (~$8)…read moreSeafood Pancake (~$19): scallions, onion, mussels, shrimp, calamari, ponzu sauce Seaweed Salad (~$8) 6pc Soy Ginger Korean Fried Chicken (~$13) 6pc Sweet & Spicy Korean Fried Chicken (~$13) Slow Loris Roll (~$22): spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado inside, torched tuna, salmon, white tuna, crunch on top, eel sauce, spicy mayo Beef Galbi (~$35): grilled marinated short rib and kimchi with white rice Spicy Bulgogi Fried Rice (~$22) with Cheese (+$3): marinated thinly sliced ribeye, onion, scallion, peppers, carrots, sesame seeds, with a sunnyside up egg on top Aya's take: Slow Loris is a Japanese & Korean fusion spot and if I'm being honest, I was apprehensive at first unsure how they could possibly get all these dishes right when their menu is massive. Happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised! Almost everything we ordered was delicious! Both Korean Fried Chicken orders had good flavor and great for sharing. I rarely see Soy Ginger as an option (usually it's Soy Garlic) but I like the slight sharpness it added to each bite. The Seafood Pancake was crispy, loaded with seafood, and paired nicely with the ponzu. The Slow Loris Roll was incredible! The rice ratio was just right, there was a good variety of fish and it was all fresh, the avocado and sauces added nice creaminess, and torching the roll was the cherry on top. The Spicy Bulgogi Fried Rice with Cheese was super savory, the sunnyside egg was cooked perfectly, and the portion was solid. I didn't care for the cheese and honestly could've done without and not noticed. It did need something to cut through the richness. I did enjoy the Beef Galbi much more! It is brought to the table sizzling and smelling amazing. It's savory, sweet, and smoky. I like that it's paired with kimchi & rice making this is complete meal. All in all, I was impressed with everything here! We were also a large party (7 people) yet everything was served correctly and in a timely fashion. Definitely recommend stopping by!

    Photos
    Slow Loris - Dining Area

    Dining Area

    Slow Loris - 6pc Soy Ginger Korean Fried Chicken (~$13)

    6pc Soy Ginger Korean Fried Chicken (~$13)

    Slow Loris - Edamame (~$8)

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    Edamame (~$8)

    Cafe Lily - russian - Updated September 2026

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