Went back to Gurume, this time later at night after seeing a show so the restaurant was less…read morecrowded but still lively. Had the Soy Garlic Chicken Wings and the Mushroom Harvest Bowl - both were great and what we come back for. Terrific staff, warm welcome from the host and our server Mario was friendly and helpful. Great also to catch up with Arianna who we know from past visits.

This restuarnt specializes in Korean small bites. During my trip to NYC they may have orchestrated…read moresome of the best dishes during the whole trip. The environment is very laid back, with dim lighting. The servers were very attentive, and the chef would bring it the dishes and explain them to you each time. The food here that we had was absolutely fenominal. We started with their house made truffle potatoe chips. Nicely flavored, just perfect amount of saltiness with a great crisp. The star of the show was the oyster mushroom tacos. By far the best single bite or dish of food. The flavor profile is so robust, with different textures, it was a true delight. I highly recommend their black sesame bread pooding as well. The bread pooding was so gooey, and crispy and melted, it was the perfect balance of sweetness, and paired amazingly with the cold ice cream. Highly recommend if you are interested in a true fine dinning experience.

I came here with my family and we had a wonderful experience! The service was great and the food…read morewas excellent. We ordered their large beef package which was more than enough for four people. We even had some leftovers! The meat was so tender and practically melted in your mouth. I especially loved that the waiter cooked and cut the meat for us. Their side dishes were fresh and well-seasoned, too. I also loved how spacious and clean the restaurant was. The whole space felt luxurious and upscale which made the experience feel extra special. Another thing I really appreciated was that I didn't leave the restaurant smelling like Korean BBQ! It is on the pricier side, but if you're looking for high-quality Korean BBQ with excellent service and a luxurious atmosphere for a special occasion, this is a great place to go. It was worth every cent!

Probably the best KBBQ experience I've had in NYC so far…read more It's definitely not cheap, but I thought it was worth it. We got the large set for 4 and there was more than enough food for everyone. Didn't order any drinks, but the meat quality was excellent, and our server cooked everything pretty well so we could just sit back and enjoy. The service was top-notch too. They kept bringing out refills of the side dishes including steamed egg without us having to ask, which I always appreciate. We made a reservation, which I'd recommend especially on a weekend, and got seated right away with no wait. The set also came with vanilla ice cream at the end. Another nice bonus is that if you pay in cash (there's an ATM inside), you get about 10% off. If you don't mind spending a little more for really good quality and service, I'd definitely recommend this place!

So excited to be reviewing jeju because I have wanted to visit for so long and finally got a…read morereservation. This was absolutely worth the wait and if you get the chance to go you must! The restaurant wasn't too big but very nice and good service and we sat at the bar which I actually enjoyed, you can't really see the food being made but the bar is pretty. Started off with the toro a MUST get. One of the best bites I've ever had it was unbelievably and close to indescribable. So buttery and just burst in your mouth. The ceviche was bright and summery and citrusy we enjoyed. The wagyu was also out of this world, so soft and the broth was sooo flavorful. Not enough words to describe the luxury of dining here. Truly reminded me of why I love good food. Definitely not inexpensive but for a Michelin star and the quality of food I do think it is worth it and priced lower than comps. I would love to come back at some point, even just for the toro. Add this to your list!

Emphasis on Noodle Bar…read more I cannot say how elated I was when I got the reservation for Jeju Noodle Bar. I feel like I've seen it for years on social media and was so excited to come. It's the only noodle bar with a Michelin Star and I can see why the wagyu Ramyun was genuinely one of the best Ramyuns I've ever had. Not too heavy with seasoning but you can tell every ingredient is fresh and very flavorful naturally from all thought put into its base. I would say SKIP the internet viral items. We also got the Toro Ssam Bap and Jeju Fried Chicken. The Fried Chicken was fried excellently but I think the dish in general is just a bit gimmicky? The chicken overpowers the caviar A LOT especially with the sauce on top as well to the point where I don't think either is really needed. And the Toro Ssam bop was really good, it was my friends first time having toro and her life was changed, but as someone who visits many sushi/omakase places I feel like it's a dish that you could also find elsewhere at a similar price. The staff, however, were incredibly friendly above and beyond I dare say. And the ambiance is very moody perfect for a date night. Overall, I would definitely come back but I would say you shouldn't be crying or tearing your hair out at how difficult it is to get a reservation, as I know many people do.

We're visiting from out of town and are glad we stopped by on their last day of Restaurant Week. We…read moretried the $60 special which was a great value! You got to pick 3 appetizers, 2 main course meals, and a dessert. We were sooo full by the time we were done. Our favorites included the hoe muchim, bossam, and burdock ice cream! In terms of service, staff was super friendly and came by regularly to check up on us. Decorated beautifully and very clean. Do make a reservation and expect to wait 15-20 min after your reservation to be sat due to peak hrs. I'd definitely return and eat here again with friends. It was an enjoyable experience.

I had a wonderful experience dining at Moono for restaurant week. The interior was beautifully…read moredesigned with immaculate vibes. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and our waiter was ready to provide recommendations. The food was amazing for the price, but I liked some items more than others. I found the wings to be on the lighter side - it's not greasy, but it would not hit the spot if you are craving korean fried chicken. The shrimp pancakes were on the fluffier side, a bit bland, but I prefer flatter and crisper seafood pancakes. The yukhoe was alright, but I'm glad I gave it a try. I would recommend getting the acorn jelly, asparagus japchae, and/or hoe muchim for apps. I kept going back to them. The bossam was very yummy and fresh, and I very much enjoyed the cold noodles. Both of these items I would highly recommend getting. What really stole my heart was the burdock desert. It was not too sweet, perfectly creamy, and absolutely one of my top desert bites I've had in the city. I might go back just to order this again. Overall, the dining experience was fantastic would highly recommend giving Moono a try.

This place really hits a sweet spot between quality, value, and comfort. The staff is friendly, the…read morevibe is very casual, and the portions are incredibly generous--probably one of the better value meals you'll find in Hoboken. The soy garlic fried chicken tenders were a highlight: fresh, flavorful, and served in a portion more than big enough to share. The sauce leans sweeter than your usual soy garlic so keep that in mind. The make-your-own Bibimbap bowl is a great concept. Everything in the bowl was solid--fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you'd hope for. I do wish there were a few more side options to mix things up a bit, but overall, very satisfying. The galbi was on the sweeter side compared to other places I've tried, but still really pleasant. Only note is that my drink didn't show up until about 15 minutes into the meal. Seems like the kitchen forgot about it until someone else ordered a couple of drinks and they had to fire up the drink station.

Whether "All About Gogi" technically counts as a replacement for "Gogi Grill" or just a name change…read moreis beyond my pay grade. The bowls are relatively similar; I enjoyed the spicy pork with hot sauce. But one downside of the new version is one kimchi option instead of three in the prior configuration.

"I felt like I died and went to food heaven." "Flavor bomb."…read more These were just some of the things I said about Ddobar as I was taking my time eating each course, trying to savor every bite. Ddobar has been on my radar for some time but took a while to visit simply because I do not work nor live in the city. The few times I was in the city and tried to book, it was either closed for the day or booked up for a private event. Finally the stars aligned and I made it. Unfortunately by then they no longer offer the chef studio tasting menu for $135, only the yubu tart tasting menu for $75 per person. The chef assured me that they kept many of the most popular items on the smaller menu. Now I'm just going to straight out say this was one of the best meals I have had in my life. Not only was it delicious but incredibly unique. A true standout. Every course was also beautiful presented and just felt so elevated. Truly the art of a Michelin star chef. I forgot that I was sitting in a food hall. LOL. I left incredibly full and floating through cloud nine. Sadly they did not have the earl grey soft serve which was what caught my eye to this establishment in the first place. I may have to find an excuse to come back soon! It is unfortunate but I was told the tasting menu will be gone end of March as the chefs sounds like they will be venturing out to different projects elsewhere. Go while you still can and show them some love!

Ddobar is smack in the middle of Oily Oily Market, which is a small food court. On the night we…read morewent the market was hosting bingo night so it was perhaps not the best way to experience an elevated, sit down, dining experience. Between making the reservation and the actual date they changed the tasting menu price from $75 to $55, but now offer optional shared plates, on this occasion Octopus and Oxtail, which our threesome added. The Chef Studio menu remains at $135, with more courses and elevated ingredients. I had a glass of Sancerre to go with my meal and it went well with it all. Fluke - I enjoyed the opener with crisp apple and as wasabi foam. This perk my palate up in anticipation for more. Scallop - This was my favorite dish of the evening - brown butter dashi with the perfectly cooked scallop. I could bathe in it. Octopus (optional Share Plate): I loved the romesco with this and it had a good flavor, very tender octopus. Yubu Tarts (Trio) - These are Ddobar's signature item. For me, I don't know if a fried tofu pouch is the best seafood delivery vehicle for me. I enjoyed the Hirasama and the Botan Ebi, but was a little disappointed with the black cod. I felt the cut was too thin to convey the buttery texture and deep flavor. Salmon - I believe this received a Sous vide treatment and it was perfectly cooked - even a little rare inside. The flavor was great. Enjoyed this a lot. Oxtail (optional Share Plate): This was delicious and tender as oxtail usually is, but I felt it could have been a little more tender with some parts difficult to separate from the bone. Chicken: I found this a bit weird. The chicken was ground and shaped like a cylinder on a skewer coated in gochujang and parmesan cheese. It felt overly processed to me. Earl Grey: Outstanding with the fleur de sel magnifying the bergamot flavor. Of course I said I would take seconds when offered. I was very happy with my Ddobar experience. I would come back as I see any changes or additions they make to the menu. I enjoy the chef to diner setup and the ability to see behind the scenes of such a well run, organized kitchen.

Everything was so good, including the free tofu starter - already off to a great start. The spicy…read moregalbi jjim was so tender and falling off the bone, and I was scooping up the sauce to eat on its own. The spicy chicken also had a great flavor. The buckwheat noodles was a unique menu item, and the sesame paste was soo good. The banchan was not my favorite choices, but still very good and refillable upon request. We joined the waitlist at 5 PM on a Friday and were quoted a 40m wait, but in reality got off after 20m. Unfortunately, we didn't have our full party, so we rejoined, at which point it took probably another 30-40m to get off

Food: Easily some of the best and most affordable Korean food I've had in NYC. We ordered the cod…read moreroe omelette, shrimp pancake, seafood tteokbokki, spicy pork with tofu, and galbi jjim. The galbi jjim and cod roe omelette were the clear standouts. The jjim came bubbling in this delicious sweet-savory soy broth and really complimented the meaty, tender, and basically falling off the bone galbi. The cod roe omelette was just as memorable. Perfectly textured, with these beautiful layered rolls of egg, tons of umami from the cod roe, and a creamy but fresh jalapeno-chive aioli that balanced everything out. I also really appreciated the simpler touches. The banchan was great, and the complimentary silken tofu was such a nice start to the meal. We got the pear makgeolli too, which somehow tasted like an alcoholic horchata in the best possible way. Ambiance: Love the traditional, relaxed, cozy atmosphere here. Lots of wood-accented decor that makes the restaurant feel warm and homey without trying too hard. It feels like exactly the kind of place you want to settle into for a big Korean meal with friends and family. Service: Be prepared. We put our name down during dinner time on a weeknight and waited over an hour, but once we were seated, the service was freaky fast. We ordered and somehow it felt like basically all of our food came out within 5-10 minutes. Everything was efficient without making us feel rushed. Overall, Cho Dang Gol is easily one of my favorite Korean restaurants in NYC now. Excellent food, generous portions, reasonable prices, and cozy atmosphere that makes me want to come back. For me, it genuinely rivals some of the Korean food I've had in LA.

I got the opportunity to try Ahri's Kitchen when I was in the area. I dropped by right before…read moreclosing and they were kind enough to accommodate me. This is just a cute little local restaurant owned by an auntie who is both running the kitchen, serving the customers, and helping clean up. It definitely gives off the most homey vibes. I went ahead and ordered the Bulgogi Kimchi Tofu Stew. I do not eat beef so I kindly asked if they could sub pork instead and they were happy to do so! This came out bubbling hot and was an absolute delight for the palette. Ahri's Kitchen is also BYOB so we got to enjoy our favorite drinks on the side. Overall, loved this place, especially for the atmosphere! Will be back!

This place is so quaint and cute, perfect for a date. We went here for dinner on a Friday night and…read moreit wasn't terribly crowded. There are only a few tables inside and outside so we got lucky. We had the vegetable waffles which were delicious. The soy sauce that comes with the waffles was especially good. My date had the vegetable gimbop and I had the tofu bibimbap. The tofu bibimbap was good but the egg wasn't great on top. The spicy sauce that came with the bibimbap was delicious. I would go back here again and try to the kimichi fries. Service was pretty good! It's a casual place so my expectations for service were not high and I was pleased with it.

hojok galbi ($59) - the price scared me a little at first…read morebut this was absolutely WORTH EVERY BUCK - ive had many variations of galbi before but nothing tasted like this; tender, juicy, well marinated, and not entirely well done almost like medium rare - it wasnt too heavy on the sauce that will make you thirsty but it was perfectly marinated while keeping it light and refreshing; i was genuinely shocked after the first bite - best take on galbi perilla oil noodles ($19) - ive always liked this kind of noodle but after having theirs i loved it EVEN MORE - it was by far the most refreshing, chewy, light yet flavorful perilla oil noodles ive ever had - noodles were perfectly separated from one another and not drenched in oil; it was easy to slurp with layers of flavors; a great summer dish rating: 5/5 - the fact that i rated it as the best korean restaurant in nyc after taking one bite really says a lot about this spot - from texture and flavor to presentation, all of them had perfect execution; i couldnt find a single thing to nitpick about - the dining atmosphere was clean, classy, and comfortable - service was quick and attentive; they kept refilling our banchan which was lovely because other places wouldnt LOL; amazing kimchi and sweet potato - a restaurant that im dying to go back already! Highly recommend IG: @nom.noms.only

Hojokban has been on my list for such a long time, and I finally made it here! The restaurant is…read morevery small and intimate, which gives it a cozy feel. I will say, though, they were pretty stingy with the banchan. We were only given kimchi and sweet potato. Kkanpung Chicken - The flavor was on point! It had a nice little kick, although I definitely wouldn't have minded if it were spicier. The chicken was super crispy and juicy, so I really enjoyed this one. Octopus Tteokbokki - MUST ORDER! Easily one of my favorite dishes of the night. The sauce was sweet and paired so well with the baby octopus. I could've easily eaten the whole plate myself. Truffle Potato Pancake - This was really popular, but unfortunately, I wasn't a fan. I could barely taste the truffle and didn't think it was anything that special. It was pretty meh for me, so I'd skip this one. Hojok Galbi - The meat was very tender, but unfortunately, it was a little dry. It was a solid dish, but nothing that really blew me away. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and would definitely come back to try some of the other items on the menu!

This may be one of the best authentic Korean restaurants I've tried in NYC that isn't…read moreMichelin-starred. I was genuinely surprised by how good everything was! The restaurant itself is huge, with two stories, yet it still has a lively and comfortable atmosphere. The menu is extensive, with plenty of traditional Korean dishes, and the lunch specials offer especially good value for the quality and portions. Everything we ordered was delicious, but the galbi-jjim (갈비찜) and tteokbokki (떡볶이) were the standouts. The galbi-jjim was rich, tender, and deeply flavorful, while the tteokbokki had that satisfying, authentic Korean flavor I look for. Service was excellent--attentive, efficient, and friendly even with such a large restaurant. Great food, great atmosphere, reasonable lunch options, and a huge selection. Definitely one of my favorite Korean restaurants in NYC and a place I would happily return to.

I highly enjoyed the food at Jeong Yuk Jeom. I ordered the chicken katsu, and I would highly…read morerecommend it as someone who frequents katsu restaurants. It's extremely crispy and very high quality. A large issue I had at this establishment was the service. The server felt unfriendly, and whenever we tried to flag him down, he wouldn't even look at us. It took around 20 minutes after our meal to get our check which was ridiculous. It was a shame because this was easily one of my favorite meals in NYC, but I don't know if I would return solely due to the service.