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Such a fun place to visit! If you do come, reserve in advance. I waited about an hour on a Friday night for 7pm seating. You choose one meat (we ordered spicy squid and bulgogi) and it comes with a bunch of banchan. These are no ordinary banchan. They have braised pork, fried tofu in a delicious soy sauce, beef tartare, fish cake, kimchi, cabbage, and shrimp with a horseradish sauce. All so good and we left extremely full. The main guy at the front goes out of his way to make it an enjoyable experience for the diners.
Finally went to try this place!! Got the spicy squid meal and it was delicious with all the Banchan and soup!! Around $46 with tips and tax tho.. will come back try the bibimbap and the donkatsu
Stopped by Kisa and got the spicy squid baek ban, while my friend got the spicy pork. The menu is pretty short, but that's kind of the point -- they stick to a handful of dishes. Everything came out pretty quickly with all the banchan already on the table. The squid had a nice kick, and I stole a bite of my friend's spicy pork, which was really solid too. Everything felt homey and comforting, the seaweed soup especially. Honestly, I liked that the menu was simple. I'm too indecisive about what to get and what I'm missing out on, but the short menu made picking what to get really easy. Everyone was friendly, and our food came out pretty quickly. I'd come back and try one of the other baek ban dishes depending on what I'm in the mood for.
Went back to Kisa for lunch and it wasn't packed or a wait for a table. Service is fast and attentive. Scan QR code on table to menu. Got the bulgogi set which comes with an array of banchan and the donkatsu lunch set which is only available currently from Wednesday-Friday. Both meals came out quickly with big portions. Food is consistent and enough to eat for two meals. There was definitely leftovers. Love how it feels homey with quality service and food.
If you dont have a reservation expect to wait an hour - it is already a small establishment and they are very popular. If youre not familiar with the theme if Kisa it's based off of Korea's taxi driver diners. That means a very small selective menu to be a quick in and out meal. You will get a choice iof 1 of the 4 entrees they offer and that's it. The ban chan you get is whatever they have made (if it's something like raw meat they will ask you to make sure it's okay or if they have to replace that). The four options you have are: Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Stir-fried Squid, and Bimbimbap. Sometimes they have Donkatsu too. They also offer some beer/soju as well as sodas. They have hot water/coffee in a korean dispensing machine next to the door. The food came out really quickly and was great. The squid I got was well cooked without being chewy and I enjoyed the banchan options given. It's surprisingly more filling than you may think without making you feel super bloated.
I was in NYC for work and a colleague recommended this place. Waited an hour. But the food and service was worth the wait! They even gave me a shot of soju.
Finally had the chance to try Kisa while my parents were visiting, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say the food was AMAZING. I think my expectations weren't too high because this is the type of stuff I grew up eating, so it was somewhat familiar, but I'd say that meal took core Korean comfort food and elevated it without being too complicated. My family got the spicy pork and stir-fried squid, both of which I'd highly recommend. Especially the squid, because I feel like I'm not the biggest seafood person, but it was so good and succulent, marinated beautifully with the sweet and savory spicy sauce. The highlight of the side dishes had to be the mul hwe - like 10/10 if that was a main I'd eat a whole meal of it. It's a much more delicate sweet and spicy, and the fish itself is so clean and fresh. They were pretty packed when we got there as the restaurant itself isn't too big, so definitely would recommend making a reservation. Service was great, and idk if it was one of the owners or a manager, but he greeted us and was a super friendly guy. My parents and I were stuffed and satisfied, and it's great to have this diverse buffet of little bites to support the main because their side dishes seem to have their own personality and are different from the usual banchan I find in Korean restaurants. The one thing my parents and I would say is that the price is definitely not cheap because it's $36 per order. It is a hefty portion, but it was not the price we expected lol. Regardless, had a great meal and would love to try their seasonal menus!
After reading that they made the Top 100 NYT list for 2026, I decided to give it a try. The venue definitely did its best to recreate the nostalgic Korean diner vibe, and I have to admit, they captured the atmosphere quite well. The food? Preset banchan (side dishes) with your choice of a main dish , which was okay. I grew up surrounded by incredible home cooks: my mom, grandmother, and older sister. The hot sauce and tofu reminded me of those comforting homemade flavors, which I appreciated, but overall the meal itself was not as tasty as anticipated. That said, I truly hope this place lives up to the hype and continues to succeed.
Kisa is a literal blast from the past - the design of the restaurant is very nostalgic and cozy. It feels like you are transported to a very homey mom-and-pop shop. It's decorated with paper calendars on the wall, framed family photos, small square televisions, and more. It is also incredibly popular! A reservation is a MUST for this restaurant. My friend and I booked a reservation for 5 p.m., which is the start of dinner, and there was already a line forming to be let inside. Despite the crowdedness of the restaurant, I did not feel rushed at all, and the server addressed all our questions and checked in on us every so often. The menu is very simple - you have a choice of protein, bulgogi, squid, spicy pork, or bibimbap. Each meal comes with a variety of banchan for each guest. It's all seasonal and includes dishes such as kimchi, pollack soup, fruit salad, japchae, and raw fish (mul hwe). As someone who loves to eat family style and pick at various dishes throughout my meal, Kisa was perfect. I also felt very satisfied with the portions. I decided to pick the stir-fry squid as my protein, and I was incredibly happy with my choice!! After your meal, you will receive a coin to use a vintage coffee machine. You'll receive a to-go cup of coffee or tea! Overall, it was such a lovely experience. The food tasted great and felt authentic. I can not wait to come back. :)
I love the concept behind Kisa. Modeled after cheap eateries from the 80s, this restaurant is outfitted with all the nostalgic pieces from that time. A box television flickered to life with the weather report. An old electric metal fan perched on the ceiling. Framed family photos, a paper calendar, and a wooden clock lined the walls. The vibe is certainly homey. There's a cafeteria-like buzz here. Conversations, metal chopsticks clanging against metal plates, and upbeat music drown out what's spoken between two diners across the table. This place is indeed lively and so well desired. I was lucky to secure an 8 pm table on a Saturday for two, and about 45 minutes into our time, we were rushed out by our server as the seat was booked for another party at 9. This is the only snag in my experience. Restaurants should allow for patrons to stay for at least an hour and fifteen minutes. Standard dining times usually run for an hour and thirty to two hours. Nonetheless, the delicious meals made up for our hastened dining. The menu is simple: You have a pick of three mains -- bulgogi, pork, squid, or bibimbop -- with the banchan already pre-chosen for you. I ordered the bulgogi and my friend ordered the pork. Both were delicious, with the former leaning into the sweet soy sauce flavors while the latter leaned smokey. I enjoyed the banchan as well. The rice was hot and sticky. The tofu, as someone who doesn't normally like it, was silky smooth. The spicy soy-chili sauce that came with it was phenomenal. The sashimi was equally as good, fresh, and not at all polarizing, even for someone who doesn't normally like raw fish. Would I return to Kisa? I certainly would. Hopefully I won't be rushed out next time.
This cozy Korean restaurant is so delicious and unique! I love the idea of having a set menu and being able to choose your choice of protein. The Spicy Pork is so delicious and well-seasoned, and pairs perfectly with the white rice and banchans. The staff are nice and quick, and I enjoyed both times I came here. I recommended making a reservation if possible since it may be difficult getting a table with walk-in since it's first come first serve.
Was finally able to make it here. Made reservations and was promptly seated for lunch. There's only 4 mains on the menu which comes with 7 banchans (small sides) per person. Bulgogi (thin beef in a sweet soy), spicy squid, spicy pork, or vegetarian rice bowl. They have 1 special dish Wed- Fri. My friend and I both got the bulgogi beef. The banchans were the highlight of the meal. My favorite was the velvety raw beef with the Asian pear and the shrimp salad with the wasabi miso. It also comes with rice and a nice perilla soup. My only complaint was the noise level. It was too loud to have a conversation. We will be back
Kisa in NYC is such a fun dining experience. One thing to note is that everyone at the table has to order a plate set, but honestly, it's worth it. Each set comes loaded with a variety of Korean side dishes (banchan), so you get a lot to try. We ordered the beef and the squid. I'm usually not a squid person, but this one surprised me. It was tender, well-seasoned, and really flavorful. The japchae also included minced meat, which added a nice touch. Every order also comes with rice and a hot soup, making it feel like a complete, comforting meal. The space is on the smaller side, but we made a reservation so there was no wait, which I definitely recommend. Super convenient location too, especially if you're coming from Midtown since the subway is literally right in front. I'd definitely come back again and try the pork next time!
I liked the touch of lacy white curtains hanging against the windows. Around 1:30 PM on a Saturday, there wasn't too long of a wait for a table. The service was friendly, and the food was also ready after less than 10 minutes. The Donkatsu was crispy and not too heavily breaded. While the donkatsu itself didn't have much flavor on its own, it was perfect paired with the sauce. I'm not a big fan of mushrooms, so I got sauce on the side to dip the donkatsu in. The sauce was savory. The rice wasn't too moist or dry. I tried some of the Gamjatang, and the meat was soft and flavorful. The soup was rich with a hint of spice. read more
2 years ago
Either get a reservation or plan with 1-1.5h wait! So you order only the main item / protein and the rest gets served to you. Three things I highly recommend in this order - squid then Pork then Beef You get to order three things one more time although tbh it's a lot of food in the first go itself Good food, great service, and warm people :) you also get a complimentary drink at the end and I cannot recommend the sesame latte enough. read more
I found a pretty big size of plastic from jangjorim (braised beef dish). I informed one of the staff, then the manager came over. She took the dish and later came back saying it was "just" a potato peel, and left. When I found a transparent object, I thought it was a piece of onion or onion skin and chewed it without suspicion, but it was 100% plastic. I wasn't looking for a compensation or anything, but the manager's handling of the situation was EXTREMELY poor, so I'm sending this note in case the owners are unaware. Food was decent, but it was not a pleasant experience at all. read more
1 year ago
Came for lunch. Absolutely delicious and so much bang for your buck. Loved the stew and the servers were so kind. The vibe is super cozy. read more
2 years ago
Been meaning to try this place since it opened! The korean taxi driver concept was super interesting and unique in NYC! It's always been a long wait when I tried going but finally got a reservation online a couple weeks in advance! They're no longer just walk-in early. My friend and I waited for a bit to get seated, but the service is pretty fast once you are. There's only 4 mains to choose from and you get all the 7 side dishes, a bowl of rice, and soup. They seem to change as they were slightly different from other pics I've seen. It comes out to be 40$ pp, but was sufficiently satisfied! There's a drink machine where you can get something sweet on the way out including mocha coffee, hot chocolate, and a black bean latte. It's automated now with a push of the button. Totally worth the hype! read more
Named after Kisa Sikdang기사식당 or "Taxi Driver Restaurant," this is a very popular newcomer with us only able to get a reservation for four people at 9:30 PM on a Monday. You can think of this concept as a Korean diner and you have your choice of four mains which come with a variety of banchan, soup, and rice of course with the closest equivalent being the dosirak/rice meals you find at some of the other Korean spots. The server we had who happened to be the GM, Andrew Choi, was very friendly and we had a great time (thanks for the makgeolli and shot.) In general, I heavily preferred the food here to C as in Charlie. By comparison to the food in other Korean spots such as on 32nd street, the banchan is of much higher quality in particular and the price point being $32 before tax and tip is honestly a steal and I can see why they are popular. They gave us some crackers to begin with which had a slightly sweet flavor and a bit of shrimp. For the main dishes, two of us went with the Bulgogi/불고기 or thinly sliced beef marinated in sweet soy sauce while the other two had the Spicy Pork/제육 or thinly sliced pork marinated in gochujang sauce. There was otherwise a Spicy Squid entree and Sanchae Bibimbap. The bulgogi was excellent being less sweet than normal while still very tender though it was less saucy than made any other variants I've had. The spicy pork was better which had a slight sweet flavor along with a very light kick. The pork in particular had a wonderful toasted flavor presumably from the wok cooking the gochujang down but I would have preferred it be a bit spicier. Outside of the 4 main dishes, the soup and banchan recently changed. The soup was a Beef and Radish Soup With Scallion/소고기 뭇국 which was fine. This was lightly flavored without that much meat but you don't really expect that much as it's just a miniature accompaniment though I would honestly prefer a little sundubu or doenjang-jjigae to go with everyone. Otherwise, the banchan are as follows: Soy Marinated Salmon/연어장 with shishito and onion cured in soy sauce- Easily my favorite of the bunch. The thick sashimi (as expected for Korean style hwe) was almost buttery with a nice light soy marinade. Due to my severe allergy to cephalopods, I couldn't have the Squid Jeotgal/오징어 젓갈 or spicy marinated squid and radish topped with onion and they gave me one extra of the salmon which I really didn't mind at all. The other people enjoyed it however saying that it was likely the spiciest of the bunch. Tri-color Jeon/삼색전- Traditional fritter with fishcake, scallion, yellow pickled radish, and imitation crab- Probably my 2nd favorite. Good texture to the pancake/fritter with a bit of sweetness from the various ingredients. Popcorn Chicken/닭강정- Deep fried chicken with gochujang glaze and shishito. Chicken was moist and it could have been a bit spicier but very well flavored and honestly a lot better quality than the version at their older restaurant. It also could have been a bit hotter but the temperature was fine and I'm presuming if you got there when the restaurant opened, it would be piping hot. Housemade Kimchi/김치- Fermented napa cabbage with salted anchovy and Korean chili flake- Less spicy and fermented than most which made it a bit crunchier. In short, a fresher kimchi which is different but good. Steamed Egg/계란찜- Traditional egg souffle with chive and carrot- Alright gyeran. It was a bit watery likely from us going late like the popcorn chicken which unfortunately hurt this dish a lot more as the texture suffered (good flavor though and I can imagine it being excellent if you got there earlier.) Radish Salad/무나물- Shredded radish dressed with perilla sauce- The table's least favorite as the sauce was almost mayo-y. Alright/would have preferred more nuttiness. At the end of the meal as you leave, you can get a drink. They used to give quarters but apparently people stole them so now you just pick your drink of choice and it comes out in a mini cup. The Black Sesame drink tastes like the stuff you get in stores with a bit more sugar and some milk and it was tasty. There was also a hot coffee (presumably Korean instant) and hot chocolate. It's difficult to complain about this place outside of the difficulty getting in. For a reasonable price, you get a very filling meal with particularly good banchan. The main dishes are fine while the banchan are outstanding. Mid 4 for the banchan and the deal. If this was perhaps $10/15 more, I'd probably give it a 4 instead of a 5. read more
1 year ago
I finally had the opportunity to come for dinner, and I was not disappointed! We showed up about 20 minutes after they opened and we got lucky with a seat. Probably around 6 PM they were taking down names to be added to a waitlist, so try to come earlier if you don't have a reservation! We ordered the beef bulgogi and spicy squid. Both dishes were great, and I loved all the side dishes it came with. It was actually a lot of food, but I also had a fun time trying all the side dishes. I'd definitely come back! Food came out quickly and service was great. read more
2 years ago
I've been wanting to try Kisa for ages, and I finally made it on a Sunday for their lunch menu. I didn't realize the lunch and dinner menus were different, so now I have an excuse to come back for dinner! Lunch doesn't take reservations, so you just wait in line until a staff member asks for your party size and seats you. I waited about 20-30 minutes. There are only two options on the lunch menu: gamjatang (spicy pork bone soup) and donkatsu (fried pork cutlet). Obviously, I had to try both. The gamjatang was amazing. It came with tender pork bones, cabbage, potato, potato noodles; rice, and banchan on the side. The broth looked really red so I thought it was going to be spicy, but it wasn't spicy at all. It was rich, hearty, and perfect for dipping rice into. The pork was so tender it practically fell off the bone. It felt like pure comfort in a bowl. The donkatsu was great too. The pork cutlet was fried perfectly--crispy on the outside and juicy inside--with a tangy tomato-based sauce drizzled on top. It came with rice, pickled radish, cabbage, and macaroni salad. The pickled radish was a nice touch to cleanse your palate between bites. Both dishes were delicious, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the gamjatang. There's just something so comforting and homey about that soup. I can't wait to come back and try the dinner menu! read more
2 years ago
*lunch review* Honestly I've heard so much about this place and watched so many tik toks I pretty much knew what to expect. That being said it was definitely so cute inside and made me nostalgic for a time i didn't experience myself-- really reminded me of restaurants I'd see in scenes of kdramas that took place in the 90s (like the Answer Me series). We went for lunch, and the menu only had 2 items which I actually really liked because we didn't have to spend time pondering over choices. Food was also great, and it was only $20 wooooo. Katsu especially had such a nostalgic look and taste to it. Gotta come back to try their iconic dinner sets tho!!! read more
My friends and I got in line at 4:30 and were able to make it inside when they opened. I got the spicy squid which they said was a 7/10 but I didn't find it to be that spicy. The banchan seems like it's a rotating menu, so check the website ahead of time if you are looking for something specific. I enjoyed the soy marinated egg the most! They also allow you to get a refill on 3 of the banchan, so make sure to get that! The ambiance of the restaurant was great and felt like I was in an old Korean home. The free cup of tea at the end was also a great touch! read more
It's a mixed experience with highlights on the sides. I arrived around 5:15 PM on a Friday and had a wait of about 25 minutes before being seated. While my friend had visited when the restaurant first opened and found it "alright," I decided to give it a go after seeing photos of the intriguing side dishes that caught my eye. For mains, we tried the bulgogi and spicy pork. The bulgogi was quite salty. The spicy pork was more flavorful but both dishes had a slight burnt taste that detracted from their overall enjoyment. However, the sides were a different story. I particularly enjoyed the radish with perilla salad ( I think that's what it was. ) --something I hadn't encountered before. Next, the raw salmon and raw squid were pretty decent. Finally, the Korean fried chicken was crispy and spicy, though it came in third behind the more exciting side dishes. One dish I was excited to try was sanjeok, which I'd seen in Korean dramas. It's made with fish sausage instead of meat, and while it was an interesting texture, I couldn't quite get used to the taste. Still, it was fun to try something new. I probably won't return for dinner but might try their lunch instead next time. read more
2 years ago
Might be a hot take but I think Kisa is a bit overhyped. It is delicious dont get me wrong, but I felt the flavors were a bit underwhelming in comparison to other places. Regardless the food was still good, quantity amount is huge, and great bang for your buck! I'd say it's not worth waiting a long time for, but worth coming back again if there's available seats! read more
We got the bulgogi and squid kisa meals. Bulgogi unfortunately was dry and underwhelming but squid was very good. Most the side dishes were top notch and you are allowed free refills on 3 of them. I loved the machine that dispenses the free drink - saw lots of people lining up for it. Expect a line so go 30min before it opens to guarantee a spot! Ambiance was cozy and service was pretty fast! read more
2 years ago
My new favorite korean restaurant in Manhattan, Kisa is delivering authentic and high quality korean fare. At $32 a platter, you get to pick a main dish with 6 banchan - I hear they have now started charging for banchan refills which is unfortunate, but it is debatable whether or not you even need them because most people I talk to say they get stuffed with everything they give you. We made a reservation for dinner and also waited 30 mins for lunch a separate day. Everything was delicious and high quality, and I would come back in a heartbeat, even in the city of everlasting options. In fact, it was one of my favorite finds of 2024, period. The bulgogi was really well seasoned and tender, as was the squid (which typically easily overcooks) and the katsu from lunch had a light, frittery fry with really flavorful sauce. Down to the smallest details, the food is high quality and that's what I really appreciate about them. The service was top notch too. Keep it up Kisa! read more
One of my new favorite restaurants in NYC. The food is so delicious and filling. Every ban chan dish is a pleasant surprise, and the spicy pork was so smoky and flavorful. It's a small restaurant so would recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you can! read more
Super super delicious!! And giant portions. Come hungry!! It's unfortunate they require everyone to order their own portion though because you almost always will take leftovers to go. The bulgogi tasted amazing but beware of those who have low spice tolerance -- the pork and squid are both super spicy. The banchan was delicious too but some of them were also really spicy. In order to get a spot in the restaurant, you have to show up early and put your name on the waitlist for at least a 45 minute wait or make a reservation but those get filled up really quickly. The restaurant is small but cozy. Would recommend if you have some time and you're in the area! read more
I admit I was skeptical at first, how good can it be... but after coming for dinner, I understand the hype. I tried both the bulgogi and the spicy pork, both dishes were great. Flavor was perfect, cook was perfect, quality was there too. As were all the banchan and the soup, I felt the same way. This meal was homey, cozy, and I enjoyed every bite I ate. They don't try to make anything too crazy, they keep it simple and they do it well which is something I can appreciate. Also got their pear beverage which really tied the meal together as well :) The service was very friendly and felt like they really wanted me to eat well, which is the hospitality I missed since being back in Asia. read more
Don't come at me. Overall, it's a solid 3. Not worth waiting in line. We went at opening, wait was 10 mins. That's all I'm willing to do. Glad it wasn't longer, otherwise would have skipped it. Decor wise, nostalgia of old quick eat spots in SK. If you've been, you'll find lots of small mom & pop with similar style... especially those dolly curtains. Some cafeteria has those metal trays for lunch... especially near office workers. lol However, if you haven't been to Seoul yet, then Kisa will give you a taste. Service is good, water refill, extra side refill. Food wise - you get 4 entree selection, comes with a bunch of sides on a tray. We got the bulgogi and spicy pork to try. Both were just OK. The pork was overly smokey - to a point where it tasted burnt. The bulgogi was slightly better. Wish the meat was better - in taste & texture. The sides were decent - favs: pork-egg patty, marinated eggs (sauna eggs), kim chi, cucumber and the soup! Friend liked their marinated raw shrimp... mine was too mushy - so opted not eat it. Bottom line, not sure if we would come back for seconds. read more
Tried Kisa after hearing about it for a while, and I thought the hype died down by not yet! The wait was 1.5 hours on a Sunday dinner, but we got promptly seated and ordering was simple. I got the bulgogi, and it was really tasty and smoky! I loved the side dishes, and there were some big ticket items like the marinated raw salmon and squid! Everything was yummy and i was stuffed by the end. Solid service as well. You can get free refills on the kimchi, but other dishes cost money. read more
Been waiting AGES to get a reservation here, but was able to walk in on a Saturday afternoon after waiting about 30 min once it opened at 5:00. Upon seating, we were immediately served water and an appetizer while we looked at the menus. Service here is extremely quick as this restaurant is genuinely always packed. It's very small, allowing for maybe 30-40 guests at a time. Surprisingly, it's not very loud. Be prepared to be absolutely full after eating here... the banchan is no joke. I genuinely thought because of the amount of side dishes we receive, the entree itself would be a small portion, but that definitely was not the case! I wasn't the biggest fan of the bulgogi that I ordered as it could have a slightly more pronounced taste, but it was still great. For $32 ($41 with tax and tip) per person, it's a great deal for all the food you get, but not something I would go out of my way for again due to how hard it is to get a seat! read more
Prepare for line because there will be one, even if you line up half an hour before open. Thematically encapsulates the Korean taxi driver vibe inside the restaurant. It feels like you're transported into 80s/90s Seoul. The menu is minimal as you pick which protein that you want. The protein is accompanied by a cast of side dishes. Everything was delicious and you can't go wrong with anything in my opinion. People have told me that this is overpriced for what it is and I'll take their word for them. But, so far, this is the only cab driver Korean restaurant that I know of. It's a cool vibe and the food is great, so paying the premium is worth it in my eyes. read more
2 years ago
Finally had a chance to pop by Kisa after all the hype it's been getting. This place has a fun, homey vibe, and it's a small space that keeps 2/3 of the restaurant open for walk-ins. Serving up a simple menu where all you have to choose is your main, they offer 4 options - squid, bulgogi, spicy pork and bibimbap (the only vegetarian option). However, vegetarians beware, while the bibimbap is vegetarian, some of the sides aren't, and the soup is a bone broth. If you list any dietary restrictions, they'll likely replace your side dish with more kimchi. The bibimbap was delicious, the rice had a great texture and they balanced every element in it well. Only thing I'd ask for is for more gochujang to go with it, and for it to be a little hotter. The soup it came with was probably my highlight, it was rich but still light and beefy. They featured a range of sides, from kimchi (which had free refills) to egg, squid, jeon, radish, marinated salmon, and a saucy chicken (refills for $2). After your meal, you can grab a hot drink from the self dispense machine by the door. Pro tip, get the bean latte! This was a fun place I'm glad I got to try, although it's a bit pricey for what you're getting. It's good, but ingredients are basic and it's hard to justify paying 40$ for a smaller bibimbap and sides. read more
Walked in on a cold wintry Thursday night and there was no wait! The menu is simple, you just order from 4 proteins, and the rest of the banchans come with it. I got the bulgogi which really hit the spot. I loved the banchans! The salmon sashimi and egg and fried chicken were so good!!! Also at the end when you're leaving, you can get a hot drink from the machine by the door - the black sesame one was so good. read more
1 year ago
Been meaning to try here. Walked by and the line wasn't too long. They were doing some shoot inside. Not sure what it was about. Wasn't paying attention. Came here for lunch. The service was quick. Good was quick and also the food is pretty solid. The katsu fried well. Sauce on it is good. The sides normal Korean bon chon is good also. The stew I got the meat fell right off the bones and the bon chon that went with it pairs wells. Without the radish and onions with the stew I would have gotten a little sick of it. But with the pairing I finished the whole bowl. Lunch menu they only have 3 selections which is good since it's faster this way. Will come back to try the dinner menu. read more
This place has become very popular but we were lucky to get snag a table after some hard work resy sniping. The menu is very simple and you pretty much just need to choose from a few protein options, which makes ordering easy. For $32, the portions are quite generous--you get soup, rice, a main, and many different banchan. The banchan are more unique and aren't like the typical dishes you get a Korean restaurants. I loved trying all the banchan, and everything was flavorful and cooked well. read more
We started waiting on a weekday around 4:40 PM. When we arrived there was already a short line, and more people got in line after us. Shortly before 5PM a staff member came out and confirmed the number of people in our party. He told some people behind us that they wouldn't make it into the first seating, so I would arrive early if you want to make the first seating. The restaurant small and the tables are close together. The inside is very homey and cozy though. There are only four options for you to pick from, so it is a small menu. We both got the bulgogi, and it came with kimchi, tri-colored jeon, soy marinated salmon, radish namul, squid jeolgal, egg jjim, popcorn chicken, rice and soup. It was a decent amount of food and everything tasted great! I read older reviews that said people were offered a refill of the ban chan, but we were not offered, and I didn't bother to ask. The service was friendly at the beginning but towards the end we felt rushed even though my friend was still eating and we hadn't been there for that long. They have a machine for free drinks, and enjoyed the small black bean latte. I'll be back! read more
Food was served fast. Clean and efficient. Yiu have a choice of 4 main courses - beef kalbi, marinated pork (slightly hot) sautéed squid - also hotter or bibimbap. The rest of the items come with it including the flavorful broth with some thin sliced radish. In the way out you can choose coffee latte from a machine or decaf dark bean tea or hot milk chocolate You have to have a reservation or be at the place early to stand Que for a line. Open for lunch and dinner read more
4 months ago
The food was for the Korean taxi drivers.Reminds me or nostalgic of food we grew up eating. Simple menu.Everyone seem to enjoy! We got to try everything including the Ssam (lettuce) got the bibimbap with pork,,bulgoki and order of the spicy squid. Service was excellent and efficient.Josh did a great job.Ambiance reminds me of the 80s 90s attending a house from a Korean family eating together.For those who crave or need to replicate a nostalgic moment this could do the trick. read more
Found this spot on IG thru BrianCantStopEating - so glad I saw it!! This place is amazing. My friend and I stopped by on a Monday and there was still about an hour wait. We walked across the street and grabbed some drinks while we waited. The menu is easy - 4 choices for your protein and then they bring you a bunch of sides. Halfway thru your meal they come and ask if you want a refill on 3 of the sides. One price for the whole thing. The bulgogi was my favorite. I really liked the sides, both egg options were bomb, there was something that I don't know what it was (maybe a rice cake?) but loved it, the cucumbers were nice palate cleanser. Everything was so good. I need to come back next time I'm in New York! read more
Although there is always a line to this place, the speed is based off of how quickly the customers eat. As soon as you're seated, they tell you what options you have and the food is served within the next 5 minutes. They're so efficient it's crazy. The staff is nice and the food is good. So far I've only been here for brunch but I'm hopeful to come back during their dinner times to try everything else. read more
8 months ago
Been wanting to come here for so long and I'm so happy I got to experience it. The food was so good and all the sides were delicious. The vibe of the restaurant is super homey and welcoming. I'll deff be back. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful in explaining the menu since it was our first time there. They have a special soju made just there that was super yummy to try! read more
Kisa is an amazing place to get authentic Korean food that makes you feel like you are eating a home cooked meal from your mother. I love the variety of side dishes and they are actually done well, better than other places in town. Honestly, I think my favorite thing I ate was actually a radish soup that they give everyone. Also at the end, they give each person a quarter to use for their hot drinks machine, which was cool. If I got to choose again, I would get the black bean latte. The food is delicious for sure and the staff are all so lovely. I would recommend coming at least once. The only reason I am not giving it a 5 star is because I feel like $32 per person is on the pricier side and I don't know if it is worth waiting in line for an hour. read more
2 years ago
Kisa Sikdang/기사식당 (taxi driver restaurant) is a great spot for Korean food in the LES! I visited with friends for dinner on a Wednesday night around 6pm and was seated right away. They had constant customers but were not so busy that people had long wait times. Service was excellent, very friendly and the right amount of attentive. The menu is limited, as this is the "taxi driver" style from Korea, featuring affordable food with fast service and, most importantly, serving sizes for a single person (aka, a taxi driver stopping in for dinner on their break). You'll pick your main entree and it will come with a variety of banchan, all for you (usually, banchan is shared at sit-down Korean restaurants). I ordered the bulgogi beef and it was delicious. Perfectly sliced and a great marinade. It was a *lot* of food, though; honestly more than I could finish on my own, but you can always take any leftovers home. Even though the service was prompt, we didn't feel rushed at any point. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. For an entree and the cheapest soju ($13), my bill was $48 before tip, so it's more expensive than a 기사식당 in Korea, but the food was excellent and worth the price to me. read more
Love that they do reservations now! Made one for 6:30 on a Thurs with a gf about 1-2 weeks in advance. We got the Squid and Pork, would recommend the pork just because they gave squid in the banchan (at least when we went, but I heard they switch up their banchan every so often as well). Feels somewhat pricey ($40 even after tax and tip) which is the only reason why I knocked off a star. But overall really solid food and we particularly really loved the soup too! Make sure you don't leave without getting a free drink from the cute dispenser by the door. The sesame drink and coffee are both A1. read more
Mind-blowing to say the least. And yes, it was worth the wait! They do take reservations but were fully booked so we tried for a walk-in. When we got there at 7pm on a Friday, the waitlist had closed until 8:30pm. We came back at 8pm, waited until 8:30pm, and got on the waitlist. It was supposed to be a 45-60 min wait but we got a call about a cancellation and ended up getting seated by just before 9pm. If you're determined and not too starved, I'd recommend staying dedicated to the cause and chilling in a bar until your table is ready. Loved the spicy bulgogi and was blown away by all of the sides, especially the tempura seaweed roll bites. Each platter is $32 and includes rice, soup, and three free refills of the sides. Service was very friendly, and once you're seated, the food comes out quick. Very cozy interior too! read more
TLDR: This home style korean food is a must try! You may find yourself waiting for a bit as Kisa does not take reservations but i promise the food is absolutely worth the wait. For $32 you get a soup, entree and basically unlimited banchan with an after dinner sweet drink. Everything is so yummy and comes out fairly quickly. Definitely some of the best korean food I have had in the city. read more
More info about Kisa
205 Allen St
New York, NY 10002
Lower East Side
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(646) 866-8622
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https://www.kisaus.com
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