Meju

Probably the most fun Michelin starred meal I’ve had. Loved learning about traditional Korean approaches to food and fermentation methods. Food was delicious, with lots of rich, deep, and comforting flavors. Also loved the fermented ginger tea. The quantity of food is more than pictured, you get multiple rounds of fried dishes and multiple cuts of meat plus refills of vegetable sides. I thought it was plenty for me. Great service in an elegant atmosphere. If you’re a nerd who likes learning about food (and especially if you dine solo) this is a great place.

It was an amazing experience where you really felt the intentionality behind the food and the knowledge from Chef Kim. It's not often where you get to have a Michelin meal that satisfies both your intellectual and physical hunger. It was great having an intimate experience, being able to ask questions and learn about traditional Korean cooking and fermentation methods. You'll definitely leave healthier than when you came in 😁.

Let me begin by saying that Chef Kim took me back to my childhood. My mother passed away 4 years ago. She rarely cooked with a recipe. As a kid, I would watch her cook and eventually helped in the kitchen and she developed in me a love for cooking. My wife and I really enjoyed our experience at Meju. The dishes here are not going to be laden with caviar or have bits of gold foil just for the opulence. The dishes here are crafted with love and simplicity with a strong homage to the Korean art of fermentation. Many foods I consumed took me right back to my childhood as they were elegant, elevated versions of what many would consider Korean home cooking. This was the first restaurant in a very long time that actually inspired me to "do" as well as eat. Leaving this restaurant I felt like a more mindful person and renewed interest in learning the fermentation processes for Korean cuisine which I have gotten away from. Also, Chef Kim wears Melin hats which I absolutely love because I can never find any other brand of hat that fits so well for my big head. Thank you and your team for making a night so wonderful for us.

Amazing food with elegantly curated interior plus detailed explanations by the chef. It’s a great experience to have a thoughtful designed course and learning about Korean culture.

Unlike most of the other high end Korean restaurants in NYC, the food at Meju is very simple and straightforward and easily recognizable from typical Korean BBQ restaurants that you might find in Ktown or Flushing. The primary difference is the laser focus on superior quality ingredients in every component in every dish, particularly the "jang" that serves as the guidepost for flavor of each course. The sourcing and significance of each item is described in passionate detail by the chef, making the experience both educational and theatric. Being completely honest, I'm unsure if the level of the ingredients and amount of food are justified by the price. But it's still an experience I'd return to in the future.