Momofuku Ssam Bar
Price guide: Mid-range
207 2nd Avenue at 13th Street, East Village, New York City, New York, 10003
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#4 of 80
expert-rated restaurants in New York City- Recommended for:
- Foodies, Nightlife, People watching, Trendiness
Expert review of Momofuku Ssam Bar
A nouveau Korean spot that’s become one of New York’s culinary pilgrimages.
David Chang, one of New York’s most talked about up-and-coming chefs, has put his Korean food on the city’s best restaurants list. While Momofuku Ko is more of an occasion spot and his noodle bar’s a great staple, Ssam is my favorite of the lot for its combination of amazing food and a bustling atmosphere.
Food and drink:
Items like tender steamed pork belly buns, tangy kimchi (delicious), and wonderfully crispy duck are among the dishes that you may find on other Korean menus but are completely on another level here both in terms of quality, and price. Vegetarians beware, the emphasis is on pork and offal, and keep room for dessert at the Milk Bar next door—Chang’s standouts include a chocolate malt cake with malt fudge and charred marshmallows.
Ambience:
The word is out and you get the sense that it’s a happening spot the moment you walk in, with beautiful New Yorkers and fellow chefs bellying up to the long bar with stools (almost tapas style) and at the small tables.
Service:
Servers are friendly but sometimes harried as it is quite busy here, so have your menu questions in mind before they dash up to your table.
Location:
On the fringe of the East Village and a short walk to Union Square, this spot epitomises how this neighbourhood of New York is becoming a culinary hot spot.
Price advice:
It’s not cheap, entrees are from US$15 and a three-course meal without wine is about US$35 per person.
Tables to book:
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations so you will have to take what the server gives you—nonetheless most of the tables are about the same.
More information on Momofuku Ssam Bar:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Restaurant
- Food:
- Korean
- Address:
- 207 2nd Avenue at 13th Street, East Village, New York City, New York, 10003
- Telephone:
- 212-254-3500
- Website:
- http://www.momofuku.com
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Sun–Thurs 11.30am-3.30pm, 5pm–midnight, Fri-Sat 11.30am-3.30pm, 5pm–2am.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Not possible
