New Wonjo — Restaurant in New York

Atmosphere and Setting New Wonjo, nestled in the heart of Koreatown near Midtown Manhattan, offers an atmosphere that encapsulates the essence of Korean barbecue as depicted in Korean movies. The interior, complete with a barbecue grill and a smoke-suction tube descending from the ceiling, creates an authentic and vibrant dining environment. This familiar setting, combined with the lively ambiance, makes for a delightful dining experience reminiscent of scenes straight out of Seoul.

Service The staff at New Wonjo truly stand out for their efficiency and attentiveness. They move through the restaurant with a sense of purpose, ensuring that all needs are met – whether it's flipping meat, cutting it, or serving it to guests. Their consistent presence around the tables, coupled with their willingness to engage in friendly conversation when prompted, adds a personal touch to the dining experience. The staff's ability to balance professionalism with personability is commendable.

Culinary Experience As a go-to spot for Korean barbecue, New Wonjo lives up to expectations. The quality of the meat is top-notch, and the fact that it's cooked for you by the staff adds a level of convenience and authenticity to the meal. The side dishes, an integral part of Korean cuisine, are plentiful and come with the added bonus of free refills – a gesture that is always appreciated.

Beverage Selection The restaurant boasts a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, catering to those who enjoy pairing their meal with a drink. This variety complements the food well and enhances the overall dining experience.

Clientele and Recommendation The diverse crowd at New Wonjo reflects its popularity among both locals and visitors. Its location in a bustling part of Manhattan makes it an ideal spot for groups or solo diners looking to immerse themselves in Korean culinary culture. If you're new to Korean barbecue or visiting the city, New Wonjo should definitely be on your list of places to experience.

Final Thoughts New Wonjo is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience that combines great food, excellent service, and a lively atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Korean barbecue or a curious first-timer, this restaurant promises an authentic and enjoyable culinary journey.

Verdict: Highly recommended for its authentic Korean barbecue experience, efficient and friendly service, and vibrant atmosphere. Perfect for group outings or solo adventures in the heart of...

We went into New Wonjo accidentally as we were looking to visit another restaurant (which had closed their kitchen upon arrival). Walking down the road we wandered into New Wonjo and we were greeted by the bartender. We were immediately seated upstairs and given menus. The menu itself is traditional Korean BBQ and has a lot of selections for everyone. Our waitress Jesusa was very friendly and provided some of the best waiting service I've ever had. Very friendly, and always available when we needed her. She had other tables to attend to as well, so that's a huge plus. The other staff were also very accommodating and friendly while being extremely quick to help us with anything.

For drinks we had the Pomegranate and Lychee Soju. Both were refreshing and delicious. We also got the small Dukbokki which was DELICIOUS and wonderfully spicy. Sometimes restaurants can make it a bit too sweet but this was absolutely perfect. They also included a small appetizer platter with sauteed spinach, kimchi, fried pork skins, cauliflower, and some sort of vegetable similar to a potato. It was delicious. I personally loved the fried pork skin which is usually something I'm not a fan of, but it was very savory and flavorful.

For entrees we got the Daegu Mae Wun Tang and the Doenjang Jjigae. I can't remember which was which, but one was a seafood soup and the other was a bean soup with brisket in it. Both were super flavorful and fresh. The seafood in the soup wasn't overcooked at all (which tends to happen with seafood soups). They were also served with rice which went perfectly with both of them.

The decor and ambiance in the restaurant was lovely. They have photos on the walls from Korean culture, and while I'm unfamiliar, it was a brilliant touch. The side we sat on had a bunch of portraits which were all very interesting to look at as we awaited our dinner. It was slightly busy in the restaurant, yet very calm and relaxing to say the least.

Overall this place was incredible. We were confused because we were stuffed and yet our bill was just short of $100. So if you combine the absolutely quality customer service, amazing food, lovely decor and atmosphere, and competitive prices, it's literally 5 stars well deserved. Definitely check this place out. I'll be back soon!

I apologize for not taking more photos; I completely forgot because I was so hungry, but I did manage to get one...

I came here with a friend tonight, There were 2 of use and were told there was a 5-10 minute wait, we were fine with this “. There is a little seating area to wait. There were 2 groups of 2 waiting before us and We didn’t even have to wait 10 minutes. I’ve never eaten Korean food before and was unsure what to get so took a bit of time to choose. The server was very patient and didn’t try to rush me in any way. I picked the chicken teriyaki hot bowl(I think it was called that) it came out and it was Beautiful. The flavours melted in my mouth! The only downside to this meal was that the bowl was very hot and I constantly burned my hands on it, however that was a fault of my own as I WAS informed that the bowl was hot and it comes in the name. I like that you get given little side dishes before your meal comes out, I only ate 2 out of the 5. I do wish they ask you which ones you would like as I really hated to waste the other 3. However, again, no fault on the restaurants behalf. I finished my food before my friend did, they took the bowl one I was finished, I find some people don’t agree with this, however I do for 2 reasons. 1. Your not surrounded by empty dishes and 2. The bowl was hot 😅. My friend took a bit more time than I did, occasionally stopping and starting, the server only asked once if she was done, to which she replied not yet, that was the last time she asked until we asked for the check which I found was good as it didn’t seem like we were being rushed. I love how they keep the little side dishes until you say you are all done just in case we want to eat some more of them. We weren’t checked on at all during out meal, but I suppose not every restaurant does that, it was pretty busy and we had no concerns. Paying was quick and easy and we left. The portions were good. You pay for what you get. Beautiful place over all, I would recommend and...