Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by Erin Donahue
If you’ve been searching for a fine dining experience in New York City, let me introduce you to Jungsik, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant tucked into a sleek, understated space in Tribeca. This modern Korean restaurant offers a signature tasting menu for $325 per person, with wine pairings available from $200-500. Having recently dined here myself, I can share exactly what makes this Jungsik New York experience so distinctive, and whether it lives up to the considerable hype surrounding its recent accolades.
Known for its inventive take on traditional Korean dishes, Jungsik is the first Korean restaurant in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars. The prestigious recognition was awarded in December 2024, but it had previously maintained two stars since 2013. What sets Jungsik apart in New York’s competitive dining scene is how it’s consistently recognized for pushing boundaries without ever compromising warmth or approachability.
Behind this culinary achievement stands Chef Yim Jung Sik, who has become one of the most celebrated chefs in the world of modern Korean cuisine. In 2025, he won Outstanding Chef at the James Beard Award, the Oscars of the U.S. food scene.
Chef Yim first opened Jungsik New York in 2011, and his influence extends far beyond his kitchen. Many of New York City’s culinary stars, including Chef Junghyun Park of Atomix, trained under him. His impact helped usher in what food critics are calling the “golden age of Korean dining” in New York.
Walking into Jungsik, the experience begins with reimagined banchan, traditional Korean side dishes given luxurious upgrades. From there, you’ll enjoy a meticulously curated tasting menu.
While my favorite dish was actually the scallop, the octopus proved most memorable for its perfect balance of textures, golden and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. I don’t typically go out of my way to eat octopus because I feel guilty about how intelligent they are. However, the chef executed so masterfully that it became an unexpected highlight of the meal.
Throughout the meal, each course is a study in balance: rich yet restrained, inventive but grounded. The plating is modern art, and the service strikes the perfect tone between professional and personable.
Given the restaurant’s recent achievements, reservations can be tough to score, especially since Jungsik earned both its third Michelin star and James Beard Award within six months. Your best chance is to either book well in advance or check continuously every day. That’s how I got a reservation at the last minute. Consider a weekday if you want better odds.
After experiencing Jungsik New York firsthand, here’s my honest assessment: Right now, yes, especially at its current price point. Jungsik is still more “affordable” than many of its fine dining peers in New York. Considering it just earned three Michelin stars and a James Beard Award within six months, that probably won’t stay true for long.
However, here’s my candid take: while the kitchen executed the meal, the experience still felt more aligned with a two-Michelin-star restaurant, in both vibe and flavor. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I appreciated how relaxed and casual it felt. They were playing mainstream music in the background, and the service was warm without being overly formal. Many staff sported tattooed hands, and they wore numerous rings. If you’re not a fan of stiff, ultra-pretentious tasting menus, you’ll probably love it.
Still, the flavors didn’t build in the way I’ve experienced at other luxury restaurants in New York City. Each dish was decent on its own, but they didn’t necessarily crescendo in a way that told a bigger story. Don’t get me wrong. Everything was good, but there wasn’t any standout dish where all the flavors clicked into something unforgettable.
To experience Jungsik New York is to witness culinary mastery firsthand, a love letter to Korean cuisine, plated with precision and served in style. If you’re curious about Korean fine dining and want to experience a 3-star Michelin restaurant, it’s still a refined, elegant meal in the current fine dining landscape.
© Erin Donahue Creative LLC, All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service & Privacy Policy