0 Followers
Jua
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Jua
8.8
A wood-fired, modern Korean prix-fixe that layers Korean flavors with fine-dining control—clean smoke, tight seasoning, and composed plating. The best meals feel like a guided progression: snacks, a focused run of mains, then a calm finish without over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prix-fixe tasting menu (wood-fired courses), Gim bugak with caviar (seasonal), Smoked or crudo-style fish course (seasonal)
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A wood-fired Korean prix-fixe with Michelin-level focus and restraint.
Who should go: Date nights and diners who love tasting-menu pacing
When to visit: Weeknights for a calmer dining rhythm
What to order: Prix-fixe, add-on bites if offered, dessert course
Insider tip: Skip early add-ons—wait until mid-menu to decide what you want more of.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited in Flatiron and difficult after 6pm. Rideshare or nearby garages are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans are fine, but most diners opt for polished evening attire.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but controlled; conversation is easy at the table.
Weekend wait: Highly unlikely without a reservation; bar seating may open briefly, but expect 45–60+ minutes if anything.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—with advance notice. The kitchen can adapt the prix-fixe thoughtfully when informed at booking.
Vegan options: Limited but possible with advance notice; expect modifications rather than a fully parallel menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many courses are naturally gluten-free or can be adjusted if flagged ahead of time.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—excellent for a polished, memorable first date. The prix-fixe pacing removes ordering stress and keeps the focus on conversation and shared experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Rarely. Reservations are strongly recommended; occasional bar seats may open early on weeknights, but it’s not a dependable plan.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really. The tasting-menu format, pacing, and evening vibe are better suited to adults and older teens with adventurous palates.
Best For
Better for: Diners who want Korean flavors delivered through fine-dining restraint—clean smoke, precise seasoning, and a guided prix-fixe that feels intentional rather than flashy.
Skip if: If you want à la carte flexibility, big Korean BBQ energy, or a casual group meal—those experiences are better found elsewhere.
Jua
8.6
A Korean wood-fired tasting counter that reads luxurious through restraint—smoke, clarity, and tight course-to-course progression. It’s a great fine-dining pick when you want a chef-driven menu with warmth, not stiffness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caviar Kim (tasting course), Branzino (tasting course), Goguma Juak (dessert course)
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A wood-fired Korean tasting menu with smoke and precision.
Who should go: Couples who want a focused, chef-led night
When to visit: Midweek for the cleanest pacing and calmest room
What to order: Seven-course tasting, add Uni Kim, finish with dessert course
Insider tip: Commit to the tasting—this isn’t the place to improvise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive in the evening. Garages nearby are a safer bet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jackets, heels, or polished separates fit the room; jeans are fine if styled well.
Noise level: Low to moderate — quiet enough for conversation, with soft kitchen energy in the background.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended; walk-ins rarely seat without a 30–60 minute wait, if at all.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-only tasting format.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — can accommodate with advance notice and a modified tasting.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with advance notice, but the experience is less representative of the menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes — accommodated with notice; staff is attentive about substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something intimate and focused. The tasting format gives the night structure, which helps conversation flow without decision fatigue.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely on weekends. Midweek you may find a last-minute opening, but booking ahead is the smart move.
Is it kid-friendly? No — this is an adult, tasting-menu experience best suited for older teens at minimum, if at all.
Best For
Better for: A calm, chef-driven tasting that feels warm and restrained rather than theatrical or overly formal.
Skip if: You want à la carte flexibility, a louder celebratory vibe, or a quicker, more casual fine-dining meal.
Jua
8.6
A modern Korean tasting room that feels intimate without being precious—wood-fired touches, tight plating, and a focused course progression. It’s strongest when you lean into the full menu arc and arrive ready for a paced, chef-driven night rather than à la carte improvising.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tasting menu progression, Wood-fired course highlight, Seasonal dessert course
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A one-star Korean tasting menu that stays precise and intimate.
Who should go: Date nights and tasting-menu regulars
When to visit: Early seating for the most relaxed pacing
What to order: Tasting menu, add-ons only if suggested, dessert course
Insider tip: Keep pre-dinner drinks light—this meal rewards attention.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive in the evening. Rideshare or nearby garages are easier than circling.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy. Jeans are fine if styled well, but most guests lean polished.
Noise level: Low to moderate — intimate room where conversation is easy and encouraged.
Weekend wait: Rarely available without a reservation; expect no seating if you walk in during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Not offered — dinner service only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a vegetarian tasting menu is typically available with advance notice.
Vegan options: Limited — not ideal for strict vegans due to dairy and fermentation elements.
Gluten-free options: Partially — some accommodations possible, but cross-contact and substitutions are limited in a tasting format.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re both comfortable with a long, chef-driven experience. It’s intimate, calm, and conversation-friendly, but it’s less casual than a spontaneous first meet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. This is a reservation-driven tasting room, and walk-ins are rarely accommodated, especially on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? No — this is an adults-only, tasting-menu-focused environment best suited for diners who can commit to a long, quiet meal.
Best For
Better for: A focused, intimate Korean tasting menu with wood-fired depth and precise pacing — more restrained and personal than flashier Michelin Korean spots.
Skip if: You want à la carte flexibility, a faster meal, or a louder, more social dining room.
Jua
8.6
A modern Korean tasting room that feels intimate without being precious, with wood-fired technique and a tightly composed course rhythm. It shines when you arrive ready for the full progression and keep any add-ons minimal so the pacing stays clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mulhoe (spicy chilled broth with raw fish, seasonal), Dry-aged branzino, Wood-fired lamb course
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A wood-fired Korean tasting menu that stays precise and paced.
Who should go: Date nights and tasting-menu regulars
When to visit: Early seating for the smoothest pacing
What to order: Chef’s tasting menu, suggested add-on, dessert course
Insider tip: Keep pre-dinner drinks light—this meal rewards attention.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited street parking; garages nearby but expect a short walk. Rideshare recommended for dinner.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jackets, dresses, and polished footwear fit the room; jeans are fine if elevated.
Noise level: Low to moderate — intimate and controlled, easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation if bar seating opens up; tables are unlikely.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-only tasting menu.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — accommodations may be possible with advance notice, but the experience is not designed around vegetarian menus.
Vegan options: Very limited — not recommended unless confirmed ahead of time.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some accommodations possible with advance notice; not fully gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if both diners enjoy focused, chef-driven meals. The room is intimate and calm, which favors conversation, but the tasting format means less flexibility.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Occasionally at the bar on weeknights, but reservations are strongly recommended — especially Friday and Saturday.
Is it kid-friendly? No. This is a quiet, tasting-menu-only experience best suited for adults and older teens who enjoy long, structured meals.
Best For
Better for: Diners who want a restrained, modern Korean tasting menu with precise pacing and an intimate dining-room feel.
Skip if: You want à la carte flexibility, bold spectacle, or a louder, more social tasting-menu environment.
Jua
8.6
A modern Korean tasting room that feels intimate without being precious, with wood-fired technique and a clean course rhythm. It shines when you show up for the full progression and keep add-ons disciplined so the pacing stays tight and the meal reads like one continuous idea.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s tasting menu, Caviar kimbap (when offered), Wood-fired seasonal course
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A chef-driven Korean tasting menu with wood-fired precision.
Who should go: Date nights and tasting-menu regulars
When to visit: Early seating for the smoothest pacing
What to order: Tasting menu, suggested add-on, dessert course
Insider tip: Keep pre-dinner drinks light—this meal rewards attention.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited street parking; nearby paid garages on E 22nd St and Park Ave South are the safest bet.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans are fine, but this is a polished dining room.
Noise level: Low to moderate—intimate room where you can easily hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Rarely available without a reservation; expect 60+ minutes or no seating at all.
Weekday lunch: Not open for lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, with advance notice—can be accommodated thoughtfully within the tasting format.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with prior coordination, but expect a modified experience.
Gluten-free options: Generally yes with advance notice; courses can be adjusted case by case.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you both enjoy focused, chef-driven meals. It’s intimate and calm, better for conversation than spectacle.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. Occasionally bar seating opens on slower weeknights, but reservations are strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? No—this is an adults-focused tasting menu with long pacing and minimal flexibility for kids.
Best For
Better for: A quieter, more intimate Korean tasting experience with wood-fired nuance and tight pacing.
Skip if: You want à la carte flexibility, a lively scene, or a faster, casual meal—consider larger-format tasting rooms instead.