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Ssam Tong BBQ
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Ssam Tong BBQ
8.0
A small, family-run KBBQ room with solid marination and a straightforward, no-show approach to grilling. Expect a tighter space and simpler setup, but strong pork-and-kalbi payoff and a dependable steamed-egg side that rounds out the spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork belly (samgyeopsal), LA kalbi, Steamed egg (gyeran-jjim)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Family-run KBBQ with strong pork cuts and friendly pacing.
Who should go: KBBQ fans who prioritize meat
When to visit: Earlier dinner to dodge tight seating
What to order: Pork belly, LA kalbi, steamed egg
Insider tip: Add steamed egg and one pancake-like side to balance the meat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive after 6pm. Expect some circling or a short walk from side streets.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans and a top are fine. Wear something you don’t mind smelling lightly of grill.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but not chaotic; you can hold a table conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, longer for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: No wait to 10 minutes most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—steamed egg, pancakes, and banchan can form a light meal, but no vegetarian mains.
Vegan options: Very limited—some banchan may work, but not a reliable choice for a full vegan meal.
Gluten-free options: Mostly meat-based dishes work, but marinades and banchan may contain soy sauce; ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a relaxed, casual date than an intimate one—the tight space and table grilling make it more about shared food than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or early evenings, but groups of four or more should expect a short wait during peak dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Okay for older kids who enjoy grilled meats; the space is tight and less ideal for strollers or very young children.
Best For
Better for: Straightforward, meat-focused KBBQ with dependable pork belly and kalbi in a low-frills, neighborhood setting.
Skip if: You want a spacious dining room, extensive banchan spreads, or a more polished, celebratory KBBQ experience.
Ssam Tong BBQ
8.5
A full-service Korean BBQ room that leans into prime beef combos and thick-cut pork, with banchan support that keeps the table moving. Best used as a focused grill session: one premium beef set plus one noodle/egg side beats ordering across the whole menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Unmarinated Prime Beef Combo, Sam Gyup Sal (Thick Cut Pork Belly), Volcano Steamed Egg
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Prime-forward Korean BBQ sets with strong late-night energy in Murray Hill.
Who should go: KBBQ groups chasing beef-and-pork combos
When to visit: Weeknights after 8pm for easier seating
What to order: Prime beef combo, pork belly, steamed egg
Insider tip: Order one combo first—add a second only after the first round.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive after 6pm. Metered spots nearby, with small paid lots within a few blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but expect some smoke and splatter—avoid delicate fabrics.
Noise level: Lively to loud. Table conversation is easy within your group, but not a quiet dining room.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm
Weekday lunch: No wait or short wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited. A few banchan, steamed egg, and noodles, but not a vegetarian-focused experience.
Vegan options: Very limited. Possible to piece together sides, but cross-contact is likely.
Gluten-free options: Partial. Grilled meats are generally gluten-free, but marinades and banchan may contain soy sauce—ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a second or group date. The interactive grilling is fun but loud, smoky, and less intimate for first-date conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weeknights or later in the evening. Peak weekend dinner hours usually mean a significant wait without a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids and teens who enjoy grilled meat. Open flames and a busy room make it less suitable for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Prime beef quality, late-night energy, and full-service grilling that keeps group meals smooth and paced.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, strong vegetarian options, or a budget-friendly KBBQ experience—there are cheaper, calmer alternatives nearby.
Ssam Tong BBQ
8.4
A late-night Korean BBQ option that’s strongest when you prioritize cleanly marinated meats and keep the ordering focused instead of sprawling. It works well for groups who want a real sit-down meal after hours, with enough banchan rhythm to feel like a full reset.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork belly (samgyeopsal), Marinated galbi, Cold noodles (naengmyeon)
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Late-night K-BBQ with a dependable meat-and-banchan core.
Who should go: Groups who want grill-at-the-table after hours.
When to visit: After 9:30pm for easier seating.
What to order: Pork belly, galbi, naengmyeon.
Insider tip: Order one noodle dish at the end to balance the grill.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive at night; small municipal lots nearby but expect to circle after 9pm.
Dress code: Casual-to-trendy; jeans are fine, but expect grill smells—avoid delicate fabrics.
Noise level: Moderate-loud; table conversation is easy, but the room hums once grills are full.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min after 9pm without a reservation; later gets easier.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—primarily a dinner and late-night spot.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—banchan, rice, and a few non-meat sides, but not a full vegetarian experience.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly vegetable banchan; cross-contact likely at the grill.
Gluten-free options: Some grilled meats and sides can work, but marinades may contain soy—confirm before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a second or group date—the grill interaction is fun but less intimate and a bit noisy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially after 9:30pm; earlier weekend hours benefit from a reservation for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Works for older kids comfortable with grill-at-the-table dining; not ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night sit-down K-BBQ with reliable meat quality and a full banchan rhythm when many spots are closed.
Skip if: You want premium dry-aged beef, a quieter date-night room, or strong vegetarian options.
Ssam Tong BBQ
8.5
A classic Murray Hill K-BBQ date move built around well-marbled beef cuts, silky steamed egg, and a lively room that keeps the pacing fun. Best when you treat it like a shared grill-and-soju dinner and let the banchan do the supporting work while you focus on two marquee meats. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Must-Try Dishes:
Marinated galbi (short rib), Thin-sliced brisket, Volcano steamed egg (gyeran-jjim)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Prime-forward Korean BBQ with standout steamed egg and table-grill energy.
Who should go: Couples who want a grill-at-the-table steak night
When to visit: Later dinner for the full buzz
What to order: Galbi, brisket, steamed egg
Insider tip: Order two meats max, then add one side—keeps the grill focused.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited metered spots nearby and can be difficult after 6pm. Many couples use a short walk from side-street parking or rideshare on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans are fine, but expect a stylish crowd at night.
Noise level: Lively to loud—conversation is easy early, but expect raised voices during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—vegetable banchan, steamed egg, and rice, but no dedicated vegetarian grill options.
Vegan options: Very limited—some banchan may work, but not a full meal without modifications.
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes—plain grilled meats and rice are safe, but marinades and sauces vary; ask staff to confirm.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you like interactive dining. The table grill gives you something to do together and keeps the energy up, but it’s better for confident, social first dates than quiet get-to-know-you conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early evenings, but weekends are crowded. Arrive before peak dinner or expect a long wait.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-oriented. Kids are allowed, but the late-night energy, grill setup, and noise level make it better for teens than young children.
Best For
Better for: High-quality beef cuts, a buzzy late-night atmosphere, and a polished K-BBQ experience that feels date-worthy rather than purely functional.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate steakhouse feel or need strong vegetarian/vegan options—this is about meat, smoke, and energy.