What is the best Korean restaurant in Lower East Side?

Sunn's is our top pick for Korean restaurants in Lower East Side, scoring 8.6/10. A banchan-driven Korean menu built around natural wine in an intimate, design-forward space.

Any insider tips for Sunn's?

Sit at the bar to watch the tiny kitchen work and use your server to build a wine flight around the food.

What should I order at Sunn's?

Banchan spread, a couple of hot specials, sesame mochi cake

When should I visit Sunn's?

Arrive shortly before opening to secure bar seats without a long wait

Who should go to Sunn's?

Wine-loving diners who savor slow, shareable Korean small plates

Any insider tips for 8282?

Snag bar seats if you want the quickest way in and the best view of the action.

What should I order at 8282?

Cheesy tteokbokki, boneless K.F.C., LA Iberico pork galbi

When should I visit 8282?

Prime weekend evenings for full energy and short-bar waits

Who should go to 8282?

Dates and small groups chasing fun, creative Korean flavors

Any insider tips for Kisa?

Go with one or two friends and order different sets so you can swap mains while sharing the banchan.

What should I order at Kisa?

Bulgogi or spicy pork set, bibimbap, daily banchan selections

When should I visit Kisa?

Weeknights or early evenings to minimize waits for a table

Who should go to Kisa?

Korean comfort-food fans who like hearty, tray-style meals

Any insider tips for Gangnam Korean BBQ & Hot Pot?

Pace your ordering in waves so the table stays manageable and ask for the grill to be swapped frequently to keep flavors clean.

What should I order at Gangnam Korean BBQ & Hot Pot?

AYCE BBQ set, hot pot with mixed meats, Korean fried chicken

When should I visit Gangnam Korean BBQ & Hot Pot?

Late evenings and weekends for maximum energy and grill action

Who should go to Gangnam Korean BBQ & Hot Pot?

Hungry groups looking for a loud, casual AYCE Korean feast

Best Korean Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)

4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

Sunn's

A banchan-driven Korean menu built around natural wine in an intimate, design-forward space.

Notable Picks

#1 Sunn's

8.6

$$ Chinatown

Vibes: Date Night Magic Instagram Worthy Wonders Trendy Table Hotspots Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Sunn's is a tiny Korean wine bar where chef Sunny Lee builds a constantly changing table of banchan and seasonal dishes to match a tightly curated natural wine list. The room feels intimate and quietly polished, turning a night of small plates, soju, and wine into a slow, lingering experience.

Must-Try Dishes: Seasonal banchan selection, Daily hot dishes (like dumplings or scallops), Sesame mochi cake

What makes it special: A banchan-driven Korean menu built around natural wine in an intimate, design-forward space.

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#2 8282

8.5

$$ Lower East Side

Vibes: Date Night Magic Trendy Table Hotspots Girls Night Out Approved Late Night Legends

8282 is a compact Lower East Side spot where high-energy K-pop, creative Korean small plates, and strong drinks make it feel like a buzzy dinner party every night. The kitchen riffs on classic flavors with dishes like cheesy tteokbokki and galbi that still read as deeply Korean, even when the presentation leans playful.

Must-Try Dishes: Cheesy tteokbokki with burrata, Boneless Korean fried chicken, LA Iberico pork galbi

What makes it special: Playful, shareable Korean plates with serious cooking in a lively, compact room.

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#3 Kisa

8.3

$$$ Lower East Side

Vibes: Comfort Food Classics Group Dining Gatherings Hidden Gems Heaven Trendy Table Hotspots

Kisa channels the spirit of a Korean taxi-driver cafeteria with metal trays loaded up with set meals and an ever-rotating cast of banchan. The food leans hearty and comforting, with bulgogi, spicy pork, and bibimbap backed by generous sides and warm, unfussy service.

Must-Try Dishes: Bulgogi set with seasonal banchan, Spicy pork set, Bibimbap with rotating banchan

What makes it special: Set meals piled with banchan capture the feel of a Seoul driver diner.

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Worthy Picks

#4 Gangnam Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

7.8

$$$$ Chinatown

Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Birthday & Celebration Central Late Night Legends Hidden Gems Heaven

Gangnam packs Korean BBQ grills, hot pot burners, and a sushi bar into a big, bustling Chinatown space geared toward all-you-can-eat feasts. It is more about quantity, variety, and late-night energy than meticulous presentation, making it a go-to for groups who want to linger over meat, broth, and soju.

Must-Try Dishes: AYCE Korean BBQ (pork belly, bulgogi, short ribs), Build-your-own hot pot with assorted meats and vegetables, Korean fried chicken or seafood pancake

What makes it special: All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot under one roof with long hours.

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