Best Korean Restaurants in Lower East Side
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
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
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.
#2
8282
8.5
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.
#3
Kisa
8.3
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.