OKDONGSIK New York: An Exquisite Taste of Authentic Korean Comfort Food

OKDONGSIK New York Introduce

In the dynamic landscape of New York City's culinary scene, where new restaurants emerge almost daily, finding a spot that offers a truly unique and thoughtful dining experience is a rare treat. OKDONGSIK New York is one such place. This Korean restaurant, with its roots in a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded establishment in Seoul, brings a singular focus to the city's diverse food offerings. Instead of an overwhelming menu, OKDONGSIK presents a minimal yet meticulously crafted selection, centered around one exceptional dish: the Dweji-Gomtang. This dedication to a single, perfected dish is what sets it apart and makes it a destination for those seeking authenticity and unparalleled quality.

OKDONGSIK has captured the hearts of New Yorkers and tourists alike with its "minimal, but so thoroughly thought through" approach. The star of the show, the Dweji-Gomtang, is a clean and savory pork broth soup with sliced pork and rice. It is a testament to the idea that simplicity, when done right, can be extraordinary. Customers consistently rave about the broth, describing it as "clear—not greasy, yet still rich in flavor." The thinly sliced pork is "soft, tender, and practically melts in your mouth," and the rice provides a "lovely textural contrast." This level of detail and care in every element of the dish is a hallmark of the dining experience here.

The atmosphere itself is a significant part of the allure. The setting is described as "lovely" and "intimate," with a small countertop dining space that fosters a unique and personal connection to the food. The intentional lighting and cozy ambiance add to the overall charm, creating a memorable dining experience. While a limited menu might seem like a drawback to some, it allows the restaurant to focus on perfection, ensuring that every time you visit, you receive a consistently delicious and high-quality meal. OKDONGSIK is a place for a quick but meaningful bite, perfect for solo dining or a focused meal with a small group.

OKDONGSIK New York is conveniently located at 13 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016. This address places it in a bustling part of Manhattan, easily accessible to those in the NoMad and Koreatown neighborhoods. Its central location makes it a great spot for lunch or dinner, whether you're coming from a nearby office, exploring the city as a tourist, or simply looking for a new place to try.

While specific accessibility features are not explicitly listed in the provided information, its location in a modern urban building suggests it is likely to be accessible. However, it's worth noting that the seating arrangement is a small countertop, which may not be ideal for all patrons. The restaurant's popularity means it often has a wait, and the high recommendation for reservations for both lunch and dinner suggests planning is key. This is a testament to its renown and the desire of many to experience its unique menu.

The availability of delivery and takeout services provides a great alternative for those who can't get a seat or prefer to enjoy the delicious food at home. This flexibility ensures that you can still experience the quality of OKDONGSIK's dishes, even if you can't dine in.

OKDONGSIK New York offers a focused set of services that cater to its unique dining model.

Takeout and Delivery: The availability of no-contact delivery and standard delivery ensures that you can enjoy your meal from home or the office.
Dine-in: The intimate counter-style seating provides a cozy and immersive dining experience.
Table service: Despite the casual atmosphere, the restaurant offers table service, adding to the thoughtful and attentive experience.
Accepts reservations: Given its small size and high demand, the restaurant wisely accepts reservations, which are highly recommended to secure a spot for lunch or dinner.

This streamlined approach allows the restaurant to excel at its core mission: serving its signature dishes with efficiency and grace.

The restaurant is celebrated for several key features and highlights that define its appeal.

Fast service: Despite being a popular destination, the service is known for its speed, which is a significant plus for a lunch or dinner spot in a fast-paced city.
Exquisite main dish: The Dweji-Gomtang is the undisputed highlight, praised for its clear broth, tender pork, and rich flavor. It’s a comfort food elevated to an art form.
Excellent side dishes: The Kimchi Mandoo (dumplings) and other side items like the "incredible" sweet pork topping add layers to the meal, though it's noted that the consistency of some sides may vary.
Casual and cozy atmosphere: The minimal, intentional decor and intimate setting create a perfect backdrop for a relaxed yet memorable meal.
Ideal for solo dining: The counter seating is perfect for individuals who want to enjoy a high-quality meal on their own without feeling out of place.
Accepts reservations: This planning option is a major benefit for patrons who want to avoid the "usually a wait" line.

These highlights, particularly the quality of the Dweji-Gomtang, are the main reasons why OKDONGSIK has earned such a strong reputation.

For direct inquiries or to get more information, OKDONGSIK New York can be reached at the following address and phone number:

Address: 13 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016

Phone: (929) 237-8164

Mobile Phone: +1 929-237-8164

The provided contact information is clear and direct, making it easy for customers to get in touch for questions about reservations or takeout orders. Having both a landline and a mobile number provides additional convenience for communication.

So, with all of this in mind, what is truly worth choosing about OKDONGSIK New York? While some recent reviews have noted a perceived slight decline in the quality of side dishes compared to its initial opening, the core offering—the Dweji-Gomtang—remains "consistently delicious." The consensus among patrons is that this dish alone is reason enough to visit. It is an extraordinary bowl of comfort food that is both unique and deeply satisfying.

Choosing OKDONGSIK means choosing a dining experience that is deliberate, focused, and high-quality. It’s a place that prioritizes a single dish and executes it to near perfection. The intimate atmosphere and fast service make it a perfect spot for a delicious lunch or a cozy dinner, and the option to make reservations helps alleviate the stress of waiting. For a taste of authentic Korean comfort food that is a step above the ordinary, OKDONGSIK is a truly worthwhile and memorable destination in New York City. It is a testament to the power of a simple idea, executed flawlessly.

OKDONGSIK New York Menu

Delivery
Gochu-Ji 1oz $6.00
Fermented pepper paste [Contains: Shellfish, Sesame]
Kimchi 16oz $7.00
Fresh house-made Kimchi [Contains: Shellfish, Fish, Soy, Allium, Sesame]
Dweji-Gomtang $19.00
Clean and savory pork broth with abundant vegetal aromas. Served with rice, sliced pork, Geotjeori, and Gochu-Ji. [Gluten-free]
Kimchi Mandoo $13.00
Tangy and spicy Mandoo filled with Kimchi, pork, and tofu. [Contains: Wheat, Shellfish, Soy, Allium, Sesame]
Dweji-Gomtang + Extra Pork $23.00
Dweji-Gomtang with extra sliced pork

OKDONGSIK New York Details

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Comfort food

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Tourists

Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually a wait

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Parking

OKDONGSIK New York Photos

OKDONGSIK New York Location

OKDONGSIK New York

New York New York County New York East 30th Street

13 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016, USA

OKDONGSIK New York Reviews

An average rating of ★4.3 from 569 user reviews.

gomtangmandookimchi dumplingspork soupmichelinspeakeasypork brothskinpop upplum

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Totally hit the mark and didn’t disappoint. I don’t know how they manage to make the soup so clear - not greasy, yet still rich in flavor. Every element felt minimal, but so thoroughly thought through.I tried cold jokbal for the first time as a Korean, and I really enjoyed it - not only was the pork flavorful without that unpleasant pork smell, but the sweet side topping you layer on the pork was just incredible.Of course, the main dish was excellent too. The only thing I didn’t love was the plum drink - it didn’t have much flavor beyond the soda water.The setting itself was lovely. Even the lighting at the bar felt intentional, and it added to the atmosphere I really liked. Overall, such a great experience.
September 08 · Gabbie Kim
Okdongsik was a huge hit when it first opened -- definitely one of my favourite restaurants in NYC at the time -- and while I still enjoy my meals here, I fear it has somewhat lost some its allure.The menu is simple and limited -- other than drinks, you can order the dweji-gomtang (pork broth with pork shoulder and rice) and kimchi mandu (dumplings). The dwegi-gomtang is consistently delicious. You can already smell how fragrant the broth is throughout the small restaurant, and each sip is filled with the light-yet-savoury flavour of the pork, gently cooked inside for hours. Each slice of pork is so thinly cut -- soft, tender, and practically melts in your month. The rice is a lovely textural contrast -- perfectly cooked to a light fluffiness and pairing so well with the savoury flavours of the broth. Such a lovely dish that brings out all the natural flavours with simplicity.The mandu, I fear, has slightly tempered my overall feelings about Okdongsik. Whereas I felt they used to be an amazing complement to the pork broth, on recent visits they have been much more ... normal? Certainly nothing grossly problematic, but it feels like the quality of the skin (thicker and heavier than before) and the filling (smaller in size and increasingly less flavourful) has been trending in a disappointing direction.To a certain extent, I think they may have set the bar too high for themselves haha -- expectations were Very High after how impressed I was on my first few visits. I am still eager to come when the chance arrives, but perhaps just with slightly less enthusiasm as a few years ago.The intimate environment has kept its charm -- seeing your soup ladled over your rice right in front of you while seated at a small countertop with ~10-12 other seats is a lovely experience. Some of the small touches, though, seem to be less consistent -- on my latest visits, we were offered a plate of spicy pickled radishes. While I do like radishes, their kimchi was one of the most delicious I've ever had, and I was sad to see that it wasn't necessarily a given here anymore.Reservations are of course highly recommended -- although surprisingly for a restaurant of this renown, they are not too hard to come by with a little bit of foresight.
September 03 · Matthew Ho
Refined comfort food with soul.Heard so much about this spot after they were selected for one of Pete Wells’ top 8 dishes in NYC a couple years ago. I grew up in Korea for 18 years, but I’ve never had this style of gukbap before. For decades, the Busan-style version has been the mainstream, so discovering this Jeolla province take was surprisingly new for me.Here, they double-boil the pork broth for a cleaner, clearer flavor—far more refined than the rich, milky tonkotsu-style broths I usually gravitate toward. Personally, I still prefer the heavier, cloudier versions—maybe not as elegant, but they feel more aligned with the soul of comfort food. Still, this one really grew on me. The pork wasn’t from the leanest cut, but it was sliced thin, with the fat nicely rendered down, giving it a delicate texture. Just go easy on the gochu-ji (quite spicy). Feels like the kind of dish that would hit even better on a rainy day or when I’m under the weather.I also tried the kimchi dumplings (the only other food item on the menu). Most of the kimchi mandu I’ve had in the U.S. lean heavily on the porky umami, but this version mirrored the broth: less umami, more spice. Lighter, but still deeply satisfying.I heard there used to be a wait, but most people seem to opt for takeout or delivery now. Plenty of seats were open, and the setup was fast—tables were already laid out with side dishes and condiments, and the food arrived within five minutes.
April 17 · Jea Kim
Located several blocks south of the main K-town sector in Manhattan, Ok Dong Sik NY is a one of a kind boutique like restaurant. Actually, there's another one in Bayside, Queens. If you're looking for the typical K-restaurant that serves Kbbq & the usual staples + assortment of banchan 반찬, look elsewhere. If there's a K-food niche, this is it. The limited menu includes only Gomtang 곰탕 with pork, which is unusual because it's normally cooked with beef, Kimchi Mandoo 김치 만두 and Naeng Jeyuk 냉제육 (chilled pork). A side of seok bak ji 석박지 and an additional dish with a dollop of gochujang 고추장 (red pepper paste) for dipping the pork were preset. I was instructed not to put the gochujang into the soup. Don't ask for a wine list. The only beverage options were cold barley tea (included), barley soju 보리 소주, Kolsch (German lager), and two non-alcoholic drinks, a fermented Jeju tangerine and Korean plum beverage.Dining is bar style & 13 stools, no tables, chairs or booths; very cozy, intimate, low noise, warm lighting, modern clean interior. Reservations are highly recommended but somehow my family walked in on a whim and there happened to be four vacant spots at the end of the bar. It was meant to be. They bank their success on their signature broth & minimalist approach. It was clear, clean, simple, refreshing & delicious. The thin slices of pork with a bit of fat on the edges were soft & succulent and the gochujang was an appropriate compliment. A scoop of rice was submerged underneath the pork. The Kimchi Mandoo was not overtly spicy and brought an even balance with the Gomtang. The shot of cold barley soju went down smooth with a very subtle bite. This was not what I had expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed every taste & smell. There was a line forming by the time we finished. It's uncomfortable to sit & eat on a stool for too long, so the portion was perfect and the diner turnover worked in their favor. Good luck with NYC parallel street parking. Take the subway, taxi or just walk. Highly recommended. Simple & excellent.
July 03 · John Kim
Quick and casual lunch. Great for solo dining - bar seat only. The kimchi dumplings were surprisingly a hit. Also the sauce is very spicy so beware! Reservations are recommended. Quiet and clean environment - only about 15 seats available. Broth is VERY hot , temperature wise.
July 11 · H L