Sinsa: A Modern Korean Wine Bar in the East Village

Sinsa Introduce

Nestled in the heart of New York City’s vibrant East Village, Sinsa is a unique and trendy wine bar that effortlessly blends modern Korean flavors with a sophisticated, yet cozy, atmosphere. This is not your typical bar; Sinsa offers a culinary experience centered on creative small plates and a meticulously curated beverage program. The ambiance is intimate and stylish, making it a perfect spot for a romantic date night or a special evening out with a friend. The bar is known for attracting a local crowd, drawn in by its creative menu and laid-back vibe. Sinsa’s concept as a Korean-American wine bar is a refreshing take on the traditional dining scene, offering a bridge between classic Korean cuisine and the European tradition of wine-focused dining. It's a place where you can explore a wide range of flavors, from savory to umami, all while enjoying a glass of wine or a unique cocktail.

Sinsa is located at 95 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. This prime location in the East Village places it in a bustling neighborhood known for its eclectic dining scene, lively nightlife, and local charm. The restaurant's accessibility is excellent, with several major subway lines within walking distance. The 2nd Avenue station (F train) is just a short stroll away, as is the Astor Place station (6 train). This makes Sinsa a convenient destination from various parts of the city. For those who prefer to drive, paid street parking is available, though it can be competitive in the area. The restaurant’s central location makes it a great spot for both locals and those visiting the East Village for a night out.

Sinsa's services are focused on providing an intimate and complete dining and bar experience. The establishment is designed for those who want to sit down and savor the food, drinks, and atmosphere.

Services offered at Sinsa include:

Dine-in service with seating and table service, providing a comfortable and attentive experience.

The emphasis on dine-in service highlights Sinsa's commitment to creating a full experience for its patrons. It's a place to linger and enjoy, rather than rush through a meal. The acceptance of reservations also makes it easier to plan a visit, especially for special occasions.

Sinsa's reputation as a top-tier wine bar and restaurant is built on its unique highlights and offerings. The inventive menu and carefully chosen beverages set it apart from other establishments in the area.

Features and highlights of Sinsa include:

A unique menu of Korean-American small plates, with a focus on bold and creative flavors.
Known for having great cocktails, with a beverage program that highlights Korean spirits like Soju.
A diverse wine list that features small, independent producers with a focus on biodynamic and sustainable practices, offering options from classic regions and beyond.
The atmosphere is described as cozy and trendy, making it ideal for a date night or a solo dining experience.
Known for its fast and attentive service.
Accepts reservations, which is recommended for planning ahead.
Offers a wide range of beverages, including alcohol, beer, cocktails, food at the bar, hard liquor, and a solid wine selection.
Accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Sinsa's combination of a unique culinary concept, a thoughtfully curated wine list, and a stylish atmosphere makes it a standout destination in the East Village.

Contact Information:

Address: 95 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003, USA
Phone: (646) 682-7819

When visiting Sinsa, what is worth choosing is a delightful exploration of its inventive menu. The "KIMCHI UNI TOAST" is a popular small plate that combines savory kimchi butter with uni on milk bread, creating a dish with a delightful mix of flavors and textures. The "WAGYU BEEF TARTARE" is another standout, featuring American wagyu with a Korean mustard aioli that gives a unique and flavorful twist to a classic dish. For a shareable plate, the "TRUFFLE GIM RISOTTO" is a fantastic choice, known for its rich and earthy flavors with a unique use of seaweed. The "GALBI BOURGUIGNON" reinvents classic French cuisine with marinated short ribs and crispy rice cakes, offering a hearty and comforting option. While some dishes may be a hit or miss depending on personal preference, the "HWE CRUDO" is often praised for its fresh and tangy profile.

Beyond the food, Sinsa's beverage program is a key part of the experience. The wine list, with its emphasis on natural wines and diverse producers, offers excellent pairings for the food. If you're a wine enthusiast, it's worth exploring their selection by the glass or bottle. The cocktail menu, which highlights Korean spirits, is equally compelling. The "Seoul Sour" is a popular choice that provides a smooth and velvety mix with a citrusy kick. The staff is also known for being knowledgeable and can help provide excellent recommendations for both food and wine pairings. Sinsa is a great place to try a little of everything, making it a truly worthwhile choice for those who appreciate creative cooking and a sophisticated atmosphere.

Sinsa Menu

SMALL PLATES
KIMCHI UNI TOAST* (4 pcs) $28.00
Kimchi Butter, Uni, Milk Bread
THE BOAT $16.00
Romaine, Candied Anchovies, Shishito Caesar
HWE CRUDO * $23.00
Fluke, Tangy Korean Dashi, Korean Pear
SCALLOP CRUDO * $28.00
Hokkaido Scallops, Sudachi Miso, Micro Shiso
WAGYU BEEF TARTARE* $22.00
American Wagyu, Korean Mustard Aioli, House Potato Chips

TO SHARE
TRUFFLE GIM RISOTTO $25.00
Seaweed, Beech Mushrooms, Maitake
SOUTHERN K.F.C. $23.00
Buttermilk Chicken, Gochugaru Blackened Ranch
DONKATSU AU POIVRE $26.00
Pork Cutlet, Korean Soy Pepper Sauce, Cucumber Salad
GALBI BOURGUIGNON $34.00
Marinated Short Ribs, Red Bliss Potatoes, Autumn Vegetables
GRILLED SEA BASS $28.00
Branzino, Perilla Salsa Verde, Charred Lemon

Sinsa Details

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails

Popular for
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Hard liquor
Wine

Dining options
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Locals

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Parking
Paid street parking

Sinsa Photos

Sinsa Location

Sinsa

New York New York County New York 2nd Avenue

95 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003, USA

Sinsa Reviews

An average rating of ★4.8 from 140 user reviews.

the menuscallop crudodonkatsukoreanfried chickenbourguignoncevichebuttergalbiflavor

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Food 3.5/5Service 4.5/5Ambiance 4/5Value 2/5I had higher expectations for this Michelin guided spot, but the value just wasn't there for me. It's a tapas-based menu, so you won't leave full, but it does have an intimate vibe that's great for a date night.A big heads up: they use a lot of cilantro here if you don’t like cilantro like meOysters (4/5): The $2 happy hour oysters were a solid deal. Small but tasty, with a decent sauce but has cilantroCeviche (4.25/5): This was probably the best thing we tried. The sauce was a perfect mix of refreshing and tangy but also had cilantroRice thief (4/5): solid dish where you wrap rice in seaweed. It was good, but the flavors were well-balanced rather than being exceptionally bold or surprising.Scallop Crudo (2.5/5): This just didn't compare to others I've had. The sauce was underwhelming, and something about the dish tasted bitter. I'd skip this one. If you want amazing scallop crudo, I’d reco Sea by JungsikBlue Crab Fettuccine (3.5/5): We were so excited for this, and the noodles texture was great. But the sauce was just too heavy and had a really strong wine taste we didn't like.
September 07 · Cecilia Lee
Eh.Had high hopes for this place based on the creative-looking menu, but delivery fell flatter than a creationist's world view.- Scallop Crudo: Good portion size but not enough flavor. Most of the umami came from the trout roe.- Celery-Salted Fries: No celery flavor, just an ordinary basket of fried potatoes with a bit of roe to punch up the price- Rice Thief: A signature dish from the founder's other restaurant, I believe. This wasn't bad--uni, Argentinian red shrimp, assorted tobiko, baek kimchi rice, quail egg, roasted seaweed, etc.--and beautifully presented.- Southern K.F.C.: Interesting in print, lackluster in person. I couldn't taste much Korean influence from the accompanying sauce and slaw, and the chicken itself was on the dry side.- Blue Crab 'Fettucine': Fine on flavor, but small on portion--I could've used a LOT more crab, noodz and sauce to justify this price point.Service and ambience were fine, but for a place purporting to be a Korean wine bar, there was very little vino from, well, the Korea lands. As someone with a personal passion to try wine from every country in the world capable of producing it, color me disappointed to find that the wines on Sinsa's list came from all the usual (and boring) suspects.
July 24 · Josephine Lee
This Korean American wine bar is the sister restaurant to Rice Thief and offers up some amazing seafood dishes and fun twists to Korean favorites. The interior of the restaurant is cozy and intimate. Service here is kind and quick.We ordered the wagyu tartare, scallop, KFC, and rice thief. Everything was delicious. My favorite was the scallop, but I also loved the rice thief. I was a bit disappointed as it seems like they took all of their uni dishes off of the menu. Nonetheless, it was still delicious and I had a great time here.
September 04 · Mia Huynh
Best new restaurant in NYC! My friends and I came for Sunday lunch and loved it so much we made dinner reservations on the spot. We ordered a mix of shared plates — oysters (it happened to be oyster happy hour!), scallop crudo, hwe ceviche, shrimp toast, and the Southern KFC (Korean fried chicken). Every dish was beautifully presented and incredibly flavorful — not a single miss.The scallop crudo was the standout for me: buttery, bright, and perfectly textured with just the right touch of acidity and crunch. The hwe ceviche had such layered complexity, and the shrimp toast — kind of like a grilled cheese without the cheese — was savory, crispy, and surprisingly light. Even the oysters, which can sometimes feel standard, were elevated by a super refreshing cucumber mignonette.We were hoping to try the Rice Thief but it wasn’t available that day — just another reason to return. I usually skip dessert but we ordered the yuzu custard, and I’m so glad we did. I’m not usually a fan of yuzu (can be overpowering), but this was subtle, fragrant, and perfectly balanced. The touch of gochugaru in the cookie base added just the right depth — unexpected but it totally worked.Also worth noting: the service was excellent — warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Can’t wait to go back for dinner. Sinsa is doing something really special.
August 07 · Christina Lee
I love a good wine bar and this one definitely hits the spot, especially if you love Korean tapas. The servers are knowledgeable and super friendly. We asked our server for recommendations and actually ended up ordering them all haha. The wagyu tartare and rice thief were my personal favorites of the plates we tried. Next time, I’ll be sure to arrive hungry so we can try the other dishes!! Highly recommend if you’re in the area!
April 21 · Joan Nguy