Momofuku (which one) or Jungsik - not sure which to choose

[middleagedfoodie]

Planning on an early dinner on a week night a month from now, so shouldn't have that much trouble with a reservation. Saw references to Momofuku when I looked up Jungsik. I realize they are quite different, but both sound very interesting. If we do Momofuku, which of them would you recommend for our first experience?

[Cheeryvisage]

I think you'll do really well with either.

An important difference between Jungsik and any of the Momofuku restaurants is that Jungsik is formal fine dining, while all Momofuku's are casual. I still consider Momofuku Ko as fine dining, but it's extremely casual in that you sit at a counter that surrounds the open kitchen and get to watch the chefs plate you food, all while listening to rock music emitting from the restaurant speakers (I personally really enjoy the music there).

I adore Jungsik, as you can probably tell from my Jungsik thread. However, I'm also a big fan of Momofuku Ko, though reservation's difficult to come by. I have not been to Momofuku Ssam Bar yet (due to visit in a week), but I know a ton of people would highly recommend it if they were to only pick only one restaurant out of the Momofuku empire.

So, it all depends on what you feel like. If you prefer formal fine dining in a comfortable environment, go with Jungsik. If you want casual fine dining and willing to eat food on a stool for 2-3 hours, try to secure a reservation at Momofuku Ko. If you want great food in a casual, chill setting (though probably not too comfortable due to the communal tables and backless seating), go with Momofuku Ssam Bar.

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Momofuku Ko
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Jung Sik
2 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013

[Yaxpac]

I have not been to Ko...but I echo Cheeryvisage's sentiments about Junksik. Our meal there was fantastic and I also enjoyed their wine pairings quite a bit.

[seal]

I love Ssam and the menu is really good now, but I would not call it Korean food. If your intention is to sample some Korean cuisine, go to Jungsik. If you just want a great meal, either place will do.

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Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[Pan]

Ssam Bar is definitely not a Korean restaurant, but an eclectic one, but why do you think Jungsik is Korean? I haven't been there (yet, anyway), but everything I've read about it is that it is basically French-oriented fusion cuisine with Korean influence, not Korean food. For Korean food in Manhattan, I'd recommend Madangsui strictly for barbecue and Don's Bogam for barbecue and various other dishes, but that doesn't seem relevant to the original poster's query at all.

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Madangsui
35 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001

Don's Bogam
17 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016

[middleagedfoodie]

Just had our dinner at Jungsik. Fantastic service, food, decor. We did the 3 course, but ordered something different for my husband and me for each course so we got to tastes six dishes,

Amuse bouche: crispy rice with a sweet fruity foam. Trendy, but just OK. Served with indnescribably delicious ti y chi hen bite witha spicy dipping sauce. Along with the most adora le teeny burger of a mouselike Korean style beef.

Next, an OK tasting but gorgeously presented composed salad and a mushroom and lightly poached egg preperation with Parmesan toule.

Rice course: yummy green rice risotto and a crisy quinoa with sea urchin.

Main: flavorful lihtly cooked black cod and one of the richest, most flavorful pork belly preparations we've tasted.

Too stuffed for dessert, but ate miniature financier, balsamic infuse chocolate and perfect miniature French macaroons.

Good wine list with plenty of good choices at the lower end. Wine steward was helpful and his suggestion of an Austria Reisling was on target.

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Jung Sik
2 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013

[Cheeryvisage]

Glad you enjoyed Jungsik! The mini burger is a bulgogi slider. It's delicious.