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Meju
Korean
The chef's counter hides behind a banchan shop in Long Island City, which tells you everything about its priorities. Hooni Kim, a James Beard Award winner with a Michelin star, has spent years wild-fermenting and aging the Korean pantry staples, doenjang, ganjang, gochujang, that anchor his tasting menu. Dishes arrive looking almost spare, then insist on your full attention. The meal closes with a bowl of rice and kimchi that sounds like nothing and lands like a lot.
Five honors, in evidence:
The record strongest first
- Michelin Guide 1 Star
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Winner · Best Chef: New York State · Hooni Kim
- The New York Times #4 · The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City
- Grub Street The 43 Best Restaurants in New York
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: New York State · Hooni Kim
One number, weighted & current 95
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
- Silky tofu Michelin Guide
- Fried pancakes Michelin Guide
- Rice with kimchi Michelin Guide
Nearby in the record closest first
- Casa Enrique Mexican Eat · 69
- Hupo Sichuan Eat · 74
- R40 Eat · 69
- Sweetleaf Eat · 66
- Coffee Project New York Eat · 81
- Glasserie Mediterranean Eat · 60
- The Box House Hotel Stay · 74
- Wenwen Taiwanese Chinese Eat · 69
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