We absolutely love Moono for three BIG reasons.

First, the space is stunning. You walk through a set of heavy speakeasy-esque double wooden doors of a three-story landmarked Manhattan building to enter a beautifully appointed stained-glass space. Moono Bar immediately to the left is a jewel box and offers social hour from 5 to 7pm, Tuesday through Thursday.

Second, it's just perfect, Goldilocks style. Korean cuisine has become either Michelin-starred or rugged, and for a while we struggled to find a spot where we could order delicious authentic Korean dishes without being subject to a tasting menu. Also we would prefer not to get shoved and pushed around, only to leave the restaurant smelling like your food. While Moono was opened by the chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Jua, the menu is a la carte and you get plentiful replenishments of super-delicious kimchi. Here the kimchi is gutjeoree style, meaning it is fresh rather than fermented. Like our old favourite Woolaeoak in Seoul.

Last but not least, finally we have a spot in Manhattan that offers Pyongyang-style chilled buckwheat noodles called nengmyun.

You all know my obsession with Pyongyang-style nengmyun, the mild, delicate, and soft buckwheat noodles (in chilled broth or dry with a spicy gochujang sauce) originating from North Korea. And if you've read my nengmyun deep dive card below, the less common and less pedestrian Pyongyang-style nengmyun in broth is the way to go.

Go to Moono - before it gets a star and changes character.

https://www.moononyc.com

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