Name: Meju
Telephone: +1 718-806-1636
Price range: $$$$
Rating: 4.8

Meju

Korean · Long Island City, NY · $$$$

Counter seatingTasting menuChef-drivenMichelinCozySpecial occasion

Meju is an intimate 8 seat counter restaurant focused on showcasing the flavors and traditions of Korean fermentation through a multi-course tasting menu. Each course features all-natural jangs, jeotgal, and kimchi personally made and carefully procured by Chef Hooni. Located within Little Banchan Shop in Long Island City, NY, this is Chef Hooni Kim's third restaurant, after Danji and Hanjan. Meju is the culmination of all of his years of experience as a Korean chef and as a fermenter. *Dietary Restrictions* As Meju's tasting menu is focused on highlighting Korean fermentation, we are unfortunately limited in our ability to accommodate many dietary restrictions. We can offer dairy-free, nut-free and wheat-free experiences. However, because traditional Korean fermentation inherently contains traces of barley and barley malt, we are unable to accommodate severe gluten allergies or celiac. Seafood is also an integral part of many of our ferments which would also limit our ability to accommodate vegan diets. Thank you for your understanding. *Service Charge* Please note we are not accepting tips or gratuities in any form. However, a 20% service charge will be assessed at the time of purchase and also on any additional food and beverage ordered on site during the course of your meal. This charge is not a tip or gratuity and will not be distributed to those employees working during the dinner. It is intended to compensate for the costs involved in providing you with the level of service during your dinner. We fully compensate our employees in a fair and equitable manner and the service charge allows us to do so. Please reach out if you have any special requests or accommodations. We look forward to welcoming you. Please plan to allot 3 hours for the duration of dinner.

Bookable experiences

What diners say

“Best restaurant in Queens? Check. Best Korean restaurant in NYC? Very possible. Healthy for your gut biome? Alleged, but compelling. Myself and some close friends booked the place to ourselves, which certainly lent itself to the experience. Attentive and competent staff led us in, while Chef Hooni guided us on a culinary journey for the next few hours that flew by. Experiencing is believing, and this is an experience well worth your time and money.”

5.0 · Google — Joshua Versoza

“We had such an amazing experience at Meju! Chef Hooni Kim's tasting menu is fermentation focused with each dish featuring an ingredient that the chef fermented himself, many of them prepared in Korea. A highlight was tasting a 131-year-old soy sauce that's been passed down through his mentor's family for generations. The dishes are an elevated take on familiar Korean fare, and everything was so flavorful. The experience is genuinely authentic, and Chef Kim's passion for fermentation is evident as he shares the story behind every dish. It was honestly such a refreshing change of pace from tasting menus where the default move for elevating a dish seems to be adding some caviar, truffle, or uni on top.”

5.0 · Google — Andrew Deur

“It was an amazing experience where you really felt the intentionality behind the food and the knowledge from Chef Kim. It's not often where you get to have a Michelin meal that satisfies both your intellectual and physical hunger. It was great having an intimate experience, being able to ask questions and learn about traditional Korean cooking and fermentation methods. You'll definitely leave healthier than when you came in 😁.”

5.0 · Google — David Wong

“Probably the most fun Michelin starred meal I’ve had. Loved learning about traditional Korean approaches to food and fermentation methods. Food was delicious, with lots of rich, deep, and comforting flavors. Also loved the fermented ginger tea. The quantity of food is more than pictured, you get multiple rounds of fried dishes and multiple cuts of meat plus refills of vegetable sides. I thought it was plenty for me. Great service in an elegant atmosphere. If you’re a nerd who likes learning about food (and especially if you dine solo) this is a great place.”

5.0 · Google — Jonathan Kim

“Unlike most of the other high end Korean restaurants in NYC, the food at Meju is very simple and straightforward and easily recognizable from typical Korean BBQ restaurants that you might find in Ktown or Flushing. The primary difference is the laser focus on superior quality ingredients in every component in every dish, particularly the "jang" that serves as the guidepost for flavor of each course. The sourcing and significance of each item is described in passionate detail by the chef, making the experience both educational and theatric. Being completely honest, I'm unsure if the level of the ingredients and amount of food are justified by the price. But it's still an experience I'd return to in the future.”

4.0 · Google — jkaw