Have tried Saam Bar a few times now, and my opinion ranges from mildly satisfied to super impressed. That's to say, I find the menu very hit and miss. The pork buns are life changing, no doubt, but you can get these at the Noodle Bar too (they don't advertise this on the menu, but just ask). The kimchi rice cakes was a hit with our group last week, as was the whole fish the time before. But the popcorn cake was virtually inedible and the broccoli was just yuck. Service is typically great, very fun atmosphere, and if you have visitors in town it will make them feel special going somewhere that always has a line. But is the line worth it? Not really...
(3)
Candice N.
Service is great but food-wise: Stick. To. The. Buns. Nothing else.
(3)
Mishy K.
The pork ear ssäm was absolutely amazing, and the pork belly buns were just out of this world delicious. The only downside is how small the tables are, not much elbow space. But well worth it for the food.
(5)
Babak Bobby Y.
First impressions: open, clean, inviting space with very attentive and helpful staff. Pork belly sandwiches were some of the best I've had. The lamb shoulder served on a bed of garnished rice was outstanding. The duck was also a hit with smokey flavoring that was very tender. The broccoli salad was mediocre so perhaps ill order the grilled corn or pickles next time. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Matt W.
I would say that this place is probably one of the best in all of New York. I got the Spicy Pork Sausage w/ Rice Cakes and some Pork Bun appetizers. All of it was phenomenal. The only thing that can be annoying about this place is that they fill up very fast and I don't think they take reservations so you have to get their early or be willing to wait.
(5)
Miao X.
Overpriced and overrated! We came at 5pm when it was just opened. We had pork belly buns, fried brussel sprouts, beef stew, and pork chop for dinner. Pork belly buns were ok, but I prefer the ones in Ippudo NY. Too much sour cream in the brussel sprouts. The dish was so dark that I couldn't tell what I was eating. Beef stew had a very very small potion with barely few pieces of beef tendon. The quality of the pork chop was like any restaurant that serves pork chop. It was at most worth half of the charged price. In general, my experience of Momofuku is disappointing, both the service and the food.
(1)
Yoni Z.
The steamed buns I have always thought were overrated and overpriced for what they are because you can get similar quality and even better tasting ones elsewhere for much, much cheaper. However, the grilled Spanish mackerel entree I had with micro greens, sunchokes, chimichurri and a mustard sauce was superb. Worth every penny. I know it's not what comes to mind when you think Momofuko but honestly who cares because taste reigns supreme here.
(4)
Lydia L.
Great food but nothing memorable. Seriously though, I'm writing this review two weeks after and I cannot remember what we had except for the pork buns. The pork was tender and the ssam sauce complemented it well. We ordered buffalo pork buns as well. It's not very 'buffalo-y' but it was good. I preferred it over the regular buns. Everything was made with high quality ingredients. If you're visiting New York and want to try a david Chang place, it's worth checking out.
(3)
Kristen W.
I had to try the pork buns and they were wonderful. I loved the sauce and thin slices of pickled cucumbers. They complimented the rich pork beautifully. My freind and I also ordered the duck dumplings which were nothing special. We shared the rotisserie duck with the chive pancake which I thought was good. We also ordered the pork sausage with rice cakes, which I preferred. I liked the atmosphere, and the service was friendly and attentive. Perfect actually. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the wine is very, very expensive. I know it's Manhattan, but it is a casual restaurant.
(4)
Stephan H.
OMG the pork!
(5)
Jason G.
Momofuku Ssam Bar was very delicious and I was really happy that we were able to be seated right away. Overall, every dish was good. The steamed buns with pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers, and scallions was one of the best bites. The country ham was different and unique to see on the menu; the ham was smoky and tasty. The rotisserie duck over rice bowl and the slow roasted brisket bowl were delicious too.
(4)
Stephen R.
Had fairly high expectations and was overall pleased. Each dish had its unique pop of flavor. The pork chop 'large plate' was surprisingly generous and with the peach, shishito pepper, and blue cheese it made for a very entertaining taste. Only caution - it's loud and tight here....so not ideal for fussy groups or a quiet romantic outing. Go easy on drinks and treat yourself to the bar that's attached next door for some truly amazing cocktails either before or after your dinner. (And if you want to sample everything in Mr. Chang's little empire here in East Village, grab desert across the street at Milk Bar)
(4)
Yelena K.
Hopped in to find 2 empty seats at the bar practically begging us to take them - what a surprise! I've been trying to get into Ssam for quite ssam time now, and finally got a chance. We hit the brunch menu and here's what we got: + Mulled Cider - my date enjoyed it, said it wasn't too strong + Bloody Mary - menu listed it as "rye, sake, tomato, apple, ham, togarashi" and all i got was 3oz of sweet tomato juice with scallions on top. Wish I skipped this. + Steamed Buns - deliiicciiooussssssss. So good. + Kimchi Mason Jar - a nice accompaniment, but lacked any flavor or heat. Was that apples in there? + OG Momofuku Ssam - imagine the best Chipotle burrito, with really fresh rice and black beans and the most heavenly pork ever. Very flavorful. We tried cutting this in half with a chopstick and failed miserably. If you get this for splitsies, ask for the chef to cut it for you. + Rotisserie Duck Over Rice - this was pretty good when it first came, but as it sat (and as we ate other things), the cold version of this was pretty blah. Came over a bed of white rice and some pork trimmings underneath and a chive pancake (a fairly greasy version of a tortilla). ~~Unpopular Opinion Alert~~ The service was pretty mediocre and took forever to get water, order, etc. It wasn't really that busy. Overall, it was a good experience and I left happy and full. This is definitely a "one-time only" place. I probably won't be back. ::exeunt::
(3)
Kevin L.
Awesome experience. If you're Korean, it's a plus because you'll know what to do once the pork and everything else comes out. We did the 10 person reservation and the food was very good. Service was quick and the ambiance of the restaurant itself was very trendy. As for the price, it's not truly worth the $25-$30 per person, but it's a pretty good one time experience kinda thing. With 7 girls and 3 guys, the portion sizes were almost perfect. The guys ate to their content and the girls enjoyed their meals as well. The pork shoulder isn't the exact same as the traditional Korean bo-sam. This one was a lot sweeter especially since the outer skin was caramelized. (The skin was kind of too sweet!)
(4)
Yi Z.
Oh, David Chang, you have really disappointed me. One of my old coworkers used to rave about his classmate, David Chang, and my understanding is that David Chang and Roy Choi are similar pioneers on their respective coasts. I love Roy Choi's creations so I expected to love David Chang's food too. In this case, the transitive property did not apply. We were still on West Coast time so we arrived at Momofuku Ssam Bar late in the evening when there was no wait. We scored a table right away and salivated as we read the menu. We started with shrimp rolls for the table and they turned out to be an overpriced version of standard Vietnamese spring rolls. We focused on the steamed buns and ordered both the original variety and the buffalo version. The steamed buns were tender, juicy, and delicious. But were they really that "special"? No. We also ordered grilled flat iron steak, except they ran out of flat iron and we got skirt steak instead. The steak was grilled well but tasted very average. It's not that the food was bad, in fact, the flavors and textures were good. I expected the food to be creative and inspiring and it was anything but that. Momofuku Ssam Bar seems to take traditional recipes from several different cultures and then serve the food under one roof. That's it. It's not fusion and it's not innovative.
(3)
Steven N.
Ssam Bar was a good experience. We originally wanted to get the ribeye but didn't realize that it's a 100 something ounce cut that's supposed to feed a large group of people. Instead we got the pork buns and the spicy pork sausage & rice cakes. The pork buns were standard but good. I really enjoyed the rice cakes, as they were very crisp. The dish is a little spicy but just avoid the red pepper pieces and you should be fine. The sausage was OK but not what I expected; it was more like ground beef instead of being cut into slices. I couldn't really tell whether the flavoring of it was good or not because of that. I would like to come back for the ribeye or the pork shoulder sometime in the future.
Yeah I know, the pork belly bun. It's the place that started the trend *blah*blah*blah* The spicy pork cakes and sausage is pretty good too, it's semi approachable Korean food for white people but still spicy as shit for them hooray! The hams really are good, but technically I can find it somewhere else. The honeycrisp apple kimchi dish... it really is damn good. A great mixture of sweet, sour, salty, spicy with a mix of soft and crunchy textures. All of the above mentioned dishes really are fantastic and things I've had in past trips. They are worth dealing with the tight space, loud crowd, slightly inflated price tag etc. But on this past visit, my friends and I were finally able to put together the duck lunch and it was freaking phenomenal! Sure you can get the small portion, but you the meal won't have that gravitas unless you share the full rotisserie duck meal. From the table presentation of the duck (which is then carved and served in a giant paella pan), to the giant spread of the 2 side dishes, 4 dipping sauces, the bowl of lettuce wraps, small dishes of textural condiments, myriad of herbs and giant onion pancakes. It really is grand and impressive and only out done by the actual taste of the duck whose breast has has been stuffed with duck and pork sausage and legs have been confit properly to a crunch on the skin and tender dark meat on the inside. But wait... there's more!!!! The meal does not end just there, when you are stuffed and ready for a nap the staff reminds you that there is one last event. While we were happily eating and chatting away, the carcass of the bird was cooked down and made into a consomme and served with a little orange zest. Hot, intense, deep and satisfaction in a small tea bowl. For $140, the duck meal was incredibly priced. It is meant to be shared by 3-6 and I would say that leans a little more towards the 6. Reservations are needed a day or so in advance and eating during lunch is much less crowded and noisy. But it doesn't really matter when you go because as soon as the food comes out, nothing else really matters.
(5)
Carrie H.
What's not to love about this place. The food and service are incredible! The Arctic Char on the raw bar is phenomenal. It has black garlic & strawberries. Who would of thought that goes together. Also try their oysters. So impressive, can't wait to come back!!!
(5)
Grace R.
I thought the food here was honestly just okay. I admit that I might have ordered the wrong things (menu changes all the time so its hard to tell), and Ssam Bar is probably a better place for bigger groups. We ordered the chilled snow and snap peas, tempura softshell crab, blackened bluefish sandwich, and spicy pork sausage. The peas were served in a fish sauce vin, herbs, and watermelon radishes. The dish was actually very tasty. The veggies were super fresh and refreshing, and the vin was really acidic and salty but in a good way. The only thing I didn't really love was that there was a legit POOL of vin left at the bottom of the bowl. It was a little gross. I enjoyed the crunchy shallots on top though, those are never bad. The tempura softshell crab goes with an avocado puree, tomatillo, and mole. The mole here is actually hard, not in sauce form. I thought this dish was actually pretty boring, surprising because it sounds cool. It was pretty bland, I wasn't a fan of the tomatillo and I thought the combinations were just a little weird. The mole was quite chocolatey and could have used more spice, and the seasoning was lacking in general. I would not order it again. The sandwich is actually listed under the small dishes section. It shouldn't be. Its a very substantial, hardy sandwich and if I had been alone I could easily have eaten just that and been full. Some parts of the fish were a little dry, but mostly well cooked. Again, it was lacking flavor. The miso wasn't as present as I was hoping, the chips weren't super crispy, and there were only like 2 pickles. I added ssam sauce which made it better. Their signature spicy pork sausage was good, and reminded me of an authentic Chinese dish. The rice cakes were chew and there were a lot of them, and the dish was indeed spicy. The portion was also pretty decently sized.
(3)
Mai N.
Food here was mediocre at best. We got the oysters and asked for lime, but they wouldn't give it to us "because that's what the ssam cocktail sauce is for." It wasn't great and when we asked for hot sauce, they said they only had sriracha or the house made ssam sauce (which isn't spicy). We also god the pork buns, but it was really greasy and bland. Tried adding the ssam sauce, but it's kind of overwhelmingly salty. Lastly, we got the tempura soft shelled crab which was the most delicious dish at our meal. Would've benefited if there was something spicy like jalapeños in it, though. Immediately after our meal, my sister and I got the worst food poisoning of our lives and we're still trying to recover. I knew better than to trust oysters in the city.
(2)
Christina P.
Momofuku Duck 6 course Prix Fixe? Uhmmm yes, please!! So happy this exists! One of the best momofuku meals I've had, I even enjoyed it more than Ko's tasting! You need a reservation of at least 11 people and you have to pay 1/2 the cost upfront for this dinner. Worth it! First course was fluke w/ sunflower, chayote, and chicharron. This was a subtle dish, a very light start to the meal. Followed by second course of country ham w/ redeye gravy and liver mousse, pickles, and bread. Omg the country ham was amazing...thinly sliced and salty and delicious with the gravy. The liver mousse was incredibly rich and smooth. Eating things that rich make you feel sick but it's such a good pain. The pickled peppers, tomatoes, etc. helped balance out the flavors really well. Third course was octopus escabeche with crostinis and honeycrisp apply kimchi My friends really enjoyed this but I'm not used to the cold octopus texture so it threw me off a bit. Flavors still great tho. However, the apple kimchi was incredible. Best kimchi I've ever had!! The kimchi flavor was strong but the apple still shone through and it was incredibly crisp and tasty. Ahhh I miss this one... Fourth course was dual steamed buns. One classic one w/ pork belly, hoisin, etc. and a buffalo'd pork belly with bleu cheese and hot sauce. Getting full by now but can't stop eating... Classic pork belly bao was solid as expected from the Momofuku chain. The buffalo pork belly bun was super unique! The pork belly was coated in a crispy, buffalo skin-type exterior and was really good. Now for the star of the course!!!! A whole rotisserie duck with chive pancakes, lettuce, rice, and chilled Chinese broccoli. It was HUGE and amazing! Made my life. The rotisserie duck had a layer of pork sausage stuffed under the skin at a 1:1 ratio, because you know, that's not excessive or anything. Delicious duck juices soaked into the rice underneath and the scallion pancakes were chewy and yummy. Made little wraps out of them. As a group of 12 we maybe finished 1/3 of the dish. It was intense. Meat sweats and all. We were pretty much ashamed of ourselves at this point but gotta round everything out with dessert, right? Popcorn Cake!! Tosi is a genius. It seems a little unappealing but her thing for sweet and salty is my jam. It was a small, round layer cake with caramel corn, strawberry jam, and a decently strong popcorn flavor. Mixed feelings from the group but I really liked it. Overall, this dinner was an experience. Go with good company and you'll definitely have a great time with the amazing food. At 100pp after tax and tip I wouldn't do it aaaaall the time, but I'd definitely be down to go again after I take a couple months to digest everything and lose the 10 lb I gained that night.
(5)
Helen T.
We accidentally walked into Booker and Dax thinking we were at Momofuku. The hostess at Booker and Dax told us that Momofuku Ssam was next door and was sweet enough to walk us next door. She explained that both restaurants were under the Momofuku umbrella, but that the food options were more limited at Booker and Dax. We put our names down at 10:15pm and were told that we had a 30 minute wait. I left my number and they texted me in 20 minutes! The restaurant is modern chic with an open kitchen. We were seated at a long wooden table that we shared with another party. We ordered the following: 3 Different types of buns - Steamed Bun, Buffalo Pork Bun, and the Fried Fish Bun. Each order comes with 2 buns and is pretty easy to share amongst 4 people. The variety was perfect for our group and each person had their favorite type of bun. My favorite was the original steamed bun. The pork belly was tender and was perfectly flavored with the hoisin sauce! Tempura Soft Shell Crab- Comes with two huge pieces of crab in a bed of avocado sauce and tomatillo. The dish was heavily battered, but the sauce was a delicious way to counter the heaviness of the dish. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes - This tastes like ddukboki (Korean spicy rice cakes) with a chinese twist. The dish is spicy so make sure that you don't order this alone. My favorite part of this dish was the crispiness of the rice cakes! Grilled Flat Iron Steak - Very delicious steak with a chimichurri sauce. Great solid dish. Ssam Sauce - This gets it's own category because it will enhance your dining experience. They have this on all the tables and tastes like a smoother, more cool version of gochujang (a sweet spicy korean sauce). We're glad that we got to come in and try a bunch of dishes on their menu. Next time, I'd love to try the bo ssam or the roasted duck options. You have to pre-order these options and have a larger group to really get the most for your buck. Otherwise, this place is strictly walk-ins only. I'd recommend going late at night for a shorter wait. Best dining experience so far on this trip to NYC!
(5)
Celine L.
Literally ran here and got in a few minutes before closing time and immediately sat at the bar. As we were only here for pork belly buns, the server graciously asked the kitchen to make the buns, and viola! We got our buns! The buns were amazing- maybe it was more delicious because we were able to get it before the restaurant closed, but the pork was so tender, juicy, and flavorful, and the toppings and the bun itself went so well together. It was like the perfect snack after hanging out at a bar. Shoutout to the server who still served us even though they closed! So glad I got to try this while I was in NYC!
(5)
Anna E.
We were here Monday for an early dinner/snacks part I prior to second dinner and had a nice time. Food was good, ambience was good, service was great. We had the Royal Miyagi Oysters from the raw bar with ssam cocktail sauce. Also from the raw bar we had an excellent fluke dish with sunflower, chayote and crispy crunchy chicharon. This was one of the my favorites bites here. Another raw bar item, the Maine Uni with sake lees, lychee, and furikake didn't do it for me as I found it to taste too boozy and unbalanced. We also got the legendary pork belly steamed buns with hoisin, cucumber, scallions and they're famous for good reason. I've had this at many places and no one does it better. I will get these every time I am back. It probably goes without saying that this was my other favorite that we ordered. Additionally, we also tried the chawanmushi (from the Spring menu) and I wasn't into it but I liked the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes more even if the boyfriend said it had been better on previous visits. We sat at the bar and service was top notch the whole time. Cocktails were great. Boyfriend had two drinks that I tried, I had water with lemon. Best lemon water made from tap of any restaurant I've been to. Great time overall even if there were a few misses with the food.
(4)
Linda T.
Came early for dinner to avoid the crowd. Sat at the bar for party of 3. They have communal tables too. -Broccolini with tongue and manchego: Broccolini was roasted nicely with beef tongue that tastes like prosciutto, a soft boiled egg and drizzled with manchego cheese! So simple yet yum. -Rice cake with pork sausage: minced up sausage with yui choy and crispy rice cakes. Tiny cylinder rice cakes, crispy outside and chewy soft inside. The way the rice cakes were prepared was awesome! -Pork belly bun: simple soft white bun with super tender pork belly in hoisin sauce. They have this amazing slab of pork where it can serve 6 ppl with kimchi and wraps. Gotta preorder this tho so we missed it. Definitely sounds fun for group dinners. $225 for it.
(4)
Kelly H.
Yum! Came in late on a Friday and was seated quickly. Wait staff was attentive and quick. The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes are a must! It looked dangerously red, and you should watch out for the chilies... but otherwise it just the right amount of heat. The little pillows of rice cakes were wonderfully crunchy on the outside, gooey in the inside, and covered with a sweet and spicy sauce. I would have been happy if I only ate this. Kudos to the kitchen for the great food!
(4)
Lili K.
FYI, no wait on a Saturday afternoon! The place was pretty full, though. I got: -the kimchi deviled eggs: yum but aren't they always? -steamed pork buns: huge chunks of pork, but a bit too fatty and...just not as good as when I go to ramen joints -rotisserie lamb over rice: standard, something I probably should've opted out of -shanghai bok choy: I probably shouldn't have ordered this either. They weren't flavored very well and it was a waste of a side! -spicy pork sausage and rice cakes: the best dish I got! It had a nice spice to it (not super spicy like the waiter warned, what else is new) and I liked the crispiness to it! Just like all the other momofuku joints, it's pricey with ok food. But you go because of the hype, I suppose. You know this is quality food, but I just don't like the fusion of it all.
(3)
John R.
This place has underwhelmed me every time that I've dined here and I'm thinking about not going back, despite regular invitations from friends, after my experience today. Love David Chang. Love the concept. Blah Blah Blah. This place is no longer up to par. The fact of the matter is that the food is not great. It's not even good. Some of the items on the menu are recommendable. The hams are excellent, the buns are buns, a good item that yelp twinks go nuts over, and the roti duck over rice is one of the better entrees. The ingredients sourced are good to great. But nothing on the menu produces any source of excitement (although the red eye gravy that accompanies the ham is pretty cool). The SSAMs themselves. I don't know when it went wrong. The last three times I've been there's been varying levels of oil and grease ranging from palatable to down right disgusting. I take it that there's a lot of turnover in this place and, as evidenced by the other negative reviews it's been getting, this current crop of chefs is an absolute disaster. There's no excuse for a SSAM wrap to be pooling hot oil and literally disintegrate in your hands. That's basic execution. The service is professional, but unspectacular. My advice. Go here if you want to go to a place that you saw on tv, order some decent small plates, and get a taste of David Chang's cuisine. Don't go here if you want exceptional food. You won't find it and you could spend your money much better elsewhere.
(2)
Shayu M.
Walked into restaurant with no expectations turn out I was underestimated. The food here is delicious. Pork shoulder must try.
(5)
Sarah C.
I feel like a checking out a Momofuku joint is kind of a prerequisite of being Yelp elite member, right? So here's my obligatory review about how great David Chang is: We got the big duck meal, and let me tell you, there is just something outrageous about it. Outrageously good, yes, but also just regular variety outrageous outrageous. It's a huge amount of food--I totally understand if you're tempted to branch out for the famous pork buns, as we did, but I promise you there is more than enough food with the duck and the pancakes and the sides, and it all rocks. If you love duck, this is a meal that you will not soon forget. I loved making up all the little pancakes with lots of fresh cilantro, mint and basil, and the different parts of the duck, topped off with crispy dried shallots and some hoisin or hot sauce. The crispy skin, the savory meat and the unctuous fat... Or instead of the pancakes, wrapping up a bundle in crisp butter lettuce--all so delicious. It's also a fun experience to share with friends, and a reasonably good deal. They say its for three to six people. We were five (for lunch) and we really pushed ourselves to eat as much as we could, but there was still a decent amount leftover--which was fine by me, as it made an excellent lunch the next day!
(5)
Eddie K.
Momofuku Ssam Bar offers a great take on Korean-American fusion. Typically when I think of Korean-fusion items like bulgogi burritos come to mind so it was nice to have a different style for a change. Momofuku Ssam Bar is a small restaurant so I highly encourage calling ahead of time for reservations as this place does get packed. I came here with a group of 7 for lunch to try the bo ssam as well as to indulge on their other items which included: Hurricane Island Oysters (3/5) - The oysters taste like any plain oysters you could get at the store. Having been to Seattle the oysters here weren't all that impressive. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes (5/5) - This was a nice take on one of my favorite Korean dishes (dduk bok ki). The soft chewiness along with the delicious flavor of the pork sausages all complimented each other nicely. The small spice of the dish only further enhanced the taste. I definitely recommend this dish. Pork Buns (4/5) - The pork buns were tasty but I think it's only because of the sauce. The pork itself lacked big flavor but the tenderness of the meat really made the dish. Bo Ssam (3.5/5) - This thing is not for the faint of heart, it's HUGE! After our first couple of dishes most of us were feeling pretty content in the stomach, then they slapped this monster on the table. The bo ssam is eaten in the same fashion as Korean bbq. You get a wrapper (lettuce) and stuff it with the super tender bo ssam meat (pig) and accompany that with many different types of sauces... try them all! If I could make one adjustment to this dish I would also add rice which I think would help the overall texture/flavor. Overall: Momofuku Ssam Bar wasn't anything exceptional, but it was good and I definitely recommend everyone try the bo ssam at least once.
(4)
Chris W.
I was in town for a work trip and had heard of Momofuku the previous time. We searched out ssäm and gave it a try. We sat at the bar and immediately greeted. The beer menu is not super exciting but is good enough. The bar tender gave us several recommendations: Diver scallop with dashi, sardines on toast, steamed buns, grilled flatiron steak, spicy sausage and rice cake. The sardines on toast was our favorite entree followed by the steamed buns. The spicy sausage was good but a bit on the salty side. It was certainly the best meal I had in NYC on this trip. I'll be checking out the other Momofuku locations in the future.
(4)
Loudon F.
I'm docking them a star. I have been a Momofuku devotee in all formats since the early days of Noodlle Bar. But as the empire expands, the quality control on the home front seems to be lagging. Last night we dropped in for a late graze and cocktail. For the second time running the staple rice cakes with pork sausage, a former desert island dish, came out barely resembling its former glory due to a baffling shortage of pork. The diver scallops, while succulent and flavorful, came out with a lonely shard of cilantro in place of the advertised lemon basil. Frodo, come back to the Shire! Hobbiton needs you!
(3)
Liz B.
The little frozen cups served with the bottled beers are just adorable! Its the small things that makes this place just a little extra classy. Maybe I ordered the wrong menu items, but I wasn't that impressed. Pork Belly Buns - I don't know why I continue to order pork belly but I just cannot take the texture when it is kept in its fattiest form. I literally couldn't eat this. Totally not Momofuku's fault, but I just didn't expect it to be THAT fatty. Crispy pork belly "Cuban" buns - Now THAT is how I like pork belly. This was absolutely delicious and unique in flavor. I could have ate three more. Beer selection - They have a bottled Farmhouse ale, my favorite kind of beer... and while the selection is relatively small, its good considering the overall menu size. Don't plan on just going for a drink, or even a snack. We basically had to convince them to let us sit at the bar for drinks and apps (as opposed to a full dinner). Once we finished our food, the bartender slapped the bill down without us even asking. If you're not gonna drop at least 50 bucks per person don't plan on sticking around.
(3)
Carmen L.
Was seated right away on a Sunday night. The place seem packed, kind of surprised that there was seats. We went to the back and was seated at this long table where they squeeze everyone together that came in two. You place your jackets underneath the table where there is a coat hanger. No privacy here, I basically was listening to the guys conversation whom were next to us. Menu wise had alot of options but it doesn't look appetizing. Got the fried beef short ribs: this dish was good and bad. The meat just falls out of the bone and it was season well. But the bad is that there was too much fat. After eating this my whole mouth was filled with oil. Part of the beef was burnt and hard. roasted jurgielewicz duck: this dish came out medium rare. No where in the menu or did the waiter mention how I like my duck. We informed the waiter that our duck was raw and requested it to be sent back to the kitchen. She informed us that all dish are medium rare. How can you eat meat that is raw? Came out the second time and it's still raw and I gave up on this dish. I like the decoration of this dish meaning the barley, butternut squash and cranberry, but the main thing is the duck. If the star of the dish is poor, no use in eating it further. niman ranch rib chop: pork chop, yet again this dish was raw. Hello I didn't order from the raw bar. No one eats pork raw. We didn't even bother about this dish anymore. We just gave up on this place and left. The service was good but food wise please change your chefs. I saw them on their phone most of the time.
(2)
Amrita G.
Amazing pork belly buns. Soft , tender full of flavour. We also got the spicy pork sausage with rice cakes, that was good too. Great food.
(4)
Mandy A.
so, i have a huge culinary crush on chef-founder david chang. hitting up the momofoku restaurants was a must on our list. ssam was lovely. the wait was over an hour, but the host took our number and text us when our table was ready. we decided to order small plates to be able to get a variety. our favorites were the buffalo pork buns, kimchi in a jar and the smoked liver mousse.
(4)
Abeer H.
This place rocks (though it's not for vegetarians). The hostess was not the most polite or friendly, the chairs don't have seat backs, and they don't do reservations (unless it's for large groups I think), so unless you get there super early, you'll wait forever. That all said, the food is fantastic and I highly recommend it. The preparation and presentation of the food is inventive and lovely - with hints of Korean, Japanese, and American cuisines and techniques. We had the diver scallops from the raw bar (deliciously flavoured), cuban pork belly buns (super freaking melt in your mouth delicious), honey crisp apple kimchi (interesting and tasty), roasted mackerel (rich and flavoured), grilled spanish octopus (divine! tender and delicious), roasted duck (their signature dish and it's yummy!), and spicy pork sausage and rice cakes (super spicy and delicious).
(5)
Alice C.
I brought my vegetarian boyfriend here last year for a birthday bo ssam dinner, and rest be assured that he was a very, very happy meat-eater that night. Along with a few other friends, we gorged on the wondrous, succulent meat (from Niman Ranch! so only minimal guilt for my vegetarian boyfriend). I wish I only had more time to actually sit and enjoy the meal, but dining alongside 5 men made that very difficult, as I had to practically fight for my share. All in all, the bo ssam was delicious, and Momofuku Ssam Bar is definitely a great place for a birthday meal when you're more willing to splurge. I did make reservations almost a month in advance and still wound up with a late night reservation, so be sure to plan ahead!
(4)
DeathandFood H.
With the amount of hype David Chang and the Momofuku brand has it would be hard for any place to live up to that. The food tasted good and while there were some techniques such as turning the bone marrow into a snow, the dishes in the end failed to be memorable enough for me to want to return and that's my litmus for most restaurants. I went for lunch so perhaps the dinner menu is more interesting. I am not a chef fanboy yet I have to admit I love hearing David Chang talk about food perhaps more than I love eating his food and I know he hates yelp but whatever just as he get to make whatever kind of food he wants people can post whatever they want about their food. I got the asparagus with bone marrow which was more pickled veggies with a small amount of asparagus and bone marrow served in a snow form. The bone marrow was pretty to see but I missed the pungency and texture of the bone marrow when it coats a vegetable. It was tasty but at 12 dollars not something I would order again. Then I had the duck over rice that I got with the lettuce and pancake so I could make happy bundle of joy. Duck is my favorite fowl. I've eaten it in at least 15 countries and as many ways as possible. The texture of the duck breast was spongy in a way I've never quite had before even with smoked and sous vide duck. It was bad just different. I was happy to have hoisin for the cake. Everything was underseasoned, a rather odd thing for a place listed as Korean. Underneath duck breast was some lovely duck meat that I mixed with the rice and sauce. This was better value than the aspargus at almost the same price. There was no wait and service was perfunctory. I was at the bar which was rather had to sit at with the narrow seats. The place is not design to be accessible to all.
(3)
Annie K.
I was highly disappointed with this place, as I've heard rave reviews of David Chang's restaurants. The menu was minimalistic and I felt as if it only had as many dishes as I could count on both hands, and it was pretty pricey for a lunch in NYC. (We paid about $60, not including tip) We ordered the pork buns and the pulled duck buns to start. The quality of the pork buns have gone down since the last time I tried them, and it was more bun than pork. The pulled duck bun was tasty, but it was only one big $10 bun that I ended up cutting in half for my boyfriend and I to share. We ordered the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes, as well as the fingerling potatoes to share. Looks can be deceiving, because although it looked like a small plate, we were stuffed before finishing half of the bowl of the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. I thought it was tasty, but way too rich and heavy for lunch. The fingerling potatoes were good, but there wasn't anything special to them. If you're thirsty, you have the choice of tap water, or their ridiculously overpriced bottled drinks because nothing comes from a tap. $6 for ginger ale, $5 for Mexican Coke, and even a couple of dollars for hot tea. I might give the other David Chang restaurants a chance, but this one definitely did not meet my expectations.
(2)
Jason P.
This is one of the first things we planned in our trip to New York. We reserved this place a month in advance, and I'm pretty glad we did. We reserved for a group of 9 people, but turned out to be 10. The service is here is friendly and nice and they did not mind at all. We got the steam pork buns and the large pork belly. I was surprised how there was enough meat for all 10 of us to eat. The pork belly tasted great. For the most part, it was well-cooked and I liked how it was marinated. I suggest making a reservation for this place if your going with a large group. It's definitely must try if your visiting New York. Out of all the Asian food places I went to in New York, this was the best one!
(4)
Alba N.
Momofuku Ssam Bar has by far become one of my favourite restaurants in the city. Simple decor, casual vibe, and lively- this place hits the spot for a relatively relaxed meal after a busy week. The smoked liver mousse was heaven. There was plenty of liver, littered with crispy maitake mushrooms, assorted vegetables, and candied crumbs- sounds strange, but it really works with me! The pork shoulder I had came with a creamy, rich blue cheese sauce. The dish was packed with flavour and tender meat, leaving me happily full for the rest of the night. The service was efficient and the servers patient and enthusiastic with first-timers. With good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and decent service, I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Tiffany C.
I had been here years ago when this place first opened. I remembered that their pork buns were good, but since there are so many great restaurants to try here in NYC, I had not gotten the chance to go back until now. I remember reading about the Rotisserie Duck Ssam meal. It sounded delicious, and it was definitely something I wanted to try during this visit. We got the pork buns, and it was as delicious as I remembered. Sure, it's $10 for two, but they do not skimp on the pork, and it is very well seasoned and super tender. It would be interesting if they added some texture to the bun, like add crispy pig skin or something. Anyway, we also tried to the Rotisserie duck over rice with chive pancake. I agree with what someone said below - the name is a misnomer. I was expecting juicy duck and crispy skin. I got the crispy skin, but instead of juicy duck, the "duck" had the consistency of bologna. Apparently this bologna is pork sausage which tasted ok, but you cannot call this duck! I was so thrown off by this not being duck that I could not fully enjoy the rest of my meal. Why would anyone do such a thing to already delicious duck!? The chive pancake was also disappointing. Instead of a thick chewy texture, it was more akin to a fried tortilla. With all the accoutrements, the meal was overall tasty, but certainly nothing I would rave about and certainly not something I would come back for. I'd rather get peking duck at the Peking Duck House! Despite the disappointing meal, I do want to point out that the service was friendly and attentive.
(3)
Elliot W.
Sooooo good! Had the porgy which needs to be ordered ahead of time, but for 10 people it was more than enough!
(5)
Mimi Y.
Went there late at night and there were still a lot of ppl. I ordered the quail and steamed bun. The quail was okay, not a big fan, but the steamed bun is the bomb! The staff were nice and welcoming. I would go back next time to try other dishes and the BUN!
(4)
John R.
Like everyone says, get the steamed buns. Wow. The duck and side of corn were also good, but the best thing I had was the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. It was big enough for two people to share, so no need to go crazy ordering all sorts of stuff. Just get that and the steamed buns and move along.
(4)
Adam Y.
Started with the peekytoe crab and steamed buns. I wasn't too satisfied with it and especially for the price of it. So I didn't order anything else. It also gets packed, where you would be sat down between other people.
(3)
Kevin C.
Great for groups. pork was ridiculously good. Only knock is the drinks - they were pretty weak, and it didn't seem to be an accident. Every drink we ordered was weak and kind of expensive. But overall experience was great food was better.
(4)
Letitia L.
Catching up with girlfriends in NYC, the three of us were seated within 10 minutes on a Sunday evening with no reservations. The atmosphere was classy but casual, but incredibly noisy with everyone chatting and catching up around us -- they need to install some soundproofing to make it a pleasant experience! The food was excellent. We had the spicy pork with rice cakes (nian gao), the whole thing was fried and aromatic, fantastic comfort food. Another standout dish was the duck with chickpea kale. The duck meat was tender, almost like tartare. All three sauces on the dish were delicious. Even so, the experience wasn't entirely enjoyable. We had to yell at each other to hear (and there were plenty of stories to catch up on) and it was a bit of a bummer to be all glammed up in nice dresses and be served by a very nonchalant waitress in a hoodie. I probably wouldn't come back since there are so many other places to try in this city.
(4)
Peter Y.
Aside from David Chang's celebrity chef status, Momofuku Ssam Bar delivers on all fronts and should also be recognized as one of the best values that can be had on the Manhattan Dining Scene. The mark of a great restaurant is in the consistency of its quality and dining experience and, having dined at Ssam Bar over 10 times now over the past few years, this Restaurant meets that criteria and then some. The proper Ssam Bar experience is only properly achieved by having the group meals at least once- either the Pork Bo Ssam Meal or the Duck Ssam Meal. Their roasted pork shoulder and duck are always fork-tender and packed with flavor that is only highlighted by the various side dishes that accompany the huge group meals. Of course, everything else on the a la carte menu is top-notch but the group Bo Ssam meals are their trademark and do require advance planning via their website. And, for dessert, you can either have any of their great desserts or walk across the street to the Momofuku Milk Bar dessert spot.
(5)
Hanh N.
Gluttony at it's finest. There was 8 of us attempting to eat the Bo Ssam. Omg, talk about A LOT OF meat. I'm not sure we even put a dent in it- okay, a small one but the pork shoulder is just so tender and juicy. I don't think any part of it was dry. For $200 for the whole meal, it's a deal and when split by 8 people, that's cheap for a lunch portion that huge. We ate and ate and ate until we wanted to pass out. We did try the pork buns too and that was amazing all on its own. I definitely would suggest this once in your life.
(5)
Annaliese D.
With all the hype around the Momofuku restaurants, we had to try one of them out. With a limited budget and just the two of us, we decided to eat at Ssam Bar for lunch. We arrived shortly after it opened and we were the first ones there. The restaurant itself has a very clean, modern design, but I found the chairs a little awkward. We ordered the pork buns and the duck lunch special to share. The pork buns were amazing! Super tender and fatty pork belly with a little bit of crisp cucumbers inside of a fluffy bun. Yum. The duck was a little disappointing. We were expecting the most amazing duck ever, but it was just average. The accompaniments were just okay as well...the pancake was a little dry and the rice was fine. Overall, I'd come back for the pork buns, and hopefully with enough people to try the bo ssam dinner, which looks delicious.
(3)
Ina L.
It's a must-try for city dwellers, but I can't imagine frequenting the restaurant. As my boyfriend would put, it's a "one-time" try. And it is conveniently 10 steps around the corner from Momofuku milk, so you can kill two birds with one stone. However, I'm a bigger fan of their Noodle bar. Ssam is a Korean word for "wrap", which explains the menu's various bun selection, "bo ssam", and "duck ssam". However, considering that their concept is to imitate and infuse traditional Korean flavors into the buns and ssams, Momofuku has done a poor job at doing so. The buns remind me of the cheaper equivalents sold at Bao Haus, Ippudo, Jum Mom, and food carts. It is delicious, but very Chinese. It is not a Korean dish and does not infuse any Korean flavors. They offer two types of ssam- bo ssam and duck ssam. The duck ssam is a smaller entree, compared to the bo ssam, which is meant to feed about 4-6 people. The duck ssam is served with bibb lettuce, and can be accompanied by a scallion pancake or sticky white rice (you can chose to ask for both or either or). First and foremost, Korean ssam is usually enjoyed by wrapping a meat, a variety of veggies, with a little bit of red pepper paste or soybean paste. SOOOOOO, could you imagine my frustration when we were served a bowl of rice topped with rotisserie duck meat and confit? Oh, and the scallion pancake isn't a Korean original! My Chinese boyfriend confirmed that it was a "very Chinese" dish- the pancake that Momofuku Ssam served was thinner and oilier than the recognizably Korean scallion pancakes. The Bo Ssam was a lot more closer in presentation and taste to the actual Korean dish. Also, I did not like the Shanghai noodles at all. It was very sour and there wasn't much sustenance to the entree. It was very hard to eat and after a chopstick-full, I stopped eating it altogether. The eggs and shoots did not add any value to the dish, in my humble opinion. Other than the Shanghai noodles, the other entrees were good. But I think I was disappointed because I was expecting something a lot more grandiose than just a decent bao. Kudos to their marketing team, because they did an outstanding job. Like I said earlier, I wouldn't go again. I would recommend Momofuku Noodle or going to a cheaper hole-in-the-wall to get my share of pork buns.
(3)
Christine A.
Came here last night with my husband and best friend for my 30th birthday dinner. We walked in at 7pm and didn't have a problem being seated right away. The communal seating arrangements required that we share a table with three Russian tourists, but it was less awkward than you'd think it would be. So many NYC restaurants are tiny anyway. Here's what we ordered. Honeycrisp apple kimchi Pork buns Chawanmushi Fried Brussels sprouts Spicy pork sausage and rice cakes Everything was delicious, but especially the rice cakes and chawanmushi. I wasn't sure what to expect from the honeycrisp apple kimchi--it turned out to be a sweet-savory apple dish with bacon and it was quite good, though nothing tasted pickled to me. My least favorite plate: The pork buns. Surprising since they are supposedly what this place is known for. Maybe it was because I've had pork buns before elsewhere, and more or less knew what to expect, whereas the other dishes were so unique and unlike anything I'd had before. With the five plates, the three of us had plenty of food and left feeling full. Our bill with two drinks apiece was about $160 before tip, which I didn't think was too bad for a special occasion. Next time, we're making a reservation to try the duck!
(5)
Richard K.
One of my favorite places in the city...been there multiple times including Peking Duck Brunch with delicious Bloody Mary's to the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes I had this time. Definitely save room for their pork buns or dessert accross the street at Momofuku Milk Bar.
(5)
Diana C.
I can't believe I forgot to review this place! Went with some local friends and order the pork belly buns, BBQ pork buns, spicy sausage and rice cake dish, the quail dish and maybe a salad? I don't remember the salad all that well, but the rest of it was delicious! Everything on the menu looked good but I didn't have enough room in my stomach or in my wallet. This place isn't cheap like most places in NYC, but if you like Korean (fusion) food and don't mind the cramped seating, it's a fun place to grab some good bites. I don't know if they take reservations but if they do you should definitely take advantage of that! I waited in the bar next door, Booker and Dax, and they have some tasty drinks to keep you occupied while waiting for some seats! Next time I'm coming back for the whole roast duck, that looked and smelled amazing!!!
(4)
Katrina T.
3.5 stars just because of the steep steep prices in their dinner menu! This place isn't good for groups! Had to order tons of dishes that weren't even filling. They were so delicious though. Let me give you some background on Momofuku Ssam Bar. Momofuku means lucky peach! Random right? You see the peach emblem on David Chang's (the owner/chef) restaurants like Momofuku Milk Bar, Momofuku Noodle Bar...etc .Sadly, I wasn't able to try all of his locations as much as I wanted to. This guy is pretty much clever. David got famous for his PORK BELLY BUNS. It is a simple bun (used commonly to eat with peking duck). He basically just slabbed on a piece of meat and added some special sauce and created the Pork Belly Bun. Till this day you HAVE to try this overpriced piece of deliciousness out! Chinese restaurants all over NYC have attempted to imitate this bun, but it just doesn't turn out quite so good! Anyway, you can't make reservations for this place. The wait for a table of 6 was about 30-45 minutes. Not too bad so my cousins and I went to the bar next door (owned by Momofuku too). BTW Momofuku Milk Bar was across the street but my cousins said it wasn't that great and they took us to Dessert Bar, Chickalicious. YUMS. Ok no more tangents. So the place gets packed, the seats are sorta cramped but we managed. Ordered another round of Pork Belly Steamed Buns and a bunch of other things: Shanghai Noodle: It was such a tiny little bowl! So good though. Not your typical golden yellow noodle, but more like plain looking with trout roe sprinkled on top. Spicy Honeycomb Tripe: Never really had tripe on its own dish besides in my pho or something. This was nice and squishy. It was almost like I was eating a bowl of noodles! Market Greens: Pretty vegetable colors! Roasted Lamb Lion & Belly: My FAVE dish! Came with an egg too! It was so moist and pink. It was salty and tasted like duck too for some reason... Spicy Pork Sausages & Rice Cakes: Loved the Rice Cakes. It was hard to find the sausages in all that sauce! This place is good if you were eating dinner for 2, not for 6! The price can be too high for the small portions of food. I am sad I didn't get to try Momofuku Noodle Bar ! The thought of pork belly in my ramen is salivating.
(3)
Matt D.
We were very pleased with every aspect of our visit to Momofuku Ssäm Bar. We thought the service was expert and excellent and the food just outstanding. The prices were surprisingly reasonable as well. We arrived at opening and so had no wait on a cold Monday night in late December. I assume the pace picks up as the evening continues. Seems like to perfect place for a meal on a cold night in Manhattan. Our 12 and 10-year-old daughters were very adventurous and tried everything and really enjoyed almost everything. For us the standout dish was the sardines on toast with the Test Kitchen invented Hozon.
(5)
Vicki C.
The pork bun was delicious and the chicken ssam was surprisingly good- I was not sure what a ssam was to begin with. Its like an asian burrito and it kind of reminded me of home. My friend and I shared the pork bun and halved the ssam and we were perfectly content with the portions. The waiter was slow with the water though, I almost wanted to reach over the bar and pour my own water.
(4)
Mere T.
Best steamed pork buns I've ever had. Orgasmic Pear cognac and Penicillin cocktails. And the servers and kitchen staff are awesome!
(5)
Steve L.
Went here with a group of 11 for lunch. Service was awesome, very attentive, very friendly - we had 2 in our party running late, and the servers were not pushy at all and very understanding. As a larger group, we got the 3 course bo/duck ssam prix fix - tweaking the order so we got both the bo ssam and duck ssam (while it costs extra, highly recommend that maneuver). The spicy shrimp rolls were fresh and delicious - and the peanut sauce is incredible. Next, of course, were the famed steamed pork buns, a clear must-have here. Next we had duck dumplings, which were fine...but the pork buns are a tough act to follow. Last, the main course of the fall-off-the-bone pork butt and the rotisserie duck. The pork butt was simply tender goodness, and was accompanied by bib lettuce, 2 types of kimchi, rice, and korean bbq sauce to make lettuce wraps with. Yum. The duck was also fantastic, and came with chive pancakes (great). Oh, and their cold brew ice coffee hit the spot as well. All n all...a great experience.
(5)
Ahiruno P.
Utterly disappointed. The good first - decor, cute; staff, polite; drinks were pretty good but VERY small!! Ok, now the bad - the food!!! It's a classic example of great concept but poor execution, in such, not all the ingredients belong in the plate esp when some overtakes the star of the dish. Here why we tried: 1). Pork bun - was good but nothing special that you can't get in flushing for. 1/3 the price 2). Uni - no flavor as it was overpowered by the wasabi beans and tofu 3). Sirloin tartar - again can't taste the beef only the gooey white sauce on the bottom 4). Duck liver moose - the cranberry were so sour that it ruins the duck liver flavor profile. Overall, it was a let down as there is major flaws in 3 of the 4 dishes we tried ... We couldn't even bring ourselves to have the main course there... We left. Boo.
(2)
Azile Y.
Pork sausage with rice cakes and brussels sprouts were awesome! Pork belly buns not as good as I remember (didn't they used to have cilantro?)
(4)
Melissa C.
A group of 9 of us had dinner here to try the famous bo ssam on a Saturday night at 5:15pm. There are only specific dinner slots available so check online before you make reservations. For appetizers, I really liked the steamed/blt buns. I wasn't sure which one I tried, but it was delicious and one is big enough to split. The honeycrisp apple kimchi didn't impress me. I also heard the scallops were fantastic although I didn't get the chance to try one myself. Now for the bo ssam, which was enormous and everything I expected. There is a particular way of eating the bo ssam, so it's best to ask your waiter for instructions. Basically, you make a sandwich with lettuce as the outside and put rice, pork, oyster and whatever sauces/sides you want inside. It was a fun eating group experience that we all enjoyed. The bo ssam is definitely a once-in-a-blue-moon thing to do in order to preserve the specialness and especially since you need to plan it so far in advance. But it's incredibly memorable and you get a ton of good food. It was about $50 per person (including a bottle of wine for the table) which isn't bad at all. They were also fine about splitting the check for multiple credit cards. The only complaint I have is that the restaurant was very drafty so I was pretty cold throughout the meal.
(4)
La H.
Very crowded and small space to eat, but if you can get in, you must do so. My Big Cuz and I went here for lunch and opted for a whole bunch of small plates. The pickled veggies were awesome and so was the scallops with the snap peas. Cuz had the pork buns which he loved and I had the salmon buns which were amazing. Drink wise: win win. Cuz loved his spicy bloody mary and my sangria ( made with whisky) was unbelievable. No dessert for us though: too full and Milk bar is across the street.
(4)
Jennifer J.
Its all about the steamed pork buns. The food is good, but the steamed pork buns are delicious. I've enjoyed most of the food here but the reason I come and recommend it is because of the pork buns. Everything else is good but nothing for me to brag about.
Pork buns are amazing! The lamb was delicious as well. Portions are really small and service is so so. I would go back for the pork buns.
(4)
Irene C.
This review is only about the Whole Rotisserie Duck Ssam, which you must order a month in advance using their fairly straightforward online reservation system. It costs $140 fixed and feeds 3-6 people. We had 5 very full but thrilled women by the end of the meal. Momofuku Ko's Duck Ssam was simply amazing. Because my friend had heard about the duck through the NYC culinary grapevine, we booked our reservation for 6 people, trusting that we could scrounge up 4 other duck-loving friends in 4 weeks. Wow we were not disappointed. From the moment the waiter "sketched" the duck by describing each component of the meal (complete with hand motions) to the last bite, the entire meal was a complete joy. The duck comes on a beautiful bowl of rice and greens. All of accompaniments--including fried scallions and multiple sauces--were high quality and complimented the dish beautifully. The waiter told us that the duck could be eaten whichever way, but he suggested utilizing the bibb lettuce or the scallion pancakes. This, my friends, is how duck was meant to be eaten. Moreover, you get to select two sides from a list of five, and we chose the swiss chard and fingerling potatoes. Both of which were unexpectedly flavorful and well-executed. Service was attentive yet not intrusive. They called us twice to remind us about the appointment since if you cancel too late or don't show up, they'll charge you for the meal anyway. Although the almost worshipful way the waiter referenced the duck seemed a little silly (e.g., "Ladies, the duck has landed!"), once you taste the delicious duck, you realize what all of the fuss is. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)
Leslie M.
For a place that has over 1K reviews, there's really no need for me to chime in....just go here and have 2 things: 1) Pork Buns 2) Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes Then you can die happy.
(5)
Kristina D.
I have been to Ssam Bar twice - both times for lunch. The first time I was with a colleague and we ordered the octopus salad, pork buns, and salmon buns. The octopus salad was incredible, especially the little potato balls. The pork buns were equally delicious, as was the salmon. The salmon had a great sauce that I really enjoyed. The second time I came with a group and we ordered a bunch of dishes including the duck dumplings, fuji apple kimchi (this was amazing! the bacon! OMG), the momofuku ssam and the duck over rice. All in all everything was really good, and I love the ambiance at the restaurant as well. A little less hectic than Noodle Bar.
(4)
Diana Y.
i always have solid meals here. i love having lunch at ssam. the best thing is rotisserie duck over rice. with the duck scallions, ssam sauce, crispy shallots, & lettuce. its much different than the way i make duck at home, so i enjoy it immensely. add the chive pancakes and you are golden. in the spring (ramp season), i always get a side of ramps and any dishes with ramps in them. cant wait for it this spring.
(4)
Jenn K.
I've tried Ippudo's pork buns and Momofuku's Noodle Shop and this one as well, and I have to say, the steamed pork buns at any Momofuku's restaurant beats them all. It is like you are biting into pure butter until you taste it and realize it's the pork melting in your mouth. If nothing else on the menu appeals to you here at Momofuku Ssam Bar, just get a whole bunch of pork buns and you're good to go. I came here for dinner with a friend and in addition to the pork buns, we got the Beef Offal Stew and the Spicy Pork with Rice Cakes. Both are basically some sort of fusion rendition off of a korean dish. The Beef Offal Stew was kind of a strange taste initially, it's only because of the green onions and the gochujang flavor that started to make the stew taste more appealing and familiar, but it had a lot of tendons, beef intestines, and personally that didn't suit my taste. Basically it's a soup for $20+. The rice cake dish was a rendition of dukkboki, which was good and definitely tasted familiar but I don't know how I felt about the crispiness of the rice cake on the outside with the gooeyness of the rice cake itself. I think the purpose of that was to add texture to a dish that could come off as very mushy overall, however, I think there could've been other ways to add texture to the dish. For instance, maybe using larger pieces of pork instead of ground pork etc. I did appreciate that both entrees had a lot of greens to balance the heaviness of the entrees. Overall, the experience was pleasant. The wait wasn't too long (i think we got lucky though), but they do text you when your table is ready so you can go wander around East Village as you're waiting. I definitely would come back for the pork buns alone and want to try the "ssam" menu soon!
(4)
Wendy G.
Every single dish here is a piece of ART, because the presentation were so creative and beautiful! With that said, taste of the food are either hit or miss. They are all relatively healthy. Here are dishes we ordered: All dishes have 5 star presentation. Below are ratings for taste only: diver scallops - yuba, blood orange, cilantro (3 star) dry aged sirloin tartare - watermelon radish, spinach, nori (5 star) poached chicken - sticky rice, hedgehog mushrooms, black garlic (5 star!!) charred spanish octopus - pine nuts, celery, ham chips (5 star) steamed buns - pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers, scallions (4 star) So, pls order the 5 star dishes above w/ no hesitation guys~~ :)
(4)
Rachel C.
I found the food here to be very, very mediocre. The pork belly buns were probably the best thing we ordered. The pork was sufficiently tender and very succulent. We also tried the roasted jurgielewicz duck and pork shoulder steak, which sadly we did not enjoy. Portions were very small as well. On the whole we found the food to be overrated and overpriced. I would give it 3 stars despite the underwhelming food experience because the service was great and the interior of the restaurant looked very chic and modern.
(3)
Andrew L.
Well, I recently went to Asiate so I cannot say this is THE most overrated, overpriced, pretentious restaurant in NYC, but it is definitely up there! small portions, expensive plates, cramped and uncomfortable dining experience. The pork buns were tasty, the man courses were "ok" but nothing that warranted the price, or the wait .
(1)
Haejong M.
Visiting the city from LA I had momofuku ssam bar bookmarked and I was able to book a reservation for 11pm on a saturday night. We all started out with a few cold beers, I had a glass of the sparkling. For apps, we ordered the corn and a dozen pork buns. The corn was nothing special, however we still finished it. The pork buns were delicious, on the fattier side. I loved how they provided a squeeze bottle of sriracha. The sriracha definitely complimented the pork buns and gave them the perfect amount of spice. For the entree we chose the pork bossam. I've heard good things about the fried chicken but bossam traditionally includes pork so I went traditionally. A dozen oysters were included as well. My favorite part of the meal were the sauces and butter lettuce for the wraps. AMAZING. David chang, I bow down to you. You jilted by taste buds and they are forever changed. The combination of everything went so perfectly well together. I loved the green scallion sauce and the spin on the daengjan sauce. I often like very traditionally korean food so I worried the food would taste too much of asian fusion but it did not and it did not disappoint. I also felt the pricing for 10 people was quite cheap. We all left full and a few even with left overs. 200 for the pork combination was just perfect. I will definitely be back to explore..next time, fried chicken and duck!
(5)
Jin Y.
Am I insane? How did I not write a review for this place? I've been here nearly 4 or 5 years ago when it was still considered pretty new. Man, it was such a mind blowing experience at that time to have this sweet, juicy pork for ssam since Koreans usually have ssam with bland boiled pork and you add your pickles, etc on it (also, usually not in a bun, but in a lettuce cup or something). I can't wait to go back and try it again.
(5)
Schoenfeld A.
This is my first 5 star I ever gave. Not much to say except wow from the second you walk in they treat you like kings . Food was amazing. Pork buns were out of this world. Oysters were sweet and the sauce they gave you don't know what it is but i want it. I would say more but you need to go on your own and check it out.
Marginally over priced for what it was. The food was really good, service was fast. The pork buns are everything we hoped they would be
(4)
Coco P.
OMFG SO FREAKING DELICIOUS!!! Makes me want to try Ko even more now! I feel like I'm slowly trying my way through all the Momofuku restaurants. I definitely love this one way more than Noodle Bar, and that's say a lot because I love Noodle Bar! First of all, stop complaining about the price! This is New York City, this is David Cheng, and this is AMAZING FOOD. When I first read all the Yelp reviews, I was ready to pay an arm and a leg when I came here. Then I saw the menu and realized the majority of Yelpers don't understand what with great quality comes great cost. So stop raving about how the food is amazing but it's "too" expensive. You get what you pay for, and personally, I think you get more than what you pay for here. Food here is just like at Noodle Bar, on the slightly less flavorful for me side, but for some reason it works here. Ordered the Steamed Buns, which are the same as the ones at Noodle Bar. Still not my favorite, but I still loved it. Then we had the Fried Brussel Sprouts, and let me tell you, I don't even like Brussel Sprouts that much and I was fighting everyone for the last few bites. The only reason not to order this dish is if you're allergic to Brussel Sprouts. And then we decided to go with the Boneless Whole Ssam Fish, because it's been too long since I've had a whole fish. I don't even care if whole fishes gross you out, this is a must have! One of the more expensive dishes, but it's a whole fish, and you don't have to pick through bones! Came with flour tortillas and butter lettuce and a creme fraiche, and somehow it turned into one of the most delicious fish "taco" wraps ever. My group picked that fish clean. Then we got the Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes, and let me tell you it was both heaven and hell in my mouth. Very spicy, though nobody else at my table thought so, which means I'm just a big baby when it comes to spicy foods. Even still, I suffered through the burning tongue because this is the best pork sausage and rice cake ever! Love that there's a slight crisp to the rice cake. Table next to us ordered the Age Dried Steak, or something, and it looked amazing. Market price so I suspect that it's expensive, but HUGE portion. Definitely will think about trying that next. Service was great, nothing special but my water was always filled. Waiter was very helpful in explaining all the dishes to us and making suggestions, so we pretty much went with his suggestions. Did not disappoint! And yes, another long wait, but we were quoted hour and a half and we got in after only 40 minutes. So no complaints!
(5)
Roslynn R.
My friend and I were quite surprised to be seated as soon as we walked in for dinner, but I guess that's the beauty of having just a party of 2. We ordered the asparagus which came with bone marrow and browned butter. it was out of this world!! I never expected an asparagus to have this much depth of flavor. I definitely would have someone fly this across the country for me if I could. Another item we ordered was the pork belly buns which were garnished with your standard green onions and hoisin sauce. It blew my mind - i don't think my mouth knew how to react to the pork belly's softness and perfect amount of moistness. I highly recommend this place if you feel like giving your mouth a tickle!
(4)
Amaya B.
I keep trying David Chang's restaurants to see if I can understand the hype and failing. Sure this is reasonably good Asian Fusion food but there's better to be had all over NYC and so the quality of the food is kind of destroyed by the crowd, like the restaurant has been loved to death. Reservations are only taken if you're pre-ordering a whole animal BBQ; otherwise waits are pretty brutal. We walked in at a reasonable time on a Monday and still got told there was an hour wait. Trying to get a table and get seated was a nightmare; the space is cramped and the hostess cranky. They have a text system so that you can wander the neighbourhood while you wait, this is a good idea since non reservations are seated at the bar and there's no space to stand and wait inside. Once we returned we still had to wait 15 mins to get seated and it took another 15 or so to get the bill at the end of the meal. The buns are okay but not amazing, I assume their fame is because they started the trend for NYC - the ones at Ippudo and Baohaus are better. The squeezed in space means that I felt like I was sitting in someone else's date and the couple next to me proceeded to make fun of me for taking pictures of the food. Not worth the hype.
(2)
Liv A.
One of the best dinners that I had during my stay in New York was at Momofuku Ssam Bar. If you get a chance to try the pork shoulder, you must! Grab a group of friends and do it! One of our friends had planned a group dinner for 25 people, so they had pre-ordered the Bo Ssam: (ssäm is korean for enclosed or wrapped) includes a whole slow cooked pork shoulder, a dozen oysters, white rice, bibb lettuce, korean bbq sauce, kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. You make wraps with the pork and condiments or eat as you please. The pork shoulder from niman ranch is cured overnight, then slow roasted for 6-8 hours with a brown sugar and kosher salt rub. It is nothing like I've ever had before and yelping about it is making me salivate as I type. You have to make a reservation and call ahead so that they can prepare the Bo Ssam. It costs $200 but well worth it if you have some friends who like to eat! In addition to the Bo Ssam, our table also ordered steamed buns (pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers, scallions) and bbq bun (crispy pork belly, coleslaw, smoked mayo). Both were incredibly delicious and a great start to the meal. The oysters were incredibly fresh and I preferred them on their own as opposed to putting them in a wrap. The pork shoulder was amazing!!! It was fall off the bone tender and just the one of the best pieces of pork I've ever eaten. What was even more amazing was that our table only had 8 people (6 guys and 2 gals including moi) and we ate the whole damn thing! It was impressive given the fact that our friends and my bf have had this meal numerous times and never have they ever finished the whole pork shoulder. They said that they always took a lot home. Even the waiter was very impressed. The other table in our party even passed over their remaining half dozen of oysters and we finished that too! Note - limit or skip the rice so you have room for the wraps. Our table was proud, despite being straight up gluttons that had contracted the meat sweats after consuming everything. Incredible food and service. Our total tab including drinks and tip came out to be $50 per person. Great value for all the food that we had. When in NYC, must have Momofuku Bo Ssam!!!
(5)
Angel S.
Momofuku Ssam Bar does not disappoint. Skip the noodle and milk bar, but don't pass on the pork buns from here.
(4)
Linh D.
This is actually the first time I've been to a Momofuku - it was a relaxed vibe, and lots of fun. Turns out my friend's friend was the head chef too. I grabbed the scallops, which were great - the avocado puree thing was perfect. I was also hungry so grabbed the Shanghai noodles, which were like soba noodles with snow peas. All so crisp and fresh.
(4)
Mike M.
bar solid drinks at ssam bar, expensive. go to booker & dax. steamed buns perfect. pork belly, consistently well prepared. standard condiments. rotisserie duck over rice duck, well roasted. duck scallion, ssam sauce, and crispy shallots, best condiment collaboration to memory. chive pancake set it off. perfect dish. rotisserie chicken ssam ginger-scallion is a tremendous, versatile condiment. chicken, on point. crispy fingerling potatoes cannot beat them. bread & butter solid bread. butter and lardo, good. expensive for what you get. country hams benton's ham just as good as iberico. red eye gravy mayo, delicious. spicy pork sausage & rice cakes good every time. spice can be overwhelming. get a beer. bo ssam pork shoulder and oyster, magic combination. illmatic by nas.
(5)
Dan T.
Is there a statute of limitations on Yelp reviews? I stumbled upon this unfinished review from 2010, and it's been so long that I don't even know if these items are still on the menu. But what do I recall? Well, apparently I thought the sweet and sour crispy pork ears were "not too overpowering", but was a "fantastic blend of textures that was elevated nicely by the lemon (confit? something or other)". I also thought that the pork buns were delicious, with thick, generous chunks of pork within. However, the pig's head terrine only garnered an "ok" from my 2010-self, and I jotted down a warning to my 2013-self that the pork sausage was "quite spicy" and "don't let it catch you in the back of the throat" (what, like an errant fish bone?). At least I thought that it was a "good portion" but "a bit monochromatic in flavour". Wow, 2010-self, you are pretty unhelpful. Although I do remember going back a few times since this initial visit, my attention has since wandered and pulled me away from the kingdom of Chang, and into the arms of the many other suitors that populate the city. But that Bo Ssam that's been kicking around for a while? THAT sounds like something that will get me back through those doors.
(3)
Josh C.
Hot damn that pre-fix was delicious. Pork shoulder was incomprehensibly mind-bogglingly tender, apple kimchi, fantastic dipping sauces for the ssam. Hot damn.
(5)
Agnes C.
So I reserve my 5 star rankings for those meals where you can reflect on and say it was one of the best meals you've ever had. And if I was on that food network TV show "Best thing I ever ate", I would say the Bo Ssam dinner here. Yes, I am Korean and yes, I have had bo ssam before at home, but THIS bo ssam is just mouthwateringly delicious. The pork shoulder must be braised for hours because the meat literally falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Wrap it in the lettuce, little bit of kimchi, that scallion sauce, and an oyster, and it is heavenly. It was so good and there was SO much, three of us took it home. I had it the next day and it was still delicious. I wish the reservations weren't so late (11pm on Saturday night) but it is honestly worth the wait. (We got pork buns and tartare and other goodies, which was of course very tasty, but once you eat the pork shoulder you end up forgetting whatever else you ate.)
(5)
April D.
I've been wanting to go to a Momofuku restaurant for about three years. I'm all the way across the nation, so it was at the top of my list on my first trip to New York. Nowww if you wait this long, you would hope that it would blow your mind. But I think I hyped it up too much in my head, so that when I actually got to come here with friends, it wasn't what I expected. First thing ordered was the steamed pork belly buns. Everyone says you have to try it right? I'm a big bao fan. If I see a new bao place anywhere near me, I have to try it. Soo the Pork Belly in the buns were great, with a nice amount of the fat, but the actual buns didn't seem fresh or soft as I hoped them to be. After eating at Ippudo the day before, and having their heavenly almost like marshmellow cloud steamed buns, I wasn't amazed with Momofuku's buns. They're pretty good, but not at the top of my list. Second thing ordered was a softshell crab salad. I feel like they were being stingy with the amount of soft shell crab pieces given. At least if you're going to be stingy and pricey about it, make it taste amazing. But it wasn't like that. For the main lunch entree, ordered the rotisserie duck over rice (duck scallion, ssäm sauce, crispy shallot). This was pretty good, but nothing out of the ordinary. For dessert, ordered the whiskey thai tea cake truffles. Honestly, they can get rid of that. They should have added the crack pie to their menu. I had that at Milkbar, and would definitely eat that again! Yeah I'll come to Milkbar again, but I don't see any need to come to Ssam Bar.
(3)
Jose C.
Came here with a friend and my wife, we had a great meal. Pork buns are amazing, had the duck breast, pork shoulder and the ribeye. Also their seasonal cocktails are amazing too.
(5)
Christa P.
This place is amazing. They have the best buns around. When we went in the fall they had duck buns, served with little pickled cucumbers and homemade sauce. Also, we had fried duck wings, served with this mango compote I believe. SO delish. Everything we have had here is so good- full of flavor, beautiful plating and delish. We always go in the morning right when they open so we never have to worry about the crowd.
(5)
Sabrina C.
I had the steamed pork buns and buffalo pork buns and tried the steak. Everything was delish!!!! They do not disappoint here with the pork buns. Cocktails are great here as well - I enjoyed the Japanese whiskey.
(5)
Annie H.
I DO NOT understand the hype. At all. We came here on July 4th since most of the city was a ghosttown, we figured there would be no wait here. And right we were. We were immediately seated at what looked like a bar table, with K sitting right across from me. The seating is super tight, to say the least. There are like 10 items on the menu. And 6 of them involved duck. Does ssam mean duck in another language or something...? I'm seriously confused. We ordered the pork belly buns, the duck buns and the duck fried dumplings. K hated his pork belly bun cause he claimed it was all fat; meanwhile, I thought mine was pretty good, albeit somewhat unflavorful besides the hoisin sauce. Pork belly should be marinated, period. But it didn't taste like this one was. The one thing I enjoyed the most was the fried duck dumpling. If you've ever had a shrimp ball at any dimsum restaurant, that's exactly what the duck dumpling filling was like, except with a duck taste. This was served with a sriracha mayo. Perfect. Service was excruciatingly slow... we waited for a good 10 minutes before someone came to take our order. Afterwards, we headed over to Momofuku Noodle Bar in search for something different, but ended up not even going in because the menu was lackluster as well.
(2)
Howie L.
4 of us went her for the duck dinner. This has to be reserved online. There's enough food here to feed 4 big eaters, or 5 or 6 people w/ smaller appetites. The dinner actually comes serve on a large plate with - a full duck (sliced after the show it to you) under a bed of rice, only a couple bits of sausage (literally 2 bits...) - lined with mint, parsley, and a few other herbs - 4 large scallion pancakes It also comes with a large bowl of light greens, a few sauces (spicy Korean, reduced duck fat/juices (best one... always the unhealthiest), and sweet hoisin sauce. It also comes with 2 sides. We chose the: - broccoli salad with little bits of duck skin croutons. SKIP! It sucks! Blank cold broccoli. - the potatoes (marinated with black bean sauce and a hint of spiciness). Get this, really tasty. My overall impression is that the duck was really good. When they brought the whole duck out for us to inspect before cooking, it actually looks like a small turkey and not like the ones hanging in the windows of Chinatown restaurants. Is it worth 150 before tax and tip...? Maybe once in awhile, but definitely to try at least once as it is cooked very well and different that traditionally prepared duck (very tender, medium rare, and juicy). I couldn't do it all the time simply because I do live in the vicinity of Chinatown and I can get a full duck that is also very tasty for about 20 bucks lol. TIP: They also do one of the best jobs doggy bagging your left overs. They even put the condiments in little containers without prompting.
(3)
Annah T.
Was very excited to finally try a David Chang Restaraunt. Pork belly buns were delicious and definitely all the hype. Even better with Mason jar kim chi to add a little spice and salt to the sweet. Everything else was just ok. All the ingredients in the seafood hot pot was cooked perfectly but the seasoning was slightly overpowering. Also ordered the tempura crab with the same issues. Cooked to perfection but sauces were just ok. All in all worth it to finally try the pork buns.
(4)
Laura L.
What can be said about Ssam Bar that hasn't already been said? Still, I'll give it a go. Went with 8 other people on a Saturday at 11PM (the only time we could get a reservation). Is that too late for dinner? Not at all! We just got the bo ssam ($200), no extras, and barely managed to finish the whole thing. The first bite of pork was unforgettable. The skin had caramelized into a slightly crispy layer of porky goodness. It wasn't too fatty (unlike chicken skin) and the flavors were balanced -- the only downside was that there's only one layer, and it goes fast. Deeper inside, the pork shoulder was tender and easily shredded. The addition of lettuce and sauces is crucial; the marinade doesn't penetrate to every part of the large hunk of meat, which could lead to a slightly repetitive eating experience. The raw oysters added an interesting fishy element, which dollar-oyster enthusiasts will love and the oyster-inexperienced (such as myself) will likely forget as simply one bite out of many. Of the four sauces, ginger-scallion stood out the most. It's a flavor combination more commonly found in Chinese cuisine, but the bright ginger notes and mild oiliness pair well with the robust pork and taste great mixed with the other sauces as well. The ssäm sauce was a bit of a disappointment: overpoweringly salty and not spicy enough. For Korean-inspired food, the bo ssäm could've used a kick in the chili department. Lighting is minimal; the brightly lit kitchen casts a short-reaching glow that makes food photography futile. (Inveterate bloggers and Instagrammers should come for lunch.) New York residents should make their way here at least once to get a taste of the real thing before attempting it at home, though I wouldn't deem the restaurant experience imperative for visitors from out of town.
(4)
Todd O.
I've been wanting to try all of the Momofuku family since getting reservations at Ko, probably the most exclusive of the NY locations. Although I'm not Korean, my understanding is that "ssam" means wrapped, a technique you would use for their specialty called bo ssam, which I did not get to try on this occasion. We started with their steamed buns ($10) and blt bun ($6). The pork belly inside these buns were especially fatty and seasoned lightly with hoisin (the fluffy buns are very similar to that you get with Peking duck at your traditional Chinese restaurants). The smoked liver mousse was not what I was expecting...for those a little more adventerous and enjoy foie gras and mushrooms, this would be up your alley. It's an interesting pairing, but I can't say this is something I would get again. The roast duck with chickpeas and goji berries was extremely tasty and a good compromise for not getting the bo ssam. See pics from my experience here: yelp.com/biz_photos/momo…
(3)
Pauline C.
This place is amazing! Best service we've had in NYC!!!! The food was great too! Porge Saam was delicious! We fought over it! The pork belly sandwiches rock! We jumped over to the bar afterwards! Seriously amazing service and WELL WORTH the wait!!!!!
(5)
Elle P.
Really bad...this is what I imagine people who don't really understand/appreciate Korean food eat thinking they enjoy Korean food. The food is horrendously greasy and that is the overwhelming taste. Also, I disliked the decor, esp. the chairs which were little cube stools - no space for anything.
(1)
Somin Y.
Yes, we made two huge mistakes. 1) We, a party of 3, expected that there should be a small plate for Bo Ssam, which is served only if you make a reservation for a party of more than 6 people. However, the small plate was not available on their regular dinner menu. Gosh... 2) we didn't even order the holy steamed buns... BUT! We fully enjoyed our dinner with some dishes that we randomly tried that evening. I will skip my comment on spicy pork sausage & rice cakes as it is already popular among yelpers. The other favorite dish for that dinner was roasted jurgielewicz duck that our server strongly recommended - it was just perfect! I'm not a great fan of duck because some dishes are greasy, but it was different this time. Well cooked, not greasy, very tender and flavorful, and its sauce on side with chickpea, kale, and berries was also delicious! All of us were so impressed that we were still talking about how great this dish was on our way back home. We didn't try pork shoulders since our server (very honestly) told us it sucks haha. Don't forget to order beer! They have Tiger (Singapore lager) beer, some locally brewed draft beer, and belgium beer. We had one of their country ham plates with the beer as a starter, which was so good. They don't take reservation, so if you're planning a weekend dinner, arrive early! We arrived at 6pm ish on Sunday evening and were able to be seated right away. Shortly after, the place was fully packed. Overall, we loved their food, drink, service, and ambience. Will definitely bring more friends next time to try the famous Bo Ssam.
(4)
Meli N.
Oysters are so fresh and delish. The Corvina is light and perfectly balanced with the white peppercorn & topped with thinly sliced kumquats. Last cus I saved the best for last, pork buns times 4. Yummmm that combo makes a very happy me. I try to stop at as many Momofuku locations while I'm in town. Since each menu varies place to place, I stop in and repeat certain ones according to my cravings. Either way you can't go wrong!
(5)
Scott G.
Wonderful food, friendly vibe. All the food had wonderful depth of flavour without overdoing it. Started with the sardines on toast - flour little morsels of deliciousness that were much better than the name might lead you to expect. Then bread and butter with whipped lardon. The bread was otw, the lardon was interesting as I had never had it but I will I not be going out of my way for it again. Steamed pork rolls had a great savory flavour and the soft shell crabs were perfectly seasoned so as to add to the enjoyment but not over power the delicate crab.
(4)
Patrick N.
I came here for "first lunch" (before heading up to Harlem for Red Rooster for "2nd lunch") only to try the pork buns. I heard amazing things about these tiny pork buns and was especially excited to see why this place took the food world by storm in the past few years. Overall, the pork buns were good, but were not really special or amazing in any one respect. I feel like I could've eaten something similar at a place in Chinatown for much less money ($10 for two buns). The pork was very rich and fatty, yes--but isn't that just the nature of pork? The hot sauce made it much better, cutting through the richness of the fat. The cucumbers did give good crunch, and the bbq sauce was very good. Service was good, but not at all kind, nice, or welcoming. The hostess at the time was curt and barely acknowledged our "thank you's" or cordiality. A restaurant can never be too trendy for classic and good ol' fashioned manners! In short, the taste was 4-star worthy, but the price and cold hostess keeps it at 3 stars. I would come back, though, to try some of the amazing looking duck items on the menu.
(3)
Sam C.
I was told the line gets crazy, but we got a table right around normal dinner time, so didn't experience that madness. The seating arrangement inside is interesting... long communal tables, small 2-seater tables, or at the bar. It's very cramped, dark, and loud -- maybe it's a New York thing, I don't know. Service isn't very great. I can't tell who the waiter is, and he doesn't exactly check up on us, so I can't remember who he is. I'm not terribly picky, but I expect a little more from a place that regards itself in quality. Now onto the food! Steamed pork belly bun -- AMAZING. The pork belly is smoked beautifully, with just enough hoisin sauce and well steamed bun. Good, great, amazing, spectacular. Liver mousse, a strange dish, but oddly tasty. It is literally liver paste in perfect mousse form, with bits and pieces of greens and bacon (I think). The ham plates -- thinly sliced like prosciutto -- AMAZING. You get a huge round plate of amazing ham and this interesting coffee based sauce. I would love to try the bo ssam one of these days, though it is outrageously expensive. Which makes me wonder if it's really worth the money, so of course, I want to try it even more.
(4)
Ben W.
Get us ssäm tasty noms. (300th review, woot!) Birthdays are a great excuse to bring a group of friends together for a big reservations and share some amazing food. Ssäm Bar had been on my friend's list for a while, so a late night reservation of 10 was set. We were all excited for the bo ssäm that awaited us. Once we were all seated, the gears were set into motion. Bowls upon bowls started coming from the kitchen: lettuce leaves, kimchi, hot sauce, minced chives in oil, rice, a tray of oysters, and the big centerpiece, a huge, hunking piece of pork butt. Eating was pretty self explanatory. You took a lettuce leaf and stuffed it with whatever suited your fancy. I tried multiple combinations, with and without rice, the different sauces, and oysters. The best combination in my opinion actually had a little bit of everything. The rice and meat provided substance and flavor, the kimchi added a much needed crunch and made it a little sour, the oyster added depth and a texture difference that made it that much more enjoyable. Wrap after wrap, I couldn't get enough of the food. The concept of pulling the pork off the bone was really cool too, adding to the experience. For 10 people, there was actually more than enough food. We did have majority girls, but everyone had their fair share and multiple people commented that they were stuffed. It was also surprisingly affordable: we each spent $32 after tax and tip and covered the birthday girl. Would I do it again? Maybe. I would need a large enough group to make it worth it, but nothing like food to bring people together!
(5)
Erin D.
Momofuk-me... this place was gooood. The raw bar is a raw-esome place to start: from the refreshing oysters to the light, tender cobia, to the other-worldly diced scallops. Incredibly flavorful and served in a light, chilled broth (think ceviche-style, but without the acidity), it was probably the best scallop dish I've ever had. This diver scallop walloped Morimoto's similar dish. And, although I don't eat much pork (minus the weekly Bloody Mary accompaniment), nor do I have nor eat buns, I went for their most popular dish. And it was bun-believeable. Little did I know the best was yet to come: the chawanmushi with truffle, apple, and quail egg, the chef's special of the night. I get all mushi inside just thinking of this bowl of wonder. Worth the $20+ surcharge, sir. Yep, I'm putting this dish in my top 5. Of all time. Our knowledgeable, super laid-back server recommend the quail entree, which was assembled so artfully, it resembled a forest of sorts, with trees of radish, fig stones, and trails of squid ink. Not even remotely a filling entree as the quail consisted of just four small wing-like pieces, but beautiful and unique. Tasty, but I wanted mo', Momofuku! The only forgettable dish would be the jar of spicy kimchi. Good, but nothing special. Although I basically eat the salt rings of margarita glasses and drink pickle juice like water, I actually found this side to be a bit too salty. Then again, I couldn't see straight after the chawanmushi, so I didn't care. No wait at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday night, so check it out at off-hours, and sit at the bar to watch the extremely chill staff do their thang. I want ssam more of this place.
(4)
Priscilla T.
Sorry Mr. Chang, taking the opposing view on this one. I kept putting off going here for years and turns out I wasn't missing much of anything. Smoked salmon buns? Meh. Bread & butter (attach 5 adjectives of local sourcing, hand making, and other menu window dressing and that's how our server described this dish)... turns out it's really just (cold) bread. And butter. On a plate. Spicy pork sausage and rice cakes? It feels like the Korean foodie upgrade to General Cho's chicken. I'm admittedly not a fan of glutinous rice bricks but this was just sauciness + sausage + glutinous rice. Not exciting. As for the rotisserie duck over rice that I was hoping would save the day... wonk, wonk. Total fail there. The duck was juicy but nothing special on the flavoring. And then it was just rice, ssam paste, and crispy shallots, plus lettuce. Sigh.
(2)
Sarah W.
Started with the buffalo pork buns and charred broccolini with beef tongue - both delicious! Then we had the whole boneless porgy ssam, which was also very good. Since it was a Monday night, we were able to get seated almost right away at the bar.
(5)
Kate M.
There are several things from my trip to New York a few months back that I feel I will chasing for something as good for the rest of my life. Momofoku's pork buns are one of them. I had never had pork buns before. However, I have now had them elsewhere several times since, but no where else has come remotely close. I will ever love my friend for taking us here on our trip to New York. The three of us shared several dishes and everything was amazing. The pork buns are definitely the star here. Both the buffalo and steamed buns are great. Tender amazing pork belly in a perfectly light steamed bun. I am serious, I dream about them. We also had diver scallops, I love scallops in all forms and this is a great one. The sardines on toast were also great, my husbands now orders this everywhere as well, none have been as good as well. The service was great, the environment was great, and the drinks are great as well. The food is the star. Next time I am in New York I will definitely be back and will probably try another Momofoku restaurant if I don't come here for every meal.
(5)
Yue L.
I'm on a 3 star roll today. I have been to my share of good restaurants and this is simply just ok for me. After a 20-25 min wait on a Sunday night around 8pm, we were seated at the bar. My friend's brother took us here and told us that he liked the fish and duck here. I ordered the seafood hotpot as I don't eat pork and when you hear hot pot you are thinking a little pot/large bowl of something (ie nabeyaki udon style). What came out was a tiny little bowl (think small Asian rice bowls) of seafood soup in a coconut lime broth. The soup itself was really good but for $19, I could really do better. Tried the duck and it was tender but nothing special. The brussel sprouts were way too greasy. Enjoyed my seafood hot soup but honestly I was still hungry after. Just another overpriced NYC joint.
(3)
Leonard L.
I'll skip the background on DC because everyone in the food scene knows the mega success story of a guy who use to eat from a convenience store (Lawson's) in Japan for years. Did a walk-in on a Saturday night and only had to wait 40 mins. Hostess took my number down and had text me to confirm as well as let me know when my table would be ready. We were seated at the bar which made me feel right at home ( ahhhh lol ). An order of Shibumi oysters w/ plum mignonette was delicious. The oyster was well balanced and to add a bit of that plum complimented the bivalve mollusc. The diver scallop tataki was my favorite of the night. A dark sear followed by the natural sweet finish, you can tell this was made perfectly. A must get when dining here. The not so common buffalo buns were on the menu but they ran out so we opt'd for the other white meat (pork) buns which never disappoint. Next was the grilled flat iron steak which was cooked to a perfect medium rare but was way too salty. It's also unforgiving especially when the price tag is over $20 dollar for a cheap cut. For the last leg of the meat stage was the garlic roasted quail. A mouth full of flavor in every bite, this is more of an appetizer given the size. Just another example of where quality reigns over quantity. For dessert, skip the Thai tea pie. Sour and almost inedible. Now while I enjoyed my experience at Ssam Bar, I wasn't blown away. The place is trendy, staff is very friendly and a great place for a date night. The food is decent but It won't win any awards. But in terms of " fusion ", DC is innovated and is always pushing the food boundaries. He's earned everything he has and I can see why people flock to his restaurants. Not too bad, I mean things can be worst, right? At least you're not Guy Fieri. Donkey sauce anyone? 3/12 stars
(3)
Sean H.
I can't get enough of Ssäm Bar. When I get stuck in the East Village in the rain, I come here to warm up knowing the line won't be around the block instead. Their staff is seriously the nicest restaurant staff I've ever encountered in NYC (and they know their stuff too), and they're always willing to accommodate my allergies. Their drinks are great. If you don't know what to get started with, the Five Spice Sour is good year round, and they have a great gin-based summer drink currently. I can't come and not have the pork buns. I really can't. They cook the pork so long and carefully that it practically melts. Their other mains are great too- today they had a great duck special for $20 that you couldn't beat (sliced duck stuffed with a pork sausage and a small amount of bacon on the outside, over rice with a huge chive pancake and lettuce / veg and rice for wraps, accompanied with a cold broccoli salad that was actually tasty...). If you're a single diner, they can usually find you room at the bar too...and unlike most places in NYC, they're thrilled to have you dine there alone. I love Ssäm Bar like I love an old friend.
(5)
Martin y.
short version: will bring friends times again for the great vibe and service, for fun; but I will not go just for the food. keep your expectations low is the key to a great experience at David's restaurants. If you can, ignore his fame and fanciful media coverage, those have zero correlation with the taste of food there. His celebrity chef buddies don't cook there. his food is porn, a sensory experience without proper boundaries. yes, some concepts are new (to Americans mostly), and yes, the food can be very comforting at times. overall, the food is almost always too fatty, too salty, too sweet, and too spicy. but that is David's signature: an unapologetic, excessive sensory experience on a plate. over-seasoning masks the inferior raw ingredients, excessive use of fat and salt takes advantage of our animal instinct. that being said, we would always want to go back and check out the porn once in a while
(3)
Peter D.
I was lucky enough to lunch at Ssam with five other greedy gluttons, so I ate my way through a solid portion of the menu. We tried buns of all kinds, more meat than I can comprehend, and everything from octopus to duck, potatoes to bacon. I could go on and on about the highs and lows of each and every dish, but let's face it: 1. I'm lazy and I don't want to type all of that out. 2. Like most clowns these days, I took photos of everything for you to see. 3. You're sick of my blathering, and just want to hear about what you should order. So here it is. Get the lamb ssam. It is explosively flavorful, perfectly tender, and everything I wanted all the other dishes to be. Not to say there weren't other highlights, but they all paled in comparison. (There were certainly a few lowlights that needed some of the hoisin-esque BBQ sauce to save them.) So get the lamb ssam. It's like the tastiest of burritos in its flatbread, and you can thank me later. Preferably with whiskey.
(3)
Beverly A.
I love you DAVID CHANG! This place says it's classified as 'Korean' but is all types of Asian Fusion! We came for dinner and were lucky enough to score a table without waiting! Ahh - the stars were aligned! + Pork buns. Delicious thick cuts of perfectly cooked pork! They win, bar none! Sorry totto and Ippudo! + Quail. Mmmm garlic roasted quail! It was cooked perfectly and as delicious as it gets! + Seafood hot pot. It was a HOT HOT summer day, but we couldn't resist the seafood hot pot because we saw someone next to us eating it.. it looked good and tasted even better! This is easily the best meal I've had in the longest time. Everything we had was packed with flavor! Mind you the portion sizes are more appetizer/tapas stype - just a warning especially since the costs will def hit your pocket (we paid $15 for a half glass full margarita!) Ssam Bar is my favorite Momofuku restaurant of them all and I'll definitely be back next time I'm in NYC!
(5)
Cathy C.
I wanted to try the bossam but it's meant to be shared by 4 people - I was 2 short in the people department so I didn't bother ordering 1 day ahead. The place was packed so we just sat at the bar. The bartender gave us recommendations - some were considered, some were not. We tried the pork belly buns, crispy duck wings, pork sausage & fried rice cakes, duck with rice and chive pancakes and, Thai tea truffles. Crispy Duck Wings: Duck wings with sesame, long red peppers and peanuts. They're sweet and spicy at the same time. Duck wings are pretty bony so be careful. 4/5 Steamed Buns: 2 thick slices of fatty pork belly in each bun with hoisin sauce, cucumber and scallion. You can see the oil oozing out of the pork belly. Put a bit of Sriracha (not that it needs it) for an even more amazing experience. 5/5 Rotisserie Duck Over Rice: Duck scallion, white rice, ssam sauce and crispy shallot. We got a side of chive pancake for an extra $2. The duck skin was crisp and flavorful, and the meat was tender and not dry. 4/5 Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes: The bartender warned me that this dish is spicy. I'm a big wuss when it comes to spicy food so I had my doubts but ordered it anyway. I'm so glad I did because this was the highlight of my Momofuku ssam experience sans bossam. The rice cakes were crispy and tasty. The pork sausage was not as spicy as I had anticipated - but I had to switch to eating duck after a few bites. This dish made me sweat. 5/5 Whiskey Thai Iced Tea Cake Truffles: I love dessert with Thai iced tea. I got to be honest and say I was disappointed by this. The bartender tried to talk me out of getting this but I learned my lesson the hard way. I didn't taste whiskey which is a good thing since I'm not a fan of that. But I also didn't taste Thai iced tea. This dessert tasted citrusy to me. False advertising. The bartender probably saw the disappointment on my face so he recommended that we go across the street to Momofuku Milk Bar but Chikalicious was less than a mile away from here so that's where I went after. 2/5
(4)
Brittany C.
I come back here from time to time for one thing. PORK BUNS. I'm sure everything else on the menu is amazing But once there, I order a glass of wine with friends and share a few orders of pork buns at the bar. There's a really relaxed atmosphere and the ambience of the place is really great. Low lighting, relatively quiet for such a small (constantly busy) place, and in a really great location surrounded by tons of other great restaurants, lounges and bars. I suggest going to the bar if you have a small party and would like to order right away. I'm not sure if they take reservations but definitely try to make them if you don't want to go to the bar. This place is always busy.
(5)
Kat D.
I went here on a weeknight around 7pm and we were seated right away. We went for a few plates and ordered the fluke, pork buns and brussel sprouts. Pork buns were my favorite!! We sat at the bar and the people were really friendly and helpful. The bartender recommended the penicillin drink and it was soo good. It was the right amount of smokiness. I'll definitely be back for more!
(5)
J. R.
Bo Ssam Lunch Group Dinning What TV Character Would Dine Here: Imagine if the Friends cast (Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, Joey) lived real lives and didn't see each other 24/7. This is a great place to come in a large group and have a great meal to catch up. It reminds me of the last supper. Good For: Group dinning at brunch time Overall Quant Score: Please review quant profile in my profile. Pros: Simple, Straightforward, Large bang for your buck Cons: Table and hands can get a little messy as you are eating with your hands, New plates could have come quicker Food Wrap Up Summary: Arrived at 1:00pm on a Sunday for a late lunch. This place can get very busy and I would never head here without a reservation. Reservation were made 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Food Rundown (*Designated must try item): *Group bo ssäm - The bo ssäm (ssäm is korean for enclosed or wrapped) includes a slow cooked pork shoulder, a dozen oysters, and two bowls each of white rice, bibb lettuce, ssäm sauce (korean bbq sauce), kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. guests are encouraged to make wraps with the pork and condiments or eat as they please. The pork shoulder from niman ranch is cured overnight, then slow roasted for 6-8 hours with a brown sugar and kosher salt rub. $225 for your entire party, not including tax or tip. If you are carnivore like I am, the pork here is as tender and suckling as it comes. Grab a bunch of the inner core meat as it is the most tender. Between each wrap take a swig of wine to cleanse the pallet. For each new wrap grab a different sauce to try. *Pork Buns - Delicious fatty meat cut from the belly of the pig. It is wrapped in a white bun. However, watch out for the splash factor as the food is quite greasy and the pork belly has a tendency to fall out of the bun. Best bet is to eat this with a fork. White Wine Sangria w/ Almonds - Thought this drink was quite plain. However, I like their touch with grinding up almonds in the drink. Tip: Reservation needs to be made in advance, Go last and get the inner core meat as it is the most tender and fatty, Grab enough meat for a few wraps and put it on your plate. It is difficult grabbing meat for each wrap.
(5)
Andrew G.
Momofuku got a lot of hits on Yelp so it was about time to check this place out. The service was outstanding. As far as my meal I went with their duck bowl over rice which was good, but small portions vs how much it cost. Also the place smells like a dentist office. Major turnoff. I'll stick with Ippudo. Thank goodness for the milk bar across the street. At least I got some great cookies to go
(3)
Sarah K.
Holy smokes, David Chang. I came here with my best friend and we were both pretty excited because of how well known Momofuku has become. It was the first time for both of us and we didn't really know what to expect, but came with anticipation for some good food. So, we ended up ordering the apple kimchi, steamed buns, brussel sprouts, and duck. Cannot sing enough praises for the apple kimchi--it was the dish I was most curious about and was most pleasantly surprised with. Awesome and creative! The steamed buns, my goodness. I thought I was eating a slab of fat because the meat was so tender. To my relief, it was a real slice of pork. The brussel sprouts and duck were great too, but the stars of the night were the apple kimchi and steamed buns for me. Overall, the food was nothing like I've ever tasted before. I mean this in the best way possible. David Chang and the Momofuku team have really done a great job making this a singular dining experience. All the food was spectacular and unique! I'm almost certain you're not going to find or taste anything similar to the Momofuku menu. I'm hoping to come back and try to bo ssam and/or duck and/or ribeye. Actually, I want to try the rest of the entire menu.
(5)
Brian L.
This place is packed 100% of the time during dinner hours (when I'm around this area). It has to be good right? It's just not the best for me. I find the food average - but again, for those of you that know my reviews, I have a "cheap" mouth. I don't enjoy the less "delicate" flavors that you sophisticated eaters like. I don't notice it. So if you're like me (where you enjoy that $1 slice for what it is worth), I'd say find another place.
(3)
Lindsay H.
THE UNI!!!!! It's been several weeks since I visited Ssam Bar, but I have thought about the uni everyday since. That is approximately 30 days straight of uni-lusting. It's served on warm tofu with wasabi peas and some salmon roe, but the combination of the warm tofu and the cold uni and the crunch of the peas is flavor/temperature/texture NIRVANA. It's a travesty that I'm sitting at work writing this review instead of eating the uni right now.
(5)
Carmen G.
Final-freaken-ly. I wanted to try the Momofuku chain for the longest time. Even when we were driving to the restaurant, I kept saying "I can't wait!!" with a big grin on my face. The only downfall was that our reservation was at 10pm. Seriously... who makes reservations at 10pm on a weeknight??? Apparently, our foodie host does. He booked the reservation a month in advance for their infamous duck feast and boy were we in for a real treat. The meal feeds about 4 people, 6 if you have light eaters. The waitress first brought out the whole roasted duck rested on a bed of greens to give it its grand royal display, as it deserves! She went off giving us the background of this lovely bird (where it was raised and etc), we were so memorized by the delicious crispy goodness in front of us that we didn't even hear half the stuff she said. I think she said our duck was raised in Long Island.... While it was cooking, we ordered the steam pork buns to start and share. The pork belly was wrapped in a little white fluffy pillow, sandwiched in between hoison sauce and greens and super tender. Put a little sriracha on it for a kick. Yum. Asked our waiter for a red wine recommendation and he suggested the Blaufrankisch 2011, which has a medium body, to pair with our meal. Is it sweet? Slightly. Perfect for me. It went really well with the duck. The waiter did not steer us wrong! I liked the presentation of the duck feast. Duck breast was sliced into two rows under a bed of white rice, sesame pancake wraps and herbs (basil, mint, sage, cilantro and watercrest) on the side. It also came with a bowl of lettuce to wrap and toppings such as fried and sauteed shallots, hoison sauce, korean bbq sauce. What I love about this is different variations you can make and you get down and dirty to make your food. So many delicious choices. Note: the sesame pancakes were very greasy. Avoid. Overall, I enjoyed the entire experience from start to finish. 3.5 stars. We cleaned up everything, even the waiter was impressed! One thing is for sure, I can't eat or look at a duck for at least a month. When you have too much of something, you need to take a break. I'm all duck-ed out.
(3)
Kevin L.
Great laid back atmosphere. Waiting staff and front of house were excellent and very welcoming. Very interesting food and all very reasonably priced. I had the ham and coffee mayo "BS" as Jose Andres described it and it was really amazing. Really good drinks selection as well. Good list of wines and an eclectic collection of whisky, and if i remember correctly, saw pappy van winkle 15. They also had a 18 dollar belgian beer, which my friend was hesitant to get until he saw that there are only a handful of places in the US that import it. Had a taste and the price was completely justifiable. Overall, a very enjoyable experience and nothing that I can complain about.
(5)
Donna Y.
The porn buns were delicious super fatty and juicy. Request a side of shirracha if you're like me and like a little bit of spice. For entree, I ordered the Duck two ways were amazing each bite was flavorful and tender. The waitstaff was attentive and checked on us frequently. The turnover rate is pretty high which is great for a group of two (like us) but for any crowd larger than four, it would be pretty difficult.
(4)
Alejandro B.
Expensive, but an interesting concept. 3.5 stars rounding up to 4. I'm allergic to fish and shellfish; while the restaurant did let me know which dishes I couldn't eat, they would not allow modifications (I really wanted to try the braised pork shoulder ssam but Momofuku wouldn't remove the kimchi it came with, which had shrimp). Kinda snobbish if you ask me. My cousin and I each split a ssam so we could try different flavors. I really enjoyed the rotisserie chicken ssam, which was tender and had balanced flavors. The lamb ssam, on the other hand, I didn't enjoy as much. The rice was a bit crispy; in small doses it'd be enjoyable, but I felt it overwhelmed the ssam. I didn't have enough lamb meat to my liking either. The pork belly from the steam buns melted in my mouth. An enjoyable meal overall.
(4)
Cindy W.
Been hearing lots of raves about this place so we decided to give it a try. We came here after a B show so we sampled their dinner menu which we also found out that was WAY different than their lunch. We started with their pork buns and also uni lychee sake special. Their pork buns was nothing we haven't seen before. And it didn't blow our socks off. As for the uni lychee sake special it was disgusting. I am a love of all these 3 items but I don't think they all should be combined to a dish. As for our dinner entrees we shared the fried Brussels sprouts and also the rice cake noodles. Both dishes came our very oily and salty. We told the waitress and she says that its how it is. So, being a fan of David Chang for a long time, this was the first time I've been unimpressed with his food.
(2)
Ken P.
It took 8 of us, but we pulled it off - we downed an entire pork shoulder and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Great place with a great ambiance.
(5)
Holly D.
The food was fine. More show than taste. Went here with a colleague for lunch. It was crowded and noisy. To start, I had the steamed buns and it was tasty. My main was the 7-spice lamb bowl. Overly salty and the protein was tough. It is a good place to try however I will probably not go back. There are so many other establishments to try in NYC.
(3)
Michael L.
Awesome. Got 4 items and they got better every time. Plain Steamed buns were awesome and my wife wouldn't let me order 2nds of the pork and rice cake item...
(5)
Margaret L.
Aside from horrible service, food was mediocre. Music was ghetto for that type of restaurant. My husband and I have never turned down a bottle of wine but the taste sip was awful. We ordered the following: Steam bun = greasy and fattening Tempura soft shell crab= it was battered shells no crab meat Beef tongue= pretty decent Steak = came out really rare had to send back, nothing special Pork sausages and rice cake= best dish but still very oily Not worth 1.5 hour wait or not worth it at all... So disappointing
(2)
Alex B.
A bit hard to rate this place. Food isn't bad, which is about as good as I can say it is. The duck was great, everything else not so great. Sausage and rice cake, the buns, all very whatever. Surprisingly so, this place is supposedly an institution, but in my opinion doesn't live up to the hype. I watch David Chang on "mind of a chef" and he seems like a cool guy. But I have mixed feelings, he hates on California food, and as someone from LA, in my short experiences in NY, I think LA is much better for food in the short time I had to compare. Dollar for dollar you can eat well and cheap in LA, not what I experienced in NY, ie $20 lox bagels (wtf). Maybe it's because NY has inferior ingredients to California, who knows. So momofoku, $13 for bread and butter. Hey David Chang, that's usually free in other places. So you'd figure if they charge for it, it's special. Well, its not. The butter is good but, its nothing to write home about and the baguette was old. The waiter told me not to check yelp for suggestions to take his word, I wish I looked at yelp first because nothing here did it for me, except the duck. And even the duck, at $27 for 5 1-ounce chunks, I don't know, seems a bit audacious to me. Maybe that's just New York, if that's the case, well then F New York.
(3)
David T.
I had been looking forward to eating here for sometime. The place is very cool, staff is very friendly and helpful, the ambiance is great. For me the food was a mix. I loved some of the dishes and did not like others. Tried the following: Sunflower Hozon - Did not like this one. The toast was good, but the dip no so much. Waiter was very nice and substituted it for the Pigs Head. Heritage Farm Pig's Head - Also not great. All fat and no meat. I like pigs head but this had no meat at all. Mason Jar Kimchi - This was pretty average. Too many apple cubes and no cabbage like stuff. After these as openers I was getting concerned, but it got better from this point on. Pork Belly buns - Very Good BBQ Bun - Very Good Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice cakes - Very Good Roast Duck - Good, but not outstanding Momofuku Ssam Bar was not perfect, but it was overall a nice location and meal.
(4)
Brian G.
Went here for my brother's birthday and made a reservation a couple of weeks ago for the duck. I did not know what to expect, but it was phenomenal! Pretty good price for such a large meal, too. The duck came with delicious tortillas and lettuce to make wraps and sauces and rice and potatoes that were out of this world. I was slightly less impressed by the pork buns, I have had better, but don't get me wrong, they're very good here, too. The duck was tender and delicious, the rice was a little bland, the tortillas were great. The sauces were all delicious, though I was drawn more to the plum sauce for the sweet taste. The duck soup brought out after the main meal was okay. It was made with soy sauce and orange zest. It smelled wonderful, but tasted only okay, nothing that different from any other udon-type soups. Our appetizers included pickles which I am not ever a fan of, no exception here, and Kim Chi, which I was also not big on. The duck alone warrants the 4 stars.
(4)
Jennifer K.
Momofuku is a prime example of how overhyped NYC restaurants fall short of expectations. The food was decent, but given how long the wait is on a Friday night (and the accompanying price tag), I was expecting a more memorable, mind-blowing meal. Our table ordered: 1. Steamed Buns - Pretty bland. The ones at Ippudo are way tastier. 2. Buffalo Pork Buns - Much more flavorful than the Steamed Buns. This was one of the better dishes we ordered. 3. Honeycrisp Apple Kimchi - Not bad, but I was content with just one piece of apple kimchi. 4. Fried Brussels Sprouts - This was my favorite dish of the night. However, as a carnivore, I think it says a lot about the quality of the food when the best dish is brussels sprouts. I know very well that I can make brussels sprouts that are just as good, and that's a HUGE issue for me when I'm shelling out a lot of money to dine at a trendy restaurant. 5. Roasted Jurgielewicz Duck - Decent, but forgettable. 6. Spicy Pork sausage & Rice Cakes - This was not bad, probably my third favorite dish behind the Buffalo Pork Buns and Brussels. But food aside, my BIGGEST issue with this restaurant is how RUDE the HOSTESS was. I came in about two hours before my party was meeting up to put my name down as it was a friday night for a party of 5. A table was surprisingly available 45 min later, but our party was obviously not together and Momofuku's seating policy requires the entire party to be present. I come back two hours later, right before my party arrives, to see how much longer it would be for the next table to be available. The hostess takes a look around the restaurant, which is at most 40 feet long, to see that there's a table opening up right next to entrance (so her terribly long walk across the restaurant was essentially fruitless). As she points out the table in front of me opening up, I tell her my party is arriving shortly. To which she responds in the bitchiest, most pretentious tone possible: "I don't mean to be rude, but it kind of wastes my time when you ask me to look around the restaurant for a table when your party isn't here." 1. I didn't ASK her to look around the restaurant, especially since there was a table right in front of me opening up. Is it that unreasonable for a paying customer who had come two hours earlier, anticipating a busy friday night, to be given an approximate estimate of when I could be seated. 2. Isn't that her fucking job? 3. What precious time was I wasting being that a) she's at work b) I was the ONLY person at the hostess area 4. She has the easiest job out of everyone working at that extremely busy restaurant, so who is she to be the one displaying such rudeness? I apologize for how long-winded that was, but that really left a bad taste...and the mediocre food did not do much to get rid of it.
(2)
JohnnyPrime.C. C.
After reading this Eater article, and adding to the comments, I decided I needed to go do this gigantic rib eye at Momofuku Ssam Bar. I went with my wife and two friends from Tabelog. We rocked it. Check out the pics and details below. We started out with what we thought was a complimentary plate of sardines on toast with fermented chic peas and pickled hearts if palm. Why did we think it was complimentary, you ask? Because (1) we didn't fucking order it, and (2) the fucking waiter told us that he brought it out to us because he wanted us to try his favorite item. I'm not gonna complain any more than dropping two F-bombs, but needless to say I was a little confused and pissed when I saw the bill and realized we were charged for it (after leaving and already paying, kind you). The app was great. Salty, juicy, earthy, "umami," and all that good shit. But there was plenty of meat, potatoes and greens to go around with the rib eye special that we didn't need an app. Now, the waiter was great and all, but a surprise charge like this, couched in "freebie" behavior, is kinda fucked up. Okay that's three F-bombs now. I'll leave the meat for last... aside from dessert, of course. The art of anticipation... Next was the bowl of perfectly fried french fries. Delicious. They came with a nice, smokey bacon ketchup too. Crispy outside, mashed potatoes inside. Mmmmm. Then a massive Caesar salad with brown butter croutons. Crisp and refreshing. Okay now for the blowout. This is a 107oz hunk of GODmeat. Dry aged for 50 days, originally hailing from the Niman farm in California, this cut of rib contains the outer fat slabs as well as what you normally get with a traditional cut of rib eye + fat cap. Here are some before shots: It was cooked to a perfect medium rare, allowed to cool, and then sliced and plated on a thick cutting board. Some of the fat was the grizzled kind, but much of it was the edible, meat bubble gum kind. Savory beef jelly. Awesome. It was served with four sauces: the bacon ketchup mentioned earlier, a bernaise sauce, a red wine + shallot marmalade, and rendered steak fat + brown butter and herbs. Also, four bundles of roasted garlic cloves, so soft that you could smear the garlic on your steak like creamy mashed potatoes or some shit. Was all this enough? Nope. Of course not. I'm a former fat guy. So we followed up with some dessert. First was a popcorn cake. Instead of sifting flower I'm the pre-baking process, they sifted popcorn. It was really unique, and served with a little side bowl of strawberry jam to spread across each forkfull. All I can say is that you should get it if you go here. And finally we had the Thai tea pie. This cold dessert had the unique characteristic flavor of Thai tea with an added tangy tamarind sauce and some sort of chocolatey, tea-infused puffed rice kinda thing on top. Nice. So that's all. Great fucking meal, aside from the fact that I was charged for something that we didn't order. On the slightly brighter side of things, however, it looks as though they forgot to charge us for our third beer. So we were still overcharged, but only by $9 instead of $15
(4)
Lorraine P.
Momofuku = Korean Fusion + David Chang David Chang = best steamed pork buns EVAH Steamed pork buns + spicy pork sausage & rice cakes = holy effing good Small plates + small space + loud space = fun dinner Husband + me + the baby in my belly give Ssam bar a total of 6 thumbs up!
(5)
Jeff B.
This place was good. We had a group of ~10 that shared the big piece of pork. Really good. I'm going to check out all of David Chang's restaurants.
(4)
Sabrina S.
The food was really interesting. We tried pork belly steamed buns, a chilled tripe salad, and sweet breads (deep fried pancreas). I'm glad I went because I've never seen the later two options on a menu, so it was a new culinary experience. We sat at the bar, and the guy waiting on us was a total bouche. He was very arrogant. Maybe they hire snotty people on purpose because this is such an "elite" dining experience? I probably won't be back. It was okay, and deserving of this three star review.
(3)
Weich Y.
The scallop sashimi was good, the dashi that was poured at the table was flavoursome. Every time I come here, my friends request to get the pork buns. But they're just not that special in my opinion. There's not much flavour in the pork itself, so it really needs the hoisin sauce. Wonder why they give you siracha!
(4)
Robert B.
I ordered one of their mixed drinks, it had a horrible aftertaste. They called us for our table so we closed our bar tab, then we had to stand around for 10 minutes because 1 out of four of our group was en route and they won't sit people unless everyone is present. So we stood there staring out the hostess until she arrived then they sat us down at the table that was empty the whole time. Glass of wine afterwards was good. We are ordered 3 entrees and 2 apps, 2 of the entrees were good and both of the apps. Would of been a decent meal if not for their attempt at customer throughput spoiling it all.
(3)
Ajji C.
I'm a bit disappointed with the food here. The bao's aren't that great for what you're paying for. But the service is really good. They're very attentive. The portions are good if you're not that hungry but you can always order more after! Wish the food tasted better. I'll definitely come back again and try other dishes.
(3)
Fredy Y.
I had travel far and away to sample the delicacies of NY and Momofuko was on the list. Frankly I can afford EMP or Per Se. So chef Chang is poor man's Masa. It was all and then some more the staff specially the cooks are effin' great. So it would seem at first come first serve but It helps if you know the servers. As it happened to us the hostess they gave away three seats to corporate stooges types that had come after us, Although we waited over an hour on a rainy cold day, The warm noodle bowls (the broth was richer than Ivana Trump) were not only nourishment for the body but to restart the soul after walking all day on the city pavement.
(4)
Chloe R.
Main takeaway: Are you kidding me with the salt? I think there was some interesting and creative food buried beneath all the salt, but it was borderline sickening, especially the risotto. Service was well timed but standoffish
(3)
Mike C.
good food pork belly was awesome
(4)
Christianne F.
Crack pie is to Momofuku Milk Bar as pork buns are to Momofuku Ssam Bar. Addictive. That is all.
(5)
Cat S.
This is my new favorite restaurants. Everything we had was just fantastic. Can't wait to return. The menu is made up entirely of small plates (although I noticed that for large groups there is the option to get what looks like a huge grilled duck). The pork belly buns are a must have, as everyone else stated. The hams are really really great, although you would not think of that as Japanese food (and it's not they are all local hams). 6 kinds, 3 smoked and 3 unsmoked. The only downside is you can only choose one. We tried the medium smoked one and served with what seemed to be a coffee flavored sauce, eating with chopsticks, it was the highlight of the night. Sardines on toast is a must as well. Drinks were equally creative and good as the food. It gets crowded so you will have to wait.
(5)
Jen L.
Micheleda is a must and the pork bun. I just wish this place wasn't always so packed but I can't knock them for attracting the crowds.
(4)
Paul A.
1600 reviews in the bag and David Chang's casual-cuisine mecca has a solid 4 stars. Well, I am here to say that apparently Yelp works pretty perfectly because that is exactly what this place deserves. Excellent and inventive food, solid service, and high cool factor, just nothing that will melt your face or make you jump up and start running around the room screaming because the thing you just ate was so good. I personally am not too crazy about the pork buns here but I do want to tip my hat to the very creative smoked salmon buns. The rice cakes and spicy pork sausage is a surprisingly excellent, if not a little overly oily and heavy dish. Definitely try this if you come here, it is kind of like fried gnocchi with a ragu sauce made of sausage. The lamb ssam is great here but the ssams all feel kinda like half-burritos and then I start thinking about Mission Cantina. But still, if you want a great lunch or a cool place to take a friend visiting the city obviously this or any of Chang's spots would not be a bad way to go.
(4)
Christian S.
Yum yum yum. I came here more than ice during my stay in nyc this winter. Sat at the bar on both occasions and enjoyed some good beer, pork belly buns, and spicy pork and rice cake. The spicy pork was out of control! So so good. The staff was very friendly and I enjoyed the experience very much!
(4)
Peter Y.
Having visited this joint probably over a dozen times, I can't help but feel that this is the quintessential David Chang experience, more so than Ko, Ma Peche, or even Noodle Bar. This place is no frills, hitting the sweet spot in price range with the flexibility to occasionally incorporate the higher end of the culinary spectrum (Dry Aged Niman Ranch Ribeye anyone?) without being shoehorned in with pomp and circumstance. It is, in the end, a great dining experience that is only enhanced by the unpretentiousness of it. This place is always busy at prime time. You do, however, get to leave your mobile number so you're freed from the normal shackles of staying within a 20 foot radius of the place. Put your name on the list and the maitre d will give you a quick text on her tablet of power. Note: She won't seat you unless your party is fully there, even if your dining partner is taking the unfortunately mistimed call outside. Service has always been good, but this is based on expectation. I'm not at an Eleven Madison or a Per Se so I don't expect my dishes to be cleared the second I'm done or for my water to be topped off constantly. However, if you ask, you shall receive and you shall receive promptly. The decibel level is high but not excessively so. By that I mean you will most likely still hear your fellow diners most of the time and the sound level won't literally hurt your ears. If you're a party of less than 3, you will invariably be seated at the counter where you will be treated to economy airline sized seating. It pays to not be a giant sometimes. The food, despite going through various iterations over the years, has essentially kept the same themes. Expect raw seafood options, japanese and french influences, and pickled everything. But let's be more specific: Fluke - Fresh, flavorful and light. Diver Scallops - An absolute must. Perfectly seared scallops in an incredible dashi. Pork buns - A momofuku staple. You can't go wrong here. Santa Barbara Uni - An average dish which doesn't quite work. The wasabi peas were overpowering. Quail - If you like black garlic, this dish is right up your alley. Quail can't help be but tender but can be unsatisfying given its size. Another strong example of momofuku's excellent use of pickling. Concord Grape Sorbet - One of the best desserts around. I would not expect the blend of black sesame, miso, and thail basil to work so well but they do. Oh, they do. Not everything works but most of the time they do. And sometimes you can get a dish here that's nothing short of revelatory (e.g. scallops, sorbet, etc.). Come here. Actually, you don't need to hear it from me. All your friends have already told you so.
(4)
Jenny S.
ASIAN FUSION done right!! this experience definitely made up for my disappointment in Momofuku Milk Bar came at about 12pm on a Sunday and didn't have to wait for a seat, but it started to get more crowded by the time we left! ----STEAMED PORK BUNS: a must try, the best pork buns i've tried yet!! the pork is fatty BUT i didnt feel heavy after eating them & the meat was PACKED WITH FLAVOR! i love their yummy special red sauce (tastes like a fusion of sweet soy sauce & sriracha) ----pork w/ rice cakes: this spicy dish was basically deep fried korean dukbokki (rice cakes) mixed w/ ground pork.. it was really saucy & could have used some noodles, but i enjoyed the flavor & texture of the rice cakes! ---boneless duck wings: nice & crispy! Mmm but wasn't too sure about its pairing with the avocado sauce or pineapple slices.. liked the cashews though ---Bo ssam: must make an RSVPS online for limited time slots and you must have 6-10 ppl in your party for this one (the 8 of us couldn't even finish the meat!) you get fresh oysters on the half shell and a huge tender, fatty pork shoulder that you can wrap in butter lettuce with rice & kimchi! Bo ssam is a good family style lunch option but I'm not sure it was worth the price tag NOTE: their momofuku sauce is more sweet than anything, surprisingly sriracha (which you must ask for) is the spiciest sauce they carry
(4)
Lauren W.
I am writing this review singularly because of the exceptional service I received here. I have a large number of food allergies and get very anxious before going to dinner. Before I go out to eat I always do two things: 1) Study the menu to figure out what dishes might be safest 2) Call ahead to let them know what you can't eat and ask any questions I sat down and was studying the cocktail menu. My server (FRANK! - THE BRITISH GINGER!) immediately asked me if I was the one with the food allergies and steered me away from the cocktail I wanted to order (which had an unlisted ingredient that I could not eat). SAVE NUMBER ONE! Then I attempted to order the grilled octopus, and my server saved me AGAIN - the potatoes are dusted with flour (and I can't have gluten). SAVE NUMBER TWO! For those of you who have a hard time eating out due to allergies/sensitivities - I urge you to always call ahead to let the restaurant know. It's just polite. But even when you do that, you aren't always going to get a responsible server or kitchen who cares. I was able to enjoy a lovely dinner with my friends at this restaurant and NOT get sick. We were a party of ten, and we all loved our server. My companions raved about their food, and my food was very good as well (Didn't knock my socks off, but it was very good). Cocktails were excellent, and there was a great wine/beer selection. The only complaint was about the seating, which was a little cramped. The benches were placed awkwardly so you had to straddle the bench and then swing a leg over to get seated. (Super awkward when you're cramped - 3 people have to get up to let one person exit or return to the table).
(4)
Heather T.
While dining in Denver, a former waitress of Ssam Bar told us we needed to add this to our list of NYC restaurants. I didn't think we would be able to get in but she gave us the tip to show up when they open as they don't take reservations for parties of 2. Her advice paid off and we got in with no problem. My cousin later joined us and we were moved to a table from the bar. While we waited for my cousin the hubs and I ordered the BBQ pork bun and the bread with butter and whipped lardo. The bun was outstanding with just the right amount of crispy and fat combined with smoked mayo. My husband ordered the penicillin mixed drink and liked it so much he ended up ordering three of them by the end of the night. Once my cousin arrived we stepped up the ordering. She wanted to try the steamed buns as well as the BBQ buns. The steamed buns were good but we all voted for the BBQ buns as best buns of the night. The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes passed by our table and looked so good we decided we simply must try them. This is definitely a spicy dish but oh so, so tasty. The rice cakes are about the size of cut carrots and the same color but when you put it in your mouth you get a hit of chili, crispy exterior and chewy interior. Sublime. I would eat a whole bowl of just those rice cakes. The hubs ordered the quail which was perfectly juicy and tender with an incredible depth of flavor. The grilled pineapple was a nice compliment to the bird. Then we ordered the tilefish with curry sauce and mussels. While I was chatting with my cousin my husband surripticiously ate all the mussels. The fish was a little bit under done but otherwise had great flavor and more of those fantastica chewy rice cskes this time coated in curry sauce. For dessert we shared the lemon meringue pie. This was the best albeit most unusual version I've had. The lemon curd was layered with pistachio with hints of ameretto and a nice hit of salt. Wonderful!
(5)
Andrew S.
My father and I had an AMAZING meal!! Every item is good, but DO NOT miss out on some thin sliced cured ham-they have many types (from cheaper side to pricey, but the spendy hams are SO GOOD)!
(5)
Michelle M.
Came in after a movie. Was able to come in right when they opened for dinner. Just ordered a whole bunch of small plates. I am a big fan of David Chang but did not have a great experience at the noodle bar. This place was great though! Everything looked and tasted great!!! Ordered the pork buns, they were greasy and tender in that forbidden fruit kind of way. It was melt in your mouth, so good it should be wrong.
(5)
Debra T.
There are truly no words to describe the experience of Momofuku Ssam Bar. I came here with 10 of my friends for the Bo Ssam Dinner - Whole Pork Butt, Dozen Oysters, Kimchi, Rice and Lettuce and it was pure ecstasy. Let's not forget theee BEST steamed buns I have ever put in my mouth. Pork Belly, Hoisin, Cucumbers & Scallions... Magical. Perfection. My Dream Realized.
(5)
Meghan L.
This place was a little bit smaller than I expected. There were basically a lot of people smashed into a small, confined space. But the food was soooo good!! FOOD Spicy Pork Sausage w/Rice Cake $19 - Lots of rice cake, not enough sausage. There was no peppercorn as stated on menu (deceiving!). Very filling and the sauce awesome! Duck Wings $7 - There was pineapple glaze and peanuts... I don't really remember too much about this dish but that it was delicious and extremely flavorful! Heirloom Tomatoes w/Uni, Watermelon & Shiso $18 - Very small for the price. This is definitely a journey in your mouth! It's super flavorful and all the flavors compliment each other very well. You have to try eating a bit of everything at the same time to truly experience BLT $6 - Very yummy! Large bun, lots of meat, and the pork was very crispy :) SERVICE Our server was super friendly and was able to make awesome recommendations. Our water cups were never empty! AMBIENCE The way that the tables/seats are set up is interesting, but I think it's because the restaurant space is so small. The servers were squishing by each other and the customers to get around, which I don't think is very effective for maximizing service. OVERALL I would definitely come back!! I want to try lots of their other menu items the next time I'm in NYC.
(5)
Heather N.
I had bo Saam and pork buns . The buns were tasty and use a little spicy sauce ! The pig shoulder is what is marinated and slow cooked to perfection for the Bo Saam . Serves about 10 ppl, We had 6 ppl and ate only like half . I didn't try the other items on the menu but will try it nxt time ! Definitely a fun experience with a group of friends !
(4)
Aakash C.
Went here with my sister on a random Friday night. Had heard good things. The wait was about 45 mins so I went to the bar next door and got a beer. The seating is tight especially for 2 people on a bench in the middle of the restaurant. The booths seem more specious obviously. We ordered a bunch of different appetizers. They had an interesting beer List and I ordered some craft ginger based beer that was delicious. The turnover of food is amazing. We got daily oysters, steamed buns, tempura softshell crab and lamb chops and a noodle dish. The quality of food was outstanding. The only issues were that it was overpriced for the amount of food (which is understandable by NYC standards) and the spacing. Overall a good experience and will definitely go back again.
(4)
Alice H.
My friends and I were visiting from the DC area because we heard it was good. It was definitely worth the trip. We only had the pork buns and they were so delicious. The only thing that I didn't like were the cucumbers. However that's because I don't like cucumbers so I still have the place 5 stars.
(5)
Michelle M.
Every single dish we ordered was delicious and exceptional. The wait staff are nice and helpful. We even saw David Chang working in the kitchen during our meal. It was such a great experience!
We just stopped by here for drinks. We ordered: HONEY CRISP KIMCHEE WITH BACON: this was surprisingly refreshing and good. (Forgot the name) SPICY RICE CAKES WITH SAUSAGE: this was actually way spicier than I thought. I loved it, but for those who really can't take spicy foods... This is not for you.
(3)
Anthony S.
Pretentious as all hell! Walked in at 3:28. I guess they don't serve lunch beyond 3:30 and they told us: "the kitchen closes at 3:30. Sorry guys, come back at 5." Forget it! I will plan on eating elsewhere. It can't be that good.
(1)
Matt S.
A new quality restaurant experience within NYC. I've heard quite a bit about the David Chang Momofuku restaurants and was quite excited about trying one of the restaurants once I knew I was going to be in NY. The experience lived up to the hype. Continuing my gin kick, I started off my meal with the seasonal cocktail, Juniper #3. A refreshing citrusy drink with only a slight sweetness. I started out the meal with the smoked liver mousse. I'm always hesitant with liver but this was a complex dish that incorporated sweet (currants) and savory (liver mousse) with differing textures. Overall the experience was quite enjoyable and flavorful. I then felt obligated to have the steamed buns. These were delicious. The pork belly was cooked well and had great flavor that was only but enhanced from the hoisin and scallions. The most underwhelming dish of the night was diver scallop tataki that i received by accident. The scallops were nice but the snap peas didn't add all that much. There was a point when I experienced the kick from the jalapeno and had wished that was able to be enjoyed throughout the dish instead of just once. I ended the meal with the grilled spanish octopus. The octopus was grilled to perfection and was great with the citrus elements that accompanied it on the plate. I would absolutely recommend and suggest a dining experience at Momofuku Ssam Bar to anyone who's yet to try it. The ambiance, food and drink were all superb.
(4)
John O.
The lunch menu is tiny, the kimchi is no good and any seat close to the front door is freezing. Meh, I won't be back unless I can round up a group for the Bo Ssam. Seriously, put more things on the Mr. Chang.
(3)
Victoria M.
I've had all the Momofuku sites bookmarked forever, so when a friend suggested this, we were in. The wait was quite long, as they do not seat incomplete parties, and our party was too large. We lost some people along the way, so that made it a bit easier in the end. The hostess was super nice and accommodating, trying her best to figure out a seating situation for us. We did end up next door at the cocktail bar for a while to wait (which was fine) and she came back to get us later. We only tried a few dishes: seafood hot pot - sambal, rice cakes, kohlrabi: my friend had this and thought it was quite good but I think she wanted some rice to soak up some of the broth. chawanmushi - chanterelles, asian pear, purslane: so delicious! The custard was smooth and creamy, a nice earthy saltiness with the mushrooms, and a surprise of slightly sweet and crunchy pears. spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - broccoli, sichuan peppercorn: I think this is what was ordered... if it was, it was great! Nice heat, chewy rice cakes. duck and duck eggrolls: I couldn't find this on the menu, but it was presented nicely. I was too full to try it but heard it wasn't quite as good as the other dishes. Drinks were tasty and well made. The open kitchen is always a welcome sight too.
(4)
Sara M.
The staff was very polite and attentive. They said all the plates are for shearing but when the food came out I just didn't see how that was possible such as the seafood hotpot which is more of a stew. The food was delicious though. I am not a seafood fan so I had the pork buns and the steak which was amazing. My friends order the seafood hot pot, the buffalo buns, and the peekytoe crab, which they thought were delicious. I would recommend if you love seafood obviously, but if you are like me, and your friends really want to come here, there are other great delicious options.
(4)
Kenny W.
Alright, Momofuku Ssam bar has been a hype for New Yorkers. When i think about overhyped place, the food might be tasteless, or not so exiciting. However, I was wrong. I enjoyed my recent dining experienced in ssam bar. Great atmosphere, friendly services, the food came out fast, tasty food. The food that we tried: Pork Bun : yesss.. everybody is saying the pork bun. The pork is succulent, good red sauce, just order it! charred octopus terrine : not bad, its accompanied by pickled vegetables, the octopus were very soft and tender. but a touch of spicy flavor will be good for me chawanmushi : not fan of it. Its egg custard, but the custard is to "sweet" and I feel like its to "milky" . But good combination with the picklish asian pear and hosimeji mushroom fried sweetbread ssam : i just ate the sweetbread. They cooked it perfectly. Not really paying attention with the green apple/ peanuts / lettuce cups. I think the sweetbread it self is the best. grilled flat iron steak : the steak is slightly tough, but it was perfect medium rare for us. Good combination of the pesto-ish sauce with the pork crackling. Recommendation to order : Porkbun, sweatbread, and ironsteak
(4)
Rirry C.
I had been wanting to try Ssam Bar for years, finally came here for lunch the other day. Got the OG Ssam, it was pretty yums and super filling. The fried brussel sprouts with puffed rice was unique and tasty, the XO sauce was a bit overwhelming and salty though. The pork buns were good , lacked a little flavor though. The apple kimchi was def overpriced for what it was though, 2 strips of bacon on apple slivers with a few kimchi pieces. Would def come here again, but only for the OG Ssam. Will try the rice cakes next time. Everything was generally a tad overpriced for what it was though.
(3)
Christine T.
Duck over rice is sooooooo good. The rice is good, the duck is one of the best or probably IS the best duck's yet in the city. It's very juicy and soft. We had the small bowl of duck over rice which is only served during lunch time. The spicy rice cakes are also really good, especially if you love starchy items. Small place so make sure to go in small parties or you'll have to wait awhile for a table. Don't forget about the Bao Buns! The pork belly is amazing, but everyone please please please try the Salmon Buns during brunch! It's literally the best bao i've ever had in my life. The salmon is sooooo smooth and tasty, works well with the egg and the bun has salted sesame seeds that gives it a good salty taste.
(5)
Paul K.
Five stars for the steamed pork belly buns alone. Gets very busy and crowded...only came as a party of two and sat at the bar so we didn't wait, but I can imagine the wait for a larger party could get pretty lengthy. Definitely get the steamed pork buns. We also had the seared duck, which was really good, as well as the apple/bacon/arugula kimchi thing. That was just ok. Not a big fan of arugula with Korean food. Bacon was on point though. Finished it off with the spicy sausage and rice cakes dish. Love that they sear the rice cakes a bit so that the outside is crispy but the inside is still very gelatinous. I hear they have big dishes for bigger parties like whole duck or the pork shoulder (bo ssam) and I'd love to come back and try that. Check their website for availability for those things, though, cus I believe it's pretty limited.
(5)
Amelia J.
Wowsa. We had brunch here. Large format duck ssam. This shit was da bomb. Juicy, well seasoned and the sauces were great. Smoked salmon bao were crispy and amazing. Apple kimchi isn't what we were expecting ... But in a good way. Bloody Mary was so delicious it was its own dish. Mint julep cake truffles were almost like shortbread and not very minty at all. Grape ice cream was a perfect end. Service friendly and efficient.
(5)
Andrew R.
Extremely disappointing. Worst expensive meal I've ever had. I will never go to another of David Chang's restaurants. These are the thoughts that ran through my head both during and after the meal, and they still haunt me 5 days later. I wanted to love it. I have enjoyed listening to and learning from David Chang in his videos, lectures, etc. So it is with a sad heart that I write this review. For over $100 for 3 people, we were still hungry when we left. We wanted more food, but we wouldn't dare order anything else because of how underwhelming it was. So let's talk about the food. Pork buns - Good but nothing special at all. Many places do these as good or better and for much less. Don't bother. Chawanmushi - This was the best dish, and it was actually executed very well. I was impressed. But it turns out chawanmushi isn't that hard to make, and there was so little of it. Maybe 2 or 3 eggs went into it, not justifying the $14 price. Roasted quail - Are quails really the size of pigeons? Maybe it was pigeon (probably wasn't), but two no-meat wings and barely-any-meat thighs does not a $20+ dish make. The black garlic puree was the only semi-tasty part of this. Pathetic, honestly. Seafood hot pot - A friend got this, and you could tell that it was most likely the worst hot pot she has ever had in her entire life. Not a single good thing was said about it. Extremely disappointing. Worst expensive meal I've ever had. I will never go to another of David Chang's restaurants.
(2)
John C.
Think the fame is catching up to Mr. Chang. I see all his great posts on FB and he is all over the media. Needless to say I was hoping this was going to be my NYC epic highlight!! Nope, it was the opposite. The Uni in the appetizer was drowned out by all the other flavors such as the roe and wasabi powder. Buffalo pork buns. They were pretty good. The scallop appetizer was pretty good too but very small portion (amount of scallop) for the price. We shared the Duck Special - duck wrap two ways. As in lettuce or the pancake. The duck by itself was pretty damn good! Overall a decent dish, this would have been the minimum Standard that I was expecting from this place. All in all I did not come here for "pretty good" if you know what I mean. My ass flew from CA to eat at your place and it was as big of a let down as my most recent experience at French Laundry.
(2)
Nikki A.
I came here with a large group for the tasting menu! It was delicious. The menu came with: -striped bass sashimi -country ham -apple kimchi -pork buns -seasonal pickles -bo ssam -popcorn cake My favorites were the pork buns and the apple kimchi. The whole meal came to $78 a person, including tax and tip. I also got some great drinks, including one with chia seeds. All in all, it was a unique and tasty meal. I would recommend a visit. However, be aware that you need to make a deposit with the reservation for half the members of the party.
(4)
Lisa M.
The pork buns are the best thing that's ever happened
(5)
Cool H.
Really like the pork buns, the rest of the food is ok. But the seating is so cramped it's uncomfortable to be here.
THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE RIB EYE DINNER ONLY I emailed about the rib-eye dinner a little late in the game, probably about 2 weeks before we wanted to go and luckily Ssam had a cancellation and they were able to accommodate us. For those that aren't familiar with the process you go to Momofuku's website and pick your preferred day and time and shoot them an e-mail. If they have a time-slot available they will send you a contract to sign and you will have to have 1/2 of the cost of the meal upfront. That deposit is not refundable so don't make the reservation lightly. We arrived at Ssam a little early and they were able to seat us almost immediately. 2 people were running late and Ssam had no issues with seating the 3 of us that were there. We started off with some drinks and also an order of pork buns because 1 person had never done a Momofuku restaurant before and if there is 1 thing that you must order it's the buns. They were pork belly and amazing of course and I wouldn't expect anything less. We also ordered a dozen and a half oysters and of course they were good. The rib eye dinner comes with a giant Rib-Eye (a 107 cut so it still has the fat cap), a big ol' Caesar Salad, and some of the best Steak Fries I have had in a long time. There are a ton of fixin's that come with it like bernaise sauce, rosemary jus, and bacon ketchup to name a few. Everything was awesome, we ordered the steak medium rare and the outer cuts were about medium which was perfect because a few in our group like their steak a little more well done. Long story short we polished the whole thing off and there were 5 of us, I think that's probably the perfect number of people for this dinner. Everything was fantastic and it was a good deal and a good reason to get a bunch of people together. We will definitely be back to order a bunch of stuff off the regular menu.
(5)
Leily P.
First of all there are two places with this address - we inadvertently went to the first one we saw (not the real Momofuku on the CORNER). Food was pretty good but a little overpriced for Korean food. Although it's Korean "fusion". The rice cakes were chopped up and fried in bite sized pieces - decently spicy (our waiter warned that it was VERY spicy but I think he meant white person spicy b/c it was NOT that spicy). The bo ssam was delicious - a whole fish. The pork buns were good as well. Like I said, good but not amazing.
(3)
Dani M.
Sorry, j meant to type up a review for another place and don't know how to delete this
(5)
Miranda W.
Good steamed pork buns, roasted duck. Rice cakes with sausage was spicy, steak was average; pepper shortcake was weird but interesting. Drinks were distinguishably sweeter. Short waiting, attentive service, modern decor, overall pleasant experience and I'd like to come back again.
(4)
Brandon M.
Always so fucking on-point. You can eat here and be satisfied for $20 or $100. Stellar service. Great wine list. Menu is constantly changing but they keep the good stuff on there. If you've never been, you obviously need to get pork buns and the rice cakes and Chinese sausage...but you can't go wrong with the more overtly French-influenced dishes or a big piece of meat. (I'm looking at you, ribeye for three.) Just stay away from the pork shoulder. It sucks. For those of you complaining it's "uncomfortable", "cramped" or "loud": Stay out of the East-fucking-Village.
(5)
Ivan S.
We tried to order a side of rice along with other appetizers and entrees, but they just wouldn't sell it to us. At first the server even lied and said they don't have rice, but then we pointed to the table next to ours which had piles of it, to which she answered that the rice only comes with the steak dinner, which is $175 today. Apparently, they don't have any rice to spare for other customers. Anyway, we tried all kinds of buns, sweetbreads, and the duck entre, and weren't impressed with any of it. Plus we were crammed with another couple at the same table who ordered some kind of kimchi appetizer that stunk to high heaven. The wait was 1.5 hours, and everything was overpriced. Overall, it's a bad value. Stick with the milk, Momofuku!
(2)
Mike L.
As I compiled my list of NY restaurants to try, Momofuku Ssam Bar was one of the first to come to mind. Not only have I long been curious about David Chang's cooking, but nearly everyone I know has had a great experience. And then, of course, there's the famed pork belly buns! Since there was only three of us, I had to resign myself to the fact that the Bo Ssam and Duck Ssam dishes were probably going to be a bit much. It sucked too because they were both dishes I wanted to try. Not that being able to split five dishes amongst us was a terrible consolation... -- ARCTIC CHAR TATAKI with Peach, Pine Nut, and Lovage...$15 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) Considering the rest of our meal, I really like how light this dish was. The fish was both tasty and fresh and the pine nuts added some crunch. However, the peaches didn't do anything for me other than to add some body. -- STEAMED BUNS (Two Orders) - Pork Belly, Hoisin, Cucumber, Scallion...$10 each ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) The star of the night. What it lacked in creativity (it's a pork belly version of Peking Duck) was made up for in flavor. The cuts were not only large but balanced in fattiness and meat. Each bite was just full of delicious, savory goodness. -- FINCHVILLE FARMS HAM (Finchville, KY) with a Coffee Mayo...$11 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) What's not to like about a huge plate of slightly salty ham? The coffee mayo was fine but unnecessary except with the bread. My only quibble was that I wish we had picked a slightly smokier ham (this one was the lightest). -- TEMPURA SOFT SHELL CRAB with Caesar, Baby Romaine, Lemon Confit...$16 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) Despite how much I like soft shell crab, this was a miss all around. While the crab tasted okay, the batter was soft and soggy and the lettuce was very overdressed. I like the idea though; just needs some tweaking. -- BEV EGGLESTON'S PORK SHOULDER STEAK with Eggplant Puree, Rye XO, and Cantaloupe...$25 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) The eggplant puree didn't add a ton for me, but the pork shoulder didn't need the help. The shoulder was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Given their popularity and how they don't take reservations, getting early would be recommended. We walked in around 6:30 on a Thursday night and got seated immediately. Pretty early perhaps by NY standards, but not bad by SF standards. By the time we left, there was a decent wait going for a table. Between the food and service (our server was really helpful), Momofuku Ssam Bar certainly lived up to the hype and my expectations. FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down only because of the Crab Tempura dish. Still a great meal though and I'll certainly be back. And hopefully with a larger group to tackle the Bo Ssam!
(4)
Andy H.
Had the steamed buns with pork belly hoisin cucumber and scallion which was the perfect way to start off the meal, I easily could have eaten 3 to 4 more. My date and I split the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes, another GREAT meal and I would have loved to eaten more, but the word "spicy" does not do this meal justice! It was scorching hot! Despite this and not really having a pallet or stomach for extremely spicy foods I did enjoy this meal. Drinks were expensive and very strong but our waitress did a good job pairing up our drinks with our meal
(4)
Beau S.
I know David Chang hates Yelp and I will do this review via his standards without factoring service and physical restaurant. which were good but not great. I ordered the Steamed Buns, Benton's ham with red eye gravy, and fingerling fried potatoes. along with the Ssangria The Benton's ham and red eye gravy are super southern but so good. Salty fatty ham with a rich coffee gravy dip. This is a very large portion and I could not finish. The fried potatoes with crab mayo was very good and more complex than expected. I could eat those all day. But, I really came for the Pork buns and wow!! Thick pork belly, steamed bum, hoison and saracha mmm you get 2 and want way more. The only miss was the Ssangria which was served in a wine glass with ice half filled which only probably get you 3 oz and it was not that good. It tasted like a cinnamon cider. Yes I want to come back and eat more. get here early or come for lunch.
(4)
Danielle S.
Took a friend here who is a big David Chang fan. The food was all great. We shared our entire meal and a bottle of wine. Oysters, fluke, pork buns, and scallops. We got there after the rush so it was not crowded and a nice atmosphere. The only thing that was a little lacking was the service. The staff was nice but we felt ignored for most of the night. Getting our order in took forever and we wanted dessert but our sever never came back so we finally decided to just get the check. Once we finally were able to ask for just the check it took 20mins to get there. I would go back for the food but it just sucked that the service was so slow. I could understand if it was busy but it was well after there busiest hours.
(4)
Amy Z.
The Bo Ssam dinner will surely keep you and your nine friends satisfied. Be aware that the staff here are pretty strict about reservations and limiting the number of people. The pork shoulder was well prepared, as expected with Momofuku's reputation. There were plenty of sauces, lettuce, rice, and even oysters. Though we did run out of kimchi very quickly. The pork goes well with a bit of rice and kimchi dipped in the hot red pepper paste or by itself.
(4)
Simon K.
Thoroughly disappointed. Would it be fair to leave the review at just those two words? After the price I paid for a mediocre meal, I should be able to do whatever I want. Well, let's start from the top. Uni - The dish consists of uni, roe, tofu, and wasabi peas. Well, the uni, roe, and tofu are all basically the same texture (if you don't know, basically imagine butter in your mouth). So the wasabi peas give it the crunch it needs, right? Well, yes but it also makes the dish inedible. The peas are too spicy and ruin the taste. Very, very disappointed. Pork Buns - It's probably because I had just had Ippudo and Totto's pork buns but these did not compare. Not only that, I'm pretty sure these cost the most per bun of the three locations. Not worth it. Rice Cakes and Sausage - For those who know Korean food, it's basically ddukbokki with small pieces of sausage. HOWEVER, there is some really earthy, bitter aftertaste after each bite. I couldn't figure out which ingredient it was but it ruined the entire dish for me. Mackerel - I don't think you can mess up mackerel but this was one of the best mackerel dishes I've ever had. Inside it was soft, outside it was crispy with just the right amount of sauce. 1/4 dishes basically earns this a 2 star review. The service was standard but not extraordinary. The price, as I mentioned before, was ridiculously high. I must say, I will most likely never be coming here or any other David Chang location again.
(2)
Parris B.
Came here on a Monday at 7pm & Sat at the bar with a friend. By 730 the place was lively and you couldn't get a table. The ambience was cool and it's great for work or social groups at the sit down tables. Had the juniper#3 and a glass of the bow and arrow Pinot (which is a young fruity and easy drinking red). Tried both variations of the pork buns for starters. Both of which were absolutely superb And are a must have! Mains were a dozen oysters which were nothing special but half decent enough. And the sausage and rice cakes, which were fresh and light. Bill was something like $115 so I would say the value was average. Service was good. In the absence of doing half stars, I felt kind and went for a 4 rather than a 3.
(4)
Justin L.
So Much pig. Bring seven Friends and skip a Meal. Good service and take reservations.
(4)
Yelp D.
I ate here last year and I was thinking about jesus and he came to me and he was all like "go rate momo-fuku on yelp". So this place is really good and that really is alot coming from a doge. The pork buns made me cry in a good way and had felt like my doge life was changed forever. In the 14 years that I will live I will always remember this restaurant and give it doge praise in the doge community. ~Yelp Doge~
(5)
Jon Z.
I know this sort of food. Very well. And Ssam Bar does it REALLY REALLY WELL. Pork bun & BLT bun - simply out of this world. Steaming fresh buns, perfectly rich meat. Seasonal pickles - sounds so strange to say this about a plate of random Korean style pickled veg, but their produce is obviously superior. Flavours really popped. Spicy pork sausage rice cakes - I could eat this till my stomach exploded. Service was efficient and very friendly. You leave your name, go next door to their adjoining bar for a drink and receive a text when your table is ready. Incredible - a super popular joint where the hipsters HAVEN'T let the fame go to their head, and actually have a great seating process in place. EAT HERE. (then hit Milk Bar across the road for a cereal milk treat)
(5)
Anh H.
When I say "divey," I mean to say that the personalities here are as down to earth as a pack of potheads getting lit on Indian Rock. The hostess, the bar tenders were just so freaking accommodating, they checked our bags, and get amazing recommendations. When I say "magnifique," I mean to say that the food was what astronauts dream of. It was literally out of this world, but not freeze-dried, of course. And by using French, it's a little bourgeois, but you're in Manhattan. The prices. Yeah, that'll wreck your wallet; no Medicad, food stamps, or cashing social security checks up in this place. I was treated to this heavenly meal by a dear, dear friend. What a way to celebrate graduation; way better than the actual graduation. The Penicillin is medicine for the liver, mind, and inner child. (Before you med types rip me on the indications for penicillin, just stop your judging and finish this paragraph first.) It smells of the hospital, seriously. It tastes like fruit juice. And you'll be buzzing and laughing up good times in no time as the strength of this Rx gets to therapeutic levels so quickly, you'd think it was an IV bolus. The Applejack Manhattan. Yeah, that was kinda lame. Imagine a college student pouring himself a drink, in a nice glass, and throwing an old orange peel in there. For real.
(5)
Jenny S.
Food was okay, but I was expecting much more (in taste and portions), especially for the price. I was really excited to try one of the Momofuku restaurants and it was the one "nicer restaurant" that I had chosen for a recent weekend trip to nyc. I got to try the pork buns, chawanmushi, and quail dish. I would recommend the first two, but not the quail - it was pretty tasteless. I'm not going to say that no one should ever go here, but based on my experience, I probably won't return. No hard feelings or anything, just unimpressed.
(3)
Anna M.
We went here on my birthday after stumbling upon it, looking for a Thai place. Our server was very nice. I did not get his name but I know he was wearing a superhero shirt! The food was good. I am not a big fan of duck, but it was great nonetheless. THE MINT JULEP TRUFFLES ARE TO DIE FOR! Overall, I will be back!
(4)
Elizabeth S.
This place has always been a go to place for my boyfriend and I. The pork buns were delicious (as usual). However, we were extremely disappointed tonight. The wine bottle that we ordered tonight was shown to us, then taken away and "secretly" poured into a decanter. It was a Cab franc, but was so chilled it had no flavor. Additionally, the food was terrible tonight. The chicken dish was so incredibly salty and fatty that it was a struggle to choke it down. The grilled flat iron steak was basic and overly garlicky. Overall quite disappointed with the experience tonight.
(2)
Lu H.
Came here on a sunday just right after they opened. It was reasonably easy and service was nice and helpful. The overall experience was OK, not worthy of the overall hype based on my lunch experience. We tried the steamed pork buns, the fried duck dumplings, the o.g. momofoku ssam, and the duck over rice. The pork buns were a standout, the duck dumplings were underwhelming (the fried aspect overpowered any resemblence of duck and tasted like a ball of fried batter), the o.g. momofoku ssam was way too overpowering (extremely sweet, messy, and not very creative) and the duck over rice was just that. It would be a place I would try again only if someone pushed me hard and I would get different items (would get the pork buns again though).
(3)
Minnie M.
I've never been a huge Momofuku fan especially the long waits, but I decided to log into the reservation site at 10 am a month prior to to book a table for the Bo Ssam to be shared amongst 10 hungry bellies. We sat at the long table with our appetites raging. As soon as the large platter of slow cooked pork shoulder appeared, with perfectly crispy, caramelized crust on the exterior, along with two bowls of rice and lettuce wraps, side condiments of ginger scallion, pureed kimchi, whole kimchi, sriracha sauce, all of us began ripping apart the meat like hyenas. Everyone who had come before said there were plenty of leftovers after their previous visits, but to our surprise, the 4 guys and 6 girls in our party demolished everything. The meat was really tender and the crust was the best part. Apparently extra lettuce wraps cost $1 more so watch your extras. Bo ssam goes for $225, with 10 the max number of people you can have in your party. Our final bill came out to about $30 per person including drinks, tip, and tax. Service was prompt and friendly. David Chang ended sitting next to our table which was an added Momofuku experience.
(4)
Wilson C.
I only know about the brunch but it was great. Got the sausage and rice cake...thing, and it was delicious. Also tried the duck and waffles, pork buns (obviously). Good, very unusual bloody mary too, which isn't surprising since connected is the always awesome Booker and Dax. Definitely want to come back and try the "large format" meals.
(5)
Diana T.
There may be a lot of hype surrounding this place, but it was sadly a let down. I did not come here for ssam, but for the a la carte menu. My friends and I started with the steamed pork buns. Firstly, there were three of us total and when we ordered the dish, we didn't realize there would just be two of them. Would have been nice if they asked if we wanted one more for an extra fee. The pork was tender but, nothing particularly special- I feel somehow that I can find a pork bun that is on par with the ones here for cheaper. The honeycrisp apple kimchi was tasty- the apples were juicy and went pretty well with the bacon, labne, and the spice. Spicy pork sausage and rice cakes: chopped up pork sausage and rice cakes tossed in sriracha sauce- nothing particularly amazing Roast jurgielewicz duck: the few slices of duck on the plate were pretty decent but the cranberries and barley did not add anything to the dish. Sadly not worth a second trip.
(2)
Linh V.
With an army of 10, we marched in to Ssam bar ready to conquer the roasted pork feast (bo ssam) that was to come. But first, drinks. My favorite was the Seven Spice Sour, which had a nice kick to it. I stayed with that drink throughout the night. We started off with pork buns, because duh! The pork buns were good but not like I'd die for them. Definitely better than the fake ones I had at the Milk Bar. We also ordered the Santa Barbara Uni and that's when I found out that I don't enjoy uni paired with raspberry. So I tried washing my mouth out with the oysters that came with our bo ssam meal - I know, right? Oysters and pork? Weirdest combo ever. But I can't complain because I freakin love oysters. After the oysters were done, the main course arrived. We all attacked like our lives counted on it but really, that pork was enough to feed 15 people. I usually hate pork because it's dry and tasteless. Complete opposite experience here. The pork was so tender and flavorful I wouldn't mind eating it for the rest of my life. We all kept eating until our buttons dropped to the floor and even then, there was still about a quarter of the dish left. Next time I visit NY, I'm definitely coming back even if that means I have to pull 7 random people off the street to eat with me.
(5)
Jessica M.
Good, not life-changing. Granted, this was for lunch. Had pork buns, duck dumplings, and broccoli salad.
(4)
Dot C.
Our party luckily didn't have to wait too long for lunch on a weekday. Delicious asian fusion food! We ordered the pork belly buns, ham plate, kimchi deviled eggs and a pork belly wrap. Food came out quickly. All delectable and worth a try! Waiter was attentive and friendly. We were seated on a long backless wooden bench, sort of uncomfortable but definitely goes with the cool decor of the place.
(4)
Emily G.
I went here for dinner with two friends a few months ago. This place is a case of "The Emperor's New Clothes, IMO. Let me explain: Atmosphere - It's INSANELY noisy and crowded with communal tables. People are practically sitting on top of one another. Good luck trying to get up from your table to go to the rest rooms. After the third time someone squeezed past me, I was thoroughly annoyed at the set up of this place, and couldn't wait to leave. I don't know how the wait staff can stay sane here Food - The ramen was extremely overpriced at $17 bucks for a small bowl. The pork belly buns (although pretty meager, they were delish) and the wine were the best part of the meal, by far! We all left hungry and annoyed that we spent $150 bucks on such a small amount of food and an ambiance as busy as Grand Central Station during rush hour. My advice? There are much better places in East Village to eat. Stay away!
(2)
Mich L.
So like every other place in NY, I thought this place was overhyped but when I got to experience the Bo Ssam myself, boy, was I wrong! They only offer it at certain times on certain days so you definitely need to make a reservation in advanced! $225 for your entire party, excludes tax and tip! You get pork shoulder, a dozen oysters (which we had to order more of), two bowls of white rice, bibb lettuce, ssam sauce, kimchi and ginger scallion sauce! akslfjlsdakjfalskfdjaslkj that pork shoulder that is cured overnight and slow roasted for 6-8 hours is absolutely delicious. looking to have a nice meal with a group of friends - this is your place!!
(4)
Sara W.
I always walk by this place and it always has a massive line. A bit discouraging as they don't take reservations, but after a comedy show on a Friday night, I came here at 11:30 (the show ran a little late...) and there were plenty of seats! I tend to turn any dining experience into tapas style (I love sampling/sharing), so my friend and I ordered a few dishes. First let's start with the buns. My favorite dish by far was the buffalo pork buns! I actually was hesitant to get this as I didn't want a bunch of Franks Red Hot and blue cheese dumped on a bun--definitely was not the case! The pork was fried to perfection with a creamy, spicy sauce (buffalo/Asian) and a nice crunchy slaw on top. So good! I also got the classic pork belly buns which pretty much tasted like Peking duck (it had a little too much fat for my preference). The jar of kimchi is a bit of a sauce/spice overload, I probably wouldn't get this again as it's hard to eat more than a few bites, but it was tasty. The beet salad was incredible. The miso dressing provided a nice salty, umami kick and the duck prosciutto was very flavorful and kind of smoky. I would recommend this as it's a nice change of pace from your typical goat cheese/vinaigrette beet salad. As far as entrees go, we split the duck and it was cooked to perfection! Most of the time duck seems to come with a heavy sauce and is very oily, but this duck was dressed in a sweet, light sauce and the barley was the perfect compliment to soak up the juicy. It's not too heavy but will fill you up. I can't wait to come back here--I'll just have to nap to get the late seating!
(4)
Mandy L.
Really good place. I liked it how we sits in a bar-like area. Every dish is decorated nicely and delicious at the same time. I love their duck, and pork buns. They are amazing. Little peach on the door~
(5)
Tim P.
Came here yesterday because I kept hearing about how great this place is. The restaurant is nicely decor 1) got the pork belly steamed bun. It was good not that special 2) sardines. It was different 3) Moose liver. That was good and different 4) Uni with Tofu. The uni was great. Mixing uni with tofu was not good for me It was a great experience to come here and try the food. I wouldn't come back since the food was not that great for my taste and not worth the price.
(3)
Jonathan R.
Came with 2 coworkers we shared 11 plates Every plate was really good The steam buns with pork belly, sardines on toast and garlic roasted quail were my favorite
(5)
Dominique S.
We heard about the Samm Bar from a foodie friend David Chang food at affordable prices. Enjoyed it so much we went twice and actually got in both times without a wait, not sure how we got so lucky. We tried the Washburn Island oysters, sweet, salty and delicious. We followed this with both the steamed buns and buffalo pork buns as we couldn' choose one over the other. The pork was melt in your mouth. Enjoyed the taste contrast of the blue cheese and hot sause. And finished with the lovely honeycrisp apple kimchi, a truly unique flavor. On our 2nd visit only a day later we again had the Buffalo pork buns and tried the fried Brussels sprouts. Again a great play of contrasting flavors.
(4)
Elliot C.
Food heaven. My go to place in NYC.
(5)
Jen K.
Meh. I liked the noodle bar better. Diver scallop - it was ok. Steamed buns - there's a reason they serve it in all of the entities in the Momofuku Empire (even MilkBar). The pork belly is yum yum Country Ham - it was just too much ham. It's a giant 20" platter of thinly sliced ham, some red eye mayo and 2 slices of bread. We had to ask for more bread because a person can only eat so much ham alone. Seating was confusing at first - they had me walk around the looooong family style table to face my dinner companion. We went on a Monday night at around 5pm so there was no wait and we were quite pleased. I wish they served the whole roasted duck to smaller parties. It looked and smelled awesome (was saw it on the spit next door at Booker & Dax) but alas, there was only 2 of us and no way just the two of us could finish that whole duck. I found food more to my liking at noodle bar
Ate here last night, the food was tasty but still felt underwhelming. Especially at the price point, I've gotten better food but it was a nice experience. There were two unisex bathrooms, rather small. There was no graffiti and it was acceptably clean. No paper towels, just the turbo hand dryers. The privacy of unisex bathrooms was nice. Decor was okay. Three stars: bathroom is acceptable but nothing special.
(3)
Mike C.
Can't stop eating Large Format Meals. TWO days after gorging on the Chicken/Lamb and Rice meal at Ma Peche with 9 friends, I came to Ssam Bar for the large format Whole Rotisserie Duck meal with 2 of them since we loved the chicken and lamb so much. We eagerly checked the reservations on Monday morning, and were disappointed to see that the only spot for dinner for the next few weeks was the following night at 10 PM, so we had no choice but to take it. This was way later than I like eating dinner as I would prefer the early bird special so I have enough time to digest the 7 pounds of duck I'm consuming, but I wanted to try it so badly that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. We arrived at right about 10 and the dark, trendy, loud place was pretty packed as usual. Even though there were only 3 of us, we were seated at a huge table to accommodate all of the food. As usual with the large format meals, I ignore the advice the waiter gives us that it is a ton of food and ordered some additional stuff to start. We all got the BBQ Buns ($6 each), which are amazing and even better than the Pork Buns. Not only are they tastier, but they are huge - you never really see such big bao anywhere. We also tried the Beef Tongue Sandwich ($13), which was great as well. It comes on very crispy bread with an abundance of delicious mayo and a generous amount of tongue. Already pretty satisfied, it was time for the $140 Whole Rotisserie Duck meal. They bring out a massive platter of mostly duck breast, stuffed with duck and pork sausage, along with some duck leg confit. It's all on a bed of a ton of really good rice, with some greens and some chive pancakes, which were boiling hot and really really good. There is also a bowl of bibb lettuce for making wraps, along with several dipping sauces (hoisin, chili paste, garlic and duck fat). As if that weren't enough, you also get to pick two sides - you can choose from the Seasonal Pickles, Bread & Butter, Glazed Sweet Corn, or two more off-menu items, which we chose, a cold Broccoli Salad with Bluefish Vinaigrette and Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoes. This feast is supposed to feed 3-6 people. Unless you have 3 people that can eat endlessly like me, you should probably come with 4 or 5, as the 3 of us made a decent dent, but still had a pretty good amount of food left over. Full to the point of shortness of breath, we still went ahead and ordered both desserts available on the menu: the Lemon Meringue Pie ($9) and the Black Pepper Shortcake ($10). These were typical Momofuku desserts: beautifully plated with very unusual and different flavors. Strange, but still delicious. I saw two sights that night I thought I would never see - me not finishing a meal of excellent duck and rice, and Ssam Bar completely empty: we closed the place out and were the last to leave at about midnight. This was my third time here. The amazing food on the changing menu and the perfect service will keep me coming back as long as my health can handle all that duck fat.
(5)
Dennis Y.
It's hard to live up to the hype and this place definitely does its best. We ordered most of the small dishes on the menu and have to admit that most of was very good. Nothing spectacular but that's not what this place is about so that's fine. It's a great place to taste what a successful marriage of Asian flavors with western techniques can be like. Love the atmosphere and the service was spot on.
(4)
Ashley F.
Had their steamed buns and rotisserie duck over rice for lunch, food was great but service was not, our server only came over to our table twice, 1st time was to take our orders, the 2nd time was to take away our empty plates and give us our check (if you considered this as 3rd times). She NEVER check on us during our meals. Maybe I should check out their other restaurant Momofuku Noodle Bar and praying for a better service over there.
(2)
Nina L.
Momofuku restaurants may be some of the most reviewed spots on Yelp. Although you may not want to believe so, it's for good reason. I've now had my fair share of meals at Momofuku, and although I had one slightly disappointing experience, it was heavily outweighed by the marvelous ones. First I came here with my partner and we ordered the standard buns, a noodle small plate, and the rice cakes. The buns were out of control delicious, as they typically are, but the rice cakes were so hot they were nearly impossible to enjoy. My next experience was with a large group ordering a nice selection of entrees and small plates from the menu. The pork buns came out too cold, as was my pork loin dish. The rice cakes, which I tasted again were far less hot and really quite tasty. Having spent a good penny on this meal, I left disappointed due to food temps. The last time I patronized Momofuku was a gift from God. A friend of mine was returning to medical school from summer vacation and his parents treated himself and his friends (me, oh my yes), to a ssam dinner. This was by far one of the best meals I've ever eaten; the best pork I've ever consumed hooves down. You really cannot beat sampling from this large, large piece of pork. We were a party of six that came starving, gauged ourselves, and left stuffed. I have never packed my stomach to it's brim quite like this before...then I stupidly had some cereal milk at Milk Bar and took the bus home. The feeling of intense regret that overtook my body as soon as I hit my couch was unreal and let me tell you...it was worth it. Overall, my opinions on dining at Ssam Bar is to come for the ssam dinner--all of their other dishes are secondary! If you are hankering for a pork bun, stop in and eat at the bar and be on your way...the wait time for the regular dinner service may leave you disappointed. Oink?
(4)
Ted C.
It's pretty good and now that I've been there I think I'm okay with it, food-wise. A friend was visiting from out of town and suggested we meet up here for dinner. We got seated pretty quickly and started off with their seasonal drink the reverend palmer. A spiked up version of an Arnold Palmer. While my buddy got the Classic. As much as I love iced tea/lemonade combos the good Reverend was a little flat. The Classic though was surprisingly good, even though I really don't like clear liquors. We started with the honeycrisp apple kimchi which was just...okay. There wasn't a lot of that tart flavor of the apple or a lot of spice from the red pepper paste. A pretty mild, disappointing start. We got the pork buns-the classic steamed one, probably the best one I've had in New York, since the pork was a larger piece than the other places I've been too. Good flavor, but nothing amazing. The pork jowl terrine-their take on surf and turf was also a disappointment. Aside from the anchovies that are alongside the pork jowl it was just weird, chewy and that's about it. We got the scallops which were were really good. The avocado smear was a good added texture to the lean scallops, pretty tasty. The pork shoulder steak we got was all right. I thought it would be super tasty but it was pretty forgettable. The last part we got was a the rice cake with sausage which was really tasty. We got the additional dish since both of us were left kind of wanting. Tasty, but as we talked about it, it seemed like something we both would have cooked up in college when we were broke and had nothing but rice cake and cheap sausage. A little uneven and for the price I think it's not really worth it foodwise. The drinks though are good. I also had a scotch based cocktail and it was good. I think I'd go to the bar, but I'll go eat somewhere else.
(3)
Ben L.
I have much respect for the Changster, Chef David Chang has built a very successful restaurant empire and I am very happy with Ssam Bar and Noodle Bar. I have been here twice, both for the Bo Ssam. Try to get the earlier reservation, the one I got around 11am was incredible, perfectly juicy and succulent. The second one I got around 1-2pm was still good but not mind blowing like the first time, guess it just sat in the oven and overcooked. The order says for 6-10 ppl, I went with 6 and there was so much left over, I say at least 8-10 is recommended. They do the Bo Ssam on some online reservation system, not sure how it works because I didn't do the res but you have to reserve for Bo Ssam. The food: Bo Ssam- I guess Koreans would probably scoff at this version of Bo Ssam over the price and the choice of pork itself, but lucky for me, I am not Korean. It's a big hunk of pork butt, a dozen oysters, rice, lettuce and 4 condiments of ginger scallion, kimchi, pureed kimchi and Doejang(fermented bean paste). The first time I had it, it was easily the single best pork experience of my life. The pork was juicy, unctuous and perfect. The outside is crisp, the inside is juicy and the fat wasn't overbearing. yelp.com/user_local_phot… yelp.com/user_local_phot… yelp.com/user_local_phot… Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes- This dish came out great. The rice cakes are slightly crunchy and chewy, there is a kick from the peppercorn. The dish looks amazing and it would seem like the perfect hangover food. I am mean come on, rice cake, sausage and spicy oil... yelp.com/user_local_phot… Steamed Bun- yes it's amazing, steamed peking duck bun with cucumber, hoisin and pork belly. Yes, just get it and you will be happy. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Bread & butter- I know Chang is a big bread and butter person, so this dish speaks directly from him. I thought this was good but nothing fantastic. It's bread with sea salt butter and whipped lardo cream. yelp.com/user_local_phot…
(4)
Cris S.
Came here with high expectations because of the 4 stars review here on yelp, but sadly was disappointed... The pork buns were too fatty. I've had better ones. We asked if they have hot tea (to wash it down) but they only offer cold drinks. My friend had to stop by at a deli to get hot tea right away after we left. I ordered the fish buns, it was just ok. The pork chops with blue cheese were pretty good. Service was good. But the menu is very limited. Don't think I will come back again.
(2)
Soo Jin K.
Momofuku is as NYC as it gets. It's one of those places, you gather a bunch of your friends and family, and decide, "we gonna get our grab on!" Yessir! The menu is quite simple. You order the roasted pig, dassit. It comes with rice, assorted veggies, dipping sauces (all korean), and you begin your eating feast by taking a piece of lettuce, then pile some rice, a piece of the most delicious pork, some kimchee, and a huge dab of the hot dipping sauce. Open your mouth really wide and eat. It's so good! And for the price, I believe it's like $160 or so for the roasted pig, share that among 8 friends, it's one heck of a deal.
(5)
Sue C.
This review is for the Duck Ssam - and it is amazing!!! We made a reservation about 3 weeks in advance for a Thursday night at 6:30pm. We arrived there 10 min early and waited for them to prepare our table. This is my only complaint for the entire night - the hostess was rather dismissal when she asked us to wait. In the next few minutes, 2 more parties with reservations came in and she seated them right away. And then when I went up to ask about our table, she quickly walked away to do something else. We were finally seated at a table that I'm pretty sure was open the entire time... BUT - regardless of that snafu, the meal was AMAZING! They showed us the duck before cutting it and we were surprised how much food it actually was. The platter included the duck and duck confit over a bed of rice and a ton of delicious sauces and fresh herb sides. I tried the scallion pancake but thought it was really greasy and oily, so used the bib lettuce instead, which worked really well too. I would definitely try it if you can get a group to go together! I would come back to eat it again!!!! We were so full that we could not eat any dessert.
(5)
Amanda L.
How to bypass the wait: Find eight or nine friends and commit to the bo ssam! We started with some BBQ pork buns for everyone. They were the momofuku take on BBQ pork. While tasty, I thought there was way too much BBQ sauce, which detracted from the wonderful crispy pork. Couldn't complain though, since it was still pretty tasty. The bo ssam was larger than anticipated. It was a struggle for nine of us to finish it all, but we did! The pork was fall-off-the-bone tender and perfectly seasoned with salt and sugar. It also comes with a bunch of oysters; some people included the oysters in the pork wrap, and the consensus was it was a bit strange. So I had mine on the side :) The bo ssam comes with a generous portion of the fixins, including kimchi, kimchi puree, ginger-scallion sauce, BBQ sauce, and obviously rice and lettuce. I personally thought the momofuku kimchi was a bit too sweet, but that didn't stop me since I love all kinds of kimchi. Drinks were solid. I had a drink called penicillin, which included whiskey and honey and a really cool, giant ice cube. Service was OK. Took a while to get the check, but not a super unreasonable amount of time. It was just annoying that we couldn't flag someone down... the restaurant certainly is small enough that it's hard to miss you. Overall though, great food, great company, great experience! Worth a try. Tip: Make sure you are comfortable with the people you go with. I've been to my share of small, tight restaurants, but you are literally rubbing elbows with the people sitting next to you here.
(4)
Christine W.
Not quite sure why this place is so popular. Had dinner here on a Saturday night, the wait wasn't too bad. Got seated at the bar. It was quite loud, so probably not the best place to go if you want to have a intimate conversation with someone. Since the steamed pork belly bun was highly raved, we got an order of that along with an order of buffalo pork bun and spicy pork sausage & rice cakes. The buns were OK. Didn't think they were that much better than other places... Rice cakes got a nick crunch on the outside, again, wasn't overly impressed. All in all, this place is not bad, but it doesn't stand out from the million restaurants in the city either.
(3)
Reid K.
Momofuku Ssam Bar, you freaking kill me! The Whole Rotisserie Duck Ssam is amazinggg. Not only is it a beauty to look at, but its flavors and perfection are beyond words. Besides slices of duck meat carved beyond recognition (there's no way I'd want to see the actual roasted animal carcass!), the dish comes with picked vegetables, rice, lettuce, flat crepe-like wraps, mint and assorted fresh greens, garlic chips, chile sauce, hoisin sauce and a red puree sauce.Trying to pack all those condiments into each bite is a challenge, but the reward is an explosion of happiness in your mouth. When I took the first bite, I kid you not, I wanted to cry. It was as though everything I had eaten in my life up to that point had little purpose but to prepare me for that moment. We also ordered Momofuku's classic pork buns. I'm a casual meat eater, and I haven't had a lot of pork. Their pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, succulent, deeply flavorful and guiltless. It makes me think Jesus fed all those people with Momofuku pork because each bite is like 100 bites of lesser food. If you're a foodie, you know it's hard to be surprised and impressed, but until you try Momofuku's duck and pork buns, your life is still 50 Shades of Gray (the color, not the nympho from the book). Some people may say that Momofuku is all hype, or that it's not real Korean food. To them I say "whatever!" Who cares about authenticity when you can create food this freaking good. My only gripe is that their reservation policy is such a nuisance, and the sheer number of steps and coordination issues involved could not only mean you might have to wait weeks to try the duck or Bo Ssam. it could also make you want to starve yourself for days before so that you eat every last grain of rice. At the same time, I'd do it all over again for another meal of rotisserie duck.
(5)
Mi S.
I came here with my friend and we were both pretty excited because of how well known Momofuku has become. It was the first time for both of us and we didn't really know what to expect, but came with anticipation for some good food. Overall, the food was nothing like I've ever tasted before. I mean this in the best way possible. David Chang and the Momofuku team have really done a great job making this a singular dining experience. All the food was spectacular and unique! I'm almost certain you're not going to find or taste anything similar to the Momofuku menu. I'm hoping to come back and try to bo ssam and/or duck and/or ribeye. Actually, I want to try the rest of the entire menu.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
Go for the buns, stay for the lamb ssam. I went here with coworkers for our holiday luncheon and what a great way to say what a good year it's been done but going family style eating pork and duck like it's going outta style. We each ordered one small plate and one large plate and it ended up being more than enough for our party of 6, though one person was a veggie. 1. Pork, salmon, and cubano buns were all delicious, but I'm old school and like the pork buns the most. 2. The lamb ssam was where it's at! Order that wrap stat. 3. The rotisserie was solid and definitely go with the lettuce wraps and pancake. I liked the short rib special of the day, but I'm pretty sure they are known for their duck. 4. The octopus was alright. 5. The side of potatoes was plentiful and alright. 6. I personally wasn't a fan of the crispy duck wings. Just not enough meat and a bit too messy. My glass of Syrah was on the expensive side, but was a great selection, so smooth so subtle. Eating here ain't cheap, but service is great and food is quite tasty. Definitely a great spot to splurge!
(4)
M L.
This is my second review. This one is specifically about the large group 5-course dinner. I'm not going to go through every dish in every course, but overall, I'd say it's a great meal. There were a few pieces that fell a little flat or didn't add much, but the highlights made up for those. The apples with kimchi and bacon were great--and unexpected. I love the pork buns (although my nieces prefer the pork buns at Buddakan.)The duck, of course, was incredible. I also liked the dessert, which is usually my least favorite part of their menu (even though I love Milk Bar.) I think it was $60/person + drinks, tax, and tip. The meal seemed to please everyone in our group of 13, ranging in age from 12 to 81. Too bad the space isn't more accommodating for larger groups and special occasions.
(4)
Zuzzi E.
This place is an institution and there's nothing I can say here that hasn't already been yelped. It's a high-energy, meat-intense, communal dining experience. The staff is on-point, the music is always rockin', and the food arrives to your plate fresh and delicious. Great for birthday dinners or to wow your out-of-town guests. Pro-tip: If you don't have a reso, show up at 5 (they'll either have a seat for you until first seating at 6:39, or seat you at the bar).
(5)
Jennifer M.
I may have to retract my first review. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner this past weekend, torn between Momofuku Ssam and Momofuku Noodle. (We were really only looking for pork buns). We drove around both storefronts and noticed that Ssam barely had people lingering around its front door and of course, a hefty line in front of Noodle Bar. No questions asked we went to Ssam. We were immediately were seated. Pure luck really; the hostess said we scored the last open seats at the point of walk in. My night instantly got better. Not really overthinking what to order we of course ordered a total of four pork buns, their ALKALINE TAGLIATELLE, and their SOFT SHELL CRAB CESAR SALAD. All were excellent. I swear, the pork buns got fatter this time around, which of course didn't bother me. The anchovies in the tagliatelle were like croutons to a salad. The lemon confit was the glue that held that dish together. I may be right about the hit or miss part in my first review; but I guess I will never ever really know until my next visit.
(4)
Alvin P.
A-fucking-mazing!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Orgy in your mouth!!! Order whatever the fuck you want it's all good. Servers are knowledgeable and take care of business. These guys do savory dishes like no other. My god!!! Duck and pork here are killer!!! It's a little expensive, but fuck it!!! SO GOOD!!!
(5)
Amanda N.
Fatty pork and duck - my faaaavorite :) Stopped by Momofuku Ssam on a weekday for lunch. No reservations and didn't have to wait to be seated, although the table was a bit too small for us (no place to put purses & coats except on the floor...bleh). Our waitress was OK and service was overall pretty efficient. We ordered the pork buns, apple kimchi, and duck over rice (with lettuce). The apple kimchi was the only dish we didn't really enjoy; the flavor & textures were a bit off. But the duck and pork were both cooked to perfection. The ingredient quality was definitely there as well - such perfect leaves of lettuce! I could eat those pork buns all day - probably the best variation of steamed pork buns I've tried. The duck was delicious as well, and next time I want to preorder their whole rotisserie duck. Overall, Momofuku Ssam has the type of menu that appeals to me and they execute it well. Price point and portion size are totally reasonable as well. As a duck and pork lover, I can't wait to return!
(5)
Clariz C.
This place is really just ok. I feel like you can go to other restaurants that are serving same food that's better tasting. Sometimes people are just putting a bunch of random stuff together and it doesn't taste that appetizing.
(3)
Cathy M.
A 30 to 45 min wait was more like an hour, even though we had bar seating. The staff was attentive and friendly for the most part. The menu wasn't extensive. Also learned that some of their menu items are for lunch only. We ordered uni, pork buns, blacken blue fish sandwich, and the duck. The only thing I can rave about was the uni. 18 dollars for two pieces. Everything else is nothing special. I had such high expectations. Maybe I would considered coming back with a larger group so we can try their pork shoulder menu.
(2)
Elisa L.
My 1st review ever, but how can I not when I love this place so much! I've been here several times now and each time it gets better and lures me in even more. First off, the ddukboki aka the spicy pork sausage & rice cakes is a must have every time. I don't quite know how they get the rice cakes to be slightly crispy on the outside... wait I do... MAGIC! I've gotten the roast duck twice now and it is amazing. True, you have to make a reservation for very limited times and only 30 days in advance on their online booking system, but it's worth eating at 10pm for (just make sure you're hungry). They present the full roast duck to you first and then take it into the back to cut it up. You get a plethora of sauces and lettuce wraps, but you also get 2 sizeable sides. The standout side was the potatoes that were coated in some kind of spicy creamy sauce... *drool. Must come back for the bo ssam and the dry aged ribeye!
(5)
Gina B.
I love you David Chang. I love your Momofuku cookbook and reading your Lucky Peach magazine. I loved your roll on Treme and watching you on Mind of a Chef. But when I got to New York, Momofuku was at the bottom of my eating adventures list. But David, you ask "why?" Because coming from Hawaii, steamed pork buns, rice, roast duck, and anything Asian-influenced is pretty standard fare. Boring...what I really craved was pizza and hot dogs from those carts parked on busy, dusty, dirty NYC streets. We ordered the steamed pork buns, benton's country ham, and the rotisserie set over rice with the broccoli salad. *insert grunting pleasure noises due to tastebud orgasm here* Loved every single bite and especially enjoyed washing it down with a tasty Bruce Cost Ginger Ale. After that meal, we circled the neighborhood for 10 minutes and made our way to Milk Bar, right across the street from Ssam Bar, for a slice of Crack Pie. Ssam Bar I can't wait till my mouth can experience you again. xoxo
(5)
Patrick W.
I tried this restaurant as part of a team dinner at work. Everything was very good. The Momofuku Bo Ssam Lacquered Pork in Lettuce Leaves dish is something I still drool over when I think about it. The pork is so tender that you do not need a knife to cut it. You just take tongs and pull pieces of it off to put in lettuce leaves. They have multiple sauces you can put on it. The ginger sauce is amazing and my favorite. For other great places to eat in New York, please see my personal list at rookerville.com/2013/09/…
(4)
Den C.
I don't usually order quail, but when I do, I order Momofuku's quail. The small dishes were all very tasty, I like the kimchi apples a lot. The Washburn Island oysters were really fresh. Not much has changed since my last visit except the prices.
(4)
Patrick M.
I'm not a big fan of giving reviews to places that already have over 1000 comments. I figure that there is not much more I can write, and people won't really read your review. However, there are few times in ones life that a meal surpasses high expectations like Momofuku did. I came in with very high hopes and expectations, and I can gladly say that I was still blown away by the flavors and creative dishes. As I was eating dinner, there was one point in the meal, where I said, "This place is a solid 4 stars. The next two dishes have to blow me away for this place to earn 5 stars." Just like in the movie Dumb and Dumber, i was saying "There is a chance!" These next two dishes....the spicy sausage rice cake and the sweet breads were what pushed it to 5 stars. The sweet breads were the best I have ever had, and the rice cake was great. The only item that I would NOT recommend was the "liver pate." My good friend, Mr, Booth, actually was not able to finish his portion (mostly because he is a sissy), so his girlfriend needed to pick up the slack for him. Besides that dish, everything was fantastic. I highly suggest trying out Momofuku. It is absolutely phenomenal. I wish David Chang was there, so that I could thank him for a great meal!! To reference one more movie, "I'll be back!" (I hope)
(5)
Vanni P.
PORK. STUFFED. DUCK. Need I say more? Didn't think so. Really really really good, and such an amazing deal for 6 people - with abundant booze only came out to $100 per person, all in. If you must come here, you should definitely just do it for that one reason (although I might come back for the pork too! maybe stuffed with duck?). All the appetizers/ sides we had were pretty good, but nothing could reach the heights of that spectacular entree. Do it.
(4)
Cissy Z.
6 of my friends and I hit up Momofuku to try David Chang's famed Bo Ssam. I've been hearing about this meal for years and was super excited to finally try it! We arrived at the restaurant and were seated promptly. Even though the Bo Ssam needs to be pre-ordered ahead of time, we still had to wait a good half hour after we were seated, and were all starving. Our waiter had brought out lettuce, sauces, rice and a dozen oysters to accompany the pork while we were waiting and we tried not to eat them in our hunger. Then finally, the pork butt arrived... and it was glorious! Sweet, succulent, and oh-so-tender, each bite of the pork released the most delicious juices in my mouth. This was definitely the best pork butt I've ever had! Everything else however, just didn't add much to the experience. The oyster's cold slimey texture tasted odd with the soft and fatty pork and I would have enjoyed a pancake wrap more than a lettuce wrap. I also felt the sauces and kimichi tasted below the average Ktown joint. Momofuku's Bo Ssam is one of those things that you have to try at least once in your life, just to say you've experienced it. For $200 though, it is pretty expensive for just pork and some accompaniments. We hit up Milk Bar just around the corner for some coffee and desserts after! **TIP: Bring at least 8 people who can really eat to attack the Bo Ssam-- it is a monster of a meal. We had 7 and could have used another body or two!
(3)
Natalie B.
Well, I try NOT to post negative reviews. I hesitated whether to post this one. But finally decided it's important to draw attention to the hygiene at the places where we eat. They are supposed to be clean, as well as the personnel is supposed to be healthy and at least with clean hands. The situation: while we were eating our lunch at the bar, a lady was sweeping the floor (the place is popular and full of people). Then she came up to the bar counter to wipe clean wine glasses - to prepare them for serving drinks, without washing her hands after she was cleaning up the floor. Let me not post anything about food and other things. Sorry...
(1)
Carey G.
Our dining experience was very nice. We showed up and were able to immediately get a seat at the bar. Staff and servers were great-accommodating, friendly, and knowledgable. I think it's hard to live up to the hype. While our meals were tasty, there wasn't anything swoon worthy. We had pork buns to start which were juicy and flavorful. My husband ordered the quail. I ordered duck- the confit duck spring roll was delicious but the breast meat had a slightly weird smoky flavor. Plating was pretty. I'm glad we dined here but wouldn't go out of my way to go back to.
(4)
Gaby F.
Duck as marketing here, sell you on a concept then not really deliver a great product. Ordered the whole rotisserie duck. Physically impressive. It was sliced. Should (even with the sausage) been shredded AKA peking style. The Pancakes that accompanied were similar to an indian roti style flat bread and quite greasy. There were lettuce wraps also. But when you lightly coated your pancake with hoisin and then added sliced duck and other 'sides' it was incredibly heavy. Especially at 10pm! I would have stuck with shredded duck, wafer thin pancakes and then added scallions, cucumber or leafed herbs. Basically peking style. Wine list is prohibitively expensive for what it is, doesn't fit with its LES location. I think place is a gimmick. But its packeed with believers.
(2)
Michael C.
From the outside, it seems like a rather unimpressive establishment. There were no signs, no flashy lights, simply a sticker of a peach on the door. When you step inside, you enter a small dimly lit eating area, with the bar on your left and a few tables on the right with a narrow walk way for the waiters and waitresses to serve the food. The chairs have no backs and the tables are bare wood. If I hadn't done my research online, I would have never guessed that the owner of this restaurant is one of the world's most successful restauranteurs. For my dinner, I ordered some steamed pork buns and a roasted duck with a Russian name that I could never pronounce. The pork buns were every bit as delicious as they talked up to be, the pork belly just melts in your mouth and buns had a great texture. Then came the duck which was just as delicious -- simply seared and served over a couscous with some pistachios, cranberries, and butternut squash. Cooked perfectly medium rare with a crispy skin, I couldn't ask for more. At the end of the evening, I left a happy diner. I loved the food, and the unpretentious atmosphere. The people here just want to serve you good food and thats what they do. The only reason I do not give Momofuku 5 stars is perhaps I've been a little spoiled as a Chinese American growing up in Queens. I still remember the days when I could head to Flushing after school and pick up a steamed roast duck bun on Main Street. The duck buns are very similar to the steamed pork buns -- same steamed bun with cucumbers and scallions with a piece of roast duck and some hoisin sauce. They were every bit as delicious as the pork buns, the only difference being that they were a dollar each instead of two for $10 at momofuku. But I guess when you come to Manhattan, you have to pay the Manhattan price.
(4)
Seymour Y.
Dinner is fairly priced but sometimes it makes me feel like a food dunce. The dishes are very strange and sometimes dont hit the mark for me. The reason I am giving it a 5 star is for the lunch service where you get straightforward perfectly executed ssams.
(5)
Yi H.
This is a difficult one, I thought this should be on the broader line between 2 and 3. I had a pleasant experience at Momofuku Noodle Bar and thought I'd join my friends when they wanted to come to Ssam Bar for dinner. We were a group of 7. When we left the restaurant after the dinner, my friends and I all thought it was over-rated and over-priced. We had: pork belly steam bun, BBQ bun, bread & butter, shanghai noodles, roasted diver scallops, golden spotted tilefish, grilled flat iron steak, spicy pork sausage & rice cakes and roasted jurgielewicz duck. The food tasted reasonable well, but it wasn't amazing or special. The portion was certainly very very small. And it is true that I was upset that I had to pay for bread. For the price that they charge, I'd expect so much more.
(2)
J S.
I was told to try the pork bun cos it's the best ill ever have...the wait wasn't too bad about 40 minutes...got seated at the bar and got the divide IPA which was good..we started with the diver scallops which we misread n didn't realize they'd come out raw but were good regardless...the steamed pork buns n buffalo pork buns came out just in time since I was starving n holy fucking shit!! I don't know if I'll ever come across one quite like it or as good! The spicey pork sausage n rice cakes dish came out n was smaller than I expected but was very glad when it turned out to actually be spicy as the bar tender mentioned since typically when I'm told "are u sure? It's reeally spicy!" I tjink 'ur so full of shit' lol...just as good if not better than any Korean style version I've had in recent memory n by the time we left there wasn't enough room to check out the milk bar. The buffalo pork bun was better than the reg one but may never come acros. Another as good. Must have it again!
(5)
Asha S.
TIME/DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 @ 1:00pm NO RESERVATIONS, UNLESS ORDERING A WHOLE BO SSAM OR WHOLE ROTISSERIE DUCK SSAM. AMBIANCE: Modern interior, lots of wood - wall paneling, tables, etc. Only two people ahead of us at the bar. THINGS OF NOTE: We ordered take-out. PRICE: $18.75 for 2 pork buns & 1 pulled duck bun CHANCE OF RETURNING FOR PORK BUNS: Low (might come back for bo ssam) ___________________________________ :::: THE FOOD :::: * THE INFAMOUS PORK BUN - [3/5 - Well cooked, lacks hoisin sauce. Not that tasty.] * PULLED DUCK BUN - [3/5 - Tender pulled duck. Cooked with more seasoning than the pork bun, but not that tasty. Tastes a bit like spices commonly used in Indian food. I'd identify which spices, but unfortunately I don't cook. I just eat well.] ___________________________________ :::: Ranked: PORK BUNS :::: (Only includes the open-faced kind, not the traditional Cantonese baozi.) 1.) Steamed Pork Buns (2pc), $15, REDD, Yountville, CA - [5/5] 2.) Hirata Pork Buns (2pc), $9, IPPUDO, New York, NY - [4.5/5] 3.) Crispy Pork Belly Bun (3pc), $12, HOLSTEINS, Las Vegas, NY - [4/5] 4.) Tender Pork Belly Bun (1pc), $3.75, CHAIRMAN BAO, San Francisco, CA - [4/5] 5.) Steamed Pork Buns (2pc), $11, MOMOFUKU SSAM, New York, NY - [3/5]
(3)
Joyce Z.
The Momofuku cookbook was the first time I was introduced to the pork bun. No, I use to have to explain, not the char sui bao from Chinatown type of pork bun but the buns that normally comes with the roast duck in Chinese banquets and filled with a tender decadent pork belly with hoisin sauce and cucumbers or green onions. I found the closest thing to it for the first time at Spice Kit in SF and then Chairman Bao started rolling it out in its food trucks. Both are very good but I knew that I had to try the OG as soon as I booked my tix. The pork buns are bigger than the ones I found in CA so far and an order for about $11 comes with 2 buns which were decent size but not quite enough to fill you up for lunch. So I also split the fried duck dumplings served over sugar snap peas and accompanied with sriracha mayo. Be warned, although it is listed under "large plate", 5 fried duck dumplings really isn't a large plate so unless you plan on drinking the sriracha mayo, it's not going to fill you up either. The last item we ordered was one of the country hams which comes thinly sliced like prosciutto and served with a small piece of bread. Since I was planning on going for rice pudding afterwards, it was okay that I wasn't all that full leaving there but you can easily drop $40 for lunch and still be hungry.
(4)
Shauna T.
I have never felt so unwelcomed and treated so poorly at a restaurant. Today at approximately 12:30p when I walked into Momofuku Ssäm, I asked the hostess for a table and was told that they don't seat parties of one at tables and only at the bar. If a restaurant is busy I will sit at a bar, however when a restaurant isn't busy I prefer the comforts of sitting at a table. And I don't feel I should be forced to sit at the bar simply because I am a party of one, especially when your bar seats don't look comfortable. I could see a decent amount of tables available in the restaurant, so I told the waitress that I would go to another restaurant if I could not be seated at a table. Suddenly, the parties of one could sit at tables, but not before she made a snide comment saying "if it's an issue..." Hmmmm.....so wanting to be comfortable while eating is an issue apparently. I overlooked her lack of professionalism and poor attitude and sat at a table. The hostess then threw the menu down and walked away. That I also overlooked, but it was strike two. As I was trying to find a resting place for my purse, I noticed a jacket and scarf on one of the chairs at my table and asked the couple at the table next to me if the jacket belonged to them. Immediately, as if he was coming to the rescue, an employee asked if he could accommodate the couple by checking their coat, but they declined. So Momofuku Ssäm doesn't seat single parties at tables, but coats and scarves are welcomed? Makes sense. Seconds later a woman approached me offering bottle or tap water. When she reappeared with my water she introduced herself as the manager and for a split second I thought there was still some hope for this establishment. The manager, Anna-Lisa Campos (name found on company website) reiterated their policy about parties of one and said that if the restaurant became busy, I would have to move to a bar seat. So let me get this straight...if I am seated at a table eating brunch you would tell me I need to move to accommodate someone who arrived after me? And I'm to believe that in the 30-45 minutes I would be there, the restaurant would suddenly become inundated with patrons? I understand the need to accommodate people and generate revenue, but who's to say that a party of more than one would spend more than me? Needless to say, I left and won't be back. I've never been blatantly treated like my business was not wanted in an establishment. Perhaps I don't fit the description of their target market, but I thought all money was green and those that know me or know of me through social media know that I spend a significant amount of money patronizing restaurants. It was evident I was not welcomed and my patronage was not needed. I just can't understand the rationale of treating an existing patron poorly in anticipation of others. Did I miss the memo that stated Momofuku Ssäm was an exclusive restaurant? This restaurant won't make the website; won't be recommended to anyone; and won't ever be Tastebuds Approved.
(1)
Richard L.
5 stars! Why b/c it's that good. Ok so without going into too much detail about the pork buns (both of them) which were both very delicious and cooked perfectly. What i really liked was the Ham with the coffee sauce and bread. I could literally sit there with a nice dark beer, one plate of that and the sauce and break for an hour. It was awesome.
(5)
Agustin K.
Post holiday work lunch and we went for the bo ssam pork lunch. All 10 of us went despite the potential awkward moments I played out in my head about gorging on pork in front of my colleagues. It was relatively empty which made me wonder why it was so difficult to make reservation. Note to self, come here for a quick lunch at the bar. We ordered a few pork buns. Agree it is awesome but with at the ubiquitous pork buns around the city. Yes they started the trend but maybe others have perfected the concept. The buns didn't come nice and warm like I imagined. Moving on to the pork ssam - it is big and it is pretty overwhelming at first. Definitely enough for 12 people or more. My favorite condiment was the scallion and ginger oil though some prefer the Korean spicy bean paste. The sea salt was a nice touch because honestly I didn't think there was enough seasoning in the pork. I like the Boston lettuce to wrap the pork, balancing the fat and feeling of guilt. We left full and it was a good lunch and good for team bonding. Others who've tried the duck lunch said it was much better. I'll come back during lunch time either to eat at the bar or will try to recruit enough people for the duck lunch. Oink oink!!
(3)
Izzy P.
I went home for the weekend and decided to go eat at a few places I've wanted to try for a wail, ssam bar was one of them. I slit everything with a friend because I had eaten so much at the other places. We had the pork sausage and rice cakes and the fried moo kimchi. Both were nice but I was honestly expecting more. It didn't really live up to the hype. But the reason my review is so low is because of the terrible service I received. Our server was snooty and pretentious as all get out, she never even looked at my friend, she ignored us, and would talk to the people on either side of me frequently. In short the drinks are too pricy, the food doesn't live up, and the waitress we had was rude.
(2)
Kimberly K.
Great dinning experience from start to finish. Seating is communal. Bar seating is also available. Our server was friendly, helpful and attentive. Plates are constantly changed and the table is cleaned. Probably the best service I've ever encountered at a bar. Restrooms are available towards the back of the restaurant. As our order came out, each dish was described to us as it was placed on our table. We started off with Steamed Duck Buns, Pork Buns and Honeycrisp Apple Kimchi. The buns were served warm and fluffy. The meats were juicy and melt in your mouth good. All the flavors and textures made the Honeycrisp Apple Kimchi a hit. Thick slices of clean crisp sweet apples coated with spicy chili. Peppery arugula, crisp smokey jowl bacon, sweet creamy maple labne. A drizzle of olive oil and ground pepper complete this dish. Highly recommended. The Rotisserie Duck Over Rice was simply that. Flavors were all on point and freshness was key. Rice was fluffy and sticky. Juicy slices of thick duck cooked to perfection. Had just the right amounts of fat. Not overly greasy, with lots of flavor. You can add lettuce and/or a chive pancake to the dish. The lettuce was super fresh, cool and crisp. Goes perfectly with the duck. The chive pancake is crisp around the edges but soft within. A light onion flavor. We enjoyed the Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes but did find it to be incredibly rich. This dish should definitely be shared. Loads of spice from the sichuan peppercorns and chili oil. The rice cakes were tender and incredibly filling. Tender pieces of Chinese broccoli and spicy pork sausage. Topped off with cool green onions and crisp fried onions. I enjoyed the spicy flavor but if they could cut back on the oil it could make this dish a bit lighter. It was warm and comforting though. Corn Ice Cream Pie w/ Raspberries and Thai Basil was a light way to end our filling meal. Cool and refreshing. Pretzel Cake Truffles were salty, sweet, buttery and gooey. We left incredibly satisfied and with a take out box. Note: If you enjoy Coca Cola and haven't tried Mexican Coca Cola as yet, try it here. It's made with real sugar and the difference is in the taste. I'm not a big soda drinker but if they started offering Mexican Coke in our soda machines, I may become one.
(4)
Marissa F.
Dining at this restaurant compelled me to write a positive review. Starting from the hostess, to the "you're table is ready" text, to the service, to the food - everything is excellent here. You would be remiss not to have the pork belly buns, because this is a seriously succulent eat. I also had the squash, flat iron steak, and watermelon soda, and the flavors were superb in each dish/drink. The staff is friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and operate together like a well-oiled machine. Worth every penny. I will be recommending to foodie friends and colleagues.
(4)
Raider J.
David Chang......U rock! I came here yesterday for lunch. I arrived at 1130 and there was already a line out the door. When I got in, I got a great seat by the bar. The decor is very similar to the Momofuku Milk Bar. After checking out the menu, I ordered their awesome Pork Buns and their Duck over Rice with Pancakes. The Buns came out in a few minutes......and were AWESOME a usual. The Pork was very tasty and super YUMMY. The Duck over Rice was also soooooo good.......The Pancakes were thin and was a perfect complement to the Duck dish. I could eat this meal every day...............I love Pork and Duck and David Chang makes these dishes PERFECT! I was so happy that I came in my Pants!!! No afternoon BJ needed!
(5)
Melissa H.
Good feeling gone. I wanted to love Momofuku Ssam Bar. And the end of the night, I wanted to be able to say that I at least liked it. But for the experience, food, service and price? It'll take a little more convincing. We stopped in on a weekday night, waited a while to be seated. The hostess seated us and then poof, gone. To start us off, we ordered the roasted baby beets (sunflower hozon, ham, raisin) and steamed buns (pork belly, hoisin, cucumber scallion). The beets were presented in a lovely deconstructed way that got points for creativity and color, but demerits for taste (everything was swimming in peanut sauce) and...usability? (Good grief. It shouldn't take a good deal of effort to put things together to eat.) The steamed buns were fatty, tender and delicious with light and fluffy buns. Absolutely amazing. For entrees, we had the dry aged niman ranch ribeye (with shallot, garlic and thyme) and the roasted jurgielewicz duck (with barley, butternut squash, and cranberry). Both did not impress. The ribeye was cold, lacking any noticeable flavor or evidence that it was a thoughtful or well plated dish. I also wished that the menu had specified the fact that it was pork ribeye rather than beef. The duck was room temperature, chewy, and flavorless with a thick fatty skin. The barley, squash and cranberry were void of any depth of flavor (or complementing flavors for that matter), the lifeless hard, texture of the squash and sourness of the cranberry clashing at every bite. Maybe it's because I'm beholden to Baker & Banker in San Francisco for showing me what good duck is. The atmosphere was moody, mysterious and great for loud and large groups. Rustic, industrial and modern. But it felt cold rather than intimate, chaotic rather than trendy. The service? Some servers seemed uncertain, hesitating in answering questions about the menu or drinks. Others seemed uncomfortable and jumpy, scurrying over and disappearing without a word. It all felt a little disjointed and unsettling. Overall, I was disappointed that Momofuku Ssam didn't live up to my hopes. At least they have delicious steamed buns.
(2)
Lily Z.
I came here only for the BBQ pork bun and boy, it was delicious. I didn't get to try anything else from the restaurant. However, people looked like they were having a good time in this Asian tapas kind of place. I need to come back to NYC and try more of the menu! But the bun was very good.
(3)
Mike L.
Had kimchi, pork buns, octopus and flat iron steak. All were very good. Cocktails were also very good.
(4)
Jenna L.
BBQ PORK BUNS are HUGE!! I think we ordered 2 and split that! It was really nice - sweet and sour plus crispy pork. PORK BELLY BUNS - OMG they raised the bar to a level no one will succeed them and frankly I don't think CAN! THEY WERE SO MOIST AND JUICY and you don't feel greasy or unhealthy eating it afterwards. The fat just melts in your mouth and you are dying for another bite! Spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - pretty good ! It doesn't make your mouth feel tired kind of chewy if you know what I mean. ;) Roasted jurgielewicz duck - fancy duck, it was good.
(5)
Jennifer L.
This was one of the most amazing and fulfilling meals I've ever had. 10 of us couldn't finish the pork butt. The pork belly buns...I don't even have words to describe how wonderful they were. Everyone was speechless. Wow. I am salivating.
(5)
Xi L.
Pork Buns were pretty amazing, I would say even better than Ippudo's pork. For one they give you more here, and the pork is not marinated so much in high sodium sauces and the appearance is that of fresh slow cooked pork. The hoisin sauce mixtures on the bun were good, reminiscent of Peking Duck style. Entrees themselves, we got the duck over rice, duck dumplings, and pork sausage. I would say the duck over rice was pretty decent, but this fusion is not my favorite way to eat duck I realize...Classic Chinese will still top this any day. The dumplings were just fried exterior with duck meat on the inside and you dip it in some semi sweet almost honey mustard sauce, and it was mediocre. The pork sausage is somewhat spicy, the pork is ground up like a Chinese style dish and there is a ton of oil and without a base like rice for this dish to sit on, one cannot eat much of it by themselves... We split everything we ordered and still 1/2 of the pork sausage dish remained. Overall, great place for pork buns, but very average everything else we ordered.
(3)
Vi H.
Buns too fatty. Used to be the best thing on the menu. Now you might as well just cut a piece of pork fat, dip it in pork fat juices, snack on it, and drink pork fat juice on the side, because that's what it is. It was so messy. The juices were all over my hands. THe cucumbers were soaked and the fat juice, and you could no longer taste the freshness of the cucumber. Please quality control your pork belly pieces! I have faith! Will try it again and hopefully change this review! Save the pork belly bun!
(3)
Alice W.
The bo ssäm is delicious. A whole slow-cooked pork shoulder that's $200 for the entire party? If you can get 10 people to share, it's only $20 per person. That's a steal! It comes with rice, bibb lettuce, ssäm sauce, kimchi, other sauces, and a dozen oysters. You make wraps with the pork and condiments. The taste of the pork shoulder is phenomenal. Of course, given that it's cured overnight and slow-roasted for 6 hours, how can it not be? I'm sure I've said pretty much the same thing as the other 1500+ reviews but it must be reiterated - the bo ssäm at Momofuku is awesome.
(4)
Tal T.
This place deserves three stars for the exceptionally tasty and unique food but the service here is awful. The obnoxious manager who refused to split our cards as well as the hostess who had nothing but attitude really ruined what could have otherwise been a five star experience.
(3)
Cheryl N.
I thank David Chang for being such a godsend with his Momofuku brand. You gotta have at least 1 meal at 1 of his restaurants when visiting the Big Apple. My winter gastronomic itinerary was too darn packed for me to squeeze in another reservation at Momofuku Ko and i thought it was lost to me till the next trip. Thankfully there is Momofuku Ssam Bar and their no reservations policy, we tried our luck and managed to get a table on our last day in the city. O the happiness when we saw only a short queue. Whee! Momofuku Ssam Bar serves an unpretentious Asian comfort food with a duck-dominated menu. This is a casual joint where you can simply pop in for a quick meal or a snack or 2 for 20 bucks and leave really satisfied physically and emotionally because the food is ingenious and vibrant. Yes eating is an emotional thing for me. For lunch, there is a 3 course Prix Fixe meal for US$25. The Striped Bass was picked from a list of 3 appetizers which included Fuji Apple Kimchi and Steamed (Pork) Buns. All are great choices and come recommended. I would say go for the famous Momofuku Pork buns if you have not eaten that before. As we already had that bun at Momofuku Milk Bar, we decided to try something different. The bass was very fresh and the texture was sublime. Interesting rice pops to give the carpaccio an added crunchy texture. This is seasoned with plum, cilantro, green peppercorn. Very refreshing. Charred Octopus didn't seem like a very good choice. You should ALWAYS do duck at Ssam. The octopus was grilled to a crispy exterior but i found it very bland even all that stuff going on the plate. When i saw that the other tables had the kong ba bao version, i wondered if the bun that i had at Momofuku Milk Bar was the same Momofuku Pork Bun (seriously..) The one at Milk is a pulled pork version in a different bun. Not sure if it's because i added an egg with it but you can't blame me for thinking that they were different! Anyway, they tasted about the same with the hoisin sauce, cucumbers and scallions. The textures were a little different and i kinda like Milk's version better as it seemed a juicier. Now, you gotta have my absolute favorite dish, which is the Rotisserie Duck Over Rice ($14). I felt that the duck was very interesting as a flavored minced duck scallion patty was sandwiched between the caramelized skin and the pink tender meat. Add a little of the sweet hoisin sauce with some chili and the taste is absolutely heavenly and very Vietnamese. I added a chives pancake on the side ($2) and wrapped the meat in the salty flaky dough and it became an interpretation of a modern Peking Duck wrap. The Chevre Sorbet was a terrible terrible choice from the lunch set. We should have gone with the safer Lemon Meringue Pie. There's simply too much going on. We didn't finish this and went to Milk bar (which is around the corner) to have our favorite Cereal Milk Soft Serve and Crack Pie. :) Remember, whatever you do, you GOT TO HAVE the duck rice at Momofuku Ssam Bar. Do it for supper, whatever. Just eat it.
(5)
Annie Y.
I went here for the 6 course meal for a friend's birthday party. We had 11 people and he had to make the reservation 2 weeks in advance. $60/person pre tax and tip First course: Corvina with Plum, Cilantro, and Green Peppercorn. We had several non-cilantro eaters and they accommodated us by taking out the cilantro. This was a light and refreshing appetizer. Second course: Country Ham with Redeye Gravy - this came out with bread and the gravy was a nice savory complement. This also came with Grilled Summer Beans - these had steamed egg sticks which were soft and light. Third Course: Steamed Pork Buns! The reason why they are so sublime is because of the layer of fat on top of the sliced pork - coupled with the hoisin sauce, it is just perfect! Forget about your diet, just dig in! Fourth Course: The highlight if the meal - a whole roasted pork shoulder - the meat is so soft and tender. Some parts of the outside are caramelized and crunchy. The bib lettuce and different sauces allowed me to make my own variety :). Fifth Course: Popcorn Cake with Strawberry Jam and Caramel Corn. At this point we were all so stuffed but there is always some room for dessert. The cake had an almost custard like texture and the corn was hard. It was hard to gauge the quality of the dessert after stuffing my face for 4 precious courses though.
(5)
Shaina G.
Steamed. Pork Buns. OBSESSED!! If you haven't had one, you need to...soon! I LOVE this place! So cool how there is graffiti on the outside and your servers are a little more on the punk/emo side, yet totally knowledgable of all the wines and dishes offered. The asian fusion food is the best available in NYC and the menu is constantly changing. This spot is great for an affordable and fun date with celebrity chef cooking!
(4)
Helen W.
Honestly, I've never tasted pork belly buns quite like the ones at Momofuku. Two thick, fatty slices on a doughy bun with a little dash of hoison = simply perfection. I've only tried appetizers at Ssam bar, from the pork belly buns to the duck breast rice bowl. The notable dish to me, again, is obviously the pork buns, but everything that Ssam bar has served up has been exquisite in flavor without ever being too "flashy" with too many sauces and ingredients. Not to mention, the service is awesome here. Everyone is very laid back and welcoming. Even during the busy hours, someone is always readily available to answer any questions you may have about the menu or just refill your water.
(5)
Adrian Robert H.
80% Great duck dishes for lunch. ***Short Review Came here for lunch Dec'11 Menu at lunch seems very duck centered. There are several different Asian themed preparation of duck available. I thought the 'rotisserie duck over rice' was great and ordered two portions. It's tasty and decadent dish using wonderfully cooked juicy, fatty duck, and a very good scallion garlic sauce. The 'duck bun' was very good, but not quite exceptional. The meat was also tasty, and the bun was delicate and not too starchy. I loved the use of Thai basil and sauerkraut in it. Prices are on the lower end of moderate. You can get a pretty good meal for easily under $20 unless you have a larger appetite like myself. Service is good. Although you order at the counter, the servers here are attentive and informative. Food came out within 10 mins or so of ordering. Detailed review will look further into the dishes sampled. ***Detailed Review pulled duck bun - sauerkraut, smoked mayo (approx $7) (Dish Rating, 72%) yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Very good dish. Juicy shredded duck meat and some duck skin is placed inside a Chinese bun (not sure if they are Taiwanese buns, but they resemble it), Inside, there a thin slices of sauerkraut, mayo, and some Thai sweet basil. Flavor the meat worked great. I was surprised how tender and juicy the meat was. Interestingly I don't think the duck meat was as rich or tasty, relative to the duck breast served from the duck rice bowl. Texture of the meat does resemble an American bbq pulled pork. The meat was a lot lighter. I do wish the duck skin was more crisp. I felt it was a bit soggy, but lent additional flavor nonetheless. What complemented the meat nicely was the sauerkraut, which was only more subtle with the sour flavor. Texture of it was also very light and tender, blending well into the duck. Thai basil gave the dish some subtle sweetness in flavor (not very sweet for a basil at all). Overall the flavors are fun, balanced, but a bit muted as well. Adding some 'Hoisin' sauce works okay. I'm sure a beer would go great with this. The bun was good. It was very light and soft, not too starchy at all. It's a Chinese bun that's a lot lighter than even your typical brioche bun. flavor of it was also more on the mild side. Overall a good dish. 'rotisserie duck over rice' - duck scallion, ssam sauce, crispy shallot (approx $15) (Dish Rating 87%) yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Rotisserie duck breast slices, with the skin and some fat, are served over white rice. A considerably smaller portion of duck leg is put between the duck breast and rice. A robust sauce of duck fat, scallion, fried shallots, and garlic is poured on top of the duck. A generous portion of Thai basil is served on the side. You can also order some lettuce or chive pancake at a modest additional cost, so you can wrap up the ingredients to make your own 'ssam wrap' Great duck breast dish, definitely one of my favorite dishes this year! The duck breast was very tasty, juicy, and tender. For a duck breast, i was surprised how amazingly tasty this was. My guess is that, at least part of the reason why this is, is due to generous use of duck fat. There is a good portion of fat between the duck skin and meat. you also get the fat mixed into the sauce. Overall this is a greasy, heavy dish, but at least the grease comes from a desirable, natural source. It's amazing how good this duck was by itself. The flavor of the meat, also almost resembled to the flavor of star anise, although I'm not sure that's the case. Unfortunately, just the the duck bun, the duck skin here is also more soggy and as crisp as I would like. Condiments work nicely. The white rice was nicely cooked and soft. It also had a lot of flavor, and I think duck fat grease was also applied to it, so you can imagine how heavy everything was. Adding a bit of Hoisin sauce and fried garlic, both complementary items available at the dining table were welcome. I enjoyed adding a slight bit of sweet flavor from the Hoisin, which I felt balanced well with the rich duck. Fried garlic gave the duck a slight crunchier texture with each bite. Given the intensity of the duck, it was difficult to overpower it with a bit more garlic. Truly this was a great find and I can't wait to return. Be careful if you're tempted to have another serving of the duck bowl though. Ultimately it's a richer dish, and not something that's forgiving on the belly. I ordered two portions of this and learned the hard way, unsurprisingly with hours of discomfort afterwards. Solid duck dishes, recommended!
(4)
Liz L.
Coming to NYC, Z and I knew we had to go to some form of momofuku. So we decided that we would do Ssam Bar. Went here on a Monday, a little after opening. And there were already a few people inside. It reminds me a little bit of Revel (in Seattle) where it's Korean food with a twist. It's funny, because, even the layout is somewhat like Revel. There's a long table where you can kind of sit communally and then there are tables along the wall. It's a long and skinny seating area. Revel has a long bar where you can see the food being prepared (which is super awesome) and then has tables along the wall and a few more in between. Ok, not so similar, but kind of. Anyways, back to the food. We ordered the pork belly steamed buns to start. They were sooooo good. The pork belly was well prepared and melting in my mouth. The bun was nice and pillowy. There were maybe two slices of cucumber on it? Wish there were pickled cucumbers and a little more to give it some textural contrast and for a little acidity. I did add a little bit of hot sauce. But definitely worth ordering. I wasn't sure whether to order the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes (his play on ddukboki) or the duck over rice. Z wanted the duck pot pie. But she compromised and got the duck over rice and I got the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. The duck over rice was good, she ordered it with the pancake. Probably should have ordered it with the lettuce. The duck was cooked very well. Seasoned well and tender and juicy. Rice is always good. But the pancake was really thin and had flour-y taste/ floury-ness that we didn't really care for. But the rest of the dish was good. The sausage and rice cakes were surprisingly good. It looked a little weird, definitely not my mom's ddukboki or what you normally would get if you ordered ddukboki, but it was really good. Not too spicy (I could have used a little more heat), chewy, meaty (it was more of a pork ragu, if you will), really good comfort food. Z liked it so much, she ordered the Chang's cookbook. We already made it! Didn't turn out quite like his, but a pretty good version of it! We thought about dessert and was going to pass, but Z really wanted the lemon meringue. We got it and it is so worth it. Pistachio crust, pistachio crunch, lemon cream, topped with frozen grapefruit flesh, and a lemony toasted marshmallow. Ok, so I don't know if these are all the correct terms for the components, but that is what is seemed to be. But they all worked really well. It was so good. I'm going to figure out a way to make it.
(4)
Dan M.
This review is based solely on the bo ssam (aka pork shoulder) tasting menu, which I've had on two separate occasions and remains one of my favorite dining experiences to this day. The ambiance is as cool as it gets, and I love the "do it yourself" nature of this meal. Between the oysters, bibb lettuce, kimchi, pork and the amazing variety of sauces, the possibilities are endless! I also recommend getting a few pork buns as an app. They're some of the best in the city.
(5)
Michael S.
Holy mother of pearl. Came here for a quick bite and ordered the fuji apple kimchi and pork buns. MIND BLOWN!! The apple kimchi reminded me of radish kimchi but with apples instead of radishes. The dish tasted just like kimchi at it's most optimal ripeness but with the sweet tones of an apple instead of radish! And, what can I say about the pork buns? They left me speechless.. Best pork buns I've ever had in my loife.
(5)
Lily W.
ok, I'm really torn at what stars to give this place. Its a friggin Momofuku, so it has a level of standard...but the dishes weren't all delicious. Beef Tendon: I liked the beets in the salad-thing, and the crunch from the pork skins...but it didn't have a powerful flavor. Maybe as a starter to cleanse the palate? Shanghaineese noodles: Noodles were only ok. They had a weird texture to it... Steamed pork buns: I'd come back just for these. Forreals. $10 for 2, and giant portions of perfectly cooked meat. Yum. Steak: Actually pretty good. Hurm...upon reflection, I would suggest ordering only entree's and pork buns. o.O
(4)
Dan W.
Was surprised to find so many clean flavors at Momofuku. I was expecting everything to be crazy flavors that blow your head off. But, it was a really good meal that ended with the best dish ever! The spicy pork sausage dish was sooooo good and spicy with awesome blow your head off flavor! So that gave me the fix I was looking for. Didn't quite understand the ham section, it just doesn't fit with the theme. Curiously we tried the Wigwam ham to see if there was something that was different about this, but nope....it was just thinly sliced ham accompanied by some pickled veg and mustard. Tasted like all Virginia hams that I grew up with..... Highlights - Spicy pork sausage! Fuji apple kimchi Raw bar Mackeral Lobster Roll Steamed Buns - pork belly Loved the single art decoration of 80's John McEnroe. Again, another thing that just just doesn't make sense, but this one actually works. Will definitely be hitting up some other Momofuku bars on the next trip.
(4)
A.R. P.
I wish I could have partaken in the signature dishes that are served here (the mammoth bo ssäm or duck ssäm dinner that serves 6 to 8 people and that consists of making "ssäm wraps" out of a glorious slow roasted pork shoulder or succulent rotisserie duck). But, it's not easy to round up that many people on short notice (especially, as I'm from out-of-town). Instead, I had to experience Ssäm Bar on more simple terms by ordering a selection of small plates off of its daily menu. To start, the decision to order the steamed buns was an easy choice. These are the iconic pork buns, after all, that helped launch David Chang's empire and that has spawned a thousand imitators. Made from steamed Berkshire pork belly, the famed buns were inarguably good. The shells were fluffy and airy. The interior meat was exceedingly moist and tender (with flavor derived from its bountiful fat content and spread of tangy hoisin sauce). The jowl terrine was another tempting pork indulgence. The rich melt-in-the-mouth pork terrine, flattened and gelatinous, played point-counterpoint with the shelling beans, shaved pears, and yuzu paste that shared its plate and, in the end, was a subdued, but unqualified hit. An order of wild catfish with corn curry, green mango, and peanuts was an attempt to step away from the pork-heavy theme of the menu. The catfish filet, which was surrounded by a gentle curry sauce, was crisped on its exterior and topped with subservient pickled bean sprouts and curious cubes of compressed water chestnuts that were blackened with squid ink. The pleasing fish ball hot pot came out in a Korean stoneware bowl and was filled with Manila clams, familiar white fish balls (which are common to Chinese soups), rice cakes (cut into coins), spinach, bok choy, strands of young coconut, and a few stray baby octopus tentacles for good measure. The clams offered a sweet focal point while the simple broth, reaching for a creamy consistency, featured a hint of pleasant lime. I'll be back to Ssäm Bar soon. It's menu deserves some more exploration. In the meantime, I'll try to round up enough people to try the bo ssäm or duck ssäm.
(4)
Adam Cory O.
Great service!! Top notch pork belly and delicious oysters. Diver scallop and soft shell crab dishes could have had more spice and or citrus.... Something to make them stand out more. Very comfortable, convenient joint.
(4)
Anna K.
rotisserie of the day - short ribs on rice with chive pancake spicy sausage with rice cakes korean classics with a modern twist. soft, juicy pieces of meat over marinated rice in a bowl. pancake is more like a savory, foldable crepe. rice cakes crisped and tossed with spicy sausage topped with crispy shallots. fusion food at its true best. david chang is an effen genius. pork bun vs ippudo: momofuku has hoisin sauce and cucumbers. ippudo has spicy sauce, mayo, and lettuce. p.s. do the bo ssam if you can get 4-5 people down.
(5)
Christina H.
This place has a cult following and deservedly so. I like to come for lunch when the crowds are much more manageable. and lunch got even better since they added the duck lunch special. while the majority of their menu traditionally focuses on pork, they stem out here and do a fantastic lunch duck offering. think about one of the best rotisserie ducks you've ever had. served in a huge bowl of white rice accompanied by lettuce cups, chive pancakes, and assorted sauces for wrapping. combine this with one of their other duck items (like soup or dumplings) or pair with a more traditional pork bun for a perfect meal!
(4)
Monica T.
Been here a few times, but I don't know why I never left a review! The last 2 times I was here, was with my out of town friends here. We tried their pre-fixe lunch one time, and another time we were here for dinner. Both times, no issue with getting a table when we walk in. Both times, very good solid food. The pork bun, is a must (duh!!), the other dishes depends on what you like. Both times we ordered the rice cake/noodle dish and a few meat dishes. Momofuku never fails to impress me!
(4)
Lu H.
Yes, the bo ssam pork feast is actually incredibly delicious, not just a feat to undertake so you can say you've done it. The meat is glazed with brown sugar and is fall-apart-tender, dripping-with-natural-fat juicy. The sauces it came with were also delicious - my favorite was the pureed kimchi. Yes, it will take a minimum of 8 people to finish the whole thing (which we did). No, you should not order pork buns as an appetizer before the bo ssam, even though not all pork is created equally and it is a different experience (we did anyway). Yes, I do intend on returning for the lunch prix fixe at some point, because the other dishes we sampled were actually very good. The wagyu beef slices were tender and flavorful, and the spicy pork sausage with rice cakes and crispy shallots was oddly addicting - I kept nibbling at it even though I knew a massive hunk of pork butt (shoulder?) was coming. I would like to come back to try the apple kimchi, duck confit, trout, and quark ice cream. I recommend you do the bo ssam meal as lunch instead of dinner. Being able to walk it off the rest of the day was key to my continued fond memories of the meal. Unhelpful but fun factoid - we had a waiter who looked like Paul Rudd. I caught him in the background of one of our pictures. You can decide if you think he is in fact related to Paul Rudd.
(4)
Sophia D.
As every other review about the Ssam Bar states - the pork buns are seriously AMAZING. If you come here and don't get them you seriously need to re-evaluate your life choices. They melted right into your mouth and... and... and... what was I saying? Anyways, they were absolutely delicious. Now I'm craving some big time. The place was super busy, so my friend and I sat at the bar. The service was fast and accommodating.
(5)
Alyssa M.
i loved everything about my experience at ssam, it was my first time dining at one of the momofuku restaurants. my friends and i walked by just as it was opening so we got in line and were seated very quickly. i liked the ambiance inside, its trendy but unassuming. we started out with some drinks, that celery drink though - AMAZING. i could have had 15 of them. we got a variety of entrees and loved them all. i got the spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - man was that an explosion in the mouth. it was A LOT of food - but it was SO GOOD. my friends had to help me finish it, which they didn't mind! i am so happy that we walked by the moment we did! wait, how could i forget about the pork buns?! they totally live up to the hype.
(4)
Alyssa G.
Ya ya...you won't get seated until your WHOLE party is present. Living in San Francisco, that's nothing new, particularly for the popular eateries. We waited outside for our other friends to arrive...which felt like forever. Finally when we sat down...pure, unadulterated bliss. Royal Miyagi Oysters - with kombu mignonette Steamed Pork Buns - hoisin, cucumbers & scallions (they are on par with Chairman Bao's steamed buns, if you're familiar with SF food trucks) Duck Sandwich - iceberg, crystal mayo, peppadews. A little heavy for a sandwich but flavorful nonetheless. Spicy Pork sausage & Rice Cakes - chinese broccoli, sichuan peppercorn, crispy shallots. The desserts were a no-competition best experience of something sweet. Ever. Tri-Star Strawberry Sorbet - celery root, ritz crunch. A mix of salty and sweet and cold. Corne Ice Cream Pie - heirloom tomato, thai basil. Yep it takes exactly like it sounds. And it was spectacular!
(5)
Sara S.
Overpriced hipster bullshit... and the food sucks. Hey kids, this place is all about you... if you like spending your allowance spilling overpriced booze into your beard while consuming straight up pork fat until your eyes tear behind your retro wayfarers. I gave this place 2 stars because the service is good and the communal seating makes it easy to make friends with your neighbors... Even though it's a short walk from my apartment, I would never go back or recommend it.
(2)
Meredith X.
Momofuku, you lived up to all my expectations and more. Came here with a party of 10 for best friend's birthday. It's been on my list for a while but near impossible to get a reasonable dining reservation (10PM? girl's gotta eat man). We started with a round of their famous pork belly buns. Love pork belly but my god has this set the bar high! Flavorful, tender, perfectly cooked and seasoned, served with cucumbers to provide that light crunchy contrast to the fatty and rich pork belly. Some diners complained there wasn't enough hoisin sauce but I thought it was the perfect amount to complement and not overpower the meat. When they first brought out the bo ssam pork shoulder, I was thinking "Damn that really is not enough food to feed all 10 of us". So wrong. That behemoth kicked our butts with about 1.5 pounds left to spare. The pork shoulder was so tender, fell right off the bone. Everyone at the table was surprised at how easily the tongs tugged away at the meat. Not sure what they rubbed it with but it was tangy, sweet, with a little kick. When topped with a raw oyster, pure decadence. Waiter was really cute and almost coaxed us to order dessert until we remembered we each were carrying food twins (nice try dimples). All 10 of us left stuffed and extremely satisfied with the meal.
(5)
Joanne Y.
PORK BUNNNNNNNNNNNNNS!!!!! Better than Ippudo's pork buns. I also got the lunch set (duck over rice, $20), and that was definitely enough for two people. It came with lettuce, chive pancakes, rice and a side dish (I got the broccoli). I'll be honest - I generally really dislike and bias against places like momofuku, specifically because it's always a glorified mediocre Asian food restaurant with a 500% markup in prices and swanky decor to pull in all the white folks that shy away from the authentic nitty gritty restaurants. I won't say that it's not the same here - and I won't say there are some obvious flaws to the Chinese food (chive pancakes included) they serve there, but the one thing that I can say is that this place does their MEAT well. I know their duck set isn't just duck - but it's a grand mixture whatever they do with the meat in that set. Anyway, I digress, the PORK BUNS are the thing to get here. Their buns, even for my Chinese root standards are done well, and their PORK, oh my! The fat is so well preserved, and the meat is not dry at all. It's simply amazing and has not been replicated to the same caliber anywhere else I've had pork buns at. This place (for pork buns) have become a staple for my visits to NYC. There are 3 places I am able to blindly navigate myself to when in NYC without a map or phone or asking strangers: my friend's apartment, Times Square, and Momofuku's Ssam Bar. 'nuff said!
(4)
Jake S.
Been here twice - all I have to say is The bo ssam is absolutely a miracle. Get ~ 8 of your friends, family, foes, enemies - it doesn't even matter. It is some of the most tender and flavorful meat you will ever have. It comes with a bunch of sides as well (full details on website) - the other nice thing is that it buys you a reservation = pretty short wait time. Plus, sat next to Neil Patrick Harris which was awesome!!! The bao pork buns are out of this world. I did go back again and ordered some other apps and entres a-la-carte and it was good, but not amazing. BOOOO SAAAAAMMMM!!!!! do it.
(4)
O C.
Fantastic experience! I went there with 5 other people and ordered the famous pork shoulder (Bo Sam). If you do the same, bring your appetite and don't bother ordering any starters. The portion is big enough to satisfy a part of 6 with plenty of left over pork shoulder to go around afterwards. Not only will you enjoy a fantastic meal, you'll have a pleasant experience doing so as well.
(4)
Leeann C.
I've been here a few times, mostly because one of my friends is obsessed with their pork buns. I have to admit, they are quite tasty, but at 2 for $10, they aren't cheap! The last few times I've been here, I've gotten the lunch set (rotisserie duck over rice), which is a huge portion and can be shared between 2 people. Overall, the ambiance of the place is casual yet sophisticated. I would recommend it for lunch. -L.
(4)
Catfish H.
This dude is pulling one over on the round eye.
(2)
Patrick L.
Arriving early for dinner service was part of our game plan for hitting Ssam, as the typical NYC-popular-place-madhouse thing was getting old for me, real fast. When we showed up early in the evening, the place was bustling, but not jam-packed. Perfect. We were led to the bar - sure, not a problem. I was never a huge fan of eating at a table with strangers, anyway. Unsurprisingly, the cocktail menu looked good. As we were planning to hit a cocktail den later, however, we passed. The order of the night for us was going to be a few plates of small bites, then one of the famed desserts. I've been a fan of pig ears ever since one of my hometown restaurants started featuring them prominently, so we had to order the Crispy Pig Ear Ssam here. Prepared with yuzu and Thai basil, it was light, fresh, crunchy - absolutely perfect. Plus, I came to realize that I had never truly tasted "yuzu" before this. I swear that plenty of "Asian Fusion" places throw the idea of yuzu on their menus to make their menu items sound fancy and justify high prices, but it's funny, whenever I order such items, I never taste anything. Here, I finally understand what yuzu tastes like. I knew it was supposed to be a citrus fruit, and with this dish, I definitely tasted a good pungent tart citrus flavor. Now I know. And next time someone claims to use yuzu in a dish, and I don't taste it, they're getting marked down. Pork buns were fine - succulent pork, check...once again, bright flavors, textural perfection, check - but hey, they are pork buns. Grab an order just to say you had them, and then move on to the more interesting menu items. Like the Roasted Goat Roulade....a nice slab of densely savory goat meat with bulgur, lima beans, and egg yolk. This was pretty odd, but it worked, and was ultimately the kind of interesting dish for which we had hoped. For dessert, it was Christina Tosi's famed corn ice cream pie with raspberries and Thai basil. I think that the use of corn in desserts is one of those foodie trends, one I'm happy to indulge, as it adds a flavor dimension not normally associated with end of meal sweets. Sweet, tart, and with that little basil kick, this is the kind of dessert I'd come back to. This place calls to my mind a sexy, glossed-up version of Miami's old pop-up Phuc Yea - if I lived around here, I'm sure I'd be a regular. Worth the hype, I'd say.
(5)
Jen I.
It's not easy being a veggie/vegan traveling with uber-foodie co-workers. Especially in NYC. I found myself here for lunch silently worried I'd be having a water for lunch. I'm so glad the staff was great and that our waitress pointed out the things I could have. The spicy potatoes had the most amazing black bean sauce and I could have inhaled the bowl if I wasn't forced to share. I also had a rice noodle bowl with spicy peanuts that is usually served with duck. Even without the duck the noodles were delicious and I was digging through them searching for the little nuggets of spicy peanut joy. Thank you momofuku for making this vegetarian feel at home and not shunning or rolling your eyes at the hippie at the table of pork eaters.
(4)
Anna W.
The food here is inventive, unique, and ambitions. Five stars always and forever for the steamed pork buns. However, I don't love the communal seating situation -- it is impossible to have the kind of romantic dinner that this menu calls for, when you're crammed elbow-to-elbow with your neighbors and sitting on bar stools at the long narrow tables. Also, for as much as I loved every dish on paper, I only really loved half of them on my taste buds. I think they go a little overboard sometimes trying to impress, and the flavor combinations don't always work. Highlight was definitely the apple/kimchi/bacon salad, and the octopus was tasty, but I could have done without the liver & mushroom dish, and the uni/roe/tofu. I think next time I'll be sticking with the simpler and more on-point Noodle Bar.
(3)
Ian A.
Had a pleasant but decidedly average meal here last night around 930 PM. I have been to Momofuku Ko before, and I would give that a 4.5 star rating (some of the food was out of this world, while other dishes were great but not amazing), but this was my first time at Ssam and I found it far inferior. My partner and I order one of the hams, the pork buns, the Shanghai Noodles, the Octopus, and the Spicy rice cakes and sausage. We sat at the long bar, and the service was not very attentive, but by no means rude. We did wait for over 5 minutes before anyone greeted us or offered us a drink, but it is not like the servers were just standing around, so I didn't take offense. The pork buns were a bit dry, which is a hard thing to accomplish for pork belly--my partner only ate half of hers. The ham was good, and I liked the dip that accompanied it. The roe with the shanghai noodles was fresh, but the noodles themselves were a bit bland. As for the larger dishes, the octopus was overcooked, and the rice cakes all had different consistency. In short, the meal had some technical issues that were hard to overlook. And the flavors were fine, but not spectacular or all that interesting. In the neighborhood surrounding the restaurant, there are so many interesting and exciting places, I would say spend your money elsewhere.
(3)
Lauren A.
First time here! So delicious! We ate: peekytoe crab; Santa Barbara uni, steamed buns, roasted bone marrow, grilled Spanish octopus. Drink: seven spice sour Definitely worth it!!
(5)
Ashley A.
Wow. Just wow. A place like this rarely lives up the hype. And yet it surpassed my expectations. Every cocktail, glass of wine and items we ordered were superb. The only thing I was somewhat disappointed with, was the uni. Highly recommend the steamed buns, the spicy pork sausages and rice cakes, and the fluke. You should not miss this Momofuko establishment.
(5)
Hanna K.
Delicious soft pork in the pork buns! Creative menus (e.g. pork chops with blue cheese sauce). Friend wanted the bbq (ribs?) but we couldn't because it was about 50 ounces??? and $150 :( maybe when we have a bigger group!
(4)
Brian N.
I feel so blessed to have had the chance to temporarily reside in NYC and eat here! I've followed this chef on Youtube, TV, and recently read on Yahoo that they ranked this restaurant Top-5 in all of America! Anyway, I only had time for a quick weekend lunch, so I ordered the prix fixe 3 course lunch for about $26. 1. Fuji Apple Kimchi with bacon - This thing attacked every single taste bud in my mouth simultaneously. So simple yet so unworldly sophisticated with its flavor combinations. I've never had anything like this before. Try it! 2. Duck Bologna Sandwich - tasted like a gourmet version of your neighborhood Banh Mi. I wish the bread wasn't so hard, but maybe that's just a personal preference. Everything else about the sandwich was very balanced and fresh with a great duck flavor. 3. Chevre Sorbet - I imagined that I was one of those MasterChef judges tasting the final dessert meal before eliminating people. I say this because the sorbet was sweet, savory, cool, and warm with a flavor that I can't really identify. I don't remember what the ingredients were, but I'll post a picture of it so you can see. The dessert looked like art on my plate, which is always important.
(5)
Arti N.
Ok, lets get the only bad out of the way... service for a place of this reputation was sub-par. While dining solo at the bar today, I spent what seemed like an abnormally large portion of my lunch trying to catch multiple servers eyes to ask for a full pour of wine/ bill/ etc. etc. And trust me, I was just happy to be here, so I wasn't exactly an overly demanding customer. One very very strange thing my server did was start pouring my taste of wine, I nodded yes, she called out to the patrons entering the restau to greet them and let them know that they'd be seated shortly, corked and put the wine away and it took me at least 5-10 minutes to catch her eye (without drinking any of the wine, in case she wanted to accuse me of going back for free seconds) to "remind" her that she hadn't given me the full pour. Upon mentioning it, she seemed to know exactly that she hadn't given the pour and said she "just went to put the bottle back on the bar". In all my years of dining, never have I had such a bizarre incident occur. Only fail, David Chang... but luckily the rest of the meal lived up. Since I was solo, I was limited in my selections... both the steamed pork belly buns (you know I had to order those if nothing else given their permanent fixture on the menu) and fried duck dumplings were out of this world. Like so good, I will crave them for eternity. And return anytime in NYC and brave the bad service! Both dishes were so simple, and yet so complex at the same time. The broth underneath the dumplings tasted faintly of a very light fish sauce and the veggie (baby broccoli?) was flavored and seasoned to perfection. All the flavors in the dish were perfectly composed and complimentary to each other... :) For dessert, I opted for the main menu choice, a "lemon meringue pie", so DELISH. The crust was made from pistachio and the lemon curd on top was light and tart. There were shavings of pink on top that seemed to be pickled radish and some sort of smoky crunchies in the plating sauce. OMG... I wish I could have taken out another stomach and ordered more! Already dreaming of a return visit... someday. Can totally see why (given the D.C. empire and pivotal role in the shift in food culture) this has ended up on the #1 spot of the 20 Most Important Restaurants in America (BA, 2013).
(4)
Laura M.
I now know why this place is always packed. Tasty food and good atmosphere. First off, you obviously have to get the steamed pork buns. They're awesome (but not as good as Ippudo's). Other favorite dishes were the octopus, the market side (which was some pretty tasty leafy greens), and one of the noodle dishes. Good saki as well. Only reason I'm giving this place three stars instead of four is because I'm biased - once you have Ippudo you never go back. I realize the genre of food is a bit different, but I found that Ippudo puts a bit more flavor into their food, and for less of a price. Overall, this is a good noodle/small plates place, but it falls just a tiny bit short of the hype.
(3)
Jordan C.
Best pork bun ever. I could leave it at that... but I also really enjoyed the spicy rice cake whatever thing. The rice cakes are kind of crispy and the flavor is good. I wish I could round up 10 people to get that big ol pig... Also! everyone seems to enjoy the duck rice. I want that too.
(5)
Peter K.
It's been a while since I've eaten here but I do remember the food being very good. We were waiting for a table for a while so we decided to have a drink at the bar and order up some pork buns. The pork buns here really are amazing but the problem, as always, is that there are only two to an order and so it was really a shame that my girlfriend did not get the chance to try them. Just kidding. We were eventually seated in what I remembered to be a very cramped space. Nothing new for this city I suppose but my gf, having flown in from Texas where land is a plenty, did not enjoy it, a similar grievance she would later recount of our numerous east village outings. Can't really recall which dishes we had, nor would it help anyone reading this review as I believe that menu changes regularly. I do remember particularly enjoying the sweetbread dish. I'm a sucker for a well prepared thymus gland and they do it very well here. The food overall was very good and mostly consistent with the prices they charge. That being said, we did not leave stuffed. All good things in moderation, they say. I would love to come back here and try the Bo Ssam that everyone talks about or the spicy sausage with rice cakes, although for that particular venture I imagine I would have to scrounge up a fairly large group.
(4)
Navin W.
HIGHLIGHTS: ***STEAMED PORK BUNS*** order many of these!!! Sat at the bar with a friend, and the highlights of all were the steamed pork buns. Juicy, flavorful, amazing. If I were to go again, I would just order pork bun after pork bun until I was full. Had another type of pork bun and pork shoulder along with a blue cheese dressing. The pork was not as flavorful or juicy in the latter dish, and although I'm not a blue cheese die-hard, this sauce worked well and wasn't overpowering. Along with a couple glasses of wine, we were happy campers.It's all about the steamed pork buns though. Do it! And then go get some crack pie!
(4)
Rebecca Y.
SO DISAPPOINTED in this place, especially considering 1) the 4 star Yelp rating 2) David Chang's reputation. Duck Dumplings, served with sriracha mayo: these were ok. The duck meat inside was very tender and the sriracha mayo was tasty enough. But for $12 for 5 pieces, it was a ripoff. duck noodle soup - crispy noodles, duck tongue, rutabaga: this was a mess of a dish. The crispy noodles were a huge oily fried mess. The soup was poured over this fried mess in a fashion tableside. I think they were trying to be fancy, but it just didn't do much for the dish. There were raw scallions in there and only 2 little duck tongues. The fried noodles just got soggy in the broth and then tasted mushy. The whole dish was just a mess and my friend returned it because she was so disappointed with it. spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - chinese broccoli, sichuan peppercorn: this dish looked good and was interesting texturally because of the crispy shallots and chewy rice cakes, but it DIDN'T TASTE GOOD. It tasted very flat, not spicy at all with not even a hint of sichuan peppercorn, and there was barely any pork in this dish. I asked to return this as well, but they wouldn't let me, because they said that was the way the dish was supposed to be and that returning it would compromise the integrity of the chef. I completely understand that and respect that, but I have to say that I disagree with the chef and didn't like this dish. one rotisserie duck over rice w/ lettuce and chive pancake plus one side of your choice: this was the best dish out of everything we had. The rotisserie duck was tender and well-cooked. The chive pancake was hot and delicious. The food here is overpriced and not very good or well thought out. The best thing I've had from David Chang's Momofuku establishments, by far, are the Momofuku Pork Buns. They are truly delicious and the best I've ever had. Everything else has been a disappointment. I'll only be getting the Pork Buns from now on.
(2)
Jaimee A.
Okay, maybe I am too old for this place but I wasn't blown away. I will start with the good: The steamed pork buns - terrific BBQ bun - excellent Apple kimchee - delish Benny Ham with mustard - amazing! The service was great. The bad: Pork shoulder - extremely fatty (in alls fairness the server told us) and tasted weird with the blue cheese sauce Lobster Roll - too spicy. You couldn't taste the lobster The ugly: Wines by the glass - awful The ambiance (or lack of). Don't go to this restaurant if you plan on having a conversation with your date. The seating is family style and you are sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger (date is sitting across from you). So close that the woman next to me's butt was literally in my lap. I heard the couple next to us's conversation better than my own. You are encouraged to order multiple plates to share, but there is no room for more than 1 plate in front of each person. Your other plates end up in your neighbor's eating area. Which results in some serious stink eye. On a positive note, the bathroom was clean but no hook to hang your coat or bag.
(3)
Cynthia M.
Since I gave Eddie Huang's buns a try (hee hee, that sounded funny), I decided to give David Chang's a try as well (chuckle - I am so immature!) The place was pretty packed so I sat at the bar and they serve half bottles of wine so that was perfect. I ordered the pork buns and the spicy sausage with rice cakes. The waiter warned me that the second dish would be spicy so they recommend to eat that last. Then the server who brought out the dish warned me again that it was spicy. I was a bit worried since I was warned twice, but it wasn't too bad spice-wise. You could definitely feel the tingle from the szechuan peppercorns, but I was able to make it through half the dish before I had to stop due to heat (and being full.) I love the slightly crispy rice cakes and the super flavorful sausage and greens though. Perfect dish for a cold winter day. The pork buns were good, but honestly I like Baohaus's buns better (say that five times fast!) I think I will stick to Eddie's buns but I would definitely come back to Momofuku Ssam to try more of their dishes on the menu. Cool vibe, friendly service and yummy food. What more can you ask for?!
(4)
Alicia M.
The pork bun was truly amazing! My littles kept asking for more. I asked if they make their own kimchi and our waiter confirmed they do. Even Kimchi was excellent! Definitely a must stop in NYC. Go early if you can when they open. No wait.
(5)
Kevin Charles M.
It was a great experience. That pretty much sums it up for me. While I am deeply in love with all aspects of Momofuku's Milk Bar, the food just wasn't great for me. As above, it was a great experience! Our service was on point. We had their famous steamed buns which were the bomb! Following that, we nibbled on some Pig Ears which I feel I could have made at home (more flavorful). After that, we had some kind of fish (can't remember the name), not memorable flavors. But yes.... It was a great experience.
(3)
Camille O.
I was told this place was really good so I visited it on my last trip to NY. We ordered several dishes and they were all good. We ordered for wine, Gruner Svenlitner, which was perfect pairing with our food selection. Next time I would like to order the Peking Duck if I go with a group of friends. It looked delicious. Service was good and ambiance is casual.
On my quest to try all of David Chang's restaurants, we stopped here on our most recent nyc trip. It looked pretty popular but small on yelp so I was expecting a huge wait but I think we went at an odd time, around 2 on weekday and were promptly seated at the counter. They don't have too many tables. I want to say 4-6 four tops and maybe 2 huge tables for bigger groups or maybe they just pushed a couple tables together. Otherwise they have a counter facing the bar or a double sided counter closer to the kitchen where you can sit facing each other. The latter is where my friend and I ended up. Oh and they have the hooks underneath the counter to hang your jacket or purse. Love the convenience. Yeah, anyways when we went, all the tables were occupied and the counters were about half full. I only saw two waitresses working as well as a busboy. The kitchen had at least 4 chefs/guys and it didn't look all that big either. I had looked on their website and the bo ssam (pork shoulder) dinner looked really good but unfortunately it feed like 8 - 10 people. Next time with a huge group. We spilt the pork belly buns. Good but not the best I've ever had. Very nice fatty flavorful pork belly. For the entrees, I ended up with the OG momfuku ssam and my friend had the fish ssam (forgot the name). I thought I had ssam before in LA and it was like meat in lettuce cups. These are not that. Mine was like a giant burrito and my friend's was like soft taco with fried and battered fish. Yeah so maybe I didn't actually have ssam before. I was a bit worried about my ssam as I'm not a huge fan of kimchi and I almost asked for them to make it without it. But I decided to give it a try. It was delicious. Lots of tender pork, lots of rice, some veggies and a heapload of kimchi. I ate about half of it before the heat got to me and I had to start removing the kimchi. Whoo. But it was so good. And this was like a giant burrito so I had trouble finishing it. The maybe last few bites, I just ate the pork. Along with my pork belly bun and this ssam, I was stuffed. The table next to us had the rotisserie duck bowl with rice and a wrap. That looked really good too. Service was great. I did have to ask for a refill on water once. And prices are a bit steep, $10 for two pork belly buns and the ssams were about $15 each. Seems like most everyone who reviewed this place came for dinner and I'll have to come back and try it.
(4)
Shannon L.
Ten of us--my cousins (the biggest eaters I know) and myself--couldn't finish the 7 lb. pork shoulder. In our defense, we had a bunch of other dishes: pork belly buns, charred octopus terrine, diver scallop, fried fish bun, spicy pork sausage with rice cakes. ALL DELICIOUS. We had about 2 lb. leftover and it probably would have been 0 had it not been for the additional food. The thing is, as good as the pork is, you get tired of eating the same thing continuously. My recommendation is to go with a group of 10 (the max for the bo ssam dinner) so that you have more stomachs to split the pork shoulder between. As for the pork shoulder itself, our group was divided--some liked the flavor of the skin, some didn't, some liked the fattier parts, some liked the leaner parts. Everyone was able to enjoy some part of it. While the pork was good, I felt that all the items that came with it tasted generic. I'm guessing they (or someone special to Momofuku) makes the kimchi, ssam sauce, ginger scallion sauce, and the other red paste (that resembles sam jang) but if you've had a good pork shoulder and a typical Korean bo ssam, then this is just those two combined. This entire bo ssam meal resembled the traditional version minus some important elements (white radish, steamed napa cabbage, sesame leaf). It wasn't as innovative as I had expected, which is what I thought Momofuku was about. Ultimately, eating this bo ssam left me wanting the traditional bo ssam even more. If you haven't had the traditional version, you'd probably still enjoy this one and I did for what it was... a huge pork shoulder lettuce wrap. Perhaps the whole rotisserie duck and dry aged ribeye are other large format meals to consider. WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE WAS OUR SERVER. I get that Momofuku is an immensely popular restaurant and I get that service is not always a determining factor in the likability of a restaurant (i.e. ghetto hole-in-walls) but this is not that. A place of this caliber should do a better job. For example, she couldn't wait for our drink order. She would come by, some of our group would order while others were still looking at the menu, and then she would leave immediately without telling us. She did this about three different times. I was actually ready to order the second time she came by but she didn't even acknowledge or ask me what I wanted (and I looked ready might I add) so she left again. She wasn't willing to get us certain items like extra kimchi and she didn't make an effort to be friendly. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was a) having a bad day or b) a New Yorker.
(4)
K H.
First off, let me preface this by saying my yelp grading criteria are as follows: 1 star (would never go back, unless paid to); 2 stars (one time experience is enough); 3 stars (average quality of food/ambience); 4 stars (great quality/service/ambience); 5 stars (reserved for the best). Yelp reviews have been inflated with "foodies" thinking that 4**** food consist of average presentation and "hip" places to eat. Herd mentality, me thinks, is at work here. And so I am here to say to "foodies" go take your herd mentality elsewhere. This review is for those wanting the review of someone who believes that instagram photos of food says more about the individual taking the picture than the actual food. Peasants please stop reading, others please continue. Service: Reservations were not made, but we only waited 13 minutes when arriving at 8:10 pm on a Thursday night. The wait is made easier by the electronic system which sends a text when your table is ready so that you can walk around EV. I will say though the hostess told me there would be a 40 min wait, and obviously severely overestimated the wait. So don't be discouraged by the initial time quoted. The waiters on the other hand were very nice, but to tell you the truth, many looked pretty casual. Ok you caught me they looked like west coast surfer bros, and I come from Newport/Laguna beach territory. So while this is normal for me, I don't want these people giving me my food suggestions. At the very least, you can dress up and pretend you work at a restaurant charging $30-$40 a meal. This is NYC not Bro lets check out those swells. (4/5) Food: Pork Buns: Started off with this Momofuku staple. I would say less impressive than Ippudo's heavenly pork buns, but a good experience overall (4/5). This was probably the best part of the meal unfortunately. The pork is tender and fatty, while the sriacha like hotsauce adds and kick to the bun. I love the fact the pork bun is simple with a hoison like sauce, without the mayo/heaviness accompanied with some pork buns (Totto). (3/5) Chuwanmushi: For those of you unfamiliar, this is a traditional japanese egg custard usually steamed and served in a small tea cup. This dish was served in a large bowl with mushrooms on top. David Chang the owner of the Momofuku chain, for those of your unfamiliar, is korean by ethnicity, but has lived in Japan. I believe if he tasted this dish, even he would agree this is not authentic or even good by any standards. Bland, tasteless, and quite forgettable. This oftentimes delicate dish was turned into a Frankenlike fusion monstrosity. (1/5) Quail: WTF is this shit. Never had quail before, but the presentation alone looked like a 7 yr olds abstract painting. Watermelon radish? Great idea, but then I would think the radish is somehow pickled in watermelon. Instead it just tasted/looked like it was cut up to look like miniature watermelons. For $20 you get one quail, prepared by neanderthals cooked over a fire. The meat was dry and bland. Take your money elsewhere. Honestly kinda looked like rat meat. (1/5) Spicy pork sausage with rice cakes: Asked the waiter if this was good, he said it was a favorite. Whenever I am told this by a waiter, I ask but do "you" like it. I trust waiters who eat the food often more than the people who dine only at a restuarant once in a while. Unfortunately, in this case, I was misled by both. This is a korean like dish. Kimchi style sauce dressed on top of korean rice cakes that are pan fried. SAUSAGES?!?!? No where to be found, more like ground pork put into the sauce. Extremely disappointed, but very filling. (2/5) Overall: Though I did not try to duck bo ssaam, which I regret, I do think that a great restaurant only needs 5-7 dishes that are amazing that change seasonally. All the dishes at Momofuku tasted like a forced fusion of Asian/modern American flavors and it fails miserably. For me, Momofuku has been quite disappointing to say the least, and I would think that for David Chang, having lived in Tokyo, there is some regret at not honoring the authenticity and culture behind the dishes he is trying to bring to NYC's masses. On the other hand, go across the street to Milk, for some Blueberries and Cream cookies (tastes like you are eating blueberry clouds).
(2)
Henry O.
This place was awesome . . . when they first opened. I have gone back and eaten here maybe once every year and the food taste has just been going down more and more every year. Had some family friends from asia in town who love to eat. Theyve heard about this place all the way from SE asia. One time they werein australia and tried eating at the momofuku there, but they couldnt get in. Anyway, we arrived here the night before on a thursday. They stated it was going to be an hour and a half wait. We tried to wait as long as we could, but we couldnt wait forever so we ate elsewhere. The next night we came back and only had to wait a half hour for a table. The company that we were with just wanted to have the best of the best of what they were known for. It says to ask for availability on the menu, but everyone we asked said that we had to order it online ahead of time for their famous pork and the duck. So instead we pretty much ordered everything that was on the menu. I was excited for a few dishes, but was disappointed, especially in the Uni, scallops, singapore noodles, spicy pork and rice cake. The softshell crab was just okay. We also got the fish, it was huge and it was better than most of the other things we ordered, but still nothing special. The steam bun and BBQ bun were good, but compared to how the steam bun was back when they first opened . . . it doesnt even compare. Service was good, people were friendly, our last dish took forever to come out and it wasn't even worth the wait. We didnt finish a lot of the food so i took it home. Usually i like left overs and i destroy them. But these left overs barely got touched and i ended up just trashing them. Hope the food gets better. This place just seems trendy and popular and thats what keeps them busy. im suprised the food isnt as good as it use to be. I hope next time i try it, its better than this time.
(2)
Jonathan M.
We sat at the bar and enjoyed the food immensely. This is what we got: steamed buns- must have benton's smoky mountain ham- tasty but probably our least favorite of what we got honeycrisp apple kimchi- surprising and delicious smoked liver mousse- we tried something different and were happy with it spicy pork sausage & rice cakes- we loved this one Next time in NYC, we're going to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)
Caroline B.
The Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes was one of the best things I've ever tasted. Absolutely order it. Wait, no. Actually, you know what? Don't. More for me.
(5)
Wilson T.
DELICIOUS! We ordered bo ssam which included pork, rice, and oysters. The tender, slow roasted pork, is fall off the bone, finger licking good! It was great with the lettuce and throwing in some rice in there like a lettuce wrap, drizzle some sauces on it and boom! In case you are wondering, you need to make reservations and it must be more than 6 people for sure. We also tried the kimchi fuji apple which was alright and I give it stars for being different but it wasn't as amazing as the pork. Being that the pork was so delicious, they oysters were just ok. Over all, great experience and recommended for any foodies out there that want to feast on amazing food.
(5)
Jonathan H.
The buns alone are worth the trip..
(5)
Johnson C.
I was originally planning to hit up David Chang's chain of restaurants for their fried chicken dinner - until I found out that a minimum party of 4 was required (boo!). So I swing by to grab lunch - which is counter/cafeteria style during lunch hours. Grabbed the featured rotisserie duck over rice ($14) and I added the bib lettuce (+$1) and the chive pancakes (+$2). For starters, just look at the pictures of the fucking thing. It's glorious food porn. The boneless duck was tender and juicy (just look at the inviting pink) - it's a simple dish but expertly done. Experimenting with the crispy shallots, ssam spicy sauce and duck scallion made for different flavours. In addition, service was pretty fantastic - which is usually non-existent when you're dining cafeteria style. But the staff kept coming by and re-upping my drink. I've honestly had worst service at 5-star restaurants. Why only 3-stars? Because... well, I'm Chinese... and I just paid $17 for a duck bowl. Probably the best duck bowl I've had and I always give props to people that can turn a simple dish to high art - but it's a bit overhyped and overpriced. Definitely worth a try - but I can't see myself going for it again.
(3)
rory l.
Chris was amaze-balls!! Best server EVER!! Food was incredible, up and down, guided by recommendations from Chris. Favs were Rib Chop, Buffalo Steamed Buns and the Tartare. Oh and the octopus. Slamming. Sat at the bar, vibed out to classic Hip Hop on the sound system, sipped Tiger beers and relished every bite. Coming back. Like tomorrow. Soooooooo happy.
(5)
Valery C.
** 4.5 stars ** Momofuku Ssam Bar, one of David Chang's landmark NYC restaurants, is famed for his takes on Korean and Asian cuisines, and possibly more so for its namesake Bo Ssam dinner. It continues to be popular, although reservations are not as challenging to get as they once were. But get, one should. The restaurant is narrow and seating capacity less than expected considering the potential for a party of 6 - 10 to commandeer a table for bossam and another 3 - 6 for the duck ssam a few times each night. The space is sleekly modern and angular, its walls and ceiling lined entirely in dark wood panels. Seating is comprised of a large communal table up front and a row of tables all along the right side. A long row of bar seats lines the left side. Service is assured. I have yet to dine a la carte at Ssam Bar. Instead, I've partaken in their Bo Ssam dinner twice, a special that ranks high on the list of communal eating experiences worth having in NYC. Offered a few times most nights and at set times, it is a prix fixe designed for 6 - 10 people (be mindful of a limit on credit cards taken for the group; 4 during my visits). One can order a la carte to supplement the bossam, although its entirely unnecessary. Still, its hard to be at Momofuku and not order their signature pork belly buns. It is, after all, here that the standard steamed Chinese pork bun got a makeover that turned it into one of the most ubiquitous food item on menus across the city. And it is still the benchmark by which all others should be judged. Soft, pillowy mantou bun encasing meltingly tender and juicy pork belly, with just a smear of hoisin and refreshing cucumber and scallions. Deceptively simple, but when faultlessly executed as they are here, these are breathtaking. A more fanciful bbq pork bun is an able alternative, featuring crispy belly and a flavorful, smoky slaw, but I favor the purity of the original. Once any rounds of pre-bossam dishes are had and cleared out, the table will be set up for the main event, which usually does not begin until 30 minutes after the reservation time. Out will come bowls with bibb lettuce and rice. There's a quartet of housemade condiments: kimchi, pureed kimchi, ginger scallion sauce, and a sauce combining traditional ssamjang and gochujang with vinegar. These should be tried on their own, simply because each are delicious in their own right. There will also be a tray of shucked oysters on ice (Naked Cowboys, on the two occasions I went), which needn't prompt an inquiry of whether the wrong order arrived because they're part of the bossam. Ssam is a type of traditional Korean dish served with toppings and wrapped in lettuce; in the case of bossam, pork is the filling. As with much else on Ssam Bar's menu, there is nothing traditional about their bossam. Instead, consider it based on that humble and satisfying dish while taking some inspired liberties. The whole pork butt (shoulder cut) arrives after a long slow roast under a caramelized glaze, in lieu of boiling. Tongs are provided, encouraging steady communal dismantling of meat that virtually falls right off. The use of bibb lettuce works both to introduce a silky mouthfeel and as an ideal vehicle to fill up with pork, rice, and toppings. That ginger scallion sauce? Its a classic Chinese dipping sauce for seafood or chicken, but turns out to be a marvelous match for bossam, and is an excellent version at that. And lest the oysters be forgotten, there are traditional versions of bossam with oysters, so feel free to tip one in before eating. It offers an intriguing contrast to the rest of the fillings. With the array of toppings on hand, one is encouraged to experiment, mixing and matching to vary flavors. Much of the meal will be spent here, with round after round of wrap construction and consumption. It will slow. And when even the most voracious finally bow out, there will likely be shoulder left. Ssam Bar's take on bossam is remarkable, and the entire experience well-designed. It is worthwhile for any group sharing enthusiasm for great food. And, in my opinion, there are few better ways to bond with friends than sharing a massive hunk of meat, eating with one's hands while reaching over and under each other's arms to procure ingredients. All this at a price that is unreal for the dining experience and quality of food.
(4)
Tina Y.
Make sure to make a reservation because that Bo Ssam was easily the best pork I've ever had! Enough to feed more than 7 people, our party stuffed our faces and still had some left over. Reservations are open ten days out. It's a pain in the butt since the place is small so reservations can be hard to secure, especially if you wanted prime dinner time. Upon being seating, and waiting for our party of 7 to arrive, the waitress kept coming back to ask us if we wanted to order drinks. I ordered a non-alcoholic drink only to later realize that I can probably get it at the fancy grocery stores for about half the price. We decided to not order appetizers and see how if the pork "butt" was enough. It's not really a pork butt, but a pork shoulder - if you watch enough Chop't you'll know! Anyways, the waiters brought lettuce and 4 sauces, a dozen oysters and a bowl of rice alongside our beautiful slab of pork. The sauces were pretty much standard fare you will find at a korean restaurant or supermarket, but the pork was superior to anything I've ever had. Once recommendation would be to leave the sauce in the bottles, the bowls and spoons made the table unnecessarily messy. You needed a pair of tongs to pick up the kimchi topping/sauce, the spoon failed on so many occasions here. Otherwise I loved the Bo Ssam and can easily go back for more. Now I wonder if the duck is nearly as good.
(5)
Suzie F.
I love staff and place, but food taste was terrible. I came here, because yelp review was amazing. I paid almost $300, I throw most of foods. No worthy!!!
(1)
David H.
David Chang and his team do amazing things. Came for lunch on a Friday before Memorial Day Weekend and there was no wait, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately. Ordered a nice Hefenweizen, pork buns, and a duck set to share. The pork buns were amazing. Two fatty pieces of pork belly in a nice moist warm bun with pickles and hoisin. Out of all three types of buns that we tried on our only day in NYC, Momofuku had the best. We ordered the Duck set with the broccoli salad (smoked bluefish vinaigrette, crispy duck skin) it came with lettuce and scallion pancakes as well. I am not sure how the duck is prepared (maybe sous vide?) but the color was amazing and was just so tender and fatty. Wrap the duck in lettuce with some ssam sauce and you got yourself a delicious lettuce duck wrap. Next time we're in NYC definitely want to try Noodle Bar or maybe even try to score reservations for Ko.. or dinner at Ssam. Love it!
(5)
Crystal C.
Came here for brunch, and I've got to say that the duck and waffles is truly something special. I went there a few weeks ago, and I still remember eating it and thinking "wow, this is an awesome marriage of both savory and sweet." I also had the privilege of trying the pork buns as well, and those were also awesome--practically no surprise there. Ssam bar has some really unique dishes here, and I think Asian Fusion Cuisine really fits the bill for this place. I would come back here again, as there were so many things I wanted to try on the menu it was really hard to narrow it down to just one.
(5)
Art K.
They try to make this fun- I would give 5 stars if the hostesses with their crazy iPads would be more polite
(4)
Marlon T.
I needed to try the pork buns so I came and conquered one along with nice whiskey cocktail. So, my visit was pretty much just for a snack. I really wouldn't mind coming back again to have a full dinner. The place can get really packed so plan accordingly. I've had a fair amount of pork buns and would say the one here is probably the best. The other amazing pork bun I can think of comes from a food truck in SF (The Chairman Truck). I've been to the noodle and milk bar but I still need to try all the other Momofuku spots: Momofuku Ko Momofuku Má Pêche The owners know what's up.
(4)
Paul L.
This place is a "must" if you're doing a large group dinner. We ordered the Bo Ssam Dinner (Pork Shoulder) and it did not disappoint in quality or quantity. We were 4 guys and 4 girls, and everyone was HUNGRY (like Texas Hungry, not NY Hungry). I was concerned that it wouldn't be enough food, but we had some left over if you can believe it. The atmosphere is great because it's bench seating, and the attire is casual, so you can really stretch out and have a great time. No frou frou BS here. Service was also top notch, very attentive to every request. Going back with a group soon!
(5)
Pam W.
Excellent food and service! The restaurant was packed at 8 PM, on a Saturday night! The pork buns are amazing! The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes dish is also delicious, but be prepared for some serious fire in your mouth! The fried brussel sprouts are great, too! I will definitely be back!
(4)
Chad M.
Damn, I love this place! When we lived here I'd hit it up every chance I could for some steamed pork buns and once rounded up a group of friends for the amazing fried chicken special. Back in town for a long pre-birthday weekend and stopped in today for lunch. Besides my bun fix had an awesome lamb ssam washed down with a Tiger beer. Very attentive staff and a great Friday lunch! I'd have loved to try a dessert, but the Crack Pie from Momofuku Milk across the street was screaming my name.
(5)
Jen L.
Came here when I was a freshman. The food was amazing, and I just loved the meat platters.
(5)
Jeff F.
Not much to say that hasn't been said - it's David Chang....clearly he's exceptional at the restaurant game. Here''s the rundown grub: What to order: - Sardines on Toast: fantastic, do it - Roasted mackerel: Ridiculous - Spicy Pork Sausage: Hot, unique and definitely the last thing you should eat if you're doing community food - Grilled Spanish Octopus: excellent What to pass on: - Steamed Buns: didn't like these, but that's more me than anything else - Mattaki Oysters: Pass, not sure why people are bothering w/ cross country oysters. - Dry Aged Sirloin Tartare: not your traditional tartare; didn't love it, but liked it
(4)
Nelson W.
Do you like duck? I hope you do like duck. If you don't, why the frack are you coming here for a weekday lunch? But if you do like duck, wow, that's some awesome duck! The Duck Lunch Set is a perfect balance of delicious duck and carbs that Asians can especially appreciate. Large pieces of slicked rotisserie duck over rice w/ lettuce and chive pancake (plus one side spicy fingerling potatoes) is a hearty meal that will is perfect for carb lovers and will induce you into a food coma. That being said, carbs are supposed to keep people happy, so you win in every way. Not many will splurge for a $20 lunch set, but if you are in the mood to do so, its worth it. If you are in the mood to share, the fried duck dumplings and pulled duck buns are great choices. The flavors are absolutely amazing and portions are solid. There doesn't seem to be too much of a wait on weekdays for lunch, but if there is, you can always pop over to the Milk Bar for some coffee and dessert beforehand.
(4)
D Z.
It was good but wasn't as impressed as everyone else. Didn't try pork buns but assumed it was comparable to its noodle bar. Meaning very good. The apple kimchi was okay. Duck was good but not great. Nice atmosphere. Gets crowded.
(3)
Josephine H.
So much pork. My words cannot even convey how much pork I ate that day. I came here around 11:30am with 10 people and ventured for the Bo Ssam. And I can say, you definitely need more than 10 people to finish all of this pork. Or have these 10 people starved for days. 8lbs of glistening juicy pork booty, 12 oysters, lettuce, kimchi, green onions, and spicy bbq sauce to make your wrap! This has got to be the juiciest pork I've ever ever had, where it just falls to pieces. And the oysters! One word: deee-licious. As for the other foods, I tried the pork belly buns! Mm mm good. This is definitely an experience you have to try. It's definitely a great way to bond with your friends by complaining how hard it is to breathe and how you're carrying a food baby. Some advice, do not wear tight pants. You will regret it.
(4)
Arianna N.
Went for Sunday brunch. Very tasty. Service was great and really enjoyed all the food. My friend doesn't way pork and they made the famous pork buns for is with mushrooms and they were delicious. The oysters were very good and the open kitchen was a lot of fun to watch. (It didn't hurt that it's filled with beautiful people) I would like to go back for dinner soon.
(4)
Lisa B.
What Momofuku caters for in great food, decent cocktails and a buzzy atmosphere it sadly lacks in good hospitality. I took my boyfriend there as a surprise for his birthday as I heard and read such great things. However, the hostess, Jennifer,was too abrupt and she was more interested in cramming as many people as possible at the bar. We practically had to order within 5 mins of sitting down and then blatantly checked her watch signally us that our time was up. Good food. Poor hostess skills.
(3)
Nicole M.
Hands down best pork buns I ever had! This was the only thing I ordered here and it was that great!
(4)
Lena H.
On a Saturday night between 9-10 the wait was 35 minutes. They'll send you a text to let you know when your table is ready. Easy peasy.. just head over to a bar while you wait. Here's what we had: Steamed buns: These were good but didn't blow my mind like the ones served at Roy's on Oahu. The pork was tender but without the hoisin sauce I think it would have been pretty bland. BBQ bun: This one I liked more than the steamed version. I'd get this over the steamed in the future. Lobster Roll: Needs more lobster. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes: YUM. I'd give this dish 5 stars. The rice cakes are crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. It was more than I hoped it would be. I had only had this at home and the recipe in the book seems to be very different than the one served at the restaurant. Definitely get this dish! Overall it was a good dinner but the main star was the rice cakes. Sad to say the famous steamed pork buns kind of let me down!
(3)
Chris C.
Get the Pork Buns!!!
(4)
Joyce M.
A delicious delicious meal! We made a reservation a month before our arrival in NYCCCCCC babyy! For a party of 8, the bo ssam was MORE than enough. If you don't know, the bo ssam is a meal set that includes an 8-9hr slowly roasted pork shoulder served with a dozen oysters, rice, lettuce, and 4 different types of sauces. Might I say, this was pretty much the best meal I had in NY (alongside Artichoke Pizza) The skin of the pork shoulder is glazed in brown sugar and sweet deliciousness. The meat was tender and moist and was perfect! The combination of all the ingredients created a perfect medley of sweet, salty, spicy, cold and hot! We also ordered the Dduk bok ki, which was good as well. The rice cake was fried for a bit longer giving it a crispy skin. The dish was more dry than watery, which I liked more. I love how the atmosphere is casual, yet cool and sultry. It's a good place to have a date or grab a nice meal with a friend. It's decorated in deep mahogany shades and is dimly lit by soft lights. I will definitely rememeber this meal and hope to come back to try other items on their menu!
(5)
Sally T.
Having heard so many people rave about Momofuku, I had to make sure I went during my first trip to NYC. This place definitely did not disappoint! Pork buns. I'm sure it's mentioned in every review before mine, but I'll reiterate: GET THE PORK BUNS! The pork is cooked to perfection. It's tender and juicy, with not too much fat. My favorite thing of the night. I also had the BBQ pork bun, which is much larger than the steamed pork buns, FYI. Still delicious, but I would definitely choose the steamed ones over the BBQ ones. My friends and I also split the pork shoulder and the rice cakes with spicy sausage. The pork shoulder was delicious! I would definitely order this again. Very flavorful. The veggies that came with it were good as well. The rice cakes on the other hand, I was not really thrilled by. They had nice texture, since they were crispy on the outside but nice and soft on the inside, but the flavor of the dish overall did not really impress me. I only ate a little of it before I let my friends finish the rest. I left satisfied and would likely return again given the chance (too bad I'm all the way in California), especially to gorge on those pork buns.
(4)
Phuong K.
Momofuku was on my list of places that I HAD to check out in NYC. My friends and I came here for the popular Pork buns. If you are a huge fan of pork belly then you will love this dish. The pork belly was very tender and juicy. I also tried the shredded duck bun since I love duck. That dish was not very impressive. The flavoring was weird and it was kind of dry. Another dish that we got was the Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Dish. It was okay...the rice cake in this dish is crispy and fried. The sauce was more on the salty side. For sure If I go here I would get the steamed buns. Its not really something you can eat a lot of since it is fatty and will get sickening. I like the pork buns at Ippudo slightly more than this place I would have to say, but their's is really good and different than Ippudo.
(4)
Eric B.
Walking by on a Monday evening I noticed empty seats at the bar and decided to check this out. The menu was interesting, prices slightly on the high side, but, undeterred I decided to try a bunch of items. I like to try things that's just who I am. The service was attentive, almost too attentive. I felt rushed. The first dish to come out, a cold crab with a cucumber wrap maki-style tasted like it came right out of the fridge. It came so fast it could not have been made to order :( The next dish, a tataki scallops in dashi broth also came too fast. The flavor profile was great but the searing on the scallops tasted burnt, wrong. I won't bore you with the rest of the dishes- they were all fun/okay, but the last dish, spicy pork sausage with rice cake tasted like it had bathed in the great salt lake before coming to my plate. Overall a pretty disappointing experience. It didn't suck, but for the price, feeling rushed, and the fridge effect, there are so many other places I would rather eat at in the village.
(3)
Alice L.
I always assumed this place was another over-hyped outpost in David Chang's sprawling empire, but I came here for the bo ssam prix-fixe last week and was pleasantly surprised. It's a $60 pp prix-fixe (menu posted online) and our table of 11 waddled out extremely full and happy. The highlight of the meal is the bo ssam, a giant slab of pork shoulder that is slow-cooked until it falls apart into submission at the gentle prodding of a fork. You take the pork and wrap it into lettuce leaves with oysters, kimchee, and a host of Asian condiments and stuff it in your mouth and it is porktastic. The prelude to the bo ssam deserves attention too. We got striped bass crudo in the beginning that was light and refreshing, followed by some thinly sliced ham that came with the softest country bread and a kickin' peanut-buttery, sesame-oily brown dipping sauce on the side. We were also served the steamed buns that has become synonymous with the Momofuku brand, and the duo of pillowy bao and fatty pork never fails to satisfy. Dessert was less impressive. We were served "popcorn cake", this extremely dense butter cake not dissimilar from plain ole pound cake, served alongside caramel corn that tasted like it had been dumped out of a Cracker Jack box. No matter, we were full at that point. One thing I did notice was that they seem to bring out similar levels of food regardless if you have 6 people in your party or (like us) 11 people in your party. So while everyone was well-fed and happy in our large group, I imagine that if you came here with a smaller party you'd be drowning in this much food. They also have a large format rotisserie duck meal that may be on the itinerary for next time...
(4)
Esther L.
One word: DELICIOUS. We made a stop here after gorging at Momofuku Milk Bar (yes.. we eat our meals backwards) and I guess we came at a good time since we were seated shortly after we stepped in. There were about four of us and we were sat at this small table in the corner. We ordered the steamed buns, bbq buns, pig ears and Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes. Everything was fantastic! If you have a tough time deciding as your server! I think my favorite were the steamed buns.
(5)
Mandy C.
Came here for lunch one day, and oh boy, the food was delish! Highly recommend: 1. Spicy Honeycomb Tripe--very addictive 2. Duck Sandwich--very hearty and so much duck flavor 3. Steamed Pork Buns--juicy and very tender. Eat it with Siracha! I would definitely come back again and again!
(4)
Ron L.
I've heard plenty of things about Momofuku over the years and in the past several months had wanted to come to Ssam Bar to compare with the other experiences so far. Sure enough, that opportunity came. As a reminder to everyone who wants to get a table, make sure the entire party is there, otherwise you wont get seated. They dont take reservations, so be prepared to wait either inside of the door if you have a small party, or likely is the case outside, sometimes in the cold or rain. As often is the case, they are jammed packed to the gill, especially during peak hours and weekends. Our server was friendly, helpful and attentive. However when the dishes came out, they were not described. Perhaps they now assume we know what the hell we're eating most of the time? Who doesn't like a good pork bun? That's what David Chang's restaurants are known for (read: signature dish). That's what we went for. We received a plate of a half dozen for the three orders that we put in... two per order. They looked and tasted really good. The bread was steamed soft, and the huge chunk of pork that accompanied it, had to be partially eaten with fork before it could be handled with a hand. I held myself back from wolfing it down so that I could enjoy the fulness of the flavor coming from the pork. Yes, I savored it. Hell, for $5 a pop, I bet you would too. The lamb sausage w/rib came soon after and it came looking exactly as how I would imagine it when I ordered it- Seasoned sliced sausage with the well-cooked rib sticking straight out with sauce on the side to complement the flavors. My overall impression was lukewarm. Not everything on the menu is quite what people imagined once they received their dish and as always, the pork buns were the one thing people remembered most. A good experience with good company, but the food didn't live up to hype and expectations and the other restaurants in the group. 3.5/5.0
(4)
Masumi T.
i've wanted to come here for a while but was disappointed that the food wasn't as good as i had pictured it. santa barbara uni - uni and tofu were delicious but the wasabi peas overpowered everything and ruined the experience. it would have been better to crush the peas and sprinkle it on top. blt bun - what's not to like? it's a tender piece of pork (not crispy) with a ton of mayo in a soft bun. good but not unique. (as jane mention, this better at noodle bar.) roasted chanterelles - my favorite dish. no evidence of marrow but the mushroom were very tasty. they tasted like they were marinated in bacon topped with bacon flavored mini croutons. grilled spanish octopus - as described, this was a grilled octopus with a lot of citrus. it was okay but not memorable. penicillin - tasty drink with scotch, lemon, honey, and ginger. perfect on a cold night.
(2)
Heather S.
This place is amazing. Everything I've tried has been incredibly delicious and creative. The pork buns are my favorite in the city too. Items to try! Raspberry sorbet with black pepper, celery root, and ritz crackers Broccoli salad ANY kind of fish on the menu
(5)
Laura A.
Ironically, it is just perfect if I don't understand it. When it is unpredictable, exciting, appealing, incredibly tasty in the most balanced way possible, and makes you just feel but not to think. Wouldn't you say it is the perfect dish? Just as good as it can possibly be. You may think you got it with the list of ingredients, but actually its not even close to what you are about to taste. For instance: Arctic Char Tataki with Peach, Pine nut, Celery and Lovage. The surprising factor came for me in form of the "burn" flavor. The skin is torched and it really gets that very intense smoky flavor, I felt like if I was liking charcoal or something. Which yeah, I know its weird. To be disliked if its not balanced somehow, which is exactly how it was. Furthermore, a warm note on the dish that other than that, is refreshing and breathing sea and summer everywhere. The pine nuts, to break the texture resemble the same idea and also they seems to be matched in heaven with fruits like peaches. I thought briefly about a granola breakfast. I think I tasted it for real. But it was definitely not, just a magical combination of white peach, ginger and vinegar, crispy and tasteful herbs selected to go along with the beautiful pieces of fish. We got the Seasonal Pickles almost at the same time. It was perfect and included mushroom, cauliflower, cucumber, beets, radish, among other vegetables together with kimchee. Simple yet another highlight on the menu. A playful dish in color, texture and flavors, from spicy to bitter to sweet immersed in a delicate hint of vinegar. My favorite, the rainbow carrots since those are sweeter and crunchier. And the mushroom to add some creaminess. From the off cut menu we decided to try the Beef Tongue Sandwich seasoned with Mustard seeds and Capers and accompanied by a soup bowl that wasn't soup but meat juices with bone marrow to dip on it. Wild flavors. Its meaty and tangy , all wrapped on the perfect bread: a rye with nuts slightly toasted to make it crunchy. Finally, Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes together with Chinese Broccoli all seasoned in Sichuan Peppercorn. We were warmed this is spicy, and I was happy to confirm that they deliver on that department. I will always be fascinated by Chang's crispy rice cakes. Once again bold flavor and spicy on a Szechuan style. I was surrender already. And then the desserts rounds came. We decided to try both of the only ones offered. The Lemon Meringue Pie with pistachio and lemon curd was incredible. The part that perplexed me the most, in the best of the ways possible, was the almond base where the pie was sitting. That was marzipan. Seriously. The Lemon Meringue was intense, extremely smooth. Excellent dessert. It was my favorite but similarly good and surprising was the Chevre Sorbet with sweet beet, lime and granola. There was this small fried hot balls resembling to fries that I still don't understand at all. Completely unexpected. It is really fun actually. Other elements in the restaurant happened to go to a different plane considering the food. It was really not important, but for the record, the service was excellent. Friendly, attentive, knowledgeable. You name it. I don't really wanna understand because then it could probably become predictable and lost its intrinsic nature. That one to please you in all senses you can imagine. I am very fortunate to have tasted in my life several perfect dishes. Some here some there, some of them within the same meal created by just one person. Momofuku Ssam Bar fall into the latest category. 6 dishes all at once semi-randomly selected out of a short menu. All of them perfect . Do you understand what I mean? I can't wait to be back.
(5)
Jonelle T.
PORK! DUCK! I'm in LOVE! I really really wanted to try the whole rotisserie duck ssäm that feeds 4-6 and includes chive pancakes, bibb lettuce, hoisin, duck scallion, crispy shallots, two side dishes, but it seemed really aggressive for lunch. If I could've scored a dinner reservation, I totally would've pulled the trigger. My party of four started off with the melt in your mouth pork buns (seriously the best pork buns I've ever had), moved on to the rotisserie duck over rice, crispy duck noodles, and some stewed swiss chard. Talk about flavor explosion! I can't wait to eat here again, but I'll have to try some of David Chang's other outposts first. Wonderful food and attentive server. The only downside was the seating. Just some wooden blocks and nowhere to hang or put your jacket. We ended up just sitting on ours...
(4)
Mona W.
The Steamed Pork Buns here alone merits a trip to this establishment. They were really as good as others have described. It was all about those super juicy slices of pork belly. I don't know how they were cooked but it was just perfect. I was fairly disappointed I didn't get to try their Bo Ssam. I tried! Rounding up 6-8 friends in NYC is just more difficult than I thought. Next time for sure. I will gather up enough people (or I will just eat it all by myself). The restaurant is fairly different from what I have imagined. It has a very vibrant and sleek bar ambiance. Not a typical place you would expect a great dinner. The food was really good but also very pricey. As I have mentioned before, I adore the steamed pork buns. The bar bun is good too. It is a fried version of the steamed pork buns. The meat is very crispy. I enjoy the tenderness of the steamed version more but for those who like fried food, it is really not a bad choice. Spicy Honeycomb Tripe was underwhelming compare to the pork buns. It is lightly spicy with a slightly tad sauce. Good but not great. I have had better tripe dishes elsewhere. The Roasted Lamb Loin & Belly is an interesting dish. The lamb belly is lovely. Crispy and tender at the same time and went quite well with the egg york on the side. Roasted lamb is average. Meat was cooked to a perfect medium rare as requested but the taste didn't stand out. Overall a good innovative dish but the portion is really small for the price. Dinner here is steep consider the tiny portion. I love the pork buns but I can't really recommend anything else. I think Momofuku noodle bar is a better deal unless you can gather enough people for the bo ssam.
(4)
Ying Z.
food is bomb! And I was surprised we didn't have to tip, the waiter told us it is the rule, they are not allowed to take tips. We ordered a lot, leaving no tips saved us some drink money.
(5)
Anna H.
I walked all the way here from the WTC area. It was 2.5 miles of grueling pain. 2.5 miles sounds quick and easy on paper, but when you're walking in unfamiliar territory and you're hometown is Los Angeles, 2.5 miles feels like a walk through the whole continent of North America. I will say, the small neighborhood Momofuku is located at is very charming. A young hip vibe that sort of gave off a Nawlins feeling w all the people and live music. Mind you, I was out on a weeknight. Seating is not the greatest here. I came by myself and was sat next to two strangers. Hungry and eager since I had been following David Chang for years on Instagram, I couldn't help but stare at everyone eating. With much hype and anticipation on my end, I ordered scallops and the famous pork belly buns. I was not disappointed. I still crave the taste of Momofuku's pork belly buns from time to time to time and some more time. The flavors are a nice fusion of Korean and Chinese, palatable for almost anyone w good taste in rich foods. If I'm ever back in NYC again, I would visit, along w trying out his other establishment. I will continue to respect David Chang and his culinary taste. All I have to say is that out here on the west coast, we got Roy Choi, so I ain't sweatin it
(4)
Esther C.
I loooove their pork bun sandwiches... so light and delicious--YUM! I will be visiting soon for bo ssäm (whole pork butt, dozen oysters, kimchi, rice) which I will need to reserve ahead of time. The place is trendy and will fill up quickly for both lunch and dinner service. Make sure to make reservations and request a bench seat. The bar stools are a bit claustrophobic and practically had a screaming war just to be heard across the table.
(4)
Mark M.
Ooof. Alright, this review is just for the food, and not the bar. Came to this place as a last bar tour on my way out from one week in New York, and I have to say that I was disappointed by the food here. First, the quintessential pork bun was good, but nothing more than a fancy Chinese gui-bao, of which you can really do better on the West Coast. I have to admit however, that I know this is not the real Momofuku restaurant, although I just felt disappointed by what I thought was going to be the best bite of pork across the US. Second, the selection of hams was just as disappointing. Maybe I do not know my pork as I do of the other meats, but the various hams we ordered were just plain too-salty and nothing out of the ordinary. Look at my reviews, and you will see that I seldom give lower than a 3. For something with the Momofuku name, I guess I just expected more - especially in the most epicurean city in the US. (The bar and service here by the way, was terrifice.)
(2)
Tiffany N.
I came here for dinner on a Thursday night with my boyfriend and two friends. We came around 8:30 and had to be put on the list. The hostess told us about 20-25 mins, so we went across the street to a bar to grab a drink, and were called within 10 mins (actually texted via their wait list service). My boyfriend and I ordered an order of pork buns (2 per order), diver scallop tatami, soft shell crab, and the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. My friends ordered the pork buns, scallop dish, and rice cake dish as well, with the garlic roasted quail. The pork buns were pretty good. We've had pork buns at ippudo before, which I love, but these pork buns had two pork belly slices on hoisin sauce with slices of cucumber. I like the cucumber idea as opposed tot he piece of iceberg lettuce in ippudo's pork buns. The pork belly slices here were pretty big, and very tender and juicy. I would come back and have their pork buns again. The sauce isn't overpowering at all, and it's all in the right balance for a tasty item. The scallop tataki was good as well. The scallops were good actually. But the dish itself could have used more flavoring. It was basically scallops in some sort of liquid that looked like lemon juice - I expected a sour taste eating my first bite of the scallop, but was surprised to find not much of flavoring anywhere. The soft shell crab was in a pimento cheese sauce. It was something different. There's two pieces to the order, and I just think it was a lot for us because we had ordered 4 dishes. The pimento cheese was a nice touch. I liked it when I had my first half of a piece, but started getting a little tired of it by the second piece, because it was a fried item, and maybe two pieces was too much, or I should have ordered less. The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes dish was pretty good at first. It had a lot of flavor, and the rice cakes seemed to have been fried or so beforehand, because there was a crunch to at least one end of them. The thing with this dish was that the sausage bits were very little compared to the rice cakes. It was like minced meat, and it was a bit too salty for my taste in this dish. The rice cakes definitely out numbered the sausage, and because of all the carbs, after everything we ate prior, it was hard to finish the whole dish. I would recommend trying it though, because it's definitely different, but just pair it with the right amount of items and you should be fine and better able to enjoy it. My friend's quail dish looked pretty funny. It looked like anorexic quail. The pieces were so small, but the presentation was very nice. According to them the anorexic quail did taste very good, but for the amount of the dish, I would've thought there would be more quail when looking at it. It looked like half a quail was cut into 4 or 5 pieces at served. Quail is already small enough, so if I'm talking half a quail here, that's pretty small. Overall, this was a great experience. The food items were pretty good. Just make sure your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach and you'll be okay. All the food we ordered could easily be shared by 2 people - I normally don't eat a lot anyway, which could be why. Definitely worth trying though. I really want to go back for the Bo Ssam and see what it's all about.
(4)
H James L.
Ssäm bar is the awkward middle child of the Momofuku family. It's not as fun as noodle bar. It's not as welcoming as má pêche. It's not as impressive as ko. Ssäm bar defines itself in one obvious way, and that's by being crazy stupid loud. It's is an amazingly noisy restaurant.
(2)
Queenie C.
This place is known for its pork butt. It is good, but not worth the pre order hassle good. The waiter was so rude too. He kept on trying to take my menu and I kept on trying to say to him, "I need to order. I need to order." The pork buns though...it is amazing! Just enough of the sauce and bun to hit the spot. Now THAT is worth the wait. The rest, ex Spanish mackerel, was not good. Too salty and needs more of that fruit, but then the flavor of the fish is gone. It is a failure of a dish to say the least. The scallop was overcooked lacking the light pink and soft middle I usually like. Then the pork butt comes. Now I understand why the waiter think I don't need to order anymore. This dish is HUGE. Kinda would've been helpful for him to tell us about that. I ordered a pigs head too! Luckily they might have known we won't finish it...or they just forgot. Rolls eyes* So remember the dish is HUGE right? So the waiter decided to try to squeeze the plate from the left side, fails, then the right side, fails and settles with putting the dish over her head, without once telling her what he's trying to do! She's NOT short either? How could the waiter be so inconsiderate? Okay, I understand why the waiter did what he did because the place was crowded! There were ten of us and elbows were touching. Because the place was so small and so many ppl the sound level was just sheer madness. I could not hear my friends sitting next to me. I mean come on! I don't know if this is a one of a kind experience or not, judging from other reviews I assume it might be, but I really feel this restaurant is such a hype. Please, the famous Chinese restaurant that requires an hour wait is soooo much better than this. I know this is Korean food, but you know what? It really doesn't taste that differently, minus the kimichi, from Chinese food.
(3)
Andie H.
Oh my god... Came with a group of 8 people to get the bo ssam and oh my god was it amazing. For those of you who don't know it's a whole slow cooked pork shoulder, a dozen oysters, white rice, bibb lettuce, ssäm sauce (korean bbq sauce), kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. The meat literally falls off the bones as you grab it with the tongs. I didn't really know what to expect but it beat and expectation that I could have had through the roof. We also had the famed pork buns which were incredible. I would love to come back and try some of their other food on the menu. Only con is that I wish we had more people with us, the bo ssam was huge and we all were literally so stuffed we couldn't move. All of us took leftovers of the meat (which was pretty good the next day) because we could not finish it all in one sitting. Absolutely incredible.
(5)
Clemens W.
This is one of my favorite dating spots. You can just sit at the bar in candle-lite and enjoy a nice fresh beer or carafe of wine. The plates to share are a nice compliment to your company - whomever it may be. If I may paint the picture for you... Perhaps a gentle smile with a twirl of her hair between her index finger and her thumb... you stare at that red dress that stares right back at you in the most seductive way. You think of the next lines, but all you want to do is stop the games and discover what makes her tick. Clever phrases are exchanged and topics jump around your brain as you try to memorize everything about her... and as time passes in slow motion, you cherish the moments. Anyway... For me, it was the pork buns. So fatty and rich - I closed my eyes, which probably looked like I was making out with my food. That's okay though - it's just some foreshadowing. Just another day.. just another delicious meal.
(4)
Mui K.
I think as a LA girl I'll never get used to the wait in NY! We had to wait 2.5 hrs to share a table. We couldnt even wait at the bar they had here because it was packed so we had to go down the street. Once we sat down the food was good though so it was worth the wait. -steamed buns, what they are most famous for. Yup lives up to the hype. Yummy and the pork is moist and flavorful -pear kimchi, amazing! Love to combination of sweet and pickled, flavor explosion! -Whole boneless porgy, yum. They poured the broth at the table and it was just a nice delicate fish with a light broth
(4)
Barry C.
I rarely give 5 Star reviews, but we did have a mighty fine whole duck experience. The duck was unlike any duck I've ever had. Meaty and TENDER. The service was attentive, funny and sharp. You may be wondering if the duck alone can feed six people. In full disclosure we did have 4 adults and 2 kids and we did order one pork bun each, shrimp and grits and bread and butter - all good choices - the pork buns being sublime in all their fattyness. We ended up having about 3 pounds of food left over. So it is a lot of food. Yet, there is a limitation to the amount of fatty duck one can consume, thus the other orders provide variety. But you won't be disappointed with that duck - so soft, tender and fatty. They neatly packed our leftovers and we passed on dessert which is limited. Overall, a worthy experience for any foodie.
(5)
C J.
This is a regular spot for us, and we came here on a Wednesday night because I had a hankering for the Porgy, which is an incredible fish dish that I can still imagine the taste of, even many months after eating it for the first time. To my dismay, the kitchen 86ed the Porgy approximately 1 minute after we sat down. I had already told our waitress that was what I was going to order and she was intent on making sure I still left happy. When I told her I didn't eat much meat, she informed me that the restaurant has a vegetarian menu - I didn't know this (we didn't look at it since I ordered another fish dish); be sure to ask for it if someone in your group needs accommodated. After we tried several red wines that our waitress was very knowledgeable about, I landed on her recommendation, but she brought a small pour of the runner-up so I could have a few more sips. I had the Mackerel for dinner, which was solid but underwhelming -- probably because it wasn't the Porgy I came in for. We ordered the shiitake mushroom buns from the bar next door - these aren't on the menu but I think they will always oblige if you ask for them, and in my opinion they are even better than the pork buns that the restaurant is famous for. To end the night, our waitress comp'd us a free dessert (as an "apology" for the lack of the Porgy), which was a beet-based ice cream dish. It was a little weird having a beet-heavy dessert, and I'm not the biggest beet fan, but it was really good. If you like beets, it's a really creative take and an unusual dessert and I'd recommend trying it. First class service all around, our waitress went above and beyond what most servers do, and the food was very, very good, as always. Will be back soon!
(4)
Katie S.
I am still thinking about their Michelada. YUM. Went for brunch - this is an awesome place to meet friends if you don't mind sharing. Super fun to assemble your own ssams. Service was wonderful, food came fast, and everything was delicious. I challenge you to TRY to eat the pork buns slowly. I inhaled mine, couldn't help it.
(5)
Jenn S.
went here for a friend's birthday. we had the pork dinner. I thought the pork was good. however, didn't feel that it was very special. feel like i can get similar pulled pork anywhere else. i guess the whole idea of lettuce wrap thing is unique but was a-okay.
(3)
Timothy H.
Not bad but there's a reason we could walk in at noon on a saturday and get a table with no wait.
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Julia O.
Have tried Saam Bar a few times now, and my opinion ranges from mildly satisfied to super impressed. That's to say, I find the menu very hit and miss. The pork buns are life changing, no doubt, but you can get these at the Noodle Bar too (they don't advertise this on the menu, but just ask). The kimchi rice cakes was a hit with our group last week, as was the whole fish the time before. But the popcorn cake was virtually inedible and the broccoli was just yuck. Service is typically great, very fun atmosphere, and if you have visitors in town it will make them feel special going somewhere that always has a line. But is the line worth it? Not really...
(3)Candice N.
Service is great but food-wise: Stick. To. The. Buns. Nothing else.
(3)Mishy K.
The pork ear ssäm was absolutely amazing, and the pork belly buns were just out of this world delicious. The only downside is how small the tables are, not much elbow space. But well worth it for the food.
(5)Babak Bobby Y.
First impressions: open, clean, inviting space with very attentive and helpful staff. Pork belly sandwiches were some of the best I've had. The lamb shoulder served on a bed of garnished rice was outstanding. The duck was also a hit with smokey flavoring that was very tender. The broccoli salad was mediocre so perhaps ill order the grilled corn or pickles next time. Will definitely be back!
(5)Matt W.
I would say that this place is probably one of the best in all of New York. I got the Spicy Pork Sausage w/ Rice Cakes and some Pork Bun appetizers. All of it was phenomenal. The only thing that can be annoying about this place is that they fill up very fast and I don't think they take reservations so you have to get their early or be willing to wait.
(5)Miao X.
Overpriced and overrated! We came at 5pm when it was just opened. We had pork belly buns, fried brussel sprouts, beef stew, and pork chop for dinner. Pork belly buns were ok, but I prefer the ones in Ippudo NY. Too much sour cream in the brussel sprouts. The dish was so dark that I couldn't tell what I was eating. Beef stew had a very very small potion with barely few pieces of beef tendon. The quality of the pork chop was like any restaurant that serves pork chop. It was at most worth half of the charged price. In general, my experience of Momofuku is disappointing, both the service and the food.
(1)Yoni Z.
The steamed buns I have always thought were overrated and overpriced for what they are because you can get similar quality and even better tasting ones elsewhere for much, much cheaper. However, the grilled Spanish mackerel entree I had with micro greens, sunchokes, chimichurri and a mustard sauce was superb. Worth every penny. I know it's not what comes to mind when you think Momofuko but honestly who cares because taste reigns supreme here.
(4)Lydia L.
Great food but nothing memorable. Seriously though, I'm writing this review two weeks after and I cannot remember what we had except for the pork buns. The pork was tender and the ssam sauce complemented it well. We ordered buffalo pork buns as well. It's not very 'buffalo-y' but it was good. I preferred it over the regular buns. Everything was made with high quality ingredients. If you're visiting New York and want to try a david Chang place, it's worth checking out.
(3)Kristen W.
I had to try the pork buns and they were wonderful. I loved the sauce and thin slices of pickled cucumbers. They complimented the rich pork beautifully. My freind and I also ordered the duck dumplings which were nothing special. We shared the rotisserie duck with the chive pancake which I thought was good. We also ordered the pork sausage with rice cakes, which I preferred. I liked the atmosphere, and the service was friendly and attentive. Perfect actually. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the wine is very, very expensive. I know it's Manhattan, but it is a casual restaurant.
(4)Stephan H.
OMG the pork!
(5)Jason G.
Momofuku Ssam Bar was very delicious and I was really happy that we were able to be seated right away. Overall, every dish was good. The steamed buns with pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers, and scallions was one of the best bites. The country ham was different and unique to see on the menu; the ham was smoky and tasty. The rotisserie duck over rice bowl and the slow roasted brisket bowl were delicious too.
(4)Stephen R.
Had fairly high expectations and was overall pleased. Each dish had its unique pop of flavor. The pork chop 'large plate' was surprisingly generous and with the peach, shishito pepper, and blue cheese it made for a very entertaining taste. Only caution - it's loud and tight here....so not ideal for fussy groups or a quiet romantic outing. Go easy on drinks and treat yourself to the bar that's attached next door for some truly amazing cocktails either before or after your dinner. (And if you want to sample everything in Mr. Chang's little empire here in East Village, grab desert across the street at Milk Bar)
(4)Yelena K.
Hopped in to find 2 empty seats at the bar practically begging us to take them - what a surprise! I've been trying to get into Ssam for quite ssam time now, and finally got a chance. We hit the brunch menu and here's what we got: + Mulled Cider - my date enjoyed it, said it wasn't too strong + Bloody Mary - menu listed it as "rye, sake, tomato, apple, ham, togarashi" and all i got was 3oz of sweet tomato juice with scallions on top. Wish I skipped this. + Steamed Buns - deliiicciiooussssssss. So good. + Kimchi Mason Jar - a nice accompaniment, but lacked any flavor or heat. Was that apples in there? + OG Momofuku Ssam - imagine the best Chipotle burrito, with really fresh rice and black beans and the most heavenly pork ever. Very flavorful. We tried cutting this in half with a chopstick and failed miserably. If you get this for splitsies, ask for the chef to cut it for you. + Rotisserie Duck Over Rice - this was pretty good when it first came, but as it sat (and as we ate other things), the cold version of this was pretty blah. Came over a bed of white rice and some pork trimmings underneath and a chive pancake (a fairly greasy version of a tortilla). ~~Unpopular Opinion Alert~~ The service was pretty mediocre and took forever to get water, order, etc. It wasn't really that busy. Overall, it was a good experience and I left happy and full. This is definitely a "one-time only" place. I probably won't be back. ::exeunt::
(3)Kevin L.
Awesome experience. If you're Korean, it's a plus because you'll know what to do once the pork and everything else comes out. We did the 10 person reservation and the food was very good. Service was quick and the ambiance of the restaurant itself was very trendy. As for the price, it's not truly worth the $25-$30 per person, but it's a pretty good one time experience kinda thing. With 7 girls and 3 guys, the portion sizes were almost perfect. The guys ate to their content and the girls enjoyed their meals as well. The pork shoulder isn't the exact same as the traditional Korean bo-sam. This one was a lot sweeter especially since the outer skin was caramelized. (The skin was kind of too sweet!)
(4)Yi Z.
Oh, David Chang, you have really disappointed me. One of my old coworkers used to rave about his classmate, David Chang, and my understanding is that David Chang and Roy Choi are similar pioneers on their respective coasts. I love Roy Choi's creations so I expected to love David Chang's food too. In this case, the transitive property did not apply. We were still on West Coast time so we arrived at Momofuku Ssam Bar late in the evening when there was no wait. We scored a table right away and salivated as we read the menu. We started with shrimp rolls for the table and they turned out to be an overpriced version of standard Vietnamese spring rolls. We focused on the steamed buns and ordered both the original variety and the buffalo version. The steamed buns were tender, juicy, and delicious. But were they really that "special"? No. We also ordered grilled flat iron steak, except they ran out of flat iron and we got skirt steak instead. The steak was grilled well but tasted very average. It's not that the food was bad, in fact, the flavors and textures were good. I expected the food to be creative and inspiring and it was anything but that. Momofuku Ssam Bar seems to take traditional recipes from several different cultures and then serve the food under one roof. That's it. It's not fusion and it's not innovative.
(3)Steven N.
Ssam Bar was a good experience. We originally wanted to get the ribeye but didn't realize that it's a 100 something ounce cut that's supposed to feed a large group of people. Instead we got the pork buns and the spicy pork sausage & rice cakes. The pork buns were standard but good. I really enjoyed the rice cakes, as they were very crisp. The dish is a little spicy but just avoid the red pepper pieces and you should be fine. The sausage was OK but not what I expected; it was more like ground beef instead of being cut into slices. I couldn't really tell whether the flavoring of it was good or not because of that. I would like to come back for the ribeye or the pork shoulder sometime in the future.
(4)Ching C.
The Ssam Bar is a very modern place - ceiling-to-floor wooden décor, often packed and very lively. I've dined here and ordered off their main menu, as well as ordered the famous Bo Ssam. I made a Friday 11pm reservation a month in advance for a group of 10 for the Bo Ssam. We considered adding one or two more people to our party, but the staff there was pretty strict about reservations and we couldn't exceed the maximum number of people (10) for the Bssam. The slowly cooked pork shoulder was tendor and very flavorful. They provided plenty of items to compliment the meat such as oysters, lettuce, rice, dipping sauces, and kimchi. You can put the pork, rice, oysters, onto the lettuce, and top it off with the various sauces provided to make a sandwich. The Bo Ssam ended up being $225 for the entire thing, not including tax or tip, and the restaurant allowed us to split the check for multiple credit cards. It was a fun experience to eat in a big group and all 10 of us were completely satisfied and stuffed!
(4)Vinh N.
Yeah I know, the pork belly bun. It's the place that started the trend *blah*blah*blah* The spicy pork cakes and sausage is pretty good too, it's semi approachable Korean food for white people but still spicy as shit for them hooray! The hams really are good, but technically I can find it somewhere else. The honeycrisp apple kimchi dish... it really is damn good. A great mixture of sweet, sour, salty, spicy with a mix of soft and crunchy textures. All of the above mentioned dishes really are fantastic and things I've had in past trips. They are worth dealing with the tight space, loud crowd, slightly inflated price tag etc. But on this past visit, my friends and I were finally able to put together the duck lunch and it was freaking phenomenal! Sure you can get the small portion, but you the meal won't have that gravitas unless you share the full rotisserie duck meal. From the table presentation of the duck (which is then carved and served in a giant paella pan), to the giant spread of the 2 side dishes, 4 dipping sauces, the bowl of lettuce wraps, small dishes of textural condiments, myriad of herbs and giant onion pancakes. It really is grand and impressive and only out done by the actual taste of the duck whose breast has has been stuffed with duck and pork sausage and legs have been confit properly to a crunch on the skin and tender dark meat on the inside. But wait... there's more!!!! The meal does not end just there, when you are stuffed and ready for a nap the staff reminds you that there is one last event. While we were happily eating and chatting away, the carcass of the bird was cooked down and made into a consomme and served with a little orange zest. Hot, intense, deep and satisfaction in a small tea bowl. For $140, the duck meal was incredibly priced. It is meant to be shared by 3-6 and I would say that leans a little more towards the 6. Reservations are needed a day or so in advance and eating during lunch is much less crowded and noisy. But it doesn't really matter when you go because as soon as the food comes out, nothing else really matters.
(5)Carrie H.
What's not to love about this place. The food and service are incredible! The Arctic Char on the raw bar is phenomenal. It has black garlic & strawberries. Who would of thought that goes together. Also try their oysters. So impressive, can't wait to come back!!!
(5)Grace R.
I thought the food here was honestly just okay. I admit that I might have ordered the wrong things (menu changes all the time so its hard to tell), and Ssam Bar is probably a better place for bigger groups. We ordered the chilled snow and snap peas, tempura softshell crab, blackened bluefish sandwich, and spicy pork sausage. The peas were served in a fish sauce vin, herbs, and watermelon radishes. The dish was actually very tasty. The veggies were super fresh and refreshing, and the vin was really acidic and salty but in a good way. The only thing I didn't really love was that there was a legit POOL of vin left at the bottom of the bowl. It was a little gross. I enjoyed the crunchy shallots on top though, those are never bad. The tempura softshell crab goes with an avocado puree, tomatillo, and mole. The mole here is actually hard, not in sauce form. I thought this dish was actually pretty boring, surprising because it sounds cool. It was pretty bland, I wasn't a fan of the tomatillo and I thought the combinations were just a little weird. The mole was quite chocolatey and could have used more spice, and the seasoning was lacking in general. I would not order it again. The sandwich is actually listed under the small dishes section. It shouldn't be. Its a very substantial, hardy sandwich and if I had been alone I could easily have eaten just that and been full. Some parts of the fish were a little dry, but mostly well cooked. Again, it was lacking flavor. The miso wasn't as present as I was hoping, the chips weren't super crispy, and there were only like 2 pickles. I added ssam sauce which made it better. Their signature spicy pork sausage was good, and reminded me of an authentic Chinese dish. The rice cakes were chew and there were a lot of them, and the dish was indeed spicy. The portion was also pretty decently sized.
(3)Mai N.
Food here was mediocre at best. We got the oysters and asked for lime, but they wouldn't give it to us "because that's what the ssam cocktail sauce is for." It wasn't great and when we asked for hot sauce, they said they only had sriracha or the house made ssam sauce (which isn't spicy). We also god the pork buns, but it was really greasy and bland. Tried adding the ssam sauce, but it's kind of overwhelmingly salty. Lastly, we got the tempura soft shelled crab which was the most delicious dish at our meal. Would've benefited if there was something spicy like jalapeños in it, though. Immediately after our meal, my sister and I got the worst food poisoning of our lives and we're still trying to recover. I knew better than to trust oysters in the city.
(2)Christina P.
Momofuku Duck 6 course Prix Fixe? Uhmmm yes, please!! So happy this exists! One of the best momofuku meals I've had, I even enjoyed it more than Ko's tasting! You need a reservation of at least 11 people and you have to pay 1/2 the cost upfront for this dinner. Worth it! First course was fluke w/ sunflower, chayote, and chicharron. This was a subtle dish, a very light start to the meal. Followed by second course of country ham w/ redeye gravy and liver mousse, pickles, and bread. Omg the country ham was amazing...thinly sliced and salty and delicious with the gravy. The liver mousse was incredibly rich and smooth. Eating things that rich make you feel sick but it's such a good pain. The pickled peppers, tomatoes, etc. helped balance out the flavors really well. Third course was octopus escabeche with crostinis and honeycrisp apply kimchi My friends really enjoyed this but I'm not used to the cold octopus texture so it threw me off a bit. Flavors still great tho. However, the apple kimchi was incredible. Best kimchi I've ever had!! The kimchi flavor was strong but the apple still shone through and it was incredibly crisp and tasty. Ahhh I miss this one... Fourth course was dual steamed buns. One classic one w/ pork belly, hoisin, etc. and a buffalo'd pork belly with bleu cheese and hot sauce. Getting full by now but can't stop eating... Classic pork belly bao was solid as expected from the Momofuku chain. The buffalo pork belly bun was super unique! The pork belly was coated in a crispy, buffalo skin-type exterior and was really good. Now for the star of the course!!!! A whole rotisserie duck with chive pancakes, lettuce, rice, and chilled Chinese broccoli. It was HUGE and amazing! Made my life. The rotisserie duck had a layer of pork sausage stuffed under the skin at a 1:1 ratio, because you know, that's not excessive or anything. Delicious duck juices soaked into the rice underneath and the scallion pancakes were chewy and yummy. Made little wraps out of them. As a group of 12 we maybe finished 1/3 of the dish. It was intense. Meat sweats and all. We were pretty much ashamed of ourselves at this point but gotta round everything out with dessert, right? Popcorn Cake!! Tosi is a genius. It seems a little unappealing but her thing for sweet and salty is my jam. It was a small, round layer cake with caramel corn, strawberry jam, and a decently strong popcorn flavor. Mixed feelings from the group but I really liked it. Overall, this dinner was an experience. Go with good company and you'll definitely have a great time with the amazing food. At 100pp after tax and tip I wouldn't do it aaaaall the time, but I'd definitely be down to go again after I take a couple months to digest everything and lose the 10 lb I gained that night.
(5)Helen T.
We accidentally walked into Booker and Dax thinking we were at Momofuku. The hostess at Booker and Dax told us that Momofuku Ssam was next door and was sweet enough to walk us next door. She explained that both restaurants were under the Momofuku umbrella, but that the food options were more limited at Booker and Dax. We put our names down at 10:15pm and were told that we had a 30 minute wait. I left my number and they texted me in 20 minutes! The restaurant is modern chic with an open kitchen. We were seated at a long wooden table that we shared with another party. We ordered the following: 3 Different types of buns - Steamed Bun, Buffalo Pork Bun, and the Fried Fish Bun. Each order comes with 2 buns and is pretty easy to share amongst 4 people. The variety was perfect for our group and each person had their favorite type of bun. My favorite was the original steamed bun. The pork belly was tender and was perfectly flavored with the hoisin sauce! Tempura Soft Shell Crab- Comes with two huge pieces of crab in a bed of avocado sauce and tomatillo. The dish was heavily battered, but the sauce was a delicious way to counter the heaviness of the dish. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes - This tastes like ddukboki (Korean spicy rice cakes) with a chinese twist. The dish is spicy so make sure that you don't order this alone. My favorite part of this dish was the crispiness of the rice cakes! Grilled Flat Iron Steak - Very delicious steak with a chimichurri sauce. Great solid dish. Ssam Sauce - This gets it's own category because it will enhance your dining experience. They have this on all the tables and tastes like a smoother, more cool version of gochujang (a sweet spicy korean sauce). We're glad that we got to come in and try a bunch of dishes on their menu. Next time, I'd love to try the bo ssam or the roasted duck options. You have to pre-order these options and have a larger group to really get the most for your buck. Otherwise, this place is strictly walk-ins only. I'd recommend going late at night for a shorter wait. Best dining experience so far on this trip to NYC!
(5)Celine L.
Literally ran here and got in a few minutes before closing time and immediately sat at the bar. As we were only here for pork belly buns, the server graciously asked the kitchen to make the buns, and viola! We got our buns! The buns were amazing- maybe it was more delicious because we were able to get it before the restaurant closed, but the pork was so tender, juicy, and flavorful, and the toppings and the bun itself went so well together. It was like the perfect snack after hanging out at a bar. Shoutout to the server who still served us even though they closed! So glad I got to try this while I was in NYC!
(5)Anna E.
We were here Monday for an early dinner/snacks part I prior to second dinner and had a nice time. Food was good, ambience was good, service was great. We had the Royal Miyagi Oysters from the raw bar with ssam cocktail sauce. Also from the raw bar we had an excellent fluke dish with sunflower, chayote and crispy crunchy chicharon. This was one of the my favorites bites here. Another raw bar item, the Maine Uni with sake lees, lychee, and furikake didn't do it for me as I found it to taste too boozy and unbalanced. We also got the legendary pork belly steamed buns with hoisin, cucumber, scallions and they're famous for good reason. I've had this at many places and no one does it better. I will get these every time I am back. It probably goes without saying that this was my other favorite that we ordered. Additionally, we also tried the chawanmushi (from the Spring menu) and I wasn't into it but I liked the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes more even if the boyfriend said it had been better on previous visits. We sat at the bar and service was top notch the whole time. Cocktails were great. Boyfriend had two drinks that I tried, I had water with lemon. Best lemon water made from tap of any restaurant I've been to. Great time overall even if there were a few misses with the food.
(4)Linda T.
Came early for dinner to avoid the crowd. Sat at the bar for party of 3. They have communal tables too. -Broccolini with tongue and manchego: Broccolini was roasted nicely with beef tongue that tastes like prosciutto, a soft boiled egg and drizzled with manchego cheese! So simple yet yum. -Rice cake with pork sausage: minced up sausage with yui choy and crispy rice cakes. Tiny cylinder rice cakes, crispy outside and chewy soft inside. The way the rice cakes were prepared was awesome! -Pork belly bun: simple soft white bun with super tender pork belly in hoisin sauce. They have this amazing slab of pork where it can serve 6 ppl with kimchi and wraps. Gotta preorder this tho so we missed it. Definitely sounds fun for group dinners. $225 for it.
(4)Kelly H.
Yum! Came in late on a Friday and was seated quickly. Wait staff was attentive and quick. The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes are a must! It looked dangerously red, and you should watch out for the chilies... but otherwise it just the right amount of heat. The little pillows of rice cakes were wonderfully crunchy on the outside, gooey in the inside, and covered with a sweet and spicy sauce. I would have been happy if I only ate this. Kudos to the kitchen for the great food!
(4)Lili K.
FYI, no wait on a Saturday afternoon! The place was pretty full, though. I got: -the kimchi deviled eggs: yum but aren't they always? -steamed pork buns: huge chunks of pork, but a bit too fatty and...just not as good as when I go to ramen joints -rotisserie lamb over rice: standard, something I probably should've opted out of -shanghai bok choy: I probably shouldn't have ordered this either. They weren't flavored very well and it was a waste of a side! -spicy pork sausage and rice cakes: the best dish I got! It had a nice spice to it (not super spicy like the waiter warned, what else is new) and I liked the crispiness to it! Just like all the other momofuku joints, it's pricey with ok food. But you go because of the hype, I suppose. You know this is quality food, but I just don't like the fusion of it all.
(3)John R.
This place has underwhelmed me every time that I've dined here and I'm thinking about not going back, despite regular invitations from friends, after my experience today. Love David Chang. Love the concept. Blah Blah Blah. This place is no longer up to par. The fact of the matter is that the food is not great. It's not even good. Some of the items on the menu are recommendable. The hams are excellent, the buns are buns, a good item that yelp twinks go nuts over, and the roti duck over rice is one of the better entrees. The ingredients sourced are good to great. But nothing on the menu produces any source of excitement (although the red eye gravy that accompanies the ham is pretty cool). The SSAMs themselves. I don't know when it went wrong. The last three times I've been there's been varying levels of oil and grease ranging from palatable to down right disgusting. I take it that there's a lot of turnover in this place and, as evidenced by the other negative reviews it's been getting, this current crop of chefs is an absolute disaster. There's no excuse for a SSAM wrap to be pooling hot oil and literally disintegrate in your hands. That's basic execution. The service is professional, but unspectacular. My advice. Go here if you want to go to a place that you saw on tv, order some decent small plates, and get a taste of David Chang's cuisine. Don't go here if you want exceptional food. You won't find it and you could spend your money much better elsewhere.
(2)Shayu M.
Walked into restaurant with no expectations turn out I was underestimated. The food here is delicious. Pork shoulder must try.
(5)Sarah C.
I feel like a checking out a Momofuku joint is kind of a prerequisite of being Yelp elite member, right? So here's my obligatory review about how great David Chang is: We got the big duck meal, and let me tell you, there is just something outrageous about it. Outrageously good, yes, but also just regular variety outrageous outrageous. It's a huge amount of food--I totally understand if you're tempted to branch out for the famous pork buns, as we did, but I promise you there is more than enough food with the duck and the pancakes and the sides, and it all rocks. If you love duck, this is a meal that you will not soon forget. I loved making up all the little pancakes with lots of fresh cilantro, mint and basil, and the different parts of the duck, topped off with crispy dried shallots and some hoisin or hot sauce. The crispy skin, the savory meat and the unctuous fat... Or instead of the pancakes, wrapping up a bundle in crisp butter lettuce--all so delicious. It's also a fun experience to share with friends, and a reasonably good deal. They say its for three to six people. We were five (for lunch) and we really pushed ourselves to eat as much as we could, but there was still a decent amount leftover--which was fine by me, as it made an excellent lunch the next day!
(5)Eddie K.
Momofuku Ssam Bar offers a great take on Korean-American fusion. Typically when I think of Korean-fusion items like bulgogi burritos come to mind so it was nice to have a different style for a change. Momofuku Ssam Bar is a small restaurant so I highly encourage calling ahead of time for reservations as this place does get packed. I came here with a group of 7 for lunch to try the bo ssam as well as to indulge on their other items which included: Hurricane Island Oysters (3/5) - The oysters taste like any plain oysters you could get at the store. Having been to Seattle the oysters here weren't all that impressive. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes (5/5) - This was a nice take on one of my favorite Korean dishes (dduk bok ki). The soft chewiness along with the delicious flavor of the pork sausages all complimented each other nicely. The small spice of the dish only further enhanced the taste. I definitely recommend this dish. Pork Buns (4/5) - The pork buns were tasty but I think it's only because of the sauce. The pork itself lacked big flavor but the tenderness of the meat really made the dish. Bo Ssam (3.5/5) - This thing is not for the faint of heart, it's HUGE! After our first couple of dishes most of us were feeling pretty content in the stomach, then they slapped this monster on the table. The bo ssam is eaten in the same fashion as Korean bbq. You get a wrapper (lettuce) and stuff it with the super tender bo ssam meat (pig) and accompany that with many different types of sauces... try them all! If I could make one adjustment to this dish I would also add rice which I think would help the overall texture/flavor. Overall: Momofuku Ssam Bar wasn't anything exceptional, but it was good and I definitely recommend everyone try the bo ssam at least once.
(4)Chris W.
I was in town for a work trip and had heard of Momofuku the previous time. We searched out ssäm and gave it a try. We sat at the bar and immediately greeted. The beer menu is not super exciting but is good enough. The bar tender gave us several recommendations: Diver scallop with dashi, sardines on toast, steamed buns, grilled flatiron steak, spicy sausage and rice cake. The sardines on toast was our favorite entree followed by the steamed buns. The spicy sausage was good but a bit on the salty side. It was certainly the best meal I had in NYC on this trip. I'll be checking out the other Momofuku locations in the future.
(4)Loudon F.
I'm docking them a star. I have been a Momofuku devotee in all formats since the early days of Noodlle Bar. But as the empire expands, the quality control on the home front seems to be lagging. Last night we dropped in for a late graze and cocktail. For the second time running the staple rice cakes with pork sausage, a former desert island dish, came out barely resembling its former glory due to a baffling shortage of pork. The diver scallops, while succulent and flavorful, came out with a lonely shard of cilantro in place of the advertised lemon basil. Frodo, come back to the Shire! Hobbiton needs you!
(3)Liz B.
The little frozen cups served with the bottled beers are just adorable! Its the small things that makes this place just a little extra classy. Maybe I ordered the wrong menu items, but I wasn't that impressed. Pork Belly Buns - I don't know why I continue to order pork belly but I just cannot take the texture when it is kept in its fattiest form. I literally couldn't eat this. Totally not Momofuku's fault, but I just didn't expect it to be THAT fatty. Crispy pork belly "Cuban" buns - Now THAT is how I like pork belly. This was absolutely delicious and unique in flavor. I could have ate three more. Beer selection - They have a bottled Farmhouse ale, my favorite kind of beer... and while the selection is relatively small, its good considering the overall menu size. Don't plan on just going for a drink, or even a snack. We basically had to convince them to let us sit at the bar for drinks and apps (as opposed to a full dinner). Once we finished our food, the bartender slapped the bill down without us even asking. If you're not gonna drop at least 50 bucks per person don't plan on sticking around.
(3)Carmen L.
Was seated right away on a Sunday night. The place seem packed, kind of surprised that there was seats. We went to the back and was seated at this long table where they squeeze everyone together that came in two. You place your jackets underneath the table where there is a coat hanger. No privacy here, I basically was listening to the guys conversation whom were next to us. Menu wise had alot of options but it doesn't look appetizing. Got the fried beef short ribs: this dish was good and bad. The meat just falls out of the bone and it was season well. But the bad is that there was too much fat. After eating this my whole mouth was filled with oil. Part of the beef was burnt and hard. roasted jurgielewicz duck: this dish came out medium rare. No where in the menu or did the waiter mention how I like my duck. We informed the waiter that our duck was raw and requested it to be sent back to the kitchen. She informed us that all dish are medium rare. How can you eat meat that is raw? Came out the second time and it's still raw and I gave up on this dish. I like the decoration of this dish meaning the barley, butternut squash and cranberry, but the main thing is the duck. If the star of the dish is poor, no use in eating it further. niman ranch rib chop: pork chop, yet again this dish was raw. Hello I didn't order from the raw bar. No one eats pork raw. We didn't even bother about this dish anymore. We just gave up on this place and left. The service was good but food wise please change your chefs. I saw them on their phone most of the time.
(2)Amrita G.
Amazing pork belly buns. Soft , tender full of flavour. We also got the spicy pork sausage with rice cakes, that was good too. Great food.
(4)Mandy A.
so, i have a huge culinary crush on chef-founder david chang. hitting up the momofoku restaurants was a must on our list. ssam was lovely. the wait was over an hour, but the host took our number and text us when our table was ready. we decided to order small plates to be able to get a variety. our favorites were the buffalo pork buns, kimchi in a jar and the smoked liver mousse.
(4)Abeer H.
This place rocks (though it's not for vegetarians). The hostess was not the most polite or friendly, the chairs don't have seat backs, and they don't do reservations (unless it's for large groups I think), so unless you get there super early, you'll wait forever. That all said, the food is fantastic and I highly recommend it. The preparation and presentation of the food is inventive and lovely - with hints of Korean, Japanese, and American cuisines and techniques. We had the diver scallops from the raw bar (deliciously flavoured), cuban pork belly buns (super freaking melt in your mouth delicious), honey crisp apple kimchi (interesting and tasty), roasted mackerel (rich and flavoured), grilled spanish octopus (divine! tender and delicious), roasted duck (their signature dish and it's yummy!), and spicy pork sausage and rice cakes (super spicy and delicious).
(5)Alice C.
I brought my vegetarian boyfriend here last year for a birthday bo ssam dinner, and rest be assured that he was a very, very happy meat-eater that night. Along with a few other friends, we gorged on the wondrous, succulent meat (from Niman Ranch! so only minimal guilt for my vegetarian boyfriend). I wish I only had more time to actually sit and enjoy the meal, but dining alongside 5 men made that very difficult, as I had to practically fight for my share. All in all, the bo ssam was delicious, and Momofuku Ssam Bar is definitely a great place for a birthday meal when you're more willing to splurge. I did make reservations almost a month in advance and still wound up with a late night reservation, so be sure to plan ahead!
(4)DeathandFood H.
With the amount of hype David Chang and the Momofuku brand has it would be hard for any place to live up to that. The food tasted good and while there were some techniques such as turning the bone marrow into a snow, the dishes in the end failed to be memorable enough for me to want to return and that's my litmus for most restaurants. I went for lunch so perhaps the dinner menu is more interesting. I am not a chef fanboy yet I have to admit I love hearing David Chang talk about food perhaps more than I love eating his food and I know he hates yelp but whatever just as he get to make whatever kind of food he wants people can post whatever they want about their food. I got the asparagus with bone marrow which was more pickled veggies with a small amount of asparagus and bone marrow served in a snow form. The bone marrow was pretty to see but I missed the pungency and texture of the bone marrow when it coats a vegetable. It was tasty but at 12 dollars not something I would order again. Then I had the duck over rice that I got with the lettuce and pancake so I could make happy bundle of joy. Duck is my favorite fowl. I've eaten it in at least 15 countries and as many ways as possible. The texture of the duck breast was spongy in a way I've never quite had before even with smoked and sous vide duck. It was bad just different. I was happy to have hoisin for the cake. Everything was underseasoned, a rather odd thing for a place listed as Korean. Underneath duck breast was some lovely duck meat that I mixed with the rice and sauce. This was better value than the aspargus at almost the same price. There was no wait and service was perfunctory. I was at the bar which was rather had to sit at with the narrow seats. The place is not design to be accessible to all.
(3)Annie K.
I was highly disappointed with this place, as I've heard rave reviews of David Chang's restaurants. The menu was minimalistic and I felt as if it only had as many dishes as I could count on both hands, and it was pretty pricey for a lunch in NYC. (We paid about $60, not including tip) We ordered the pork buns and the pulled duck buns to start. The quality of the pork buns have gone down since the last time I tried them, and it was more bun than pork. The pulled duck bun was tasty, but it was only one big $10 bun that I ended up cutting in half for my boyfriend and I to share. We ordered the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes, as well as the fingerling potatoes to share. Looks can be deceiving, because although it looked like a small plate, we were stuffed before finishing half of the bowl of the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. I thought it was tasty, but way too rich and heavy for lunch. The fingerling potatoes were good, but there wasn't anything special to them. If you're thirsty, you have the choice of tap water, or their ridiculously overpriced bottled drinks because nothing comes from a tap. $6 for ginger ale, $5 for Mexican Coke, and even a couple of dollars for hot tea. I might give the other David Chang restaurants a chance, but this one definitely did not meet my expectations.
(2)Jason P.
This is one of the first things we planned in our trip to New York. We reserved this place a month in advance, and I'm pretty glad we did. We reserved for a group of 9 people, but turned out to be 10. The service is here is friendly and nice and they did not mind at all. We got the steam pork buns and the large pork belly. I was surprised how there was enough meat for all 10 of us to eat. The pork belly tasted great. For the most part, it was well-cooked and I liked how it was marinated. I suggest making a reservation for this place if your going with a large group. It's definitely must try if your visiting New York. Out of all the Asian food places I went to in New York, this was the best one!
(4)Alba N.
Momofuku Ssam Bar has by far become one of my favourite restaurants in the city. Simple decor, casual vibe, and lively- this place hits the spot for a relatively relaxed meal after a busy week. The smoked liver mousse was heaven. There was plenty of liver, littered with crispy maitake mushrooms, assorted vegetables, and candied crumbs- sounds strange, but it really works with me! The pork shoulder I had came with a creamy, rich blue cheese sauce. The dish was packed with flavour and tender meat, leaving me happily full for the rest of the night. The service was efficient and the servers patient and enthusiastic with first-timers. With good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and decent service, I'll definitely be back!
(4)Tiffany C.
I had been here years ago when this place first opened. I remembered that their pork buns were good, but since there are so many great restaurants to try here in NYC, I had not gotten the chance to go back until now. I remember reading about the Rotisserie Duck Ssam meal. It sounded delicious, and it was definitely something I wanted to try during this visit. We got the pork buns, and it was as delicious as I remembered. Sure, it's $10 for two, but they do not skimp on the pork, and it is very well seasoned and super tender. It would be interesting if they added some texture to the bun, like add crispy pig skin or something. Anyway, we also tried to the Rotisserie duck over rice with chive pancake. I agree with what someone said below - the name is a misnomer. I was expecting juicy duck and crispy skin. I got the crispy skin, but instead of juicy duck, the "duck" had the consistency of bologna. Apparently this bologna is pork sausage which tasted ok, but you cannot call this duck! I was so thrown off by this not being duck that I could not fully enjoy the rest of my meal. Why would anyone do such a thing to already delicious duck!? The chive pancake was also disappointing. Instead of a thick chewy texture, it was more akin to a fried tortilla. With all the accoutrements, the meal was overall tasty, but certainly nothing I would rave about and certainly not something I would come back for. I'd rather get peking duck at the Peking Duck House! Despite the disappointing meal, I do want to point out that the service was friendly and attentive.
(3)Elliot W.
Sooooo good! Had the porgy which needs to be ordered ahead of time, but for 10 people it was more than enough!
(5)Mimi Y.
Went there late at night and there were still a lot of ppl. I ordered the quail and steamed bun. The quail was okay, not a big fan, but the steamed bun is the bomb! The staff were nice and welcoming. I would go back next time to try other dishes and the BUN!
(4)John R.
Like everyone says, get the steamed buns. Wow. The duck and side of corn were also good, but the best thing I had was the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. It was big enough for two people to share, so no need to go crazy ordering all sorts of stuff. Just get that and the steamed buns and move along.
(4)Adam Y.
Started with the peekytoe crab and steamed buns. I wasn't too satisfied with it and especially for the price of it. So I didn't order anything else. It also gets packed, where you would be sat down between other people.
(3)Kevin C.
Great for groups. pork was ridiculously good. Only knock is the drinks - they were pretty weak, and it didn't seem to be an accident. Every drink we ordered was weak and kind of expensive. But overall experience was great food was better.
(4)Letitia L.
Catching up with girlfriends in NYC, the three of us were seated within 10 minutes on a Sunday evening with no reservations. The atmosphere was classy but casual, but incredibly noisy with everyone chatting and catching up around us -- they need to install some soundproofing to make it a pleasant experience! The food was excellent. We had the spicy pork with rice cakes (nian gao), the whole thing was fried and aromatic, fantastic comfort food. Another standout dish was the duck with chickpea kale. The duck meat was tender, almost like tartare. All three sauces on the dish were delicious. Even so, the experience wasn't entirely enjoyable. We had to yell at each other to hear (and there were plenty of stories to catch up on) and it was a bit of a bummer to be all glammed up in nice dresses and be served by a very nonchalant waitress in a hoodie. I probably wouldn't come back since there are so many other places to try in this city.
(4)Peter Y.
Aside from David Chang's celebrity chef status, Momofuku Ssam Bar delivers on all fronts and should also be recognized as one of the best values that can be had on the Manhattan Dining Scene. The mark of a great restaurant is in the consistency of its quality and dining experience and, having dined at Ssam Bar over 10 times now over the past few years, this Restaurant meets that criteria and then some. The proper Ssam Bar experience is only properly achieved by having the group meals at least once- either the Pork Bo Ssam Meal or the Duck Ssam Meal. Their roasted pork shoulder and duck are always fork-tender and packed with flavor that is only highlighted by the various side dishes that accompany the huge group meals. Of course, everything else on the a la carte menu is top-notch but the group Bo Ssam meals are their trademark and do require advance planning via their website. And, for dessert, you can either have any of their great desserts or walk across the street to the Momofuku Milk Bar dessert spot.
(5)Hanh N.
Gluttony at it's finest. There was 8 of us attempting to eat the Bo Ssam. Omg, talk about A LOT OF meat. I'm not sure we even put a dent in it- okay, a small one but the pork shoulder is just so tender and juicy. I don't think any part of it was dry. For $200 for the whole meal, it's a deal and when split by 8 people, that's cheap for a lunch portion that huge. We ate and ate and ate until we wanted to pass out. We did try the pork buns too and that was amazing all on its own. I definitely would suggest this once in your life.
(5)Annaliese D.
With all the hype around the Momofuku restaurants, we had to try one of them out. With a limited budget and just the two of us, we decided to eat at Ssam Bar for lunch. We arrived shortly after it opened and we were the first ones there. The restaurant itself has a very clean, modern design, but I found the chairs a little awkward. We ordered the pork buns and the duck lunch special to share. The pork buns were amazing! Super tender and fatty pork belly with a little bit of crisp cucumbers inside of a fluffy bun. Yum. The duck was a little disappointing. We were expecting the most amazing duck ever, but it was just average. The accompaniments were just okay as well...the pancake was a little dry and the rice was fine. Overall, I'd come back for the pork buns, and hopefully with enough people to try the bo ssam dinner, which looks delicious.
(3)Ina L.
It's a must-try for city dwellers, but I can't imagine frequenting the restaurant. As my boyfriend would put, it's a "one-time" try. And it is conveniently 10 steps around the corner from Momofuku milk, so you can kill two birds with one stone. However, I'm a bigger fan of their Noodle bar. Ssam is a Korean word for "wrap", which explains the menu's various bun selection, "bo ssam", and "duck ssam". However, considering that their concept is to imitate and infuse traditional Korean flavors into the buns and ssams, Momofuku has done a poor job at doing so. The buns remind me of the cheaper equivalents sold at Bao Haus, Ippudo, Jum Mom, and food carts. It is delicious, but very Chinese. It is not a Korean dish and does not infuse any Korean flavors. They offer two types of ssam- bo ssam and duck ssam. The duck ssam is a smaller entree, compared to the bo ssam, which is meant to feed about 4-6 people. The duck ssam is served with bibb lettuce, and can be accompanied by a scallion pancake or sticky white rice (you can chose to ask for both or either or). First and foremost, Korean ssam is usually enjoyed by wrapping a meat, a variety of veggies, with a little bit of red pepper paste or soybean paste. SOOOOOO, could you imagine my frustration when we were served a bowl of rice topped with rotisserie duck meat and confit? Oh, and the scallion pancake isn't a Korean original! My Chinese boyfriend confirmed that it was a "very Chinese" dish- the pancake that Momofuku Ssam served was thinner and oilier than the recognizably Korean scallion pancakes. The Bo Ssam was a lot more closer in presentation and taste to the actual Korean dish. Also, I did not like the Shanghai noodles at all. It was very sour and there wasn't much sustenance to the entree. It was very hard to eat and after a chopstick-full, I stopped eating it altogether. The eggs and shoots did not add any value to the dish, in my humble opinion. Other than the Shanghai noodles, the other entrees were good. But I think I was disappointed because I was expecting something a lot more grandiose than just a decent bao. Kudos to their marketing team, because they did an outstanding job. Like I said earlier, I wouldn't go again. I would recommend Momofuku Noodle or going to a cheaper hole-in-the-wall to get my share of pork buns.
(3)Christine A.
Came here last night with my husband and best friend for my 30th birthday dinner. We walked in at 7pm and didn't have a problem being seated right away. The communal seating arrangements required that we share a table with three Russian tourists, but it was less awkward than you'd think it would be. So many NYC restaurants are tiny anyway. Here's what we ordered. Honeycrisp apple kimchi Pork buns Chawanmushi Fried Brussels sprouts Spicy pork sausage and rice cakes Everything was delicious, but especially the rice cakes and chawanmushi. I wasn't sure what to expect from the honeycrisp apple kimchi--it turned out to be a sweet-savory apple dish with bacon and it was quite good, though nothing tasted pickled to me. My least favorite plate: The pork buns. Surprising since they are supposedly what this place is known for. Maybe it was because I've had pork buns before elsewhere, and more or less knew what to expect, whereas the other dishes were so unique and unlike anything I'd had before. With the five plates, the three of us had plenty of food and left feeling full. Our bill with two drinks apiece was about $160 before tip, which I didn't think was too bad for a special occasion. Next time, we're making a reservation to try the duck!
(5)Richard K.
One of my favorite places in the city...been there multiple times including Peking Duck Brunch with delicious Bloody Mary's to the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes I had this time. Definitely save room for their pork buns or dessert accross the street at Momofuku Milk Bar.
(5)Diana C.
I can't believe I forgot to review this place! Went with some local friends and order the pork belly buns, BBQ pork buns, spicy sausage and rice cake dish, the quail dish and maybe a salad? I don't remember the salad all that well, but the rest of it was delicious! Everything on the menu looked good but I didn't have enough room in my stomach or in my wallet. This place isn't cheap like most places in NYC, but if you like Korean (fusion) food and don't mind the cramped seating, it's a fun place to grab some good bites. I don't know if they take reservations but if they do you should definitely take advantage of that! I waited in the bar next door, Booker and Dax, and they have some tasty drinks to keep you occupied while waiting for some seats! Next time I'm coming back for the whole roast duck, that looked and smelled amazing!!!
(4)Katrina T.
3.5 stars just because of the steep steep prices in their dinner menu! This place isn't good for groups! Had to order tons of dishes that weren't even filling. They were so delicious though. Let me give you some background on Momofuku Ssam Bar. Momofuku means lucky peach! Random right? You see the peach emblem on David Chang's (the owner/chef) restaurants like Momofuku Milk Bar, Momofuku Noodle Bar...etc .Sadly, I wasn't able to try all of his locations as much as I wanted to. This guy is pretty much clever. David got famous for his PORK BELLY BUNS. It is a simple bun (used commonly to eat with peking duck). He basically just slabbed on a piece of meat and added some special sauce and created the Pork Belly Bun. Till this day you HAVE to try this overpriced piece of deliciousness out! Chinese restaurants all over NYC have attempted to imitate this bun, but it just doesn't turn out quite so good! Anyway, you can't make reservations for this place. The wait for a table of 6 was about 30-45 minutes. Not too bad so my cousins and I went to the bar next door (owned by Momofuku too). BTW Momofuku Milk Bar was across the street but my cousins said it wasn't that great and they took us to Dessert Bar, Chickalicious. YUMS. Ok no more tangents. So the place gets packed, the seats are sorta cramped but we managed. Ordered another round of Pork Belly Steamed Buns and a bunch of other things: Shanghai Noodle: It was such a tiny little bowl! So good though. Not your typical golden yellow noodle, but more like plain looking with trout roe sprinkled on top. Spicy Honeycomb Tripe: Never really had tripe on its own dish besides in my pho or something. This was nice and squishy. It was almost like I was eating a bowl of noodles! Market Greens: Pretty vegetable colors! Roasted Lamb Lion & Belly: My FAVE dish! Came with an egg too! It was so moist and pink. It was salty and tasted like duck too for some reason... Spicy Pork Sausages & Rice Cakes: Loved the Rice Cakes. It was hard to find the sausages in all that sauce! This place is good if you were eating dinner for 2, not for 6! The price can be too high for the small portions of food. I am sad I didn't get to try Momofuku Noodle Bar ! The thought of pork belly in my ramen is salivating.
(3)Matt D.
We were very pleased with every aspect of our visit to Momofuku Ssäm Bar. We thought the service was expert and excellent and the food just outstanding. The prices were surprisingly reasonable as well. We arrived at opening and so had no wait on a cold Monday night in late December. I assume the pace picks up as the evening continues. Seems like to perfect place for a meal on a cold night in Manhattan. Our 12 and 10-year-old daughters were very adventurous and tried everything and really enjoyed almost everything. For us the standout dish was the sardines on toast with the Test Kitchen invented Hozon.
(5)Vicki C.
The pork bun was delicious and the chicken ssam was surprisingly good- I was not sure what a ssam was to begin with. Its like an asian burrito and it kind of reminded me of home. My friend and I shared the pork bun and halved the ssam and we were perfectly content with the portions. The waiter was slow with the water though, I almost wanted to reach over the bar and pour my own water.
(4)Mere T.
Best steamed pork buns I've ever had. Orgasmic Pear cognac and Penicillin cocktails. And the servers and kitchen staff are awesome!
(5)Steve L.
Went here with a group of 11 for lunch. Service was awesome, very attentive, very friendly - we had 2 in our party running late, and the servers were not pushy at all and very understanding. As a larger group, we got the 3 course bo/duck ssam prix fix - tweaking the order so we got both the bo ssam and duck ssam (while it costs extra, highly recommend that maneuver). The spicy shrimp rolls were fresh and delicious - and the peanut sauce is incredible. Next, of course, were the famed steamed pork buns, a clear must-have here. Next we had duck dumplings, which were fine...but the pork buns are a tough act to follow. Last, the main course of the fall-off-the-bone pork butt and the rotisserie duck. The pork butt was simply tender goodness, and was accompanied by bib lettuce, 2 types of kimchi, rice, and korean bbq sauce to make lettuce wraps with. Yum. The duck was also fantastic, and came with chive pancakes (great). Oh, and their cold brew ice coffee hit the spot as well. All n all...a great experience.
(5)Ahiruno P.
Utterly disappointed. The good first - decor, cute; staff, polite; drinks were pretty good but VERY small!! Ok, now the bad - the food!!! It's a classic example of great concept but poor execution, in such, not all the ingredients belong in the plate esp when some overtakes the star of the dish. Here why we tried: 1). Pork bun - was good but nothing special that you can't get in flushing for. 1/3 the price 2). Uni - no flavor as it was overpowered by the wasabi beans and tofu 3). Sirloin tartar - again can't taste the beef only the gooey white sauce on the bottom 4). Duck liver moose - the cranberry were so sour that it ruins the duck liver flavor profile. Overall, it was a let down as there is major flaws in 3 of the 4 dishes we tried ... We couldn't even bring ourselves to have the main course there... We left. Boo.
(2)Azile Y.
Pork sausage with rice cakes and brussels sprouts were awesome! Pork belly buns not as good as I remember (didn't they used to have cilantro?)
(4)Melissa C.
A group of 9 of us had dinner here to try the famous bo ssam on a Saturday night at 5:15pm. There are only specific dinner slots available so check online before you make reservations. For appetizers, I really liked the steamed/blt buns. I wasn't sure which one I tried, but it was delicious and one is big enough to split. The honeycrisp apple kimchi didn't impress me. I also heard the scallops were fantastic although I didn't get the chance to try one myself. Now for the bo ssam, which was enormous and everything I expected. There is a particular way of eating the bo ssam, so it's best to ask your waiter for instructions. Basically, you make a sandwich with lettuce as the outside and put rice, pork, oyster and whatever sauces/sides you want inside. It was a fun eating group experience that we all enjoyed. The bo ssam is definitely a once-in-a-blue-moon thing to do in order to preserve the specialness and especially since you need to plan it so far in advance. But it's incredibly memorable and you get a ton of good food. It was about $50 per person (including a bottle of wine for the table) which isn't bad at all. They were also fine about splitting the check for multiple credit cards. The only complaint I have is that the restaurant was very drafty so I was pretty cold throughout the meal.
(4)La H.
Very crowded and small space to eat, but if you can get in, you must do so. My Big Cuz and I went here for lunch and opted for a whole bunch of small plates. The pickled veggies were awesome and so was the scallops with the snap peas. Cuz had the pork buns which he loved and I had the salmon buns which were amazing. Drink wise: win win. Cuz loved his spicy bloody mary and my sangria ( made with whisky) was unbelievable. No dessert for us though: too full and Milk bar is across the street.
(4)Jennifer J.
Its all about the steamed pork buns. The food is good, but the steamed pork buns are delicious. I've enjoyed most of the food here but the reason I come and recommend it is because of the pork buns. Everything else is good but nothing for me to brag about.
(4)Ed U.
Is it too soon for me to write an update to my review of Momofuku Ssam Bar? Yeah, probably. It's only been a year since my last visit - and I have to admit the thing I miss most about NYC when I'm back in California is David Chang's food, especially the way his chefs make pork belly. It's a damn art and deliciously decadent to boot. It's so good I can even forgive his snarky comments about Bay Area cuisine, which I thought was more an attack on the Alice Waters school of organic cooking. I think he even makes Anthony Bourdain chafe a little, and he's no stranger to snark either. Anyhow, Jamie W. and I knew we had to indulge a bit and make a beeline to the Ssam Bar. The $10 Steamed Pork Buns were a must. They still are. Succulent with a splooge of the hoisin sauce and contrasting nicely with the cucumber slices and the shredded scallions, the pork belly was ridiculously good nestled in the pillow-like clam-shell bun (see photo). I've seen them copied here in San Francisco, in particular, on the Chairman Truck, but nothing beats the original. I just don't see how anyone can bypass them. I also went for the $7 Pulled Duck Bun - same concept, different ingredients and only slightly less satisfying. Instead of two, you get one large bun stuffed with falling-off-the-bone duck that's been smoked to the consistency of a Kansas City-style brisket. It came with Thai basil but then did an about-face with sauerkraut and smoked mayo, ingredients only Chang would think to mix together (see photo). And it works. Delicious. Jamie was ordering the $25 Prix Fixe, so he got the down-home Duck Sandwich (normally $12) for his entree. It was a classic bánh mì but done southern style with iceberg lettuce, mayo and peppadews (sweet piquanté peppers from South Africa) co-mingling with slices of duck breast, all stuffed in a toasted torpedo roll (see photo). Mine was the superb $14 Rotisserie Duck Over Rice with generous slices of duck marinated in Ssam sauce and basil over sticky rice. For an extra $2, I ordered the chive pancakes so I could spread the duck over several bites of goodness (see photo). Really quite amazing. As part of Jamie's prix fixe, we shared his dessert, the Corn Ice Cream Pie (normally $7), which was amazingly creamy with a blend of mango and Thai basil to finish off the not overly sweet flavor (see photo). The reason I love Chang's culinary creations is that he just goes for the jugular when it comes to the flavors he likes, so he blends his pan-Asian food with plenty of southern comfort. The results are uniquely his and well worth repeated visits to all his restaurants. Now if he would only change his mind about the West Coast, then I would be truly euphoric... and probably thirty pounds fatter. FOOD - 5 stars...still amazing food...Chang just doesn't quit, does he AMBIANCE - 4 stars...absurdly popular with crowded community table seating a challenge to the elbows at lunchtime SERVICE - 4.5 stars...quite attentive and they move very quickly TOTAL - 5 stars...Momofuku rules...that's all
(5)Nubian Y.
Pork buns are amazing! The lamb was delicious as well. Portions are really small and service is so so. I would go back for the pork buns.
(4)Irene C.
This review is only about the Whole Rotisserie Duck Ssam, which you must order a month in advance using their fairly straightforward online reservation system. It costs $140 fixed and feeds 3-6 people. We had 5 very full but thrilled women by the end of the meal. Momofuku Ko's Duck Ssam was simply amazing. Because my friend had heard about the duck through the NYC culinary grapevine, we booked our reservation for 6 people, trusting that we could scrounge up 4 other duck-loving friends in 4 weeks. Wow we were not disappointed. From the moment the waiter "sketched" the duck by describing each component of the meal (complete with hand motions) to the last bite, the entire meal was a complete joy. The duck comes on a beautiful bowl of rice and greens. All of accompaniments--including fried scallions and multiple sauces--were high quality and complimented the dish beautifully. The waiter told us that the duck could be eaten whichever way, but he suggested utilizing the bibb lettuce or the scallion pancakes. This, my friends, is how duck was meant to be eaten. Moreover, you get to select two sides from a list of five, and we chose the swiss chard and fingerling potatoes. Both of which were unexpectedly flavorful and well-executed. Service was attentive yet not intrusive. They called us twice to remind us about the appointment since if you cancel too late or don't show up, they'll charge you for the meal anyway. Although the almost worshipful way the waiter referenced the duck seemed a little silly (e.g., "Ladies, the duck has landed!"), once you taste the delicious duck, you realize what all of the fuss is. Can't wait to go back for more.
(5)Leslie M.
For a place that has over 1K reviews, there's really no need for me to chime in....just go here and have 2 things: 1) Pork Buns 2) Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes Then you can die happy.
(5)Kristina D.
I have been to Ssam Bar twice - both times for lunch. The first time I was with a colleague and we ordered the octopus salad, pork buns, and salmon buns. The octopus salad was incredible, especially the little potato balls. The pork buns were equally delicious, as was the salmon. The salmon had a great sauce that I really enjoyed. The second time I came with a group and we ordered a bunch of dishes including the duck dumplings, fuji apple kimchi (this was amazing! the bacon! OMG), the momofuku ssam and the duck over rice. All in all everything was really good, and I love the ambiance at the restaurant as well. A little less hectic than Noodle Bar.
(4)Diana Y.
i always have solid meals here. i love having lunch at ssam. the best thing is rotisserie duck over rice. with the duck scallions, ssam sauce, crispy shallots, & lettuce. its much different than the way i make duck at home, so i enjoy it immensely. add the chive pancakes and you are golden. in the spring (ramp season), i always get a side of ramps and any dishes with ramps in them. cant wait for it this spring.
(4)Jenn K.
I've tried Ippudo's pork buns and Momofuku's Noodle Shop and this one as well, and I have to say, the steamed pork buns at any Momofuku's restaurant beats them all. It is like you are biting into pure butter until you taste it and realize it's the pork melting in your mouth. If nothing else on the menu appeals to you here at Momofuku Ssam Bar, just get a whole bunch of pork buns and you're good to go. I came here for dinner with a friend and in addition to the pork buns, we got the Beef Offal Stew and the Spicy Pork with Rice Cakes. Both are basically some sort of fusion rendition off of a korean dish. The Beef Offal Stew was kind of a strange taste initially, it's only because of the green onions and the gochujang flavor that started to make the stew taste more appealing and familiar, but it had a lot of tendons, beef intestines, and personally that didn't suit my taste. Basically it's a soup for $20+. The rice cake dish was a rendition of dukkboki, which was good and definitely tasted familiar but I don't know how I felt about the crispiness of the rice cake on the outside with the gooeyness of the rice cake itself. I think the purpose of that was to add texture to a dish that could come off as very mushy overall, however, I think there could've been other ways to add texture to the dish. For instance, maybe using larger pieces of pork instead of ground pork etc. I did appreciate that both entrees had a lot of greens to balance the heaviness of the entrees. Overall, the experience was pleasant. The wait wasn't too long (i think we got lucky though), but they do text you when your table is ready so you can go wander around East Village as you're waiting. I definitely would come back for the pork buns alone and want to try the "ssam" menu soon!
(4)Wendy G.
Every single dish here is a piece of ART, because the presentation were so creative and beautiful! With that said, taste of the food are either hit or miss. They are all relatively healthy. Here are dishes we ordered: All dishes have 5 star presentation. Below are ratings for taste only: diver scallops - yuba, blood orange, cilantro (3 star) dry aged sirloin tartare - watermelon radish, spinach, nori (5 star) poached chicken - sticky rice, hedgehog mushrooms, black garlic (5 star!!) charred spanish octopus - pine nuts, celery, ham chips (5 star) steamed buns - pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers, scallions (4 star) So, pls order the 5 star dishes above w/ no hesitation guys~~ :)
(4)Rachel C.
I found the food here to be very, very mediocre. The pork belly buns were probably the best thing we ordered. The pork was sufficiently tender and very succulent. We also tried the roasted jurgielewicz duck and pork shoulder steak, which sadly we did not enjoy. Portions were very small as well. On the whole we found the food to be overrated and overpriced. I would give it 3 stars despite the underwhelming food experience because the service was great and the interior of the restaurant looked very chic and modern.
(3)Andrew L.
Well, I recently went to Asiate so I cannot say this is THE most overrated, overpriced, pretentious restaurant in NYC, but it is definitely up there! small portions, expensive plates, cramped and uncomfortable dining experience. The pork buns were tasty, the man courses were "ok" but nothing that warranted the price, or the wait .
(1)Haejong M.
Visiting the city from LA I had momofuku ssam bar bookmarked and I was able to book a reservation for 11pm on a saturday night. We all started out with a few cold beers, I had a glass of the sparkling. For apps, we ordered the corn and a dozen pork buns. The corn was nothing special, however we still finished it. The pork buns were delicious, on the fattier side. I loved how they provided a squeeze bottle of sriracha. The sriracha definitely complimented the pork buns and gave them the perfect amount of spice. For the entree we chose the pork bossam. I've heard good things about the fried chicken but bossam traditionally includes pork so I went traditionally. A dozen oysters were included as well. My favorite part of the meal were the sauces and butter lettuce for the wraps. AMAZING. David chang, I bow down to you. You jilted by taste buds and they are forever changed. The combination of everything went so perfectly well together. I loved the green scallion sauce and the spin on the daengjan sauce. I often like very traditionally korean food so I worried the food would taste too much of asian fusion but it did not and it did not disappoint. I also felt the pricing for 10 people was quite cheap. We all left full and a few even with left overs. 200 for the pork combination was just perfect. I will definitely be back to explore..next time, fried chicken and duck!
(5)Jin Y.
Am I insane? How did I not write a review for this place? I've been here nearly 4 or 5 years ago when it was still considered pretty new. Man, it was such a mind blowing experience at that time to have this sweet, juicy pork for ssam since Koreans usually have ssam with bland boiled pork and you add your pickles, etc on it (also, usually not in a bun, but in a lettuce cup or something). I can't wait to go back and try it again.
(5)Schoenfeld A.
This is my first 5 star I ever gave. Not much to say except wow from the second you walk in they treat you like kings . Food was amazing. Pork buns were out of this world. Oysters were sweet and the sauce they gave you don't know what it is but i want it. I would say more but you need to go on your own and check it out.
(5)Ara C.
The White Truffle Chawanmushi was life changing.
(5)Jonah M.
FIVE FIVE FIVE! One of the best meals I have had in NYC! I came in on a Friday night and had to wait for about 30 minutes which was pretty reasonable. To start we ordered the pulled pork buns which were great. They meat was extremely succulent and the buns were steamed to perfection. For our entrees we ordered the rib chop and the rice cakes with spicy pork sausage. The spicy pork sausage was delicious and was the perfect level of heat. My favorite dish was definitely the rib. It was prepared with lettuce, sunchokes and a cauliflower purée. The meat was cooked on the rare side which was perfect when dipped in the purée. The sunchokes and the lettuce added a refreshing element to the meal, which helped clean the palate in between each bite. I strongly recommend!
(5)Annalise F.
Marginally over priced for what it was. The food was really good, service was fast. The pork buns are everything we hoped they would be
(4)Coco P.
OMFG SO FREAKING DELICIOUS!!! Makes me want to try Ko even more now! I feel like I'm slowly trying my way through all the Momofuku restaurants. I definitely love this one way more than Noodle Bar, and that's say a lot because I love Noodle Bar! First of all, stop complaining about the price! This is New York City, this is David Cheng, and this is AMAZING FOOD. When I first read all the Yelp reviews, I was ready to pay an arm and a leg when I came here. Then I saw the menu and realized the majority of Yelpers don't understand what with great quality comes great cost. So stop raving about how the food is amazing but it's "too" expensive. You get what you pay for, and personally, I think you get more than what you pay for here. Food here is just like at Noodle Bar, on the slightly less flavorful for me side, but for some reason it works here. Ordered the Steamed Buns, which are the same as the ones at Noodle Bar. Still not my favorite, but I still loved it. Then we had the Fried Brussel Sprouts, and let me tell you, I don't even like Brussel Sprouts that much and I was fighting everyone for the last few bites. The only reason not to order this dish is if you're allergic to Brussel Sprouts. And then we decided to go with the Boneless Whole Ssam Fish, because it's been too long since I've had a whole fish. I don't even care if whole fishes gross you out, this is a must have! One of the more expensive dishes, but it's a whole fish, and you don't have to pick through bones! Came with flour tortillas and butter lettuce and a creme fraiche, and somehow it turned into one of the most delicious fish "taco" wraps ever. My group picked that fish clean. Then we got the Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes, and let me tell you it was both heaven and hell in my mouth. Very spicy, though nobody else at my table thought so, which means I'm just a big baby when it comes to spicy foods. Even still, I suffered through the burning tongue because this is the best pork sausage and rice cake ever! Love that there's a slight crisp to the rice cake. Table next to us ordered the Age Dried Steak, or something, and it looked amazing. Market price so I suspect that it's expensive, but HUGE portion. Definitely will think about trying that next. Service was great, nothing special but my water was always filled. Waiter was very helpful in explaining all the dishes to us and making suggestions, so we pretty much went with his suggestions. Did not disappoint! And yes, another long wait, but we were quoted hour and a half and we got in after only 40 minutes. So no complaints!
(5)Roslynn R.
My friend and I were quite surprised to be seated as soon as we walked in for dinner, but I guess that's the beauty of having just a party of 2. We ordered the asparagus which came with bone marrow and browned butter. it was out of this world!! I never expected an asparagus to have this much depth of flavor. I definitely would have someone fly this across the country for me if I could. Another item we ordered was the pork belly buns which were garnished with your standard green onions and hoisin sauce. It blew my mind - i don't think my mouth knew how to react to the pork belly's softness and perfect amount of moistness. I highly recommend this place if you feel like giving your mouth a tickle!
(4)Amaya B.
I keep trying David Chang's restaurants to see if I can understand the hype and failing. Sure this is reasonably good Asian Fusion food but there's better to be had all over NYC and so the quality of the food is kind of destroyed by the crowd, like the restaurant has been loved to death. Reservations are only taken if you're pre-ordering a whole animal BBQ; otherwise waits are pretty brutal. We walked in at a reasonable time on a Monday and still got told there was an hour wait. Trying to get a table and get seated was a nightmare; the space is cramped and the hostess cranky. They have a text system so that you can wander the neighbourhood while you wait, this is a good idea since non reservations are seated at the bar and there's no space to stand and wait inside. Once we returned we still had to wait 15 mins to get seated and it took another 15 or so to get the bill at the end of the meal. The buns are okay but not amazing, I assume their fame is because they started the trend for NYC - the ones at Ippudo and Baohaus are better. The squeezed in space means that I felt like I was sitting in someone else's date and the couple next to me proceeded to make fun of me for taking pictures of the food. Not worth the hype.
(2)Liv A.
One of the best dinners that I had during my stay in New York was at Momofuku Ssam Bar. If you get a chance to try the pork shoulder, you must! Grab a group of friends and do it! One of our friends had planned a group dinner for 25 people, so they had pre-ordered the Bo Ssam: (ssäm is korean for enclosed or wrapped) includes a whole slow cooked pork shoulder, a dozen oysters, white rice, bibb lettuce, korean bbq sauce, kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. You make wraps with the pork and condiments or eat as you please. The pork shoulder from niman ranch is cured overnight, then slow roasted for 6-8 hours with a brown sugar and kosher salt rub. It is nothing like I've ever had before and yelping about it is making me salivate as I type. You have to make a reservation and call ahead so that they can prepare the Bo Ssam. It costs $200 but well worth it if you have some friends who like to eat! In addition to the Bo Ssam, our table also ordered steamed buns (pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers, scallions) and bbq bun (crispy pork belly, coleslaw, smoked mayo). Both were incredibly delicious and a great start to the meal. The oysters were incredibly fresh and I preferred them on their own as opposed to putting them in a wrap. The pork shoulder was amazing!!! It was fall off the bone tender and just the one of the best pieces of pork I've ever eaten. What was even more amazing was that our table only had 8 people (6 guys and 2 gals including moi) and we ate the whole damn thing! It was impressive given the fact that our friends and my bf have had this meal numerous times and never have they ever finished the whole pork shoulder. They said that they always took a lot home. Even the waiter was very impressed. The other table in our party even passed over their remaining half dozen of oysters and we finished that too! Note - limit or skip the rice so you have room for the wraps. Our table was proud, despite being straight up gluttons that had contracted the meat sweats after consuming everything. Incredible food and service. Our total tab including drinks and tip came out to be $50 per person. Great value for all the food that we had. When in NYC, must have Momofuku Bo Ssam!!!
(5)Angel S.
Momofuku Ssam Bar does not disappoint. Skip the noodle and milk bar, but don't pass on the pork buns from here.
(4)Linh D.
This is actually the first time I've been to a Momofuku - it was a relaxed vibe, and lots of fun. Turns out my friend's friend was the head chef too. I grabbed the scallops, which were great - the avocado puree thing was perfect. I was also hungry so grabbed the Shanghai noodles, which were like soba noodles with snow peas. All so crisp and fresh.
(4)Mike M.
bar solid drinks at ssam bar, expensive. go to booker & dax. steamed buns perfect. pork belly, consistently well prepared. standard condiments. rotisserie duck over rice duck, well roasted. duck scallion, ssam sauce, and crispy shallots, best condiment collaboration to memory. chive pancake set it off. perfect dish. rotisserie chicken ssam ginger-scallion is a tremendous, versatile condiment. chicken, on point. crispy fingerling potatoes cannot beat them. bread & butter solid bread. butter and lardo, good. expensive for what you get. country hams benton's ham just as good as iberico. red eye gravy mayo, delicious. spicy pork sausage & rice cakes good every time. spice can be overwhelming. get a beer. bo ssam pork shoulder and oyster, magic combination. illmatic by nas.
(5)Dan T.
Is there a statute of limitations on Yelp reviews? I stumbled upon this unfinished review from 2010, and it's been so long that I don't even know if these items are still on the menu. But what do I recall? Well, apparently I thought the sweet and sour crispy pork ears were "not too overpowering", but was a "fantastic blend of textures that was elevated nicely by the lemon (confit? something or other)". I also thought that the pork buns were delicious, with thick, generous chunks of pork within. However, the pig's head terrine only garnered an "ok" from my 2010-self, and I jotted down a warning to my 2013-self that the pork sausage was "quite spicy" and "don't let it catch you in the back of the throat" (what, like an errant fish bone?). At least I thought that it was a "good portion" but "a bit monochromatic in flavour". Wow, 2010-self, you are pretty unhelpful. Although I do remember going back a few times since this initial visit, my attention has since wandered and pulled me away from the kingdom of Chang, and into the arms of the many other suitors that populate the city. But that Bo Ssam that's been kicking around for a while? THAT sounds like something that will get me back through those doors.
(3)Josh C.
Hot damn that pre-fix was delicious. Pork shoulder was incomprehensibly mind-bogglingly tender, apple kimchi, fantastic dipping sauces for the ssam. Hot damn.
(5)Agnes C.
So I reserve my 5 star rankings for those meals where you can reflect on and say it was one of the best meals you've ever had. And if I was on that food network TV show "Best thing I ever ate", I would say the Bo Ssam dinner here. Yes, I am Korean and yes, I have had bo ssam before at home, but THIS bo ssam is just mouthwateringly delicious. The pork shoulder must be braised for hours because the meat literally falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Wrap it in the lettuce, little bit of kimchi, that scallion sauce, and an oyster, and it is heavenly. It was so good and there was SO much, three of us took it home. I had it the next day and it was still delicious. I wish the reservations weren't so late (11pm on Saturday night) but it is honestly worth the wait. (We got pork buns and tartare and other goodies, which was of course very tasty, but once you eat the pork shoulder you end up forgetting whatever else you ate.)
(5)April D.
I've been wanting to go to a Momofuku restaurant for about three years. I'm all the way across the nation, so it was at the top of my list on my first trip to New York. Nowww if you wait this long, you would hope that it would blow your mind. But I think I hyped it up too much in my head, so that when I actually got to come here with friends, it wasn't what I expected. First thing ordered was the steamed pork belly buns. Everyone says you have to try it right? I'm a big bao fan. If I see a new bao place anywhere near me, I have to try it. Soo the Pork Belly in the buns were great, with a nice amount of the fat, but the actual buns didn't seem fresh or soft as I hoped them to be. After eating at Ippudo the day before, and having their heavenly almost like marshmellow cloud steamed buns, I wasn't amazed with Momofuku's buns. They're pretty good, but not at the top of my list. Second thing ordered was a softshell crab salad. I feel like they were being stingy with the amount of soft shell crab pieces given. At least if you're going to be stingy and pricey about it, make it taste amazing. But it wasn't like that. For the main lunch entree, ordered the rotisserie duck over rice (duck scallion, ssäm sauce, crispy shallot). This was pretty good, but nothing out of the ordinary. For dessert, ordered the whiskey thai tea cake truffles. Honestly, they can get rid of that. They should have added the crack pie to their menu. I had that at Milkbar, and would definitely eat that again! Yeah I'll come to Milkbar again, but I don't see any need to come to Ssam Bar.
(3)Jose C.
Came here with a friend and my wife, we had a great meal. Pork buns are amazing, had the duck breast, pork shoulder and the ribeye. Also their seasonal cocktails are amazing too.
(5)Christa P.
This place is amazing. They have the best buns around. When we went in the fall they had duck buns, served with little pickled cucumbers and homemade sauce. Also, we had fried duck wings, served with this mango compote I believe. SO delish. Everything we have had here is so good- full of flavor, beautiful plating and delish. We always go in the morning right when they open so we never have to worry about the crowd.
(5)Sabrina C.
I had the steamed pork buns and buffalo pork buns and tried the steak. Everything was delish!!!! They do not disappoint here with the pork buns. Cocktails are great here as well - I enjoyed the Japanese whiskey.
(5)Annie H.
I DO NOT understand the hype. At all. We came here on July 4th since most of the city was a ghosttown, we figured there would be no wait here. And right we were. We were immediately seated at what looked like a bar table, with K sitting right across from me. The seating is super tight, to say the least. There are like 10 items on the menu. And 6 of them involved duck. Does ssam mean duck in another language or something...? I'm seriously confused. We ordered the pork belly buns, the duck buns and the duck fried dumplings. K hated his pork belly bun cause he claimed it was all fat; meanwhile, I thought mine was pretty good, albeit somewhat unflavorful besides the hoisin sauce. Pork belly should be marinated, period. But it didn't taste like this one was. The one thing I enjoyed the most was the fried duck dumpling. If you've ever had a shrimp ball at any dimsum restaurant, that's exactly what the duck dumpling filling was like, except with a duck taste. This was served with a sriracha mayo. Perfect. Service was excruciatingly slow... we waited for a good 10 minutes before someone came to take our order. Afterwards, we headed over to Momofuku Noodle Bar in search for something different, but ended up not even going in because the menu was lackluster as well.
(2)Howie L.
4 of us went her for the duck dinner. This has to be reserved online. There's enough food here to feed 4 big eaters, or 5 or 6 people w/ smaller appetites. The dinner actually comes serve on a large plate with - a full duck (sliced after the show it to you) under a bed of rice, only a couple bits of sausage (literally 2 bits...) - lined with mint, parsley, and a few other herbs - 4 large scallion pancakes It also comes with a large bowl of light greens, a few sauces (spicy Korean, reduced duck fat/juices (best one... always the unhealthiest), and sweet hoisin sauce. It also comes with 2 sides. We chose the: - broccoli salad with little bits of duck skin croutons. SKIP! It sucks! Blank cold broccoli. - the potatoes (marinated with black bean sauce and a hint of spiciness). Get this, really tasty. My overall impression is that the duck was really good. When they brought the whole duck out for us to inspect before cooking, it actually looks like a small turkey and not like the ones hanging in the windows of Chinatown restaurants. Is it worth 150 before tax and tip...? Maybe once in awhile, but definitely to try at least once as it is cooked very well and different that traditionally prepared duck (very tender, medium rare, and juicy). I couldn't do it all the time simply because I do live in the vicinity of Chinatown and I can get a full duck that is also very tasty for about 20 bucks lol. TIP: They also do one of the best jobs doggy bagging your left overs. They even put the condiments in little containers without prompting.
(3)Annah T.
Was very excited to finally try a David Chang Restaraunt. Pork belly buns were delicious and definitely all the hype. Even better with Mason jar kim chi to add a little spice and salt to the sweet. Everything else was just ok. All the ingredients in the seafood hot pot was cooked perfectly but the seasoning was slightly overpowering. Also ordered the tempura crab with the same issues. Cooked to perfection but sauces were just ok. All in all worth it to finally try the pork buns.
(4)Laura L.
What can be said about Ssam Bar that hasn't already been said? Still, I'll give it a go. Went with 8 other people on a Saturday at 11PM (the only time we could get a reservation). Is that too late for dinner? Not at all! We just got the bo ssam ($200), no extras, and barely managed to finish the whole thing. The first bite of pork was unforgettable. The skin had caramelized into a slightly crispy layer of porky goodness. It wasn't too fatty (unlike chicken skin) and the flavors were balanced -- the only downside was that there's only one layer, and it goes fast. Deeper inside, the pork shoulder was tender and easily shredded. The addition of lettuce and sauces is crucial; the marinade doesn't penetrate to every part of the large hunk of meat, which could lead to a slightly repetitive eating experience. The raw oysters added an interesting fishy element, which dollar-oyster enthusiasts will love and the oyster-inexperienced (such as myself) will likely forget as simply one bite out of many. Of the four sauces, ginger-scallion stood out the most. It's a flavor combination more commonly found in Chinese cuisine, but the bright ginger notes and mild oiliness pair well with the robust pork and taste great mixed with the other sauces as well. The ssäm sauce was a bit of a disappointment: overpoweringly salty and not spicy enough. For Korean-inspired food, the bo ssäm could've used a kick in the chili department. Lighting is minimal; the brightly lit kitchen casts a short-reaching glow that makes food photography futile. (Inveterate bloggers and Instagrammers should come for lunch.) New York residents should make their way here at least once to get a taste of the real thing before attempting it at home, though I wouldn't deem the restaurant experience imperative for visitors from out of town.
(4)Todd O.
I've been wanting to try all of the Momofuku family since getting reservations at Ko, probably the most exclusive of the NY locations. Although I'm not Korean, my understanding is that "ssam" means wrapped, a technique you would use for their specialty called bo ssam, which I did not get to try on this occasion. We started with their steamed buns ($10) and blt bun ($6). The pork belly inside these buns were especially fatty and seasoned lightly with hoisin (the fluffy buns are very similar to that you get with Peking duck at your traditional Chinese restaurants). The smoked liver mousse was not what I was expecting...for those a little more adventerous and enjoy foie gras and mushrooms, this would be up your alley. It's an interesting pairing, but I can't say this is something I would get again. The roast duck with chickpeas and goji berries was extremely tasty and a good compromise for not getting the bo ssam. See pics from my experience here: yelp.com/biz_photos/momo…
(3)Pauline C.
This place is amazing! Best service we've had in NYC!!!! The food was great too! Porge Saam was delicious! We fought over it! The pork belly sandwiches rock! We jumped over to the bar afterwards! Seriously amazing service and WELL WORTH the wait!!!!!
(5)Elle P.
Really bad...this is what I imagine people who don't really understand/appreciate Korean food eat thinking they enjoy Korean food. The food is horrendously greasy and that is the overwhelming taste. Also, I disliked the decor, esp. the chairs which were little cube stools - no space for anything.
(1)Somin Y.
Yes, we made two huge mistakes. 1) We, a party of 3, expected that there should be a small plate for Bo Ssam, which is served only if you make a reservation for a party of more than 6 people. However, the small plate was not available on their regular dinner menu. Gosh... 2) we didn't even order the holy steamed buns... BUT! We fully enjoyed our dinner with some dishes that we randomly tried that evening. I will skip my comment on spicy pork sausage & rice cakes as it is already popular among yelpers. The other favorite dish for that dinner was roasted jurgielewicz duck that our server strongly recommended - it was just perfect! I'm not a great fan of duck because some dishes are greasy, but it was different this time. Well cooked, not greasy, very tender and flavorful, and its sauce on side with chickpea, kale, and berries was also delicious! All of us were so impressed that we were still talking about how great this dish was on our way back home. We didn't try pork shoulders since our server (very honestly) told us it sucks haha. Don't forget to order beer! They have Tiger (Singapore lager) beer, some locally brewed draft beer, and belgium beer. We had one of their country ham plates with the beer as a starter, which was so good. They don't take reservation, so if you're planning a weekend dinner, arrive early! We arrived at 6pm ish on Sunday evening and were able to be seated right away. Shortly after, the place was fully packed. Overall, we loved their food, drink, service, and ambience. Will definitely bring more friends next time to try the famous Bo Ssam.
(4)Meli N.
Oysters are so fresh and delish. The Corvina is light and perfectly balanced with the white peppercorn & topped with thinly sliced kumquats. Last cus I saved the best for last, pork buns times 4. Yummmm that combo makes a very happy me. I try to stop at as many Momofuku locations while I'm in town. Since each menu varies place to place, I stop in and repeat certain ones according to my cravings. Either way you can't go wrong!
(5)Scott G.
Wonderful food, friendly vibe. All the food had wonderful depth of flavour without overdoing it. Started with the sardines on toast - flour little morsels of deliciousness that were much better than the name might lead you to expect. Then bread and butter with whipped lardon. The bread was otw, the lardon was interesting as I had never had it but I will I not be going out of my way for it again. Steamed pork rolls had a great savory flavour and the soft shell crabs were perfectly seasoned so as to add to the enjoyment but not over power the delicate crab.
(4)Patrick N.
I came here for "first lunch" (before heading up to Harlem for Red Rooster for "2nd lunch") only to try the pork buns. I heard amazing things about these tiny pork buns and was especially excited to see why this place took the food world by storm in the past few years. Overall, the pork buns were good, but were not really special or amazing in any one respect. I feel like I could've eaten something similar at a place in Chinatown for much less money ($10 for two buns). The pork was very rich and fatty, yes--but isn't that just the nature of pork? The hot sauce made it much better, cutting through the richness of the fat. The cucumbers did give good crunch, and the bbq sauce was very good. Service was good, but not at all kind, nice, or welcoming. The hostess at the time was curt and barely acknowledged our "thank you's" or cordiality. A restaurant can never be too trendy for classic and good ol' fashioned manners! In short, the taste was 4-star worthy, but the price and cold hostess keeps it at 3 stars. I would come back, though, to try some of the amazing looking duck items on the menu.
(3)Sam C.
I was told the line gets crazy, but we got a table right around normal dinner time, so didn't experience that madness. The seating arrangement inside is interesting... long communal tables, small 2-seater tables, or at the bar. It's very cramped, dark, and loud -- maybe it's a New York thing, I don't know. Service isn't very great. I can't tell who the waiter is, and he doesn't exactly check up on us, so I can't remember who he is. I'm not terribly picky, but I expect a little more from a place that regards itself in quality. Now onto the food! Steamed pork belly bun -- AMAZING. The pork belly is smoked beautifully, with just enough hoisin sauce and well steamed bun. Good, great, amazing, spectacular. Liver mousse, a strange dish, but oddly tasty. It is literally liver paste in perfect mousse form, with bits and pieces of greens and bacon (I think). The ham plates -- thinly sliced like prosciutto -- AMAZING. You get a huge round plate of amazing ham and this interesting coffee based sauce. I would love to try the bo ssam one of these days, though it is outrageously expensive. Which makes me wonder if it's really worth the money, so of course, I want to try it even more.
(4)Ben W.
Get us ssäm tasty noms. (300th review, woot!) Birthdays are a great excuse to bring a group of friends together for a big reservations and share some amazing food. Ssäm Bar had been on my friend's list for a while, so a late night reservation of 10 was set. We were all excited for the bo ssäm that awaited us. Once we were all seated, the gears were set into motion. Bowls upon bowls started coming from the kitchen: lettuce leaves, kimchi, hot sauce, minced chives in oil, rice, a tray of oysters, and the big centerpiece, a huge, hunking piece of pork butt. Eating was pretty self explanatory. You took a lettuce leaf and stuffed it with whatever suited your fancy. I tried multiple combinations, with and without rice, the different sauces, and oysters. The best combination in my opinion actually had a little bit of everything. The rice and meat provided substance and flavor, the kimchi added a much needed crunch and made it a little sour, the oyster added depth and a texture difference that made it that much more enjoyable. Wrap after wrap, I couldn't get enough of the food. The concept of pulling the pork off the bone was really cool too, adding to the experience. For 10 people, there was actually more than enough food. We did have majority girls, but everyone had their fair share and multiple people commented that they were stuffed. It was also surprisingly affordable: we each spent $32 after tax and tip and covered the birthday girl. Would I do it again? Maybe. I would need a large enough group to make it worth it, but nothing like food to bring people together!
(5)Erin D.
Momofuk-me... this place was gooood. The raw bar is a raw-esome place to start: from the refreshing oysters to the light, tender cobia, to the other-worldly diced scallops. Incredibly flavorful and served in a light, chilled broth (think ceviche-style, but without the acidity), it was probably the best scallop dish I've ever had. This diver scallop walloped Morimoto's similar dish. And, although I don't eat much pork (minus the weekly Bloody Mary accompaniment), nor do I have nor eat buns, I went for their most popular dish. And it was bun-believeable. Little did I know the best was yet to come: the chawanmushi with truffle, apple, and quail egg, the chef's special of the night. I get all mushi inside just thinking of this bowl of wonder. Worth the $20+ surcharge, sir. Yep, I'm putting this dish in my top 5. Of all time. Our knowledgeable, super laid-back server recommend the quail entree, which was assembled so artfully, it resembled a forest of sorts, with trees of radish, fig stones, and trails of squid ink. Not even remotely a filling entree as the quail consisted of just four small wing-like pieces, but beautiful and unique. Tasty, but I wanted mo', Momofuku! The only forgettable dish would be the jar of spicy kimchi. Good, but nothing special. Although I basically eat the salt rings of margarita glasses and drink pickle juice like water, I actually found this side to be a bit too salty. Then again, I couldn't see straight after the chawanmushi, so I didn't care. No wait at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday night, so check it out at off-hours, and sit at the bar to watch the extremely chill staff do their thang. I want ssam more of this place.
(4)Priscilla T.
Sorry Mr. Chang, taking the opposing view on this one. I kept putting off going here for years and turns out I wasn't missing much of anything. Smoked salmon buns? Meh. Bread & butter (attach 5 adjectives of local sourcing, hand making, and other menu window dressing and that's how our server described this dish)... turns out it's really just (cold) bread. And butter. On a plate. Spicy pork sausage and rice cakes? It feels like the Korean foodie upgrade to General Cho's chicken. I'm admittedly not a fan of glutinous rice bricks but this was just sauciness + sausage + glutinous rice. Not exciting. As for the rotisserie duck over rice that I was hoping would save the day... wonk, wonk. Total fail there. The duck was juicy but nothing special on the flavoring. And then it was just rice, ssam paste, and crispy shallots, plus lettuce. Sigh.
(2)Sarah W.
Started with the buffalo pork buns and charred broccolini with beef tongue - both delicious! Then we had the whole boneless porgy ssam, which was also very good. Since it was a Monday night, we were able to get seated almost right away at the bar.
(5)Kate M.
There are several things from my trip to New York a few months back that I feel I will chasing for something as good for the rest of my life. Momofoku's pork buns are one of them. I had never had pork buns before. However, I have now had them elsewhere several times since, but no where else has come remotely close. I will ever love my friend for taking us here on our trip to New York. The three of us shared several dishes and everything was amazing. The pork buns are definitely the star here. Both the buffalo and steamed buns are great. Tender amazing pork belly in a perfectly light steamed bun. I am serious, I dream about them. We also had diver scallops, I love scallops in all forms and this is a great one. The sardines on toast were also great, my husbands now orders this everywhere as well, none have been as good as well. The service was great, the environment was great, and the drinks are great as well. The food is the star. Next time I am in New York I will definitely be back and will probably try another Momofoku restaurant if I don't come here for every meal.
(5)Yue L.
I'm on a 3 star roll today. I have been to my share of good restaurants and this is simply just ok for me. After a 20-25 min wait on a Sunday night around 8pm, we were seated at the bar. My friend's brother took us here and told us that he liked the fish and duck here. I ordered the seafood hotpot as I don't eat pork and when you hear hot pot you are thinking a little pot/large bowl of something (ie nabeyaki udon style). What came out was a tiny little bowl (think small Asian rice bowls) of seafood soup in a coconut lime broth. The soup itself was really good but for $19, I could really do better. Tried the duck and it was tender but nothing special. The brussel sprouts were way too greasy. Enjoyed my seafood hot soup but honestly I was still hungry after. Just another overpriced NYC joint.
(3)Leonard L.
I'll skip the background on DC because everyone in the food scene knows the mega success story of a guy who use to eat from a convenience store (Lawson's) in Japan for years. Did a walk-in on a Saturday night and only had to wait 40 mins. Hostess took my number down and had text me to confirm as well as let me know when my table would be ready. We were seated at the bar which made me feel right at home ( ahhhh lol ). An order of Shibumi oysters w/ plum mignonette was delicious. The oyster was well balanced and to add a bit of that plum complimented the bivalve mollusc. The diver scallop tataki was my favorite of the night. A dark sear followed by the natural sweet finish, you can tell this was made perfectly. A must get when dining here. The not so common buffalo buns were on the menu but they ran out so we opt'd for the other white meat (pork) buns which never disappoint. Next was the grilled flat iron steak which was cooked to a perfect medium rare but was way too salty. It's also unforgiving especially when the price tag is over $20 dollar for a cheap cut. For the last leg of the meat stage was the garlic roasted quail. A mouth full of flavor in every bite, this is more of an appetizer given the size. Just another example of where quality reigns over quantity. For dessert, skip the Thai tea pie. Sour and almost inedible. Now while I enjoyed my experience at Ssam Bar, I wasn't blown away. The place is trendy, staff is very friendly and a great place for a date night. The food is decent but It won't win any awards. But in terms of " fusion ", DC is innovated and is always pushing the food boundaries. He's earned everything he has and I can see why people flock to his restaurants. Not too bad, I mean things can be worst, right? At least you're not Guy Fieri. Donkey sauce anyone? 3/12 stars
(3)Sean H.
I can't get enough of Ssäm Bar. When I get stuck in the East Village in the rain, I come here to warm up knowing the line won't be around the block instead. Their staff is seriously the nicest restaurant staff I've ever encountered in NYC (and they know their stuff too), and they're always willing to accommodate my allergies. Their drinks are great. If you don't know what to get started with, the Five Spice Sour is good year round, and they have a great gin-based summer drink currently. I can't come and not have the pork buns. I really can't. They cook the pork so long and carefully that it practically melts. Their other mains are great too- today they had a great duck special for $20 that you couldn't beat (sliced duck stuffed with a pork sausage and a small amount of bacon on the outside, over rice with a huge chive pancake and lettuce / veg and rice for wraps, accompanied with a cold broccoli salad that was actually tasty...). If you're a single diner, they can usually find you room at the bar too...and unlike most places in NYC, they're thrilled to have you dine there alone. I love Ssäm Bar like I love an old friend.
(5)Martin y.
short version: will bring friends times again for the great vibe and service, for fun; but I will not go just for the food. keep your expectations low is the key to a great experience at David's restaurants. If you can, ignore his fame and fanciful media coverage, those have zero correlation with the taste of food there. His celebrity chef buddies don't cook there. his food is porn, a sensory experience without proper boundaries. yes, some concepts are new (to Americans mostly), and yes, the food can be very comforting at times. overall, the food is almost always too fatty, too salty, too sweet, and too spicy. but that is David's signature: an unapologetic, excessive sensory experience on a plate. over-seasoning masks the inferior raw ingredients, excessive use of fat and salt takes advantage of our animal instinct. that being said, we would always want to go back and check out the porn once in a while
(3)Peter D.
I was lucky enough to lunch at Ssam with five other greedy gluttons, so I ate my way through a solid portion of the menu. We tried buns of all kinds, more meat than I can comprehend, and everything from octopus to duck, potatoes to bacon. I could go on and on about the highs and lows of each and every dish, but let's face it: 1. I'm lazy and I don't want to type all of that out. 2. Like most clowns these days, I took photos of everything for you to see. 3. You're sick of my blathering, and just want to hear about what you should order. So here it is. Get the lamb ssam. It is explosively flavorful, perfectly tender, and everything I wanted all the other dishes to be. Not to say there weren't other highlights, but they all paled in comparison. (There were certainly a few lowlights that needed some of the hoisin-esque BBQ sauce to save them.) So get the lamb ssam. It's like the tastiest of burritos in its flatbread, and you can thank me later. Preferably with whiskey.
(3)Beverly A.
I love you DAVID CHANG! This place says it's classified as 'Korean' but is all types of Asian Fusion! We came for dinner and were lucky enough to score a table without waiting! Ahh - the stars were aligned! + Pork buns. Delicious thick cuts of perfectly cooked pork! They win, bar none! Sorry totto and Ippudo! + Quail. Mmmm garlic roasted quail! It was cooked perfectly and as delicious as it gets! + Seafood hot pot. It was a HOT HOT summer day, but we couldn't resist the seafood hot pot because we saw someone next to us eating it.. it looked good and tasted even better! This is easily the best meal I've had in the longest time. Everything we had was packed with flavor! Mind you the portion sizes are more appetizer/tapas stype - just a warning especially since the costs will def hit your pocket (we paid $15 for a half glass full margarita!) Ssam Bar is my favorite Momofuku restaurant of them all and I'll definitely be back next time I'm in NYC!
(5)Cathy C.
I wanted to try the bossam but it's meant to be shared by 4 people - I was 2 short in the people department so I didn't bother ordering 1 day ahead. The place was packed so we just sat at the bar. The bartender gave us recommendations - some were considered, some were not. We tried the pork belly buns, crispy duck wings, pork sausage & fried rice cakes, duck with rice and chive pancakes and, Thai tea truffles. Crispy Duck Wings: Duck wings with sesame, long red peppers and peanuts. They're sweet and spicy at the same time. Duck wings are pretty bony so be careful. 4/5 Steamed Buns: 2 thick slices of fatty pork belly in each bun with hoisin sauce, cucumber and scallion. You can see the oil oozing out of the pork belly. Put a bit of Sriracha (not that it needs it) for an even more amazing experience. 5/5 Rotisserie Duck Over Rice: Duck scallion, white rice, ssam sauce and crispy shallot. We got a side of chive pancake for an extra $2. The duck skin was crisp and flavorful, and the meat was tender and not dry. 4/5 Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes: The bartender warned me that this dish is spicy. I'm a big wuss when it comes to spicy food so I had my doubts but ordered it anyway. I'm so glad I did because this was the highlight of my Momofuku ssam experience sans bossam. The rice cakes were crispy and tasty. The pork sausage was not as spicy as I had anticipated - but I had to switch to eating duck after a few bites. This dish made me sweat. 5/5 Whiskey Thai Iced Tea Cake Truffles: I love dessert with Thai iced tea. I got to be honest and say I was disappointed by this. The bartender tried to talk me out of getting this but I learned my lesson the hard way. I didn't taste whiskey which is a good thing since I'm not a fan of that. But I also didn't taste Thai iced tea. This dessert tasted citrusy to me. False advertising. The bartender probably saw the disappointment on my face so he recommended that we go across the street to Momofuku Milk Bar but Chikalicious was less than a mile away from here so that's where I went after. 2/5
(4)Brittany C.
I come back here from time to time for one thing. PORK BUNS. I'm sure everything else on the menu is amazing But once there, I order a glass of wine with friends and share a few orders of pork buns at the bar. There's a really relaxed atmosphere and the ambience of the place is really great. Low lighting, relatively quiet for such a small (constantly busy) place, and in a really great location surrounded by tons of other great restaurants, lounges and bars. I suggest going to the bar if you have a small party and would like to order right away. I'm not sure if they take reservations but definitely try to make them if you don't want to go to the bar. This place is always busy.
(5)Kat D.
I went here on a weeknight around 7pm and we were seated right away. We went for a few plates and ordered the fluke, pork buns and brussel sprouts. Pork buns were my favorite!! We sat at the bar and the people were really friendly and helpful. The bartender recommended the penicillin drink and it was soo good. It was the right amount of smokiness. I'll definitely be back for more!
(5)J. R.
Bo Ssam Lunch Group Dinning What TV Character Would Dine Here: Imagine if the Friends cast (Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, Joey) lived real lives and didn't see each other 24/7. This is a great place to come in a large group and have a great meal to catch up. It reminds me of the last supper. Good For: Group dinning at brunch time Overall Quant Score: Please review quant profile in my profile. Pros: Simple, Straightforward, Large bang for your buck Cons: Table and hands can get a little messy as you are eating with your hands, New plates could have come quicker Food Wrap Up Summary: Arrived at 1:00pm on a Sunday for a late lunch. This place can get very busy and I would never head here without a reservation. Reservation were made 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Food Rundown (*Designated must try item): *Group bo ssäm - The bo ssäm (ssäm is korean for enclosed or wrapped) includes a slow cooked pork shoulder, a dozen oysters, and two bowls each of white rice, bibb lettuce, ssäm sauce (korean bbq sauce), kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. guests are encouraged to make wraps with the pork and condiments or eat as they please. The pork shoulder from niman ranch is cured overnight, then slow roasted for 6-8 hours with a brown sugar and kosher salt rub. $225 for your entire party, not including tax or tip. If you are carnivore like I am, the pork here is as tender and suckling as it comes. Grab a bunch of the inner core meat as it is the most tender. Between each wrap take a swig of wine to cleanse the pallet. For each new wrap grab a different sauce to try. *Pork Buns - Delicious fatty meat cut from the belly of the pig. It is wrapped in a white bun. However, watch out for the splash factor as the food is quite greasy and the pork belly has a tendency to fall out of the bun. Best bet is to eat this with a fork. White Wine Sangria w/ Almonds - Thought this drink was quite plain. However, I like their touch with grinding up almonds in the drink. Tip: Reservation needs to be made in advance, Go last and get the inner core meat as it is the most tender and fatty, Grab enough meat for a few wraps and put it on your plate. It is difficult grabbing meat for each wrap.
(5)Andrew G.
Momofuku got a lot of hits on Yelp so it was about time to check this place out. The service was outstanding. As far as my meal I went with their duck bowl over rice which was good, but small portions vs how much it cost. Also the place smells like a dentist office. Major turnoff. I'll stick with Ippudo. Thank goodness for the milk bar across the street. At least I got some great cookies to go
(3)Sarah K.
Holy smokes, David Chang. I came here with my best friend and we were both pretty excited because of how well known Momofuku has become. It was the first time for both of us and we didn't really know what to expect, but came with anticipation for some good food. So, we ended up ordering the apple kimchi, steamed buns, brussel sprouts, and duck. Cannot sing enough praises for the apple kimchi--it was the dish I was most curious about and was most pleasantly surprised with. Awesome and creative! The steamed buns, my goodness. I thought I was eating a slab of fat because the meat was so tender. To my relief, it was a real slice of pork. The brussel sprouts and duck were great too, but the stars of the night were the apple kimchi and steamed buns for me. Overall, the food was nothing like I've ever tasted before. I mean this in the best way possible. David Chang and the Momofuku team have really done a great job making this a singular dining experience. All the food was spectacular and unique! I'm almost certain you're not going to find or taste anything similar to the Momofuku menu. I'm hoping to come back and try to bo ssam and/or duck and/or ribeye. Actually, I want to try the rest of the entire menu.
(5)Brian L.
This place is packed 100% of the time during dinner hours (when I'm around this area). It has to be good right? It's just not the best for me. I find the food average - but again, for those of you that know my reviews, I have a "cheap" mouth. I don't enjoy the less "delicate" flavors that you sophisticated eaters like. I don't notice it. So if you're like me (where you enjoy that $1 slice for what it is worth), I'd say find another place.
(3)Lindsay H.
THE UNI!!!!! It's been several weeks since I visited Ssam Bar, but I have thought about the uni everyday since. That is approximately 30 days straight of uni-lusting. It's served on warm tofu with wasabi peas and some salmon roe, but the combination of the warm tofu and the cold uni and the crunch of the peas is flavor/temperature/texture NIRVANA. It's a travesty that I'm sitting at work writing this review instead of eating the uni right now.
(5)Carmen G.
Final-freaken-ly. I wanted to try the Momofuku chain for the longest time. Even when we were driving to the restaurant, I kept saying "I can't wait!!" with a big grin on my face. The only downfall was that our reservation was at 10pm. Seriously... who makes reservations at 10pm on a weeknight??? Apparently, our foodie host does. He booked the reservation a month in advance for their infamous duck feast and boy were we in for a real treat. The meal feeds about 4 people, 6 if you have light eaters. The waitress first brought out the whole roasted duck rested on a bed of greens to give it its grand royal display, as it deserves! She went off giving us the background of this lovely bird (where it was raised and etc), we were so memorized by the delicious crispy goodness in front of us that we didn't even hear half the stuff she said. I think she said our duck was raised in Long Island.... While it was cooking, we ordered the steam pork buns to start and share. The pork belly was wrapped in a little white fluffy pillow, sandwiched in between hoison sauce and greens and super tender. Put a little sriracha on it for a kick. Yum. Asked our waiter for a red wine recommendation and he suggested the Blaufrankisch 2011, which has a medium body, to pair with our meal. Is it sweet? Slightly. Perfect for me. It went really well with the duck. The waiter did not steer us wrong! I liked the presentation of the duck feast. Duck breast was sliced into two rows under a bed of white rice, sesame pancake wraps and herbs (basil, mint, sage, cilantro and watercrest) on the side. It also came with a bowl of lettuce to wrap and toppings such as fried and sauteed shallots, hoison sauce, korean bbq sauce. What I love about this is different variations you can make and you get down and dirty to make your food. So many delicious choices. Note: the sesame pancakes were very greasy. Avoid. Overall, I enjoyed the entire experience from start to finish. 3.5 stars. We cleaned up everything, even the waiter was impressed! One thing is for sure, I can't eat or look at a duck for at least a month. When you have too much of something, you need to take a break. I'm all duck-ed out.
(3)Kevin L.
Great laid back atmosphere. Waiting staff and front of house were excellent and very welcoming. Very interesting food and all very reasonably priced. I had the ham and coffee mayo "BS" as Jose Andres described it and it was really amazing. Really good drinks selection as well. Good list of wines and an eclectic collection of whisky, and if i remember correctly, saw pappy van winkle 15. They also had a 18 dollar belgian beer, which my friend was hesitant to get until he saw that there are only a handful of places in the US that import it. Had a taste and the price was completely justifiable. Overall, a very enjoyable experience and nothing that I can complain about.
(5)Donna Y.
The porn buns were delicious super fatty and juicy. Request a side of shirracha if you're like me and like a little bit of spice. For entree, I ordered the Duck two ways were amazing each bite was flavorful and tender. The waitstaff was attentive and checked on us frequently. The turnover rate is pretty high which is great for a group of two (like us) but for any crowd larger than four, it would be pretty difficult.
(4)Alejandro B.
Expensive, but an interesting concept. 3.5 stars rounding up to 4. I'm allergic to fish and shellfish; while the restaurant did let me know which dishes I couldn't eat, they would not allow modifications (I really wanted to try the braised pork shoulder ssam but Momofuku wouldn't remove the kimchi it came with, which had shrimp). Kinda snobbish if you ask me. My cousin and I each split a ssam so we could try different flavors. I really enjoyed the rotisserie chicken ssam, which was tender and had balanced flavors. The lamb ssam, on the other hand, I didn't enjoy as much. The rice was a bit crispy; in small doses it'd be enjoyable, but I felt it overwhelmed the ssam. I didn't have enough lamb meat to my liking either. The pork belly from the steam buns melted in my mouth. An enjoyable meal overall.
(4)Cindy W.
Been hearing lots of raves about this place so we decided to give it a try. We came here after a B show so we sampled their dinner menu which we also found out that was WAY different than their lunch. We started with their pork buns and also uni lychee sake special. Their pork buns was nothing we haven't seen before. And it didn't blow our socks off. As for the uni lychee sake special it was disgusting. I am a love of all these 3 items but I don't think they all should be combined to a dish. As for our dinner entrees we shared the fried Brussels sprouts and also the rice cake noodles. Both dishes came our very oily and salty. We told the waitress and she says that its how it is. So, being a fan of David Chang for a long time, this was the first time I've been unimpressed with his food.
(2)Ken P.
It took 8 of us, but we pulled it off - we downed an entire pork shoulder and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Great place with a great ambiance.
(5)Holly D.
The food was fine. More show than taste. Went here with a colleague for lunch. It was crowded and noisy. To start, I had the steamed buns and it was tasty. My main was the 7-spice lamb bowl. Overly salty and the protein was tough. It is a good place to try however I will probably not go back. There are so many other establishments to try in NYC.
(3)Michael L.
Awesome. Got 4 items and they got better every time. Plain Steamed buns were awesome and my wife wouldn't let me order 2nds of the pork and rice cake item...
(5)Margaret L.
Aside from horrible service, food was mediocre. Music was ghetto for that type of restaurant. My husband and I have never turned down a bottle of wine but the taste sip was awful. We ordered the following: Steam bun = greasy and fattening Tempura soft shell crab= it was battered shells no crab meat Beef tongue= pretty decent Steak = came out really rare had to send back, nothing special Pork sausages and rice cake= best dish but still very oily Not worth 1.5 hour wait or not worth it at all... So disappointing
(2)Alex B.
A bit hard to rate this place. Food isn't bad, which is about as good as I can say it is. The duck was great, everything else not so great. Sausage and rice cake, the buns, all very whatever. Surprisingly so, this place is supposedly an institution, but in my opinion doesn't live up to the hype. I watch David Chang on "mind of a chef" and he seems like a cool guy. But I have mixed feelings, he hates on California food, and as someone from LA, in my short experiences in NY, I think LA is much better for food in the short time I had to compare. Dollar for dollar you can eat well and cheap in LA, not what I experienced in NY, ie $20 lox bagels (wtf). Maybe it's because NY has inferior ingredients to California, who knows. So momofoku, $13 for bread and butter. Hey David Chang, that's usually free in other places. So you'd figure if they charge for it, it's special. Well, its not. The butter is good but, its nothing to write home about and the baguette was old. The waiter told me not to check yelp for suggestions to take his word, I wish I looked at yelp first because nothing here did it for me, except the duck. And even the duck, at $27 for 5 1-ounce chunks, I don't know, seems a bit audacious to me. Maybe that's just New York, if that's the case, well then F New York.
(3)David T.
I had been looking forward to eating here for sometime. The place is very cool, staff is very friendly and helpful, the ambiance is great. For me the food was a mix. I loved some of the dishes and did not like others. Tried the following: Sunflower Hozon - Did not like this one. The toast was good, but the dip no so much. Waiter was very nice and substituted it for the Pigs Head. Heritage Farm Pig's Head - Also not great. All fat and no meat. I like pigs head but this had no meat at all. Mason Jar Kimchi - This was pretty average. Too many apple cubes and no cabbage like stuff. After these as openers I was getting concerned, but it got better from this point on. Pork Belly buns - Very Good BBQ Bun - Very Good Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice cakes - Very Good Roast Duck - Good, but not outstanding Momofuku Ssam Bar was not perfect, but it was overall a nice location and meal.
(4)Brian G.
Went here for my brother's birthday and made a reservation a couple of weeks ago for the duck. I did not know what to expect, but it was phenomenal! Pretty good price for such a large meal, too. The duck came with delicious tortillas and lettuce to make wraps and sauces and rice and potatoes that were out of this world. I was slightly less impressed by the pork buns, I have had better, but don't get me wrong, they're very good here, too. The duck was tender and delicious, the rice was a little bland, the tortillas were great. The sauces were all delicious, though I was drawn more to the plum sauce for the sweet taste. The duck soup brought out after the main meal was okay. It was made with soy sauce and orange zest. It smelled wonderful, but tasted only okay, nothing that different from any other udon-type soups. Our appetizers included pickles which I am not ever a fan of, no exception here, and Kim Chi, which I was also not big on. The duck alone warrants the 4 stars.
(4)Jennifer K.
Momofuku is a prime example of how overhyped NYC restaurants fall short of expectations. The food was decent, but given how long the wait is on a Friday night (and the accompanying price tag), I was expecting a more memorable, mind-blowing meal. Our table ordered: 1. Steamed Buns - Pretty bland. The ones at Ippudo are way tastier. 2. Buffalo Pork Buns - Much more flavorful than the Steamed Buns. This was one of the better dishes we ordered. 3. Honeycrisp Apple Kimchi - Not bad, but I was content with just one piece of apple kimchi. 4. Fried Brussels Sprouts - This was my favorite dish of the night. However, as a carnivore, I think it says a lot about the quality of the food when the best dish is brussels sprouts. I know very well that I can make brussels sprouts that are just as good, and that's a HUGE issue for me when I'm shelling out a lot of money to dine at a trendy restaurant. 5. Roasted Jurgielewicz Duck - Decent, but forgettable. 6. Spicy Pork sausage & Rice Cakes - This was not bad, probably my third favorite dish behind the Buffalo Pork Buns and Brussels. But food aside, my BIGGEST issue with this restaurant is how RUDE the HOSTESS was. I came in about two hours before my party was meeting up to put my name down as it was a friday night for a party of 5. A table was surprisingly available 45 min later, but our party was obviously not together and Momofuku's seating policy requires the entire party to be present. I come back two hours later, right before my party arrives, to see how much longer it would be for the next table to be available. The hostess takes a look around the restaurant, which is at most 40 feet long, to see that there's a table opening up right next to entrance (so her terribly long walk across the restaurant was essentially fruitless). As she points out the table in front of me opening up, I tell her my party is arriving shortly. To which she responds in the bitchiest, most pretentious tone possible: "I don't mean to be rude, but it kind of wastes my time when you ask me to look around the restaurant for a table when your party isn't here." 1. I didn't ASK her to look around the restaurant, especially since there was a table right in front of me opening up. Is it that unreasonable for a paying customer who had come two hours earlier, anticipating a busy friday night, to be given an approximate estimate of when I could be seated. 2. Isn't that her fucking job? 3. What precious time was I wasting being that a) she's at work b) I was the ONLY person at the hostess area 4. She has the easiest job out of everyone working at that extremely busy restaurant, so who is she to be the one displaying such rudeness? I apologize for how long-winded that was, but that really left a bad taste...and the mediocre food did not do much to get rid of it.
(2)JohnnyPrime.C. C.
After reading this Eater article, and adding to the comments, I decided I needed to go do this gigantic rib eye at Momofuku Ssam Bar. I went with my wife and two friends from Tabelog. We rocked it. Check out the pics and details below. We started out with what we thought was a complimentary plate of sardines on toast with fermented chic peas and pickled hearts if palm. Why did we think it was complimentary, you ask? Because (1) we didn't fucking order it, and (2) the fucking waiter told us that he brought it out to us because he wanted us to try his favorite item. I'm not gonna complain any more than dropping two F-bombs, but needless to say I was a little confused and pissed when I saw the bill and realized we were charged for it (after leaving and already paying, kind you). The app was great. Salty, juicy, earthy, "umami," and all that good shit. But there was plenty of meat, potatoes and greens to go around with the rib eye special that we didn't need an app. Now, the waiter was great and all, but a surprise charge like this, couched in "freebie" behavior, is kinda fucked up. Okay that's three F-bombs now. I'll leave the meat for last... aside from dessert, of course. The art of anticipation... Next was the bowl of perfectly fried french fries. Delicious. They came with a nice, smokey bacon ketchup too. Crispy outside, mashed potatoes inside. Mmmmm. Then a massive Caesar salad with brown butter croutons. Crisp and refreshing. Okay now for the blowout. This is a 107oz hunk of GODmeat. Dry aged for 50 days, originally hailing from the Niman farm in California, this cut of rib contains the outer fat slabs as well as what you normally get with a traditional cut of rib eye + fat cap. Here are some before shots: It was cooked to a perfect medium rare, allowed to cool, and then sliced and plated on a thick cutting board. Some of the fat was the grizzled kind, but much of it was the edible, meat bubble gum kind. Savory beef jelly. Awesome. It was served with four sauces: the bacon ketchup mentioned earlier, a bernaise sauce, a red wine + shallot marmalade, and rendered steak fat + brown butter and herbs. Also, four bundles of roasted garlic cloves, so soft that you could smear the garlic on your steak like creamy mashed potatoes or some shit. Was all this enough? Nope. Of course not. I'm a former fat guy. So we followed up with some dessert. First was a popcorn cake. Instead of sifting flower I'm the pre-baking process, they sifted popcorn. It was really unique, and served with a little side bowl of strawberry jam to spread across each forkfull. All I can say is that you should get it if you go here. And finally we had the Thai tea pie. This cold dessert had the unique characteristic flavor of Thai tea with an added tangy tamarind sauce and some sort of chocolatey, tea-infused puffed rice kinda thing on top. Nice. So that's all. Great fucking meal, aside from the fact that I was charged for something that we didn't order. On the slightly brighter side of things, however, it looks as though they forgot to charge us for our third beer. So we were still overcharged, but only by $9 instead of $15
(4)Lorraine P.
Momofuku = Korean Fusion + David Chang David Chang = best steamed pork buns EVAH Steamed pork buns + spicy pork sausage & rice cakes = holy effing good Small plates + small space + loud space = fun dinner Husband + me + the baby in my belly give Ssam bar a total of 6 thumbs up!
(5)Jeff B.
This place was good. We had a group of ~10 that shared the big piece of pork. Really good. I'm going to check out all of David Chang's restaurants.
(4)Sabrina S.
The food was really interesting. We tried pork belly steamed buns, a chilled tripe salad, and sweet breads (deep fried pancreas). I'm glad I went because I've never seen the later two options on a menu, so it was a new culinary experience. We sat at the bar, and the guy waiting on us was a total bouche. He was very arrogant. Maybe they hire snotty people on purpose because this is such an "elite" dining experience? I probably won't be back. It was okay, and deserving of this three star review.
(3)Weich Y.
The scallop sashimi was good, the dashi that was poured at the table was flavoursome. Every time I come here, my friends request to get the pork buns. But they're just not that special in my opinion. There's not much flavour in the pork itself, so it really needs the hoisin sauce. Wonder why they give you siracha!
(4)Robert B.
I ordered one of their mixed drinks, it had a horrible aftertaste. They called us for our table so we closed our bar tab, then we had to stand around for 10 minutes because 1 out of four of our group was en route and they won't sit people unless everyone is present. So we stood there staring out the hostess until she arrived then they sat us down at the table that was empty the whole time. Glass of wine afterwards was good. We are ordered 3 entrees and 2 apps, 2 of the entrees were good and both of the apps. Would of been a decent meal if not for their attempt at customer throughput spoiling it all.
(3)Ajji C.
I'm a bit disappointed with the food here. The bao's aren't that great for what you're paying for. But the service is really good. They're very attentive. The portions are good if you're not that hungry but you can always order more after! Wish the food tasted better. I'll definitely come back again and try other dishes.
(3)Fredy Y.
I had travel far and away to sample the delicacies of NY and Momofuko was on the list. Frankly I can afford EMP or Per Se. So chef Chang is poor man's Masa. It was all and then some more the staff specially the cooks are effin' great. So it would seem at first come first serve but It helps if you know the servers. As it happened to us the hostess they gave away three seats to corporate stooges types that had come after us, Although we waited over an hour on a rainy cold day, The warm noodle bowls (the broth was richer than Ivana Trump) were not only nourishment for the body but to restart the soul after walking all day on the city pavement.
(4)Chloe R.
Main takeaway: Are you kidding me with the salt? I think there was some interesting and creative food buried beneath all the salt, but it was borderline sickening, especially the risotto. Service was well timed but standoffish
(3)Mike C.
good food pork belly was awesome
(4)Christianne F.
Crack pie is to Momofuku Milk Bar as pork buns are to Momofuku Ssam Bar. Addictive. That is all.
(5)Cat S.
This is my new favorite restaurants. Everything we had was just fantastic. Can't wait to return. The menu is made up entirely of small plates (although I noticed that for large groups there is the option to get what looks like a huge grilled duck). The pork belly buns are a must have, as everyone else stated. The hams are really really great, although you would not think of that as Japanese food (and it's not they are all local hams). 6 kinds, 3 smoked and 3 unsmoked. The only downside is you can only choose one. We tried the medium smoked one and served with what seemed to be a coffee flavored sauce, eating with chopsticks, it was the highlight of the night. Sardines on toast is a must as well. Drinks were equally creative and good as the food. It gets crowded so you will have to wait.
(5)Jen L.
Micheleda is a must and the pork bun. I just wish this place wasn't always so packed but I can't knock them for attracting the crowds.
(4)Paul A.
1600 reviews in the bag and David Chang's casual-cuisine mecca has a solid 4 stars. Well, I am here to say that apparently Yelp works pretty perfectly because that is exactly what this place deserves. Excellent and inventive food, solid service, and high cool factor, just nothing that will melt your face or make you jump up and start running around the room screaming because the thing you just ate was so good. I personally am not too crazy about the pork buns here but I do want to tip my hat to the very creative smoked salmon buns. The rice cakes and spicy pork sausage is a surprisingly excellent, if not a little overly oily and heavy dish. Definitely try this if you come here, it is kind of like fried gnocchi with a ragu sauce made of sausage. The lamb ssam is great here but the ssams all feel kinda like half-burritos and then I start thinking about Mission Cantina. But still, if you want a great lunch or a cool place to take a friend visiting the city obviously this or any of Chang's spots would not be a bad way to go.
(4)Christian S.
Yum yum yum. I came here more than ice during my stay in nyc this winter. Sat at the bar on both occasions and enjoyed some good beer, pork belly buns, and spicy pork and rice cake. The spicy pork was out of control! So so good. The staff was very friendly and I enjoyed the experience very much!
(4)Peter Y.
Having visited this joint probably over a dozen times, I can't help but feel that this is the quintessential David Chang experience, more so than Ko, Ma Peche, or even Noodle Bar. This place is no frills, hitting the sweet spot in price range with the flexibility to occasionally incorporate the higher end of the culinary spectrum (Dry Aged Niman Ranch Ribeye anyone?) without being shoehorned in with pomp and circumstance. It is, in the end, a great dining experience that is only enhanced by the unpretentiousness of it. This place is always busy at prime time. You do, however, get to leave your mobile number so you're freed from the normal shackles of staying within a 20 foot radius of the place. Put your name on the list and the maitre d will give you a quick text on her tablet of power. Note: She won't seat you unless your party is fully there, even if your dining partner is taking the unfortunately mistimed call outside. Service has always been good, but this is based on expectation. I'm not at an Eleven Madison or a Per Se so I don't expect my dishes to be cleared the second I'm done or for my water to be topped off constantly. However, if you ask, you shall receive and you shall receive promptly. The decibel level is high but not excessively so. By that I mean you will most likely still hear your fellow diners most of the time and the sound level won't literally hurt your ears. If you're a party of less than 3, you will invariably be seated at the counter where you will be treated to economy airline sized seating. It pays to not be a giant sometimes. The food, despite going through various iterations over the years, has essentially kept the same themes. Expect raw seafood options, japanese and french influences, and pickled everything. But let's be more specific: Fluke - Fresh, flavorful and light. Diver Scallops - An absolute must. Perfectly seared scallops in an incredible dashi. Pork buns - A momofuku staple. You can't go wrong here. Santa Barbara Uni - An average dish which doesn't quite work. The wasabi peas were overpowering. Quail - If you like black garlic, this dish is right up your alley. Quail can't help be but tender but can be unsatisfying given its size. Another strong example of momofuku's excellent use of pickling. Concord Grape Sorbet - One of the best desserts around. I would not expect the blend of black sesame, miso, and thail basil to work so well but they do. Oh, they do. Not everything works but most of the time they do. And sometimes you can get a dish here that's nothing short of revelatory (e.g. scallops, sorbet, etc.). Come here. Actually, you don't need to hear it from me. All your friends have already told you so.
(4)Jenny S.
ASIAN FUSION done right!! this experience definitely made up for my disappointment in Momofuku Milk Bar came at about 12pm on a Sunday and didn't have to wait for a seat, but it started to get more crowded by the time we left! ----STEAMED PORK BUNS: a must try, the best pork buns i've tried yet!! the pork is fatty BUT i didnt feel heavy after eating them & the meat was PACKED WITH FLAVOR! i love their yummy special red sauce (tastes like a fusion of sweet soy sauce & sriracha) ----pork w/ rice cakes: this spicy dish was basically deep fried korean dukbokki (rice cakes) mixed w/ ground pork.. it was really saucy & could have used some noodles, but i enjoyed the flavor & texture of the rice cakes! ---boneless duck wings: nice & crispy! Mmm but wasn't too sure about its pairing with the avocado sauce or pineapple slices.. liked the cashews though ---Bo ssam: must make an RSVPS online for limited time slots and you must have 6-10 ppl in your party for this one (the 8 of us couldn't even finish the meat!) you get fresh oysters on the half shell and a huge tender, fatty pork shoulder that you can wrap in butter lettuce with rice & kimchi! Bo ssam is a good family style lunch option but I'm not sure it was worth the price tag NOTE: their momofuku sauce is more sweet than anything, surprisingly sriracha (which you must ask for) is the spiciest sauce they carry
(4)Lauren W.
I am writing this review singularly because of the exceptional service I received here. I have a large number of food allergies and get very anxious before going to dinner. Before I go out to eat I always do two things: 1) Study the menu to figure out what dishes might be safest 2) Call ahead to let them know what you can't eat and ask any questions I sat down and was studying the cocktail menu. My server (FRANK! - THE BRITISH GINGER!) immediately asked me if I was the one with the food allergies and steered me away from the cocktail I wanted to order (which had an unlisted ingredient that I could not eat). SAVE NUMBER ONE! Then I attempted to order the grilled octopus, and my server saved me AGAIN - the potatoes are dusted with flour (and I can't have gluten). SAVE NUMBER TWO! For those of you who have a hard time eating out due to allergies/sensitivities - I urge you to always call ahead to let the restaurant know. It's just polite. But even when you do that, you aren't always going to get a responsible server or kitchen who cares. I was able to enjoy a lovely dinner with my friends at this restaurant and NOT get sick. We were a party of ten, and we all loved our server. My companions raved about their food, and my food was very good as well (Didn't knock my socks off, but it was very good). Cocktails were excellent, and there was a great wine/beer selection. The only complaint was about the seating, which was a little cramped. The benches were placed awkwardly so you had to straddle the bench and then swing a leg over to get seated. (Super awkward when you're cramped - 3 people have to get up to let one person exit or return to the table).
(4)Heather T.
While dining in Denver, a former waitress of Ssam Bar told us we needed to add this to our list of NYC restaurants. I didn't think we would be able to get in but she gave us the tip to show up when they open as they don't take reservations for parties of 2. Her advice paid off and we got in with no problem. My cousin later joined us and we were moved to a table from the bar. While we waited for my cousin the hubs and I ordered the BBQ pork bun and the bread with butter and whipped lardo. The bun was outstanding with just the right amount of crispy and fat combined with smoked mayo. My husband ordered the penicillin mixed drink and liked it so much he ended up ordering three of them by the end of the night. Once my cousin arrived we stepped up the ordering. She wanted to try the steamed buns as well as the BBQ buns. The steamed buns were good but we all voted for the BBQ buns as best buns of the night. The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes passed by our table and looked so good we decided we simply must try them. This is definitely a spicy dish but oh so, so tasty. The rice cakes are about the size of cut carrots and the same color but when you put it in your mouth you get a hit of chili, crispy exterior and chewy interior. Sublime. I would eat a whole bowl of just those rice cakes. The hubs ordered the quail which was perfectly juicy and tender with an incredible depth of flavor. The grilled pineapple was a nice compliment to the bird. Then we ordered the tilefish with curry sauce and mussels. While I was chatting with my cousin my husband surripticiously ate all the mussels. The fish was a little bit under done but otherwise had great flavor and more of those fantastica chewy rice cskes this time coated in curry sauce. For dessert we shared the lemon meringue pie. This was the best albeit most unusual version I've had. The lemon curd was layered with pistachio with hints of ameretto and a nice hit of salt. Wonderful!
(5)Andrew S.
My father and I had an AMAZING meal!! Every item is good, but DO NOT miss out on some thin sliced cured ham-they have many types (from cheaper side to pricey, but the spendy hams are SO GOOD)!
(5)Michelle M.
Came in after a movie. Was able to come in right when they opened for dinner. Just ordered a whole bunch of small plates. I am a big fan of David Chang but did not have a great experience at the noodle bar. This place was great though! Everything looked and tasted great!!! Ordered the pork buns, they were greasy and tender in that forbidden fruit kind of way. It was melt in your mouth, so good it should be wrong.
(5)Debra T.
There are truly no words to describe the experience of Momofuku Ssam Bar. I came here with 10 of my friends for the Bo Ssam Dinner - Whole Pork Butt, Dozen Oysters, Kimchi, Rice and Lettuce and it was pure ecstasy. Let's not forget theee BEST steamed buns I have ever put in my mouth. Pork Belly, Hoisin, Cucumbers & Scallions... Magical. Perfection. My Dream Realized.
(5)Meghan L.
This place was a little bit smaller than I expected. There were basically a lot of people smashed into a small, confined space. But the food was soooo good!! FOOD Spicy Pork Sausage w/Rice Cake $19 - Lots of rice cake, not enough sausage. There was no peppercorn as stated on menu (deceiving!). Very filling and the sauce awesome! Duck Wings $7 - There was pineapple glaze and peanuts... I don't really remember too much about this dish but that it was delicious and extremely flavorful! Heirloom Tomatoes w/Uni, Watermelon & Shiso $18 - Very small for the price. This is definitely a journey in your mouth! It's super flavorful and all the flavors compliment each other very well. You have to try eating a bit of everything at the same time to truly experience BLT $6 - Very yummy! Large bun, lots of meat, and the pork was very crispy :) SERVICE Our server was super friendly and was able to make awesome recommendations. Our water cups were never empty! AMBIENCE The way that the tables/seats are set up is interesting, but I think it's because the restaurant space is so small. The servers were squishing by each other and the customers to get around, which I don't think is very effective for maximizing service. OVERALL I would definitely come back!! I want to try lots of their other menu items the next time I'm in NYC.
(5)Heather N.
I had bo Saam and pork buns . The buns were tasty and use a little spicy sauce ! The pig shoulder is what is marinated and slow cooked to perfection for the Bo Saam . Serves about 10 ppl, We had 6 ppl and ate only like half . I didn't try the other items on the menu but will try it nxt time ! Definitely a fun experience with a group of friends !
(4)Aakash C.
Went here with my sister on a random Friday night. Had heard good things. The wait was about 45 mins so I went to the bar next door and got a beer. The seating is tight especially for 2 people on a bench in the middle of the restaurant. The booths seem more specious obviously. We ordered a bunch of different appetizers. They had an interesting beer List and I ordered some craft ginger based beer that was delicious. The turnover of food is amazing. We got daily oysters, steamed buns, tempura softshell crab and lamb chops and a noodle dish. The quality of food was outstanding. The only issues were that it was overpriced for the amount of food (which is understandable by NYC standards) and the spacing. Overall a good experience and will definitely go back again.
(4)Alice H.
My friends and I were visiting from the DC area because we heard it was good. It was definitely worth the trip. We only had the pork buns and they were so delicious. The only thing that I didn't like were the cucumbers. However that's because I don't like cucumbers so I still have the place 5 stars.
(5)Michelle M.
Every single dish we ordered was delicious and exceptional. The wait staff are nice and helpful. We even saw David Chang working in the kitchen during our meal. It was such a great experience!
(5)Wing C.
Momofuku has been on my to eat list for quite some time! Knowing they don't take reservation unless we r getting the pork or duck group dinner has deterred us from coming (there's always a crowd of people outside the restaurant and waiting is just no fun!) But after we found ourselves waking up pretty late one Sunday afternoon and learned that they now serve brunch, we thought we would push our luck and see if we missed the rush. We got there around 1:30 pm (actually not that late) and scored the last table by the open kitchen. As we were led to the table, we couldn't help but stared at the size of the pre-order duck/pork feast being devoured by the big groups. Since there are only the three of us, we decided it was best to just order a few dishes to share- Peaky toe crab, smoked salmon buns, duck bacon egg tacos, and duck over rice with a side of chive pancakes. My fiancé and his brother also ordered sparkling apple cider. At first they were a bit disappointed at how small each glass was but our servers later gave us two complimentary refills (not necessary because the service was amazing already, def bonus points!). The Peaky toe crab was similar to naruto roll with sprinkle of apple sorbet and cilantro over the top. It was light and refreshing but we felt that the dish itself was a bit overpriced (5 small pieces for $16). Pork belly buns are huge in Momofuku and many ramen/Japanese restaurants in the city - but I decided to give the smoked salmon bun a try (don't see these on menus everyday!) and ended up being my personal fav. They charred the exterior of the buns to give it a nice touch of crispness. Each bun was loaded with a generous serving of fatty salmon. The chopped egg and mayo added a nice creaminess to the crisp. The duck bacon tacos - for some reason I imagined them to be more eggy with sprinkles of bacon bits. Instead there were strips and strips of thick cut bacon. Each taco must had had 4 full strips. I don't eat bacon but my fiancé' and his brother seemed to really enjoy it. We were a bit underwhelmed by the duck over rice. We felt that we could easily find a place in Chinatown for the same or even better dish. It was good but unmemorable. The chive pancake was bit dry but much better than most greasy ones I've had at home and in the city. Overall solid food and service. Definitely happy to have tried one of the David Chang's restaurants before leaving the city. Would love to return for their dinner feast - time to make some friends!
(4)Helen C.
We just stopped by here for drinks. We ordered: HONEY CRISP KIMCHEE WITH BACON: this was surprisingly refreshing and good. (Forgot the name) SPICY RICE CAKES WITH SAUSAGE: this was actually way spicier than I thought. I loved it, but for those who really can't take spicy foods... This is not for you.
(3)Anthony S.
Pretentious as all hell! Walked in at 3:28. I guess they don't serve lunch beyond 3:30 and they told us: "the kitchen closes at 3:30. Sorry guys, come back at 5." Forget it! I will plan on eating elsewhere. It can't be that good.
(1)Matt S.
A new quality restaurant experience within NYC. I've heard quite a bit about the David Chang Momofuku restaurants and was quite excited about trying one of the restaurants once I knew I was going to be in NY. The experience lived up to the hype. Continuing my gin kick, I started off my meal with the seasonal cocktail, Juniper #3. A refreshing citrusy drink with only a slight sweetness. I started out the meal with the smoked liver mousse. I'm always hesitant with liver but this was a complex dish that incorporated sweet (currants) and savory (liver mousse) with differing textures. Overall the experience was quite enjoyable and flavorful. I then felt obligated to have the steamed buns. These were delicious. The pork belly was cooked well and had great flavor that was only but enhanced from the hoisin and scallions. The most underwhelming dish of the night was diver scallop tataki that i received by accident. The scallops were nice but the snap peas didn't add all that much. There was a point when I experienced the kick from the jalapeno and had wished that was able to be enjoyed throughout the dish instead of just once. I ended the meal with the grilled spanish octopus. The octopus was grilled to perfection and was great with the citrus elements that accompanied it on the plate. I would absolutely recommend and suggest a dining experience at Momofuku Ssam Bar to anyone who's yet to try it. The ambiance, food and drink were all superb.
(4)John O.
The lunch menu is tiny, the kimchi is no good and any seat close to the front door is freezing. Meh, I won't be back unless I can round up a group for the Bo Ssam. Seriously, put more things on the Mr. Chang.
(3)Victoria M.
I've had all the Momofuku sites bookmarked forever, so when a friend suggested this, we were in. The wait was quite long, as they do not seat incomplete parties, and our party was too large. We lost some people along the way, so that made it a bit easier in the end. The hostess was super nice and accommodating, trying her best to figure out a seating situation for us. We did end up next door at the cocktail bar for a while to wait (which was fine) and she came back to get us later. We only tried a few dishes: seafood hot pot - sambal, rice cakes, kohlrabi: my friend had this and thought it was quite good but I think she wanted some rice to soak up some of the broth. chawanmushi - chanterelles, asian pear, purslane: so delicious! The custard was smooth and creamy, a nice earthy saltiness with the mushrooms, and a surprise of slightly sweet and crunchy pears. spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - broccoli, sichuan peppercorn: I think this is what was ordered... if it was, it was great! Nice heat, chewy rice cakes. duck and duck eggrolls: I couldn't find this on the menu, but it was presented nicely. I was too full to try it but heard it wasn't quite as good as the other dishes. Drinks were tasty and well made. The open kitchen is always a welcome sight too.
(4)Sara M.
The staff was very polite and attentive. They said all the plates are for shearing but when the food came out I just didn't see how that was possible such as the seafood hotpot which is more of a stew. The food was delicious though. I am not a seafood fan so I had the pork buns and the steak which was amazing. My friends order the seafood hot pot, the buffalo buns, and the peekytoe crab, which they thought were delicious. I would recommend if you love seafood obviously, but if you are like me, and your friends really want to come here, there are other great delicious options.
(4)Kenny W.
Alright, Momofuku Ssam bar has been a hype for New Yorkers. When i think about overhyped place, the food might be tasteless, or not so exiciting. However, I was wrong. I enjoyed my recent dining experienced in ssam bar. Great atmosphere, friendly services, the food came out fast, tasty food. The food that we tried: Pork Bun : yesss.. everybody is saying the pork bun. The pork is succulent, good red sauce, just order it! charred octopus terrine : not bad, its accompanied by pickled vegetables, the octopus were very soft and tender. but a touch of spicy flavor will be good for me chawanmushi : not fan of it. Its egg custard, but the custard is to "sweet" and I feel like its to "milky" . But good combination with the picklish asian pear and hosimeji mushroom fried sweetbread ssam : i just ate the sweetbread. They cooked it perfectly. Not really paying attention with the green apple/ peanuts / lettuce cups. I think the sweetbread it self is the best. grilled flat iron steak : the steak is slightly tough, but it was perfect medium rare for us. Good combination of the pesto-ish sauce with the pork crackling. Recommendation to order : Porkbun, sweatbread, and ironsteak
(4)Rirry C.
I had been wanting to try Ssam Bar for years, finally came here for lunch the other day. Got the OG Ssam, it was pretty yums and super filling. The fried brussel sprouts with puffed rice was unique and tasty, the XO sauce was a bit overwhelming and salty though. The pork buns were good , lacked a little flavor though. The apple kimchi was def overpriced for what it was though, 2 strips of bacon on apple slivers with a few kimchi pieces. Would def come here again, but only for the OG Ssam. Will try the rice cakes next time. Everything was generally a tad overpriced for what it was though.
(3)Christine T.
Duck over rice is sooooooo good. The rice is good, the duck is one of the best or probably IS the best duck's yet in the city. It's very juicy and soft. We had the small bowl of duck over rice which is only served during lunch time. The spicy rice cakes are also really good, especially if you love starchy items. Small place so make sure to go in small parties or you'll have to wait awhile for a table. Don't forget about the Bao Buns! The pork belly is amazing, but everyone please please please try the Salmon Buns during brunch! It's literally the best bao i've ever had in my life. The salmon is sooooo smooth and tasty, works well with the egg and the bun has salted sesame seeds that gives it a good salty taste.
(5)Paul K.
Five stars for the steamed pork belly buns alone. Gets very busy and crowded...only came as a party of two and sat at the bar so we didn't wait, but I can imagine the wait for a larger party could get pretty lengthy. Definitely get the steamed pork buns. We also had the seared duck, which was really good, as well as the apple/bacon/arugula kimchi thing. That was just ok. Not a big fan of arugula with Korean food. Bacon was on point though. Finished it off with the spicy sausage and rice cakes dish. Love that they sear the rice cakes a bit so that the outside is crispy but the inside is still very gelatinous. I hear they have big dishes for bigger parties like whole duck or the pork shoulder (bo ssam) and I'd love to come back and try that. Check their website for availability for those things, though, cus I believe it's pretty limited.
(5)Amelia J.
Wowsa. We had brunch here. Large format duck ssam. This shit was da bomb. Juicy, well seasoned and the sauces were great. Smoked salmon bao were crispy and amazing. Apple kimchi isn't what we were expecting ... But in a good way. Bloody Mary was so delicious it was its own dish. Mint julep cake truffles were almost like shortbread and not very minty at all. Grape ice cream was a perfect end. Service friendly and efficient.
(5)Andrew R.
Extremely disappointing. Worst expensive meal I've ever had. I will never go to another of David Chang's restaurants. These are the thoughts that ran through my head both during and after the meal, and they still haunt me 5 days later. I wanted to love it. I have enjoyed listening to and learning from David Chang in his videos, lectures, etc. So it is with a sad heart that I write this review. For over $100 for 3 people, we were still hungry when we left. We wanted more food, but we wouldn't dare order anything else because of how underwhelming it was. So let's talk about the food. Pork buns - Good but nothing special at all. Many places do these as good or better and for much less. Don't bother. Chawanmushi - This was the best dish, and it was actually executed very well. I was impressed. But it turns out chawanmushi isn't that hard to make, and there was so little of it. Maybe 2 or 3 eggs went into it, not justifying the $14 price. Roasted quail - Are quails really the size of pigeons? Maybe it was pigeon (probably wasn't), but two no-meat wings and barely-any-meat thighs does not a $20+ dish make. The black garlic puree was the only semi-tasty part of this. Pathetic, honestly. Seafood hot pot - A friend got this, and you could tell that it was most likely the worst hot pot she has ever had in her entire life. Not a single good thing was said about it. Extremely disappointing. Worst expensive meal I've ever had. I will never go to another of David Chang's restaurants.
(2)John C.
Think the fame is catching up to Mr. Chang. I see all his great posts on FB and he is all over the media. Needless to say I was hoping this was going to be my NYC epic highlight!! Nope, it was the opposite. The Uni in the appetizer was drowned out by all the other flavors such as the roe and wasabi powder. Buffalo pork buns. They were pretty good. The scallop appetizer was pretty good too but very small portion (amount of scallop) for the price. We shared the Duck Special - duck wrap two ways. As in lettuce or the pancake. The duck by itself was pretty damn good! Overall a decent dish, this would have been the minimum Standard that I was expecting from this place. All in all I did not come here for "pretty good" if you know what I mean. My ass flew from CA to eat at your place and it was as big of a let down as my most recent experience at French Laundry.
(2)Nikki A.
I came here with a large group for the tasting menu! It was delicious. The menu came with: -striped bass sashimi -country ham -apple kimchi -pork buns -seasonal pickles -bo ssam -popcorn cake My favorites were the pork buns and the apple kimchi. The whole meal came to $78 a person, including tax and tip. I also got some great drinks, including one with chia seeds. All in all, it was a unique and tasty meal. I would recommend a visit. However, be aware that you need to make a deposit with the reservation for half the members of the party.
(4)Lisa M.
The pork buns are the best thing that's ever happened
(5)Cool H.
Really like the pork buns, the rest of the food is ok. But the seating is so cramped it's uncomfortable to be here.
(4)Jon S.
Ten years in, it can seem a bit pointless to a review a place like the Ssäm Bar. Yes - it's tasty, but pretty much everyone east of the Mississippi knows this. After a recent business lunch, I was able to come with a just a couple thoughts beyond the fact it's recommended. First, the price points continue to amaze. This remains an excellent value considering the reputation and small size of the restaurants. The ssams, including the classic pork shoulder, remain well under $20. The kimchi is a healthy portion for just a few dollars. In general I've spent far more to get far less at less famous establishments in midtown. Even with the quest to keep changing the menu, it's still not fussy. One might of think that common dishes might have been exhausted over time, leading the successive chefs des cuisine to either keep the menu in amber or try for more or more outré experiments. Wrong. A dish like the Arnold Palmer scoop manages to be different while still just conveying the combination of lemonade and ice tea. (Someone should probably tell this to the people who create the soft serve at the Milk Bar, where things have recently gotten just a bit too bizarre.) A couple years after its introduction, the duck remains a revelation. Usually only appearing in either a confit or a full bird presentation, the slices in the large-format dinner or the rice bowl are clearly inspired by Hong Kong meat shops without being slavish devoted to the technique. There's no char siu place downtown that will give you the complexity of the skin that the mixture here provides. It's also quite low on the fat content, which means that the texture of the glaze matters more than ever. So, sunrise, sunset. The Ssam Bar remains excellent and worth a visit or five.
(5)Matthew H.
THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE RIB EYE DINNER ONLY I emailed about the rib-eye dinner a little late in the game, probably about 2 weeks before we wanted to go and luckily Ssam had a cancellation and they were able to accommodate us. For those that aren't familiar with the process you go to Momofuku's website and pick your preferred day and time and shoot them an e-mail. If they have a time-slot available they will send you a contract to sign and you will have to have 1/2 of the cost of the meal upfront. That deposit is not refundable so don't make the reservation lightly. We arrived at Ssam a little early and they were able to seat us almost immediately. 2 people were running late and Ssam had no issues with seating the 3 of us that were there. We started off with some drinks and also an order of pork buns because 1 person had never done a Momofuku restaurant before and if there is 1 thing that you must order it's the buns. They were pork belly and amazing of course and I wouldn't expect anything less. We also ordered a dozen and a half oysters and of course they were good. The rib eye dinner comes with a giant Rib-Eye (a 107 cut so it still has the fat cap), a big ol' Caesar Salad, and some of the best Steak Fries I have had in a long time. There are a ton of fixin's that come with it like bernaise sauce, rosemary jus, and bacon ketchup to name a few. Everything was awesome, we ordered the steak medium rare and the outer cuts were about medium which was perfect because a few in our group like their steak a little more well done. Long story short we polished the whole thing off and there were 5 of us, I think that's probably the perfect number of people for this dinner. Everything was fantastic and it was a good deal and a good reason to get a bunch of people together. We will definitely be back to order a bunch of stuff off the regular menu.
(5)Leily P.
First of all there are two places with this address - we inadvertently went to the first one we saw (not the real Momofuku on the CORNER). Food was pretty good but a little overpriced for Korean food. Although it's Korean "fusion". The rice cakes were chopped up and fried in bite sized pieces - decently spicy (our waiter warned that it was VERY spicy but I think he meant white person spicy b/c it was NOT that spicy). The bo ssam was delicious - a whole fish. The pork buns were good as well. Like I said, good but not amazing.
(3)Dani M.
Sorry, j meant to type up a review for another place and don't know how to delete this
(5)Miranda W.
Good steamed pork buns, roasted duck. Rice cakes with sausage was spicy, steak was average; pepper shortcake was weird but interesting. Drinks were distinguishably sweeter. Short waiting, attentive service, modern decor, overall pleasant experience and I'd like to come back again.
(4)Brandon M.
Always so fucking on-point. You can eat here and be satisfied for $20 or $100. Stellar service. Great wine list. Menu is constantly changing but they keep the good stuff on there. If you've never been, you obviously need to get pork buns and the rice cakes and Chinese sausage...but you can't go wrong with the more overtly French-influenced dishes or a big piece of meat. (I'm looking at you, ribeye for three.) Just stay away from the pork shoulder. It sucks. For those of you complaining it's "uncomfortable", "cramped" or "loud": Stay out of the East-fucking-Village.
(5)Ivan S.
We tried to order a side of rice along with other appetizers and entrees, but they just wouldn't sell it to us. At first the server even lied and said they don't have rice, but then we pointed to the table next to ours which had piles of it, to which she answered that the rice only comes with the steak dinner, which is $175 today. Apparently, they don't have any rice to spare for other customers. Anyway, we tried all kinds of buns, sweetbreads, and the duck entre, and weren't impressed with any of it. Plus we were crammed with another couple at the same table who ordered some kind of kimchi appetizer that stunk to high heaven. The wait was 1.5 hours, and everything was overpriced. Overall, it's a bad value. Stick with the milk, Momofuku!
(2)Mike L.
As I compiled my list of NY restaurants to try, Momofuku Ssam Bar was one of the first to come to mind. Not only have I long been curious about David Chang's cooking, but nearly everyone I know has had a great experience. And then, of course, there's the famed pork belly buns! Since there was only three of us, I had to resign myself to the fact that the Bo Ssam and Duck Ssam dishes were probably going to be a bit much. It sucked too because they were both dishes I wanted to try. Not that being able to split five dishes amongst us was a terrible consolation... -- ARCTIC CHAR TATAKI with Peach, Pine Nut, and Lovage...$15 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) Considering the rest of our meal, I really like how light this dish was. The fish was both tasty and fresh and the pine nuts added some crunch. However, the peaches didn't do anything for me other than to add some body. -- STEAMED BUNS (Two Orders) - Pork Belly, Hoisin, Cucumber, Scallion...$10 each ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) The star of the night. What it lacked in creativity (it's a pork belly version of Peking Duck) was made up for in flavor. The cuts were not only large but balanced in fattiness and meat. Each bite was just full of delicious, savory goodness. -- FINCHVILLE FARMS HAM (Finchville, KY) with a Coffee Mayo...$11 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) What's not to like about a huge plate of slightly salty ham? The coffee mayo was fine but unnecessary except with the bread. My only quibble was that I wish we had picked a slightly smokier ham (this one was the lightest). -- TEMPURA SOFT SHELL CRAB with Caesar, Baby Romaine, Lemon Confit...$16 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) Despite how much I like soft shell crab, this was a miss all around. While the crab tasted okay, the batter was soft and soggy and the lettuce was very overdressed. I like the idea though; just needs some tweaking. -- BEV EGGLESTON'S PORK SHOULDER STEAK with Eggplant Puree, Rye XO, and Cantaloupe...$25 ( yelp.com/biz_photos/momo… ) The eggplant puree didn't add a ton for me, but the pork shoulder didn't need the help. The shoulder was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Given their popularity and how they don't take reservations, getting early would be recommended. We walked in around 6:30 on a Thursday night and got seated immediately. Pretty early perhaps by NY standards, but not bad by SF standards. By the time we left, there was a decent wait going for a table. Between the food and service (our server was really helpful), Momofuku Ssam Bar certainly lived up to the hype and my expectations. FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down only because of the Crab Tempura dish. Still a great meal though and I'll certainly be back. And hopefully with a larger group to tackle the Bo Ssam!
(4)Andy H.
Had the steamed buns with pork belly hoisin cucumber and scallion which was the perfect way to start off the meal, I easily could have eaten 3 to 4 more. My date and I split the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes, another GREAT meal and I would have loved to eaten more, but the word "spicy" does not do this meal justice! It was scorching hot! Despite this and not really having a pallet or stomach for extremely spicy foods I did enjoy this meal. Drinks were expensive and very strong but our waitress did a good job pairing up our drinks with our meal
(4)Beau S.
I know David Chang hates Yelp and I will do this review via his standards without factoring service and physical restaurant. which were good but not great. I ordered the Steamed Buns, Benton's ham with red eye gravy, and fingerling fried potatoes. along with the Ssangria The Benton's ham and red eye gravy are super southern but so good. Salty fatty ham with a rich coffee gravy dip. This is a very large portion and I could not finish. The fried potatoes with crab mayo was very good and more complex than expected. I could eat those all day. But, I really came for the Pork buns and wow!! Thick pork belly, steamed bum, hoison and saracha mmm you get 2 and want way more. The only miss was the Ssangria which was served in a wine glass with ice half filled which only probably get you 3 oz and it was not that good. It tasted like a cinnamon cider. Yes I want to come back and eat more. get here early or come for lunch.
(4)Danielle S.
Took a friend here who is a big David Chang fan. The food was all great. We shared our entire meal and a bottle of wine. Oysters, fluke, pork buns, and scallops. We got there after the rush so it was not crowded and a nice atmosphere. The only thing that was a little lacking was the service. The staff was nice but we felt ignored for most of the night. Getting our order in took forever and we wanted dessert but our sever never came back so we finally decided to just get the check. Once we finally were able to ask for just the check it took 20mins to get there. I would go back for the food but it just sucked that the service was so slow. I could understand if it was busy but it was well after there busiest hours.
(4)Amy Z.
The Bo Ssam dinner will surely keep you and your nine friends satisfied. Be aware that the staff here are pretty strict about reservations and limiting the number of people. The pork shoulder was well prepared, as expected with Momofuku's reputation. There were plenty of sauces, lettuce, rice, and even oysters. Though we did run out of kimchi very quickly. The pork goes well with a bit of rice and kimchi dipped in the hot red pepper paste or by itself.
(4)Simon K.
Thoroughly disappointed. Would it be fair to leave the review at just those two words? After the price I paid for a mediocre meal, I should be able to do whatever I want. Well, let's start from the top. Uni - The dish consists of uni, roe, tofu, and wasabi peas. Well, the uni, roe, and tofu are all basically the same texture (if you don't know, basically imagine butter in your mouth). So the wasabi peas give it the crunch it needs, right? Well, yes but it also makes the dish inedible. The peas are too spicy and ruin the taste. Very, very disappointed. Pork Buns - It's probably because I had just had Ippudo and Totto's pork buns but these did not compare. Not only that, I'm pretty sure these cost the most per bun of the three locations. Not worth it. Rice Cakes and Sausage - For those who know Korean food, it's basically ddukbokki with small pieces of sausage. HOWEVER, there is some really earthy, bitter aftertaste after each bite. I couldn't figure out which ingredient it was but it ruined the entire dish for me. Mackerel - I don't think you can mess up mackerel but this was one of the best mackerel dishes I've ever had. Inside it was soft, outside it was crispy with just the right amount of sauce. 1/4 dishes basically earns this a 2 star review. The service was standard but not extraordinary. The price, as I mentioned before, was ridiculously high. I must say, I will most likely never be coming here or any other David Chang location again.
(2)Parris B.
Came here on a Monday at 7pm & Sat at the bar with a friend. By 730 the place was lively and you couldn't get a table. The ambience was cool and it's great for work or social groups at the sit down tables. Had the juniper#3 and a glass of the bow and arrow Pinot (which is a young fruity and easy drinking red). Tried both variations of the pork buns for starters. Both of which were absolutely superb And are a must have! Mains were a dozen oysters which were nothing special but half decent enough. And the sausage and rice cakes, which were fresh and light. Bill was something like $115 so I would say the value was average. Service was good. In the absence of doing half stars, I felt kind and went for a 4 rather than a 3.
(4)Justin L.
So Much pig. Bring seven Friends and skip a Meal. Good service and take reservations.
(4)Yelp D.
I ate here last year and I was thinking about jesus and he came to me and he was all like "go rate momo-fuku on yelp". So this place is really good and that really is alot coming from a doge. The pork buns made me cry in a good way and had felt like my doge life was changed forever. In the 14 years that I will live I will always remember this restaurant and give it doge praise in the doge community. ~Yelp Doge~
(5)Jon Z.
I know this sort of food. Very well. And Ssam Bar does it REALLY REALLY WELL. Pork bun & BLT bun - simply out of this world. Steaming fresh buns, perfectly rich meat. Seasonal pickles - sounds so strange to say this about a plate of random Korean style pickled veg, but their produce is obviously superior. Flavours really popped. Spicy pork sausage rice cakes - I could eat this till my stomach exploded. Service was efficient and very friendly. You leave your name, go next door to their adjoining bar for a drink and receive a text when your table is ready. Incredible - a super popular joint where the hipsters HAVEN'T let the fame go to their head, and actually have a great seating process in place. EAT HERE. (then hit Milk Bar across the road for a cereal milk treat)
(5)Anh H.
When I say "divey," I mean to say that the personalities here are as down to earth as a pack of potheads getting lit on Indian Rock. The hostess, the bar tenders were just so freaking accommodating, they checked our bags, and get amazing recommendations. When I say "magnifique," I mean to say that the food was what astronauts dream of. It was literally out of this world, but not freeze-dried, of course. And by using French, it's a little bourgeois, but you're in Manhattan. The prices. Yeah, that'll wreck your wallet; no Medicad, food stamps, or cashing social security checks up in this place. I was treated to this heavenly meal by a dear, dear friend. What a way to celebrate graduation; way better than the actual graduation. The Penicillin is medicine for the liver, mind, and inner child. (Before you med types rip me on the indications for penicillin, just stop your judging and finish this paragraph first.) It smells of the hospital, seriously. It tastes like fruit juice. And you'll be buzzing and laughing up good times in no time as the strength of this Rx gets to therapeutic levels so quickly, you'd think it was an IV bolus. The Applejack Manhattan. Yeah, that was kinda lame. Imagine a college student pouring himself a drink, in a nice glass, and throwing an old orange peel in there. For real.
(5)Jenny S.
Food was okay, but I was expecting much more (in taste and portions), especially for the price. I was really excited to try one of the Momofuku restaurants and it was the one "nicer restaurant" that I had chosen for a recent weekend trip to nyc. I got to try the pork buns, chawanmushi, and quail dish. I would recommend the first two, but not the quail - it was pretty tasteless. I'm not going to say that no one should ever go here, but based on my experience, I probably won't return. No hard feelings or anything, just unimpressed.
(3)Anna M.
We went here on my birthday after stumbling upon it, looking for a Thai place. Our server was very nice. I did not get his name but I know he was wearing a superhero shirt! The food was good. I am not a big fan of duck, but it was great nonetheless. THE MINT JULEP TRUFFLES ARE TO DIE FOR! Overall, I will be back!
(4)Elizabeth S.
This place has always been a go to place for my boyfriend and I. The pork buns were delicious (as usual). However, we were extremely disappointed tonight. The wine bottle that we ordered tonight was shown to us, then taken away and "secretly" poured into a decanter. It was a Cab franc, but was so chilled it had no flavor. Additionally, the food was terrible tonight. The chicken dish was so incredibly salty and fatty that it was a struggle to choke it down. The grilled flat iron steak was basic and overly garlicky. Overall quite disappointed with the experience tonight.
(2)Lu H.
Came here on a sunday just right after they opened. It was reasonably easy and service was nice and helpful. The overall experience was OK, not worthy of the overall hype based on my lunch experience. We tried the steamed pork buns, the fried duck dumplings, the o.g. momofoku ssam, and the duck over rice. The pork buns were a standout, the duck dumplings were underwhelming (the fried aspect overpowered any resemblence of duck and tasted like a ball of fried batter), the o.g. momofoku ssam was way too overpowering (extremely sweet, messy, and not very creative) and the duck over rice was just that. It would be a place I would try again only if someone pushed me hard and I would get different items (would get the pork buns again though).
(3)Minnie M.
I've never been a huge Momofuku fan especially the long waits, but I decided to log into the reservation site at 10 am a month prior to to book a table for the Bo Ssam to be shared amongst 10 hungry bellies. We sat at the long table with our appetites raging. As soon as the large platter of slow cooked pork shoulder appeared, with perfectly crispy, caramelized crust on the exterior, along with two bowls of rice and lettuce wraps, side condiments of ginger scallion, pureed kimchi, whole kimchi, sriracha sauce, all of us began ripping apart the meat like hyenas. Everyone who had come before said there were plenty of leftovers after their previous visits, but to our surprise, the 4 guys and 6 girls in our party demolished everything. The meat was really tender and the crust was the best part. Apparently extra lettuce wraps cost $1 more so watch your extras. Bo ssam goes for $225, with 10 the max number of people you can have in your party. Our final bill came out to about $30 per person including drinks, tip, and tax. Service was prompt and friendly. David Chang ended sitting next to our table which was an added Momofuku experience.
(4)Wilson C.
I only know about the brunch but it was great. Got the sausage and rice cake...thing, and it was delicious. Also tried the duck and waffles, pork buns (obviously). Good, very unusual bloody mary too, which isn't surprising since connected is the always awesome Booker and Dax. Definitely want to come back and try the "large format" meals.
(5)Diana T.
There may be a lot of hype surrounding this place, but it was sadly a let down. I did not come here for ssam, but for the a la carte menu. My friends and I started with the steamed pork buns. Firstly, there were three of us total and when we ordered the dish, we didn't realize there would just be two of them. Would have been nice if they asked if we wanted one more for an extra fee. The pork was tender but, nothing particularly special- I feel somehow that I can find a pork bun that is on par with the ones here for cheaper. The honeycrisp apple kimchi was tasty- the apples were juicy and went pretty well with the bacon, labne, and the spice. Spicy pork sausage and rice cakes: chopped up pork sausage and rice cakes tossed in sriracha sauce- nothing particularly amazing Roast jurgielewicz duck: the few slices of duck on the plate were pretty decent but the cranberries and barley did not add anything to the dish. Sadly not worth a second trip.
(2)Linh V.
With an army of 10, we marched in to Ssam bar ready to conquer the roasted pork feast (bo ssam) that was to come. But first, drinks. My favorite was the Seven Spice Sour, which had a nice kick to it. I stayed with that drink throughout the night. We started off with pork buns, because duh! The pork buns were good but not like I'd die for them. Definitely better than the fake ones I had at the Milk Bar. We also ordered the Santa Barbara Uni and that's when I found out that I don't enjoy uni paired with raspberry. So I tried washing my mouth out with the oysters that came with our bo ssam meal - I know, right? Oysters and pork? Weirdest combo ever. But I can't complain because I freakin love oysters. After the oysters were done, the main course arrived. We all attacked like our lives counted on it but really, that pork was enough to feed 15 people. I usually hate pork because it's dry and tasteless. Complete opposite experience here. The pork was so tender and flavorful I wouldn't mind eating it for the rest of my life. We all kept eating until our buttons dropped to the floor and even then, there was still about a quarter of the dish left. Next time I visit NY, I'm definitely coming back even if that means I have to pull 7 random people off the street to eat with me.
(5)Jessica M.
Good, not life-changing. Granted, this was for lunch. Had pork buns, duck dumplings, and broccoli salad.
(4)Dot C.
Our party luckily didn't have to wait too long for lunch on a weekday. Delicious asian fusion food! We ordered the pork belly buns, ham plate, kimchi deviled eggs and a pork belly wrap. Food came out quickly. All delectable and worth a try! Waiter was attentive and friendly. We were seated on a long backless wooden bench, sort of uncomfortable but definitely goes with the cool decor of the place.
(4)Emily G.
I went here for dinner with two friends a few months ago. This place is a case of "The Emperor's New Clothes, IMO. Let me explain: Atmosphere - It's INSANELY noisy and crowded with communal tables. People are practically sitting on top of one another. Good luck trying to get up from your table to go to the rest rooms. After the third time someone squeezed past me, I was thoroughly annoyed at the set up of this place, and couldn't wait to leave. I don't know how the wait staff can stay sane here Food - The ramen was extremely overpriced at $17 bucks for a small bowl. The pork belly buns (although pretty meager, they were delish) and the wine were the best part of the meal, by far! We all left hungry and annoyed that we spent $150 bucks on such a small amount of food and an ambiance as busy as Grand Central Station during rush hour. My advice? There are much better places in East Village to eat. Stay away!
(2)Mich L.
So like every other place in NY, I thought this place was overhyped but when I got to experience the Bo Ssam myself, boy, was I wrong! They only offer it at certain times on certain days so you definitely need to make a reservation in advanced! $225 for your entire party, excludes tax and tip! You get pork shoulder, a dozen oysters (which we had to order more of), two bowls of white rice, bibb lettuce, ssam sauce, kimchi and ginger scallion sauce! akslfjlsdakjfalskfdjaslkj that pork shoulder that is cured overnight and slow roasted for 6-8 hours is absolutely delicious. looking to have a nice meal with a group of friends - this is your place!!
(4)Sara W.
I always walk by this place and it always has a massive line. A bit discouraging as they don't take reservations, but after a comedy show on a Friday night, I came here at 11:30 (the show ran a little late...) and there were plenty of seats! I tend to turn any dining experience into tapas style (I love sampling/sharing), so my friend and I ordered a few dishes. First let's start with the buns. My favorite dish by far was the buffalo pork buns! I actually was hesitant to get this as I didn't want a bunch of Franks Red Hot and blue cheese dumped on a bun--definitely was not the case! The pork was fried to perfection with a creamy, spicy sauce (buffalo/Asian) and a nice crunchy slaw on top. So good! I also got the classic pork belly buns which pretty much tasted like Peking duck (it had a little too much fat for my preference). The jar of kimchi is a bit of a sauce/spice overload, I probably wouldn't get this again as it's hard to eat more than a few bites, but it was tasty. The beet salad was incredible. The miso dressing provided a nice salty, umami kick and the duck prosciutto was very flavorful and kind of smoky. I would recommend this as it's a nice change of pace from your typical goat cheese/vinaigrette beet salad. As far as entrees go, we split the duck and it was cooked to perfection! Most of the time duck seems to come with a heavy sauce and is very oily, but this duck was dressed in a sweet, light sauce and the barley was the perfect compliment to soak up the juicy. It's not too heavy but will fill you up. I can't wait to come back here--I'll just have to nap to get the late seating!
(4)Mandy L.
Really good place. I liked it how we sits in a bar-like area. Every dish is decorated nicely and delicious at the same time. I love their duck, and pork buns. They are amazing. Little peach on the door~
(5)Tim P.
Came here yesterday because I kept hearing about how great this place is. The restaurant is nicely decor 1) got the pork belly steamed bun. It was good not that special 2) sardines. It was different 3) Moose liver. That was good and different 4) Uni with Tofu. The uni was great. Mixing uni with tofu was not good for me It was a great experience to come here and try the food. I wouldn't come back since the food was not that great for my taste and not worth the price.
(3)Jonathan R.
Came with 2 coworkers we shared 11 plates Every plate was really good The steam buns with pork belly, sardines on toast and garlic roasted quail were my favorite
(5)Dominique S.
We heard about the Samm Bar from a foodie friend David Chang food at affordable prices. Enjoyed it so much we went twice and actually got in both times without a wait, not sure how we got so lucky. We tried the Washburn Island oysters, sweet, salty and delicious. We followed this with both the steamed buns and buffalo pork buns as we couldn' choose one over the other. The pork was melt in your mouth. Enjoyed the taste contrast of the blue cheese and hot sause. And finished with the lovely honeycrisp apple kimchi, a truly unique flavor. On our 2nd visit only a day later we again had the Buffalo pork buns and tried the fried Brussels sprouts. Again a great play of contrasting flavors.
(4)Elliot C.
Food heaven. My go to place in NYC.
(5)Jen K.
Meh. I liked the noodle bar better. Diver scallop - it was ok. Steamed buns - there's a reason they serve it in all of the entities in the Momofuku Empire (even MilkBar). The pork belly is yum yum Country Ham - it was just too much ham. It's a giant 20" platter of thinly sliced ham, some red eye mayo and 2 slices of bread. We had to ask for more bread because a person can only eat so much ham alone. Seating was confusing at first - they had me walk around the looooong family style table to face my dinner companion. We went on a Monday night at around 5pm so there was no wait and we were quite pleased. I wish they served the whole roasted duck to smaller parties. It looked and smelled awesome (was saw it on the spit next door at Booker & Dax) but alas, there was only 2 of us and no way just the two of us could finish that whole duck. I found food more to my liking at noodle bar
(3)André D.
Ate here last night, the food was tasty but still felt underwhelming. Especially at the price point, I've gotten better food but it was a nice experience. There were two unisex bathrooms, rather small. There was no graffiti and it was acceptably clean. No paper towels, just the turbo hand dryers. The privacy of unisex bathrooms was nice. Decor was okay. Three stars: bathroom is acceptable but nothing special.
(3)Mike C.
Can't stop eating Large Format Meals. TWO days after gorging on the Chicken/Lamb and Rice meal at Ma Peche with 9 friends, I came to Ssam Bar for the large format Whole Rotisserie Duck meal with 2 of them since we loved the chicken and lamb so much. We eagerly checked the reservations on Monday morning, and were disappointed to see that the only spot for dinner for the next few weeks was the following night at 10 PM, so we had no choice but to take it. This was way later than I like eating dinner as I would prefer the early bird special so I have enough time to digest the 7 pounds of duck I'm consuming, but I wanted to try it so badly that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. We arrived at right about 10 and the dark, trendy, loud place was pretty packed as usual. Even though there were only 3 of us, we were seated at a huge table to accommodate all of the food. As usual with the large format meals, I ignore the advice the waiter gives us that it is a ton of food and ordered some additional stuff to start. We all got the BBQ Buns ($6 each), which are amazing and even better than the Pork Buns. Not only are they tastier, but they are huge - you never really see such big bao anywhere. We also tried the Beef Tongue Sandwich ($13), which was great as well. It comes on very crispy bread with an abundance of delicious mayo and a generous amount of tongue. Already pretty satisfied, it was time for the $140 Whole Rotisserie Duck meal. They bring out a massive platter of mostly duck breast, stuffed with duck and pork sausage, along with some duck leg confit. It's all on a bed of a ton of really good rice, with some greens and some chive pancakes, which were boiling hot and really really good. There is also a bowl of bibb lettuce for making wraps, along with several dipping sauces (hoisin, chili paste, garlic and duck fat). As if that weren't enough, you also get to pick two sides - you can choose from the Seasonal Pickles, Bread & Butter, Glazed Sweet Corn, or two more off-menu items, which we chose, a cold Broccoli Salad with Bluefish Vinaigrette and Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoes. This feast is supposed to feed 3-6 people. Unless you have 3 people that can eat endlessly like me, you should probably come with 4 or 5, as the 3 of us made a decent dent, but still had a pretty good amount of food left over. Full to the point of shortness of breath, we still went ahead and ordered both desserts available on the menu: the Lemon Meringue Pie ($9) and the Black Pepper Shortcake ($10). These were typical Momofuku desserts: beautifully plated with very unusual and different flavors. Strange, but still delicious. I saw two sights that night I thought I would never see - me not finishing a meal of excellent duck and rice, and Ssam Bar completely empty: we closed the place out and were the last to leave at about midnight. This was my third time here. The amazing food on the changing menu and the perfect service will keep me coming back as long as my health can handle all that duck fat.
(5)Dennis Y.
It's hard to live up to the hype and this place definitely does its best. We ordered most of the small dishes on the menu and have to admit that most of was very good. Nothing spectacular but that's not what this place is about so that's fine. It's a great place to taste what a successful marriage of Asian flavors with western techniques can be like. Love the atmosphere and the service was spot on.
(4)Ashley F.
Had their steamed buns and rotisserie duck over rice for lunch, food was great but service was not, our server only came over to our table twice, 1st time was to take our orders, the 2nd time was to take away our empty plates and give us our check (if you considered this as 3rd times). She NEVER check on us during our meals. Maybe I should check out their other restaurant Momofuku Noodle Bar and praying for a better service over there.
(2)Nina L.
Momofuku restaurants may be some of the most reviewed spots on Yelp. Although you may not want to believe so, it's for good reason. I've now had my fair share of meals at Momofuku, and although I had one slightly disappointing experience, it was heavily outweighed by the marvelous ones. First I came here with my partner and we ordered the standard buns, a noodle small plate, and the rice cakes. The buns were out of control delicious, as they typically are, but the rice cakes were so hot they were nearly impossible to enjoy. My next experience was with a large group ordering a nice selection of entrees and small plates from the menu. The pork buns came out too cold, as was my pork loin dish. The rice cakes, which I tasted again were far less hot and really quite tasty. Having spent a good penny on this meal, I left disappointed due to food temps. The last time I patronized Momofuku was a gift from God. A friend of mine was returning to medical school from summer vacation and his parents treated himself and his friends (me, oh my yes), to a ssam dinner. This was by far one of the best meals I've ever eaten; the best pork I've ever consumed hooves down. You really cannot beat sampling from this large, large piece of pork. We were a party of six that came starving, gauged ourselves, and left stuffed. I have never packed my stomach to it's brim quite like this before...then I stupidly had some cereal milk at Milk Bar and took the bus home. The feeling of intense regret that overtook my body as soon as I hit my couch was unreal and let me tell you...it was worth it. Overall, my opinions on dining at Ssam Bar is to come for the ssam dinner--all of their other dishes are secondary! If you are hankering for a pork bun, stop in and eat at the bar and be on your way...the wait time for the regular dinner service may leave you disappointed. Oink?
(4)Ted C.
It's pretty good and now that I've been there I think I'm okay with it, food-wise. A friend was visiting from out of town and suggested we meet up here for dinner. We got seated pretty quickly and started off with their seasonal drink the reverend palmer. A spiked up version of an Arnold Palmer. While my buddy got the Classic. As much as I love iced tea/lemonade combos the good Reverend was a little flat. The Classic though was surprisingly good, even though I really don't like clear liquors. We started with the honeycrisp apple kimchi which was just...okay. There wasn't a lot of that tart flavor of the apple or a lot of spice from the red pepper paste. A pretty mild, disappointing start. We got the pork buns-the classic steamed one, probably the best one I've had in New York, since the pork was a larger piece than the other places I've been too. Good flavor, but nothing amazing. The pork jowl terrine-their take on surf and turf was also a disappointment. Aside from the anchovies that are alongside the pork jowl it was just weird, chewy and that's about it. We got the scallops which were were really good. The avocado smear was a good added texture to the lean scallops, pretty tasty. The pork shoulder steak we got was all right. I thought it would be super tasty but it was pretty forgettable. The last part we got was a the rice cake with sausage which was really tasty. We got the additional dish since both of us were left kind of wanting. Tasty, but as we talked about it, it seemed like something we both would have cooked up in college when we were broke and had nothing but rice cake and cheap sausage. A little uneven and for the price I think it's not really worth it foodwise. The drinks though are good. I also had a scotch based cocktail and it was good. I think I'd go to the bar, but I'll go eat somewhere else.
(3)Ben L.
I have much respect for the Changster, Chef David Chang has built a very successful restaurant empire and I am very happy with Ssam Bar and Noodle Bar. I have been here twice, both for the Bo Ssam. Try to get the earlier reservation, the one I got around 11am was incredible, perfectly juicy and succulent. The second one I got around 1-2pm was still good but not mind blowing like the first time, guess it just sat in the oven and overcooked. The order says for 6-10 ppl, I went with 6 and there was so much left over, I say at least 8-10 is recommended. They do the Bo Ssam on some online reservation system, not sure how it works because I didn't do the res but you have to reserve for Bo Ssam. The food: Bo Ssam- I guess Koreans would probably scoff at this version of Bo Ssam over the price and the choice of pork itself, but lucky for me, I am not Korean. It's a big hunk of pork butt, a dozen oysters, rice, lettuce and 4 condiments of ginger scallion, kimchi, pureed kimchi and Doejang(fermented bean paste). The first time I had it, it was easily the single best pork experience of my life. The pork was juicy, unctuous and perfect. The outside is crisp, the inside is juicy and the fat wasn't overbearing. yelp.com/user_local_phot… yelp.com/user_local_phot… yelp.com/user_local_phot… Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes- This dish came out great. The rice cakes are slightly crunchy and chewy, there is a kick from the peppercorn. The dish looks amazing and it would seem like the perfect hangover food. I am mean come on, rice cake, sausage and spicy oil... yelp.com/user_local_phot… Steamed Bun- yes it's amazing, steamed peking duck bun with cucumber, hoisin and pork belly. Yes, just get it and you will be happy. yelp.com/user_local_phot… Bread & butter- I know Chang is a big bread and butter person, so this dish speaks directly from him. I thought this was good but nothing fantastic. It's bread with sea salt butter and whipped lardo cream. yelp.com/user_local_phot…
(4)Cris S.
Came here with high expectations because of the 4 stars review here on yelp, but sadly was disappointed... The pork buns were too fatty. I've had better ones. We asked if they have hot tea (to wash it down) but they only offer cold drinks. My friend had to stop by at a deli to get hot tea right away after we left. I ordered the fish buns, it was just ok. The pork chops with blue cheese were pretty good. Service was good. But the menu is very limited. Don't think I will come back again.
(2)Soo Jin K.
Momofuku is as NYC as it gets. It's one of those places, you gather a bunch of your friends and family, and decide, "we gonna get our grab on!" Yessir! The menu is quite simple. You order the roasted pig, dassit. It comes with rice, assorted veggies, dipping sauces (all korean), and you begin your eating feast by taking a piece of lettuce, then pile some rice, a piece of the most delicious pork, some kimchee, and a huge dab of the hot dipping sauce. Open your mouth really wide and eat. It's so good! And for the price, I believe it's like $160 or so for the roasted pig, share that among 8 friends, it's one heck of a deal.
(5)Sue C.
This review is for the Duck Ssam - and it is amazing!!! We made a reservation about 3 weeks in advance for a Thursday night at 6:30pm. We arrived there 10 min early and waited for them to prepare our table. This is my only complaint for the entire night - the hostess was rather dismissal when she asked us to wait. In the next few minutes, 2 more parties with reservations came in and she seated them right away. And then when I went up to ask about our table, she quickly walked away to do something else. We were finally seated at a table that I'm pretty sure was open the entire time... BUT - regardless of that snafu, the meal was AMAZING! They showed us the duck before cutting it and we were surprised how much food it actually was. The platter included the duck and duck confit over a bed of rice and a ton of delicious sauces and fresh herb sides. I tried the scallion pancake but thought it was really greasy and oily, so used the bib lettuce instead, which worked really well too. I would definitely try it if you can get a group to go together! I would come back to eat it again!!!! We were so full that we could not eat any dessert.
(5)Amanda L.
How to bypass the wait: Find eight or nine friends and commit to the bo ssam! We started with some BBQ pork buns for everyone. They were the momofuku take on BBQ pork. While tasty, I thought there was way too much BBQ sauce, which detracted from the wonderful crispy pork. Couldn't complain though, since it was still pretty tasty. The bo ssam was larger than anticipated. It was a struggle for nine of us to finish it all, but we did! The pork was fall-off-the-bone tender and perfectly seasoned with salt and sugar. It also comes with a bunch of oysters; some people included the oysters in the pork wrap, and the consensus was it was a bit strange. So I had mine on the side :) The bo ssam comes with a generous portion of the fixins, including kimchi, kimchi puree, ginger-scallion sauce, BBQ sauce, and obviously rice and lettuce. I personally thought the momofuku kimchi was a bit too sweet, but that didn't stop me since I love all kinds of kimchi. Drinks were solid. I had a drink called penicillin, which included whiskey and honey and a really cool, giant ice cube. Service was OK. Took a while to get the check, but not a super unreasonable amount of time. It was just annoying that we couldn't flag someone down... the restaurant certainly is small enough that it's hard to miss you. Overall though, great food, great company, great experience! Worth a try. Tip: Make sure you are comfortable with the people you go with. I've been to my share of small, tight restaurants, but you are literally rubbing elbows with the people sitting next to you here.
(4)Christine W.
Not quite sure why this place is so popular. Had dinner here on a Saturday night, the wait wasn't too bad. Got seated at the bar. It was quite loud, so probably not the best place to go if you want to have a intimate conversation with someone. Since the steamed pork belly bun was highly raved, we got an order of that along with an order of buffalo pork bun and spicy pork sausage & rice cakes. The buns were OK. Didn't think they were that much better than other places... Rice cakes got a nick crunch on the outside, again, wasn't overly impressed. All in all, this place is not bad, but it doesn't stand out from the million restaurants in the city either.
(3)Reid K.
Momofuku Ssam Bar, you freaking kill me! The Whole Rotisserie Duck Ssam is amazinggg. Not only is it a beauty to look at, but its flavors and perfection are beyond words. Besides slices of duck meat carved beyond recognition (there's no way I'd want to see the actual roasted animal carcass!), the dish comes with picked vegetables, rice, lettuce, flat crepe-like wraps, mint and assorted fresh greens, garlic chips, chile sauce, hoisin sauce and a red puree sauce.Trying to pack all those condiments into each bite is a challenge, but the reward is an explosion of happiness in your mouth. When I took the first bite, I kid you not, I wanted to cry. It was as though everything I had eaten in my life up to that point had little purpose but to prepare me for that moment. We also ordered Momofuku's classic pork buns. I'm a casual meat eater, and I haven't had a lot of pork. Their pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, succulent, deeply flavorful and guiltless. It makes me think Jesus fed all those people with Momofuku pork because each bite is like 100 bites of lesser food. If you're a foodie, you know it's hard to be surprised and impressed, but until you try Momofuku's duck and pork buns, your life is still 50 Shades of Gray (the color, not the nympho from the book). Some people may say that Momofuku is all hype, or that it's not real Korean food. To them I say "whatever!" Who cares about authenticity when you can create food this freaking good. My only gripe is that their reservation policy is such a nuisance, and the sheer number of steps and coordination issues involved could not only mean you might have to wait weeks to try the duck or Bo Ssam. it could also make you want to starve yourself for days before so that you eat every last grain of rice. At the same time, I'd do it all over again for another meal of rotisserie duck.
(5)Mi S.
I came here with my friend and we were both pretty excited because of how well known Momofuku has become. It was the first time for both of us and we didn't really know what to expect, but came with anticipation for some good food. Overall, the food was nothing like I've ever tasted before. I mean this in the best way possible. David Chang and the Momofuku team have really done a great job making this a singular dining experience. All the food was spectacular and unique! I'm almost certain you're not going to find or taste anything similar to the Momofuku menu. I'm hoping to come back and try to bo ssam and/or duck and/or ribeye. Actually, I want to try the rest of the entire menu.
(5)Stephanie Y.
Go for the buns, stay for the lamb ssam. I went here with coworkers for our holiday luncheon and what a great way to say what a good year it's been done but going family style eating pork and duck like it's going outta style. We each ordered one small plate and one large plate and it ended up being more than enough for our party of 6, though one person was a veggie. 1. Pork, salmon, and cubano buns were all delicious, but I'm old school and like the pork buns the most. 2. The lamb ssam was where it's at! Order that wrap stat. 3. The rotisserie was solid and definitely go with the lettuce wraps and pancake. I liked the short rib special of the day, but I'm pretty sure they are known for their duck. 4. The octopus was alright. 5. The side of potatoes was plentiful and alright. 6. I personally wasn't a fan of the crispy duck wings. Just not enough meat and a bit too messy. My glass of Syrah was on the expensive side, but was a great selection, so smooth so subtle. Eating here ain't cheap, but service is great and food is quite tasty. Definitely a great spot to splurge!
(4)M L.
This is my second review. This one is specifically about the large group 5-course dinner. I'm not going to go through every dish in every course, but overall, I'd say it's a great meal. There were a few pieces that fell a little flat or didn't add much, but the highlights made up for those. The apples with kimchi and bacon were great--and unexpected. I love the pork buns (although my nieces prefer the pork buns at Buddakan.)The duck, of course, was incredible. I also liked the dessert, which is usually my least favorite part of their menu (even though I love Milk Bar.) I think it was $60/person + drinks, tax, and tip. The meal seemed to please everyone in our group of 13, ranging in age from 12 to 81. Too bad the space isn't more accommodating for larger groups and special occasions.
(4)Zuzzi E.
This place is an institution and there's nothing I can say here that hasn't already been yelped. It's a high-energy, meat-intense, communal dining experience. The staff is on-point, the music is always rockin', and the food arrives to your plate fresh and delicious. Great for birthday dinners or to wow your out-of-town guests. Pro-tip: If you don't have a reso, show up at 5 (they'll either have a seat for you until first seating at 6:39, or seat you at the bar).
(5)Jennifer M.
I may have to retract my first review. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner this past weekend, torn between Momofuku Ssam and Momofuku Noodle. (We were really only looking for pork buns). We drove around both storefronts and noticed that Ssam barely had people lingering around its front door and of course, a hefty line in front of Noodle Bar. No questions asked we went to Ssam. We were immediately were seated. Pure luck really; the hostess said we scored the last open seats at the point of walk in. My night instantly got better. Not really overthinking what to order we of course ordered a total of four pork buns, their ALKALINE TAGLIATELLE, and their SOFT SHELL CRAB CESAR SALAD. All were excellent. I swear, the pork buns got fatter this time around, which of course didn't bother me. The anchovies in the tagliatelle were like croutons to a salad. The lemon confit was the glue that held that dish together. I may be right about the hit or miss part in my first review; but I guess I will never ever really know until my next visit.
(4)Alvin P.
A-fucking-mazing!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Orgy in your mouth!!! Order whatever the fuck you want it's all good. Servers are knowledgeable and take care of business. These guys do savory dishes like no other. My god!!! Duck and pork here are killer!!! It's a little expensive, but fuck it!!! SO GOOD!!!
(5)Amanda N.
Fatty pork and duck - my faaaavorite :) Stopped by Momofuku Ssam on a weekday for lunch. No reservations and didn't have to wait to be seated, although the table was a bit too small for us (no place to put purses & coats except on the floor...bleh). Our waitress was OK and service was overall pretty efficient. We ordered the pork buns, apple kimchi, and duck over rice (with lettuce). The apple kimchi was the only dish we didn't really enjoy; the flavor & textures were a bit off. But the duck and pork were both cooked to perfection. The ingredient quality was definitely there as well - such perfect leaves of lettuce! I could eat those pork buns all day - probably the best variation of steamed pork buns I've tried. The duck was delicious as well, and next time I want to preorder their whole rotisserie duck. Overall, Momofuku Ssam has the type of menu that appeals to me and they execute it well. Price point and portion size are totally reasonable as well. As a duck and pork lover, I can't wait to return!
(5)Clariz C.
This place is really just ok. I feel like you can go to other restaurants that are serving same food that's better tasting. Sometimes people are just putting a bunch of random stuff together and it doesn't taste that appetizing.
(3)Cathy M.
A 30 to 45 min wait was more like an hour, even though we had bar seating. The staff was attentive and friendly for the most part. The menu wasn't extensive. Also learned that some of their menu items are for lunch only. We ordered uni, pork buns, blacken blue fish sandwich, and the duck. The only thing I can rave about was the uni. 18 dollars for two pieces. Everything else is nothing special. I had such high expectations. Maybe I would considered coming back with a larger group so we can try their pork shoulder menu.
(2)Elisa L.
My 1st review ever, but how can I not when I love this place so much! I've been here several times now and each time it gets better and lures me in even more. First off, the ddukboki aka the spicy pork sausage & rice cakes is a must have every time. I don't quite know how they get the rice cakes to be slightly crispy on the outside... wait I do... MAGIC! I've gotten the roast duck twice now and it is amazing. True, you have to make a reservation for very limited times and only 30 days in advance on their online booking system, but it's worth eating at 10pm for (just make sure you're hungry). They present the full roast duck to you first and then take it into the back to cut it up. You get a plethora of sauces and lettuce wraps, but you also get 2 sizeable sides. The standout side was the potatoes that were coated in some kind of spicy creamy sauce... *drool. Must come back for the bo ssam and the dry aged ribeye!
(5)Gina B.
I love you David Chang. I love your Momofuku cookbook and reading your Lucky Peach magazine. I loved your roll on Treme and watching you on Mind of a Chef. But when I got to New York, Momofuku was at the bottom of my eating adventures list. But David, you ask "why?" Because coming from Hawaii, steamed pork buns, rice, roast duck, and anything Asian-influenced is pretty standard fare. Boring...what I really craved was pizza and hot dogs from those carts parked on busy, dusty, dirty NYC streets. We ordered the steamed pork buns, benton's country ham, and the rotisserie set over rice with the broccoli salad. *insert grunting pleasure noises due to tastebud orgasm here* Loved every single bite and especially enjoyed washing it down with a tasty Bruce Cost Ginger Ale. After that meal, we circled the neighborhood for 10 minutes and made our way to Milk Bar, right across the street from Ssam Bar, for a slice of Crack Pie. Ssam Bar I can't wait till my mouth can experience you again. xoxo
(5)Patrick W.
I tried this restaurant as part of a team dinner at work. Everything was very good. The Momofuku Bo Ssam Lacquered Pork in Lettuce Leaves dish is something I still drool over when I think about it. The pork is so tender that you do not need a knife to cut it. You just take tongs and pull pieces of it off to put in lettuce leaves. They have multiple sauces you can put on it. The ginger sauce is amazing and my favorite. For other great places to eat in New York, please see my personal list at rookerville.com/2013/09/…
(4)Den C.
I don't usually order quail, but when I do, I order Momofuku's quail. The small dishes were all very tasty, I like the kimchi apples a lot. The Washburn Island oysters were really fresh. Not much has changed since my last visit except the prices.
(4)Patrick M.
I'm not a big fan of giving reviews to places that already have over 1000 comments. I figure that there is not much more I can write, and people won't really read your review. However, there are few times in ones life that a meal surpasses high expectations like Momofuku did. I came in with very high hopes and expectations, and I can gladly say that I was still blown away by the flavors and creative dishes. As I was eating dinner, there was one point in the meal, where I said, "This place is a solid 4 stars. The next two dishes have to blow me away for this place to earn 5 stars." Just like in the movie Dumb and Dumber, i was saying "There is a chance!" These next two dishes....the spicy sausage rice cake and the sweet breads were what pushed it to 5 stars. The sweet breads were the best I have ever had, and the rice cake was great. The only item that I would NOT recommend was the "liver pate." My good friend, Mr, Booth, actually was not able to finish his portion (mostly because he is a sissy), so his girlfriend needed to pick up the slack for him. Besides that dish, everything was fantastic. I highly suggest trying out Momofuku. It is absolutely phenomenal. I wish David Chang was there, so that I could thank him for a great meal!! To reference one more movie, "I'll be back!" (I hope)
(5)Vanni P.
PORK. STUFFED. DUCK. Need I say more? Didn't think so. Really really really good, and such an amazing deal for 6 people - with abundant booze only came out to $100 per person, all in. If you must come here, you should definitely just do it for that one reason (although I might come back for the pork too! maybe stuffed with duck?). All the appetizers/ sides we had were pretty good, but nothing could reach the heights of that spectacular entree. Do it.
(4)Cissy Z.
6 of my friends and I hit up Momofuku to try David Chang's famed Bo Ssam. I've been hearing about this meal for years and was super excited to finally try it! We arrived at the restaurant and were seated promptly. Even though the Bo Ssam needs to be pre-ordered ahead of time, we still had to wait a good half hour after we were seated, and were all starving. Our waiter had brought out lettuce, sauces, rice and a dozen oysters to accompany the pork while we were waiting and we tried not to eat them in our hunger. Then finally, the pork butt arrived... and it was glorious! Sweet, succulent, and oh-so-tender, each bite of the pork released the most delicious juices in my mouth. This was definitely the best pork butt I've ever had! Everything else however, just didn't add much to the experience. The oyster's cold slimey texture tasted odd with the soft and fatty pork and I would have enjoyed a pancake wrap more than a lettuce wrap. I also felt the sauces and kimichi tasted below the average Ktown joint. Momofuku's Bo Ssam is one of those things that you have to try at least once in your life, just to say you've experienced it. For $200 though, it is pretty expensive for just pork and some accompaniments. We hit up Milk Bar just around the corner for some coffee and desserts after! **TIP: Bring at least 8 people who can really eat to attack the Bo Ssam-- it is a monster of a meal. We had 7 and could have used another body or two!
(3)Natalie B.
Well, I try NOT to post negative reviews. I hesitated whether to post this one. But finally decided it's important to draw attention to the hygiene at the places where we eat. They are supposed to be clean, as well as the personnel is supposed to be healthy and at least with clean hands. The situation: while we were eating our lunch at the bar, a lady was sweeping the floor (the place is popular and full of people). Then she came up to the bar counter to wipe clean wine glasses - to prepare them for serving drinks, without washing her hands after she was cleaning up the floor. Let me not post anything about food and other things. Sorry...
(1)Carey G.
Our dining experience was very nice. We showed up and were able to immediately get a seat at the bar. Staff and servers were great-accommodating, friendly, and knowledgable. I think it's hard to live up to the hype. While our meals were tasty, there wasn't anything swoon worthy. We had pork buns to start which were juicy and flavorful. My husband ordered the quail. I ordered duck- the confit duck spring roll was delicious but the breast meat had a slightly weird smoky flavor. Plating was pretty. I'm glad we dined here but wouldn't go out of my way to go back to.
(4)Gaby F.
Duck as marketing here, sell you on a concept then not really deliver a great product. Ordered the whole rotisserie duck. Physically impressive. It was sliced. Should (even with the sausage) been shredded AKA peking style. The Pancakes that accompanied were similar to an indian roti style flat bread and quite greasy. There were lettuce wraps also. But when you lightly coated your pancake with hoisin and then added sliced duck and other 'sides' it was incredibly heavy. Especially at 10pm! I would have stuck with shredded duck, wafer thin pancakes and then added scallions, cucumber or leafed herbs. Basically peking style. Wine list is prohibitively expensive for what it is, doesn't fit with its LES location. I think place is a gimmick. But its packeed with believers.
(2)Michael C.
From the outside, it seems like a rather unimpressive establishment. There were no signs, no flashy lights, simply a sticker of a peach on the door. When you step inside, you enter a small dimly lit eating area, with the bar on your left and a few tables on the right with a narrow walk way for the waiters and waitresses to serve the food. The chairs have no backs and the tables are bare wood. If I hadn't done my research online, I would have never guessed that the owner of this restaurant is one of the world's most successful restauranteurs. For my dinner, I ordered some steamed pork buns and a roasted duck with a Russian name that I could never pronounce. The pork buns were every bit as delicious as they talked up to be, the pork belly just melts in your mouth and buns had a great texture. Then came the duck which was just as delicious -- simply seared and served over a couscous with some pistachios, cranberries, and butternut squash. Cooked perfectly medium rare with a crispy skin, I couldn't ask for more. At the end of the evening, I left a happy diner. I loved the food, and the unpretentious atmosphere. The people here just want to serve you good food and thats what they do. The only reason I do not give Momofuku 5 stars is perhaps I've been a little spoiled as a Chinese American growing up in Queens. I still remember the days when I could head to Flushing after school and pick up a steamed roast duck bun on Main Street. The duck buns are very similar to the steamed pork buns -- same steamed bun with cucumbers and scallions with a piece of roast duck and some hoisin sauce. They were every bit as delicious as the pork buns, the only difference being that they were a dollar each instead of two for $10 at momofuku. But I guess when you come to Manhattan, you have to pay the Manhattan price.
(4)Seymour Y.
Dinner is fairly priced but sometimes it makes me feel like a food dunce. The dishes are very strange and sometimes dont hit the mark for me. The reason I am giving it a 5 star is for the lunch service where you get straightforward perfectly executed ssams.
(5)Yi H.
This is a difficult one, I thought this should be on the broader line between 2 and 3. I had a pleasant experience at Momofuku Noodle Bar and thought I'd join my friends when they wanted to come to Ssam Bar for dinner. We were a group of 7. When we left the restaurant after the dinner, my friends and I all thought it was over-rated and over-priced. We had: pork belly steam bun, BBQ bun, bread & butter, shanghai noodles, roasted diver scallops, golden spotted tilefish, grilled flat iron steak, spicy pork sausage & rice cakes and roasted jurgielewicz duck. The food tasted reasonable well, but it wasn't amazing or special. The portion was certainly very very small. And it is true that I was upset that I had to pay for bread. For the price that they charge, I'd expect so much more.
(2)J S.
I was told to try the pork bun cos it's the best ill ever have...the wait wasn't too bad about 40 minutes...got seated at the bar and got the divide IPA which was good..we started with the diver scallops which we misread n didn't realize they'd come out raw but were good regardless...the steamed pork buns n buffalo pork buns came out just in time since I was starving n holy fucking shit!! I don't know if I'll ever come across one quite like it or as good! The spicey pork sausage n rice cakes dish came out n was smaller than I expected but was very glad when it turned out to actually be spicy as the bar tender mentioned since typically when I'm told "are u sure? It's reeally spicy!" I tjink 'ur so full of shit' lol...just as good if not better than any Korean style version I've had in recent memory n by the time we left there wasn't enough room to check out the milk bar. The buffalo pork bun was better than the reg one but may never come acros. Another as good. Must have it again!
(5)Asha S.
TIME/DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 @ 1:00pm NO RESERVATIONS, UNLESS ORDERING A WHOLE BO SSAM OR WHOLE ROTISSERIE DUCK SSAM. AMBIANCE: Modern interior, lots of wood - wall paneling, tables, etc. Only two people ahead of us at the bar. THINGS OF NOTE: We ordered take-out. PRICE: $18.75 for 2 pork buns & 1 pulled duck bun CHANCE OF RETURNING FOR PORK BUNS: Low (might come back for bo ssam) ___________________________________ :::: THE FOOD :::: * THE INFAMOUS PORK BUN - [3/5 - Well cooked, lacks hoisin sauce. Not that tasty.] * PULLED DUCK BUN - [3/5 - Tender pulled duck. Cooked with more seasoning than the pork bun, but not that tasty. Tastes a bit like spices commonly used in Indian food. I'd identify which spices, but unfortunately I don't cook. I just eat well.] ___________________________________ :::: Ranked: PORK BUNS :::: (Only includes the open-faced kind, not the traditional Cantonese baozi.) 1.) Steamed Pork Buns (2pc), $15, REDD, Yountville, CA - [5/5] 2.) Hirata Pork Buns (2pc), $9, IPPUDO, New York, NY - [4.5/5] 3.) Crispy Pork Belly Bun (3pc), $12, HOLSTEINS, Las Vegas, NY - [4/5] 4.) Tender Pork Belly Bun (1pc), $3.75, CHAIRMAN BAO, San Francisco, CA - [4/5] 5.) Steamed Pork Buns (2pc), $11, MOMOFUKU SSAM, New York, NY - [3/5]
(3)Joyce Z.
The Momofuku cookbook was the first time I was introduced to the pork bun. No, I use to have to explain, not the char sui bao from Chinatown type of pork bun but the buns that normally comes with the roast duck in Chinese banquets and filled with a tender decadent pork belly with hoisin sauce and cucumbers or green onions. I found the closest thing to it for the first time at Spice Kit in SF and then Chairman Bao started rolling it out in its food trucks. Both are very good but I knew that I had to try the OG as soon as I booked my tix. The pork buns are bigger than the ones I found in CA so far and an order for about $11 comes with 2 buns which were decent size but not quite enough to fill you up for lunch. So I also split the fried duck dumplings served over sugar snap peas and accompanied with sriracha mayo. Be warned, although it is listed under "large plate", 5 fried duck dumplings really isn't a large plate so unless you plan on drinking the sriracha mayo, it's not going to fill you up either. The last item we ordered was one of the country hams which comes thinly sliced like prosciutto and served with a small piece of bread. Since I was planning on going for rice pudding afterwards, it was okay that I wasn't all that full leaving there but you can easily drop $40 for lunch and still be hungry.
(4)Shauna T.
I have never felt so unwelcomed and treated so poorly at a restaurant. Today at approximately 12:30p when I walked into Momofuku Ssäm, I asked the hostess for a table and was told that they don't seat parties of one at tables and only at the bar. If a restaurant is busy I will sit at a bar, however when a restaurant isn't busy I prefer the comforts of sitting at a table. And I don't feel I should be forced to sit at the bar simply because I am a party of one, especially when your bar seats don't look comfortable. I could see a decent amount of tables available in the restaurant, so I told the waitress that I would go to another restaurant if I could not be seated at a table. Suddenly, the parties of one could sit at tables, but not before she made a snide comment saying "if it's an issue..." Hmmmm.....so wanting to be comfortable while eating is an issue apparently. I overlooked her lack of professionalism and poor attitude and sat at a table. The hostess then threw the menu down and walked away. That I also overlooked, but it was strike two. As I was trying to find a resting place for my purse, I noticed a jacket and scarf on one of the chairs at my table and asked the couple at the table next to me if the jacket belonged to them. Immediately, as if he was coming to the rescue, an employee asked if he could accommodate the couple by checking their coat, but they declined. So Momofuku Ssäm doesn't seat single parties at tables, but coats and scarves are welcomed? Makes sense. Seconds later a woman approached me offering bottle or tap water. When she reappeared with my water she introduced herself as the manager and for a split second I thought there was still some hope for this establishment. The manager, Anna-Lisa Campos (name found on company website) reiterated their policy about parties of one and said that if the restaurant became busy, I would have to move to a bar seat. So let me get this straight...if I am seated at a table eating brunch you would tell me I need to move to accommodate someone who arrived after me? And I'm to believe that in the 30-45 minutes I would be there, the restaurant would suddenly become inundated with patrons? I understand the need to accommodate people and generate revenue, but who's to say that a party of more than one would spend more than me? Needless to say, I left and won't be back. I've never been blatantly treated like my business was not wanted in an establishment. Perhaps I don't fit the description of their target market, but I thought all money was green and those that know me or know of me through social media know that I spend a significant amount of money patronizing restaurants. It was evident I was not welcomed and my patronage was not needed. I just can't understand the rationale of treating an existing patron poorly in anticipation of others. Did I miss the memo that stated Momofuku Ssäm was an exclusive restaurant? This restaurant won't make the website; won't be recommended to anyone; and won't ever be Tastebuds Approved.
(1)Richard L.
5 stars! Why b/c it's that good. Ok so without going into too much detail about the pork buns (both of them) which were both very delicious and cooked perfectly. What i really liked was the Ham with the coffee sauce and bread. I could literally sit there with a nice dark beer, one plate of that and the sauce and break for an hour. It was awesome.
(5)Agustin K.
Post holiday work lunch and we went for the bo ssam pork lunch. All 10 of us went despite the potential awkward moments I played out in my head about gorging on pork in front of my colleagues. It was relatively empty which made me wonder why it was so difficult to make reservation. Note to self, come here for a quick lunch at the bar. We ordered a few pork buns. Agree it is awesome but with at the ubiquitous pork buns around the city. Yes they started the trend but maybe others have perfected the concept. The buns didn't come nice and warm like I imagined. Moving on to the pork ssam - it is big and it is pretty overwhelming at first. Definitely enough for 12 people or more. My favorite condiment was the scallion and ginger oil though some prefer the Korean spicy bean paste. The sea salt was a nice touch because honestly I didn't think there was enough seasoning in the pork. I like the Boston lettuce to wrap the pork, balancing the fat and feeling of guilt. We left full and it was a good lunch and good for team bonding. Others who've tried the duck lunch said it was much better. I'll come back during lunch time either to eat at the bar or will try to recruit enough people for the duck lunch. Oink oink!!
(3)Izzy P.
I went home for the weekend and decided to go eat at a few places I've wanted to try for a wail, ssam bar was one of them. I slit everything with a friend because I had eaten so much at the other places. We had the pork sausage and rice cakes and the fried moo kimchi. Both were nice but I was honestly expecting more. It didn't really live up to the hype. But the reason my review is so low is because of the terrible service I received. Our server was snooty and pretentious as all get out, she never even looked at my friend, she ignored us, and would talk to the people on either side of me frequently. In short the drinks are too pricy, the food doesn't live up, and the waitress we had was rude.
(2)Kimberly K.
Great dinning experience from start to finish. Seating is communal. Bar seating is also available. Our server was friendly, helpful and attentive. Plates are constantly changed and the table is cleaned. Probably the best service I've ever encountered at a bar. Restrooms are available towards the back of the restaurant. As our order came out, each dish was described to us as it was placed on our table. We started off with Steamed Duck Buns, Pork Buns and Honeycrisp Apple Kimchi. The buns were served warm and fluffy. The meats were juicy and melt in your mouth good. All the flavors and textures made the Honeycrisp Apple Kimchi a hit. Thick slices of clean crisp sweet apples coated with spicy chili. Peppery arugula, crisp smokey jowl bacon, sweet creamy maple labne. A drizzle of olive oil and ground pepper complete this dish. Highly recommended. The Rotisserie Duck Over Rice was simply that. Flavors were all on point and freshness was key. Rice was fluffy and sticky. Juicy slices of thick duck cooked to perfection. Had just the right amounts of fat. Not overly greasy, with lots of flavor. You can add lettuce and/or a chive pancake to the dish. The lettuce was super fresh, cool and crisp. Goes perfectly with the duck. The chive pancake is crisp around the edges but soft within. A light onion flavor. We enjoyed the Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes but did find it to be incredibly rich. This dish should definitely be shared. Loads of spice from the sichuan peppercorns and chili oil. The rice cakes were tender and incredibly filling. Tender pieces of Chinese broccoli and spicy pork sausage. Topped off with cool green onions and crisp fried onions. I enjoyed the spicy flavor but if they could cut back on the oil it could make this dish a bit lighter. It was warm and comforting though. Corn Ice Cream Pie w/ Raspberries and Thai Basil was a light way to end our filling meal. Cool and refreshing. Pretzel Cake Truffles were salty, sweet, buttery and gooey. We left incredibly satisfied and with a take out box. Note: If you enjoy Coca Cola and haven't tried Mexican Coca Cola as yet, try it here. It's made with real sugar and the difference is in the taste. I'm not a big soda drinker but if they started offering Mexican Coke in our soda machines, I may become one.
(4)Marissa F.
Dining at this restaurant compelled me to write a positive review. Starting from the hostess, to the "you're table is ready" text, to the service, to the food - everything is excellent here. You would be remiss not to have the pork belly buns, because this is a seriously succulent eat. I also had the squash, flat iron steak, and watermelon soda, and the flavors were superb in each dish/drink. The staff is friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and operate together like a well-oiled machine. Worth every penny. I will be recommending to foodie friends and colleagues.
(4)Raider J.
David Chang......U rock! I came here yesterday for lunch. I arrived at 1130 and there was already a line out the door. When I got in, I got a great seat by the bar. The decor is very similar to the Momofuku Milk Bar. After checking out the menu, I ordered their awesome Pork Buns and their Duck over Rice with Pancakes. The Buns came out in a few minutes......and were AWESOME a usual. The Pork was very tasty and super YUMMY. The Duck over Rice was also soooooo good.......The Pancakes were thin and was a perfect complement to the Duck dish. I could eat this meal every day...............I love Pork and Duck and David Chang makes these dishes PERFECT! I was so happy that I came in my Pants!!! No afternoon BJ needed!
(5)Melissa H.
Good feeling gone. I wanted to love Momofuku Ssam Bar. And the end of the night, I wanted to be able to say that I at least liked it. But for the experience, food, service and price? It'll take a little more convincing. We stopped in on a weekday night, waited a while to be seated. The hostess seated us and then poof, gone. To start us off, we ordered the roasted baby beets (sunflower hozon, ham, raisin) and steamed buns (pork belly, hoisin, cucumber scallion). The beets were presented in a lovely deconstructed way that got points for creativity and color, but demerits for taste (everything was swimming in peanut sauce) and...usability? (Good grief. It shouldn't take a good deal of effort to put things together to eat.) The steamed buns were fatty, tender and delicious with light and fluffy buns. Absolutely amazing. For entrees, we had the dry aged niman ranch ribeye (with shallot, garlic and thyme) and the roasted jurgielewicz duck (with barley, butternut squash, and cranberry). Both did not impress. The ribeye was cold, lacking any noticeable flavor or evidence that it was a thoughtful or well plated dish. I also wished that the menu had specified the fact that it was pork ribeye rather than beef. The duck was room temperature, chewy, and flavorless with a thick fatty skin. The barley, squash and cranberry were void of any depth of flavor (or complementing flavors for that matter), the lifeless hard, texture of the squash and sourness of the cranberry clashing at every bite. Maybe it's because I'm beholden to Baker & Banker in San Francisco for showing me what good duck is. The atmosphere was moody, mysterious and great for loud and large groups. Rustic, industrial and modern. But it felt cold rather than intimate, chaotic rather than trendy. The service? Some servers seemed uncertain, hesitating in answering questions about the menu or drinks. Others seemed uncomfortable and jumpy, scurrying over and disappearing without a word. It all felt a little disjointed and unsettling. Overall, I was disappointed that Momofuku Ssam didn't live up to my hopes. At least they have delicious steamed buns.
(2)Lily Z.
I came here only for the BBQ pork bun and boy, it was delicious. I didn't get to try anything else from the restaurant. However, people looked like they were having a good time in this Asian tapas kind of place. I need to come back to NYC and try more of the menu! But the bun was very good.
(3)Mike L.
Had kimchi, pork buns, octopus and flat iron steak. All were very good. Cocktails were also very good.
(4)Jenna L.
BBQ PORK BUNS are HUGE!! I think we ordered 2 and split that! It was really nice - sweet and sour plus crispy pork. PORK BELLY BUNS - OMG they raised the bar to a level no one will succeed them and frankly I don't think CAN! THEY WERE SO MOIST AND JUICY and you don't feel greasy or unhealthy eating it afterwards. The fat just melts in your mouth and you are dying for another bite! Spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - pretty good ! It doesn't make your mouth feel tired kind of chewy if you know what I mean. ;) Roasted jurgielewicz duck - fancy duck, it was good.
(5)Jennifer L.
This was one of the most amazing and fulfilling meals I've ever had. 10 of us couldn't finish the pork butt. The pork belly buns...I don't even have words to describe how wonderful they were. Everyone was speechless. Wow. I am salivating.
(5)Xi L.
Pork Buns were pretty amazing, I would say even better than Ippudo's pork. For one they give you more here, and the pork is not marinated so much in high sodium sauces and the appearance is that of fresh slow cooked pork. The hoisin sauce mixtures on the bun were good, reminiscent of Peking Duck style. Entrees themselves, we got the duck over rice, duck dumplings, and pork sausage. I would say the duck over rice was pretty decent, but this fusion is not my favorite way to eat duck I realize...Classic Chinese will still top this any day. The dumplings were just fried exterior with duck meat on the inside and you dip it in some semi sweet almost honey mustard sauce, and it was mediocre. The pork sausage is somewhat spicy, the pork is ground up like a Chinese style dish and there is a ton of oil and without a base like rice for this dish to sit on, one cannot eat much of it by themselves... We split everything we ordered and still 1/2 of the pork sausage dish remained. Overall, great place for pork buns, but very average everything else we ordered.
(3)Vi H.
Buns too fatty. Used to be the best thing on the menu. Now you might as well just cut a piece of pork fat, dip it in pork fat juices, snack on it, and drink pork fat juice on the side, because that's what it is. It was so messy. The juices were all over my hands. THe cucumbers were soaked and the fat juice, and you could no longer taste the freshness of the cucumber. Please quality control your pork belly pieces! I have faith! Will try it again and hopefully change this review! Save the pork belly bun!
(3)Alice W.
The bo ssäm is delicious. A whole slow-cooked pork shoulder that's $200 for the entire party? If you can get 10 people to share, it's only $20 per person. That's a steal! It comes with rice, bibb lettuce, ssäm sauce, kimchi, other sauces, and a dozen oysters. You make wraps with the pork and condiments. The taste of the pork shoulder is phenomenal. Of course, given that it's cured overnight and slow-roasted for 6 hours, how can it not be? I'm sure I've said pretty much the same thing as the other 1500+ reviews but it must be reiterated - the bo ssäm at Momofuku is awesome.
(4)Tal T.
This place deserves three stars for the exceptionally tasty and unique food but the service here is awful. The obnoxious manager who refused to split our cards as well as the hostess who had nothing but attitude really ruined what could have otherwise been a five star experience.
(3)Cheryl N.
I thank David Chang for being such a godsend with his Momofuku brand. You gotta have at least 1 meal at 1 of his restaurants when visiting the Big Apple. My winter gastronomic itinerary was too darn packed for me to squeeze in another reservation at Momofuku Ko and i thought it was lost to me till the next trip. Thankfully there is Momofuku Ssam Bar and their no reservations policy, we tried our luck and managed to get a table on our last day in the city. O the happiness when we saw only a short queue. Whee! Momofuku Ssam Bar serves an unpretentious Asian comfort food with a duck-dominated menu. This is a casual joint where you can simply pop in for a quick meal or a snack or 2 for 20 bucks and leave really satisfied physically and emotionally because the food is ingenious and vibrant. Yes eating is an emotional thing for me. For lunch, there is a 3 course Prix Fixe meal for US$25. The Striped Bass was picked from a list of 3 appetizers which included Fuji Apple Kimchi and Steamed (Pork) Buns. All are great choices and come recommended. I would say go for the famous Momofuku Pork buns if you have not eaten that before. As we already had that bun at Momofuku Milk Bar, we decided to try something different. The bass was very fresh and the texture was sublime. Interesting rice pops to give the carpaccio an added crunchy texture. This is seasoned with plum, cilantro, green peppercorn. Very refreshing. Charred Octopus didn't seem like a very good choice. You should ALWAYS do duck at Ssam. The octopus was grilled to a crispy exterior but i found it very bland even all that stuff going on the plate. When i saw that the other tables had the kong ba bao version, i wondered if the bun that i had at Momofuku Milk Bar was the same Momofuku Pork Bun (seriously..) The one at Milk is a pulled pork version in a different bun. Not sure if it's because i added an egg with it but you can't blame me for thinking that they were different! Anyway, they tasted about the same with the hoisin sauce, cucumbers and scallions. The textures were a little different and i kinda like Milk's version better as it seemed a juicier. Now, you gotta have my absolute favorite dish, which is the Rotisserie Duck Over Rice ($14). I felt that the duck was very interesting as a flavored minced duck scallion patty was sandwiched between the caramelized skin and the pink tender meat. Add a little of the sweet hoisin sauce with some chili and the taste is absolutely heavenly and very Vietnamese. I added a chives pancake on the side ($2) and wrapped the meat in the salty flaky dough and it became an interpretation of a modern Peking Duck wrap. The Chevre Sorbet was a terrible terrible choice from the lunch set. We should have gone with the safer Lemon Meringue Pie. There's simply too much going on. We didn't finish this and went to Milk bar (which is around the corner) to have our favorite Cereal Milk Soft Serve and Crack Pie. :) Remember, whatever you do, you GOT TO HAVE the duck rice at Momofuku Ssam Bar. Do it for supper, whatever. Just eat it.
(5)Annie Y.
I went here for the 6 course meal for a friend's birthday party. We had 11 people and he had to make the reservation 2 weeks in advance. $60/person pre tax and tip First course: Corvina with Plum, Cilantro, and Green Peppercorn. We had several non-cilantro eaters and they accommodated us by taking out the cilantro. This was a light and refreshing appetizer. Second course: Country Ham with Redeye Gravy - this came out with bread and the gravy was a nice savory complement. This also came with Grilled Summer Beans - these had steamed egg sticks which were soft and light. Third Course: Steamed Pork Buns! The reason why they are so sublime is because of the layer of fat on top of the sliced pork - coupled with the hoisin sauce, it is just perfect! Forget about your diet, just dig in! Fourth Course: The highlight if the meal - a whole roasted pork shoulder - the meat is so soft and tender. Some parts of the outside are caramelized and crunchy. The bib lettuce and different sauces allowed me to make my own variety :). Fifth Course: Popcorn Cake with Strawberry Jam and Caramel Corn. At this point we were all so stuffed but there is always some room for dessert. The cake had an almost custard like texture and the corn was hard. It was hard to gauge the quality of the dessert after stuffing my face for 4 precious courses though.
(5)Shaina G.
Steamed. Pork Buns. OBSESSED!! If you haven't had one, you need to...soon! I LOVE this place! So cool how there is graffiti on the outside and your servers are a little more on the punk/emo side, yet totally knowledgable of all the wines and dishes offered. The asian fusion food is the best available in NYC and the menu is constantly changing. This spot is great for an affordable and fun date with celebrity chef cooking!
(4)Helen W.
Honestly, I've never tasted pork belly buns quite like the ones at Momofuku. Two thick, fatty slices on a doughy bun with a little dash of hoison = simply perfection. I've only tried appetizers at Ssam bar, from the pork belly buns to the duck breast rice bowl. The notable dish to me, again, is obviously the pork buns, but everything that Ssam bar has served up has been exquisite in flavor without ever being too "flashy" with too many sauces and ingredients. Not to mention, the service is awesome here. Everyone is very laid back and welcoming. Even during the busy hours, someone is always readily available to answer any questions you may have about the menu or just refill your water.
(5)Adrian Robert H.
80% Great duck dishes for lunch. ***Short Review Came here for lunch Dec'11 Menu at lunch seems very duck centered. There are several different Asian themed preparation of duck available. I thought the 'rotisserie duck over rice' was great and ordered two portions. It's tasty and decadent dish using wonderfully cooked juicy, fatty duck, and a very good scallion garlic sauce. The 'duck bun' was very good, but not quite exceptional. The meat was also tasty, and the bun was delicate and not too starchy. I loved the use of Thai basil and sauerkraut in it. Prices are on the lower end of moderate. You can get a pretty good meal for easily under $20 unless you have a larger appetite like myself. Service is good. Although you order at the counter, the servers here are attentive and informative. Food came out within 10 mins or so of ordering. Detailed review will look further into the dishes sampled. ***Detailed Review pulled duck bun - sauerkraut, smoked mayo (approx $7) (Dish Rating, 72%) yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Very good dish. Juicy shredded duck meat and some duck skin is placed inside a Chinese bun (not sure if they are Taiwanese buns, but they resemble it), Inside, there a thin slices of sauerkraut, mayo, and some Thai sweet basil. Flavor the meat worked great. I was surprised how tender and juicy the meat was. Interestingly I don't think the duck meat was as rich or tasty, relative to the duck breast served from the duck rice bowl. Texture of the meat does resemble an American bbq pulled pork. The meat was a lot lighter. I do wish the duck skin was more crisp. I felt it was a bit soggy, but lent additional flavor nonetheless. What complemented the meat nicely was the sauerkraut, which was only more subtle with the sour flavor. Texture of it was also very light and tender, blending well into the duck. Thai basil gave the dish some subtle sweetness in flavor (not very sweet for a basil at all). Overall the flavors are fun, balanced, but a bit muted as well. Adding some 'Hoisin' sauce works okay. I'm sure a beer would go great with this. The bun was good. It was very light and soft, not too starchy at all. It's a Chinese bun that's a lot lighter than even your typical brioche bun. flavor of it was also more on the mild side. Overall a good dish. 'rotisserie duck over rice' - duck scallion, ssam sauce, crispy shallot (approx $15) (Dish Rating 87%) yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Rotisserie duck breast slices, with the skin and some fat, are served over white rice. A considerably smaller portion of duck leg is put between the duck breast and rice. A robust sauce of duck fat, scallion, fried shallots, and garlic is poured on top of the duck. A generous portion of Thai basil is served on the side. You can also order some lettuce or chive pancake at a modest additional cost, so you can wrap up the ingredients to make your own 'ssam wrap' Great duck breast dish, definitely one of my favorite dishes this year! The duck breast was very tasty, juicy, and tender. For a duck breast, i was surprised how amazingly tasty this was. My guess is that, at least part of the reason why this is, is due to generous use of duck fat. There is a good portion of fat between the duck skin and meat. you also get the fat mixed into the sauce. Overall this is a greasy, heavy dish, but at least the grease comes from a desirable, natural source. It's amazing how good this duck was by itself. The flavor of the meat, also almost resembled to the flavor of star anise, although I'm not sure that's the case. Unfortunately, just the the duck bun, the duck skin here is also more soggy and as crisp as I would like. Condiments work nicely. The white rice was nicely cooked and soft. It also had a lot of flavor, and I think duck fat grease was also applied to it, so you can imagine how heavy everything was. Adding a bit of Hoisin sauce and fried garlic, both complementary items available at the dining table were welcome. I enjoyed adding a slight bit of sweet flavor from the Hoisin, which I felt balanced well with the rich duck. Fried garlic gave the duck a slight crunchier texture with each bite. Given the intensity of the duck, it was difficult to overpower it with a bit more garlic. Truly this was a great find and I can't wait to return. Be careful if you're tempted to have another serving of the duck bowl though. Ultimately it's a richer dish, and not something that's forgiving on the belly. I ordered two portions of this and learned the hard way, unsurprisingly with hours of discomfort afterwards. Solid duck dishes, recommended!
(4)Liz L.
Coming to NYC, Z and I knew we had to go to some form of momofuku. So we decided that we would do Ssam Bar. Went here on a Monday, a little after opening. And there were already a few people inside. It reminds me a little bit of Revel (in Seattle) where it's Korean food with a twist. It's funny, because, even the layout is somewhat like Revel. There's a long table where you can kind of sit communally and then there are tables along the wall. It's a long and skinny seating area. Revel has a long bar where you can see the food being prepared (which is super awesome) and then has tables along the wall and a few more in between. Ok, not so similar, but kind of. Anyways, back to the food. We ordered the pork belly steamed buns to start. They were sooooo good. The pork belly was well prepared and melting in my mouth. The bun was nice and pillowy. There were maybe two slices of cucumber on it? Wish there were pickled cucumbers and a little more to give it some textural contrast and for a little acidity. I did add a little bit of hot sauce. But definitely worth ordering. I wasn't sure whether to order the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes (his play on ddukboki) or the duck over rice. Z wanted the duck pot pie. But she compromised and got the duck over rice and I got the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. The duck over rice was good, she ordered it with the pancake. Probably should have ordered it with the lettuce. The duck was cooked very well. Seasoned well and tender and juicy. Rice is always good. But the pancake was really thin and had flour-y taste/ floury-ness that we didn't really care for. But the rest of the dish was good. The sausage and rice cakes were surprisingly good. It looked a little weird, definitely not my mom's ddukboki or what you normally would get if you ordered ddukboki, but it was really good. Not too spicy (I could have used a little more heat), chewy, meaty (it was more of a pork ragu, if you will), really good comfort food. Z liked it so much, she ordered the Chang's cookbook. We already made it! Didn't turn out quite like his, but a pretty good version of it! We thought about dessert and was going to pass, but Z really wanted the lemon meringue. We got it and it is so worth it. Pistachio crust, pistachio crunch, lemon cream, topped with frozen grapefruit flesh, and a lemony toasted marshmallow. Ok, so I don't know if these are all the correct terms for the components, but that is what is seemed to be. But they all worked really well. It was so good. I'm going to figure out a way to make it.
(4)Dan M.
This review is based solely on the bo ssam (aka pork shoulder) tasting menu, which I've had on two separate occasions and remains one of my favorite dining experiences to this day. The ambiance is as cool as it gets, and I love the "do it yourself" nature of this meal. Between the oysters, bibb lettuce, kimchi, pork and the amazing variety of sauces, the possibilities are endless! I also recommend getting a few pork buns as an app. They're some of the best in the city.
(5)Michael S.
Holy mother of pearl. Came here for a quick bite and ordered the fuji apple kimchi and pork buns. MIND BLOWN!! The apple kimchi reminded me of radish kimchi but with apples instead of radishes. The dish tasted just like kimchi at it's most optimal ripeness but with the sweet tones of an apple instead of radish! And, what can I say about the pork buns? They left me speechless.. Best pork buns I've ever had in my loife.
(5)Lily W.
ok, I'm really torn at what stars to give this place. Its a friggin Momofuku, so it has a level of standard...but the dishes weren't all delicious. Beef Tendon: I liked the beets in the salad-thing, and the crunch from the pork skins...but it didn't have a powerful flavor. Maybe as a starter to cleanse the palate? Shanghaineese noodles: Noodles were only ok. They had a weird texture to it... Steamed pork buns: I'd come back just for these. Forreals. $10 for 2, and giant portions of perfectly cooked meat. Yum. Steak: Actually pretty good. Hurm...upon reflection, I would suggest ordering only entree's and pork buns. o.O
(4)Dan W.
Was surprised to find so many clean flavors at Momofuku. I was expecting everything to be crazy flavors that blow your head off. But, it was a really good meal that ended with the best dish ever! The spicy pork sausage dish was sooooo good and spicy with awesome blow your head off flavor! So that gave me the fix I was looking for. Didn't quite understand the ham section, it just doesn't fit with the theme. Curiously we tried the Wigwam ham to see if there was something that was different about this, but nope....it was just thinly sliced ham accompanied by some pickled veg and mustard. Tasted like all Virginia hams that I grew up with..... Highlights - Spicy pork sausage! Fuji apple kimchi Raw bar Mackeral Lobster Roll Steamed Buns - pork belly Loved the single art decoration of 80's John McEnroe. Again, another thing that just just doesn't make sense, but this one actually works. Will definitely be hitting up some other Momofuku bars on the next trip.
(4)A.R. P.
I wish I could have partaken in the signature dishes that are served here (the mammoth bo ssäm or duck ssäm dinner that serves 6 to 8 people and that consists of making "ssäm wraps" out of a glorious slow roasted pork shoulder or succulent rotisserie duck). But, it's not easy to round up that many people on short notice (especially, as I'm from out-of-town). Instead, I had to experience Ssäm Bar on more simple terms by ordering a selection of small plates off of its daily menu. To start, the decision to order the steamed buns was an easy choice. These are the iconic pork buns, after all, that helped launch David Chang's empire and that has spawned a thousand imitators. Made from steamed Berkshire pork belly, the famed buns were inarguably good. The shells were fluffy and airy. The interior meat was exceedingly moist and tender (with flavor derived from its bountiful fat content and spread of tangy hoisin sauce). The jowl terrine was another tempting pork indulgence. The rich melt-in-the-mouth pork terrine, flattened and gelatinous, played point-counterpoint with the shelling beans, shaved pears, and yuzu paste that shared its plate and, in the end, was a subdued, but unqualified hit. An order of wild catfish with corn curry, green mango, and peanuts was an attempt to step away from the pork-heavy theme of the menu. The catfish filet, which was surrounded by a gentle curry sauce, was crisped on its exterior and topped with subservient pickled bean sprouts and curious cubes of compressed water chestnuts that were blackened with squid ink. The pleasing fish ball hot pot came out in a Korean stoneware bowl and was filled with Manila clams, familiar white fish balls (which are common to Chinese soups), rice cakes (cut into coins), spinach, bok choy, strands of young coconut, and a few stray baby octopus tentacles for good measure. The clams offered a sweet focal point while the simple broth, reaching for a creamy consistency, featured a hint of pleasant lime. I'll be back to Ssäm Bar soon. It's menu deserves some more exploration. In the meantime, I'll try to round up enough people to try the bo ssäm or duck ssäm.
(4)Adam Cory O.
Great service!! Top notch pork belly and delicious oysters. Diver scallop and soft shell crab dishes could have had more spice and or citrus.... Something to make them stand out more. Very comfortable, convenient joint.
(4)Anna K.
rotisserie of the day - short ribs on rice with chive pancake spicy sausage with rice cakes korean classics with a modern twist. soft, juicy pieces of meat over marinated rice in a bowl. pancake is more like a savory, foldable crepe. rice cakes crisped and tossed with spicy sausage topped with crispy shallots. fusion food at its true best. david chang is an effen genius. pork bun vs ippudo: momofuku has hoisin sauce and cucumbers. ippudo has spicy sauce, mayo, and lettuce. p.s. do the bo ssam if you can get 4-5 people down.
(5)Christina H.
This place has a cult following and deservedly so. I like to come for lunch when the crowds are much more manageable. and lunch got even better since they added the duck lunch special. while the majority of their menu traditionally focuses on pork, they stem out here and do a fantastic lunch duck offering. think about one of the best rotisserie ducks you've ever had. served in a huge bowl of white rice accompanied by lettuce cups, chive pancakes, and assorted sauces for wrapping. combine this with one of their other duck items (like soup or dumplings) or pair with a more traditional pork bun for a perfect meal!
(4)Monica T.
Been here a few times, but I don't know why I never left a review! The last 2 times I was here, was with my out of town friends here. We tried their pre-fixe lunch one time, and another time we were here for dinner. Both times, no issue with getting a table when we walk in. Both times, very good solid food. The pork bun, is a must (duh!!), the other dishes depends on what you like. Both times we ordered the rice cake/noodle dish and a few meat dishes. Momofuku never fails to impress me!
(4)Lu H.
Yes, the bo ssam pork feast is actually incredibly delicious, not just a feat to undertake so you can say you've done it. The meat is glazed with brown sugar and is fall-apart-tender, dripping-with-natural-fat juicy. The sauces it came with were also delicious - my favorite was the pureed kimchi. Yes, it will take a minimum of 8 people to finish the whole thing (which we did). No, you should not order pork buns as an appetizer before the bo ssam, even though not all pork is created equally and it is a different experience (we did anyway). Yes, I do intend on returning for the lunch prix fixe at some point, because the other dishes we sampled were actually very good. The wagyu beef slices were tender and flavorful, and the spicy pork sausage with rice cakes and crispy shallots was oddly addicting - I kept nibbling at it even though I knew a massive hunk of pork butt (shoulder?) was coming. I would like to come back to try the apple kimchi, duck confit, trout, and quark ice cream. I recommend you do the bo ssam meal as lunch instead of dinner. Being able to walk it off the rest of the day was key to my continued fond memories of the meal. Unhelpful but fun factoid - we had a waiter who looked like Paul Rudd. I caught him in the background of one of our pictures. You can decide if you think he is in fact related to Paul Rudd.
(4)Sophia D.
As every other review about the Ssam Bar states - the pork buns are seriously AMAZING. If you come here and don't get them you seriously need to re-evaluate your life choices. They melted right into your mouth and... and... and... what was I saying? Anyways, they were absolutely delicious. Now I'm craving some big time. The place was super busy, so my friend and I sat at the bar. The service was fast and accommodating.
(5)Alyssa M.
i loved everything about my experience at ssam, it was my first time dining at one of the momofuku restaurants. my friends and i walked by just as it was opening so we got in line and were seated very quickly. i liked the ambiance inside, its trendy but unassuming. we started out with some drinks, that celery drink though - AMAZING. i could have had 15 of them. we got a variety of entrees and loved them all. i got the spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - man was that an explosion in the mouth. it was A LOT of food - but it was SO GOOD. my friends had to help me finish it, which they didn't mind! i am so happy that we walked by the moment we did! wait, how could i forget about the pork buns?! they totally live up to the hype.
(4)Alyssa G.
Ya ya...you won't get seated until your WHOLE party is present. Living in San Francisco, that's nothing new, particularly for the popular eateries. We waited outside for our other friends to arrive...which felt like forever. Finally when we sat down...pure, unadulterated bliss. Royal Miyagi Oysters - with kombu mignonette Steamed Pork Buns - hoisin, cucumbers & scallions (they are on par with Chairman Bao's steamed buns, if you're familiar with SF food trucks) Duck Sandwich - iceberg, crystal mayo, peppadews. A little heavy for a sandwich but flavorful nonetheless. Spicy Pork sausage & Rice Cakes - chinese broccoli, sichuan peppercorn, crispy shallots. The desserts were a no-competition best experience of something sweet. Ever. Tri-Star Strawberry Sorbet - celery root, ritz crunch. A mix of salty and sweet and cold. Corne Ice Cream Pie - heirloom tomato, thai basil. Yep it takes exactly like it sounds. And it was spectacular!
(5)Sara S.
Overpriced hipster bullshit... and the food sucks. Hey kids, this place is all about you... if you like spending your allowance spilling overpriced booze into your beard while consuming straight up pork fat until your eyes tear behind your retro wayfarers. I gave this place 2 stars because the service is good and the communal seating makes it easy to make friends with your neighbors... Even though it's a short walk from my apartment, I would never go back or recommend it.
(2)Meredith X.
Momofuku, you lived up to all my expectations and more. Came here with a party of 10 for best friend's birthday. It's been on my list for a while but near impossible to get a reasonable dining reservation (10PM? girl's gotta eat man). We started with a round of their famous pork belly buns. Love pork belly but my god has this set the bar high! Flavorful, tender, perfectly cooked and seasoned, served with cucumbers to provide that light crunchy contrast to the fatty and rich pork belly. Some diners complained there wasn't enough hoisin sauce but I thought it was the perfect amount to complement and not overpower the meat. When they first brought out the bo ssam pork shoulder, I was thinking "Damn that really is not enough food to feed all 10 of us". So wrong. That behemoth kicked our butts with about 1.5 pounds left to spare. The pork shoulder was so tender, fell right off the bone. Everyone at the table was surprised at how easily the tongs tugged away at the meat. Not sure what they rubbed it with but it was tangy, sweet, with a little kick. When topped with a raw oyster, pure decadence. Waiter was really cute and almost coaxed us to order dessert until we remembered we each were carrying food twins (nice try dimples). All 10 of us left stuffed and extremely satisfied with the meal.
(5)Joanne Y.
PORK BUNNNNNNNNNNNNNS!!!!! Better than Ippudo's pork buns. I also got the lunch set (duck over rice, $20), and that was definitely enough for two people. It came with lettuce, chive pancakes, rice and a side dish (I got the broccoli). I'll be honest - I generally really dislike and bias against places like momofuku, specifically because it's always a glorified mediocre Asian food restaurant with a 500% markup in prices and swanky decor to pull in all the white folks that shy away from the authentic nitty gritty restaurants. I won't say that it's not the same here - and I won't say there are some obvious flaws to the Chinese food (chive pancakes included) they serve there, but the one thing that I can say is that this place does their MEAT well. I know their duck set isn't just duck - but it's a grand mixture whatever they do with the meat in that set. Anyway, I digress, the PORK BUNS are the thing to get here. Their buns, even for my Chinese root standards are done well, and their PORK, oh my! The fat is so well preserved, and the meat is not dry at all. It's simply amazing and has not been replicated to the same caliber anywhere else I've had pork buns at. This place (for pork buns) have become a staple for my visits to NYC. There are 3 places I am able to blindly navigate myself to when in NYC without a map or phone or asking strangers: my friend's apartment, Times Square, and Momofuku's Ssam Bar. 'nuff said!
(4)Jake S.
Been here twice - all I have to say is The bo ssam is absolutely a miracle. Get ~ 8 of your friends, family, foes, enemies - it doesn't even matter. It is some of the most tender and flavorful meat you will ever have. It comes with a bunch of sides as well (full details on website) - the other nice thing is that it buys you a reservation = pretty short wait time. Plus, sat next to Neil Patrick Harris which was awesome!!! The bao pork buns are out of this world. I did go back again and ordered some other apps and entres a-la-carte and it was good, but not amazing. BOOOO SAAAAAMMMM!!!!! do it.
(4)O C.
Fantastic experience! I went there with 5 other people and ordered the famous pork shoulder (Bo Sam). If you do the same, bring your appetite and don't bother ordering any starters. The portion is big enough to satisfy a part of 6 with plenty of left over pork shoulder to go around afterwards. Not only will you enjoy a fantastic meal, you'll have a pleasant experience doing so as well.
(4)Leeann C.
I've been here a few times, mostly because one of my friends is obsessed with their pork buns. I have to admit, they are quite tasty, but at 2 for $10, they aren't cheap! The last few times I've been here, I've gotten the lunch set (rotisserie duck over rice), which is a huge portion and can be shared between 2 people. Overall, the ambiance of the place is casual yet sophisticated. I would recommend it for lunch. -L.
(4)Catfish H.
This dude is pulling one over on the round eye.
(2)Patrick L.
Arriving early for dinner service was part of our game plan for hitting Ssam, as the typical NYC-popular-place-madhouse thing was getting old for me, real fast. When we showed up early in the evening, the place was bustling, but not jam-packed. Perfect. We were led to the bar - sure, not a problem. I was never a huge fan of eating at a table with strangers, anyway. Unsurprisingly, the cocktail menu looked good. As we were planning to hit a cocktail den later, however, we passed. The order of the night for us was going to be a few plates of small bites, then one of the famed desserts. I've been a fan of pig ears ever since one of my hometown restaurants started featuring them prominently, so we had to order the Crispy Pig Ear Ssam here. Prepared with yuzu and Thai basil, it was light, fresh, crunchy - absolutely perfect. Plus, I came to realize that I had never truly tasted "yuzu" before this. I swear that plenty of "Asian Fusion" places throw the idea of yuzu on their menus to make their menu items sound fancy and justify high prices, but it's funny, whenever I order such items, I never taste anything. Here, I finally understand what yuzu tastes like. I knew it was supposed to be a citrus fruit, and with this dish, I definitely tasted a good pungent tart citrus flavor. Now I know. And next time someone claims to use yuzu in a dish, and I don't taste it, they're getting marked down. Pork buns were fine - succulent pork, check...once again, bright flavors, textural perfection, check - but hey, they are pork buns. Grab an order just to say you had them, and then move on to the more interesting menu items. Like the Roasted Goat Roulade....a nice slab of densely savory goat meat with bulgur, lima beans, and egg yolk. This was pretty odd, but it worked, and was ultimately the kind of interesting dish for which we had hoped. For dessert, it was Christina Tosi's famed corn ice cream pie with raspberries and Thai basil. I think that the use of corn in desserts is one of those foodie trends, one I'm happy to indulge, as it adds a flavor dimension not normally associated with end of meal sweets. Sweet, tart, and with that little basil kick, this is the kind of dessert I'd come back to. This place calls to my mind a sexy, glossed-up version of Miami's old pop-up Phuc Yea - if I lived around here, I'm sure I'd be a regular. Worth the hype, I'd say.
(5)Jen I.
It's not easy being a veggie/vegan traveling with uber-foodie co-workers. Especially in NYC. I found myself here for lunch silently worried I'd be having a water for lunch. I'm so glad the staff was great and that our waitress pointed out the things I could have. The spicy potatoes had the most amazing black bean sauce and I could have inhaled the bowl if I wasn't forced to share. I also had a rice noodle bowl with spicy peanuts that is usually served with duck. Even without the duck the noodles were delicious and I was digging through them searching for the little nuggets of spicy peanut joy. Thank you momofuku for making this vegetarian feel at home and not shunning or rolling your eyes at the hippie at the table of pork eaters.
(4)Anna W.
The food here is inventive, unique, and ambitions. Five stars always and forever for the steamed pork buns. However, I don't love the communal seating situation -- it is impossible to have the kind of romantic dinner that this menu calls for, when you're crammed elbow-to-elbow with your neighbors and sitting on bar stools at the long narrow tables. Also, for as much as I loved every dish on paper, I only really loved half of them on my taste buds. I think they go a little overboard sometimes trying to impress, and the flavor combinations don't always work. Highlight was definitely the apple/kimchi/bacon salad, and the octopus was tasty, but I could have done without the liver & mushroom dish, and the uni/roe/tofu. I think next time I'll be sticking with the simpler and more on-point Noodle Bar.
(3)Ian A.
Had a pleasant but decidedly average meal here last night around 930 PM. I have been to Momofuku Ko before, and I would give that a 4.5 star rating (some of the food was out of this world, while other dishes were great but not amazing), but this was my first time at Ssam and I found it far inferior. My partner and I order one of the hams, the pork buns, the Shanghai Noodles, the Octopus, and the Spicy rice cakes and sausage. We sat at the long bar, and the service was not very attentive, but by no means rude. We did wait for over 5 minutes before anyone greeted us or offered us a drink, but it is not like the servers were just standing around, so I didn't take offense. The pork buns were a bit dry, which is a hard thing to accomplish for pork belly--my partner only ate half of hers. The ham was good, and I liked the dip that accompanied it. The roe with the shanghai noodles was fresh, but the noodles themselves were a bit bland. As for the larger dishes, the octopus was overcooked, and the rice cakes all had different consistency. In short, the meal had some technical issues that were hard to overlook. And the flavors were fine, but not spectacular or all that interesting. In the neighborhood surrounding the restaurant, there are so many interesting and exciting places, I would say spend your money elsewhere.
(3)Lauren A.
First time here! So delicious! We ate: peekytoe crab; Santa Barbara uni, steamed buns, roasted bone marrow, grilled Spanish octopus. Drink: seven spice sour Definitely worth it!!
(5)Ashley A.
Wow. Just wow. A place like this rarely lives up the hype. And yet it surpassed my expectations. Every cocktail, glass of wine and items we ordered were superb. The only thing I was somewhat disappointed with, was the uni. Highly recommend the steamed buns, the spicy pork sausages and rice cakes, and the fluke. You should not miss this Momofuko establishment.
(5)Hanna K.
Delicious soft pork in the pork buns! Creative menus (e.g. pork chops with blue cheese sauce). Friend wanted the bbq (ribs?) but we couldn't because it was about 50 ounces??? and $150 :( maybe when we have a bigger group!
(4)Brian N.
I feel so blessed to have had the chance to temporarily reside in NYC and eat here! I've followed this chef on Youtube, TV, and recently read on Yahoo that they ranked this restaurant Top-5 in all of America! Anyway, I only had time for a quick weekend lunch, so I ordered the prix fixe 3 course lunch for about $26. 1. Fuji Apple Kimchi with bacon - This thing attacked every single taste bud in my mouth simultaneously. So simple yet so unworldly sophisticated with its flavor combinations. I've never had anything like this before. Try it! 2. Duck Bologna Sandwich - tasted like a gourmet version of your neighborhood Banh Mi. I wish the bread wasn't so hard, but maybe that's just a personal preference. Everything else about the sandwich was very balanced and fresh with a great duck flavor. 3. Chevre Sorbet - I imagined that I was one of those MasterChef judges tasting the final dessert meal before eliminating people. I say this because the sorbet was sweet, savory, cool, and warm with a flavor that I can't really identify. I don't remember what the ingredients were, but I'll post a picture of it so you can see. The dessert looked like art on my plate, which is always important.
(5)Arti N.
Ok, lets get the only bad out of the way... service for a place of this reputation was sub-par. While dining solo at the bar today, I spent what seemed like an abnormally large portion of my lunch trying to catch multiple servers eyes to ask for a full pour of wine/ bill/ etc. etc. And trust me, I was just happy to be here, so I wasn't exactly an overly demanding customer. One very very strange thing my server did was start pouring my taste of wine, I nodded yes, she called out to the patrons entering the restau to greet them and let them know that they'd be seated shortly, corked and put the wine away and it took me at least 5-10 minutes to catch her eye (without drinking any of the wine, in case she wanted to accuse me of going back for free seconds) to "remind" her that she hadn't given me the full pour. Upon mentioning it, she seemed to know exactly that she hadn't given the pour and said she "just went to put the bottle back on the bar". In all my years of dining, never have I had such a bizarre incident occur. Only fail, David Chang... but luckily the rest of the meal lived up. Since I was solo, I was limited in my selections... both the steamed pork belly buns (you know I had to order those if nothing else given their permanent fixture on the menu) and fried duck dumplings were out of this world. Like so good, I will crave them for eternity. And return anytime in NYC and brave the bad service! Both dishes were so simple, and yet so complex at the same time. The broth underneath the dumplings tasted faintly of a very light fish sauce and the veggie (baby broccoli?) was flavored and seasoned to perfection. All the flavors in the dish were perfectly composed and complimentary to each other... :) For dessert, I opted for the main menu choice, a "lemon meringue pie", so DELISH. The crust was made from pistachio and the lemon curd on top was light and tart. There were shavings of pink on top that seemed to be pickled radish and some sort of smoky crunchies in the plating sauce. OMG... I wish I could have taken out another stomach and ordered more! Already dreaming of a return visit... someday. Can totally see why (given the D.C. empire and pivotal role in the shift in food culture) this has ended up on the #1 spot of the 20 Most Important Restaurants in America (BA, 2013).
(4)Laura M.
I now know why this place is always packed. Tasty food and good atmosphere. First off, you obviously have to get the steamed pork buns. They're awesome (but not as good as Ippudo's). Other favorite dishes were the octopus, the market side (which was some pretty tasty leafy greens), and one of the noodle dishes. Good saki as well. Only reason I'm giving this place three stars instead of four is because I'm biased - once you have Ippudo you never go back. I realize the genre of food is a bit different, but I found that Ippudo puts a bit more flavor into their food, and for less of a price. Overall, this is a good noodle/small plates place, but it falls just a tiny bit short of the hype.
(3)Jordan C.
Best pork bun ever. I could leave it at that... but I also really enjoyed the spicy rice cake whatever thing. The rice cakes are kind of crispy and the flavor is good. I wish I could round up 10 people to get that big ol pig... Also! everyone seems to enjoy the duck rice. I want that too.
(5)Peter K.
It's been a while since I've eaten here but I do remember the food being very good. We were waiting for a table for a while so we decided to have a drink at the bar and order up some pork buns. The pork buns here really are amazing but the problem, as always, is that there are only two to an order and so it was really a shame that my girlfriend did not get the chance to try them. Just kidding. We were eventually seated in what I remembered to be a very cramped space. Nothing new for this city I suppose but my gf, having flown in from Texas where land is a plenty, did not enjoy it, a similar grievance she would later recount of our numerous east village outings. Can't really recall which dishes we had, nor would it help anyone reading this review as I believe that menu changes regularly. I do remember particularly enjoying the sweetbread dish. I'm a sucker for a well prepared thymus gland and they do it very well here. The food overall was very good and mostly consistent with the prices they charge. That being said, we did not leave stuffed. All good things in moderation, they say. I would love to come back here and try the Bo Ssam that everyone talks about or the spicy sausage with rice cakes, although for that particular venture I imagine I would have to scrounge up a fairly large group.
(4)Navin W.
HIGHLIGHTS: ***STEAMED PORK BUNS*** order many of these!!! Sat at the bar with a friend, and the highlights of all were the steamed pork buns. Juicy, flavorful, amazing. If I were to go again, I would just order pork bun after pork bun until I was full. Had another type of pork bun and pork shoulder along with a blue cheese dressing. The pork was not as flavorful or juicy in the latter dish, and although I'm not a blue cheese die-hard, this sauce worked well and wasn't overpowering. Along with a couple glasses of wine, we were happy campers.It's all about the steamed pork buns though. Do it! And then go get some crack pie!
(4)Rebecca Y.
SO DISAPPOINTED in this place, especially considering 1) the 4 star Yelp rating 2) David Chang's reputation. Duck Dumplings, served with sriracha mayo: these were ok. The duck meat inside was very tender and the sriracha mayo was tasty enough. But for $12 for 5 pieces, it was a ripoff. duck noodle soup - crispy noodles, duck tongue, rutabaga: this was a mess of a dish. The crispy noodles were a huge oily fried mess. The soup was poured over this fried mess in a fashion tableside. I think they were trying to be fancy, but it just didn't do much for the dish. There were raw scallions in there and only 2 little duck tongues. The fried noodles just got soggy in the broth and then tasted mushy. The whole dish was just a mess and my friend returned it because she was so disappointed with it. spicy pork sausage & rice cakes - chinese broccoli, sichuan peppercorn: this dish looked good and was interesting texturally because of the crispy shallots and chewy rice cakes, but it DIDN'T TASTE GOOD. It tasted very flat, not spicy at all with not even a hint of sichuan peppercorn, and there was barely any pork in this dish. I asked to return this as well, but they wouldn't let me, because they said that was the way the dish was supposed to be and that returning it would compromise the integrity of the chef. I completely understand that and respect that, but I have to say that I disagree with the chef and didn't like this dish. one rotisserie duck over rice w/ lettuce and chive pancake plus one side of your choice: this was the best dish out of everything we had. The rotisserie duck was tender and well-cooked. The chive pancake was hot and delicious. The food here is overpriced and not very good or well thought out. The best thing I've had from David Chang's Momofuku establishments, by far, are the Momofuku Pork Buns. They are truly delicious and the best I've ever had. Everything else has been a disappointment. I'll only be getting the Pork Buns from now on.
(2)Jaimee A.
Okay, maybe I am too old for this place but I wasn't blown away. I will start with the good: The steamed pork buns - terrific BBQ bun - excellent Apple kimchee - delish Benny Ham with mustard - amazing! The service was great. The bad: Pork shoulder - extremely fatty (in alls fairness the server told us) and tasted weird with the blue cheese sauce Lobster Roll - too spicy. You couldn't taste the lobster The ugly: Wines by the glass - awful The ambiance (or lack of). Don't go to this restaurant if you plan on having a conversation with your date. The seating is family style and you are sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger (date is sitting across from you). So close that the woman next to me's butt was literally in my lap. I heard the couple next to us's conversation better than my own. You are encouraged to order multiple plates to share, but there is no room for more than 1 plate in front of each person. Your other plates end up in your neighbor's eating area. Which results in some serious stink eye. On a positive note, the bathroom was clean but no hook to hang your coat or bag.
(3)Cynthia M.
Since I gave Eddie Huang's buns a try (hee hee, that sounded funny), I decided to give David Chang's a try as well (chuckle - I am so immature!) The place was pretty packed so I sat at the bar and they serve half bottles of wine so that was perfect. I ordered the pork buns and the spicy sausage with rice cakes. The waiter warned me that the second dish would be spicy so they recommend to eat that last. Then the server who brought out the dish warned me again that it was spicy. I was a bit worried since I was warned twice, but it wasn't too bad spice-wise. You could definitely feel the tingle from the szechuan peppercorns, but I was able to make it through half the dish before I had to stop due to heat (and being full.) I love the slightly crispy rice cakes and the super flavorful sausage and greens though. Perfect dish for a cold winter day. The pork buns were good, but honestly I like Baohaus's buns better (say that five times fast!) I think I will stick to Eddie's buns but I would definitely come back to Momofuku Ssam to try more of their dishes on the menu. Cool vibe, friendly service and yummy food. What more can you ask for?!
(4)Alicia M.
The pork bun was truly amazing! My littles kept asking for more. I asked if they make their own kimchi and our waiter confirmed they do. Even Kimchi was excellent! Definitely a must stop in NYC. Go early if you can when they open. No wait.
(5)Kevin Charles M.
It was a great experience. That pretty much sums it up for me. While I am deeply in love with all aspects of Momofuku's Milk Bar, the food just wasn't great for me. As above, it was a great experience! Our service was on point. We had their famous steamed buns which were the bomb! Following that, we nibbled on some Pig Ears which I feel I could have made at home (more flavorful). After that, we had some kind of fish (can't remember the name), not memorable flavors. But yes.... It was a great experience.
(3)Camille O.
I was told this place was really good so I visited it on my last trip to NY. We ordered several dishes and they were all good. We ordered for wine, Gruner Svenlitner, which was perfect pairing with our food selection. Next time I would like to order the Peking Duck if I go with a group of friends. It looked delicious. Service was good and ambiance is casual.
(5)Amy S.
I think I've finally recovered enough from bo ssam induced meat coma to write a review about it. Momofuku Ssam's bo ssam is definitely a must-try culinary experience and the namesake of this Momofuku. For those who don't know, ssam is Korean for wrap, and Momofuku's bo ssam is a drool-worthy feast. It includes a whole slow roasted pork shoulder*, one dozen raw oysters, and endless bibb lettuce, white rice, and sauces to make the ssam. yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Our 7lb pork shoulder was meat heaven. yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… It's slow roasted bone-in with a brown sugar and kosher salt rub for 8 hours so the meat was fall-off-the-bone tender with hefty portions of pillowy succulent flesh, rich luscious fat, and crisp sweet pork skin that melted on the tongue. The oysters were great on their own and even better wrapped up in a porky ssam. yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Momofuku serves four sauces with their bo ssam: kimchi two ways (regular and puréed), ginger scallion sauce, and ssam sauce (essentially bean paste mixed with gochujang). yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… Try different combinations to find your perfect bite. The bo ssam needs to be reserved in advance, which is not surprising considering how time intensive the prep for it is. Also, it's $200 not including additional food and drink, tax, and tip which may sound pricy but our bo ssam meal allowed my entire dining party (nine total) to stuff ourselves silly and then for three of us to take home doggy bags (or piggy bags?) with a meal's worth of food. Our server mistakenly suggested that we also order other dishes because the bo ssam might not be enough. We went a little overboard by having a full course of duck dishes (pulled duck buns, duck wings, and rotisserie duck) before our bo ssam course. Was it too much food? Yes. Do I regret it? Hell no. You know the duck is going to be good when the menu is divided into just a few sections and "duck" is one of them. The pulled duck buns (with corn, pickled ramp, and jalapeno) yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… rivaled Momofuku's famous pork buns and the rotisserie duck (with duck scallion, ssam sauce, and crispy shallot) yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… made for a delectable bite wrapped up in a chive pancake. The one dud of our meal, the duck wings yelp.com/biz_photos/1Ed-… were nothing special. Considering how much we ordered, ate, and drank I was surprised that our bill came out to less than $50 per person including tax and tip. Not bad for an afternoon of uninhibited gorging. Pork lovers who haven't had Momofuku's bo ssam yet: what the pork are you waiting for? --------------- *The menu lists the bo ssam as pork butt but our server repeatedly called it pork shoulder which I found confusing. Our giant hunk of pork was served bone in and when the bone was extracted it was clearly a shoulder blade bone. So why is it listed as pork butt on the menu? You may already know the answer to this, but I didn't so I looked it up as soon as I got home and found that what we had was indeed both pork shoulder and pork butt. Despite the name, pork butt does not come from the rear end of the pig. It is one of the two cuts of pork shoulder. The pork butt is the upper portion of the shoulder and includes the shoulder blade bone, while the pork picnic is the lower portion and includes a part of the foreleg. musiccityfoodie.com/wp-c…
(4)Alison W.
On my quest to try all of David Chang's restaurants, we stopped here on our most recent nyc trip. It looked pretty popular but small on yelp so I was expecting a huge wait but I think we went at an odd time, around 2 on weekday and were promptly seated at the counter. They don't have too many tables. I want to say 4-6 four tops and maybe 2 huge tables for bigger groups or maybe they just pushed a couple tables together. Otherwise they have a counter facing the bar or a double sided counter closer to the kitchen where you can sit facing each other. The latter is where my friend and I ended up. Oh and they have the hooks underneath the counter to hang your jacket or purse. Love the convenience. Yeah, anyways when we went, all the tables were occupied and the counters were about half full. I only saw two waitresses working as well as a busboy. The kitchen had at least 4 chefs/guys and it didn't look all that big either. I had looked on their website and the bo ssam (pork shoulder) dinner looked really good but unfortunately it feed like 8 - 10 people. Next time with a huge group. We spilt the pork belly buns. Good but not the best I've ever had. Very nice fatty flavorful pork belly. For the entrees, I ended up with the OG momfuku ssam and my friend had the fish ssam (forgot the name). I thought I had ssam before in LA and it was like meat in lettuce cups. These are not that. Mine was like a giant burrito and my friend's was like soft taco with fried and battered fish. Yeah so maybe I didn't actually have ssam before. I was a bit worried about my ssam as I'm not a huge fan of kimchi and I almost asked for them to make it without it. But I decided to give it a try. It was delicious. Lots of tender pork, lots of rice, some veggies and a heapload of kimchi. I ate about half of it before the heat got to me and I had to start removing the kimchi. Whoo. But it was so good. And this was like a giant burrito so I had trouble finishing it. The maybe last few bites, I just ate the pork. Along with my pork belly bun and this ssam, I was stuffed. The table next to us had the rotisserie duck bowl with rice and a wrap. That looked really good too. Service was great. I did have to ask for a refill on water once. And prices are a bit steep, $10 for two pork belly buns and the ssams were about $15 each. Seems like most everyone who reviewed this place came for dinner and I'll have to come back and try it.
(4)Shannon L.
Ten of us--my cousins (the biggest eaters I know) and myself--couldn't finish the 7 lb. pork shoulder. In our defense, we had a bunch of other dishes: pork belly buns, charred octopus terrine, diver scallop, fried fish bun, spicy pork sausage with rice cakes. ALL DELICIOUS. We had about 2 lb. leftover and it probably would have been 0 had it not been for the additional food. The thing is, as good as the pork is, you get tired of eating the same thing continuously. My recommendation is to go with a group of 10 (the max for the bo ssam dinner) so that you have more stomachs to split the pork shoulder between. As for the pork shoulder itself, our group was divided--some liked the flavor of the skin, some didn't, some liked the fattier parts, some liked the leaner parts. Everyone was able to enjoy some part of it. While the pork was good, I felt that all the items that came with it tasted generic. I'm guessing they (or someone special to Momofuku) makes the kimchi, ssam sauce, ginger scallion sauce, and the other red paste (that resembles sam jang) but if you've had a good pork shoulder and a typical Korean bo ssam, then this is just those two combined. This entire bo ssam meal resembled the traditional version minus some important elements (white radish, steamed napa cabbage, sesame leaf). It wasn't as innovative as I had expected, which is what I thought Momofuku was about. Ultimately, eating this bo ssam left me wanting the traditional bo ssam even more. If you haven't had the traditional version, you'd probably still enjoy this one and I did for what it was... a huge pork shoulder lettuce wrap. Perhaps the whole rotisserie duck and dry aged ribeye are other large format meals to consider. WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE WAS OUR SERVER. I get that Momofuku is an immensely popular restaurant and I get that service is not always a determining factor in the likability of a restaurant (i.e. ghetto hole-in-walls) but this is not that. A place of this caliber should do a better job. For example, she couldn't wait for our drink order. She would come by, some of our group would order while others were still looking at the menu, and then she would leave immediately without telling us. She did this about three different times. I was actually ready to order the second time she came by but she didn't even acknowledge or ask me what I wanted (and I looked ready might I add) so she left again. She wasn't willing to get us certain items like extra kimchi and she didn't make an effort to be friendly. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was a) having a bad day or b) a New Yorker.
(4)K H.
First off, let me preface this by saying my yelp grading criteria are as follows: 1 star (would never go back, unless paid to); 2 stars (one time experience is enough); 3 stars (average quality of food/ambience); 4 stars (great quality/service/ambience); 5 stars (reserved for the best). Yelp reviews have been inflated with "foodies" thinking that 4**** food consist of average presentation and "hip" places to eat. Herd mentality, me thinks, is at work here. And so I am here to say to "foodies" go take your herd mentality elsewhere. This review is for those wanting the review of someone who believes that instagram photos of food says more about the individual taking the picture than the actual food. Peasants please stop reading, others please continue. Service: Reservations were not made, but we only waited 13 minutes when arriving at 8:10 pm on a Thursday night. The wait is made easier by the electronic system which sends a text when your table is ready so that you can walk around EV. I will say though the hostess told me there would be a 40 min wait, and obviously severely overestimated the wait. So don't be discouraged by the initial time quoted. The waiters on the other hand were very nice, but to tell you the truth, many looked pretty casual. Ok you caught me they looked like west coast surfer bros, and I come from Newport/Laguna beach territory. So while this is normal for me, I don't want these people giving me my food suggestions. At the very least, you can dress up and pretend you work at a restaurant charging $30-$40 a meal. This is NYC not Bro lets check out those swells. (4/5) Food: Pork Buns: Started off with this Momofuku staple. I would say less impressive than Ippudo's heavenly pork buns, but a good experience overall (4/5). This was probably the best part of the meal unfortunately. The pork is tender and fatty, while the sriacha like hotsauce adds and kick to the bun. I love the fact the pork bun is simple with a hoison like sauce, without the mayo/heaviness accompanied with some pork buns (Totto). (3/5) Chuwanmushi: For those of you unfamiliar, this is a traditional japanese egg custard usually steamed and served in a small tea cup. This dish was served in a large bowl with mushrooms on top. David Chang the owner of the Momofuku chain, for those of your unfamiliar, is korean by ethnicity, but has lived in Japan. I believe if he tasted this dish, even he would agree this is not authentic or even good by any standards. Bland, tasteless, and quite forgettable. This oftentimes delicate dish was turned into a Frankenlike fusion monstrosity. (1/5) Quail: WTF is this shit. Never had quail before, but the presentation alone looked like a 7 yr olds abstract painting. Watermelon radish? Great idea, but then I would think the radish is somehow pickled in watermelon. Instead it just tasted/looked like it was cut up to look like miniature watermelons. For $20 you get one quail, prepared by neanderthals cooked over a fire. The meat was dry and bland. Take your money elsewhere. Honestly kinda looked like rat meat. (1/5) Spicy pork sausage with rice cakes: Asked the waiter if this was good, he said it was a favorite. Whenever I am told this by a waiter, I ask but do "you" like it. I trust waiters who eat the food often more than the people who dine only at a restuarant once in a while. Unfortunately, in this case, I was misled by both. This is a korean like dish. Kimchi style sauce dressed on top of korean rice cakes that are pan fried. SAUSAGES?!?!? No where to be found, more like ground pork put into the sauce. Extremely disappointed, but very filling. (2/5) Overall: Though I did not try to duck bo ssaam, which I regret, I do think that a great restaurant only needs 5-7 dishes that are amazing that change seasonally. All the dishes at Momofuku tasted like a forced fusion of Asian/modern American flavors and it fails miserably. For me, Momofuku has been quite disappointing to say the least, and I would think that for David Chang, having lived in Tokyo, there is some regret at not honoring the authenticity and culture behind the dishes he is trying to bring to NYC's masses. On the other hand, go across the street to Milk, for some Blueberries and Cream cookies (tastes like you are eating blueberry clouds).
(2)Henry O.
This place was awesome . . . when they first opened. I have gone back and eaten here maybe once every year and the food taste has just been going down more and more every year. Had some family friends from asia in town who love to eat. Theyve heard about this place all the way from SE asia. One time they werein australia and tried eating at the momofuku there, but they couldnt get in. Anyway, we arrived here the night before on a thursday. They stated it was going to be an hour and a half wait. We tried to wait as long as we could, but we couldnt wait forever so we ate elsewhere. The next night we came back and only had to wait a half hour for a table. The company that we were with just wanted to have the best of the best of what they were known for. It says to ask for availability on the menu, but everyone we asked said that we had to order it online ahead of time for their famous pork and the duck. So instead we pretty much ordered everything that was on the menu. I was excited for a few dishes, but was disappointed, especially in the Uni, scallops, singapore noodles, spicy pork and rice cake. The softshell crab was just okay. We also got the fish, it was huge and it was better than most of the other things we ordered, but still nothing special. The steam bun and BBQ bun were good, but compared to how the steam bun was back when they first opened . . . it doesnt even compare. Service was good, people were friendly, our last dish took forever to come out and it wasn't even worth the wait. We didnt finish a lot of the food so i took it home. Usually i like left overs and i destroy them. But these left overs barely got touched and i ended up just trashing them. Hope the food gets better. This place just seems trendy and popular and thats what keeps them busy. im suprised the food isnt as good as it use to be. I hope next time i try it, its better than this time.
(2)Jonathan M.
We sat at the bar and enjoyed the food immensely. This is what we got: steamed buns- must have benton's smoky mountain ham- tasty but probably our least favorite of what we got honeycrisp apple kimchi- surprising and delicious smoked liver mousse- we tried something different and were happy with it spicy pork sausage & rice cakes- we loved this one Next time in NYC, we're going to explore the rest of the menu.
(5)Caroline B.
The Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes was one of the best things I've ever tasted. Absolutely order it. Wait, no. Actually, you know what? Don't. More for me.
(5)Wilson T.
DELICIOUS! We ordered bo ssam which included pork, rice, and oysters. The tender, slow roasted pork, is fall off the bone, finger licking good! It was great with the lettuce and throwing in some rice in there like a lettuce wrap, drizzle some sauces on it and boom! In case you are wondering, you need to make reservations and it must be more than 6 people for sure. We also tried the kimchi fuji apple which was alright and I give it stars for being different but it wasn't as amazing as the pork. Being that the pork was so delicious, they oysters were just ok. Over all, great experience and recommended for any foodies out there that want to feast on amazing food.
(5)Jonathan H.
The buns alone are worth the trip..
(5)Johnson C.
I was originally planning to hit up David Chang's chain of restaurants for their fried chicken dinner - until I found out that a minimum party of 4 was required (boo!). So I swing by to grab lunch - which is counter/cafeteria style during lunch hours. Grabbed the featured rotisserie duck over rice ($14) and I added the bib lettuce (+$1) and the chive pancakes (+$2). For starters, just look at the pictures of the fucking thing. It's glorious food porn. The boneless duck was tender and juicy (just look at the inviting pink) - it's a simple dish but expertly done. Experimenting with the crispy shallots, ssam spicy sauce and duck scallion made for different flavours. In addition, service was pretty fantastic - which is usually non-existent when you're dining cafeteria style. But the staff kept coming by and re-upping my drink. I've honestly had worst service at 5-star restaurants. Why only 3-stars? Because... well, I'm Chinese... and I just paid $17 for a duck bowl. Probably the best duck bowl I've had and I always give props to people that can turn a simple dish to high art - but it's a bit overhyped and overpriced. Definitely worth a try - but I can't see myself going for it again.
(3)rory l.
Chris was amaze-balls!! Best server EVER!! Food was incredible, up and down, guided by recommendations from Chris. Favs were Rib Chop, Buffalo Steamed Buns and the Tartare. Oh and the octopus. Slamming. Sat at the bar, vibed out to classic Hip Hop on the sound system, sipped Tiger beers and relished every bite. Coming back. Like tomorrow. Soooooooo happy.
(5)Valery C.
** 4.5 stars ** Momofuku Ssam Bar, one of David Chang's landmark NYC restaurants, is famed for his takes on Korean and Asian cuisines, and possibly more so for its namesake Bo Ssam dinner. It continues to be popular, although reservations are not as challenging to get as they once were. But get, one should. The restaurant is narrow and seating capacity less than expected considering the potential for a party of 6 - 10 to commandeer a table for bossam and another 3 - 6 for the duck ssam a few times each night. The space is sleekly modern and angular, its walls and ceiling lined entirely in dark wood panels. Seating is comprised of a large communal table up front and a row of tables all along the right side. A long row of bar seats lines the left side. Service is assured. I have yet to dine a la carte at Ssam Bar. Instead, I've partaken in their Bo Ssam dinner twice, a special that ranks high on the list of communal eating experiences worth having in NYC. Offered a few times most nights and at set times, it is a prix fixe designed for 6 - 10 people (be mindful of a limit on credit cards taken for the group; 4 during my visits). One can order a la carte to supplement the bossam, although its entirely unnecessary. Still, its hard to be at Momofuku and not order their signature pork belly buns. It is, after all, here that the standard steamed Chinese pork bun got a makeover that turned it into one of the most ubiquitous food item on menus across the city. And it is still the benchmark by which all others should be judged. Soft, pillowy mantou bun encasing meltingly tender and juicy pork belly, with just a smear of hoisin and refreshing cucumber and scallions. Deceptively simple, but when faultlessly executed as they are here, these are breathtaking. A more fanciful bbq pork bun is an able alternative, featuring crispy belly and a flavorful, smoky slaw, but I favor the purity of the original. Once any rounds of pre-bossam dishes are had and cleared out, the table will be set up for the main event, which usually does not begin until 30 minutes after the reservation time. Out will come bowls with bibb lettuce and rice. There's a quartet of housemade condiments: kimchi, pureed kimchi, ginger scallion sauce, and a sauce combining traditional ssamjang and gochujang with vinegar. These should be tried on their own, simply because each are delicious in their own right. There will also be a tray of shucked oysters on ice (Naked Cowboys, on the two occasions I went), which needn't prompt an inquiry of whether the wrong order arrived because they're part of the bossam. Ssam is a type of traditional Korean dish served with toppings and wrapped in lettuce; in the case of bossam, pork is the filling. As with much else on Ssam Bar's menu, there is nothing traditional about their bossam. Instead, consider it based on that humble and satisfying dish while taking some inspired liberties. The whole pork butt (shoulder cut) arrives after a long slow roast under a caramelized glaze, in lieu of boiling. Tongs are provided, encouraging steady communal dismantling of meat that virtually falls right off. The use of bibb lettuce works both to introduce a silky mouthfeel and as an ideal vehicle to fill up with pork, rice, and toppings. That ginger scallion sauce? Its a classic Chinese dipping sauce for seafood or chicken, but turns out to be a marvelous match for bossam, and is an excellent version at that. And lest the oysters be forgotten, there are traditional versions of bossam with oysters, so feel free to tip one in before eating. It offers an intriguing contrast to the rest of the fillings. With the array of toppings on hand, one is encouraged to experiment, mixing and matching to vary flavors. Much of the meal will be spent here, with round after round of wrap construction and consumption. It will slow. And when even the most voracious finally bow out, there will likely be shoulder left. Ssam Bar's take on bossam is remarkable, and the entire experience well-designed. It is worthwhile for any group sharing enthusiasm for great food. And, in my opinion, there are few better ways to bond with friends than sharing a massive hunk of meat, eating with one's hands while reaching over and under each other's arms to procure ingredients. All this at a price that is unreal for the dining experience and quality of food.
(4)Tina Y.
Make sure to make a reservation because that Bo Ssam was easily the best pork I've ever had! Enough to feed more than 7 people, our party stuffed our faces and still had some left over. Reservations are open ten days out. It's a pain in the butt since the place is small so reservations can be hard to secure, especially if you wanted prime dinner time. Upon being seating, and waiting for our party of 7 to arrive, the waitress kept coming back to ask us if we wanted to order drinks. I ordered a non-alcoholic drink only to later realize that I can probably get it at the fancy grocery stores for about half the price. We decided to not order appetizers and see how if the pork "butt" was enough. It's not really a pork butt, but a pork shoulder - if you watch enough Chop't you'll know! Anyways, the waiters brought lettuce and 4 sauces, a dozen oysters and a bowl of rice alongside our beautiful slab of pork. The sauces were pretty much standard fare you will find at a korean restaurant or supermarket, but the pork was superior to anything I've ever had. Once recommendation would be to leave the sauce in the bottles, the bowls and spoons made the table unnecessarily messy. You needed a pair of tongs to pick up the kimchi topping/sauce, the spoon failed on so many occasions here. Otherwise I loved the Bo Ssam and can easily go back for more. Now I wonder if the duck is nearly as good.
(5)Suzie F.
I love staff and place, but food taste was terrible. I came here, because yelp review was amazing. I paid almost $300, I throw most of foods. No worthy!!!
(1)David H.
David Chang and his team do amazing things. Came for lunch on a Friday before Memorial Day Weekend and there was no wait, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately. Ordered a nice Hefenweizen, pork buns, and a duck set to share. The pork buns were amazing. Two fatty pieces of pork belly in a nice moist warm bun with pickles and hoisin. Out of all three types of buns that we tried on our only day in NYC, Momofuku had the best. We ordered the Duck set with the broccoli salad (smoked bluefish vinaigrette, crispy duck skin) it came with lettuce and scallion pancakes as well. I am not sure how the duck is prepared (maybe sous vide?) but the color was amazing and was just so tender and fatty. Wrap the duck in lettuce with some ssam sauce and you got yourself a delicious lettuce duck wrap. Next time we're in NYC definitely want to try Noodle Bar or maybe even try to score reservations for Ko.. or dinner at Ssam. Love it!
(5)Crystal C.
Came here for brunch, and I've got to say that the duck and waffles is truly something special. I went there a few weeks ago, and I still remember eating it and thinking "wow, this is an awesome marriage of both savory and sweet." I also had the privilege of trying the pork buns as well, and those were also awesome--practically no surprise there. Ssam bar has some really unique dishes here, and I think Asian Fusion Cuisine really fits the bill for this place. I would come back here again, as there were so many things I wanted to try on the menu it was really hard to narrow it down to just one.
(5)Art K.
They try to make this fun- I would give 5 stars if the hostesses with their crazy iPads would be more polite
(4)Marlon T.
I needed to try the pork buns so I came and conquered one along with nice whiskey cocktail. So, my visit was pretty much just for a snack. I really wouldn't mind coming back again to have a full dinner. The place can get really packed so plan accordingly. I've had a fair amount of pork buns and would say the one here is probably the best. The other amazing pork bun I can think of comes from a food truck in SF (The Chairman Truck). I've been to the noodle and milk bar but I still need to try all the other Momofuku spots: Momofuku Ko Momofuku Má Pêche The owners know what's up.
(4)Paul L.
This place is a "must" if you're doing a large group dinner. We ordered the Bo Ssam Dinner (Pork Shoulder) and it did not disappoint in quality or quantity. We were 4 guys and 4 girls, and everyone was HUNGRY (like Texas Hungry, not NY Hungry). I was concerned that it wouldn't be enough food, but we had some left over if you can believe it. The atmosphere is great because it's bench seating, and the attire is casual, so you can really stretch out and have a great time. No frou frou BS here. Service was also top notch, very attentive to every request. Going back with a group soon!
(5)Pam W.
Excellent food and service! The restaurant was packed at 8 PM, on a Saturday night! The pork buns are amazing! The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes dish is also delicious, but be prepared for some serious fire in your mouth! The fried brussel sprouts are great, too! I will definitely be back!
(4)Chad M.
Damn, I love this place! When we lived here I'd hit it up every chance I could for some steamed pork buns and once rounded up a group of friends for the amazing fried chicken special. Back in town for a long pre-birthday weekend and stopped in today for lunch. Besides my bun fix had an awesome lamb ssam washed down with a Tiger beer. Very attentive staff and a great Friday lunch! I'd have loved to try a dessert, but the Crack Pie from Momofuku Milk across the street was screaming my name.
(5)Jen L.
Came here when I was a freshman. The food was amazing, and I just loved the meat platters.
(5)Jeff F.
Not much to say that hasn't been said - it's David Chang....clearly he's exceptional at the restaurant game. Here''s the rundown grub: What to order: - Sardines on Toast: fantastic, do it - Roasted mackerel: Ridiculous - Spicy Pork Sausage: Hot, unique and definitely the last thing you should eat if you're doing community food - Grilled Spanish Octopus: excellent What to pass on: - Steamed Buns: didn't like these, but that's more me than anything else - Mattaki Oysters: Pass, not sure why people are bothering w/ cross country oysters. - Dry Aged Sirloin Tartare: not your traditional tartare; didn't love it, but liked it
(4)Nelson W.
Do you like duck? I hope you do like duck. If you don't, why the frack are you coming here for a weekday lunch? But if you do like duck, wow, that's some awesome duck! The Duck Lunch Set is a perfect balance of delicious duck and carbs that Asians can especially appreciate. Large pieces of slicked rotisserie duck over rice w/ lettuce and chive pancake (plus one side spicy fingerling potatoes) is a hearty meal that will is perfect for carb lovers and will induce you into a food coma. That being said, carbs are supposed to keep people happy, so you win in every way. Not many will splurge for a $20 lunch set, but if you are in the mood to do so, its worth it. If you are in the mood to share, the fried duck dumplings and pulled duck buns are great choices. The flavors are absolutely amazing and portions are solid. There doesn't seem to be too much of a wait on weekdays for lunch, but if there is, you can always pop over to the Milk Bar for some coffee and dessert beforehand.
(4)D Z.
It was good but wasn't as impressed as everyone else. Didn't try pork buns but assumed it was comparable to its noodle bar. Meaning very good. The apple kimchi was okay. Duck was good but not great. Nice atmosphere. Gets crowded.
(3)Josephine H.
So much pork. My words cannot even convey how much pork I ate that day. I came here around 11:30am with 10 people and ventured for the Bo Ssam. And I can say, you definitely need more than 10 people to finish all of this pork. Or have these 10 people starved for days. 8lbs of glistening juicy pork booty, 12 oysters, lettuce, kimchi, green onions, and spicy bbq sauce to make your wrap! This has got to be the juiciest pork I've ever ever had, where it just falls to pieces. And the oysters! One word: deee-licious. As for the other foods, I tried the pork belly buns! Mm mm good. This is definitely an experience you have to try. It's definitely a great way to bond with your friends by complaining how hard it is to breathe and how you're carrying a food baby. Some advice, do not wear tight pants. You will regret it.
(4)Arianna N.
Went for Sunday brunch. Very tasty. Service was great and really enjoyed all the food. My friend doesn't way pork and they made the famous pork buns for is with mushrooms and they were delicious. The oysters were very good and the open kitchen was a lot of fun to watch. (It didn't hurt that it's filled with beautiful people) I would like to go back for dinner soon.
(4)Lisa B.
What Momofuku caters for in great food, decent cocktails and a buzzy atmosphere it sadly lacks in good hospitality. I took my boyfriend there as a surprise for his birthday as I heard and read such great things. However, the hostess, Jennifer,was too abrupt and she was more interested in cramming as many people as possible at the bar. We practically had to order within 5 mins of sitting down and then blatantly checked her watch signally us that our time was up. Good food. Poor hostess skills.
(3)Nicole M.
Hands down best pork buns I ever had! This was the only thing I ordered here and it was that great!
(4)Lena H.
On a Saturday night between 9-10 the wait was 35 minutes. They'll send you a text to let you know when your table is ready. Easy peasy.. just head over to a bar while you wait. Here's what we had: Steamed buns: These were good but didn't blow my mind like the ones served at Roy's on Oahu. The pork was tender but without the hoisin sauce I think it would have been pretty bland. BBQ bun: This one I liked more than the steamed version. I'd get this over the steamed in the future. Lobster Roll: Needs more lobster. Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes: YUM. I'd give this dish 5 stars. The rice cakes are crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. It was more than I hoped it would be. I had only had this at home and the recipe in the book seems to be very different than the one served at the restaurant. Definitely get this dish! Overall it was a good dinner but the main star was the rice cakes. Sad to say the famous steamed pork buns kind of let me down!
(3)Chris C.
Get the Pork Buns!!!
(4)Joyce M.
A delicious delicious meal! We made a reservation a month before our arrival in NYCCCCCC babyy! For a party of 8, the bo ssam was MORE than enough. If you don't know, the bo ssam is a meal set that includes an 8-9hr slowly roasted pork shoulder served with a dozen oysters, rice, lettuce, and 4 different types of sauces. Might I say, this was pretty much the best meal I had in NY (alongside Artichoke Pizza) The skin of the pork shoulder is glazed in brown sugar and sweet deliciousness. The meat was tender and moist and was perfect! The combination of all the ingredients created a perfect medley of sweet, salty, spicy, cold and hot! We also ordered the Dduk bok ki, which was good as well. The rice cake was fried for a bit longer giving it a crispy skin. The dish was more dry than watery, which I liked more. I love how the atmosphere is casual, yet cool and sultry. It's a good place to have a date or grab a nice meal with a friend. It's decorated in deep mahogany shades and is dimly lit by soft lights. I will definitely rememeber this meal and hope to come back to try other items on their menu!
(5)Sally T.
Having heard so many people rave about Momofuku, I had to make sure I went during my first trip to NYC. This place definitely did not disappoint! Pork buns. I'm sure it's mentioned in every review before mine, but I'll reiterate: GET THE PORK BUNS! The pork is cooked to perfection. It's tender and juicy, with not too much fat. My favorite thing of the night. I also had the BBQ pork bun, which is much larger than the steamed pork buns, FYI. Still delicious, but I would definitely choose the steamed ones over the BBQ ones. My friends and I also split the pork shoulder and the rice cakes with spicy sausage. The pork shoulder was delicious! I would definitely order this again. Very flavorful. The veggies that came with it were good as well. The rice cakes on the other hand, I was not really thrilled by. They had nice texture, since they were crispy on the outside but nice and soft on the inside, but the flavor of the dish overall did not really impress me. I only ate a little of it before I let my friends finish the rest. I left satisfied and would likely return again given the chance (too bad I'm all the way in California), especially to gorge on those pork buns.
(4)Phuong K.
Momofuku was on my list of places that I HAD to check out in NYC. My friends and I came here for the popular Pork buns. If you are a huge fan of pork belly then you will love this dish. The pork belly was very tender and juicy. I also tried the shredded duck bun since I love duck. That dish was not very impressive. The flavoring was weird and it was kind of dry. Another dish that we got was the Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Dish. It was okay...the rice cake in this dish is crispy and fried. The sauce was more on the salty side. For sure If I go here I would get the steamed buns. Its not really something you can eat a lot of since it is fatty and will get sickening. I like the pork buns at Ippudo slightly more than this place I would have to say, but their's is really good and different than Ippudo.
(4)Eric B.
Walking by on a Monday evening I noticed empty seats at the bar and decided to check this out. The menu was interesting, prices slightly on the high side, but, undeterred I decided to try a bunch of items. I like to try things that's just who I am. The service was attentive, almost too attentive. I felt rushed. The first dish to come out, a cold crab with a cucumber wrap maki-style tasted like it came right out of the fridge. It came so fast it could not have been made to order :( The next dish, a tataki scallops in dashi broth also came too fast. The flavor profile was great but the searing on the scallops tasted burnt, wrong. I won't bore you with the rest of the dishes- they were all fun/okay, but the last dish, spicy pork sausage with rice cake tasted like it had bathed in the great salt lake before coming to my plate. Overall a pretty disappointing experience. It didn't suck, but for the price, feeling rushed, and the fridge effect, there are so many other places I would rather eat at in the village.
(3)Alice L.
I always assumed this place was another over-hyped outpost in David Chang's sprawling empire, but I came here for the bo ssam prix-fixe last week and was pleasantly surprised. It's a $60 pp prix-fixe (menu posted online) and our table of 11 waddled out extremely full and happy. The highlight of the meal is the bo ssam, a giant slab of pork shoulder that is slow-cooked until it falls apart into submission at the gentle prodding of a fork. You take the pork and wrap it into lettuce leaves with oysters, kimchee, and a host of Asian condiments and stuff it in your mouth and it is porktastic. The prelude to the bo ssam deserves attention too. We got striped bass crudo in the beginning that was light and refreshing, followed by some thinly sliced ham that came with the softest country bread and a kickin' peanut-buttery, sesame-oily brown dipping sauce on the side. We were also served the steamed buns that has become synonymous with the Momofuku brand, and the duo of pillowy bao and fatty pork never fails to satisfy. Dessert was less impressive. We were served "popcorn cake", this extremely dense butter cake not dissimilar from plain ole pound cake, served alongside caramel corn that tasted like it had been dumped out of a Cracker Jack box. No matter, we were full at that point. One thing I did notice was that they seem to bring out similar levels of food regardless if you have 6 people in your party or (like us) 11 people in your party. So while everyone was well-fed and happy in our large group, I imagine that if you came here with a smaller party you'd be drowning in this much food. They also have a large format rotisserie duck meal that may be on the itinerary for next time...
(4)Esther L.
One word: DELICIOUS. We made a stop here after gorging at Momofuku Milk Bar (yes.. we eat our meals backwards) and I guess we came at a good time since we were seated shortly after we stepped in. There were about four of us and we were sat at this small table in the corner. We ordered the steamed buns, bbq buns, pig ears and Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes. Everything was fantastic! If you have a tough time deciding as your server! I think my favorite were the steamed buns.
(5)Mandy C.
Came here for lunch one day, and oh boy, the food was delish! Highly recommend: 1. Spicy Honeycomb Tripe--very addictive 2. Duck Sandwich--very hearty and so much duck flavor 3. Steamed Pork Buns--juicy and very tender. Eat it with Siracha! I would definitely come back again and again!
(4)Ron L.
I've heard plenty of things about Momofuku over the years and in the past several months had wanted to come to Ssam Bar to compare with the other experiences so far. Sure enough, that opportunity came. As a reminder to everyone who wants to get a table, make sure the entire party is there, otherwise you wont get seated. They dont take reservations, so be prepared to wait either inside of the door if you have a small party, or likely is the case outside, sometimes in the cold or rain. As often is the case, they are jammed packed to the gill, especially during peak hours and weekends. Our server was friendly, helpful and attentive. However when the dishes came out, they were not described. Perhaps they now assume we know what the hell we're eating most of the time? Who doesn't like a good pork bun? That's what David Chang's restaurants are known for (read: signature dish). That's what we went for. We received a plate of a half dozen for the three orders that we put in... two per order. They looked and tasted really good. The bread was steamed soft, and the huge chunk of pork that accompanied it, had to be partially eaten with fork before it could be handled with a hand. I held myself back from wolfing it down so that I could enjoy the fulness of the flavor coming from the pork. Yes, I savored it. Hell, for $5 a pop, I bet you would too. The lamb sausage w/rib came soon after and it came looking exactly as how I would imagine it when I ordered it- Seasoned sliced sausage with the well-cooked rib sticking straight out with sauce on the side to complement the flavors. My overall impression was lukewarm. Not everything on the menu is quite what people imagined once they received their dish and as always, the pork buns were the one thing people remembered most. A good experience with good company, but the food didn't live up to hype and expectations and the other restaurants in the group. 3.5/5.0
(4)Masumi T.
i've wanted to come here for a while but was disappointed that the food wasn't as good as i had pictured it. santa barbara uni - uni and tofu were delicious but the wasabi peas overpowered everything and ruined the experience. it would have been better to crush the peas and sprinkle it on top. blt bun - what's not to like? it's a tender piece of pork (not crispy) with a ton of mayo in a soft bun. good but not unique. (as jane mention, this better at noodle bar.) roasted chanterelles - my favorite dish. no evidence of marrow but the mushroom were very tasty. they tasted like they were marinated in bacon topped with bacon flavored mini croutons. grilled spanish octopus - as described, this was a grilled octopus with a lot of citrus. it was okay but not memorable. penicillin - tasty drink with scotch, lemon, honey, and ginger. perfect on a cold night.
(2)Heather S.
This place is amazing. Everything I've tried has been incredibly delicious and creative. The pork buns are my favorite in the city too. Items to try! Raspberry sorbet with black pepper, celery root, and ritz crackers Broccoli salad ANY kind of fish on the menu
(5)Laura A.
Ironically, it is just perfect if I don't understand it. When it is unpredictable, exciting, appealing, incredibly tasty in the most balanced way possible, and makes you just feel but not to think. Wouldn't you say it is the perfect dish? Just as good as it can possibly be. You may think you got it with the list of ingredients, but actually its not even close to what you are about to taste. For instance: Arctic Char Tataki with Peach, Pine nut, Celery and Lovage. The surprising factor came for me in form of the "burn" flavor. The skin is torched and it really gets that very intense smoky flavor, I felt like if I was liking charcoal or something. Which yeah, I know its weird. To be disliked if its not balanced somehow, which is exactly how it was. Furthermore, a warm note on the dish that other than that, is refreshing and breathing sea and summer everywhere. The pine nuts, to break the texture resemble the same idea and also they seems to be matched in heaven with fruits like peaches. I thought briefly about a granola breakfast. I think I tasted it for real. But it was definitely not, just a magical combination of white peach, ginger and vinegar, crispy and tasteful herbs selected to go along with the beautiful pieces of fish. We got the Seasonal Pickles almost at the same time. It was perfect and included mushroom, cauliflower, cucumber, beets, radish, among other vegetables together with kimchee. Simple yet another highlight on the menu. A playful dish in color, texture and flavors, from spicy to bitter to sweet immersed in a delicate hint of vinegar. My favorite, the rainbow carrots since those are sweeter and crunchier. And the mushroom to add some creaminess. From the off cut menu we decided to try the Beef Tongue Sandwich seasoned with Mustard seeds and Capers and accompanied by a soup bowl that wasn't soup but meat juices with bone marrow to dip on it. Wild flavors. Its meaty and tangy , all wrapped on the perfect bread: a rye with nuts slightly toasted to make it crunchy. Finally, Spicy Pork Sausage and Rice Cakes together with Chinese Broccoli all seasoned in Sichuan Peppercorn. We were warmed this is spicy, and I was happy to confirm that they deliver on that department. I will always be fascinated by Chang's crispy rice cakes. Once again bold flavor and spicy on a Szechuan style. I was surrender already. And then the desserts rounds came. We decided to try both of the only ones offered. The Lemon Meringue Pie with pistachio and lemon curd was incredible. The part that perplexed me the most, in the best of the ways possible, was the almond base where the pie was sitting. That was marzipan. Seriously. The Lemon Meringue was intense, extremely smooth. Excellent dessert. It was my favorite but similarly good and surprising was the Chevre Sorbet with sweet beet, lime and granola. There was this small fried hot balls resembling to fries that I still don't understand at all. Completely unexpected. It is really fun actually. Other elements in the restaurant happened to go to a different plane considering the food. It was really not important, but for the record, the service was excellent. Friendly, attentive, knowledgeable. You name it. I don't really wanna understand because then it could probably become predictable and lost its intrinsic nature. That one to please you in all senses you can imagine. I am very fortunate to have tasted in my life several perfect dishes. Some here some there, some of them within the same meal created by just one person. Momofuku Ssam Bar fall into the latest category. 6 dishes all at once semi-randomly selected out of a short menu. All of them perfect . Do you understand what I mean? I can't wait to be back.
(5)Jonelle T.
PORK! DUCK! I'm in LOVE! I really really wanted to try the whole rotisserie duck ssäm that feeds 4-6 and includes chive pancakes, bibb lettuce, hoisin, duck scallion, crispy shallots, two side dishes, but it seemed really aggressive for lunch. If I could've scored a dinner reservation, I totally would've pulled the trigger. My party of four started off with the melt in your mouth pork buns (seriously the best pork buns I've ever had), moved on to the rotisserie duck over rice, crispy duck noodles, and some stewed swiss chard. Talk about flavor explosion! I can't wait to eat here again, but I'll have to try some of David Chang's other outposts first. Wonderful food and attentive server. The only downside was the seating. Just some wooden blocks and nowhere to hang or put your jacket. We ended up just sitting on ours...
(4)Mona W.
The Steamed Pork Buns here alone merits a trip to this establishment. They were really as good as others have described. It was all about those super juicy slices of pork belly. I don't know how they were cooked but it was just perfect. I was fairly disappointed I didn't get to try their Bo Ssam. I tried! Rounding up 6-8 friends in NYC is just more difficult than I thought. Next time for sure. I will gather up enough people (or I will just eat it all by myself). The restaurant is fairly different from what I have imagined. It has a very vibrant and sleek bar ambiance. Not a typical place you would expect a great dinner. The food was really good but also very pricey. As I have mentioned before, I adore the steamed pork buns. The bar bun is good too. It is a fried version of the steamed pork buns. The meat is very crispy. I enjoy the tenderness of the steamed version more but for those who like fried food, it is really not a bad choice. Spicy Honeycomb Tripe was underwhelming compare to the pork buns. It is lightly spicy with a slightly tad sauce. Good but not great. I have had better tripe dishes elsewhere. The Roasted Lamb Loin & Belly is an interesting dish. The lamb belly is lovely. Crispy and tender at the same time and went quite well with the egg york on the side. Roasted lamb is average. Meat was cooked to a perfect medium rare as requested but the taste didn't stand out. Overall a good innovative dish but the portion is really small for the price. Dinner here is steep consider the tiny portion. I love the pork buns but I can't really recommend anything else. I think Momofuku noodle bar is a better deal unless you can gather enough people for the bo ssam.
(4)Ying Z.
food is bomb! And I was surprised we didn't have to tip, the waiter told us it is the rule, they are not allowed to take tips. We ordered a lot, leaving no tips saved us some drink money.
(5)Anna H.
I walked all the way here from the WTC area. It was 2.5 miles of grueling pain. 2.5 miles sounds quick and easy on paper, but when you're walking in unfamiliar territory and you're hometown is Los Angeles, 2.5 miles feels like a walk through the whole continent of North America. I will say, the small neighborhood Momofuku is located at is very charming. A young hip vibe that sort of gave off a Nawlins feeling w all the people and live music. Mind you, I was out on a weeknight. Seating is not the greatest here. I came by myself and was sat next to two strangers. Hungry and eager since I had been following David Chang for years on Instagram, I couldn't help but stare at everyone eating. With much hype and anticipation on my end, I ordered scallops and the famous pork belly buns. I was not disappointed. I still crave the taste of Momofuku's pork belly buns from time to time to time and some more time. The flavors are a nice fusion of Korean and Chinese, palatable for almost anyone w good taste in rich foods. If I'm ever back in NYC again, I would visit, along w trying out his other establishment. I will continue to respect David Chang and his culinary taste. All I have to say is that out here on the west coast, we got Roy Choi, so I ain't sweatin it
(4)Esther C.
I loooove their pork bun sandwiches... so light and delicious--YUM! I will be visiting soon for bo ssäm (whole pork butt, dozen oysters, kimchi, rice) which I will need to reserve ahead of time. The place is trendy and will fill up quickly for both lunch and dinner service. Make sure to make reservations and request a bench seat. The bar stools are a bit claustrophobic and practically had a screaming war just to be heard across the table.
(4)Mark M.
Ooof. Alright, this review is just for the food, and not the bar. Came to this place as a last bar tour on my way out from one week in New York, and I have to say that I was disappointed by the food here. First, the quintessential pork bun was good, but nothing more than a fancy Chinese gui-bao, of which you can really do better on the West Coast. I have to admit however, that I know this is not the real Momofuku restaurant, although I just felt disappointed by what I thought was going to be the best bite of pork across the US. Second, the selection of hams was just as disappointing. Maybe I do not know my pork as I do of the other meats, but the various hams we ordered were just plain too-salty and nothing out of the ordinary. Look at my reviews, and you will see that I seldom give lower than a 3. For something with the Momofuku name, I guess I just expected more - especially in the most epicurean city in the US. (The bar and service here by the way, was terrifice.)
(2)Tiffany N.
I came here for dinner on a Thursday night with my boyfriend and two friends. We came around 8:30 and had to be put on the list. The hostess told us about 20-25 mins, so we went across the street to a bar to grab a drink, and were called within 10 mins (actually texted via their wait list service). My boyfriend and I ordered an order of pork buns (2 per order), diver scallop tatami, soft shell crab, and the spicy pork sausage and rice cakes. My friends ordered the pork buns, scallop dish, and rice cake dish as well, with the garlic roasted quail. The pork buns were pretty good. We've had pork buns at ippudo before, which I love, but these pork buns had two pork belly slices on hoisin sauce with slices of cucumber. I like the cucumber idea as opposed tot he piece of iceberg lettuce in ippudo's pork buns. The pork belly slices here were pretty big, and very tender and juicy. I would come back and have their pork buns again. The sauce isn't overpowering at all, and it's all in the right balance for a tasty item. The scallop tataki was good as well. The scallops were good actually. But the dish itself could have used more flavoring. It was basically scallops in some sort of liquid that looked like lemon juice - I expected a sour taste eating my first bite of the scallop, but was surprised to find not much of flavoring anywhere. The soft shell crab was in a pimento cheese sauce. It was something different. There's two pieces to the order, and I just think it was a lot for us because we had ordered 4 dishes. The pimento cheese was a nice touch. I liked it when I had my first half of a piece, but started getting a little tired of it by the second piece, because it was a fried item, and maybe two pieces was too much, or I should have ordered less. The spicy pork sausage and rice cakes dish was pretty good at first. It had a lot of flavor, and the rice cakes seemed to have been fried or so beforehand, because there was a crunch to at least one end of them. The thing with this dish was that the sausage bits were very little compared to the rice cakes. It was like minced meat, and it was a bit too salty for my taste in this dish. The rice cakes definitely out numbered the sausage, and because of all the carbs, after everything we ate prior, it was hard to finish the whole dish. I would recommend trying it though, because it's definitely different, but just pair it with the right amount of items and you should be fine and better able to enjoy it. My friend's quail dish looked pretty funny. It looked like anorexic quail. The pieces were so small, but the presentation was very nice. According to them the anorexic quail did taste very good, but for the amount of the dish, I would've thought there would be more quail when looking at it. It looked like half a quail was cut into 4 or 5 pieces at served. Quail is already small enough, so if I'm talking half a quail here, that's pretty small. Overall, this was a great experience. The food items were pretty good. Just make sure your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach and you'll be okay. All the food we ordered could easily be shared by 2 people - I normally don't eat a lot anyway, which could be why. Definitely worth trying though. I really want to go back for the Bo Ssam and see what it's all about.
(4)H James L.
Ssäm bar is the awkward middle child of the Momofuku family. It's not as fun as noodle bar. It's not as welcoming as má pêche. It's not as impressive as ko. Ssäm bar defines itself in one obvious way, and that's by being crazy stupid loud. It's is an amazingly noisy restaurant.
(2)Queenie C.
This place is known for its pork butt. It is good, but not worth the pre order hassle good. The waiter was so rude too. He kept on trying to take my menu and I kept on trying to say to him, "I need to order. I need to order." The pork buns though...it is amazing! Just enough of the sauce and bun to hit the spot. Now THAT is worth the wait. The rest, ex Spanish mackerel, was not good. Too salty and needs more of that fruit, but then the flavor of the fish is gone. It is a failure of a dish to say the least. The scallop was overcooked lacking the light pink and soft middle I usually like. Then the pork butt comes. Now I understand why the waiter think I don't need to order anymore. This dish is HUGE. Kinda would've been helpful for him to tell us about that. I ordered a pigs head too! Luckily they might have known we won't finish it...or they just forgot. Rolls eyes* So remember the dish is HUGE right? So the waiter decided to try to squeeze the plate from the left side, fails, then the right side, fails and settles with putting the dish over her head, without once telling her what he's trying to do! She's NOT short either? How could the waiter be so inconsiderate? Okay, I understand why the waiter did what he did because the place was crowded! There were ten of us and elbows were touching. Because the place was so small and so many ppl the sound level was just sheer madness. I could not hear my friends sitting next to me. I mean come on! I don't know if this is a one of a kind experience or not, judging from other reviews I assume it might be, but I really feel this restaurant is such a hype. Please, the famous Chinese restaurant that requires an hour wait is soooo much better than this. I know this is Korean food, but you know what? It really doesn't taste that differently, minus the kimichi, from Chinese food.
(3)Andie H.
Oh my god... Came with a group of 8 people to get the bo ssam and oh my god was it amazing. For those of you who don't know it's a whole slow cooked pork shoulder, a dozen oysters, white rice, bibb lettuce, ssäm sauce (korean bbq sauce), kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. The meat literally falls off the bones as you grab it with the tongs. I didn't really know what to expect but it beat and expectation that I could have had through the roof. We also had the famed pork buns which were incredible. I would love to come back and try some of their other food on the menu. Only con is that I wish we had more people with us, the bo ssam was huge and we all were literally so stuffed we couldn't move. All of us took leftovers of the meat (which was pretty good the next day) because we could not finish it all in one sitting. Absolutely incredible.
(5)Clemens W.
This is one of my favorite dating spots. You can just sit at the bar in candle-lite and enjoy a nice fresh beer or carafe of wine. The plates to share are a nice compliment to your company - whomever it may be. If I may paint the picture for you... Perhaps a gentle smile with a twirl of her hair between her index finger and her thumb... you stare at that red dress that stares right back at you in the most seductive way. You think of the next lines, but all you want to do is stop the games and discover what makes her tick. Clever phrases are exchanged and topics jump around your brain as you try to memorize everything about her... and as time passes in slow motion, you cherish the moments. Anyway... For me, it was the pork buns. So fatty and rich - I closed my eyes, which probably looked like I was making out with my food. That's okay though - it's just some foreshadowing. Just another day.. just another delicious meal.
(4)Mui K.
I think as a LA girl I'll never get used to the wait in NY! We had to wait 2.5 hrs to share a table. We couldnt even wait at the bar they had here because it was packed so we had to go down the street. Once we sat down the food was good though so it was worth the wait. -steamed buns, what they are most famous for. Yup lives up to the hype. Yummy and the pork is moist and flavorful -pear kimchi, amazing! Love to combination of sweet and pickled, flavor explosion! -Whole boneless porgy, yum. They poured the broth at the table and it was just a nice delicate fish with a light broth
(4)Barry C.
I rarely give 5 Star reviews, but we did have a mighty fine whole duck experience. The duck was unlike any duck I've ever had. Meaty and TENDER. The service was attentive, funny and sharp. You may be wondering if the duck alone can feed six people. In full disclosure we did have 4 adults and 2 kids and we did order one pork bun each, shrimp and grits and bread and butter - all good choices - the pork buns being sublime in all their fattyness. We ended up having about 3 pounds of food left over. So it is a lot of food. Yet, there is a limitation to the amount of fatty duck one can consume, thus the other orders provide variety. But you won't be disappointed with that duck - so soft, tender and fatty. They neatly packed our leftovers and we passed on dessert which is limited. Overall, a worthy experience for any foodie.
(5)C J.
This is a regular spot for us, and we came here on a Wednesday night because I had a hankering for the Porgy, which is an incredible fish dish that I can still imagine the taste of, even many months after eating it for the first time. To my dismay, the kitchen 86ed the Porgy approximately 1 minute after we sat down. I had already told our waitress that was what I was going to order and she was intent on making sure I still left happy. When I told her I didn't eat much meat, she informed me that the restaurant has a vegetarian menu - I didn't know this (we didn't look at it since I ordered another fish dish); be sure to ask for it if someone in your group needs accommodated. After we tried several red wines that our waitress was very knowledgeable about, I landed on her recommendation, but she brought a small pour of the runner-up so I could have a few more sips. I had the Mackerel for dinner, which was solid but underwhelming -- probably because it wasn't the Porgy I came in for. We ordered the shiitake mushroom buns from the bar next door - these aren't on the menu but I think they will always oblige if you ask for them, and in my opinion they are even better than the pork buns that the restaurant is famous for. To end the night, our waitress comp'd us a free dessert (as an "apology" for the lack of the Porgy), which was a beet-based ice cream dish. It was a little weird having a beet-heavy dessert, and I'm not the biggest beet fan, but it was really good. If you like beets, it's a really creative take and an unusual dessert and I'd recommend trying it. First class service all around, our waitress went above and beyond what most servers do, and the food was very, very good, as always. Will be back soon!
(4)Katie S.
I am still thinking about their Michelada. YUM. Went for brunch - this is an awesome place to meet friends if you don't mind sharing. Super fun to assemble your own ssams. Service was wonderful, food came fast, and everything was delicious. I challenge you to TRY to eat the pork buns slowly. I inhaled mine, couldn't help it.
(5)Jenn S.
went here for a friend's birthday. we had the pork dinner. I thought the pork was good. however, didn't feel that it was very special. feel like i can get similar pulled pork anywhere else. i guess the whole idea of lettuce wrap thing is unique but was a-okay.
(3)Timothy H.
Not bad but there's a reason we could walk in at noon on a saturday and get a table with no wait.
(3)