E-MO

Very small shop, friendly employees, quick service, and food is pretty good! You walk in and there is a counter and room for maybe two, pushing three people in that space to order. They take only cash and one thing to note is that if you want your change back, you have to ask! I was going to give a couple of dollars as tip either way but was a little thrown off when they did not even offer to give me change back lol the food is made fresh and taste pretty good I tried the bugulgi kimbap and the spicy chicken kimbap. Beware that the spicy chicken is delicious but pretty spicy! It is also quite expensive. I paid like twenty seven dollars for two kimbaps. Now for my standard comments. Location is very tiny but seems clean. No seating and barely any room to step inside. Very quick and efficient service though.

Great Korean kimbap for to go only. It's a small shop without any seating. You order at the counter, pay in cash, then see the staff assemble the kimbap right in front of you! Their menu ranges from bulgogi (beef) kimbap $13, spicy tuna kimbap $13, cheese kimbap $11, vegetable kimbap $11, squid kimbap $13, spam kimbap $12 and more! I liked that they included both vegetarian, seafood, and meat options.

love this!!!!!! supr delicious kimbap! friendly service, cash only if you don't know the place, it's take out only, no sitting available 😁

This is a great place for a quick bite to-go in K-Town. It's cash-only and the service is fast. I got the Beef Bulgogi Kimbap, which is a thin marinated beef, and it was very solid. All the ingredients tasted fresh. I'd definitely recommend stopping by here if you're looking to grab something fresh and fast.

A little mom-and-pop spot tucked away in K Town, known for their gimbaps! It's on the pricier side but the food is very fresh and made to order. The spicy crab and eel is my go to! FYI - it's cash only!

E-MO definitely has some of the better gimbap you’ll find in ny. It’s a little hole in the wall spot and they have tons of options. My go to gimbap are the 매은 참치 and 장어. It is takeout only so the staff usually are able to get you your food pretty quickly. They’re also super friendly and patient, i’ve ordered in korean basically every time I go and they’re really cool about it. The only downside with E-MO is that it’s a bit pricey for gimbap but if you don’t mind spending the extra money i’d say go for it.

E-Mo is a hidden kimbap gem in ktown. I came here to grab a few rolls to share with friends and they were delicious and easy to share. The staff was also extremely nice - the woman who took our order was so friendly and the woman who was making the kimbap in the back was so skilled and quick. We ordered one beef kimbap and one spicy squid kimbap. Both were equally delicious and would totally come back for more.

Very nice place. The Mild Tuna Kimbap was delicious. I can eat Kimbap everyday. Friendly employees and peaceful space. ☺️ for me 100/10⭐️

They have removed styrofoam from packaging! They now have 3 veggie options- mushroom (fave), vegetable and jalapeno. LOVE this spot for a quick meal. They make it super quick. Service is good & efficient. CASH only. Not sure where else there is a kimbap only store in Manhattan!

If you are getting your kimbap from Woorijip, try E-MO -- it's right next door and far, far better! Once you place your order, the owners roll your kimbap on the spot, so you get them nice and warm. These rolls are only $10-11 and so delicious! I got the Tuna Kimbap, and I thought it was very authentic and so filling! They do not skimp out on the ingredients at all. Would love to come back to try other flavors! One thing to note though is it is cash & takeout only - remember to bring cash!

This is a great place for a quick bite to-go in K-Town. It's cash-only and the service is fast. I got the Beef Bulgogi Kimbap, which is a thin marinated beef, and it was very solid. All the ingredients tasted fresh. I'd definitely recommend stopping by here if you're looking to grab something fresh and fast.

Solid kimbap in ktown - def pricier than you'd expect, but this is Manhattan. Also cash only fyi!

Still cash only! Very small place, no seating area, order and leave. Try for yourself and you decide. I have been to this place many times before and was surprised I never wrote a review. It's been 1-2 years since I've been here so take this with a grain of salt. Stopped by and was picking up a quick lunch item. The prices went up by $2 and more ingredient options available. I decided on a mushroom kimbob ($10). The kimbob was warmish and they didn't have the miso soup anymore unless they ran out and I misunderstood that day. The kimbob didn't taste the same as it used to. In the past, I couldn't get enough of the mushroom in equally cut sizes. I miss the elderly woman making the rolls and soup.

Very cute place for kimbap pickup! There's a lot of kimbap pickup at the food courts around k-town for a little cheaper but it's worth giving this place a try. I could tell the ingredients were all fresher, and there's way more variety. I got the mild tuna kimbap and would recommend for non-spicy lovers. The service is also really friendly, so highly recommend supporting this local business in the heart of k-town. Just remember it's cash only!

CASH ONLY, but a very convenient and quick spot to pick up food on the go! I prefer E-Mo over other places in ktown.

I've been coming here for over a decade, and love it!! Both the previous and current owners made conversation with me and memorized my regular cheese kimbap order yes...I can be a creature of habit, too! And it's cash only.

Small takeout only counter service in Koreatown serving freshly made kimbop. Nice hearty portion and alot of different options. Flavorful and seasoned perfectly. Super nice customer service. Reasonable prices considering how big and stuffed the kimbop is. Note: Cash only but there is an ATM across the street inside of CVS.

I'm often a fan of hole in the wall discoveries w/very limited menus. Usually it means that the proprietor got one thing right and is focused on delivering that one thing masterfully. E-mo makes kimbab to order and is definitely a hole in a wall. There are no seats and barely enough standing room inside. Sadly the kimbab that I ordered was not a stand out in anyway. It was fine. Slightly more flavorful than the grab and go options at Woorijip a few doors down, but costs $2-$5 more. If you have 15-20 to spare then go across the street to Food Gallery 32. Also I want to mention that E-mo is cash only.

All I have to say is this spot has the BEST kimbap in all of New York. It is so delicious, so fresh, and cheap. This tiny shop can be deceiving because of its size but the taste of the Kimbap definitely shows it's worth.

a bit pricey but their kimbaps are made on the spot and fresh. love the simplicity of this to-go kimbap place and great customer service as well.

This place is straightforward and good at what they do. Like others said, it's a hole in the wall and very small. There's only enough room for 2 customers to stand and wait at a time. I got the eel kimbap which was good and satisfied my craving. I like how they wrap everything made to order, so the rice was fresh and wasn't hard like some grab and go places can be. Be sure to bring cash if you plan to stop by as they are cash only!

I came here as I'm staying in the area and had a rough night partying. I remember seeing this place on my past visits but never really thought to go there until I saw Esther Choi's social media post about the place and I figured why not, let's try it. Firstly, it's EXPENSIVE. It was $11 for a spicy tuna kimbap that wasn't even that good. It was just sustenance. On top of that, they're cash only and no where to eat! Would I go again? Probably not.

This used to be the best gimbap place in the city. Everything was so solidly good and very tasty. I don't know what happened to the original owner but looks like they've changed hands and now the gimbap does not taste the same. Especially their spicy tuna in particular, it is definitely a BIG MISS now. Lacking flavor and VERY dry. As if they want to save money by using less of every ingredient that made it special before. It tastes like dry tuna with a dash of spicy. Very sad!! If current owner sees this please stop ruining the gimbap and stay true to the taste.

A small hole in the wall place in K-town that sells kimbap (Korean rolled sushi). They are cash only! I ordered the spicy tuna kimbap and the bulgogi kimbap for my husband. It totaled to $22. Price wise- I thought it was a bit on the expensive side, but I understand that rent is probably high here, as opposed to in Queens. Taste -wise- it was not bad, but not someplace I would come to order kimbap again. Since I've tried kimbap from many places in Queens, the kimbap at EMO was subpar. Lastly, I ordered the spicy tuna kimbap but was given the regular tuna kimbap instead. By the time I went to eat it, I was already on the way to uptown and was far to go back and mention it to the store.

Prices went up by a couple of bucks over the past year, but I still buy kimbap here anyway because I'm too lazy to do it at home. They're pretty big and one is plenty for a meal. Every roll is $10 + these days. I'm not sure where else you will find someone cranking out kimbap in front of you in K-town, so I don't mind the price too much. You can definitely buy the prepared ones at H-mart/Woorijip if you're trying to save a few dollars.

Bulgogi and mushroom kimbob were both great. Very cute small store with friendly service. Cash only.

I come here for the vegetable and mushroom kimbaps on the reg when I'm running around the city with not much time. This is the hole in the wall shop that has weathered the pandemic and with good reason. The ingredients are consistently fresh and for under $10 you can get your money's worth of a homemade roll that is just *chef's kiss.* A great respite if you want a break from oily takeout foods while not sacrificing taste. Just make sure you bring cash because it's cash only. Lots of ATM's nearby if not. There is often a line whenever I go, but they prepare the rolls quickly so the wait is minimal. Worth the trek. Try it once and see if you'll be converted.

I love E-Mo!! In Korean it's translated to auntie and there kimbap rolls reminds me of eating kimbap at my aunties house LOL When you want a quick snack on the go, or crave some kimbap this place definitely is a must try in K town! E-Mo has a variety of different types of kimbap going down the list from traditional all the way to Eel. My favorite kimbap is always the Tuna and Bulgogi. This place is not a restaurant to dine in. It's literally a small space where you walk through the doors and order. The rolls are done within a few minutes and wrapped in aluminum foil to take with you. It's cash only so make sure you have cash on hand. This time I just wanted a quick snack while I was walking through town. The Tuna Kimbap was the perfect snack to fill my appetite. It had the perilla leaves that makes the tuna kimbap taste traditional and they did not skimp on all the veggie fixings. Next time you are in Korea town, stop by E-Mo!

E-Mo is a hidden kimbap gem in ktown. I came here to grab a few rolls to share with friends and they were delicious and easy to share. The staff was also extremely nice - the woman who took our order was so friendly and the woman who was making the kimbap in the back was so skilled and quick. We ordered one beef kimbap and one spicy squid kimbap. Both were equally delicious and would totally come back for more.

Every time we visit NYC, we have to stop by E-mo, especially because I have such a soft spot for kimbap. It's a tiny hole in the wall spot that's just big enough for 1 person to step in and place an order. If no one else is there, you can wait inside and watch them make your kimbap, or else you can order and wait outside and the will let you know once it's ready. If you aren't familiar, kimbap is basically Korean sushi. It can be filled with a variety of meats, but usually has the same staple ingredients.. carrots, spinach, Korean radish. E-mo has tons of different varieties, which is what makes it so great. We usually always get the bulgogi and spam kimbaps.. those two are staples and you can never go wrong. This time we tried the spicy crab salad and eel. They both came out still warm and wrapped in foil for togo. Since I'm not a huge eel fan, I didn't try it, but my friend who ordered said it was delicious. The crab salad was basically crab stick, kewpi and sriracha, the same kind that you usually get with sushi, and was really good, although I think I'd still rather stick to bulgogi or spam. Price wise, they're very affordable, especially compared to other places that I've ordered kimbap from. They do not skimp on the filling, are made fresh every order, and I feel like you really do get a lot of bang for your buck!

Kimbop here is decent but it's honestly nothing special. I've had a lot better for less $$. Cash only.

Hard to review because for most folks who didn't grow up eating kimbab, there's no point of reference so it's all whatever. Pros: It's the only legit kimbab place in the area. Cons: It's not that good. Price is high for what it is. Cash only.

Excellent place to grab kimbap in K-town. Out of all the different ones we've tried, my favorites remain the bulgogi and the broiled eel. Of note, the store front is very small so it's just for takeouts. It's also cash only.

Nice people and a great place for a quick snack stop . Not the cheapest but a generous portion and very fresh

Kimbab got a nice flavor and spice to it. This is a quick to go spot for Kimbab. The spicy tuna is $11 and there is no charge of tax.

I absolutely loooooove kimbap. I wish Hawaii had more kimbap shops like this; it's such an easy snack to munch on and take on the go! It was conveniently a short 10 minute from our hotel. I should of took advantage of that more :( sure the prices are a littttle up there but I'd say the quality is good enough for me to keep coming back. They're really sweet people who seem happy that you chose their little shop in the hustle bustle of Korea town. I believe this is only place I found myself venturing back twice and I wish I got to come by one more time before the flight. UNTIL NEXT TIME E-MO!

Love how quick and convenient this spot is! I literally eat it on the go.. as I walk to my appt in the neighborhood. I typically get the spam one and it comes nice and warm wrapped up.

Must try: Bul-go-gi and Spicy Crab Salad Kimbob! Why: Authentic kimbob from a cute little shop! Loved the Bul-go-gi and Spicy Crab Salad Kimbob. Quickly made on the spot and each one came with 10 pieces packed with veggies and meat. Delicious, fresh and filling! Notes: Cash only. Most rolls under $10. Grab to-go with no dine-in.

No frills, grab & go kimbab! This small hole in the wall kimbab shop whips up your choice of kimbab within minutes for a quick delicious snack or meal. I ordered the spicy tuna ($11) and received my order within minutes! Prices have definitely increased over the years, but remains pretty consistent with some other kimbab spots. The spicy tuna was really good, and can be eaten even by those with low spice tolerance. I'd recommend 1 roll for a snack/light meal, and 2 rolls for a meal. Service is super friendly & efficient! Also note - it's cash only.

A very small shop on the busy street of Koreantown. Passed by this place last time but they were closing so couldn't get to try and was excited to try it this time around. We ordered the Bulgogi kimbob and the spicy crab salad kimbob. While the Bulgogi kimbob had decent flavoring, the spicy crab salad kimbob lacked. I kind of wanted to be a bit more spicier. I'm sure I'll be returning to try their other kimbob soon!

Small cash-only kimbap spot in ktown. Great large rolls, which are prepared fresh and quickly and so easy to eat on the go. Got a bulgogi kimbap ($9.50) and a broiled eel kimbap ($11.99) to go before a long Amtrak ride. Ordered food and was ready to go in less than 10min. Both rolls were packed with meat and veggies and came with ~10 pieces. So delicious! The bulgogi tasted like regular beef kimbap to me, but the eel was so soft and flavorful - would highly recommend. My friend's partner (who's family is currently in Seoul) has given the thumbs up on this spot being great for kimbap, so I'd definitely say you should check it out!

Not for me. Think I had wanted a slightly sweeter, saltier bulgogi to offset the other more subtle ingredients. Perhaps a fattier cut could have also helped, but I understand that it's meant to be a light fare.

Little Kim bob store in k town. Each Kim bob is under $10 Made to order Always fresh My fav is beef and spicy tuna This is a great place to grab quick lunch to go

This place is so cute!!! A small little mom and pop shop to pick up kimbap! This place is to-go and cash only. Got the bulgogi kimbap and they rolled it up on the spot. The owners were super sweet! It was really flavorful and filling. One roll is pretty big and is probably enough for one person, and the rolls are around $10-12 so it's very reasonably priced for the quality! Definitely check them out!

Although it is a small shop, it is hard to miss it when passing by, because you will definitely be attracted by the cute eel drawing on the window. The shop is very small, so there is no dine-in. They sell freshly-made kimbaps (Korean sushi rolls) and they have regular flavors and specials, but this time I bought regular beef and tuna kimbap. Maybe because it's freshly made and hot, so it really tastes better than the ones sold in ordinary Korean supermarkets! Next time I will try the other special flavors! 雖然是一間小店，但路過很難會錯過，因為絕對會被牆上的可愛鰻魚圖案給吸引了，店面很小所以沒有堂食，只有現買現做的韓式壽司捲，有賣很多不同於一般的口味，但這次先買了普通的牛肉以及鮪魚口味的壽司，可能是現做又熱呼呼的，所以真的是比一般韓國超市賣的好吃呢！下次有機會再來，一定要試試其他特別的口味！

Very good kimbap shop located in the heart of K-Town. Pretty pricy for kimbap but for the portion and quality, and given the fact that it's located in K-Town, it's pretty fair for what it is. I really liked that they were made fresh and the fact that they didn't have fishcakes in them lol Both the bulgogi and teriyaki chicken kimbap were pretty good. I was a bigger fan of the teriyaki chicken surprisingly, it was a lot more flavorful (Though it tasted more like curry chicken). Keep in mind that it is cash only, and they don't give you any napkins or chopsticks with your kimbap, lol. It's sliced, though.

This was exactly what I wanted. I'd not had kimbap rolls before -- but I really liked it. It was basically like a Japanese sushi roll, though some of the presentation and ingredients were just a bit different. I had the spicy tuna roll, which was excellent. The price is great (I think like $10 or $11, if I remember correctly -- cash only). It is a small place and there was a line, although it moved quickly -- took about 5 minutes for me to leave with my roll. I ate it finger-food style while walking Manhattan, which was surprisingly easy. This might be a K-town street food go to for me.

Cute hole in the wall kimbap place in koreatown. Owners are extremely friendly and your food comes out very fast (less than 1 min!) Everything is takeout and there's no seating, but I brought it to Bryant park (~10 min walk away) where's there's tons of seats to eat outside. Pay this place a visit if you're ever craving a quick snack!

CASH ONLY! Ah, E-Mo, my favorite place for kimbap. My go-tos are the bulgogi (classic) and the spicy tuna (love the perilla leaf). Service is always fast, polite, and kind. Prices are reasonable, too. One kimbap is reliably enough to feed me, and I like the balance of ingredients as well - not too much rice, but not too dry from too much meat etc. E-Mo is always consistent, which I appreciate it. Between this and stopping somewhere else for bubble tea, getting lunch to go in K-town is super easy!

Love this place!! The gimbap is the best! So fresh and full of ingredients! A very healthy balanced meal with spinach, carrots, radish, protein, & rice all wrapped in seaweed. My favorite is the bulgogi and the spicy tuna!

Solid, fresh gimbap. It's made to order and was ready quickly! I enjoyed it a lot and thought the portions were good for the price. I wish the bulgogi was more flavorful, but I still come back.

Tried out this store because my friend and I wanted kimbap for our picnic, which is also, THE go-to picnic food. The shop was tiny but decorated in cute yellow wallpaper. There was one man running the shop, and he was super polite. He rolled our Bulgogi kimbap ($8.99) right before our eyes, so you know it's fresh. Unfortunately, one thing I noticed right away after taking a bite was the bulgogi was super dry. I felt liked I needed sauce for it! But nonetheless, it was satisfying and filling for the price. I appreciate the nice worker one-manning the show during this time!

Freshly made kimbap is always the best! E-mo is always my pre-Amtrak or pre-NJTransit stop for my commute snack. I've only had the mushroom kimbap and can't seem to break away from this everytime I stop in for my travel snack. Remember cash only. $10 well spent! Support your local mom & pop shopl!

Cute little spot in KTown where you can buy kimbap to go, made fresh for you to pick up. YUM! They're cash only so remember to bring cash (and extra since you'll definitely want to get more than one). Bulgogi Kimbap (5/5): This is my must get, base kimbap. There are at least 8-10 pieces in every roll and each kimbap is packed to the brim with filling, including egg, spinach, bulgogi, etc. Such a solid roll that all of my friends love. Eel Kimbap (5/5): I get this when I'm splurging a bit more as it's pricier than the basic kimbap. The eel is great and comes warm in the roll. Love how juicy and saucy the eel is within the roll adding to the texture and flavor of the dish. Definitely try!

Best kimbap in the city. Literally a hole in the wall, cash only, with someone rolling to order. I love ittttt. Spicy crab and bulgolgi are my go to. Soicy chicken is hottttt beware!

Love this place! Came across it when I got off on the wrong stop for work and decided to pick up lunch, but all the Kimbap places were closed! Luckily this place was open (since 9AM) as a hole in the wall place (literally!) The guy who makes it hand rolls it fresh for you and it's super quick. There's never a line and it's always super pleasant. I got the mild crab roll ($12) then and been in love since. I get this as an early morning pickup for lunch at work and it's so filling, perfect to eat at my desk. He packs it up in a to go bag, aluminum foil, chopsticks and I'm all set in about 5 mins. E mo you have my heart and I look forward to getting it when I come into office.

Very fresh, made to order, rice is warm. Very worthwhile. Never eat prepackaged supermarket kimbap again.