Hangawi
Vegan restaurant · Midtown East ·
Creative vegetarian Korean fare; shoes off at the door
Creative vegetarian Korean fare; shoes off at the door
"When I step into Hangawi in Koreatown I immediately sense that this isn’t an average restaurant — you’re asked to remove your shoes and keep your voice down in a space that bills itself as a vegetarian shrine. The food is distinctly Korean but free of the expected barbecue and bulgogi, instead featuring items like perilla leaf tofu patties, crispy mushrooms in sweet-and-sour sauce, and organic buckwheat noodles; the singular vibe and refreshingly animal-product–free take on Korean flavors make everything that arrives at the table a pleasant surprise." - Kyle Beechey
"At Hangawi, you’ll take your shoes off at the door, then sit on a floor pillow next to your table. That’s only one way in which this Koreatown restaurant feels homey and unique. The extensive menu is entirely vegetarian, with dumplings, kimbap, rice cakes, and a bunch of other things like bibimbap and a spicy tofu hot pot. There's a prix fixe option for $99, but we recommend going the a la carte route so you can customize your meal. Bring a few in-laws for a nice meal, or stop by for a quiet date night. Socks aren't required, but they're highly recommended." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, neha talreja, kenny yang
"There's no need to break out your showpiece shoes at HanGawi as it's shoes-off at this traditional Korean restaurant. The low tables, aromatic Mt Jilee tea, and dark wood motifs feel like they’re not only from a different place, but also a different time. Compared to the boisterous karaoke bars and k-pop blasting restaurants, HanGawi is a rare pocket of quiet in one of New York’s busiest neighborhoods. And while Korean cuisine may be known for its savory sweet barbecue and sticky fried chicken, this establishment sets that all aside in favor of an entirely vegetarian menu. In order to tackle some of the more ambitious plates—think a platter full of fried mushrooms, an extravaganza of kimbap rolls, and do-it-yourself ssam bab—it’s best to come with a hungry crew."
"Beyond an ordinary façade lies this serene, shoes-off retreat with traditional low tables, Korean artifacts and meditative music. While wine and beer are available, a pot of royal green tea from Mt. Jilee is a more apt pairing considering the soothing setting.HanGawi is a soft-spoken, vegetarian-only restaurant that cares about what you eat and how you feel. The ssam bap offers a fun DIY experience with a long platter of fillings. Dark leafy lettuce and thin, herbaceous sesame leaves are topped with creamy slices of avocado, crunchy bean sprouts, pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, radish and three rice options—white, brown and a nutty, purple-tinged multigrain. Topped with miso ssam sauce, each bite is a fresh burst of uplifting textures." - Michelin Inspector
"At this upscale Korean spot in Midtown, you’ll remove your shoes, sit at a table on the floor, and eat family-style vegetarian dishes like pumpkin porridge and dumplings. And even though Hangawi has enough ceramics and rugs encased in glass on display to qualify as an extension of The Met, you can laugh loudly, drink inhumane amounts of soju, and try to forget you’re aging without getting any angry stares." - nikko duren, matt tervooren