HOWOO
Korean barbecue restaurant · Midtown East ·
Premium Korean BBQ with aged wagyu & exceptional service
Premium Korean BBQ with aged wagyu & exceptional service
"I can’t believe how much I loved Howoo , the Korean barbecue restaurant inside the three-in-one complex that includes tofu-centric DubuHaus and the cocktail bar with snacks, Musaek. The spaces are packed, each with such a different scene — even when I left after 11 p.m. on a Friday. If I were going with one other person, I’d snag a seat at the bar, where there’s a barbecue setup at every pairing. But I was with a larger table, which felt private but still in the mix of things, with just the right acoustics so you can hear everyone at the table even though the room is busy. Tables can order a set meal that comes with banchan, souffles, salads, noodles, and dessert, as well as a la carte options. But don’t skip the excellent appetizers: a mix of textures in the seafood naeng-chae, with jellyfish, octopus, squid, shrimp, and lotus roots, dressed with sesame and a vinegary dressing ($28). I also loved the steak tartare, served with the subtly sweet Asian pear, egg, and seaweed crisps ($29). I can’t wait to go back to try the more casual Dubu Haus downstairs." - Nat Belkov
"With a Bitcoin ATM in the waiting area and a dark, gold-accented dining room that looks kind of like where the banker sits in Deal Or No Deal, Howoo isn’t your everyday KBBQ restaurant. We’d actually recommend booking this Nomad spot—an even more upscale option from the group behind Nubiani—when you’re trying to impress someone: a client, maybe, or a colleague who really appreciates A5 wagyu from Miyazaki. photo credit: Urimat Hospitality Though you can order a la carte here, Howoo is a place to go all out. So while the Prime package ($155 for two) includes four fatty, American wagyu cuts, plus a massive amount of of banchan, stews and noodle dishes, once you’re here, you might as well spring for the premium Japanese meats in the Elite package, which is $195 for two. The meal is coursed out and several rounds of food arrive before the beef even touches the grill at the center of your table. Banchan first, with sesame-forward japchae and squeaky oyster mushrooms, then a sweet and jiggly egg soufflé. Then, it's the main event: various cuts of beef, which are aged for at least 35 days in a room you can peek at from the main dining area. photo credit: Will Hartman photo credit: Will Hartman Pause Unmute While all the wagyu is exceptionally marbled and tender, the three non-marinated cuts (filet mignon, short rib and striploin) do blend together a little when surrounded by so many louder flavors. But the staff do a wonderful job of the grilling, which leaves you and your dinner partner in a sort of black box-type space to cut deals and talk shop. They'll be adding lunch soon, if you're looking for more of a power lunch situation. Just come hungry—when you factor in the round of kimchi stew or noodles at the end, it’s a lot of food. Food Rundown Spicy Cold Noodles These spicy cold noodles are a must order. They’re loaded with hot mustard and vinegar, which helps deglaze all the beef fat still clinging to your teeth. photo credit: Urimat Hospitality Kimchi Stew In a vacuum, we like this kimchi stew. It’s spicy, the broth is nice and tangy, and it comes with fluffy aromatic rice. But between this and the noodles for your “second round” choice after your meats, we’d choose the noodles—they just work a little better with the rest of the meal. photo credit: Urimat Hospitality Green Tea Ice Cream This little paper cup of smooth, grassy green tea ice cream is the perfect send off. And after all the salty things you’ve eaten, it’s a nice reprieve." - Will Hartman
"If you need to impress a client with 35-day-aged wagyu, Howoo is the place to do it. The luxurious, black-and-gold Korean BBQ restaurant sells prix fixe packages starting at $155 (though you can always add on a la carte). Servers grill the meat using gold-colored tongs, which should work nicely for someone you’re trying to cut a deal with." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah
"Howoo is a newly opened 250-seat restaurant, one of three to debut in this location. Order from various options, including the elite package ($385 for four), which includes six cuts and banchan. The non-Korean cuts like rib-eye and A5 Miyazaki wagyu start the progression, and it ends with a traditional Korean spread of galbi, stews (doenjang or kimchi), kettle-pot rice, and naengmyeon made with lotus leaf noodles that are unusual for New York. The room is sprawling, the bar is grand, and there are options to check out the kitchen, such as the area reserved for making tofu." - Melissa McCart
"In Koreatown, Howoo packages their KBBQ options in “Prime” and “Elite” packages—with a starting price of $155 for two people. The hospitality group behind the restaurant also plans to open a few more spots: like a restaurant specializing in handmade tofu and a raw bar." - will hartman, bryan kim
