Jea K.
Google
An upscale, moody Korean gastropub that hasn't lost its soul.
Jusig used to be one of our family’s go-to spots on a weekday evening back when it was a much more modest neighborhood joint. They’ve since moved underground and evolved into a spacious, upscale pub (mocha) that blends the lively, communal energy of a traditional Korean market with the refined aesthetics of a modern lounge. The place is packed now, even on weekdays, but we were able to snag one of the last open tables without a wait.
The menu is a mix of fusion pasta dishes and elevated Korean anju (bar food). Essentially, traditional drinking snacks with fine dining aesthetics while fully retaining the original, punchy flavors and soul. We stuck to what they do best, and honestly, the execution on almost everything was even better than what I remember from years ago. The signature Gamtae-wrapped spicy octopus rice balls were an absolute bomb, and both the eel tempura and the pressure-cooked pork belly were fantastic.
I’ve been to a lot of wildly popular Korean gastropubs with similar concepts in NYC, but the food here is definitely better. Because of the underground location and the concept, it’s definitely not a place most tourists are going to accidentally walk into, but I highly recommend giving it a shot.
