This lively Korean BBQ joint in Murray Hill shines with tableside grilling of tender galbi and an abundance of tasty banchan, making for a must-visit dining experience.
"Located in Murray Hill, Queens, just off the picturesque village square, Mapo lies at the heart of a vibrant Korean community. The broad and convivial dining room is usually packed in the evenings (go for lunch if you can), and the place is decorated with pictures of Black Angus cattle to get you in the mood. The menu serves barbecue classics with a wide spread of banchan, and you should end your meal with cold mung-bean vermicelli." - Caroline Shin, Robert Sietsema
"She recalls that Mapo BBQ, Han Joo, Mail Garden, and Hahm Ji Bach were there, but it was in the early-to-mid 2010s, when Korean immigration peaked to 1.1 million in the U.S., that Food Alley was at its golden age." - Caroline Shin
"A destination spot whose charcoal barbecue renown has surpassed the Murray Hill community, Mapo has sadly been weathering its share of troubles since the pandemic; the death of its owner and a temporary closure have cast a pall over the typically lively space. Now reopened, its standout barbecue remains. Over crackling embers, high-quality cuts of galbi or black pork sizzle and yield tender, juicy bites of meat. Don’t skip on the yukgejang here either: the broth is rich and spicy and the soup altogether is loaded with ample amounts of shredded beef, fernbrake fiddleheads, and scallions." - Caroline Shin
"In his launch video, he is seen sitting at a Korean barbecue restaurant in Flushing, Queens." - Gary He
"You might not be able to sit in this Korean BBQ spot and grill marinated kalbi right now, but you can still order enough sweet and smoky meat for two people, plus over 10 types of banchan and as much rice as you want to eat at home. Call (718) 886-8292 to order." - Hannah Albertine, Nikko Duren, Bryan Kim, Arden Shore, Matt Tervooren
