TAL Bistro & Bar NYC

I held a small birthday dinner here with my friends back in early December, so this is a pretty belated review, but I really wanted to write this because of their great service :) My friends apparently asked the staff if they could store the cake and bring it out to surprise me. Not only did they agree to this, but they played the birthday song on speaker, let us eat the cake there AND gave us all new plates and cutlery for it which I was really touched by. They also gifted us another bowl of their amazing(!!) makgeoli which had all of us cheering. Their service made for a truly memorable evening, and I would like to express my thanks for this to the restaurant. Also, for the food, the stir-fried pork with kimchi and seared tofu was a favorite for most of us :) The crispy chicken tenders had a very intriguing slightly bouncy texture (probably because of the rice flour batter), which reminded us of 탕수육, and some of my friends named this as their favorite dish. I also enjoyed the braised pork belly (보쌈), and the radish(?) kimchi that came with it (though I'm not sure if the tofu was seared). The seafood pancake was generously filled with seafood too! All in all, I would recommend this place if anyone is looking for a place to have a gathering for a special occasion.

this was such a devastatingly disappointing visit for me. my friend and i never send back dishes but had to because their tartare was so cold it was borderline crunchy from being frozen… when we asked the server, they said it was served standard this way at TAL, but we could not grit through it because it was also extremely tasteless. they were nice enough to let us swap it for something else at no additional cost but it was pretty shocking. we swapped it for the bulgogi but i really wasn’t impressed by the texture of it for $29. the standouts were the bossam and the sweet potato makgeolli.

Located in K-town this Korean bistro and bar is a great spot for some dinner and drinks with friends. The interior is cozy and a bit small, so I highly recommend reservations. We had reservations but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table to clear up. We got their seafood pancake, bossam, and Korean fried chicken to eat and their sweet potato makgeoli to drink (they're known for their unique menu of makgeoli). The makgeoli was SO good—a little bit sweet and a bit icy. I would come back just to try their other makgeoli drinks. The seafood pancake was probably the best dish we had. It was full of seafood, crispy, and the sauce was good. The bossam was okay in my opinion. It felt a bit dry and there was nothing special about it. The fried chicken was not a favorite. It was really bready, tasted really oily, and the chicken quality didn't taste that good. Overall, I thought that the food here was just okay but their drinks and vibe were great. Might be down to come back for their drinks and maybe try some other dishes.

I don’t usually leave reviews, but the chicken here was incredibly tender with a fluffy, light batter. Dipping it in the yuzu sauce made it refreshing and smooth, going down so easily. The Korean wine sampler was great—I could try different types of makgeolli and then enjoy a full glass of my favorite. It paired especially well with the crispy shrimp balls and acorn jelly, which was such a nice combination. Personally, I really liked the display of ginseng liquor at the bar. I heard ginseng wine is extremely good for your health. I didn’t get to try it this time, but I’ll definitely have it on my next visit.

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at TAL, and wow — what an incredible experience! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, modern atmosphere that feels both elevated and welcoming. The design is chic but not pretentious, and you can tell every detail has been thoughtfully curated. Every dish is bursting with fresh, high-quality ingredients and perfectly balanced flavors. My personal favorite was the chicken and bossam but honestly, everything we tried was outstanding. The strawberry yogurt makgulli was also so good!

TAL Bistro in Manhattan’s Koreatown is one of those spots that instantly feels like a find. It’s stylish yet relaxed with just the right buzz in the air. The food hits all the marks. From shareable apps to mains packed with flavor, you need to complement it with their excellent selection of drinks. The staffs are friendly and on point without hovering, and the vibe works whether you’re on a date or out with friends. Between the atmosphere, the drinks, the portions, TAL Bistro is definitely worth a visit.

DELICIOUSSS. One of the best meals I’ve had in a while. Their bossam *chef’s kiss*. The pork belly was Melt in your mouth tender. I don’t really like pork but this is something I can see myself eating and ordering quite often. The marinated salmon bibimbap, also another banger. The salmon was high quality and the rice was full of veggies. Each bite marinaded each other well. ALSO. their fried chicken is a MUST. It is fried so well and so crunchy and flaky. It was almost like eating fish and chips but it’s chicken..?!?! How?!?! The makgeoli was something unlike any other. I have not drank alcohol since 2022 and this was the first drink I had. Only because my family members said it was THAT GOOD & unique. We ordered their yuzu passion fruit makgeoli and it was almost like a dessert. Inside, the space is beautiful. Very modern and inviting. The chef did a great job with plating and cooking and I can’t wait to go back again.

I can’t say enough good things about Tal! This place is absolutely stunning! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with such a beautiful, modern, and clean atmosphere. Every detail of the interior feels thoughtfully designed and inviting. The food was ALL INCREDIBLE (even side dishes), everything we tried was SO flavorful. Highly recommend the sweet potato & strawberry yogurt makgeolli for drinks!!! From the ambiance to the service to the food, everything at Tal was perfection. I highly, highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a new favorite spot. I can’t wait to come back!

Been here twice already for their makgeolli and my fav is definitely the sweet potato one. The first time we went, we went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded at all and service was very attentive. Our favorite dishes from that day were the seafood pancake and the pork bossum. The second time we came here, it was packed so it took a while for the staff to notice us and give us the menus. (Totally understandable since they looked understaffed). The makgeolli was just as great as last time and we ordered some sweet potato fries to munch on. I was surprised the sweet potato fries ended up being the purple ones (they're my favorite!) so I thoroughly enjoyed them. Recommend coming here on a weekday so it's less crowded OR make sure you arrive early or late during the weekends to beat the rush!

Located in K-town this Korean bistro and bar is a great spot for some dinner and drinks with friends. The interior is cozy and a bit small, so I highly recommend reservations. We had reservations but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table to clear up. We got their seafood pancake, bossam, and Korean fried chicken to eat and their sweet potato makgeoli to drink (they're known for their unique menu of makgeoli). The makgeoli was SO good--a little bit sweet and a bit icy. I would come back just to try their other makgeoli drinks. The seafood pancake was probably the best dish we had. It was full of seafood, crispy, and the sauce was good. The bossam was okay in my opinion. It felt a bit dry and there was nothing special about it. The fried chicken was not a favorite. It was really bready, tasted really oily, and the chicken quality didn't taste that good. Overall, I thought that the food here was just okay but their drinks and vibe were great. Might be down to come back for their drinks and maybe try some other dishes.

TAL is located in the same building as Kunjip and 32 Karaoke - take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Once I entered the space from the elevator, I was surprised! It was quite a large space and really chic / good for a date night or night out with friends, considering the late hours. TAL touts their rice wine selection. Given I'm trying to have less alc, I skipped that but I was truly impressed by the food quality here! A bit surprised by some of the Yelp reviews (giving 3 star ratings) - and so I used that as a guide to not order some of the dishes called out there. My partner and I ordered the fried chicken tenders, bulgogi, and army stew. I personally checked the menu beforehand and can't lie I felt the menu items were pricey. But DANG the portions are HUGE. Those 3 menu items came to about $86 and they could have certainly been shared among 4 people. Now for the food: Crispy chicken tenders - 10/10 HIGHLY recommend! Not only is it a ton of chicken served in the bucket, but the crispy level was TOP NOTCH. How do I describe... it was not a heavy American-Southern style crunchy fried chicken, but a light crispy layer while having a perfectly-cooked chicken tender inside. Bulgogi was yummy. I can't say it was drastically different than other Korean spots in the city Army stew - wow. this was a HUGE portion too and we took home a ton of it. It comes with 2 rice bowls as well. I haven't ordered it at other spots in the city to compare fairly, but it was very spicy and well made. I didn't loooove the chestnut tiramisu. It was okay but the chestnut tiramisu seemed to be frozen (as one of the layers was definitely frozen). The entrees are definitely what to focus on here.

Solid new Korean spot in ktown with delicious food and makgeoli at a reasonable price. Came here on a Friday night with a friend. At 9:30 pm, we didn't need reservations and were instantly seated. However, I suspect if you try to come earlier you may wait a little while as the restaurant stayed pretty busy for the duration of our time there. They have a bunch of set menus you can choose for that come with dishes + makgeoli, however the downside is the makgeoli that comes with the set doesn't include their signature ones. So if you want to get the special makgeoli's, I would suggest you order ala carte. We got the sweet potato makgeoli, chicken tenders, and acorn jelly. The acorn jelly was delicious and a nice, light cold starter. The chicken tenders came in a cute bucket that felt like it was never-ending. The crisp was pretty solid and I would order it again if I wanted fried chicken. To be honest though, the star of the show was the makgeoli-- a little bit on the sweeter side, but the sweet potato really shined through. The crowd seemed like mostly 20-somethings and Korean, which always bodes well. I would definitely come back with friends again in the future. Note: The elevator is small, so if you come with more than like 3 people I'd suggest taking the stairs.

New spot in ktown next to the Kunjip. You take an elevator to get up to the restaurant. The inside is decorated well and has a relaxed vibe. We tried the salmon herb rice, buckwheat noodles and the seafood pancake. The seafood pancake was good, it tasted fresh and was super crispy. The salmon herb rice portion size was pretty small and there was a bunch of diced jalapeños or peppers in it that made it unnecessarily spicy. It took away from the dish as it just tasted like hot peppers. Overall an average Korean spot if you're looking for a quick meal.

Went during Tal's soft opening and already loving this new Ktown spot. Perfect place for makgeolli and traditional Korean dishes in a cozy modern setting. - Braised pork belly (bossam): Melt in your mouth tender. Would've been even better if they offered some ssam (lettuce wraps) on the side. - Seafood & scallion pancake: Crispy edges, loaded with seafood. A little greasy but still really good. - Korean army stew: Comfort food at its best. Rich and flavorful, though slightly on the salty side if you like sipping the broth. - Fish cake soup: Probably the highest quality I've had in Ktown. We couldn't finish it since we were already stuffed, but you can tell they use the kind of fish cakes you'd find in Korea. Service was low key but efficient. They didn't hover but were quick whenever we needed something. Ambiance is perfect for drinks and long chats, though a few table lamps would make it even cozier. I do wish the stew and soup came with a tabletop stove to keep them bubbling while you drink and snack, the proper Korean way to enjoy anju. But maybe they'll add that later since it's still the soft opening. Excited to come back and try more dishes!

Food was pretty good but customer service was mediocre like they did the bare minimum. I came later than my friend but they couldn't bother helping me find the table. Regardless of the service, I did enjoy 2 out of 3 dishes. First, the seafood pancake was filled with squid! Pretty fresh but the sauce was a bit bland. The beef pyeonchae was awful. The seared beef was flavorless and the middle was raw. But the biggest problem was the jelly fish in pear mustard sauce which was gross. It was sweet and salty but in a bad combination which made the whole dish disappointing. The braised pork belly was the best. The bossam was good and we ordered seaweed rice on the side with great seasoning. I also enjoyed the side dishes but they didn't refill so that was sad.

tried this new spot because i love makgeolli, the drink itself was good but overall it wasn't great in my opinion :( food; portions are very small for the price. also for the set menu when it says makgeollli of your choice, they mean the pre-bottled ones and none of the speciality, so we ended up just ordering dishes separately. the eggplant tangsoo was not what i expected and don't recommend, the jaeyook was ok, but potato jeon was definitely the best. the drinks; sweet potato makgeolli was good!! except its very sweet so as you keep eating, it doesn't pair well with the food. the service; i reserved a booth on resy so i was surprised when i came and all the booths were taken and we were seated in the other dining chairs. they check on you pretty frequently overall, i think this place is good to come for maybe a second or third round since the drinks are sweet.

Came here a couple weeks ago by chance and had to come back again already. Sweet potato makgeolli is a must every time. The bossam is melt-in-your-mouth tender with amazing radish kimchi, and the chicken is perfectly crispy outside and unbelievably juicy inside. The best chicken and bossam in NY/NJ--can't find anywhere