If you’ve ever dined out at Korean restaurants, you're probably familiar with banchan, the side dishes that are served along with rice which are an integral component of the meal. At Atoboy, these side dishes become the focus as they're married with Western ingredients and techniques along with the small plate dining concept. The modern Korean eatery is helmed by Junghyun Park, the former chef de cuisine at Jungsik, the first Korean restaurant in the US to be awarded two Michelin stars. The name comes from an old Korean word “Ato” that means “gift.” Located in Nomad behind a low key facade that one could easily miss if not looking for it, the restaurant has a decidedly industrial meets sparse vibe with concrete walls and minimally detailed wood tables and chairs.
The menu is structured as a seasonal $39 three course prix fixe meal from which the diner gets to choose one dish from each of three sections. Family style dining is encouraged. The menu is vegetarian friendly and includes a diversity of proteins. We pored over our choices with relative ease and our server confirmed that a few were his favorites. The meal includes a side of pickles, kimchi and white rice. One can also opt for rice seasoned with seaweed for $2. Don't think about it and just get the seaweed rice! Much to my delight they had cornsilk tea which I had to order to accompany our meal and when it was served, they also brought us a crispy seaweed amuse bouche.
The dishes served on small plates feature a precise and elegant plating which matches the distinct fine dining feel of the food itself. Everything we tried from the Yellowtail Yuza and Beef Tartare to the Sunchoke and Broccoli Rabe to the Pork Jowl and Chicken were excellent. The dishes were all well thought out and executed. A particular standouts was the sunchoke with black truffle, oyster mushrooms, and orange were an unexpected combination with incredible flavor. The fried chicken which was both crisp and juicy was served with a spicy peanut butter made for some tasty bites. We also really enjoyed the yellowtail which was refreshing and the pork jowl which elevates an often overlooked cut. It's one the tastiest IMO. The service was attentive and friendly without being overwhelming. We had a terrific experience at Atoboy and look forward to returning when their seasonal menu shifts.
Do you have a favorite kind of banchan? I'm partial to kkadugi (cubed radish kimchi) and yeongeun jorim (soy braised lotus root).
Atoboy
43 East 28th Street
New York City
646.476.7217
$$ - $$$
20 comments
It looks so delicious! I hope you enjoyed!
http://violettedaily.com
Wow, these dishes look delicious dear. I love how you have shown them <3
Happy Monday <3 Kisses <3
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Yum, the food looks great! It's an interesting decor for a restaurant but if the food is good that's all that matters really! :)
Hope that you are having a nice start to your week and you had a good weekend! We had a quiet one here.
Away From The Blue Blog
Lovely post dear! Have a great week! xx
Thanks to you we could find awesome restaurant to try now this is a place to archive and go and try that delicious food you share.
Looks so delicious, yum ;))) x
Beautiful.
What a great concept for a restaurant! I love banchan, and most of the time, I eat so much of them that I don't finish the main meal...hehe....Everything sounds/looks delicious, Rowena:)
The Korean food looks fusion. Love to try too! xoxo
Oh everything sounds wonderful! I love banchan, especially simple bean sprouts, tofu pieces, or spicy squid. I bet my little one would really love this, especially the pork jowl! The sun choke sounds so interesting too!
Korean restaurants are always so delicious. Good banchan completes the meal. Restaurant owners use webtogo for customer service solutions. Ataboy looks amazing. And as for banchan, I'm partial to a seaweed salad myself.
I'm not sure if I'd eat all the food, but I love the concrete walls and minimalist look of this restaurant.
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Wow, this food looks great!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
<a
That looks very interesting, thank you for sharing.
xoxo
Dusana
www.letnedni.com
Hi Rowena! Family style is my favorite way to dine, I love sharing food. Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow, your pictures are awesome, they made my mouth water. I have to check out Atoboy, it’s perfect for me.
That's such a good price for what you get! It looks lovely.
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
I'm not surprised you're looking forward to returning when their seasonal menu shifts, it sounds as though you had a lovely experience there! I love the translation of 'Ato' to 'gift' :)
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
The dishes look really delicious and for once, I appreciate the smaller portions. I can't wait to go Vancouver so I can sought out a restaurant that offers something similar.
Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity
Yummy, yummy....I've never had seaweed rice, I'd love to try that, but honestly all of these dishes seem delicious. Atoboy sounds like a great Korean restaurant and it is great that the service is friendly.
When I saw the decor, I immediately thought industrial. I've never had Korean food! Will have to try. Looks delicious.
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