Kisa

Kisa prides itself on being authentically Korean, and I can definitely see why. From the decor to the food offerings, it's refreshingly traditional. Highly recommend making a reservation; we came at 15min after opening and the restaurant was already 2/3 filled. The lunch and dinner menus are different, and while both are limited (3-5 menu items), I actually prefer that, as it's easy to choose what you'd like to eat.We ordered the Donkatsu and the Gamjatang (lunch). The Donkatsu, while Japanese-influenced (tonkatsu, essentially), was nonetheless unlike anything I've ever eaten. It's a tomato-based sauce with panko-fried pork cutlets (katsu). The salad and radish complemented the meal quite well. The Gamjatang is a spicy bone broth soup with tender, succulent meat and lots of bonchon (side dishes). The prices are very fair (sub $20), so you're not breaking the bank here. Service was excellent. Definitely want to return for dinner!

Had been meaning to come for a while, as it's included on the list of places to try in the area. We ended up waiting about an hour (there's a bar two doors down called... Two Doors Down.... that is an easy place to spend some time). The menu is simple: you choose a protein (bulgolgi, spicy squid, pork, or bibimbap) and then it comes with a circle of banchan. We went with the pork and the squid. The mains themselves were delicious and pretty hefty in portion. I far preferred the pork (the squid may have been a bit too spicy at the expense of flavor). The banchan were delicious. There are standards like kimchi, egg, raddish. Surprises are the popcorn chicken, soy-marinated salmon, and my ultimate favorite tri-color Jeon. Comes with rice and a delightfully light soup.I could see the price being a bit much at $32/each (especially since I could probably go to Flushing and have a very similar meal for maybe half the price). Service was super friendly and quick.Worth the try if you're in the area and a fan of Korean food but don't know if it's a must.

Kisa became popular very quick in the city, so wait times can be long. If you're able to get a reservation, better to you. We came on a Saturday at 7pm to put our name on the waitlist. They estimated 2 hours, but it ended up being 1.5hours until we got the text that our table was ready. It was a snowy night, so I appreciate the waiter offering napkins to help us dry ourselves when we sat down.The menu is very simple with only 4 different dishes to choose from: bulgogi, spicy pork, stir-fried squid, and bibimbap. My friend and I each got the bulgogi and spicy pork to share. Each order also comes with 7 banchans; and they're not your basic banchans either! Apparently the banchans change seasonally, but we had the steamed egg, Korean fried chicken, shredded potato, kimchi, spicy squid, raw marinated salmon, and some kind of fishcake. In addition, the meal is paired with a bowl of rice and soup too for a fulfilling meal. Everything I had was delicious and we finished the entire thing, but was quite stuffed. The kimchi has free refills, but all other banchans were an extra $2. In the end, we didn't get the quarter for our drink at the machine though, which I was a bit disappointed about reading from other reviews.Either way, it was a delicious meal and I really loved all the variety you get. Each meal is $32, which is solid for dinner in NYC.

I was a bit torn between a three and four star review here. Five stars for the service and the banchan: the marinated salmon is amazing!!! Our table definitely asked for extras of this side. I liked all of the side dishes; the soup was really good, the bean sprouts were great, the kimchi was great, the radish was great, the chicken was good... The servers were fast. It was ~1 hour wait from putting our names down to being seated, but I think I can only blame ourselves for not anticipating a longer wait at an instagram-popular establishment. (We hung out at the cute churro shop across the street while waiting). Also, visually impressive to see all of the banchan in a ring around our entrees! I'm also usually definitely someone who enjoys the banchan more than the entrees, even the best galbi in LA...but ultimately, I really wasn't impressed by my entree (the bulgogi). I think that if there are only 4 different entree options, they should all be reliably good, and our bulgogi was too dry. All the banchan beside kimchi is $2 extra. Without prompting, the servers told us that this was to reduce food waste, because people were wasting a lot more food before they started this policy. (We thought that was an odd explanation when you can take food home.) They're probably not /wrong/ in that people are wasting less food, but it feels a little silly that replacing a little dish of bean sprouts should be $2. I know they rotate their entrees and I think I would still come back (the price isn't insane for New York, and the banchan was great...) to try something else, but for now, I wouldn't comeback for the bulgogi.

I had so much to say abt kisa unfortunately the food was rlly good idk if that means i need to stfu up now

I liked the touch of lacy white curtains hanging against the windows. Around 1:30 PM on a Saturday, there wasn't too long of a wait for a table. The service was friendly, and the food was also ready after less than 10 minutes.The Donkatsu was crispy and not too heavily breaded. While the donkatsu itself didn't have much flavor on its own, it was perfect paired with the sauce. I'm not a big fan of mushrooms, so I got sauce on the side to dip the donkatsu in. The sauce was savory. The rice wasn't too moist or dry.I tried some of the Gamjatang, and the meat was soft and flavorful. The soup was rich with a hint of spice.

The lunch options, while visually appealing, lack the depth and authenticity one would expect from a Korean establishment in a city known for its diverse culinary scene. The flavors are muted, offering a watered-down interpretation of Korean cuisine that fails to capture the vibrant, bold tastes characteristic of the cuisine.The Gamjatang (감자탕), or pork bone soup, while passable, fails to stand out. It's a generic rendition of this classic Korean dish, lacking the rich, complex flavors that make Gamjatang a beloved comfort food. The soup is serviceable but forgettable, missing the depth one would expect from a long-simmered bone broth.The Donkatsu (돈까스), a Korean take on Japanese tonkatsu, is a significant disappointment. This dish, typically a crowd-pleaser with its crispy breaded exterior and juicy pork cutlet interior, falls flat at Kisa. The execution lacks finesse, resulting in a dish that fails to capture the essence of what makes Donkatsu satisfying.For those well-versed in Korean gastronomy or who have experienced the real deal in Korea, Kisa's offerings will likely disappoint. The dishes lack the nuanced complexity and robust flavors that define authentic Korean cooking. Instead, they present a sanitized version that seems tailored for less adventurous palates.Diners are essentially paying a premium for the restaurant's stylish interior and trendy atmosphere rather than exceptional culinary skills. For those seeking a true Korean culinary experience, venturing to other, more authentic establishments in New York would be advisable. Kisa may satisfy diners looking for a trendy atmosphere with a vague Korean influence, but it falls short for those in search of genuine Korean flavors and culinary traditions.

Kisa's retro-inspired Korean spot nails the ambiance with its nostalgic decor. While the bulgogi bibimbap hits the mark, the spicy pork disappoints with its dry texture and muted flavors. The banchan steals the show - especially the crispy fried chicken, perfectly marinated salmon and spicy squid. Service was swift and friendly. A mixed bag, but worth visiting for the vibrant atmosphere.

Been meaning to try this place since it opened! The korean taxi driver concept was super interesting and unique in NYC! It's always been a long wait when I tried going but finally got a reservation online a couple weeks in advance! They're no longer just walk-in early. My friend and I waited for a bit to get seated, but the service is pretty fast once you are. There's only 4 mains to choose from and you get all the 7 side dishes, a bowl of rice, and soup. They seem to change as they were slightly different from other pics I've seen. It comes out to be 40$ pp, but was sufficiently satisfied! There's a drink machine where you can get something sweet on the way out including mocha coffee, hot chocolate, and a black bean latte. It's automated now with a push of the button. Totally worth the hype!

I saw that this was really popular through social media so I decided to check it out. I came during lunch which is walk-in only, the wait can get pretty long so I would recommend coming early. The restaurant is small but has a nice cozy ambience to it. There lunch menu only has two items, Tonkatsu or Gamjatang. I ordered the Gamjatang and thought it was delicious. The broth was flavorful and was perfect on a cold, rainy day. The meat was difficult to eat because you will have to eat around the bones, but it was very tender and juicy. Overall, I really liked what I ordered and would get it again.