DDOBAR by Joomak NYC
Korean · Chelsea-Hudson Yards, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Double-Fried Korean Precision
Chef
Jiho Kim
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Book DDOBAR by Joomak NYC for a contemporary Korean meal in West Chelsea, especially if lunch access or a small-party dinner matters. It has 2025 Opinionated About Dining recognition, but value seekers may prefer Cho Dang Gol, while high-spend diners comparing Korean tasting-menu energy should also look at bōm.
About DDOBAR by Joomak NYC
For diners looking specifically for Korean dining in New York City, DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is a Jiho Kim restaurant with a schedule that includes weekday lunch and Tuesday-through-Saturday dinner. The practical details are direct: it serves Korean cuisine, follows a smart casual dress code, is closed Sunday and Monday, has 2025 Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America recognition.
That makes the restaurant easiest to evaluate on confirmed basics rather than on assumptions about format, price, room style, or menu structure. Plan around the posted hours: lunch is available Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, with dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
Book it for Korean dining with a clear schedule
DDOBAR by Joomak NYC makes the most sense when the draw is Korean cooking from chef-owner Jiho Kim and a New York City meal that can fit either a weekday lunch or an evening plan. If you are comparing Korean options in the city, Barn Joo 35 and Cho Dang Gol are other New York City restaurants to consider.
Return visitors should use the schedule strategically. Lunch is limited to Tuesday through Friday, while dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday. Because the restaurant closes Sunday and Monday, weekend planning centers on Saturday dinner.
Where it sits among New York Korean options
DDOBAR by Joomak NYC belongs on a Korean dining shortlist for New York City, especially for diners who value the confirmed connection to Jiho Kim and the restaurant's OAD Top Restaurants in North America recognition. For other Korean dining possibilities, compare it with Genesis House Restaurant, Gahm Mi Oak, or bōm based on the occasion, availability, the kind of meal you want.
For broader planning, keep DDOBAR by Joomak NYC in mind as one Korean option in New York City rather than treating it as an all-purpose answer. Pair it with New York City restaurants guide if the table is not available, or with broader New York City planning resources if the meal is part of a full evening.
Know Before You Go
- Good for: Korean dining in New York City, weekday lunch, Tuesday-through-Saturday dinner plans.
- Less ideal for: Sunday dining or Monday dining, when the restaurant is closed.
- Timing: Lunch runs Tuesday through Friday; dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday.
- Decision point: Choose based on the posted hours, availability, whether lunch or dinner better fits your New York City plans.
Planning details
- Location
- Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- ddobarnyc.com
- Phone
- (929) 656-5777
The take
The Take
The Vibe
DDOBAR by Joomak NYC places ambitious Korean cooking inside a distinctly industrial, historic shell. Housed in the 1931 Starrett-Lehigh freight terminal, the restaurant leans into the building’s raw, ribbon-windowed architecture rather than dressing it up as ironic décor. The setting reads like a gallery-adjacent studio that values craft and technique: service and plates are oriented toward focused, technique-led expressions of Korean flavors rather than neighborhood comfort cooking. The result is a sophisticated, industrial dining room where careful technique and contemporary presentation meet the cultural energy of Chelsea’s art world.
Best For
This is a destination for diners who care about technical execution and contemporary Korean flavor. Located on the edge of Chelsea’s gallery district, DDOBAR attracts an art-minded crowd and guests seeking ambitious, thoughtful dishes rather than casual takeout. It suits date nights and special-occasion evenings for those who want to experience modern Korean approaches — from double-fried chicken to composed seafood and signature items — in a building with historical character. Reservations are sensible for peak gallery hours and weekend nights when the neighborhood is busiest.
Ordering Tips
Start with items that showcase the kitchen’s technique: the menu’s emphasis on double-fry Korean fried chicken is central — look for versions that keep a glass-like snap long after frying. The listed signatures provide a clear roadmap: try the Yubutart and the Duck Pastrami Yubutart for what the kitchen highlights, and sample the Cacio e Pepe and Fluke with Watermelon or the Botan Ebi to experience range. Given the restaurant’s focus on craft and composition, order a few sharing plates to taste different techniques and textures rather than sticking to a single entrée.
Venue details
Ambiance
Organic, warm, and personal counter dining with friendly attentive chefs in a compact 14-seat space.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Yubutart
- Cacio e Pepe
- Fluke with Watermelon
- Botan Ebi
- Duck Pastrami Yubutart
Planning details
Location
Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to Go If You Can't Get In
Choose Cho Dang Gol if value matters most and the group wants Korean food without making the night feel formal. Choose Genesis House Restaurant if the room and polish matter as much as the food.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is the right middle lane for diners who want contemporary Korean cooking without defaulting to either a casual comfort-food room or a full splurge. bōm is the stronger choice for a high-budget Korean occasion, while Cho Dang Gol is the better value play at $$.
For ambiance, Genesis House Restaurant is more polished and design-forward at $$$, making it better for a client meal or a composed group dinner. DDOBAR feels like the more food-led choice for diners already planning around West Chelsea rather than Midtown.
If booking ease and group flexibility matter more than culinary ambition, Barn Joo 35 is the safer fallback. Gahm Mi Oak is the better call for a comfort-driven Korean meal, while DDOBAR is better suited to diners looking for a more current Korean restaurant experience.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full DDOBAR by Joomak NYC guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare DDOBAR by Joomak NYC
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDOBAR by Joomak NYC | New York City | Korean | 2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America | ; |
| Genesis House Restaurant | New York City | Korean | 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate | $$$ |
| Cho Dang Gol | New York City | Korean | 2026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #512025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #5142025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7032024 Michelin Bib Gourmand2023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | $$ |
| Barn Joo 35 | New York City | Korean | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7502023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
| Gahm Mi Oak | New York City | Korean | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7142024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7392023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
| bōm | New York City | Korean | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #752025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #832025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1792024 Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ |
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How DDOBAR by Joomak NYC compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at DDOBAR by Joomak NYC?
Bar seating is not a detail here. Plan around DDOBAR by Joomak NYC as a Korean restaurant in New York City, confirm seating details directly with the restaurant.
Does DDOBAR by Joomak NYC handle dietary restrictions?
If you have allergies, restrictions, or cross-contact concerns, contact DDOBAR by Joomak NYC directly before planning a meal.
What should a first-timer know about DDOBAR by Joomak NYC?
The key confirmed facts are that DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is a Korean restaurant in New York City from chef-owner Jiho Kim, with smart casual dress and 2025 Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America recognition.
Is DDOBAR by Joomak NYC good for a special occasion?
It can be considered for a Korean meal in New York City, especially if the confirmed Jiho Kim connection and OAD recognition matter to you. For any occasion-specific needs, confirm details such as seating, timing, service directly with the restaurant.
What are alternatives to DDOBAR by Joomak NYC in New York City?
Other Korean restaurants to compare include Genesis House Restaurant, bōm, Cho Dang Gol, Gahm Mi Oak, Barn Joo 35. Choose based on availability, location within New York City, the kind of meal you are planning.
Is lunch or dinner better at DDOBAR by Joomak NYC?
Both are listed options on select days. DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, with Friday and Saturday dinner running until 9:30 PM.
