Her Name is Han

Her Name is Han; Pearl Verdict

Her Name is Han is one of the more credible Korean restaurants in Midtown Manhattan, the OAD rankings back that up: it climbed from Highly Recommended in 2023 to #155 on the Opinionated About Dining Casual North America list in 2025, up from #234 the year before. That kind of consistent upward trajectory in a competitive field means something. If you've been once and wondered whether it was worth a return, the answer is yes; and if you haven't been, this is a stronger case for Korean food in Murray Hill than the neighbourhood's reputation might suggest.

The Portrait

Midtown east of Fifth Avenue isn't where most diners look for serious Korean cooking. That's precisely what makes Her Name is Han worth knowing about. The address, 17 E 31st St, puts it a short walk from Koreatown's K32 strip on 32nd Street, but the cooking here sits in a different register: more considered, less cafeteria-pace, with enough critical recognition to justify treating it as a destination rather than a convenience stop.

For a returning visitor, the OAD ranking is the useful compass. The list rewards consistency and kitchen discipline over buzz, so the jump from #234 to #155 in a single year signals that whatever the kitchen was doing well, it's doing more of it.

The hours reward planning. Lunch runs 12–2:20 pm daily, dinner from 5:30 pm, with last seating at 9:50 pm Sunday through Thursday and 10:50 pm Friday and Saturday. Those hard end-times are real: this is not a place that lets tables linger indefinitely. If you're coming back for a longer meal with a group, Friday or Saturday dinner gives you the most runway. The compressed lunch window, just over two hours, suits a working meal or a quick Midtown stop, but don't arrive expecting to stretch it.

As a neighbourhood anchor, Her Name is Han occupies a specific gap. Koreatown's 32nd Street corridor handles volume and late-night demand well. What it doesn't always offer is a meal that rewards attention. If you've already done the K32 circuit and want Korean food that's worth a dedicated trip rather than a post-work default, this is the right move in this zip code. For context on where it sits in New York's broader Korean dining conversation, compare it to Jua, bōm, and Jeju Noodle Bar, all operating in different formats and price bands, but collectively defining what serious Korean cooking looks like in New York right now.

Price range is not confirmed in our data, so we won't speculate. What the OAD Casual designation does tell you is that this is not a tasting-menu operation, expect a more accessible format without the omakase commitment. If you want high-concept modern Korean in New York, Atomix is the reference point. Her Name is Han is doing something different, that's the correct reason to go.

For returning diners: the consistency signal in the OAD climb suggests the kitchen hasn't peaked and coasted. A second visit should hold up. If you went during the 2023 Highly Recommended cycle and found it solid, the 2025 ranking suggests the kitchen has tightened further. Worth testing that theory.

If Korean dining is your focus this trip, also consider Meju and 8282 for different angles on the city's Korean dining range. For Seoul comparisons, Mingles and Kwonsooksoo show where Korean fine dining sits globally.

Ratings & Recognition

• OAD Casual North America: #155 (2025), #234 (2024), Highly Recommended (2023)

Booking & Practical Details

Booking is rated Easy. Given the OAD recognition and a loyal local following in a neighbourhood that doesn't have a deep bench of serious restaurants, booking ahead is still the sensible move, but you're not fighting Atomix-level demand. Lunch on a weekday is your lowest-friction entry point. For dinner, the Friday and Saturday extended service (last seating 10:50 pm) is the call if you want a relaxed pace. Note the strict closing windows and plan accordingly.

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Also Worth Considering

If you're building a longer trip around serious restaurants, Pearl covers Lazy Bear in San Francisco, Smyth in Chicago, Providence in Los Angeles, The French Laundry in Napa, Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg, and Emeril's in New Orleans.