NUBIANI
Korean BBQ · Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Night Market Precision, Manhattan Format
Chef
Ian Kittichai
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
NUBIANI is the Korean BBQ choice to consider when the meal needs more polish than a casual grill night. It is easier to plan than tougher reservation targets, has late hours on key nights, carries Opinionated About Dining recognition, but price-sensitive groups should check the menu first.
About NUBIANI
NUBIANI is a New York City restaurant focused on Korean BBQ. It is best considered when Korean BBQ is the brief and the group wants a smart-casual setting rather than an undefined casual stop. For planning, consider the cuisine, chef/owner, hours, dress code, recognition, rather than assumptions about pricing, room style, or specific dishes.
The hours are useful for planning: NUBIANI opens at 12 PM daily, runs until 11 PM most nights, stays open later from Thursday through Saturday. Monday through Wednesday and Sunday are 12–11 PM, Thursday as 12 PM–12 AM, Friday and Saturday as 12 PM–1 AM. That gives it flexibility for Korean BBQ plans in New York City, especially for diners who need a later table.
Choose this for Korean BBQ with recognition
NUBIANI's cuisine is Korean BBQ, the chef/owner is Ian Kittichai. The restaurant has appeared in Opinionated About Dining's North America restaurant coverage, including Top Restaurants in North America in 2025 and Recommended recognition for 2026. NUBIANI offers a clear experience: Korean BBQ in New York City with external recognition and smart-casual dress expectations.
Pricing, seat count, menu format, service format, or specific dish list are not available, so budget-sensitive groups should check current restaurant information before committing. The same applies to any assumptions about takeout, delivery, beverage focus, or special accommodations; those details should be checked directly with the restaurant.
How to use it for dates, clients, group meals
NUBIANI can be considered for a range of Korean BBQ plans, but the most reliable planning details are the cuisine, smart-casual dress code, operating hours. For group meals, it is worth checking table availability, ordering logistics, any guest needs directly before booking.
Because NUBIANI opens at 12 PM daily and runs late, the choice between an earlier or later meal should come down to schedule and the kind of outing you want. Later hours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday can be useful after work or after an event, while earlier times may be simpler for guests who want a more direct meal plan.
New York City Korean BBQ cross-shop
If the goal is another established Korean BBQ option, compare NUBIANI with Won Jo or Jongro BBQ. Diners also comparing Korean BBQ in New York City may look at Hyun, Baekjeong, Yoon Haeundae Galbi before choosing where to book.
Planning details
- Location
- 315 5th Ave #3FL, New York, NY 10016
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- nubianinyc.com
- Phone
- (917) 623-0807
The take
The Take
The Vibe
NUBIANI positions classic Korean BBQ traditions inside a Midtown, purpose-built dining room. The restaurant channels night-market and pojangmacha roots — the char of open coals and communal grilling — but presents them with a Manhattan polish that reflects a higher price point and sharper execution. The result is a focused, table-centered experience: grills built into the tables, attentive service cadence, and sourcing that aims to justify the Fifth Avenue address. It feels more curated than casual street fare, leaning into a refined yet approachable Korean barbecue identity that sits comfortably within Midtown's dining tier.
Best For
This is a dinner-forward spot built for groups and special evenings. The communal grill makes it naturally social, so it suits group dining and celebrations where sharing plates and cooking together are part of the occasion. Its Midtown location and elevated execution also make it a fit for date nights and business dinners that want Korean barbecue with a more polished service and premium proteins. The emphasis in the writing on sourcing, banchan depth and service cadence signals an experience best enjoyed in the evening with company.
Ordering Tips
Treat the meal as a shared affair: you dine around the communal grill, so order with sharing in mind. Lean into the kitchen's signatures — the Nubiani plate, marinated pork shoulder, beef tartar and shrimp chive pancake — and expect a fuller banchan selection to accompany the proteins. The kitchen draws on charcoal-and-smoke cooking logic, so highlight grilled items to experience that core flavor profile. Because the restaurant sits at the premium end of the spectrum, prioritize a mix of standout grilled meats and a few composed cold items to balance the meal.
Venue details
Ambiance
Modern and elegant with lovely surroundings, attentive tableside grilling, and a communal bar offering city views.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Nubiani plate
- marinated pork shoulder
- beef tartar
- shrimp chive pancake
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Hyun, Korean BBQ, Korean BBQ
- Won Jo, Korean BBQ, Korean BBQ
- Jongro BBQ, Korean BBQ, Korean BBQ
- Baekjeong, Korean BBQ, Korean BBQ
- Yoon Haeundae Galbi, Korean BBQ, Korean BBQ
Restaurant context
NUBIANI sits in the more occasion-friendly lane of New York City Korean BBQ: easier to plan than Hyun, more polished in intent than a purely casual grill stop, better suited to a date or client dinner than a loud last-minute feast. Hyun is the stronger choice if the group wants a splurge centered on beef and service structure; NUBIANI is the more flexible pick when timing and availability matter.
For value and old-school Koreatown energy, Won Jo and Jongro BBQ are the safer cross-shops. Choose those when the priority is a classic group grill session rather than a more composed meal. NUBIANI makes more sense when the occasion needs Korean BBQ but the room cannot feel too casual.
Baekjeong is the better fit for a high-energy group dinner, while Yoon Haeundae Galbi is a useful comparison for diners who want Korean BBQ with a more deliberate feel. If the booking is for two or a small celebration, NUBIANI is easier to justify; if the group mainly wants maximum volume and a rowdier room, cross-shop first.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full NUBIANI guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare NUBIANI
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUBIANI | New York City | Korean BBQ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America |
| Hyun | New York City | Korean BBQ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2632025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2592023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended |
| Won Jo | New York City | Korean BBQ | No published awards |
| Jongro BBQ | New York City | Korean BBQ | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6042024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7292023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Baekjeong | New York City | Korean BBQ | 2023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Yoon Haeundae Galbi | New York City | Korean BBQ | 2026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #462026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #3382025 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York CityPearl Recommended Restaurants |
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How NUBIANI New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NUBIANI good for solo dining?
NUBIANI is a Korean BBQ restaurant in New York City, solo diners should plan around the cuisine and hours. The hours run from 12 PM daily until 11 PM most nights, with later closing on Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
What should I order at NUBIANI?
The cuisine is Korean BBQ, so that is the core reason to go. Specific dishes are not listed, so check the current menu before deciding what to order.
Is NUBIANI good for a special occasion?
It can be considered for a Korean BBQ occasion in New York City, especially if smart-casual dress and Opinionated About Dining recognition matter to the group. Pricing, room details, specific menu options should be checked directly before booking.
Does NUBIANI handle dietary restrictions?
Dietary and allergy accommodation details are not available. Diners with restrictions should contact NUBIANI directly before visiting.
What are alternatives to NUBIANI in New York City?
Other Korean BBQ names to compare include Jongro BBQ, Won Jo, Hyun, Baekjeong, Yoon Haeundae Galbi.
Is lunch or dinner better at NUBIANI?
NUBIANI opens at 12 PM daily and continues into the evening, with hours until 11 PM most nights and later on Thursday through Saturday. Choose the time that best fits your schedule, check current details before visiting.
