Dinner at The Woo

Nestled between Broome and Spring streets is The Woo, a modern Korean restaurant with a storied history dating back through three generations of female owners. The restaurant is spearheaded by Julie Choi and her grandmother Chung Bong Lee opened Woo Lae Oak in Midtown in 1974, introducing traditional Korean cuisine to New Yorkers. In 1999, Choi’s mother, Young Sook Choi, opened another location in Soho on Mercer Street, which received mass acclaim by New Yorkers and quickly became one of the most prestigious Korean restaurants in Manhattan. Julie’s experience includes Le Grand Diplome of Cuisine and Pastry Arts from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in London and an International Hospitality Management degree from Ecole Hoteliere de Lausannein Switzerland.

Upon walking in, the marble tables, brick walls and dimly lit venue immediately built anticipation for the wonderful meaI I was about to partake in. The menu features many delicious appetizers such as the Yook Hwe (sesame and soy marinated steak tartare with quail egg and Asian pear), Go Chu Tikim (tempura fried Korean green chili stuffed with seabass with a tangy chili sauce) and Ojing Aw Tikim (tempura calamari, shiitake and chayote with a sweet and spicy chili sauce) as well as a varieties of meats to satisfy your barbecue desires including O Ree (long island duck breast) and Yang (lamb). There are also vegetarian options such as the Ya Chae and Bo Sot (assorted vegetables and shitake mushrooms respectively).

There was a cover at the center of the table that was lifted to reveal a stove, and my Kal Bi (boneless beef short rib) was brought over to me uncooked with Bi Bim Bop (a sizzling hot stone pot mixed rice and assorted marinated and fresh vegetables with a fried egg on top) on the side. I felt like a Michelin-starred chef as I grilled my meat over the fire, with each piece more moist and tastier than the last. I washed everything down with a Dragon Lady (tequila, dragon fruit, coconut water, lime, champagne) but any of their signature cocktails are highly recommended.

All-in-all I enjoyed my experience at The Woo. I feel like I need another night (which will happen sooner than later) to really get a taste for what this menu has to offer but I enjoyed every bit of what I did have. thewoosoho.com