Set the Scene
MŪJE is the latest concept from Michelin-starred Chef Jungsik Yim, whose flagship Jungsik became the first Korean restaurant in the United States to earn three Michelin stars. Rather than focusing on one country's cuisine, MŪJE explores contemporary Asian cooking through an evolving tasting menu that draws inspiration from across the continent.
Located near Penn Station, the dining room is warm and understated, with granite floors, wood tables and banquets, and soft lantern lighting. The atmosphere is refined but unstuffy. There’s not the usual formality here that comes at tasting menu restaurants with three-Michelin star chefs in the kitchen.
The eight-course tasting takes diners on a journey through Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Southeast Asian flavors. The dishes combine traditional techniques with a contemporary point of view, and they change with the season. Whatever you’re eating, make no mistake, they’re layered with flavors and executed with panache.
What's The Food Like
The tasting menu is designed to surprise, and the surprises come fast and often.
A simple welcome drink is a strawberry flavored shot of summer – good enough to bottle and run a business around all its own. After the amuse bouche, the first course is scallop, sliced thin and arranged like flower petals in a coconut broth infused with fish sauce and lime. The sweetness of the scallop balanced by bright acidity and the savory depth of fermented flavors.
Koreans have long figured out how to do fried chicken. Here a wing is stuffed with spiced pork, given a Korean “Prinkle” seasoning and fried to crispy perfection. Flavors of Thailand arrive via salmon and razor clam in thai red curry, dotted with curry leaf oil and chili oil. The salmon is grilled over binchotan charcoal with a technique that allows for crispy skin yet a pink interior.
The charcoal-grilled short rib is another standout. Slow-cooked before being finished over charcoal, it's served alongside four different wraps inspired by culinary traditions from across Asia, encouraging diners to experience the dish in multiple ways.
Dessert maintains the restaurant's sense of creativity. The whimsical Merlion pairs coconut mousse with espresso mousse, vanilla-coconut ice cream, and pecan praline for a finale that's rich, refreshing, and just playful enough.
Let's Talk About The Drinks
The beverage program mirrors the menu's cross-cultural approach.
Guests can opt for a thoughtfully designed wine pairing featuring bottles from Austria, Alsace, California, and Chile. They beautifully complement the menu's balance of spice, acidity, texture, and umami.
Cocktails also look across Asia for inspiration. Midnight in Samui, made with butterfly pea-infused rum, is a punch of tropical citrus notes and has dramatic purple hue, making it as visually striking as it is refreshing.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of tasting menus in New York, but few take such a broad view of Asian cuisine. Rather than defining itself by one country's traditions, MŪJE embraces the diversity of the region while maintaining the meticulous technique Chef Jungsik Yim has become known for. For diners looking to experience one of the city's most exciting new fine-dining openings, this is a reservation worth making.
Fast Facts
Location: Chelsea, NYC
Address: 151 W. 30th Street, New York, NY 10001
Cuisine: Contemporary Asian
Price Point: $$$$
Takes Reservations: Yes, exclusively on Tock.
Our Favorite Thing on the Menu: Chef Jungsik's warm kongguksu
The Vibe: Sophisticated, intimate, and contemporary
The Attire: Smart casual to dressy
Chelsea, New York, United States
