Kisa

All 114 rated mentions, most helpful first

  • It was ok when I went after they opened, but the bulgogi main was incredibly, disappointingly dry—tiny portion sizing and low quality.

    H3

  • replying to u/brrownbear: Thanks!! Curious what main dish you ordered at dinner hahah

    That being said the food doesn’t really wow you but it is really well executed and the ambiance was fantastic.

    H3

  • My feelings about Kisa are that it’s solid and that’s about it? I seriously thought I ordered the wrong thing or was missing something the entire I was there for lunch.

    H3

  • The mains are very very good though. The spicy pork has a smoky flavor that I've rarely tasted from other Korean establishments in the city and the spicy squid has so much flavor.

    H3

  • They got all the restaurant details down well but the food? It’s just below average home cooked meals. Go for the novelty, don’t go for the food.

    H3

  • I thought the food was decent, but as a lover of Korean food, it definitely was not worth $32, which easily became $40+ after tax and tip.

    H2

  • Honestly it’s one of two of my personally least favourite Korean restaurants alongside Jeju noodle bar. The concept of kisa is a hole in the wall restaurants for cab drivers in Korea but $30-40 is insane for what you receive.

    H2

  • You go there for the ingredient quality and atmosphere and that cute free drink at the end.

    H2

  • I've tried all their main dishes and they are all really solid too. Their jeyuk is the best I've had in the States. Easily.

    H2

  • replying to u/andreasrolen: And was it.. good?

    I thought everything tasted freshly prepared and very homemade in the best way possible (albeit a tad pricy). I don't think it would blow someone way, but it would definitely scratch that itch if you're craving Korean comfort food.

    H2

  • If you love gamjatang, you should go for lunch. If you like it, then go for dinner too.

    H2

  • By far the best food. No fancy overpriced dishes. Authentic and delicious.

    H2

  • However there were some high quality banchans so still worth it IMO (at least 3 were protein ones)

    H2

  • replying to u/Garconavecunreve: Assuming CBG refers to Cho Dang Gol (?) LES and East village, respectively , but Mono Mono and kisa are both good. Aside from those and the ones already considered by you I can think of Tofu Tofu

    Kisa is good but doesn't specifically serve LA galbi nor any stews.

    H2

  • A Korean restaurant designed as an ode to a classic Korean diner that charges for refills on banchan has completely lost the plot. That actually makes me upset. All hat, no cattle.

    H2

  • It's so homey and well-executed affordable Korean comfort food. A very memorable, filling meal start to finish for the atmosphere and experience.

    H2

  • I don’t see the appeal of this place. For $32 a dish, I can go to a great Korean restaurant and get an interesting meal.

    H2

  • I liked Kisa when I went, but from a food perspective, I wouldn't call them a standout. I think the overall vibe and experience was nice, and the food was good for a casual meal.

    H2

  • replying to u/crazeman: [Tofu Tofu](https://maps.app.goo.gl/do5zQoADXXvSBKNA7) in Chinatown gives you like 5 banchan. I don't have banchan that often but I swear I like theirs more than normal lol. Their Korean Fried Chicken is low key one of the best in the city. It's more battered than typical Korean Fried Chicken but not as much batter as American Fried Chicken. They also drizzle a small amount of sauce instead of drenching the whole chicken in sauce. The non KFC dishes are good, solid, and homey but not spectacular. [Kisa](https://maps.app.goo.gl/bYq51eXPGePhhjwQ9) in LES might also be a good pick for banchan. I haven't tried it yet but I walked by the other day and their all Korean with 0 English awning caught my eye and I had to google them lol. You get to pick the main course (Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Stir fried squid, Bibimbap) and every main course comes with the same 8 ban chan/side dishes.

    kisa is delicious. you can get refills on 3 of the banchans too. highly recommend.

    H2

  • replying to u/mr1elee: I’m Korean-American. Born and raised New Yorker. Korean food in NYC is mostly “fusion or forward” and it’s probably some of/if not the best in the world. Traditional Korean food is mostly below average and going to be pricey (especially if you’re coming from Korea) in Manhattan - I would argue you’re setting yourself up for failure if you’re looking for something Korean-Korean. Having said that, here are my favorites and keep an open mind. It is good. C as in Charlie: 3 Korean owners. Raised in ATL. Southern and Korean food. Everything is under $20 and a great time overall. Stand outs for me are the Seoullongtang Pasta, Hamburg Steak, and mushroom bibimbap. Kisa: Same owners as C as in Charlie but Korean taxi food. This is one of the more traditional meals. Cho Dang Gol: Traditional tofu house. Really long wait but delicious. My standouts are the kimchi biji but the whole menu is solid. Atoboy/Atomix/Seoul Salon: All owned by the same power couple (JP/Ellia). Seoul Salon is probably the most accessible without a reservation and more a bar but some of their standout dishes are Yukgaejjang, rose tteokboki, and the scallop dupbap. Yoon Haeundae: My personal favorite bbq. Turntable LP Bar & Karaoke: My personal favorite fried chicken. Nudibranch: very interesting menu that combines a lot of Spanish flair and Korean. Next door is Ariari which is a Busan style restaurant which is also solid. Korean fine dining worth trying: Meju, Oiji Mi, Bom, Jua, Jeju Noodle Bar, and J…

    kisa was really great and casual - loved the pork trotter dish

    H2

  • Chodangol, Tofu Tofu, and Kisa are my favs for authentic Korean in Manhattan.

    H2

  • replying to u/PlayfulAside78: Hey, I'm also thinking of trying Kisa! Did you end up going for lunch or dinner?

    Found it to be quite delicious (got the spicy jeyuk pork)

    H2

  • Reaaally liked this place. Good vibes, super casual, thought it wasn't unfairly priced, didn't skimp on the meat.

    H2

  • replying to u/oni_bear: I personally think their lunch is a better bang for your buck compared to their dinner.

    The first bite of the donkatsu for me was like the critic biting into the titular dish at the end of Ratatouille.

    H2

  • This is literally what korean kids in elementary school eat in school for lunch. Yall getting ripped off.

    H2

  • replying to u/banallthemusic: To be fair, their banchan includes squid, salmon and popcorn chicken. I don’t think any restaurant giving unlimited refills is giving away any of that.

    I went there for lunch today, and none of those banchan dishes were served. I'm guessing you went there during dinner, or they downgraded their banchan since the last time you went.

    H2

  • Yeah, I mean it’s fairly expensive for what it is particularly w the Kisa marketing but honestly when I went it was the fullest I’ve been for like $40 bucks of real food that I can recall.

    H2

  • I’ve been there twice now and was satisfied both times. The service and vibe are excellent, too.

    H2