Konban

All 95 rated mentions, most helpful first

postBro…where’s the rice?? 💀219 pts
“Went to this Tonkatsu joint on West 17th Street called Konban expecting a solid Katsu plate and left questioning my life choices. They gave me just the katsu - no rice, no sides, nothing.”
H3
in:Best Japanese in Manhattan that's not sushi/ramen? 4 pts
replying to u/Agreeable-Ad-7110: Curry- Katsu-hama Tonkatsu- Prime Meat Rokko Soba- Ise closed down so now nippon Udon- Raku Tempura- Tempura Matsui (note, this is traditional so it's not just "crispiest batter" like secchu yokota which is clearly better for western taste palates) Modern takes on Japanese dishes- Sakagura Shabu shabu- Shabu Mayumon for a weird but great shabu omakase, momokawa for better shabu with an actual broth, but it's bloody expensive unfortunately Yakiniku- Idk, but have heard good things about yakiniku futago Yakitori- Kono for omakase, totto for cheaper. I will say, the omakases were better like a couple years ago when they cooked the chicken less so they were still a little pink and also they could serve more parts of the chicken like chochin (ovary + fallopian tube).
“I prefer the katsu at Konban instead— but only the tenderloin or pork loin cuts. The texture on the menchi is too mushy with zero bite.”
H3
in:Konban - Worth the Hype?2 pts
“i kinda thought it was disgusting. Way too oily for a place that advertises as authentic and the portions are infuriatingly small.”
H3
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀117 pts
“Konban is pretty good! but the prices don't justify it at all!”
H2
postStandout recently opened restaurants?31 pts
“I wanted to like this place, but I went to japan recently and it’s just a worse version of the Katsu I had there.”
H2
postWhat are your favorite mid-range price Japanese restaurants?23 pts
“konban (overrated)”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀20 pts
replying to u/VeryPuffin: First of all Konban is a restaurant from Seoul, I don’t think it’s meant to be a faithful/uber authentic Japanese representation of the dishes. I also think while rice, small pickles, and sides are typical with Katsu, I don’t think they are so necessary that you write off the whole place for it and somehow pizza will make you feel whole again. You also didn’t provide any details on how the katsu itself tasted.
“Great katsu, microscopic portion.”
H2
in:Konban - Worth the Hype?12 pts
“I've been twice, and I loved tenderloin katsu (one of the best katsu i've tried, but the pork loin one is just okay), Konban corn rib, and Mazemen.”
H2
in:Best Japanese in Manhattan that's not sushi/ramen? 10 pts
“Konban- everything is amazing, katsu is a must”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀10 pts
“I found this one to be inferior to the other Korean place known for it, Okdongsik in Bayside, Queens. The lack of rice and any veggies does feel pretty criminal at Konban.”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀10 pts
“I can accept the small portion sizes but not the absence of rice! They won’t even let you pay for rice. Except during lunch. It’s absurd.”
H2
in:What’s your favorite singular dish or Entree/App combo.10 pts
“A Katsu & the corn ribs at Konban”
H2
in:New-ish dinner that has blown you away ($$-$$$ range)9 pts
“it easily blew me away. Delicious spot beyond just the katsu. Really great flavors in everything we ordered. Highly suggest the corn and tsukemen (in addition to the ebi).”
H2
in:Best Katsu Curry in NY?6 pts
“Konban for Katsu (no curry though) but it’s bomb”
H2
in:Konban - Worth the Hype?5 pts
“I went last weekend and it definitely lives up to the hype! The crispy katsu curry is bomb AF 🔥”
H2
in:Konban - Worth the Hype?5 pts
“I thought it was worth it. Found the pork loin katsu exquisite and enjoyed the corn ice cream dessert as well”
H2
in:Standout recently opened restaurants?5 pts
replying to u/BigBoyGoldenTicket: I was disappointed by Konban.
“Portions were tiny, we left hungry”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀5 pts
replying to u/savingrace0262: I’m not saying it’s inauthentic, I’m saying I left hungrier than when I came in. Great katsu, microscopic portion. I shouldn’t need to doordash Domino’s after a sit down meal. Also FYI, rice is a pretty standard side with katsu. Like, it’s the peanut butter to the jelly. The yin to the yang.
“Konban is a restaurant you should go with the intention of sharing several dishes imo, it’s not a one dish and leave sort of place”
H2
in:Konban - Worth the Hype?4 pts
“I'll go the other way and say their pork loin katsu is excellent. The brunch add-on (rice, soup, and salad) complements it well, but can also be skipped in the interest of trying more of the menu.”
H2
in:Best Japanese in Manhattan that's not sushi/ramen? 4 pts
replying to u/nightkhan: > Tonkatsu- Prime Meat Rokko you've gotta be kidding me...
“I guess konban is a better quality cutlet”
H2
in:Relaxed, Lowkey & Affordable in Chelsea?4 pts
“Konban for katsu and other Japanese dishes.”
H2
in:Does anyone have recommendations for the best tonkatsu in nyc?3 pts
“I had Konban when I was visiting last week and reminded me a lot of the tonkatsu I had while traveling in Japan..”
H2
in:Standout recently opened restaurants?3 pts
replying to u/SnooLemons3587: Portions were tiny, we left hungry
“Tiny asf. Had to order extra servings. Tenderloin was mad good tho”
H2
in:New-ish dinner that has blown you away ($$-$$$ range)3 pts
replying to u/liouzboi: Is the katsu better than Katsu-Hama??
“Yea I'd say so for both the pork and ebi.”
H2
in:New-ish dinner that has blown you away ($$-$$$ range)3 pts
replying to u/liouzboi: Is the katsu better than Katsu-Hama??
“Konban katsu is too lean for me.”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀3 pts
replying to u/East_Korean: It's Korean-style Tonkatsu, so it lacks the stronger flavors from their Japanese counterparts like Katsu-Hana, and I found this one to be inferior to the other Korean place known for it, Okdongsik in Bayside, Queens. The lack of rice and any veggies does feel pretty criminal at Konban.
“I have no idea why the ny one does not and it's my main complaint, along with the fact that they don't serve the katsu on a rack so the bottom doesn't get soggy.”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀3 pts
“Shame bc the actual katsu is pretty decent but the experience is totally ruined by all these other issues.”
H2
in:Best mushroom dish in the city?2 pts
“the truffle rice (topped with mushrooms) at Konban is delicious.”
H2
in:Where would you go for dinner near Penn Station (under $75, solo diner)2 pts
replying to u/an_other_me: Mari.ne Handroll, Tonchin ramen, NONONO
“Konban has excellent katsu”
H2
in:Recommendations a massive crunchy shell with protein and flavor inside2 pts
“Konban has great tonkatsu”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀2 pts
replying to u/hunneybunny: The original konban location in korea absolutely serves rice by default for both lunch and dinner!!! I have no idea why the ny one does not and it's my main complaint, along with the fact that they don't serve the katsu on a rack so the bottom doesn't get soggy.
“Yeah, this was really bizarre because soggy bottom Katsu sucks!”
H2
in:Birthday Dinner Reccomendations1 pts
“they specialize in donkatsu but everything on menu is good!”
H2
in:Standout recently opened restaurants?1 pts
replying to u/BigBoyGoldenTicket: I was disappointed by Konban.
“Yep, even ignoring price and portions katsu itself was just not that great”
H2
in:Best Japanese in Manhattan that's not sushi/ramen? 1 pts
replying to u/jrdz: > Prime Meat Rokko Just for clarity purposes— they've renamed as Shin Rokko now. Was not a fan of the sous vide thick cut however, especially at that price. I prefer the katsu at Konban instead— but only the tenderloin or pork loin cuts. The texture on the menchi is too mushy with zero bite.
“konban is a better quality cutlet. But I like the rice with it too much”
H2
in:Searching for: Chinese Sweet Corn Ice Cream!1 pts
“Konban has a corn ice cream dessert that’s fantastic!”
H2
in:New-ish dinner that has blown you away ($$-$$$ range)1 pts
replying to u/gotMeMaad: I've been holding off from Konban for a while (bc who serves katsu without rice??), but visited recently and it easily blew me away. Delicious spot beyond just the katsu. Really great flavors in everything we ordered. Highly suggest the corn and tsukemen (in addition to the ebi).
“I’ve been craving their corn ribs for weeks.”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀1 pts
“It’s only worth it if you go during lunch, last time I went they had some lunch set thing. Dinner is a letdown unfortunately haha.”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀1 pts
“Going for lunch is so much better bc you get a whole tray set with katsu, sides, and rice”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀1 pts
“Konban is so overhyped. I went there cuz all my friends said it’s amazing and actually it’s just mid.😭 the Katsu I got was lowkey too fat and undercooked and all the other dishes were very mid as well. Would not go again”
H2
in:My wife is obsessed with corn - any recs?1 pts
“Konban for corn ribs and corn ice cream was a fave!!”
H2
in:Dinner for a Midwest dad0 pts
“Konban (yoshoku, aka western cuisine from a Japanese POV. known for their fried cutlets)”
H2
in:Standout recently opened restaurants?-3 pts
replying to u/CatPillar: Yep, even ignoring price and portions katsu itself was just not that great
“While it may not be the single best option in the world, it’s pretty darn good for what it is - authentic Japanese katsu outside of Japan.”
H2
in:Resy bots? or????-4 pts
“Konban’s overpriced and overall mid imo.”
H2
in:Ate my way through NYC and rated every dish I ate - if you like unique burgers and sexy bars, this one's for you :))-8 pts
“Konban: Japanese gem with crispy, tender pork katsu”
H2
in:Bro…where’s the rice?? 💀-12 pts
“Konban is a great restaurant”
H2
in:Rate my restaurant list for an upcoming visit!32 pts
H1
in:Best Restaurants (that you can actually get into)?21 pts
“Konban”
H1
in:What are some good Korean food in Manhattan that aren’t in k town? 11 pts
“- konban”
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in:I messed up – Need dinner spot recommendations near Chelsea!10 pts
“- konban”
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in:$$ Casual Date Spots8 pts
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