Walk into Gurumé on Restaurant Row and you’ll see why reservations on Resy disappear within minutes – this isn’t your typical Korean restaurant.
Chef Joon Ryu opened this 313 W 46th Street spot to bring Korean tapas to Hell’s Kitchen, and the Theater District crowd discovered something they didn’t know they needed.
The name translates to “in the clouds,” and after tasting the kimchi fried rice with its perfectly poached egg, you understand the ambition behind it.
What Makes Gurumé Special
The kitchen serves Korean tapas with a New York flare that goes beyond bulgogi and bibimbap – think birria mandu and oyster mushroom tacos.
Every table gets complimentary truffle potato chips as a greeting, setting the tone for a meal where Korean tradition meets creative experimentation. The seafood kalguksu arrives with a broth so good that reviewers on Tripadvisor call it the “best seafood broth ever, period.”
Premium ingredients meet precise execution here, where the corn and cheese comes grilled on the cob with chili powder and the black sesame bread pudding requires ignoring any thoughts about butter content.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Chef Joon Ryu spent 15 years in New York kitchens including Gansevoort Market and Barnjoo before opening his own place with co-owner Kevin Chand in the former Broadway Joe’s Steakhouse space.
They wanted to create something intimate and cozy – a place where Korean flavors could shine without the formality that often comes with high-end dining. The menu shifts seasonally, reflecting Ryu’s Korean-American perspective and his years of culinary experience across the city.
The concept worked immediately – critics noticed, diners filled every seat, and the 313 W 46th Street address became one of those places you mention when someone asks where to eat before a show.
Food Highlights
- Kimchi Fried Rice: The perfectly poached egg sits on top of this signature dish creating a uniquely delicious combination that’s earned it “highlight” status across multiple reviews. 🍳
- Seafood Kalguksu: The slightly spicy noodle soup loaded with seafood delivers what one reviewer called the best seafood broth they’ve ever tasted – bold claim, but the flavors back it up. 🍜
- Truffle Dduk and Cheese: Brown butter Korean rice cake with six-cheese mornay and crunchy quinoa served with garlic crostini proves fusion done right. 🧀
- Birria Mandu: These Korean dumplings get filled with Mexican birria creating an innovative take that separates this menu from standard Korean offerings. 🥟
- Oyster Mushroom Tacos: Tempura oyster mushroom meets gochujang corn puree, pico de gallo, and crème fraîche showing the kitchen’s creative range. 🌮
- Black Sesame Bread Pudding: This dessert appears at almost every other table for good reason – it’s rich, decadent, and worth the butter. 🍮
Atmosphere
The cozy space on Restaurant Row in Hell’s Kitchen seats just enough people to maintain an intimate vibe while staying lively enough for the theater crowd.
Floral accents and ambient lighting create a warm environment where laughter flows freely and the energy stays upbeat without tipping into chaos. The location near Times Square and Broadway theaters makes this a natural pre-show stop, though plenty of people come just for the food without any theater plans.
Service moves efficiently here – servers know the menu inside out and can guide you through the Korean tapas concept if you’re new to it. The small space means tables sit close together, but that adds to the convivial atmosphere rather than detracting from it.
Bottom Line
Visit Gurumé because Chef Joon Ryu’s Korean tapas with New York flair delivers something genuinely different in a neighborhood saturated with pre-theater dining options.
The kimchi fried rice, seafood kalguksu, and truffle dduk and cheese prove this kitchen respects both Korean tradition and creative innovation. The birria mandu and oyster mushroom tacos show they’re not afraid to push boundaries.
Since opening on Restaurant Row, this Hell’s Kitchen spot has become one of those reservations you grab the moment they drop on Resy – small, intimate, and serving food that makes the tight quarters worth it. 🌟
Address: Gurumé
313 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (917) 388-2017
Hours: Tue-Sat: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Sun: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Mon: Closed
Features: Korean tapas | Theater District | Reservations on Resy | Complimentary truffle chips | Intimate setting