(212) 334-4598

253 Church St
New York, NY 10013 40.717793 -74.00569

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Neighborhoods: Tribeca, Downtown

Hours:

Mon-Wed. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Thu-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Last updated 6.15.10

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Romantic Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining

Cuisine:

Korean

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Kori

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Kori is remarkable for its attention to detail on the part of the waitstaff, the chef and the decorator. At the front of the narrow, high-ceilinged restaurant is the attractive bar; moving onward, one sees expansive rust-colored walls, exposed ductwork and an attractive clientele bent over fine handmade bowls. – – The Food – The serious, well-executed Korean dishes are fine-tuned somewhat for the Tribeca palate--a bit prettier and less spicy than uptown or Queens versions. The bulgogi (marinated grilled beef wrapped in lettuce) is delicious--smoky, subtle…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Enjoy drink specials from 4:30pm to 7:30pm each weeknight. The ginger kamikaze, made with Korean soju vodka and baked ginger, is a specialty.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Good food, good atmosphere.”
  2. “The lighting is nice, and it just overall is a nice place to go on a friendly-to-slightly-romantic date.”
  3. “That said, the food wasn't too bad, the ambiance is quite nice.”
  4. “Love food and ambiance”
  5. “Kori is an upscale restaurant that is comfortable enough to feel relaxed in.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Also, the cocktails are unique and hits the spot too!”
  2. “Great place, great food, great drinks, great service!”
  3. “He makes some very good drinks.”
food quality
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. “Good food, good atmosphere.”
  2. “Great place, great food, great drinks, great service!”
  3. “Both dishes were excellent but I would especially recommend the hot bimbim bop with vegetables.”
  4. “The best part about all this, aside from the food, is that all this delicious food is served in beautiful, delicately designed plates.”
  5. “It's a well designed warm little tunnel of a restaurant with quality Korean comfort food (bimbimbop and short ribs stand out) and some non-traditional dishes that are inventive.”
  6. “dont' care what the food is like.”
  7. “Arguably, one can find more authentic places but that's not the point.”
  8. “We loved the Gochujang pasta.”
  9. “Dined there on a Saturday night, and was pleasantly surprised by a delicious meal.”
  10. “usually just have appetizers (the scallion or seafood pancakes are great) but I have had both the short ribs and the bibimbop, which were both excellent.”
  11. “The Ginger Kamikazees are absolutely delicious.”
  12. “Whenever I'm in the mood for Korean, this is my standby for delicious, light Korean food without the heaviness compared to K-Town Korean.”
  13. “For more authentic Korean cuisine, go to Koreatown.”
  14. “The box lunch was a bore, but the appetizer of tofu stuffed with mushrooms was very good.”
  15. “the Duck SSam (leaf veggie wrap) was very tasty.”
  16. “Best Korean food I've ever had”
  17. “The ddukbokgi is GREAT, an absolute must try - spicy and flavorful, it was easily one of my favorites.”
  18. “The grilled shrimp salad is an absolute favorite of mine.”
  19. “My fried dumplings were cold when they arrived, and my salmon was slathered in a sauce that while tasty, completely obscured the salmon, which was a bit overcooked.”
  20. “know practically nothing about Korean food, and was pleasently surprised by the delicious food.”
  21. “The food was good, but nothing amazing.”
  22. “The food at Kori is absolutely delicious, with a focus on a very clean, pure, healthy eating.”
  23. “That said, the food wasn't too bad, the ambiance is quite nice.”
  24. “Ambience is good, food is average”
  25. “Love food and ambiance”
  26. “And the main dish, kalbi sprinkled with blueberries, was also delicious, tender and well-marinated.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Another bonus: It's right next to the Knitting Factory, so it's a good place to stop by before a show for a bite to eat.”
  2. “The lighting is nice, and it just overall is a nice place to go on a friendly-to-slightly-romantic date.”
  3. “Certainly does not compare to Dok Suni, my favorite ever Korean restaurant.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “always loved Kori but will never go there again.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “The wait staff is friendly and cool.”
  2. “Great place, great food, great drinks, great service!”
  3. “Impeccable, very attentive, and fast service.”
  4. “The lighting is nice, and it just overall is a nice place to go on a friendly-to-slightly-romantic date.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Reasonable prices for a restaurant in TriBeCa.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/17/10

Polite staff, incredible food

by Hilla at Citysearch

One of the best Korean food with refined, exotic interior and cozy atmosphere. I've been there many times but never disappointed me. I can't even express how happy I am that this place is so close to where I live. The food is fantastic, the staff is always friendly.

I love Blueberry Galbi, Grilled Duck Ssam, Spicy Shrimp Japche and so many more.

They have great cocktails that make me go there when I'm not even hungry!

1 Star Rating: Poor

04/16/10

RUDE, Didn't want my business

by David Ross at Citysearch

I had heard good things so my wife and two friends were looking forward to eating here. We made reservations WELL IN ADVANCE. 3 hours before we were set to have dinner they call me up and tell me, quote, "don't show up"! They had a private party and didn't want us to come. No explaination, no "we're sorry", just "don't show up". I dont' care what the food is like. This was just RUDE

  • Pros: NONCE
  • Cons: Not honoring resrvations and poor attitude
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/23/09

Absolutely delectable!!

by jkny28 at Citysearch

Been here many times, and each experience has been very enjoyable.

Impeccable, very attentive, and fast service.

The food at Kori is absolutely delicious, with a focus on a very clean, pure, healthy eating. I personally liked their jun (crispy Korean pancakes), kalbi Ssam, ohhh and their chilean seabass. All absolutely mouth-watering. And you can’t forget their dessert and cocktails!!

From the food, the décor, to the service, Kori allows you to experience a very modern take of the Korean culture.

Great for a romantic date or a fun night out with your friends!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/03/09

Excellent, highly recommended

by jkay at Citysearch

As a Korean-American, I've tried various kinds of Korean food - the authentic kind from Ktown (and from Korea) and the very westernized kind from places like Woo Lae Oak.

Kori is a refreshing combination of both. Arguably, one can find more authentic places but that's not the point. Kori fabulously captures the essence of true Korean food while introducing inventive and innovative infusions and alternatives. The true Korean flavor is not lost as it so often and unfortunately is in many other westernized Korean restaurants.

The pajun is mouth-watering, extra-crispy and delectable. I simply kept wanting more! The ddukbokgi is GREAT, an absolute must try - spicy and flavorful, it was easily one of my favorites. And the main dish, kalbi sprinkled with blueberries, was also delicious, tender and well-marinated. Throughout the entire meal, I barely put my chopsticks down. For dessert, I had the mango and cocount sorbet and just thinking about it makes me want to go back!! It is absolutely incredible and it comes in a frozen mango and cocount shell, respectively. The best part about all this, aside from the food, is that all this delicious food is served in beautiful, delicately designed plates. It sets the mood just right, very very close to perfection.

Chic, modern and homey, Kori is where I'd go on a date or the place I'd go to have an enjoyable and relaxing dinner with friends. An all-around YES!

  • Pros: great ambiance, delicious food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/14/09

Great Modern Cuisine Over In Tribeca

by donwhee at Citysearch

Whenever I'm in the mood for Korean, this is my standby for delicious, light Korean food without the heaviness compared to K-Town Korean. Been here 3 times and always have a great time!

My favs are the juns, blueberry kalbi, various bibimbaps, and the tofu croquettes! Can't wait to visit again to try the fried baby octopus, and the gochujang pasta!

I know it may not be authentic Korean, but I prefer the Moderness of this Korean food here at Kori. Also, the cocktails are unique and hits the spot too!

  • Pros: Wonderful, healthy, clean and delicious Korean
  • Cons: Location...

The Details on Kori

Place Categories:

  • delicious korean food
  • nice place
  • delicious main dish
  • quite nice ambiance
  • enjoyable dinner
  • great korean pancakes
  • cool wait staff
  • very good drinks
  • very enjoyable experience
  • always loved kori
  • very tasty veggie wrap
  • personally liked jun
  • delicious meal
  • amazing nothing
  • unique cocktails
  • comfortable upscale restaurant
  • excellent short ribs
  • wonderful tribeca haunt
  • favorite korean restaurant
  • nice lighting
  • excellent bibimbop
  • good atmosphere
  • refreshing combination
  • very attentive service
  • especially recommend hot bimbim bop