A standalone restaurant from Jae Lee, the chef behind the popular Korean-leaning pop-up at Black Emperor.

Nowon is a untraditional Korean restaurant by chef owner Jae Lee - also formerly of Rice & Gold at Hotel 50 Bowery, Zuma NY and Momosan Ramen & Sake. The South Korean chef has named his restaurant after his hometown, but don't expect traditional Korean fare.

Expect modern and creative Korean cuisine drawing on some New York flavors and spruced-up versions of classic Korean dishes, such as octopus and Spam fried rice, chopped-cheese rice cakes with beef and pickled jalapeños, and honey butter Tater Tots with labneh and seaweed. 

Nowon is also serving (between 5pm to 7pm) his popular Dry Aged Double Cheeseburger with Murican cheese and kimchi mayo, and dill pickle - which was on the menu at his pop-up HIM at Black Emperor. Diners can also expect a lively vibe influenced by 90's hip-hop culture. The 34-seat space decked out with blue chairs and decorated with graffiti and murals from the artist Razo.

Ideal For

Korean fare

Signature Dishes

The chopped-cheese rice cakes; Numbing cucumber salad with chicken, Sichuan-tahini yogurt, peanut, and toasted rice and wok fried jjanjang clams with chicken, black-bean-brown-butter, and lemon.