Jungsik Review: NYC’s Newest 3-Star Michelin Restaurant—Is It Really Worth The Trip?
Jungsik has made history as the first new 3-star Michelin restaurant in New York City since Eleven Madison Park earned its third star in 2012. Specializing in modern Korean fine dining, it joins an elite group of restaurants that define the highest level of culinary excellence. Currently, there are only 5 restaurants with the accolade: Per Se, Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Masa and now Jungsik.
We’ve eaten at every 3-star Michelin in NYC and many outside of NYC, so we have thoughts. Here’s our full breakdown.
The Food: Flawless Execution, No Misses
If there’s one thing that stands out, it’s the food. Every dish was beautifully plated, precisely executed, and packed with flavor. There were no misses throughout the meal—a rare feat, even at this level.
Jungsik’s modern take on Korean cuisine is refined yet deeply flavorful, seamlessly blending traditional elements with high-end ingredients. From start to finish, the technical skill, ingredient quality, and composition were world-class.
Some of our highlights included:
the banchan (a Korean term for small side dishes), which included wagyu beef tartare with truffle brioche and foie gras baesook with asian pear and pine nut
the yellowtail kimbap with truffle rice and seaweed bugak, which was basically the coolest and tastiest hand roll
the corn, which was—in fact—not corn, but a delectable dessert with ice cream and cheddar cheese that we honestly can’t really describe but could not recommend more
The Service: Strong, But Rushed at the End
For most of the meal, service was polished and professional, but we did experience a few minor misses. Nothing egregious—just small details that didn’t match the seamless perfection of, say, Eleven Madison Park or Per Se, which are direct 3-star competitors in New York City. We know that’s a high bar but given the price of the meal, we do feel that high expectations are warranted.
The most notable issue was being rushed at the end of the meal. At a restaurant of this caliber, diners expect a relaxed, unhurried pace from start to finish. When a three-star restaurant subtly pressures guests to wrap up, it stands out as a slight misstep.
That said, the staff was attentive and accommodating, so overall, the service still ranks as very strong—just shy of the highest tier.
The Aesthetics: Elegant, But Not Transportive
Jungsik is beautifully designed, but it doesn’t feel like stepping into another world. The atmosphere is refined and upscale, but compared to the immersive aesthetics of places like Sketch (London), Frantzén (Stockholm), or even the grandeur of Per Se (NYC), it lacks that extra layer of theatricality or escapism.
Would we call it striking? Absolutely. But is it a setting that completely transforms the dining experience? Not quite.
The Price: On Par With Other Three-Stars
Jungsik’s pricing aligns with NYC’s top-tier fine dining:
💲 Signature Tasting Menu: $295 per person
💲 Wine Pairings: Start at $200 and go up depending on the selection
💲 Non-Alcoholic Pairing: $115 per person
It’s a premium experience, but for a restaurant at this level, the price is expected.
Final Verdict: Close, But Not Quite 3 Stars
Jungsik is an exceptional restaurant, and we absolutely understand why it was awarded three Michelin stars. The food is flawless, the service is strong, and the experience is thoroughly enjoyable.
That said, we personally would rate it as a very strong two-star rather than a definitive three-star. Why? Because while it’s on par with other three-star restaurants, it doesn’t quite reach the next-level magic of the world’s most immersive dining experiences.
When we think of the very top three-star restaurants, we look for something beyond perfection—experiences that feel once-in-a-lifetime. Places like:
✨ Per Se – A level of refinement and attention to detail that feels truly above and beyond
✨ Eleven Madison Park – Personalization and storytelling that create a deeply intimate dining experience
✨ Fat Duck – A playful, highly customized menu that pushes the boundaries of dining as an art form
✨ Sketch – A multi-sensory masterpiece where the aesthetics alone make it unforgettable
✨ Frantzén – The multi-room experience that turns a meal into an interactive journey
✨ Core by Clare Smyth – Elegance, warmth, and Michelin-star precision in one
Jungsik is incredibly good—but it doesn’t quite max out the full immersive experience like the top-tier three-stars do. Even small things, like no take-home item or parting gift, are noticeable at this level.
However, judging it against NYC’s other two-stars and three-stars, it overall holds its own and we had a fantastic time there. If you’re looking for a Michelin-worthy meal with world-class execution, Jungsik is a great bet. Just don’t expect to walk away feeling like you’ve stepped into an entirely different world.
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