The Korean food scene in New York City is a vibrant landscape ranging from Korean BBQ, traditional regional specialties, viral Korean fried chicken, and upscale fine dining tasting menus. The delicious cuisine reflects Korea’s unique culture and has a significant impact on the city’s culinary identity. As one strolls through the buzzing, crowded streets of Manhattan’s Koreatown on 32nd Street, which is filled with numerous restaurants, you may feel overwhelmed and struggle to find the best place to eat. A standout is Antoya, an exceptional spot worth visiting and ordering Korean BBQ.
Located in the heart of Koreatown at 37 West 32nd Street, Antoya is a bustling, multi-level, and casual restaurant serving impressive Korean BBQ and traditional Korean comfort dishes with a modern twist. Their high-quality ingredients and extensive menu has rightfully earned them a spot on the Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant Guide in 2021 and 2022, which honors restaurants for offering multi-course meals at reasonable prices. Since their establishment in 2018, Antoya continues to offer customers a fun, interactive, and communal dining experience that emphasizes flavorful meals and a wide variety of dishes.
At Antoya, their specialty is Korean BBQ. We highly recommend the premium beef platter, which includes USDA Prime marinated galbi (Korean-style marinated beef ribs), ribeye, short rib, seasoned cubed short rib, and flat iron steak. The different cuts and types of beef were all lean, tender, juicy, and luxurious. The meat melted in our mouths, and the different types of sauces for dipping added a burst of flavor to the meat. Lettuce wraps (ssam in Korean) were also provided to eat with your meat. In addition, mushrooms and asparagus were grilled along with the beef. The platter also comes with a mini stew, and guests will have the choice of ordering the kimchi stew, soybean stew, or spicy tofu stew. For $199, this feast is an incredible deal. The huge shareable portions can easily be split between two to three people. You’ll be satisfied and full.
Tony Park, the owner of Antoya, and the staff provide incredible hospitality. The friendly and hard-working servers at Antoya will perfectly grill the meats and vegetables to your preference, whether it’s rare or well done, tableside over a built-in gas stove. And one of the best things about Antoya’s grilling setup is their powerful overhead hoods that capture smoke before it reaches you. The effective ventilation system sucks the meat fumes, and you won’t go home smelling like smoke. This is really appreciated.
Each meal at Antoya includes a bottomless assortment of banchan (side dishes) like kimchi, tofu, zucchini, seaweed, cloves of garlic, spicy Korean rice cakes, and other seasonal vegetables, which provided a variety of flavors, textures, and temperatures to accompany the main course and rice, creating a balanced and communal dining experience. These small, communal dishes were fresh and delightful. Banchan are meant to be shared, and servers at Antoya will happily replenish the dishes as needed.
Besides the BBQ and banchan, Antoya excels at making traditional Korean soups (like ox bone and the delectable spicy short rib), tasty dumplings, marinated raw crab, stir-fried glass noodles, fluffy egg soufflé, and bulgogi beef bibimbap (mixed rice a bowl topped with a variety of seasoned vegetables, meat, a fried egg, and gochujang sauce). Their kimchi pancakes are also outstanding. Made with chopped, well-fermented kimchi and green onions, it is fried in oil until they are crispy and golden brown.
The vibe at Antoya is fun and eclectic. As guests walk up to the third-level dining area, the stairs are decked out with pretty flowers. And throughout the entire restaurant, private rooms are available for large parties, and lively K-pop music and hits from Britney Spears play in the background to brighten up the mood. Whether guests drop by for lunch or dinner, customers will be treated to a wonderful dining experience and indulge in exceptional food and high-quality meats. Make a reservation at Antoya now. You won’t regret it.
