DDOBAR by Joomak NYC: A Hidden Gem for Innovative Korean Cuisine

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC Introduce

In a city overflowing with remarkable dining experiences, it takes something truly special to stand out. DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is one such place, a hidden gem that redefines the concept of a tasting menu with its fresh and inventive approach. Tucked inside the bustling Olly Olly Market in the iconic Starrett-Lehigh Building, this restaurant offers an experience unlike any other. It is the brainchild of Michelin-starred Chef Jiho Kim, who brings a fresh perspective to the omakase format, centering his menus around the humble yet versatile Korean yubu, or fried tofu pockets. What emerges is a series of "yubu tarts" that are not only a visual delight but also a journey of unexpected and sophisticated flavors. DDOBAR is the perfect blend of high-end culinary artistry and a down-to-earth, approachable atmosphere, making it a must-visit for food lovers in New York seeking something new, creative, and memorable.

The core of the DDOBAR experience is the yubu tart tasting menu. Each course is a testament to the creativity and attention to detail that the chefs pour into their work. Guests are treated to a thoughtful progression of dishes that showcase a premium selection of ingredients, from raw seafood to beautifully cooked meats. The menu also has a well-balanced ratio of raw and cooked toppings, ensuring a dynamic and exciting meal. Highlights include clever and playful nods to classic New York foods, like a reimagined Smoked Salmon with Everything Bagel, and indulgent bites like Hiramasa generously crowned with caviar. The Scallop, finished with a drizzle of brown butter dashi, and unexpected toppings like Duck Pastrami and sweet Korean Beef Tartare, all demonstrate the creativity and skill of the kitchen. The pacing of the meal is just right, allowing diners to savor each course without feeling rushed, making for a truly enjoyable and relaxed experience. And a surprising highlight, as noted by many patrons, is the dessert—the Earl Grey Soft Serve is often lauded as one of the best desserts in the city.

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is located at 601 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, USA, within the historic and impressive Starrett-Lehigh Building. This unique location places the restaurant inside the vibrant Olly Olly Market, a food court that offers a modern and intimate setting for a fine-dining experience. The address is easily accessible from various parts of the city. Being in the Chelsea neighborhood, it is well-served by public transportation, including several subway lines and bus routes that stop nearby, making it a convenient destination for a lunch or dinner outing.

The restaurant's location within a market might seem unconventional for an omakase experience, but it adds a certain charm and a friendly, down-to-earth feel. It’s a great spot to meet up with friends or for a casual date night. The restaurant is also committed to accessibility, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that all guests can enjoy their meal comfortably. For those driving, the availability of free and paid street parking is a helpful feature in this part of Manhattan, adding to the overall convenience of visiting this hidden gem.

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC offers a tailored dining experience with several options to suit different preferences.

Onsite Services: The primary service is dine-in, with options to sit at the intimate sushi bar or at one of the couple of dining tables on the side. This setting allows guests to witness the chefs at work, which is a key part of the experience.
Takeout: For those on the go, a takeout option is also available, allowing you to enjoy some of Chef Kim's creations from the comfort of your own home or office.
Dine-in: This is the most popular way to enjoy DDOBAR, as it allows for the full tasting menu experience and a chance to interact with the chefs and staff.
Lunch and Dinner: DDOBAR is popular for both lunch and dinner, offering tasting menus that are perfect for a midday treat or a special evening meal.
Dessert: The menu includes dessert, which is highly praised by customers. The Earl Grey Soft Serve and mini coconut treats are a perfect end to the meal.
Table Service: The staff provides table service, guiding you through the meal and ensuring a smooth, enjoyable dining experience.
Reservations: Reservations are recommended and accepted, especially for dinner. This ensures you get a spot at this popular and intimate venue.

What makes DDOBAR by Joomak NYC a standout choice in the city's vast culinary landscape is its unique blend of creativity, quality, and affordability.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere is a perfect blend of cozy and trendy, with a romantic vibe that makes it ideal for a date night. It’s sophisticated yet unpretentious, creating a comfortable space to enjoy a high-end meal.
Offerings: The beverage menu is extensive, offering a great selection of alcohol, beer, cocktails, hard liquor, and wine. The "Shaken" and "Reserve" cocktail lists are particularly impressive, with creative drinks like "Love Wins All" and "Martini Royale." The menu also features a variety of soju and makgeolli, rounding out a truly comprehensive selection of drinks. The food itself is a highlight, with small plates that are packed with flavor and creativity.
Tasting Menu: The yubu tart tasting menu, available in both 13-course and 17-course options, is a highlight and is noted for being a great value, especially at a $75 price point. The dishes, from the Hiramasa with caviar to the Duck Pastrami, are all meticulously crafted and full of flavor. The menu also offers add-ons like uni to enhance your meal.
Accessibility and Amenities: The restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible. It also has a bar onsite and restrooms for customer convenience. The payment options are modern and flexible, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

For reservations or to learn more, you can contact the restaurant using the details below.

Address: Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, USA

Phone: (929) 656-5777

What is truly worth choosing at DDOBAR by Joomak NYC is the inventive and delicious omakase experience that is both high-end and accessible. The yubu tarts offer a unique twist on traditional sushi, making them feel more down-to-earth and friendly while still being incredibly refined. The creativity and attention to detail from Michelin-starred Chef Jiho Kim are evident in every course, from the savory dishes to the exceptional desserts. The restaurant is a "hidden gem" that provides an intimate and memorable dining experience at a price that is a "huge steal" compared to other omakase spots in the city. Whether you're a food adventurer, a couple on a casual date, or just looking for a fantastic meal, DDOBAR offers a truly special evening that you won't soon forget.

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC Menu

Lunch Special
BiBim-Bob $17.00
Korean Style of Salad bowl with grain and protein of your choice!

Na Drinks
Sparkling Water $4.00
La Croix $3.00
Still Water $3.00

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC Details

Service options
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Hard liquor
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Romantic
Trendy

Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC Photos

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC Location

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC

New York New York County New York West 26th Street

Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, USA

DDOBAR by Joomak NYC Reviews

An average rating of ★4.8 from 216 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

This is not your typical omakase experience – inspired by korean yubu (fried tofu pockets), Michelin-starred chef Jiho Kim brings a fresh perspective to the format with two inventive tasting menus at DDO BAR, all centered around yubu tarts.We chose the 13-course yubu tasting menu at $75. From the creativity and attention to detail to the use of premium ingredients, every course felt thoughtful and refined that it was hard to pick a favorite. The menu also had a good ratio of raw and cooked toppings.Most importantly, the pacing was just right—we never felt rushed, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. It’s a great spot for a casual date night or a relaxed catch-up with friends.As a bagel lover, I was impressed to see their reimagined Smoked Salmon with Everything Bagel into yubu!The Hiramasa was an indulgent bite, generously crowned with caviar for that extra touch of luxury.My friend couldn’t stop raving about the Scallop, finished with a drizzle of brown butter dashi.Moving forward to some special and unexpected toppings: The Duck Pastrami was a standout with its smoky and peppery taste. The sweet Korean Beef Tartare reminded me of bulgogi. While the Pork Belly with Mushroom Pickle, served with a piece of lettuce, felt like a playful nod to kbbq.But what really caught us off guard in the best way were the desserts. The Earl Grey Soft Serve sprinkled with sea salt might just be the BEST dessert I’ve ever had, and the portion was generous. It was rich with tea flavor even by my standard, subtly savory.Our server also surprised us with mini coconut treats. At that point, we both agreed they’ve truly mastered the art of dessert.
April 26 · Ruby Chan
This is definitely a hidden gem. It’s inside the Olly Olly market which is a food court not typical and the most intimate for having omakase. We sat at the sushi bar, and it also has a couple of dining tables on the side. And the food was really good. We got the Yubu Tart dinner tasting ($75) with Uni as additions. I have to say the Yubu sushi pieces were very tasty. The tofu skin wrapped outside of the rice definitely adds a unique twist to the traditional sushi, making them more friendly and kinda down-to-earth. We enjoyed most of the dishes and the highlights were the scallops appetizer, the shrimp, lobster, and duck Yubu tarts, and the pork belly (it’s so soft and full of flavor). Service was okay, no one really filled our waters, and I found the plate where they give the sushi a bit too far to reach. Overall very good experience, and will definitely be back to try the seasonal tasting menu.
April 07 · Kyle Liu
I saw DDOBar repeatedly pop up on lists of best restaurants in Chelsea, so I was curious to try it especially given that the chef/owner has a Michelin star at Joomak. We opted for the 10-course “Chef Studio” option and you could feel that talent translated into every course. Three courses will especially stick with us: a) scallop — so tender, rich, & decadent, b) Yubu tarts — these four were so creative & varied, we’ve never had anything like them and loved how they blended Korea with NYC, c) earl grey ice cream — with the salt this was so well-balanced and a great way to cap off the meal. For what it’s worth, we opted for the uni add-on to the Toro & Filet Mignon course and are glad we did. The staff was warm & wonderful, it was definitely unique eating food of this caliber in a food hall but we would 100% go back & recommend!Highlights: Yubu tarts, scallop, earl grey ice creamDate visited: 6/14/25
July 05 · Travis Shepherd
A Hidden Gem in Manhattan’s Coolest Food CourtThere’s something deliciously smug about finding a great meal in a place that doesn’t try too hard. Tucked inside Olly Olly Market –Manhattan’s answer to the question “what if a food court grew up, got a better job, and started dressing well?” – you’ll find DDOBAR, quietly turning out food that deserves its own parade.I visited with a dear South Korean friend, a man who knows his way around both a tasting menu and a street cart, and whose standards make Michelin judges look forgiving. We both left beaming — the rare kind of culinary happiness where you start planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill.The scallop dish is where the kitchen makes its intentions clear: seared to the whisper of golden brown, barely cooked through, and still carrying the clean, briny sweetness of the ocean. It doesn’t come with a novel-sized explanation. It doesn’t need to.Then came the shrimp on fried tofu, affectionately called “yubutart,” and here, DDOBAR truly shows its swagger. The tofu is crisp without, silken within. The shrimp sweet, juicy, and sauced with enough punch to wake you up but not so much as to drown the thing’s natural beauty. It’s clever without being show-offy – the culinary version of someone who’s extremely good-looking but also knows how to tell a joke.Olly Olly Market itself buzzes with energy: a sleek, Manhattan-polished take on the classic food hall, where every stand feels like a secret you’re lucky to have overheard. It’s the kind of place where you realize why New York ruins other cities for you.If you’re smart, you’ll find your way to DDOBAR. If you’re lucky, you’ll bring a friend who gets it. Either way, expect to leave feeling slightly smug — and already plotting a return.
April 27 · Ulrik Øen Johnsen
Delicious from the first bite to the last.A prefixe packed with flavor and creativity, all in a relaxing and laid back atmosphere. Each bite was heaven and the price is right! If they keep up this consistency, I’d say it’s Michelin star worthy.Highly recommended and I’ll look to come back to see how they continue to evolve.
May 25 · Mony Kiem