HanGawi's all-vegan menu is based on mountain roots, greens, and grains that have comprised the staple diet of ancient Koreans. Enjoy vegetarian dumplings, tofu clay pot in ginger sauce, vermicelli delight, multi-grain rice, bean curd with kimchi and vegetables. Traditional teas, folk and zen music, decor filled with antiques and artifacts, a relaxed atmosphere of peace and refuge. Open Mon-Thu 5:00pm-9:30pm, Fri 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sat 1:00pm-10:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-9:30pm.
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12 E 32nd St (at Midtown East), New York City, New York, USA, 10016
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Last update on 29 Aug 2023 by geometric-noise
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209 Reviews
First Review by Stevie
veggiesaurus_86
Points +5277
Rude host - Edit
This place certainly has a special interior with a mystical atmosphere. However, the food we had was far from special (combination kimbap and tofu pot) and the portion size was small. What we didn't appreciate was the staffs behavior. We were not familiar with the rules of tipping in NYC and an older lady, who took my card kinda forced me to give a tip of at least 18%. It would have been okay, to kindly let us know that this is standard here and otherwise the staff is starving but it's not okay to make it mandatory in a rude way. We will not visit again. Deserves one star only.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-06-16
Pros: Nice interior
Cons: Very expensive for small portion , Extremely rude host , Food is nothing special
Guest
IwaWella
Points +1249
Fine Dining - Edit
Eating here is just as much of an experience as a meal this is the first fine dining restaurant I ever went to so it has a special spot in my heart I absolute loved this restaurant, don’t sleep on the Maitake mushrooms !
Read moreGuest
JulieVargo
Points +115
Food, service and atmosphere - Edit
What a gem! Amazing, intimate decor, shoes-off dining experience. The service was attentive and helpful and the food was delicious! We ordered wine, sake sampler, dumplings, soba bowl, sweet and sour mushrooms and they were all really amazing. Definitely try it.
Read moreGuest
Mpie
Points +2831
One of the best - Edit
This was an awesome experience! The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was simply divine. Friendly staff, you should make reservations quite some time ahead.
Read moreGuest
PritikaBetala
Points +191
Vegan Korean - Edit
vegan Korean food which was really delicious and the ambiance was amazing. The sitting arrangement was traditional, but the portion size was ridiculously small and pricey.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-02-11
Pros: Flavorful food
Cons: Small portion size
Guest
ADWAIT.
Points +46
Just okay - Edit
Good Korean food, missed the X factor.
Read moreGuest
OliviaSchenker
Points +74
Love this place - Edit
Absolutely love this place. One of my favorite vegan restaurants in nyc. All my non vegan family members love this restaurant. Definitely recommend the scallion pancakes and the stone bowls.
Read morePros: Great selection, Cool interior
Guest
Josito
Points +58
All vegan and a whole experience - Edit
This place is one of my top list in the city. The ambiance is amazing although make sure to wear nice socks, youll have to take your shoes off when entering. Full vegan .
Read morePros: Lots of flavorful recepies, Beautiful cozy interiors, Staff is very noce and accommodating
Cons: Cant find any
Guest
Evington
Points +3664
Decent place but could do better. - Edit
Plenty of choice. High quality food. Gluten free options. Front of house staff are a bit blunt and unfriendly. Also saw a mouse in the restaurant - perhaps that’s just a NYC problem.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-02-02
Pros: Lots of choice. , Gluten free
Cons: Rushed service , Blunt front of house staff
Guest
GF Cookie Monster
Points +1388
Stunning decor and delicious food - Edit
One of my favorite restaurants in NYC. HanGawi is a magical place. You feel like you're stepping into a Korean palace. A separate gluten-free menu section makes it easy for people with food allergies. Try the pumpkin porridge, kale pancakes, stone bowl or bibimbap (with or without avocado), and mochi ice cream. A massive list of tea flavors will keep you coming back to try them all. HanGawi is a bit expensive but completely worth it. Treat yourself.
Read morePros: Gorgeous decor, Gluten-free options, Huge list of teas
Cons: Expensive (but you'll understand why)
Guest
FlorianTDK
Points +5297
Wonderful experience - Edit
It was raining a lot and we wanted to go to the nearest restaurant. What an amazing surprise!!
Read moreFirst thing first, I advise you to book. Only one table left without booking, we were lucky.
Once you enter, you need to remove your shoes and your going to seat on a table where there is an heating floor! The experience starts here and it’s awesome.
Fully vegan Korean dishes, we did love everything we tried. I took also the avocado cocktail because… why not? And it was so tastyyyy
I recommend this place even tho it’s a bit expensive. We did pay 115$ (95$ 20$ tips) for two appetizers, two mains and one cocktail. #Veganuary
Updated from previous review on 2021-12-28
Pros: The heating floor for our shoes less feet , The food
Cons: A bit expensive
Guest
Lauralei
Points +600
teeny tiny portions - Edit
The ambiance here is lovely and the service is great. The food is good and very nicely presented. BUT everything is overpriced and the portions are ridiculously small. I paid $17 for a mixed pancake appetizer and it was 3 pancakes, each one cut into little pieces. I got a prix fixed lunch for $24 and it came with the smallest salad I've ever been served, although it was delicious. It came with a dessert which was 2 one inch diameter scoops of vegan chocolate ice cream served in a gigantic bowl. I assume they use a melon ball scoop rather than an ice cream scoop. An hour later I was hungry again. With a tip, my tab was $70 for the prix fixe lunch, the extra appetizer and a cocktail. It was a good meal but not a great one, especially for the price. I've always been curious about this place and, my curiosity having been satisfied, I will not return.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-09-02
Pros: good service, nice atmosphere
Cons: expensive, very very small portions
Guest
VegRon
Points +101
A Korean spot to blow your mind. - Edit
This place was amazing. First off, I didn’t get pics of the mushroom fritters, but you would be remorse if you miss them. I also ordered the sake flight with the kimchi hot bowl and WOW. So delicious. It comes out scorching with spicy and deep flavors.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Great atmosphere , Knowledgeable staff
Cons: A little expensive
Guest
Gopala108
Points +4913
Authentic Korean Vegan Food - Edit
Great Korean vegan food. It is a bit pricey, but worth the splurge for a special occasion. Food was amazing and great service. Feels like dining in a zen temple. You take off your shoes and sit low to the table. Worth sharing a few dishes to get a fuller range of the menu. There is another location apparently of the same owners that isn't as intimate, but more casual that I want to check out.
Read morePros: Feels like dining in a zen temple, Great Korean vegan food, You take off your shoes and sit low to the table
Cons: It is a bit pricey
Guest
threeseas7
Points +199
A special treat - Edit
We enjoyed the prix fix menu, which includes soup, salad, an appetizer platter, entree and dessert. Every course was delicious, but the seaweed salad with mushroom won my heart. I loved the trio of ice creams for dessert, but other desserts on their menu seemed more enticing and for the price I would have loved to try one of the cakes.
Read morePros: All vegan, Fresh, light cocktails, All courses were winners
Cons: Prix fix menu is very expensive, Would have liked to choose a different dessert, Very close tables
Guest
corilov
Points +202
Fantastic - Edit
Great vegan spot in Koreatown. Shoes off, cozy woods and pillows and delicious flavorful food. Can’t wait to try everything!
Read moreGuest
MaxBlack
Points +169
A true destination - Edit
I’d travel over an hour to eat at this place. And in fact, I do! The restaurant itself is so unique and relaxing. The staff truly knows the definition of customer service. And the food, the most important part, is fantastic. It’s expensive, but you’re paying for a true fine dining experience.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Amazing atmosphere
Guest
Prajna
Points +6250
Gorgeous and delicious food - Edit
The place itself has a beautiful ambiance. The dishes are displayed beautifully and they taste delicious.
Read moreThey also have a very large selection of teas. I never knew green tea came in so many varieties.
Guest
SharonR
Points +3323
Can I just plug the makgeolli some more? - Edit
Insanely amazing experience. Caution I may still be tipsy on makgeolli (raw rice wine) as I write this.
Read moreFood and drinks tried:
- Korean wine sampler: makgeolli (raw rice wine) is milky and slightly sparking, herb wine is a bit sweet and very earthy, and black raspberry wine is the sweetest of them all with a berry flavor.
- makgeolli order ($25) is a HUGE bowl of wine. Can recommend. I repeat. I can recommend.
- avocado and lettuce salad with ginger carrot dressing was fresh, delicious, though pretty standard. Wanted to try the avocado dandelion but they were out (next time!)
- combination pancakes: in order of fave: kimchi, leek, pumpkin. All delicious. With dipping sauces.
- spicy rice cakes aka tteokbokki. The right spiciness, with crispy tofu, mushrooms, kimchi, and non spicy kimchi. Heart eyes.
- tiramisu with puffed rice. Totally exceeded expectations. Subtle coffee flavor, very creamy.
Other Notes:
- reserve ahead of showing up to make sure you get a table quickly. We called about half an hour ahead of time to sit 2. It's not the tiniest I've seen, but given the food, service, and ambiance I'm not surprised they're busy.
- traditional floor and table seating. Shoes come off as you walk into the restaurant.
- shoes stay off to go into bathroom, but they have standard slippers to wear in.
- great service. We were rushing to catch an Amtrak train and they were sensitive to our slight haste. Because of that we were able to relax and enjoy.
Can't wait to come back.
Guest
MichaelSquillace
Points +593
Amazing vegan Korean food! - Edit
Mushrooms, kimchi, dumpling, and stuffed mushrooms are amazing!
Read morePros: All vegan!
Guest
SarahV1117
Points +133
Such a find. Beautiful experience. Peaceful and delicious. - Edit
Wonderful late dinner during our first night back to New York. Large and delicious menu. Kind staff. Will definitely be back.
Read morePros: All plant based menu- 100%, Unique , Everything absolutely delicious
Guest
ayshim
Points +931
Excellent Korean food! - Edit
I celebrated my birthday at Hangawi some years ago and I am still dreaming about their stone bowl dishes and decadent kimchi.
Read morePros: excellent food, friendly and caring staff
Guest
KitMcGrath
Points +270
So good - Edit
If you want delicious vegan Korean food, look no further. Lovely little restaurant with great staff and terrific food.
Read moreGuest
lime.skyblue
Points +576
Authentic Korean Vegan Restaurant (I'm Korean, so I know). No Compromises On Flavor. - Edit
I'm thoroughly glad that HanGawi (which translates literally to "one scissors" or one pair of scissors) exists in New York. Ever since I became vegan, I thought that I wouldn't be able to eat the traditional egg and meat-inclusive Korean dishes that I grew up eating-- but I'm glad that HanGawi proved me wrong.
Read moreTheir stone-pot vegetable rice bowl / bee-beem-bop tasted exactly like the ones my Korean parents prepared for me multiple times throughout my life. When you enter, you'll notice there are shelves for people's shoes-- that's because you have the option of sitting on the floor while dining, in traditional Korean style. That's what I chose, and I loved the experience.
Guest
veganAroundTheWorld
Points +79
yummy Food - Edit
we like this place
Read moreGuest
autumnsarin
Points +38
Beautifully unique. Great dining experience! - Edit
Loved my dining experience. Great service. Took a few non-vegan friends here and they loved it! Great place to take a date as well.
Read morePros: Tons of vegan options. , Great flavours! , Good portion size.
Guest
TheCragunFam
Points +75
Incredible Experience! - Edit
This restaurant has incredibly kind staff and a wonderful peaceful traditional setting.
Read moreThe food experience is incredible, and not just that!: The traditional setting and customs experience is so cool! They have you take your shoes off at the door and have traditional seating on cushions at the table. The decor is all antique korean pottery and teapots. The lighting is warm and comfortable and it's nice to sit without shoes and listen to the relaxing traditional korean music and refuge away from the New York crowds and noise.
We had the kimbap appetizer, tofu steak main course and spicy kimchi rice dish.
The kimchi comes with both red and white kimchi and the steak has an incredible big flavor. Would definitely recommend all of these dishes, especially the tofu steak.
Pros: All vegan, amazing staff, incredible food, Relaxing and comfortable, Cultural and traditional
Guest
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