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
sirhin
Points +161
Still Good but Pricey - Edit
I first visited Hangawi in Seoul. I lived there teaching English and as a vegetarian in Korea (who doesn't eat onion and garlic), this place was heaven. They also had the option of preparing everything without onion and garlic, as per the dietary restrictions of some Buddhists. Unfortunately, Hangawi in NYC does not offer this so our choices were limited, which seriously irked me. I had a huge craving for Kimchi Jjigae and I didn't want to make kimchi from scratch to make my own because then I would have to wait even longer. That was my major complaint, but I suppose opening in a Western city does involve some sacrifices to appeal to the locals. I had called ahead to make a reservation and I told the girl that we didn't eat onion or garlic. Her response was that we tell our waiter once we got there.
Read moreI originally wanted to come on Christmas, but they only offered the special Prix Fixe menu at $65 per person. I paid almost that much for a 15 course meal in Hangawi Korea... I wasn't going to pay that amount for only 7 courses. Plus, kimchi jjigae wasn't on the set course menu. I ended up going the day after for lunch. We arrived there right when it opened but it quickly filled up. We got the two lunch set menus and it was still delicious. They managed to make everything without onion and garlic and switched out the gochujang for the dolsot bibimbap with soy sauce and gochugaru instead. The thing was that they offered a smaller amount of side dishes (only 4) with the entree, of which we could only eat one (the spinach and mushroom). Fortunately, they gave us another small side of the S&M, but it would have been nice to just give us 4 sides of that, since we couldn't eat the others. However, the porridge was good and so was the ginseng salad (light, different, and refreshing). The dessert was a little disappointing - soy ice cream. I wanted something more Korean, but I suppose. It was still good - just not all that authentic. Not like ginseng salad is authentically Korean, but at least it was Korean themed.
All in all, still delicious and visually pleasing, though the options are less. The staff is helpful to an extent and still as expensive (more so) as always. A good place for a special occasion, but note that the portions are on the smaller side. I felt "just right" but I definitely could have eaten more (it may be because it was for lunch, but I remember being incredibly STUFFED in Seoul).
Pros: delicious & beautiful food, great decor/atmosphere
Cons: portions on the slightly smaller side, not as "authentic", no 100% onion/garlic free menu option
Guest
SonjaCPA
Points +5270
excellent prix fixe menu - Edit
We joined another couple for dinner here and we were all impressed. The decor is lovely as is the service. You leave your shoes at the door and proceed into the dining area. The seating is on the floor with space cut out for your legs underneath. I had the lychee wine and the guys shared an apple sake that was actually served inside apples. Two of us opted for the prix fixe menu (2 is the minimum), which was a good value considering the number of courses that came with it. The rest of the menu is large and the two other people selected the stuffed shiitakes, dumpling soup, sizzling mushrooms and a bibimbap bowl. All the food was excellent, especially the mushroom ones as well as the kale rolls on the prix fixe. It was one of our most enjoyable meals during our trip to NYC.
Read morePros: excellent food, great atmosphere, good service
Guest
ronitw
Points +853
A Must in NY - Edit
Love the Prix Fixe - more and more beautiful and superb items are brought to the table for our complete enjoyment. With sake to compliment the meal, this is an amazing culinary experience. Add the great service, the beauty of the place and the uniforms of the waiters for a perfect evening.
Read morePros: Great food, Beautiful environment, Great service
Guest
krissimi
Points +129
I have flown to NY just to eat here... - Edit
It's one of those gems I go to anytime I visit NYC. I order the Emperor's Tasting Menu Prix Fixe. I wish something like this was in Toronto. It's delicious and I LOVE the space. The last time I flew to NYC was for my birthday a couple years ago. I spent 24 hours in NYC with the main purpose to eat at HanGawi. I hope they are maintaining their awesome for when I visit again. I've been a few times already...
Read morePros: food and drink, atmosphere and service, location
Cons: i wish there was a HanGawi in Toronto
Guest
Oslo
Points +72
downhill - Edit
Hangawi used to be my favorite restaurant. The last couple times I've been there the food has been ok, not amazing like it used to be. Same price though.
Read moreGuest
vegified
Points +68
excellent! - Edit
this place is amazing. i've been raving about it for years. the food is all out-of-this-world great! my favorite was a dish in the clay pot with rice and veggies. so good! the service was great. my only problem is i can't convince my parents to come back because they don't like sitting on the floor. but it wouldn't be the same if we were at tables. i really love this place.
Read moreGuest
chorte23
Points +51
Try the Stone Bowl - Edit
A vegetarian friend recommended this restaurant, and I have been back multiple times since. Everything I've tried on the menu has been delicious. I particularly like the avocado stone bowl, though the spicy rice cakes and seasonal pumpkin pancakes are also excellent. The only downside is that it is pricey (though maybe not for NYC).
Read morePros: excellent food, healthy cuisine
Cons: expensive
Guest
t-bone123456
Points +52
Great place for a date/meeting - Edit
Beautiful food. Very delicate. Expensive-ish. Worth it. Feels like you are in a fancy eating den in Korea.
Read morePros: excellent food, friendly staff
Cons: pricey
Guest
bonhommesoleil
Points +45
Amazing experience - Edit
Hangawi is one of the most beautiful restaurants you will find. Traditional decor and service make for a unique dining experience. The food is delicious, especially the appetizers. Very nice cocktails too. Great place to take someone to impress!
Read moreGuest
Casey42
Points +24
Can't wait to go back - Edit
My boyfriend and I loved this place! I was hesitant to go based on some reviews I read that the food was bland, but I didn't find that to be true at all. We ordered the pre fixe menu and it was an excellent value. It was several delicious courses, one more outstanding than the next.
Read moreThe food vegetable based rather than centered around fake meat, which was a nice change. The taste of many of the dishes was light on the palate, but by no means bland.
We are literally waiting for the next warm day so we can take the path in and eat here again.
Pros: great food, attentive service, beautiful atmosphere
Guest
negnog
Points +32
wow. - Edit
the atmosphere is outstanding, details exquisite...food is creative, plated beautiful and very tasty...try the mountain root vegetables, they are incredible! a bit overpriced, but worth it. discretion between lunch hours online and at restaurant...we went there for lunch menu, but our waiter insisted we were there after lunch was over...
Read moreGuest
condekedar
Points +9842
Cool, unusual, delicious - Edit
For ambience and novelty-value alone, Hangawi stands apart. It's a completely different dining experience, with submerged seating (sans shoes). I found the prices to be low considering the atmosphere and the unusual nature of the food (vegan Korean joints aren't exactly common). All of the dishes were delicious, from the mushroom pancakes to the tofu stone pot. Their vegan cheesecake was also delectable. This is a great place to take a date or to simply eat healthy, tasty food in large portions.
Read morePros: Ambience, Prices, Unusual food
Guest
navski
Points +122
some of the best vegan food in town - Edit
A meal at HanGawi is an utterly refreshing experience. Food is delicious, atmosphere is beautiful, service is perfect. It's not cheap, but for that special dinner this is absolutely beautiful.
Read morePros: delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, perfect service
Cons: it's not cheap
Guest
vegantraveler
Points +123
So much Fun!! - Edit
I love Korean and this was truly a treat. I like how the restaurant was so traditional and authentic. Taking off my shoes kinda scared me at first but its actually really clean.. no foot fungus..j/k. I did not see Gwyneth Paltrow there but the food was so fab so I didn't notice. Totally go here if you are in NYC!! Rock on!
Read moreGuest
gr8vegan
Points +2357
wear nice socks! - Edit
This is a shoe's off hang your feet down into the floor place. Fun for large groups. Definitely go for the clay pot! Best thing on the menu.
Read moreGuest
myboyfriendisdead
Points +108
Great Food, Poor Service - Edit
The food here is good, but the service was not the best. Additionally they will sit you right next to another table even if the whole place is empty. I do not know if that bothers you or not, but when we asked to be moved to another table they refused.
Read morePros: exellent food
Cons: poor service
Guest
philjdomm
Points +945
Korean Fine Dining at its Best! - Edit
excellent!! love the decor and authentic atmosphere.
Read moreGuest
cassius
Points +82
Yum! - Edit
My fiance took me here for my birthday. Lovely ambiance. The food was really great. You have to be willing to try different things. We chose the prix fixe option and ate some wonderful dishes we never would've picked on our own. Great for dates!
Read morePros: pretty, tasty, great service
Cons: lots of fried dishes
Guest
bullcityveg
Points +207
Pretty sweet - Edit
I went here for my birthday with my family. The restaurant is really cool...you take off your shoes and sit at floor level (but with cut outs so it's okay for people with bad backs). The food was pretty good...particularly the mushroom dish. However, my brother was not particularly excited by root vegetables he'd never heard of. Although the food was good, it was hard to order without knowing what things were.
Read morePros: Atmosphere, different foods
Cons: Expensive, unappealing to picky eat
Guest
Stevie
Points +11765
Hangawi, NYC - Edit
Stylish Korean decor, relaxing atmo, interesting menu. I'd love to go back to check it out more. I'm sure anyone with a strict budget to manage to eat in less expensive places.
Read morePros: Nice decor, Interesting menu
Cons: Not for those on a budget
Guest
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