Kochi

If you're looking for a fine dining place to bring your picky asian father to, then Kochi is the place to be! It's not too long of a meal (it's 2 hours maximum), stays true to its Korean roots while having enough of a unique twist, and is casual enough that you don't have to force your dad out of his sneakers and jeans. It's actually my second time back at Kochi, and they still managed to exceed my expectations! One of the reasons why I went back was because their wine/alcohol pairing menu was reasonable: it's a mix of wine, soju, makgeolli, and sake, which complements their set menu nicely. The variety is hard to come by, and is a welcome change to a scene that usually only serves wine. Another reason why I came back was because the food was delicious. Kochi somehow manages to elevate Korean cuisine without making it obnoxiously elaborate, or distorting it to the point where it strays from its Korean. Each dish is presented beautifully, but without the pomp and stuffiness one usually feels at a fine dining spot. They manage to curate a truly phenomenal menu while maintaining a more homey, casual ambiance. For this menu, my favorite was the mushroom soup at the beginning, which was a nice blend of creaminess, umami, and sweetness! The hwe, with the tender scallop and kimchi was such a refreshing combo too. My dad's favorite was the tangerine sorbet, which he even asked for seconds (and got, free of charge, thank you!). My mom really enjoyed the octopus twigim and the halibut. Throughout the meal, the waiters/waitresses were also super knowledgable and accommodating. They all know each table's progression in the menu, so they all help out in serving and presenting each dish. They're like a seamless team, it's really cool to see! All in all, Kochi is a great restaurant to take your asian parents too! Definitely check them out, you won't regret it!!

The tasting menu here is very unique. The mushroom soup was actually the highlight of the whole menu for me! Definitely do the Abalone dish add on. The sea urchin add on was also very interesting to taste. To wrap up, both desserts were very refreshing. Service was very good and the whole restaurant has very cosy vibes, without the “corporate” style that some Michelin stars have.

Kochi has an incredible tasting menu that i swear contained some of the best singular bites you could possibly have. The flavors are incredibly complex as within the dishes they perfectly balance the spice. The succession of dishes is incredible as it layers on flavors that complement one another

Instagram: @jojo_gourmand Last year, I checked out Chef Sungchul Sim’s creative take on hand rolls at Mari. Now, a year later, I’m back in his world at the restaurant that originally launched him into NYC’s Korean fine-dining scene. I’d seen photos of Kochi’s cozy dining room, but I didn’t expect it to be this cramped. Kochi (꼬치) means skewer, which is fitting for a menu where most courses arrive threaded. MENU HIGHLIGHTS MUSHROOM SOUP | Shiitake Meringue | Perilla Oil Reminds me of Korea’s chilled pumpkin soup. The sweetness balances the deep mushroom notes, and as the meringue melts, it coats the palate with earthy shiitake richness. HOKKAIDO SCALLOP | Chestnut | White Kimchi The scallop’s natural sweetness worked well with the crisp acidity of white kimchi. A refreshing reset between heavier bites. ABALONE | Shrimp Jeon | Yuja Soy An optional add-on, but absolutely worth it. Tender abalone layered over shrimp jeon, dipped in spicy yuja soy = one of the night’s standout bites. BANANA MILK | Banana Parfait | Banana Compote The nostalgic Korean drink, reimagined as a popsicle. The compote hits with piercing banana intensity, but together with all the components, it became the best version of banana milk ever. 🗺️ Korean ⭐️ Michelin One-Starred 🏷️ US$150+