Joo Ok is the rare restaurant that moved its entire Michelin-starred operation from Seoul to New York rather than simply opening a new branch — chef Shin Chang-ho closed the original Seoul location in December 2023, relocated roughly half his staff across the Pacific, and reopened in the heart of Manhattan's Koreatown in September 2024, going on to earn a Michelin star within three months and a second star the following year. That relocation, unusual enough on its own to draw significant food-press attention, has made Joo Ok one of the clearest examples of Korean fine dining's expanding footprint in New York.
From Seoul to a 16th-Floor Koreatown Penthouse
Joo Ok originally opened in Seoul in 2016 under chef Shin Chang-ho, earning one Michelin star from 2018 to 2020 and two stars from 2021 through 2023, alongside a No. 18 ranking on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2022. Rather than opening a second location abroad while keeping the Seoul restaurant running, Shin closed Joo Ok in Seoul entirely and relocated the full operation to New York with support from Hand Hospitality, the group behind several other Korean restaurants in the city. The new Koreatown location, on the 16th floor of an office building accessible only by a manually operated freight elevator, debuted in September 2024 and earned its first New York Michelin star within three months — a fast turnaround that confirmed the move hadn't cost the restaurant its standing.
A Korean Home, Sixteen Floors Up
The name Joo Ok translates to "threading precious jade marbles," and the restaurant's design deliberately echoes a traditional Korean home rather than a conventional fine-dining room — guests are welcomed into a bright, hanok-inspired foyer for tea and snacks, built using wood sourced from Korea, including a 200-year-old pine beam gifted to Shin as a symbol of good fortune, before being walked to the dining room itself. Staff have described the intent plainly: guests should feel like they're visiting the chef's own house rather than dining out. The 40-seat restaurant offers sweeping Manhattan skyline views, including a line of sight to the Empire State Building, as a backdrop to that domestic-feeling design.
Fermentation, Farming, and the Menu
Joo Ok's cooking centers on jang — the fermented sauces and pastes foundational to Korean cuisine — alongside house-pressed perilla oil made from imported seeds and seasonal, often American-grown, ingredients. To maintain the ingredient quality Shin relied on in Seoul, the team operates a farm in Bloomingburg, in upstate New York, growing Korean herbs and vegetables and producing their own jang and perilla oil rather than importing every ingredient. The tasting menu, priced at $180, has featured dishes including a deconstructed pheasant mandu with foie gras and morels, spotted prawn and geoduck clam dressed in house-made perilla oil, and king prawn prepared four different ways, with desserts made fresh daily by the pastry chef, who is also Shin's wife.
Joo Ok at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Chef | Shin Chang-ho |
| Original Location | Seoul (2016–2023) |
| New York Location | Koreatown, Manhattan (opened September 2024) |
| Michelin Progression | 1 star (Dec. 2024) → 2 stars (2025 NYC guide) |
| Tasting Menu Price | $180 (11–12 courses) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joo Ok move from Seoul to New York?
Chef Shin Chang-ho chose to relocate the restaurant's entire operation rather than open a second branch, closing the original Seoul location in December 2023 to reopen fully in Manhattan's Koreatown in 2024.
How many Michelin stars does Joo Ok have in New York?
It earned one star within three months of opening in New York in 2024, then was elevated to two stars in the 2025 New York Michelin Guide.
What does the name Joo Ok mean?
It translates to "threading precious jade marbles."
What is Joo Ok's cooking style built around?
The menu centers on jang, Korea's fermented sauces and pastes, along with house-pressed perilla oil and seasonal ingredients, many grown on the restaurant's own farm in upstate New York.
How much does a meal at Joo Ok cost?
The tasting menu is priced at $180 per person, positioning it between higher-end options like Atomix and Jungsik and more moderately priced modern Korean restaurants in New York.
Menu items, pricing, and reservation availability can change — check Joo Ok's official website for current information.