Jungsik became the first Korean restaurant in the United States to earn three Michelin stars, a milestone reached in December 2024 that broke a 12-year drought in which no new restaurant had entered New York's three-star ranks since Eleven Madison Park in 2012. Founded by Seoul-born chef Yim Jung-sik, the Tribeca restaurant built the philosophy it calls "New Korean" cuisine over more than a decade, reworking traditional Korean flavors through a contemporary tasting-menu lens years before Korean fine dining became a broader trend in American cities.
From Seoul to Tribeca
Yim Jung-sik, a Culinary Institute of America graduate who trained at respected New York kitchens including Aquavit and Bouley, first opened Jungsik in Seoul in 2009, developing the restaurant's signature style there before bringing the concept to New York two years later. The Tribeca location opened in 2011, earning its first Michelin star within a year and adding a second in 2013 — a level it held steadily for over a decade before its 2024 promotion to three stars. Yim's Seoul restaurant, meanwhile, has held two Michelin stars of its own and was the first Korean restaurant to appear on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, debuting at No. 20 in 2014, the highest new entry that year.
Defining "New Korean" Cuisine
Jungsik is widely credited with pioneering the "New Korean" style more than a decade before Korean haute cuisine became a wider trend across American cities. The approach reimagines traditional Korean flavors through contemporary fine-dining technique, balancing genuine innovation with a clear throughline back to the food's heritage rather than treating Korean ingredients as decorative accents on an otherwise Western tasting menu. Signature dishes have included octopus with gochujang aioli, yellowtail kimbap with truffle rice and seaweed bugak, and a dessert modeled after Dolhareubang, the iconic stone statues of Jeju Island, reimagined in miniature form on the plate.
The Path to a Third Star
Michelin inspectors specifically praised Jungsik's "stimulating" presentation and "refined, clear, and harmonious" flavors in awarding the third star, joining just 13 other three-star restaurants in the entire United States at the time. Chef de cuisine Wonsuk Jeong, speaking after the announcement, credited the broader wave of Korean chefs in New York — specifically naming Atomix's Junghyun "JP" Park — with helping carry Korean cuisine's reputation forward collectively rather than treating the achievement as belonging to one restaurant alone.
A New Project: MŪJE
Rather than opening a second Jungsik location to capitalize on the three-star milestone, Yim instead launched MŪJE in Chelsea in 2026, an eight-course tasting-menu restaurant priced at $150 that intentionally expands beyond Korean cuisine into techniques and flavors from across Asia more broadly. The name, pronounced "moo-jeh," translates roughly to "untitled" or "without definition," reflecting Yim's stated intention to build a restaurant not tied to any single country's culinary tradition, in contrast to Jungsik's specifically Korean identity.
Jungsik at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Chef/Owner | Yim Jung-sik |
| Location | Tribeca, New York City |
| Opened | 2011 (New York); 2009 (Seoul original) |
| Michelin Progression | 1 star (2011) → 2 stars (2013) → 3 stars (2024) |
| Sister Restaurant | Jungsik Seoul (2 Michelin stars) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jungsik significant?
It became the first Korean restaurant in the United States to earn three Michelin stars, and is widely credited with pioneering the "New Korean" fine-dining style over a decade before Korean haute cuisine became a broader trend.
Does Jungsik have a location in Korea?
Yes, the original Jungsik opened in Seoul in 2009 and holds two Michelin stars of its own.
What is "New Korean" cuisine?
It's a style pioneered by chef Yim Jung-sik that reimagines traditional Korean flavors through contemporary fine-dining technique and presentation, balancing innovation with respect for the food's heritage.
How long did it take Jungsik to earn its first Michelin star?
It earned its first star within one year of opening in Tribeca in 2011, followed by a second star in 2013 and a third in 2024.
What is MŪJE?
It's chef Yim Jung-sik's newer restaurant in Chelsea, opened in 2026, offering an eight-course tasting menu that explores flavors from across Asia rather than focusing specifically on Korean cuisine.
Menu items, pricing, and reservation availability can change — check Jungsik's official website for current information.