A fermentation-focused Korean tasting counter experience, highlighting traditional mother sauces and probiotic-rich dishes. One user called it 'one of the best meals of their life'. [1]
Meju, helmed by chef Hooni Kim, is a unique Korean restaurant in Long Island City that centers its menu around fermentation and its health benefits. The tasting counter experience highlights traditional Korean mother sauces like doenjang, gochujang, and ganjang, with dishes such as raw sea perch with gochujang and pork belly with aged kimchi. Diners can also experience a taste of 130-year-old soy sauce, making for a memorable and educational culinary journey.
Meju offers a unique Korean tasting counter experience deeply rooted in fermentation. Chef Hooni Kim showcases traditional mother sauces like doenjang, gochujang, and ganjang, with dishes such as raw sea perch with gochujang and pork belly with aged kimchi. The meal is described as a slow, delicious progression, even featuring a taste of a 130-year-old soy sauce.
"Dishes highlighted include raw sea perch with gochujang and pork belly with 15-month-aged kimchi. The experience also offers a taste of a rare, 130-year-old soy sauce."
Customers express high praise for Meju, with one commenter describing it as 'one of the best meals of their life' and another noting the chef's passion for Korean fermentation techniques. The experience is described as fun and engaging, especially for those interested in learning about the cuisine.
Important Note
One user humorously noted that a date at Meju would imply a very expensive meal, estimating a cost of around $700 for two.
"Meju is suggested as an option that avoids French/Western influence and might be suitable for dairy-free dining."
Neutral"Meju is listed on the NYT top 100 list for 2026 and holds one Michelin star."
Neutral"Meju is highly praised as an expensive tasting menu experience with only a few guests per night, where everything is cooked in front of the diner. The chef is noted for fermenting ingredients in Jeju, and the meal was described as one of the best of the commenter's life."
Positive"The chef's table at Meju is described as a remarkable, beautiful space offering a once-in-a-lifetime meal."
Positive"Meju, located behind Little Banchan Shop, is a Korean restaurant with two stars that specializes in fermentation."
Neutral"The original poster expressed excitement about the recommendation for Meju, finding the description promising."
Positive"Meju was highly recommended for a unique culinary experience, promising a taste unlikely to be found elsewhere. The commenter described the rest of the meal as akin to the best home-cooked Korean food, prepared with fine dining techniques."
Positive"The commenter humorously notes that being taken to Meju for a date would imply a very expensive meal, suggesting a $700 cost for two."
Negative"Meju in Long Island City is recommended."
Positive"Little Banchan Shop has a nicely displayed selection of Korean items and offers some prepared dishes, with English speakers available to explain the food."
Neutral"The commenter recommends Meju, stating they would never recommend Office of Mr. Moto due to serving cod milt."
Positive"The commenter was satisfied with the amount of food at Meju, contrary to online pictures, and found the experience fun due to the chef's passion for Korean fermentation techniques. It was a long meal, potentially like a lecture, but engaging for those who enjoy learning."
Positive"Meju is mentioned as a Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in LIC."
Positive"Meju is noted as the only Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in LIC and potentially Queens."
Positive"This commenter described Meju as one of the best meals of their life, noting it's not experimental Korean cooking and features dishes that are like the best Korean home cooking without pretension. They also suggested Hamburger America as an alternative."
Positive"This user noted that Meju was listed with an incorrect price range and location on the list. They suggested the price should be listed as $$$$ instead of $$ as it's quite expensive."
Neutral"This user expressed a preference for Meju over Atomix, even stating Meju wasn't on the list but was superior to others that were."
Positive"This user lamented that Meju didn't make the list, asserting it 'blows literally every place' on the list 'out of the water'."
Positive
