Busan-inspired Korean seafood small plates in a vintage maritime setting. Creative cocktails & standout scallop gimbap.
Amber Sutherland-Namako reviews Ariari, an East Village Korean restaurant that offers a "Busan to New York" experience, praising its standout dishes and inviting atmosphere.
Ariari offers a unique "Busan to New York" Korean dining experience with a cool, vintage, maritime-themed ambiance. The menu emphasizes contemporary, shared-plate style dishes, with a strong focus on seafood, including standouts like a DIY scallop gimbap and a distinctive bibimbap with uni cream. Diners can also enjoy creative cocktails and a unique savory-sweet corn crème brûlée for dessert.
Ariari offers a contemporary take on Korean cuisine, heavily inspired by the seafood-rich port city of Busan. The menu features shared-plate style dishes with a notable emphasis on seafood. Highly recommended items include the Scallop Gimbap, seafood pancake, soft shell crab, spicy pork with fried squid, and dolsot al-bap. While most dishes are well-received, one review noted the duck bulgogi was slightly overcooked but still enjoyable due to the marinade.
"The Scallop Gimbap is frequently recommended and considered a must-try. Other standout dishes include the seafood pancake, soft shell crab, spicy pork with fried squid, and dolsot al-bap."
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment towards Ariari, praising its unique modern Korean cuisine, especially the seafood dishes and creative preparations. The ambiance and cocktails are also frequently mentioned as highlights.
Important Note
One reviewer noted that initial communication via text message confirmations could be overwhelming, and there were minor service issues such as long waits for the check and strict adherence to reservation time limits.
"The user found the sea eel and eggplant dish at Ariari to be pretty good."
Positive"The user recommends the scallop gimbap and dolsot al bap at Ariari, stating they should not be missed."
Positive"This user highly recommends Ariari, praising its excellence."
Positive"Ariari in the East Village offers food that tasted homey, despite the restaurant's vibe being more characteristic of the East Village than a traditional grandma's house."
Positive"This user recommends ARIARI in the East Village for its great Korean food."
Positive"This user prefers Ari Ari for its scallop kimbap over another mentioned option."
Positive"This user lists ARIARI as a favorite, rating it above Mokyo and Thursday Kitchen."
Positive"Ariari was suggested as a date night spot in response to a user looking for alternatives to a booked restaurant in NYC."
Neutral"Ariari is recommended for Korean cuisine."
Positive"This user recommends Ariari as a restaurant option."
Positive"Ariari is suggested as a Korean restaurant."
Neutral"This user recommends Ariari for the casual fine dining request."
Positive"Recommends the Scallop Gimbap at Ariari, a Korean restaurant."
Positive"Recommends Ariari for dinner. It is a Korean restaurant."
Positive"User lists Ariari as one of their favorite Asian spots in NYC, potentially fitting the request for Korean food."
Positive"Recommends Ariari for modern/fine dining Korean in Manhattan."
Positive"Cute and fun. You can try multiple dishes."
Positive
