TLDR
Authentic Korean 'cabbie diner' experience w/ hearty, affordable baekban sets & diverse banchan [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].
Instagram Posts References
Kisa is a Korean restaurant in the Lower East Side that simplifies the dining experience by offering only four set meals: Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Stir-fried Squid, and Bibimbap. Each set is priced at $36 and comes with a wide variety of banchan, soup, and rice. The reviewer highlighted the smoky flavor of both the stir-fried pork and bulgogi, noting they were surprisingly not too sweet. The banchan selection was praised for its uniqueness, with particular emphasis on a tofu dish with an excellent sauce and dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken) for its tenderness. The meal provides a diverse range of flavors and textures, characteristic of Korean cuisine, and also includes a complimentary and highly recommended black bean latte.
This restaurant is noted as the one the speaker visits most frequently, indicating it's a reliable and favored spot for Korean food in the Lower East Side.
Kisa is lauded as a fun spot offering amazing hospitality, with particular praise for the smokiness of its spicy pork and the variety of banchan. The overall experience is portrayed as highly positive and enjoyable.
The team behind Kisa Restaurant and C.asinCharlie is taking over the space previously occupied by Ferns NYC. This indicates a new dining concept or restaurant by this established team, located on the east side of 2nd Avenue near 11th Street in the East Village.
Kisa is a Korean restaurant that has earned a spot on the New York Times' 2025 Top 100 Restaurants list.
Kisa, meaning "driver's restaurant," pays homage to Korean roadside diners with its baek ban-style meals, featuring a choice of protein with rice, soup, and banchan.
Morgan Carter reviews Kisa, a popular Korean diner on the Lower East Side, praising its authentic baekban meals and cozy atmosphere. The review highlights the generous dinner platters and affordable lunch options, making it a must-visit spot.
Details
Kisa, a Korean restaurant on the Lower East Side, offers a unique dining experience inspired by 1980s Korean roadside diners. It provides homestyle Korean cuisine, with a focus on baekban-style set meals that include a choice of protein, rice, soup, and a generous variety of banchan [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. The restaurant is known for its casual atmosphere and reasonable pricing for New York City, making it a popular spot for an authentic and satisfying Korean meal [3], [4], [5].
Food Overview
Kisa specializes in Korean baekban, offering set meals with a choice of protein like Bulgogi and Spicy Pork, served with rice, soup, and a variety of banchan [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]. While some praise the authentic flavors and unique banchan selections [3], [5], others feel the food is mediocre and the pricing is excessive, especially considering the change from free banchan refills to a paid system [2], [6], [7]. The donkatsu and black bean latte have also been noted positively [3], [8].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended dishes include the Spicy Pork Platter, praised for its deliciousness and generous portion size [1], and the Bulgogi, noted for its smoky sweetness [1]. The banchan selection, particularly a tofu dish with excellent sauce, and the tender Dakbokkeumtang (Spicy Braised Chicken) are also highlights [1]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •spicy pork(3)
- •bulgogi(3)
- •donkatsu(2)
- •black bean latte(2)
Caveats
Recent changes in policy have led to charges for banchan refills, which was previously a point of value for some customers [6], [7]. Some users feel the restaurant is overhyped and that the pricing is excessive for the quality, especially compared to other Korean dining options in NYC [2], [7].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About KISA
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Does Anyone Know If You Can Substitute At Kisa
"This user provided information from another discussion, stating that the banchan at Kisa are generally the same but can be substituted upon request."
PositiveFrom post: Does Anyone Know If You Can Substitute At Kisa
"This user expressed gratitude to bk1insf for confirming the menu details at Kisa, stating it cleared up their questions."
PositiveFrom post: Does Anyone Know If You Can Substitute At Kisa
"This user was curious about the banchan (side dishes) at Kisa, specifically if they differ when ordering a non-meat main compared to a meat main."
NeutralFrom post: Does Anyone Know If You Can Substitute At Kisa
"This user thanked bk1insf for verifying the information about Kisa's menu."
PositiveFrom post: Does Anyone Know If You Can Substitute At Kisa
"This user, who lives near Kisa, confirmed that the full dinner menu is available during lunch hours and that there are three additional weekday lunch specials."
PositiveFrom post: Does Anyone Know If You Can Substitute At Kisa
"This user understood that Kisa's regular lunch and dinner menus are the same and thus non-pork options are available. They also noted that limited-time specials are offered only during lunch. They also recommended Tofu Tofu as an alternative Korean lunch spot in the LES/Chinatown area."
NeutralFrom post: Korean Restaurants Are You Getting A Bunch Of
"This commenter noted that Kisa, a restaurant known for its banchan, has become stingy, with no more free refills and limits on certain items."
NegativeFrom post: What Is The Best Dish Youve Had In 2026 And Where
"This user mentioned the black bean latte at Kisa."
PositiveFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"The commenter missed Kisa's cheaper lunch menu and found the full set menu to be unremarkable."
NegativeFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"The commenter found Kisa to be average and questioned its inclusion on the list."
NegativeFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"The commenter found Kisa to be solid but not worth a special trip or difficult reservation, and heard they charge extra for banchan refills."
NeutralFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"The commenter found Kisa to be unreasonably expensive for what they perceived as simple food that mimics casual Korean dining."
NegativeFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"This is one of many restaurants listed by the commenter from the NYTimes list."
NeutralFrom post: Anyone Have Any Rec For To Go Lunch Places In The
"Kisa has been on the user's list for a long time, indicating interest."
NeutralFrom post: Anyone Have Any Rec For To Go Lunch Places In The
"Kisa has been on the user's list for a long time, indicating interest."
NeutralFrom post: Anyone Have Any Rec For To Go Lunch Places In The
"Kisa is mentioned as an option for lunch, but it is only open for lunch on Wednesdays through Sundays."
NeutralFrom post: Anyone Have Any Rec For To Go Lunch Places In The
"Kisa is mentioned as an option for lunch, but it is only open for lunch on Wednesdays through Sundays."
NeutralFrom post: Restaurants Like C As In Charlie
"This user mentions that Kisa is owned by the same people as Thursday Kitchen and offers traditional Korean food."
NeutralFrom post: Restaurants Like C As In Charlie
"This user mentions Kisa as the sister restaurant to another establishment, stating it is very good but more traditional Korean."
NeutralFrom post: My Almost Month Long Food Journey Through Nyc
"This commenter intended to try Kisa on their upcoming NYC trip."
Neutral