Hangawi
Categories: Korean, Vegetarian [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Murray Hill12 E 32nd St
(between 5th Ave & Madison Ave)
New York, NY 10016 (212) 213-0077
- Nearest Transit:
33rd St-Park Ave (6)
28th St-Broadway (R, W)
34th St-6th Ave (B, D, F, V, N, Q, R, W)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
69 Reviews for Hangawi
I'm far from being vegetarian but the good reviews here got me making a reservation for 5 on a Friday night.
The restaurant doesn't feel very Korean so I'm inclined to think its more Asian-inspired than Korean per se. My friend did the ordering and I was pleasantly surprised to how tasty everything was!
There weren't many Koreans eating there and compared to several Korean joints I've been to, the portions are pretty small, so order lots! :D It slightly more expensive than I'm used to paying but the service was attentive and the food very decent for a veggie place!
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I was very excited to visit this restaurant because I'm a vegetarian and I love Korean food, and this place has such rave reviews. I was so surprised and saddened that it really didn't live up to anything I'd heard about it.
The food was just so bland. That was my major problem. It didn't taste bad, but it didn't taste like much of anything. I always hear people say that vegan/veggie food can't be rich and flavorful. I know that's completely untrue, but this restaurant wouldn't convince anyone otherwise. A ton of dishes based on plan root veggies and mushrooms, devoid of spices. Nothing interesting at all.
I loved the decor. It's beautiful and serene. The servers were all wonderful and helpful. This makes me extra-sad that the food was so completely unsatisfying, because everything else was lovely.
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You're taking my shoes? The ones I've been walking in all day? The ones that are making my feet hurt soooo bad? Baby, you already get 3 stars from me and I've barely made it past the front door.
The restaurant is very zen. The lights are low and glowing. The tables are sunken and the seating is filled with comfy pillows. But honestly, we were here for the food and that's where the other two stars were earned.
Korean vegetarian. Okay. Sounds interesting. The menu looked good. After a long day, we just wanted some sake and to have the food brought out. So, not surprisingly, our group of 8 all chose the Emperor's Menu, which at $35 a person was a true steal.
We started with some apple sake that is served in a hollowed out apple. We loved it. Such a pretty, unique presentation. We sipped sake from the apples all night and ate them at the end!
The first course was a choice between pumpkin porridge or black sesame porridge. I had the pumpkin and it was delish. My friend had the sesame and it was so unusual, slightly sweet, pasty, really good. Then we enjoyed some glass noodles with mushrooms and veggies. We received two courses of small dishes. One included three little pancakes made of leek, mung, and sun-dried tomato. The other had a stuffed shiitake mushroom, rice on a stick, and the best tofu sandwich I ever ate. My entree was a rice dish that was yummy and my friend had an eggplant dish. For dessert they served a cinnamon-y tea with bits of apple.
I can't wait to come back and dine here again. Even if they did make me put my shoes back on when I left. Boooo!
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It is not often I am blown away by a restaurant, and Hangawi has taken vegetarian food to a new level.
I was in Manhattan for a few days and visited this great place. I have never been in a restaurant where they ask you to take your shoes off, I was a little worried that someone would steal my 4 dollar Rite Aid flip flops, but I did like the locals and off they came.
We started with drinks, the Mediation and the Kamasutra. Both were very tasty and went directly to my head.
We had the Spicy Baby Dumplings and the Combination pancakes which were a combo of mung bean, kimchi, and onion pancake. I am a kimchi fan so they did not stay around long.
Our man course was the Crispy Mushroom in sweet and sour sauce. Now I have been a vegetarian for many years and one thing I miss is calamari. This had the texture and feel of calamari and I loved it.
Dessert was the Blueberry cake and the tofu cheesecake. By far the best tofu cheesecake I have ever had. Even better than the Tea Pot, which I didn't know could be possible.
I am glad I went and am looking for reasons to go back to Manhattan to eat there again.
Please go there, I want to make sure they are in business when I come back to Manhattan.
As a reviewer, I feel that there's not much else I feel I can add that has not already been covered in great detail by others. I am not a veg, far from it! However my dining companion was, and our monthly dinners require the menu accomodate her and I'm not one to cringe at the notion of a dinner without meat . In short, the dumpling soup was delicious; the stone bowl avocado with vegetables was well prepared, nicely presented and filling. Eating dinner with my shoes off in a restaurant had such a mellowing effect on me. It's like when the shoes came off, so did all the stress from the entire week. The experience was a nice way to put a stressful work week to rest. For that reason alone, it merits a return visit!
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I like the experience of taking off your shoes and sitting down at these tables w/serene music playing in the background. It's perfect for a good conversation and thoughtfully made food. Great organic special menu and loved the dandelion/avocado salad! I also really enjoyed their ginger tea.
I would definitely go here again and experience Hangawi! You should too!
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This place is a gorgeous, dimly-lit, classy establishment. Add to the mix, really good, definately-above average vegetarian food and you've got the perfect date restaurant.
We went last night in a group of 3 and oogled the menu for ages becuase we wanted to eat everything! In t he end we asked our friendly waiter to make some suggestions (which we ended up going with) and he was spot on.
The service was fast, the food was beautifully presented and flavoursome. I can't speak for it's authencity becuase I don't have to much experience with vegetarian food.
Only complaint I have is that it's expensive. We'd go there more often if it was cheaper... oh well I'll keep it in my special occasion list...
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My current crush is Korean food. So when a friend suggested this place, with an enthusiastic "I can eat everything on the menu!", my arm was officially twisted. Yes, yes. I, the hardcore carnivore, went to a vegetarian restaurant.
The restaurant is really beautiful and something to see in itself. I loved the decor, the serenity, the fine attention to details, such as the little bag the utensils come in, and I even appreciated that patrons are asked to take their shoes off at the door. The sunken seating is quite clever and I liked it, that is, until it was time to get out of it.
I started with the mung bean pancake and then went for the pumpkin noodle salad. The entrees were just too much money for what they were. A $25 dollar bowl of bibimbop? Seriously? Just because it had avocado in it and that's ALL it had? I did have a taste of it, and it was good, especially with the miso sauce, but $25? I do think it might be better with multi-grain rice, and next time, I will try that. The pancake was a notch above good, but I've tasted better. The noodles were delicious and light. We also had milky rice wine, also known as Mak Gul Lee, and for $20, we were given a huge kettle. The waiter came to the table and refilled our cups just as if it were water, hence the slight trouble I had getting out of my seat.
The service was impeccable, and I think prices are high because of the decor and the service, and not necessarily the food. I will come here again as a special treat, or if I am treated. But there are much better options out there.
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HanGawi is a jewel. Gracious service, zen atmosphere ... an oasis of tranquility. Sounds like a bad travel magazine review but it's true.
Had a leisurely and very memorable weekday lunch here. Slipped off shoes, turned off Blackberry and forgot I was in NYC. Started with the dumplings and combination pancakes followed with bibimbap (stone bowl) - get it spicy. All excellent.
The freshly squeezed Korean pear juice was fantastic.
A perfect date restaurant. Or bring a group of friends and try everything. Reservations recommended.
oh yum!!!
Everything we had here was great with our appetizers to our main dishes. The atmosphere is fun and cute. The only downside was that I hurt my back and we sat in these sunken tables with no back support so after about 20 mins my back was in a lot of pain.
The avocado stonepot is a nice play on BiBimBap. I really enjoyed it! And also the tofu w/ kim chee and spice sauce was great. And our appetizer (vermicelli delight) oh how I love that stuff!!
And the plum wine, oh gotta love that stuff!! :D
Even though I'm a vegetarian and I live in 32nd Street, I've never notice this restaurant existed. But I found a review and decided to check it out.
Yes, the deco and atmosphere are top class. Food is above average for a vegetarian place, but so is the price (although considering Korean vegetarian and the cost vs. benefit, I'm all for Franchia).
But what makes me give them 3 stars is their eagerness to make money on you. If you go a la carte, there is a minimum amount you have to order ($18), and except for the few plates that cost more than that, any other combinations will sum up to $17.95!
If you're planning to have a three-course meal, that shouldn't be a problem though.
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My perception of a Korean restaurant was that of a Korean barbecue...serving bibim bap and, yes, lots of meat. Hangawi, thankfully, changed my perception of Korean food. I took off my shoes and was escorted into this pretty seating place which for some reason got me thinking about a scene in Kill Bill 2.
I knew I was in the right place when I found Indian sounding items on the menu like Nirvana and Kamasutra (excellent Soju cocktails), darjeeling tea and Mung bean pancakes :)
We tried the spicy chili mushroom and bean curd with kimchi and nearly wiped the plates clean. Finally, finishing off with the Korean Mochi, it was time to part with our memories and dinner money, put our shoes on and leave.
I love the atmosphere and serenity of Hangawi more than the food. You'll be asked to take off your shoes and be lead to your low to the ground table. Again, I love the earthy feel of the place. They even use wooden spoons.
The food though is ok. Everything was very rich, so rich that we felt very heavy at the end of our meal. We started with a scallion vegetable pancake, which tasted like the pancake at any other restaurant, only oilier.
Then we each had a bowl of soup. Both were very hearty, but bland. I can't remember what they were because there wasn't much to remember.
Then I had avocado bi bim bop. I love traditional bi bim bop, so I figured one with avocado could only taste better. I was wrong. The dish came out bland because it was served with a miso sauce rather than the traditional spicy red sauce. The kim chi wasn't spicy either, just pickled in vinegar.
A meal for two was $70.
Recommended for: Lunch/dinner with friends, a date, korean-vegetarian cuisine.
Food 5, Service 4, Ambiance 4.
Hangawi is a wonderfully tranquil dining experience that should be enjoyed with friends or loved ones. The food is light and flavorful while the presentations and decor keep you in a relaxed state of mind to enjoy not only the food, but conversation that ensues.
The decor is eastern, and patrons must remove their shoes before dining at one of the sucken tables. I generally like these and am reminded of similar tables in japan which have foot heaters perfect for winter dining (like now!).
To start the evening off right, cocktails were in order. While the majority of the group i dined with had Nirvana's hoping for an enlightened experience, I went with "Awakening". Not only did this cocktail awaken my senses but got me perky chatty and hungry! Green tea infused with soju - a perfect combination!
We ordered several appetizers, but my personal favorite was the ginseng salad. The salad was crisp and light, allowing me to gorge on the plethora of apps that followed: Steamed vegetable dumplings, combination pancakes and vermicelli delight were all great.
For some reason, when ordering the entree, my mind went for the Hangawi Vegetable & Mushroom wrap. Yes, this was not authentically Korean, but it was extremely tasty. The dish was prepared table-side, giving me a chance to watch my food being prepared. This was something I had missed and I think more higher-end restaurants should do wherever applicable. I think it adds to the experience.
There's no banchan here, so don't think you'll have 9 or 12 little dishes on the table. A different dish which caught my eye was the crispy mushroom in sweet & sour sauce - I hear its good too.
While the decor is peaceful and the food tasty, I can't say that I completely loved the entire experience. There was one main thing that killed it for me - the noise level. For some reason noise volumes tend to get high here, despite soothing sounds in the background. Sure, I can tune out the loud voices of other patrons, but one sound couldn't be tuned out - the elephant like foot steps! Seriously, if you are sitting low to the ground and near the pathway, you should walk softer so that your patrons don't think a hoard of elephants are about to descend on them... other than that, I don't think anything should change.
The atmosphere, service, and food left us feeling full, but not overly stuffed. This is a great place to go to if you are definitely wanting dessert after and then a fun night out on the town - as we were!
Sean Approved: Definitely Yes!
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Utterly amazing. An oasis of serenity in a frustratingly touristy, congested part of town. My Korean friend calls it overpriced and inauthentic, but I've checked out those "authentic" places and still hold that if you're vegetarian, then this is THE place for you (it's much better than Franchia, the only other veg. Korean place i know of). It's pricey, but the experience is worth it.
I love the dimmed lighting, the barefoot seating, and the quietly attentive servers who explain every dish before serving. The todok skewers are delicious and unique- also try the pancake combo appetizer. The portions seem small, but that may be because the food is just so good you want more. I'm definitely taking my parents here on their next visit.
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Fantastic!
I am giving Hangawi 4.5 stars. Even though I can't say that there was anything bad or negative about the meal, I didn't feel that 'zsa-zsa-zou' (as Carrie Bradshaw would have said).
Moving along to the place itself - it's beautiful, and serene. Every table was full, and yet, the sound of conversation was at a lull - as if the serene decor had invoked hushed tones. We took off our shoes (another SATC reference - I am paranoid of my shoes disappearing, so I didn't wear my best shoes) in the foyer, and they were promptly tagged and placed into cubby holes for storage during our meal. At the end of our dining experience, they magically appeared at our feet - and the staff even remembered which shoes belonged to which guest!
We started with a round of cocktails - mine ('Kamasutra') was nothing to write home about. My friends had the 'Nirvana', which seemed to pack a unique punch (never seen pine nuts in a cocktail!).
The appetizers were good - I liked the ginseng salad the best - it was crisp, crunchy, and colorful! The flavors were sharp and fresh. In fact, everything here tastes very fresh - I would say that is the best adjective to describe the food at Hangawi.
I had the Avocado Stone Bowl - the description sounded good, but I really wasn't sure what to expect. Then out came a real stone bowl, sizzling hot, brimming with its delightful contents - avocado, rice, tofu, and veggies! The simplicity and rustic nature of the service really appeals to me - I found the bowl and the way the food was served to be very beautiful. This dish was delicious - easily the best part of the meal.
As a Bay Area native, I am a firm advocate of letting the quality of the ingredients stand out, by way of simple cooking methods. This dish epitomized that. It was nothing more than rice, sliced and diced vegetables, and some tofu - but the quality of the produce and ingredients was clearly so high that any more cooking would have tainted the simplicity (Speaking of which - I still haven't quite understood the whole 'foam' trend. But I digress).
All said, I give Hangawi 4.5 solid stars, with potential to move up, on repeat performances. This was my first time trying Korean food and I may have been spoiled! Lastly, shout out to my fabulous dining companions for a great evening (C, S, and S).
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Loved it. I had been meaning to try Hangawi for months now, and it was completely worth the wait. The food is light, fresh, authentic and delicious. Korean food is not usually known for presentation, but the entrees were beautifully presented tableside in a graceful manner.
I generally love restaurants where you have to take off your shoes, but make sure you're in shoes that are easy to get in and out of... :P The environment is calm and serene, but louder than I expected.
The drinks are delicious, but not strong at all. I had the Nirvana - ginger tea, soju and pine nuts. It tasted very good, but was more of a sweet tea than cocktail. I was hoping for Makulri, but they didn't have any when asked.
The food was fantastic. I especially loved the Ginseng Salad - fresh, slightly sweet and crisp, I could have made a meal out of it. The vermicelli noodles (chap chae) was also very good and had just the right amount of sesame oil. My favorite was the pancakes (been dae dduck) - the green onion and kimchee were my favorites. They were very authentic and reminded me of my grandmother's cooking!
For the main dish, I had the avocado stone hot pot. It is basically dol sot bibimbap with avocado replacing the meat and no egg. The hot pepper paste (gochujang) was very good, but not spicy enough... maybe I just needed more. Overall, and excellent dish!! SJT had a mushroom and tofu wrap - I'm pretty certain this is not a Korean dish, but it was really good.
My only gripe is that there are no banchans. I LOVE banchans, and they only item they bring out are white and red kimchee. The kimchee is definitely fresh and tasted like it was prepared within the week. It was decent, but I like my kimchee well done.
I will absolutely return to Hangawi... I left feeling satisfied, but not overstuffed. I look forward to coming back!!
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I've been recommending Hangawi for a few years, but never got around to reviewing it...
One of the things I love about this place is that it's a bit of a surprise. All the Korean restaurants I've been to have a heavy meat menu, in a very casual atmosphere. Not so at Hangawi.
Not only is it pure vegetarian, but the interior has a chic, sparse beauty. And having dinner here is like a mini cultural experience. The staff wears spectacular traditional Korean costumes, and there is a smattering of Korean artifacts displayed.
The food is tasty and beautifully presented. I don't remember the names, but the wraps, pancakes, rolls, and desserts are all Yummy. An animal eater originally brought me here, so you'll still like it if you're not veggie..
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If you want authentic korean cooking, but you just happen to be vegan or vegetarian then Hangawi is the place to be. The restaurant is setup really beautiful and earthly. Dim lighting, really quiet traditional korean music in the backdrop, and shoe-less flooring. So please bring your socks if you are afraid to show off your feet odor. The food is fantastic, I myself is a big fan of asian food, and its hard for me to find pure-vegetarian authentic asian food anywhere in the US. Try their small dishes such as korean pancakes (like small egg omelets). Don't forget to get their high green tea to sooth your throat, and then enjoy a good portion of plum rice wine. Believe me, the plum rice wine is the best tasting asian alcohol I've ever had in my life. And again, ask about the specifications of their recipes if you don't know what they are. Try the pickled turnips, delicious!
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Thank you again Yelpers for sharing this little gem of a place which I had dinner at last night. Places like Hangawi make a healthy eating lifestyle easy and attractive as their food is simply delicious and inspiring. A word of advice first, for a good meal here order the emperor's dinner which is a special that includes the emperor's roll, soup, two sides an entree and dessert for $40. I ordered less food than that and paid a little more because of my lack of foresight.
The emperor's roll is a nice start to your healthy meal. Its a tasty platter of mushrooms and vegetables with a stack of wheat pancakes which you garnish with a yummy sesame sauce. The mango and avocado salad is also a good start or try their seaweed salad which is a little more tart and punchy than probably the ones you've tried. As other people have mentioned their rice bowls are very nice as tasty as you'd find in regular Korean restaurants but with avocados as your "meat" instead of beef.
For dessert we were amazed when we tasted the tofu cheesecake which you couldn't tell wasn't dairy because they got the texture, taste and everything just right.
The place is very nice and certainly worth trying out, you won't be disappointed.
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Hangawi, you complete me!
I love taking friends to Korean restaurants, but we Koreans always seem to find a way to sneak meat or meat products into every imaginable dish. It's always irked me that my vegetarian friends were limited to scallion pancakes, rice, and kimchee.
Now I've got a swankadelic spot to take all my friends and I can throw out my worries. The food is flat-out amazing! The stone-bowl bibim babs are all incredibly unique and tasty. The crispy mushroom was just about the greatest thing I've had in a while. The vegan cheesecake was delicious and didn't kick my lactose intolerant butt.
The atmosphere is warm, classy, and steeped in traditional asian design/decor. Be warned though, you'll need to surrender your shoes upon entry, so make sure you've got some clean socks on.
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If I didn't know it was a vegetarian restaurant before I ate there, I never would have known. And who knew there was a vegetarian Korean restaurant? Well, it is New York. We have everything.
The decor was beautiful. You have to take your shoes off and put them in little cubbies and then you sit on the floor traditional style.
So I went for dinner with a friend who picked this place, who, by the way, is Korean. So I figured, if she liked it, it must be good. And it was amazing!
They start you out with little places of all things pickled, kim chee, etc. I can't really remember the rest of the stuff we ate because she ordered most of it in Korean, but it was delish. Some plates, I couldn't even tell were meatless. I'll be back there soon.
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I had been reading about this place in NY Press for years, but was put off by their priceyness. One day, by chance, I mentioned Hangawi to a (now) ex-boyfriend of mine, who decided to take me there for my birthday dinner.
Well, IMHO, it was certainly worth the wait.
First off, the atmosphere was decidedly serene and soothing. I really liked the shoes-off policy, since it did help me to relax -- almost as though I was a guest in someone's home rather than in a public restaurant. (They thoughtfully provide a pair each of men's and women's slippers for patrons to put on while in the restrooms.)
Then, the service. The waitstaff were reasonably attentive and unfailingly polite. The service seemed a little slow, but that was because all of our food was being freshly prepared, so we had to wait a wee bit longer than if it was pre-made. Actually, the waitstaff informed us of this when we placed our orders, so we were prepared.
When the food finally began to arrive, course after course, that was when Hangawi cemented itself into my heart as a wonderful dining experience. Not once in all the times that I have been there have I ever experienced a problem with the food or drink I was served. Never. I always eat there in absolute confidence of their chefs' skills and the utter freshness of the ingredients. This, of course, increases my ability to relax and to truly enjoy the meal.
The amusing part of the evening was when my ex told them it was my birthday. They came over to our table before dessert with this brightly-colored get-up and offered it to me to put on over my street clothes. What was this, I wondered? A traditional Korean costume that is often worn on special days, they told me. So, just for fun, I put it on. They weren't my best colors, but it was a cute outfit. Then they came out with a little plate of dessert, sang "Happy Birthday" to me and took our picture...all for free. (Of course, we gave them a healthy tip for their efforts.)
Not all of my visits to Hangawi have been on formal-ish occasions like that one; many were casual and quick. Still, I've found that even ducking in there for just 15 minutes or so -- enough time to down a bowl of porridge and a green salad, or some of their fantastic pancakes -- can be the perfect antidote to a hectic day.
I can honestly say that every single dish I've had there was enjoyable. Anyplace that can get me to eat mushrooms and kimchi -- and like them -- deserves top honors! There isn't a scrap of meat nor a pat of lard or butter in the whole place, but even my carnivorous friends and family were hard put to miss the meat.
In short, then, Hangawi is an absolutely wonderful restaurant that I would happily eat at each and every week if I could afford to do so; the only thing that gives me pause at the moment are the prices, which, although about average for Manhattan and certainly justified by the quality of the food and its presentation, are just a bit too steep for me at this time.
The waitstaff are fairly understanding about young children acting up, although it's far better to bring them to lunch, when it's generally emptier, than to a crowded dinner. Older children who can sit still and appreciate the atmosphere are certainly welcome. For myself, I brough my son there when he was still strapped to my chest in his Baby Bjorn. He had his fiirst "solid" food there: the pumpkin porridge, which is excellent. I also brought him there recently, while he was napping in his carriage, to have a quick bite; he woke up when the food arrived and the waitstaff were laughing as he jumped up and wandered around the virtually empty restaurant (it was early afternoon). He still liked the food, too.
Now that you've had a first-hand description of Hangawi, why don't you experience it for yourself? My guess is, you'll be very glad you did.
While you're at it, you might try Franchia, which is owned by the same people and has a similar menu, with similar quality. (Please see the review for Franchia.)
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I had a beautiful meal here complete with great kimchee, lots of great different grain rice, and I will never forget the sizzling mushroom platter. Pretty heavenly for not containing any meat. So cute. Really polite service and great ambiance/atmosphere to relax in the mdidle of the city.
ps. When you come in they have you take off your shoes so make sure your feet dont smell.
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You will find some Korean classics, but most of the food is merely Korean-inspired, and not vegetarian versions of Korean classics (I had a stone pot stew called "Mongolian hot pot" which was vegetables and kimchi stewed in spicy broth, and also a pancake as an appetizer). It was disappointing not to get the many all you can eat small plate appetizers, or to have the kimchi cut for us, and rice didn't even come with the stone pot stews!
There was a short list of wines, including some organics along the price range. I believe you can get OB or other Korean beers and rice wine.
The decor is romantic and very traditional - with recessed seating. It's so nice to eat without shoes! All the servers are dressed traditionally -- but check it, they are actually Chinese (heard them talking).
It's pretty pricey with the cheapest entree being $16.95, but if you want a little bit of fancy vegetarian Korean inspired dining, it's not a bad idea. The food will be tasty and the setting romantic and cozy.
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Really good fancy veg food. Usually Buddhist + veg = not spicy, but being Korean they made an exception for Kim Chee and so you could have a few hot dishes. I didn't like my main course so much, but the appetizer (pa jun) and dessert that I ordered and what I tried of everyone else's was really excellent.
The service was really good and it really is tranquil inside, perhaps because you have to take off your shoes. There were slippers for the bathroom but the floor was clean enough you didn't have to use them.
Definitely will go back here again.
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So far, Hangawi is top on my favorite restaurants list. The food is really delicious and very nicely presented. The portion may look small, but dont let your eyes deceive you! It fills you up yet you wont feel disgustingly full.
The ambiance is so relaxing and comforting it makes you not want to leave. It's candle lit but it creates both a romantic and casual mood. The first thing you do when you walk in is take off your shoes, which is great if you've been walking in heels or uncomfortable shoes all day, or just want to feel comfortable! Its nice to eat without shoes and on the floor.
The servers are very welcoming and attentive. The service is pretty quick unless you order this one particular dish that is required to take 45 minutes.
Although it is quite expensive, it's worth it. I would go back again!
This is my FAVORITE vegetarian restaurant ever! The atmosphere is very romantic and beautiful, cozy. It is tatami style. So be prepared, and wear nice socks!
The food is out of this world. Meat eaters will not even notice its all vegetarian. Perfect for a small group of friends, with varied dietary needs. The portions are HUGE, so sharing family style is a good idea. My friends got the chef's tasting, and could not even come close to eating all their food.
I very highly recomend Hangawi! Not a crunchy hippy veggi joint at all. Very elegant, and well worth the price.
I heart meat.
But I would surely cut back on my carnivorous consumption if every vegetarian restaurant offered food, service, and an atmosphere as top-notch as Hangawi.
From the moment you step in and take off your shoes, you feel as if you're transported to the old world -- completely calm and relaxed. You forget you're in the middle of the city!
The stone bowl rice, the tea and wine, the green tea cheesecake... They all make you want to spend hours in there.
I could go on and on and on... but wouldn't it be better if you just went and tried it yourself? :-)
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HanGawi has been an old faithful for several years now, quite effectively dispelling the myth that Korean vegetarian is an oxymoron. It is indeed Korea Town's "dark horse", as Ahu S. likes to call it.
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I have been frequenting HanGawi for several years now--it has been the venue for birthday celebrations, and for dinners with friends and family.
Soon as you enter the portals of HanGawi, you are required to take off your shoes. You are then led to low tables with cushions on the wooden floor. But there are wells under the tables that give you the feeling of sitting in a chair. The Zen candles add to the earthy charm that is only vitiated by the creaking sound of the floorboards as the servers pace about the tranquil space, feet covered in socks.
Dinner is best commenced with a soothing drink--the ginger-based Nirvana comes with pine nuts. The inclusion of rice wine in many of the drinks is discernible yet not overpowering. The appetizers look and taste healthy--the mung bean pancakes are my favorite. For the main dish, I have tried the tofu pizza, the spicy chili mushroom and the mushroom sizzler. The mushrooms are amazing. As they say, don't leave home-gawi without it! The carrot cake and the tofu pudding are good choices of dessert. You could alternatively go to Franchia, their sister concern, for dessert.
I imagine HanGawi effectively balances the um and yang, since you feel filled yet not overstuffed. Relaxed yet not at all inebriated. Healthy yet not taste-deprived. In summary, you just feel right.
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This is an amazing experience. It's a prix fixe place, and reservations are necessary at almost all times. It's open for Lunch and Dinner, and it closes between the meals.
You walk into this small space and take off your shoes and melt into the atmosphere of music and water and comfort. It's as close as you'll get to a mini-vacation without traveling hours out of the city.
The food is sensual and delicious. It is flavorful, but not overly so. Everything we tried was amazing. You won't have to worry about tasteless dishes or difficult to chew "faux meat" here. All yummy!
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B-L-A-N-D!!!!!
I was so excited to try this place after reading such amazing reviews here on yelp :-(
1. I am not a vegetarian
BUT!
2. I could easily survive on just vegetables... i love vegetables!
My mom and step dad got the Emperor's Prixe Fixe... AWFUL! well not awful... but pretty boring! Almost every dish was sweet and the entree was literally smaller than the appetizers!
My stepsister and i ordered a la carte. My tofu pizza (i know, weird... but the description sounded awesome) was of course bland. Grilled chunks of tofu with this mushroom and vegetable salsa type of thing over it. Out of everyone's food, my stepsisters Kimchee and Tofu hot pot was the best. That was the only spicy dish. Well and of course the kimchee...
Nothing except the kimchee was Korean about this restaurant.
OH! and the waiter was super nice but we literally waited 30 minutes between the appetizers and the main dish... wayyyy to long!
However, the restaurant was absolutely beautiful and extremely serene!
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Meh.
I LOVE Korean food and I LOVE vegetarian food even more. I was really disappointed with the fare. Snaps for ambiance and decor, but the food was overcooked and the ingredients were bland. Maybe it was an off night? I don't see myself forking over that kind of money for another bad experience.
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This is a great alternative the the standard Korean menus in the area and a solid option for a vegetarian meal anywhere in the city.
The dishes revolve around creative preparations of mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables. As stated in their menu, the main ingredients are the traditional roots, vegetables, grains, and greens from the mountains and valleys of Korea.
I enjoyed the silky tofu appetizer which is served in a small bowl with a dash of hot sauce. The grilled mushrooms were good although I must admit I expected them to burst with flavor a bit more. I guess it depends on what is in season and which mushrooms they serve. Overall, I'd have to say that I agree with Miki T. The food is a bit on the bland side and often the flavor of the main vegetable is lost to a dressing.
The interior is designed be be serene and peaceful. It's very easy on the eye and ear. Your shoes are placed into cubby holes at the entrance and you sit at tables with recessed floors on brightly colored cushions. The staff is dressed in colorful traditional Korean clothing.
My only complaint regards the speed of service. Both times I have been to Hangawi the meals have taken a long time find their way to our table.
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This place is such a delight, after a long, hard day of city.
It's like walking into a temple.
Everything is perfect.
I like the date tea.
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Interior: Impressive and very inviting. I wanted to take my time and stay a while. I love the earthiness and the beautiful, soft and low lighting. It had a pleasant, quietness to it, even with several others dining around me. The space just had a good vibe and layout. I loved the sunken floor for the legs.
Food: Not so impressed. I like the fact that it was all vegan and the ingredients were kept simple (no sodium/grease/msg-laden food) but for the simplicity of it, it is on the pricy side. You're paying for healthy, clean food and the ambiance. It's really nothing spectacular or memorable. I ordered two soups because it came in a teeny bowl and traditionally, the pumpkin porridge comes with the black beans but this did not have it. Plus it wasn't hot enough. Soup should be served nice and hot! I liked the steamed veggie dumplings but I had to ask for a side of their hot sauce (which is the red hot sauce usually mixed in with an order of bibimbap). With the dumplings, it was great but without, it's on the blander side.
On days I just want a healthy, light, Korean meal, I'll consider coming back but it didn't make my addicted-will-come-at-least-once-a-week-list (I have a couple places that call ME wondering if I'm okay if I don't show up that week) ha ha. It's a nice place to go with a friend or better yet, a sweet date...The space is really great for this. Oh and the wine/beer/sake/cocktails list was very limited (hardly any choices for by-the-glass options) , instead, you are looking at purchasing a $70 bottle of wine or a $30 bottle of the asian booze. So what's by the glass? The "house" red or white which isn't always fun if you're into or particular about what you want to have. I am. I don't just want the house wine, I want to know if I'm getting a cab, a riesling or something specific.
Okay, overall, I will come back, but not for a while. I am always willing to come back and start over. I will admit, I am a fan of dumplings so that's soley why I would be returning for more. Maybe I will bring a date next time.
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