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Categories: Korean, Ethnic Food [Edit]
Neighborhood: Murray Hill34th St-6th Ave (B, D, F, V, N, Q, R, W)
33rd Street (PATH)
33rd St-Park Ave (6)
At Mad for Chicken, we're mad for chicken. Formerly known as BonChon, we serve the same great fried chicken in the same exciting... more »
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I love this place!
Every time I come by this shop, I walk away with bags of goodies. They have the hot foods and some cold items. They also have many sides that you can choose from to go with your dish. There isn't much staff walking around but I don't think it's really necessary since you just pick up what you need and pay in the front.
The place is always full, so I don't like eating here because the tables are so tight. But they have a wide variety of Korean food so it's definitely worth it.
If you're looking for some high quality Korean dishes though, I don't recommend this place. If you've never been here, it's basically a very casual quick eat/take out place.
The hot buffet/casual seating area calls my name every time I hit K-town. As someone who doesn't know dick-squat about Korean food until I actually see it, the display of fresh, well-presented Korean chow is perfect.
Considering I normally can't stand buffets... this is a major win, Woorijip.
There is no other place in the city that has quality Korean fast food/take-out. And its cheap? 5-STARS! Enough said!
So call me stupid, but I've traditionally always gone for the buffet... have I not been observant enough to realize that in the refrigerated section they have a whole bunch of cold plates from 5-6 bucks? AND it includes soup?
After much self debate, I've decided to give them 5 stars. You have to look at the place as a whole. It's open all night, and it has comfort food. It's Korean, but it's delicious. They have ready-to-eat hot plates and combo plates. They have ready to eat cold plates. They have ready to HEAT plates (microwaves are there too), and plenty of different kinds of kimbap. Like those little dishes? They have all of those too, a-la-carte.
Then they have the pay by weight buffet where you can grab as much food as you like, with a wide enough selection to satisfy whatever your palate is craving. It's only during certain hours, so be mindful of what time it is as the food may have been there for a lil while.
My favorite that I have ordered 3 times in the last 2 weeks? A whole Unagi (eel) fillet over seasoned rice including soup for $5.50, $5.99 out the door. How can you beat that?
I have been her multiple times since I first reviewed Woorijip, but after my last visit I felt… Read more »
I'm Korean, so hot or cold, I love me some Korean food. Especially if the hand behind the portion control is mine.
Mmmm. :)
Woorijip is such a great option to have for lunch. I only wish I knew how to pronounce it. I mean, I have an idea, but I just end up making some sort of sound similar to slowly unzipping my jacket and then zipping it up to the top really fast. That can't be right. Someone send me the correct pronunciation.
Seriously though, they make tons of tasty food, 24 hours a day. It's kind of like a super-deli, only Korean. They have a hot buffet, a soup bar, sushi and prepared foods. I normally opt for the hot buffet.
I apologize in advance for not knowing the technical Korean names, but I have enjoyed many items: beef and potatoes in a tasty goo, pork in a tasty goo, glass noodles, zucchini cakes, seafood pancakes, kimchi fried rice, crispy squid, and most recently some delicious BBQ chicken wrap thing.
I did not enjoy the mushrooms in the not-tasty goo, nor the beef that was rimmed by disgusting fat. Skip those.
They also offer prepared boxes of food at extremely affordable prices. It's like Korean Lunchables, for grown folks!
Fresh Korean hot and cold weigh-and-pay buffet, pre-made meals, and a counter serving made-to-order noodle bowls
The key to Woorijip's success is the turnover, and starting around 11:30 a.m. weekdays, the food flies. For $5.35, I loaded up a tray with shrimp-fried rice, spicy squid, kimchee, a savory pancake, and a crispy deep-fried glass noodle roll. When was the last time you had "crispy" anything from a buffet?
Woorijip, which means "our house" or "everyone's house," is crowded, yes, but mentally transport yourself to Seoul, and suddenly, everything is "bustling," not crowded, and still delicious.
Hours: closed 3 a.m. -6 a.m. daily
I was quite smitten with this establishment, mostly because I have never experienced anything like it before. Whenever I walk by it is always slammed with customers, so I figured that it was time to give it a try. I get the feeling that I only made it half way through the building because I did not go past the Soju cooker. Other reviews state that there is a cook-to-order ramen stall in the back.
All of the pre-packaged food items are super cheap and pre-portioned to mix and match. The inari caught my eye. But, there were so many items on the buffet that I have not tasted yet. The main one being the spicy chicken stew. Which was large chunks of carrot and onion with tender chicken wings floating in a sweet and spicy liquid, the liquid being the starchy consistency of dukbokki sauce. It was definitely my favorite, and the buffet is a great way to try new things. The buffet items were fresh and I did not get sick from it, for those who seem to be concerned. I also made sure to get an Aloe Drink.
I love the front counters for seating, perfect for those eating by themselves. The prepared foods aisle in front of the register gets to crowded that you cannot move sometimes. And, I was not even here during busy hours. If you frequent Koreatown and have not stopped by here yet for a snack, then you are definitely missing out.
Since I haven't actually tried to food here, I can't go above a three. But if this place were in my neighborhood I'd be a kid in a candy store. I checked it out after dinner, and what a great selection of food! And they're open really late! I think they only close for a few hours in the morning when it's still dark.
It was late and most of the hot items were gone. The food is already packaged in bowls and kept warm, but considering we don't have that where I live it's a nice alternative. You can get different kinds of rice (brown, multi-grain, fried, etc.) already hot and prepackaged in a good serving size. There's instant noodles and a microwave. There's a larger section in the back with kimbap and soondae! If only I hadn't been too full from dinner.
I took a menu and the variety they have is ridiculous, all in a casual setting with tables at the front of the store for enjoying your purchases. If I lived in NY I would definitely hit this place up. Fortunately for my waistline this is not the case.
I am trying my best not to pout. I mean, they have mackerel, people. And glazed sweet potato. And I see braised pork belly slices on the menu. And so many other delicious entrees and snacks. There was even a jumbo package of kimbap. That... you'd have to share to finish.
... Share.
Right.
Love this place. The best way I can describe it is Korean fast food. A nice and easy way to get a quick fix without the formalities of a traditional sit-down meal, but with the option of copping a squat, if you so choose. The only negative is no banchan or rather, you gotta pay for it! LOTS of things to choose from, so if you're a fattie, er foodie like me, it's hard to make a quick choice.
I usually go for the steam table to eat there, then grab something from the fridge to take home. There are always sweets near the register, which my daughter is fond of.
Obviously this place doesn't need more reviews, but I'm going to throw in my two pennies anyway.
This is the best (and maybe only?) korean "fast food style" place in Manhattan. They have a wide variety of common korean dishes, and they are very reasonably priced. I've been here twice within the past two weeks to pick up food for a night in with the boy; we are both korean and need korean food often, but are also lazy as poo.
I have never tried the hot food bar, but it always looks and smells pretty good. The kimchi doesn't look spicy enough - it's a bit pale and sickly looking sometimes - so I would recommend just picking some up from h-mart if you need semi decent kimchi. Kimbap, dduk boki, tofu, eggy imitation crabcakes, and the spicy pork (but yes, there are tons of onions in there) are all yummy.
Both times I stopped in it was during their busy dinner rush, and wow they do get crowded - I wish they would reduce the amount of tables and make more room for the foods.
Big fan. Lots of options, all very tasty.
But way too many onions in my spicy pork!
I had kimchee soup and garlic pepper chicken for $9.25.
It was a lot of food, but I didn't save the leftovers. This kind of food was weird enough the first time. I really liked the chicken. It was just like sesame chicken, but without the sesame and a little spicier. It definitely was not a healthy choice, but i scarfed the whole half a quart container of it down. I should have only have gotten the Kimchee soup, but it had a disclaimer it had spam in it, prob not a good choice either. It had pieces of spam, and hot dogs, and beef, and prob chicken, lots of leafy green stuff too. The soup was divine. IT even came with a nice sized container of white rice, which I didn't even open because i had enough food to gorge on. I slipped up so what. I want to come back and try some of the recommendations.
The moment I walked in, I was wide-eyed and in awe. Most of the time I just didn't know what to get because everything looked so good! I started taking the things that I wanted to try, and then I thought, "I'm going to need a shopping basket. Or a cart." And then I thought, "I'm going to gain 10 pounds in a week if I eat all this."
Then after ten minutes or so shuffling back and forth between warmer and refrigerator, I finally found the steam table. Then I thought, "Oohh...."
Yes, I am a little slow. But I figured it out and I quickly grabbed a little bit of everything. Paid, sat down and started eating at a table shared with an emo Korean guy. Halfway through my meal, the Korean guy stood up and left (was it something I said?). But a couple of cute Korean girls traipsed over and asked if they could share the table (why of course!). I glanced over and saw that they got steamed white rice. Then I thought, "Where did they get that?!" Apparently I didn't quite figure everything out. *sigh*
The food is good and fresh, no doubt about it. I just wish the place was a wee bit bigger. But it's definitely an awesome place to grab 'n go.
Came here for dinner with a friend. Quick, easy, and pretty decent Korean food. I also appreciated the variety that they had in the buffet area. Recommended!
One of the best hidden jewels of K-town. Skip the hot buffet line. Instead, go for the pre-packaged food. Try to avoid the lunch and dinner crowd. It gets really packed in there.
I recommend the kimbaps and japchae. Alcohol is served in the premise too so you can get drunk on those cheap sake and cheap food (hopefully you don't hurl it all out).
Also, if you come here frequently, ask for a frequent member's card. Collect stamps for free gifts!
This is basically a Korean deli. It is not the absolute best Korean food in K-town, but it offers decent versions of all the basics at good prices.
I come here when I'm passing by K-town by myself and want to take some Korean food home. They have a good selections of side dishes to pick from and individual portions of rice in the warmer. It's easy to get a bunch of things for $10 and make two meals out of it.
There are four sections from which to grab food: a hot buffet that costs $6.99/lb; prepackaged warm foods (like dukkbeogi and kimchi fried rice); a hot soup station; cold packaged foods, like kimbap, kimchi, porridge and side dishes.
Since I usually take things to go I tend to grab from the cold food station. Their myeolchi (sardines) is really good, as is their kimchijeon (kimchi pancake). The former is only $3 and the latter $2. This should give you an idea of how affordable it is.
Once again-- this is certainly not the best food in ktown. If you want better kimchi, or noodles, or dukkbeogi or kimbap, etc, you can find it somewhere else. But for the vast selection at these prices, Woorijip is a find. I wouldn't take a friend here for lunch, but I will continue to go here when I am in a rush and want some cheap (and relatively tasty) Korean food.
Food: Cafeteria style with Korean food. Great place to grab a quick, cheap lunch for people who work in the area. Quality of food is better, the earlier you come as it will be fresher compared to sitting under a heat lamp/in water bath (applies for the buffet, priced accordingly to weight). Kimbap and other prepackaged bento like boxes are decent (note: rice will be cold, some people hate that), duk boki has a nice bold flavor, and other small dishes like seaweed salad, spicy tofu, and anchovies (IMO, not enough sesame oil in this dish) are pretty average. I have to say, this is a place where the sizable options and cheap prices for the location surpasses the quality of food.
Drink: Korean deli, so your choice of soda, water, and Asian drinks.
Service: Cafeteria style. Get your own.
Crowd/Ambiance: Usually crowded, turnover is quick so seating can be found sooner or alter. Seating when found is cramped, best to get corner seats next to the drink fridge. Nothing fancy here, eat your lunch and get back to work, type cafeteria.
I love the place cuz I can choose what I want to eat. It's a kind of Korean buffet place. Especially, Yack-Bab, Korean ricecake, is really good. You shuld try it.
I came here at a late night round of Karoke with some friends over the summer, and even though their hot food bar was closed. There was still hot food boxes avalaible, and while yes you fight for seats, at this narrow place. The food selectiion is quite tasty. I enjoyed my time here, and definitely would come back.
Would recommend this as a spot for a small group of friends. Spacing is an issue here.
A great Korean deli to get hot or cold Korean specialties at affordable prices. Just brace yourself during lunch hour. It gets pretty packed.
I'm all about using my credit card to get points so the minimum charge here is $5....not bad since most places I know is $10 to 15. Plus they have a freqent user card to earn free food (spend $100 to get something)...didn't achieve that but one day!
Some of my faves here is the jap chae ($2.95), vegetarian dumplings, and short ribs (located in the middle aisle...between the cashiers and the hot buffet station). The food is delicious in portable packages which is great to pick up and go!
whoa!!! there is a Korean style buffet bar. there's soju. there's packed dishes to eat there or take home. what more can you wish for?
i have been searching and searching for the least year at least for a korean restaurant that has frikkin kim-bap on the menu to no avail.
enter woorijip translation: our house (in korean) the hot bar is good, but usually i go in there and grab as much take out as i can carry, haul it back to my midtown office and feast on it for days instead of going out for lunch. plus the take out containers make great poor-tupperware for later. i guess the only detracting factor was no salty meat in the kimbap. BUT they sell soju in the cold case! is that even legal? who cares!!!
it's SOJU-TIME
I walked in and became an instant fan. They have SO many food selections. You may have trouble finding a seat even though there are seating for 50. I don't want to sound too redundant if you've read the other reviews but I do like how their prices are very competitive and cheap, prepared the day of and open fairly late.
I just wish Woorijip was closer to my apartment, I'd totally stock up on their yummy food!
If you can ride the subway during rush hour, you can make your way through Woorjip.
Woorjip is a small narrow store made harder to navigate by the island of pre-packaged hot foods in the center of the store. One side is the cashiers. The other side is the buffet where authentic Korean fare can be had for $6.50/lb. The prepackaged hot foods foods in the center range from the kimchi fried rice with egg for $3.50 to spicy pork with onions over white rice for $5.50. For the uninitiated, Korean food is spicier than Japanese or Chinese food.
People have to shove by to get to the back of the long lines to pay for the foods.
Once you get to the back you'll realize there is another station for noodle soups like udon. There is also a refrigerated section with sushi, sodas, beers, and soju - cheap Korean spiked kool-aid like wine.
The vermicelli noodles rolled in seaweed and deep fried is pretty decadent. At 2 for $2.50, give it a try with the chilli oil. You'll find it prepackaged on the shelf by the side of the island. They also sell the vermicelli by itself at $3/container.
While the lunch crowds can be over-whelming, the turnover in the food is constant. The food tastes fresh. If you are there late at night, the quality may not be so great.
So brave the crowds and stop on by. This place deserves a special trip to K-town if you want to experiment with homestyle Korean food without breaking the bank. So while the prices have gone up, you'll still be able to get a full meal for $10.
Cheers!
N
The food here is, as another reviewer said, "cheap, fast, and really tasty." Based on my time in Korea, it tastes authentic, but what do I know? The soup/noodle ladies are really cute and don't speak English. It's fast food that's fresh! You go in, take prepared food or food from the buffet, and sit down. You can even get Korean beer!
The kimchi pancakes are really yummy. I don't eat the meat so I haven't tried the bulgogi or anything like that. The regular kimchi, though, is not really up to par. Not fresh enough. Definitely worth a lunch visit, though, particularly if you want to sample a lot of different types of Korean food.
Love this place. Cheap, fast, good Korean food. All these attributes together make me a huge fan. Not the tastiest food in the district, but probably best for the $.
I usually get the Spicy Pork w/ Zucchini Pancakes. A ton of food for around $8. I've also liked the Broccoli and Shrimp dumplings. The container Bulgogi was dry and not very flavorful, but maybe the hot bar is better. I'll try it next.
Oh yeah, the cafeteria trays are provided by the checkout lady. Don't be an ignoramus like myself by using the dirty ones above the garbage.
Perfect place for quick casual Korean meal or to pick up Korean food to go.
They have a good selection of hot foods in the buffet. My favorite is the kimchi friend rice and the deep fried beef but the bologogi is chewy and wet at the same time. Still a good cheap meal that is quick and satisfying. They also have a good selection ready made and packaged tofu stews, side dishes and bibimbap to go.
Quality, CHEAP, Korean food. Open til the wee hours of the night. Can't count how many times I've come here post-partying to get a $4-$5 FULL meal! Love the kimchee fried rice, bulgogi with rice, dukbogi and chap chae. I will come to this place and stock up on food for lunch or dinner the next day. It is great and I think other Korean restaurants should adapt to those prices because we all know how overpriced all the Korean restaurants are for a simple rice dish!
Thumbs up to woorijip for keeping true to themselves, especially during the recession!
I came through here during lunch time in a rush to get in-and-out to catch a flight. Walking in the place seems very busy even when it isn't too full. It reminds me of the little hole-in-the-wall places I would eat at during my travels in Asia.
There is a seating area up front, and another at the back of the store. In the middle is where you will find the goods. There is a hot food section where you can chose a plate or a to-go box and fill as you please with what you please. They also have pre-boxed lunches that you can grab, pay, and go with. If you did chose to load up your own plate/box then when you reach the counter they weigh your food and you pay by the ounce. They also have their various sides prepackaged for purchase as well, which can be found at the back-end of the hot food line.
The selection was pretty wide, the price was a bit high, and the food was ok. I'd probably go back to try some sides, different hot foods, or their pre-boxed meals -- but after my first experience I'm keep my expectations right where they are.
The microwave place! is my nickname for Woorijip. To be fair, you don't need to microwave everything they sell here; there is plenty of food that they keep heated.
Cheap, usually pretty tasty (although some misses here and there), Woorijip is my go-to food place in Ktown when my wallet is hurtin' and I'm cravin' for Korean food.
To all the party people out there, they offer soju and will even dispense little plastic shotglasses if you ask nicely. Pre-game, anyone?
I come here almost everyday now just because it's so easy to pick up something and go. It's always packed though! I love the vast selection of food here.
Very convenient, decent prices, quick and easy. Grab and go or sit down (well, what else is there?).… Read more »
I like this place. I like how u can get a little of everything. However, 6.95 per lb is a little on the pricey side. The food wasn't bad, i'd come back again if I'm in the mood for some korean fast food :)
Love this place! Although it is small, they have a very good selection of food, in small quantities so you know its fresh. Lots of little items. Not the best Korean food i've ever had but very good. The eel over rice is a great dish and its very cheap. The tofu and egg dishes are also good. Thy are very nice and they have a water cooler so you can help yourself. Great for fast hot cheap food.
Pro: It's pretty cheap and open late at night.
Con: The food is just OK.
I've never tried the buffet because I always go at night and it doesn't look that fresh. Maybe it looks better during lunch time.
What more needs to be said of Woorijip other than this restaurant being the "Cheap Eats Capitol of Koreatown!"
Woorijip is frequented when in desire of a cheap meal or a quick grab and go Kimbap, when in desperate need to satisfy a certain Korean Cuisine craving.
Despite the restaurant being persistently packed during lunch time and after work hours, the 3 to 5 minute checkout wait times are certainly worth it. The restaurant itself has 2 seating areas (one in the front and in the back), each section has seating for approximately 10 to 15 people. To the far right of the establishment is the weighted food bar. Common goodies ranging from Kimbap, Kimchi, Kimchi Bokum Bop, Spicy Fried Chicken, and Sauteed Beef & Scallions are on display for purchase. The row segmenting the checkout line and the weighted food buffet are pre-set orders ranging from Hamburger on Rice to Spicy Fried Chicken on Kimchi Bokum Bap. The back left of the establishment is the refrigeration section; patrons can find various notables as Kimbap (Beef, Spicy Tuna, California Rolls, etc), Kimchi, and cold entrees to go. Woorijip also has a Noodle Bar with offerings ranging from Ramen to Udon.
On the frequent occasions visiting Woorijip, I've sampled the following.
Beef Kimbap: The favorite grab-n-go food at Woorijip! The Beef Kimbap contains 11 pieces and provides a substantial nourishing feel when consumed. The rice used in the Kimbap is perfectly cooked, with properties that are not too sticky or grainy. The shredded beef is perfectly seasoned, thus going remarkably well with the sweet egg and sweet pickle that's used to form the roll. A satisfying treat for those looking for a quick grab-n-go food!
Spicy Fried Chicken: Similar to General Tso's Chicken, the chicken has a nicely fried exterior that's accompanied by a balanced combination of heat and sweetness. Due to the abundance of fat within the chicken, each individual peace was scrumptious, which helped bring out the heat of the chicken. Further consumption will reveal that the mild sweetness of the chicken helps to merge the heat of the sauce with that of the chicken. The Fried Chicken is a perfectly sizable rendition with a balance of bold / savory flavors.
Kimchi Bokum Bap: Sticky Rice, Excellent Heat, Mild Sour Flavor from the Vegetable, Excellent abundance of Egg... The four key components were well presented by Woorijip's rendition! Eating the Kimchi Fried Rice revealed a heightened level of nourishment. With each bite, the excessive levels of spiciness is enhanced by the rice, which coats the tongue thus amplifying the heat. The mild sour flavor from the Kimchi further works brings out the heat in the application. Although the mild sweetness of the Egg provided a subtle tameness to the heat, the overwhelming power of the spiciness in the application wins over the subtle sweetness. Despite the excessive level of spicy, the heat works to bring out the natural flavors of each ingredient, thus creating both a hearty and welcoming delight.
Notes on Woorijip:
- Credit cards accepted with a minimum purchase of $5.00
- Wine & Sake are available for purchase / selection in the back refrigerator.
- The restaurant is always packed, simply use a little muscle to navigate your way through and you should be fine
- Patrons are at times hostile, simply claim your space and they'll wither to your dominance.
Good for solo dining.
Typical Korean fare.
Caf style.
Eat in, eat out.
Quick + cheap.
Good enough.
even tho the food that this place serves... isnt the best of korean food... its still good... only cuz they have so many selections!! and its packaged so cute!
the thing that i love about this place is that they have this rainbow ddukk!!! yum yum yum! they lowered the prices... it used to be $2... but now its only $1!! but i think the ddukk has strunk too! :(
the service isnt that great.. but i guess if you compare to all teh other service i got in the city.. its GREAT! hahah
new yorkers... please be nice... :)
I like the casual atmosphere here; the workers are always smiley, and courteous. It's the perfect solution for the case of the munchies (or even a full blown meal).
Things are so convenient here; tupperware FTW! The microwave in the back is very useful. A lot of the food here can be eaten on the go. I came here at 9am the other day, and they were putting out all this freshly made real Korean food that I wanted to steal. I tried the kimchi fried rice ($2.50) which wasn't bad, because it was spicy enough. On another night, I shared soju with some friends; it's a cheap alternative to a bar, because they give you and your friends plastic cups. No tipping either.
The place feels like an after-school hangout place (it looks like a mini school cafeteria) for college kids and perhaps some underage drinkers (I don't think they're strict on cracking down on that).
There was free wifi last time I came.
Other than around 3am-5am, this place is always open.
New recession prices!
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Mineral Stone Rice Bowl
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Korean
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Korean
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Korean
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Category: Korean
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