INFATUATION
The Greatest Hits List
"There are some restaurants (including many on this list) it feels like everyone knows about - they’re the Leonardo DiCaprios. But think of Her Name Is Han as the Alicia Vikander of New York restaurants: at first, you might say, “Who?” but once you look her up, you’re like, “Oh right, she’s incredible.” This casual but cool Korean restaurant on 31st Street makes absolutely amazing food, and every single person we’ve sent here has texted us something to the effect of, “Holy sh*t” after eating here.”
—2019
THRILLIST
“Her Name is Han celebrates what it calls “Korean soul food,” or nostalgic Korean home cooking. Here they do things a bit differently, frequently deviating from tradition. For example, the bibimbap comes with farro instead of rice, the japchae (glassy sweet potato noodles) comes with the non-traditional topping of clam (japchae is usually served vegetarian-style or with bulgogi beef), and the bossam (slow-cooked pork belly) comes with unique sauces such as kimchi and berry wine and jalapeno soybean paste. Although all their dishes are done differently, the strong Korean flavors remain familiar.” — Ryan Sutton
October 5th, 2018
EATER
Her Name Is Han is NYC’s Cutting Edge of Korean Soul Food
“The art project of a menu at Her Name is Han, at 28 pages, runs longer than most wine lists. The binder-bound tome opens to photos of of soju bathed in soft light. Pink grapefruit segments and candied cherry blossoms bob in the distilled spirit, a harbinger of the boozy night that will ensue. On another page, a shrimp and hot-pepper pancake is shot from overhead, an angle that flattens the jeon’s intensely briny and spicy nooks and crannies, almost giving it the illusion of being stenciled on its blue-and-white plate.” — Ryan Sutton
April 3rd, 2018
EATER
"Her Name is Han looks like a 'modern' Korean restaurant, or whatever we’re calling minimalistic design, rustic tables, and Pinterest-ready bowls these days, and the menu is bound and extremely long, partly because every page explains its menu with big photos. But the food is….really, really comforting? And the portion sizes are normal! Like, you order an appetizer and an entree, and then you are really full — that kind of normal. Service starts with generous helpings of banchan, including a fragrant shiitake mushroom one with a smattering of green onions that was very addictive. We ordered fried bulgogi, which came out as one big piece that tore aport into tender bites with crisp, charred edges. A baby octopus appetizer looked like it might be difficult to chew but was actually quite delicate, with a lovely sweet vinegar dressing. Everything we ate was not just good but winners. The space felt trendyish, but the food felt homey, and I already want to go back to tackle the rest of that long menu." — Serena Daimi
August 20th, 2016
THE WORLD'S 50 BEST
Five of the Best Korean Restaurants in New York
"Opened last year and a relative upstart, this sleeper spot on 31st Street is immensely creative. Take, for example, their non-traditional bibimbap, made with farro instead of white rice and topped with seasoned vegetables and a delicious homemade ssamjang (fermented soy bean sauce). The vibe feels like you walked into a hip little restaurant in Hongdae in Seoul." — Matt Rodbard
March 6th, 2016
THE INFATUATION
"Sometimes, when we discover a great new restaurant, we like to imagine ourselves as old Hollywood agents who’ve just discovered new talent.
“Barry!” we’d say in that old very pronounced way they talk in old movies, probably while smoking a cigar. “I found a star.”
Today, that star is Her Name Is Han. And for right now, you’re going to be Barry. (Sorry about that.)
Her Name Is Han has a lot of star potential. First, a great name – the perfect trifecta of memorable, unusual, and fun to say. Second, a great look – the place looks like something between a library, an East Village apartment, and a movie studio. It totally works. Third, and most important, both the food and the overall vibe are excellent, and unlike that of any others we’ve found in New York...." — Hillary Reinsberg
November 16th, 2015