Genesis House Restaurant

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Distinctly Korean Table in New York City

Genesis House Restaurant, at 40A 10th Avenue in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, brings a refined approach to Korean cuisine that draws on centuries-old recipes while embracing fresh, locally grown ingredients. The kitchen's philosophy is straightforward: traditional techniques, modern interpretations, and a menu that moves with the seasons.

The restaurant describes its offering as "a harmony of surprising flavors" — a living menu that evolves rather than stays fixed. Signature dinner tasting courses reimagine classic preparations for a contemporary palate, while the à la carte Yokitkeori Menu makes those distinctly Korean flavors available across both lunch and dinner service. Lunch sets take a different angle, composing the traditional Korean table into a structured midday format: fragrant rice, seasonal banchan, and a choice of protein, served together on a single tray. The beverage program leans into the same identity, with cocktails and mocktails built around Korean flavor profiles and ingredients like soju.

Wine Spectator recognized the restaurant with its Award of Excellence in 2023 — a fitting acknowledgment for a program that pairs serious Korean cooking with a thoughtfully assembled list.

The Terrace Garden and the Space Beyond

The restaurant is part of a larger Genesis House concept that includes a library, tea pavilion, and showroom. The outdoor terrace is one of its most distinctive features: a traditional Korean landscape of white sand, gravel, and greenery that opens onto views of the High Line, the Hudson River, and the Lower Manhattan skyline. It's a setting that manages to feel considered without being fussy.

A Menu That Responds to the Moment

Genesis House has also shown a willingness to let the menu respond to cultural moments. A special menu created in honor of Marilyn Monroe's centennial — featuring dishes and drinks named for chapters of her story, from a soju-champagne cocktail to a pistachio cheesecake sealed in green — demonstrates the kitchen's ability to work creatively within its Korean framework without losing the thread of it.

For anyone looking to explore Korean cuisine in New York City beyond the familiar, Genesis House Restaurant makes a compelling and well-credentialed case.