Jua NYC (*)

(1) The menu started with their “Caviar Kim.” The bite is quite well known, so I won’t talk too much about it; just that I was surprised at how easy it was to eat. I expected it to fall apart after one bite, but it held its shape and had varied textures. 

(2) Next was their Korean-style ceviche. I loved this dish. It was incredibly bright, spicy, tangy, and well-balanced. The way the vegetables were cut looked very pretty (it was slightly harder to eat, but this is not a big deal). Overall, it was a strong second course.

(3) Then came their Jook, with foie gras. This one hit home because my mom always made this for me growing up. It was extremely comforting but also the most elevated version of a humble dish possible. Each bite had a different flavor that kept you coming back for more. You might expect it to be overindulgent and simple, but it was, again, very well balanced and had different notes that made it a joy to eat. I would’ve gladly eaten another bowl.

(4) The next course was dry-aged sea bream with smoked fish bone sauce and leek oil of some sort. I enjoyed this dish, but unlike the other dishes, it was very “one-noted.” The smoky flavor was tasty, but it did tend to overpower the dish. Otherwise, the dish was executed well, the fish was cooked perfectly, and I definitely ate every last bite.

(5) Then came the final savory course, the lamb and banchan. The plating was very satisfying, and trying the different banchans was fun. There was nothing too crazy here; other than that, the whole meal was portioned perfectly, and after finishing this dish, I was definitely feeling full. 

(6) Now for the desserts. The tangerine sorbet with the yuzu “crisp” was delicious. It was super bright, and it tasted like fresh tangerines. 

(7) The black sesame ice cream was exceptional. It had a strong black sesame flavor, and the salty, sweet crumbs on the bottom of the scoop added a nice texture. I also enjoyed the sweet potato donut, but there was nothing too crazy about it; it was just an interesting Asian dessert. 

Overall, I thought Jua’s food was exceptional. The setting and service were decent. It punched above its weight class for the price ($140 pp). I know there are some other “affordable tasting menus” in the city, but this was truly impressive. If you’re visiting NYC or live here, I highly recommend you check it out.