In Kjun’s initial version on East 39th Street, Top Chef contestant and chef Jae Jung’s restaurant was the definition of a place that punched above its weight. Despite its tiny space, the kitchen turned out an ambitious menu of Korean Cajun food. Earlier this winter, the restaurant expanded into a two-story space on Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill, just a block away.
The original location remains open for a la carte dining, offering exclusive dishes like smash burgers and po’ boys. The new, larger, and boozier Kjun only offers $77-per-person set menus, with options through three different sections, plus small sides, dessert sets, and add-ons. (Yes, both still have the same name, so double-check where you’re going.)
Go for the new Kjun if you want to knock back some beers while reminiscing about your last New Orleans trip or are looking to taste several things. But if you’re looking to commit to fewer dishes or want a more casual meal, go to the original.
You can prepay for your set meal when making your reservation if you’d like; this includes gratuity and results in a lower price. But keep in mind that if you order drinks at dinner or feel tempted by an additional dish, you’ll still have to pay for those, plus tip on that new check.
Murray Hill is a lucky neighborhood for having not just one but two locations of Korean Cajun restaurant Kjun, which expanded with this comparatively larger two-floor space in February. This means more room to enjoy chef Jae Jung’s festive food, like all the kimchi (don’t skip the okra or green tomato ones), sweet-savory blue crab curry, and soothing galbi and grits. The restaurant is currently offering a la carte and set menus, but will switch to serving only set menus soon.
Dining and Cooking