TLDR
Refined Korean-French tasting menus from a viral TV chef. Featuring inventive vegetable-forward courses in a plush, high-end NYC setting.
Details
Chef Hasung Lee, known for his appearance on 'Culinary Class Wars,' brings a refined, French-inspired approach to this plush establishment [2]. The menu features creative, vegetable-forward dishes like braised Korean moo radish tarts, though guest experiences have been sharply divided [1], [2]. While many diners appreciate the inventive culinary concepts, some have expressed deep frustration with inconsistent service pacing and reports of a chaotic, toxic kitchen environment [1].
Food Overview
The cuisine is defined by New American and Korean fusion, with notable successes like the mugwort ice cream, truffle porridge, and Korean moo radish tart [1], [2]. However, feedback on main courses is inconsistent, with some diners praising the scallop while others found dishes like the halibut and clam preparations poorly executed [1].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended items include the mugwort ice cream with kiwi and fava shoots, the vegetable consommé, the truffle porridge, and the Korean moo radish tart [1], [2]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •quail(4)
- •vegetable consomm e(2)
- •apricot portokalopita(2)
Customer Sentiment
Visitor feedback is polarized, with some diners delighted by the creative dishes, while others report significant issues with unprofessional kitchen conduct, staff turnover, and service logistics [1].
Caveats
Guests should be aware of reported logistical challenges, such as table relocations during a meal, inconsistent service pacing, and a reportedly tense kitchen environment [1].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About OYATTE
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Any Musteat Restaurants In This General Vicinity
"Listed as a fancier option."
NeutralFrom post: Michelin Guide Announces New Additions For New
"Extremely disappointing meal with logistical issues like having to move floors midway through."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte Review Chef Hasung Lee From Culinary Class
"This user visited Oyatte and found the experience to be not great, feeling that much of the $350 price was for the Netflix aspect rather than the meal itself. While there were some highlights, most dishes were just okay and some were poorly executed, likening the experience to being a Kickstarter backer for a flawed product."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte Review Chef Hasung Lee From Culinary Class
"This user briefly commented that 'Culinary class wars' (referring to the show that Chef Hasung Lee participated in, and likely Oyatte's concept) was 'so good'."
PositiveFrom post: Oyatte Review Chef Hasung Lee From Culinary Class
"This user noted that Oyatte featured a fancy version of a Greek dessert, portokalopita, and complimented the original poster's write-up."
PositiveFrom post: Oyatte Review Chef Hasung Lee From Culinary Class
"The reviewer found Oyatte to have a cool concept and interesting space, but the menu items were not as strong as the ambiance. They noted some dishes were just okay, while others like a supplemental snap peas and caviar dish and a carrot donut were highlights. The second half of the meal focused on seafood and meat, with a perfectly cooked scallop being the favorite. However, other dishes like herbed green porridge and quail had mixed reviews regarding flavor and execution. The desserts, especially an apricot portokalopita, were more successful. Overall, the reviewer felt the ideas behind the dishes were stronger than their execution, expecting improvement as the restaurant is new."
NeutralFrom post: 11 Days In New York Some Of The Things I Ate And
"The author considered themselves lucky to get a reservation and had a phenomenal meal, ranking it among the best."
PositiveFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This user stated that Oyatte's chef, Hasung Lee, previously worked as a sous chef at The French Laundry (TFL)."
NeutralFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This user expressed disappointment but not surprise upon hearing negative reports about Oyatte's kitchen environment and staff."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This commenter found the reports of yelling in Oyatte's kitchen unfortunate and stated they would avoid the restaurant due to such tension."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This individual visited Oyatte and agreed with the original poster that the restaurant is overhyped and has a toxic environment."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This commenter detailed the departures of key staff members from Oyatte, including the sous chef and pastry chef, shortly after opening while the head chef was abroad."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This user confirmed the chef's name is Hasung (not Hansung) and expressed surprise and disappointment regarding the reported kitchen yelling at Oyatte."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This commenter confirmed the information about staff departures at Oyatte, stating that the chef's roommate, sous chef, a junior sous chef, and a pastry chef all left within a week of opening, with the chef being out of the country at the time."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"Responding to the quail presentation at Oyatte, this user humorously questioned if it was mimicking a 'split eagle'."
NeutralFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"The reviewer visited Oyatte, a new restaurant by Chef Hansung Lee. They noted a strange reservation system and experienced significant issues with the atmosphere downstairs due to shouting from the kitchen, which made servers visibly nervous. Additionally, there were issues with inconsistent pacing and a minor service mishap with spilled water."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This user mentioned hearing about a mass exodus of staff around the opening time of Oyatte."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"The commenter, who has experience in a two-Michelin-star kitchen, stated that yelling in the kitchen is unacceptable and would ruin their meal."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This commenter expressed that they would not enjoy an experience at Oyatte due to the described issues like kitchen yelling, inconsistent service pacing, and needing to relocate tables mid-meal."
NegativeFrom post: Oyatte The New Restaurant By Hansung Lee Runner
"This commenter suggested that the quail plating at Oyatte might be inspired by or a copy of a dish from Benu, a Korean restaurant in San Francisco that sources from the same farm."
Neutral