ZipPicks Awards
Best Korean in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Best Tasting Menus in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Master Critic Review
Atoboy
8.6
Atoboy helped define contemporary Korean small-plate dining in NoMad, using a three-course prix fixe format built around shareable banchan-style dishes. The dining room is minimalist and lively, with a crowd that treats dinner as much like a night out as a sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with spicy peanut sauce, Cured fish course with seasonal garnishes, Sujeonggwa granita dessert with lychee yogurt
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Korean-inspired tasting format that keeps dinner playful and shareable.
Who should go: Food-focused couples and small groups who enjoy trying everything.
When to visit: Weeknight and early weekend evenings before it gets too loud.
What to order: Three-course prix fixe, fried chicken add-on, seasonal dessert.
Insider tip: Budget for supplements—the add-ons are where many signature dishes appear.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited street parking and several paid garages within 2–3 blocks in NoMad.
Dress code: Smart casual to stylish evening wear; jeans are fine if paired with a polished top.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is easy early, louder as the night goes on.
Weekend wait: 60–90 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-focused and typically not open for lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several rotating vegetarian-friendly courses available on the prix fixe.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with advance notice for modifications, but not guaranteed.
Gluten-free options: Some accommodations possible, though the tasting format limits full gluten-free menus.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the prix fixe format removes menu stress and the shareable courses create built-in conversation, making it especially strong for food-forward first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on early weeknights or right at opening, but weekends and peak dinner hours usually require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — the pace, noise level, and tasting format are better suited to teens and adults.
Best For
Better for: More playful, social energy and shared-plate dining than traditional tasting counters or formal Korean fine dining.
Skip if: Skip if you want à la carte control, quiet intimacy, or large portion entrées instead of small-plate progression.