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Bananas in the East Village Isn’t Just a Restaurant—It’s a Statement
January 8, 2025, 7:39.05 pm ET

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Photos: Raychel Brightman

In the East Village, where culinary creativity and cultural commentary often go hand in hand, Bananas has landed at 174 1st Ave with a bold and witty take on what it means to be Asian American today. Helmed by Chef-Owners Chris Ng and Kyaw Lwin—who collectively boast résumés spanning Blue Ribbon Sushi, Michelin-starred Shmoné, and Yakiniku Futago—this new eatery is as much about the story as it is about the food.

The phrase “Bananas” has been used as a slur to describe Asian Americans who are ‘yellow’ presenting but culturally white due to their upbringing in Western culture. The team expresses their own interpretation of what it means to be Asian American through food, by offering a menu of American favorites with elements of Asian cooking.

The results are shareable dishes like Lemon Pepper Karaage Chicken served with pancakes, Shrimp Wonton Étouffée in a Cajun broth, and Dynamite Fried Rice dotted with bay scallops, masago, and maitake mushrooms. Diners can also dig into reimagined classics like Chopped Cheese Krapow on brioche and the unexpected Char Siu Fried Banana, featuring 48-hour marinated pork alongside caramelized bananas.

The beverage menu is equally adventurous, offering a mix of beer, wine, and sake alongside soju-based cocktails like the PB&J (banana makgeolli, spiced soju, peanut butter, and grape syrup) and a Sake Martini brightened by yuzu and lemon verbena.

Designed by Shoucair Design (of Kokomo and Brooklyn Chop House fame), the space walks the line between playful and polished. Bananas’ custom banana-leaf wallpaper, cove lighting, and quirky installations—like a moss banana sanctuary and banana-themed charms—make the 70-seat restaurant feel like both a cozy retreat and a visual conversation starter. Even the bathrooms are part of the show, decked out in kitschy banana-themed disco decor.

For Ng and Lwin, this debut restaurant represents a deeply personal collaboration, drawing from years of fine dining experience to create something unapologetically fun yet grounded in technical expertise. They don’t shy away from the complexities of identity—instead, they’ve plated them up for everyone to share.

Bananas is open Sunday through Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight. Reservations are available on Resy, and more information can be found at bananasrestaurant.com or on Instagram @bananas_ny.


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