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Kimchi is the Star at RAON in Midtown
March 5, 2025, 2:11.02 am ET

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Photos: Evan Sung

Midtown just got a serious fine-dining upgrade. RAON, the highly anticipated new spot from husband-and-wife duo Chef Soogil Lim and Sasook Youn of East Village’s Soogil, is now open at 207 East 59th Street, delivering a 10-course tasting menu ($255 per person) centered around Korea’s most iconic dish: kimchi.

Unlike Soogil’s French-influenced fare, RAON dives deep into Korean culinary heritage, reimagining centuries-old flavors with a modern twist. Chef Lim spotlights four distinct kimchi varieties—from the well-known baechu (cabbage kimchi) to the rare jang kimchi (soy sauce-based)—incorporating them into dishes like Foie Gras Kimchi Mandu, Uni Kimbap with Jang Kimchi, and Galbi Sotbap with Dongchimi.

Adding to the prestige, RAON sources handcrafted doenjang (soybean paste) and ganjang (soy sauce) crafted by Chef Oh Kyung-sun, a disciple of the renowned Ven. Jeong Kwan, a master of Korean temple cuisine and a celebrated figure from the Netflix series Chef's Table. Meanwhile, Sommelier Hak Soo Kim (Per Se, Jungsik) curates a drinks menu featuring Korea’s finest premium soju, wines, and sake, with a mixed pairing available for an extra $195 per person.

Designed by Ryan Jo of IDBD Partners, the minimalist 14-seat chef’s counter offers front-row seat to Lim’s culinary artistry, blending traditional Korean aesthetics with sleek, modern design.

RAON is open Tuesday through Saturday with two nightly seatings. Reservations are required via Resy.



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