Since March 2024, four restaurants in Manhattan’s Koreatown have seen their head chefs switch kitchens, leading to visible shifts in menu offerings on West 32nd Street.

Recent months have seen chef movement among several prominent Koreatown establishments. Restaurants affected include Miss Korea BBQ, BCD Tofu House, Antoya, and Jongro BBQ. Each reports changes to their culinary staff between early March and June this year.

Restaurant owners describe the moves as partly motivated by labor shortages. According to Lee Sung-ho, owner of Miss Korea BBQ, it has become harder to retain experienced chefs amid increasing competition from other city neighborhoods. Staff turnover, he says, has accelerated since late winter.

Menus are shifting to reflect the new chef lineups. At BCD Tofu House, former Miss Korea BBQ sous-chef Park Min-joon now oversees the kitchen, introducing Gyeongsang-style soups and expanding the banchan selection. Antoya has dropped several grilled seafood options in favor of Jeolla-style stews under its new chef, Kim Eun-hae. Jongro BBQ has started offering weekday lunch sets, a first for the restaurant, following the arrival of chef Choi Jin-ho.

Both diners and managers note increased variety, but mixed reactions. Several regulars say the new dishes offer different tastes but miss some older menu staples. Restaurant groups in the area report that hiring conditions remain uncertain for the summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Koreatown restaurants changed chefs in 2024?

Miss Korea BBQ, BCD Tofu House, Antoya, and Jongro BBQ on West 32nd Street each changed their head chef between March and June 2024. These moves involved both internal transfers and new outside hires.

How have menus changed after the chef turnover?

Menu changes include new regional Korean dishes, expanded side selections, revised barbecue cuts, and new weekday lunch specials. Some familiar dishes have been removed, and several new specialties highlight Gyeongsang and Jeolla culinary styles.

What reasons do restaurant owners give for these chef changes?

Restaurant owners cite difficulty in retaining experienced staff, increased competition for chefs in New York, and changing customer tastes as reasons for the recent kitchen turnover. Many say recruiting has become more challenging since early 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Koreatown restaurants on 32nd Street changed head chefs in 2024?

Miss Korea BBQ, BCD Tofu House, Antoya, and Jongro BBQ each changed their head chef between March and June 2024.

What menu changes happened after the chef turnover in Koreatown restaurants?

Menus now feature new regional Korean dishes, expanded banchan, revised barbecue selections, and new weekday lunch specials, with some older dishes removed.

Why did Koreatown restaurants experience chef turnover in 2024?

Owners cite labor shortages, increased competition for chefs, and changing customer tastes as reasons for the recent chef changes.

What new regional specialties have been introduced at Koreatown restaurants?

Gyeongsang-style soups and Jeolla-style stews have been added to menus, along with expanded side dishes and lunch sets.

How have diners reacted to the menu changes in Koreatown?

Reactions are mixed; some diners appreciate the increased variety, while others miss previous menu staples.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.