History

Nowon is a Korean American restaurant founded in 2019 in New York City, named after Chef Jae Lee’s hometown district in Seoul, South Korea. What began as a pop up inside a tiny East Village kitchen has grown into a multi location brand spanning Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Boston.

Blending bold Korean flavors with the comfort and swagger of New York dining, Nowon has become a destination for food that is playful, nostalgic, and instantly memorable. Signature dishes like the Legendary Cheeseburger and Chopped Cheese Rice Cakes have drawn widespread media attention and helped define the restaurant’s unmistakable Korean American identity.

Inside each location, the energy is driven by 90s and early 2000s hip hop, creating a lively pocha inspired atmosphere that balances creativity, comfort, and community. The food is big, the music is loud, and the vibe is unmistakably New York.

Following the success of the East Village flagship, Nowon expanded to Bushwick in 2023, introducing Korean influenced wood fired pizzas alongside its core menu. In 2025, Nowon opened its first location outside New York at Seaport in Boston, marking an exciting new chapter in the restaurant’s growth.

Today, Nowon continues to evolve while staying rooted in the cultural flavors, family traditions, and city energy that shaped its beginning.