HWARO - NYC Times Square
Influencer Reviews1
Jeremy Jacobowitz
About
Hidden inside Gallagher's Steakhouse in Times Square, intimate 22-seat tasting experience from acclaimed restaurant group behind Kochi and Mari. Named after traditional Korean waro (charcoal grill representing warmth/fire/connection). Chef Sung Jool Shim (Michelin star chef, Netflix's Culinary Class Wars). Philosophy: "connection becomes the ingredient." Fuses Korean flavors/ingredients with classic French technique while maintaining Korean dining's sharing/community/togetherness. Modern interpretation of tradition—"not just a meal, but a moment meant to be felt as much as it's tasted." 13 courses showcasing expensive ingredients and elevated execution.
The Visit
Hwaro delivers a thoughtfully curated Korean tasting menu, offering a series of inventive dishes that balance richness and delicacy. The reviewer highlights the uniqueness and beauty of each bite, noting the use of luxurious ingredients like A5 wagyu, truffle, and quail egg. While the $300 price tag makes it a special occasion destination, the overall experience feels justified by the creativity, flavor, and attention to detail throughout the meal.
What They Ate
Quotes
"I found every bite so beautiful, so flavorful, so unique, and while rich, nothing felt too much in the bite itself."
"Their foie gras mousse is their take on bread and butter course. You get a quote-unquote cake made of spinach puree, a wild berry glaze, an omelette galie, a Korean five-flavor berry, and then of course a silky foie gras mousse. You spread that on a house-made brioche with maple glaze and crispy quinoa. No going back to butter after this."
"You are getting this really special curated experience with dishes that not only taste amazing, but are so unique, and clearly using some really expensive ingredients too. So you can walk away feeling the value there."
"Abalone shrimp toast with this white soy custard just covered in caviar. Unreal bite."
Our Reflection
Jeremy's foie gras mousse verdict says it all: "No going back to butter after this." The standouts are clear—that bread course with silky mousse on maple-glazed brioche, the A5 wagyu jajang earning its "but just, I mean, come on" reaction, and abalone shrimp toast delivering an "unreal bite" under caviar. At $300, it's anniversary territory, not Tuesday dining, but the Korean-French fusion executes with delicate balance despite obvious richness. Chef Shim's Michelin pedigree shows. The only snag? Tasting menus lock you into all 13 courses. But if you're celebrating something special and want genuinely unique dishes with expensive ingredients in an intimate setting, Waro justifies the cost.
This review includes brief, attributed excerpts of copyrighted material used for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and education. Such use is permitted under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. All rights to the original works remain with their respective creators and copyright holders. Our intent is to highlight, celebrate, and help audiences discover these creators by directing attention to their original content.
Explore Related Content
Google Reviews
0.0(0 reviews)Recent Reviews in New York City
Discover more restaurant recommendations in New York City
