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When a chef already has New York’s only three-Michelin-star Korean restaurant, the next decision becomes either to chase that success with another space or try something new. Chef Jungsik Yim chose the latter.
The chef behind the acclaimed Jungsik has officially opened MŪJE in Chelsea, a 66-seat fine dining restaurant that expands beyond Korean cuisine to explore flavors and techniques from across Asia. Located at 151 West 30th Street, the new restaurant serves an eight-course tasting menu for $150, a comparatively reasonable price point in the worlds of Manhattan dining and tasting-menu restaurants.
Pronounced “moo-jeh,” MŪJE translates to “untitled” or “without definition,” reflecting Yim’s goal of creating a restaurant untethered to any one country’s culinary traditions.
“MŪJE is about creation without boundaries,” Yim said in a statement. “Rather than defining the experience through one cuisine or tradition, we wanted to create a space that evolves continuously—shaped by ideas, seasonality, collaboration, and the perspectives of the team and our guests.”
That philosophy plays out with early highlights from executive chef and Jungsik alum Daeik Kim, including yellowtail dressed with gooseberry, pickled tomato and coconut gelée; a chicken wing stuffed with spiced pork and dusted with Korean “Prinkle” seasoning; and a reinterpretation of kongguksu, Korea’s cold soybean noodle dish, enriched with pork lard, bottarga, mentaiko and cured egg yolk.
The centerpiece is a charcoal-grilled short rib course served with four different wraps inspired by cuisines from across Asia, while dessert ends with the whimsical Merlion, a coconut mousse and espresso creation inspired by Singapore’s iconic half-lion, half-fish statue.
The beverage program is likewise sans borders. A $115 wine pairing features bottles from Austria, Alsace, Chablis, California and Chile, while cocktails pull inspiration from across Asia, including the Midnight in Samui, a butterfly pea-infused rum drink.
The restaurant’s design, by Two Point Zero, leans into warm woods, terracotta, charcoal granite and soft lighting rather than overt cultural references. The result is a serene dining room with walnut millwork, silk wallcoverings and lantern-inspired lighting that feels contemporary without relying on clichés.
Reservations are currently available through Tock from 5:30 to 8:30pm, Thursdays through Mondays. Given Yim’s track record—Jungsik became the first Korean restaurant in the United States to earn three Michelin stars in 2024—don’t expect tables to stay open for long. If MŪJE lives up to its ambitious premise, it will likely become one of New York’s most sought-after reservations.