Antoya

Antoya occupies a three-level room at 37 West 32nd Street in the middle of Korea Way. The space opened in March 2018 as Samwon Garden, a U.S. outpost tied to Seoul’s long-running Samwon Garden barbecue brand; after the franchise period ended during the pandemic, owner-chef Tony Park rebranded it as Antoya (named with Korean endearment for his son Antonio) and kept the grill format while loosening the franchise menu. Michelin awarded a Bib Gourmand and has treated the room as a Koreatown barbecue pick for quality at a clearer price than premium wagyu temples. Signatures include diamond-cut marinated Antoya galbi, fluffy gyeran jjim (egg soufflé), mung bean pancakes, and staff-assisted tabletop grilling in a louder, K-pop-leaning dining room than the tofu houses nearby.

Regulars name the galbi, egg soufflé, banchan, and attentive grill service. Midtown noise, weekend waits, and a bill that rises once premium cuts land for a group are the usual tradeoffs. Come when you want Koreatown barbecue with more polish than a strip-mall grill, without booking a tasting menu.