We happened to pass by this place and got curious, so we decided to give it a try. I honestly hadn’t heard of it before. They offer a tasting/prefixe menu, and while some of the dishes were quite unusual, everything was surprisingly delicious.
The portions are small, as expected with a prix fixe menu, but there are several courses. Just keep in mind that dessert is not included. If you’re not particularly hungry, it’s perfect, but if you come with a big appetite, you may find it a bit insufficient.
We also ordered the fried chicken. It came with six pieces, but it looked and tasted a little too rich for my liking—very fried, fatty, and oily. I only managed to try one piece.
Overall, the experience was enjoyable and definitely memorable. One interesting thing I noticed was that the first half of the restaurant seemed to be mostly white diners, while the back half was predominantly Asian. I’m not sure if there was any reason behind it, but it was an interesting observation.
Ever since they first opened, this place has been a steady favorite. The food is always beautifully prepared, clean, and consistently delicious. What I love most is their seasoning—it's never overpowering or heavy, yet every dish has a distinct, flavorful accent that hits the perfect note. On top of the amazing food, the staff is always incredibly kind and welcoming. A true neighborhood gem that never loses its touch!
5
Atoboy is one of the more approachable ways to experience the cooking style that made its sister restaurant, Atomix, one of the most celebrated Korean restaurants in the country. The restaurant operates on a prix fixe format, but the atmosphere feels relaxed rather than formal, creating a dining experience that balances fine dining technique with the comfort and bold flavors of Korean cuisine. The compact dining room and attentive service help keep the focus on the food, with each course arriving at a steady pace that encourages you to enjoy the progression of the meal.
The menu changes regularly, but several dishes consistently stand out. The sea urchin egg custard is one of the highlights of the experience, combining rich uni with silky steamed egg and layers of umami from ingredients like nori and caviar. Seafood courses such as squid, octopus, Spanish mackerel, and other seasonal preparations showcase the kitchen’s ability to take familiar Korean flavors and present them in a refined, modern format without losing their identity. The dishes tend to be thoughtfully balanced, with textures and acidity carefully incorporated into each plate.
Entrées such as wagyu short ribs and other seasonal proteins continue the restaurant’s theme of elevating Korean-inspired flavors through careful execution rather than unnecessary complexity. Desserts also deserve strong praise, particularly the sweet potato ice cream, which regularly finishes meals on a high note.
Service is attentive and polished without feeling overly formal, and the prix fixe structure makes it easy to sample a wide range of dishes in a single visit. Portions can feel modest to some diners given the price point, but the quality, creativity, and overall cohesiveness of the meal is great. For anyone interested in modern Korean dining in New York without the difficulty of securing an Atomix reservation, Atoboy remains one of the city's most reliable and satisfying options.
5
Great mid-priced restaurant that you can put on your repeat list. The $75 4-course prix fixe provides a good amount of food and variety, and side dishes can be added at extra cost. The asparagus appetizer is underrated, so delicious, fried and paired with chap jae. The mussels were fresh, fat and juicy. The pork rice was good too, but not as memorable as the smaller dishes.
(The Shin Ramen pancake was interesting but not so memorable. I thought it is better served as ramen than as pancake. It’s essentially frying the noodle twice?)
5
The staff was cordial & always ready to assist. They took seriously my dining companion's food allergies. The food (one "snack" then a choice of one dish from each of 3 groups of 3 items, plus any add-ons) was creative Korean-style cuisine - very flavorful, interesting, and satisfying. We added on the fried chicken (delectable) and a special 10th Anniversary (of the restaurant) spicy shrimp fritter, and there were several partial items left to take home. It was quite busy for a Tuesday evening, and deservedly so.
