The East Village restaurant and bar scene has recently been enriched by the opening of Won Park and Kanu Kim’s latest project—a Korean restaurant and bar, Space Mabi. Having opened December 1, it is conveniently located on 1st Avenue in vibrant East Village, amongst an array of apartment complexes, cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels. The Korean dining/drinking scene is no longer be limited to Manhattan’s Koreatown.
Space Mabi features authentic Korean cuisine with a distinct modern twist, known as New Korean. It will showcase the culinary talent of chef Jooho Hong, who previously worked at Michelin starred restaurants including Aureole and Brushstroke. Specialties include Mushroom Japchae, Tiger Shrimp Seafood Pancake, Mabi Jjimdak (Korean braised chicken), and Bulgogi Pizza Roll.
In Korean language, “mabi” means paralysis, but Koreans often use the term to describe those moments that make them speechless and experience a brief moment of feeling paralyzed in a cheerful manner. Accordingly, Space Mabi is a place where guests will be so pleasantly surprised by the food, atmosphere, and experience that they feel almost paralyzed.
The restaurant is defined by a diptych theme of the “sun and moon”. By evening, the restaurant offers an adventurous yet well-thought-out Korean dining and drinking experience (the moon). By day, it transforms into a hip brunch, lunch and coffee shop, and workspace (the sun). Daytime offerings include the signature ‘Sausage and Kimchi Smash’ and Roasted Beet Salad.
The modern interiors combine sleek dark wood with intimate dimmed lighting and a unique feature wall showcasing the artwork of up and coming artists. Currently, sketches by artist and Parson’s teacher, Chanel Dehond, are on display throughout the month of December.
