Genesis House - Korean fine dining in NYC

A Thoughtful Dining Experience at Genesis House Restaurant in NYC

When it comes to upscale dining in New York City, there’s no shortage of stunning restaurants offering fusion menus, wine pairings, and unique experiences. But every now and then, you come across a place that offers more than just food - a place that tells a story, invites cultural curiosity, and leaves you thinking about more than just what was on your plate. That’s exactly how I’d describe Genesis House Restaurant, located in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Very next to Little Island.

This isn’t your typical Korean restaurant, nor is it merely a luxurious showroom. It’s an intentional space that merges cuisine, culture, and brand philosophy into one polished, serene experience. The meal was memorable in its own quiet way. And if you’re a traveler, a design enthusiast, or just someone searching for restaurant recommendations with a unique cultural twist, you might want to keep reading.

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First Impressions

Tucked away just steps from the Hudson River, Genesis House isn’t immediately recognizable as a restaurant. The first floor is actually a luxurious car showroom featuring the latest Genesis models, elegantly displayed under soft lighting and sleek architectural lines. There’s no overwhelming branding - it’s subtle, elevated, and deliberate.

To reach the restaurant, you head up a wide staircase or elevator to the second floor, where the ambiance shifts from futuristic showroom to tranquil modern Korean dining. The space is stunning. Wood tones, natural lighting, and minimalistic design set the tone, reminiscent of traditional Korean aesthetics but reimagined in a contemporary context. If you’re someone who values not just flavor but atmosphere, Genesis House delivers on both.

Section where we take our shoes off and enjoying our tea was very interesting experiences.

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What we ordered

Lunch Prix Fixe: A Clean and Curated Menu

We visited for lunch and opted for the prix fixe menu, a four-course meal with wine pairing available. There were four of us in our party, and we each selected a different main dish, which gave us the opportunity to sample a wide range of flavors.

To be completely honest, none of the dishes were exceptionally flavorful in the bold, punchy sense. But the entire meal was defined by a kind of refined restraint - a clean, subtle taste that felt thoughtful and elegant. It’s the kind of cuisine that invites you to slow down and pay attention.

The ingredients were clearly high-quality, and the presentation was impeccable. Every element was plated with precision, and the service matched that same level of care. I’d describe the food as more Michelin-inspired wellness cuisine than traditional hearty Korean fare. It’s refined, minimal, and perfect for those who appreciate clean Korean flavors with a modern twist.

A Closer Look at the Prix Fixe Menu

One of the highlights of dining at Genesis House was the opportunity to try their prix fixe lunch menu, which is carefully curated to reflect the essence of modern Korean fine dining. Below is a closer look at the individual dishes we encountered, based on the official menu.

MULHWE

Chilled raw fish | Jeongaengi | Citrus | Dongchimi brine
This was a refreshing way to start the meal. The MULHWE — a cold Korean raw fish dish — was served with slices of fresh fish (jeongaengi, a seasonal white fish), immersed in a tangy and slightly salty dongchimi brine (radish water kimchi) accented by citrus. It’s light, acidic, and ideal for awakening the palate. While it may be unusual for Western diners, it’s a classic in Korean summer cuisine and executed here with a fine-dining twist.

GAMTAEJUK (감태죽)

Silky rice porridge | Gamtae | Arborio + Gyeonggijime rice | Crabmeat | Seafoam
Next came GAMTAEJUK, a warm rice porridge combining Arborio rice (typically used in risotto) with Korean Gyeonggijime rice, resulting in a silky, delicate texture. The addition of gamtae (a type of seaweed), crabmeat, and a light seafoam garnish made it feel like the ocean in a bowl — subtle, briny, and nourishing. This wasn’t just comfort food; it was coastal elegance.

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Choice of Main: Noodles or Rice

After the starters, diners could choose from several mains, each rooted in traditional Korean soups and noodle dishes but refined for a modern tasting menu. Here’s a breakdown:

BOMNAMUL MYEON OR BAP (봄나물면 또는 밥)

Preserved spring vegetables | Perilla oil
A seasonal dish celebrating Korea’s wild mountain vegetables, preserved and paired with perilla oil. This could be served either as noodles (myeon) or rice (bap). The flavor is earthy, nutty, and distinctly Korean, offering a pure, almost medicinal tone that locals often associate with springtime health.

ORITANG MYEON (오리탕면)

Duck bone broth | Duck confit | Somyeon noodles | Perilla seed | Fresh + fermented vegetables
This was arguably one of the more robust options. A deep, nourishing duck broth paired with tender duck confit and thin somyeon noodles. The use of perilla seed powder added a toasty depth, while the fermented vegetables added brightness. It was hearty yet not heavy — perfect for those craving rich umami.

SEOLLONGTANG MYEON (설렁탕면)

36-hour beef bone broth | Braised beef | White pepper noodle | Scallion | Wood ear mushroom
A luxurious spin on Seolleongtang, the traditional milky beef bone soup. Here, the broth had been simmered for 36 hours for a dense, collagen-rich texture. The addition of white pepper noodles gave it a subtle kick, and the garnishes — scallions and wood ear mushrooms — provided contrast and balance. It was familiar, but more refined than your usual bowl of Korean ox bone soup.

LOBSTER ALBAP (랍스터 알밥) +$20

Grilled lobster | Salmon roe | Gochujang rice | Fresh + fermented vegetables
A showstopper dish that required an additional $20, the Lobster Albap was a luxe twist on the classic Korean rice bowl mixed with flying fish roe. This version featured grilled lobster atop gochujang-flavored rice, finished with salmon roe that burst with briny flavor. It was spicy, savory, and layered with texture. A modern Korean seafood dish that delivered both visual and flavor drama.

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🍷 Wine Pairing: Quietly Exceptional

One of the highlights of the meal was the wine pairing, which we chose to complement the prix fixe course. Wine was introduced by the staff with brief notes on origin and flavor profile, and each pairing complemented the dishes without overpowering them.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well the wine selection matched the Korean-inspired ingredients. It wasn’t just an afterthought - it was curated to elevate the entire experience. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring wine and food combinations, this part of the meal definitely adds value.

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Dessert: Haecho, Baesuk, Bokbunja

Haecho - seaweed

This dish turned out to be one of the more interesting and artistic parts of the meal. It was earthy, textural, and served with elements that felt more like a modern art installation than a sugary treat. It’s not for everyone, but I appreciated the creativity and intention behind it. It just tasted just like chocolate cake!

Baesuk - boiled pear

The boiled pear was more familiar and universally enjoyable. Soft, warm, and subtly sweet, it had that signature Korean comfort-food vibe. It reminded me of the bae-suk (배숙) you might enjoy during the winter months back in Korea a simple pear boiled with cinnamon and sometimes jujube. Long Time ago in Korean, people used to eat baesuk to get rid of flu.

Bokbunja - Black Raspberry

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Beyond the Restaurant: A Multifunctional Space with Purpose

It’s worth noting that Genesis House is more than a restaurant. It’s a concept space designed to reflect the values and aesthetics of the Genesis brand. Yes, it’s a car brand - but here, it’s not about selling cars.

The first floor’s Genesis showroom functions almost like an art gallery. The vehicles are displayed with as much reverence as sculptures in a museum, and there’s no hard-sell energy. Upstairs, the restaurant reflects a similar philosophy: luxury through design, thoughtfulness through execution.

This dedication to brand identity, without compromising authenticity, is what sets Genesis House apart from other experiential marketing spaces. It’s a sincere and beautifully executed promotion of Korean culture through food, architecture, and design - and that sincerity is something you can feel the moment you walk in.

There are not only prefix menus, but also a variety of menus, so give them a try!