Genesis House
New York

02.22.2024 / 5 MIN Read /

It was once again the time of year when the crisp New York City air ushers in a palette of warm hues, and we find ourselves yearning for somewhere new, but comfortable enough to hide away.

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It was once again the time of year when the crisp New York City air ushers in a palette of warm hues, and we find ourselves yearning for somewhere new, but comfortable enough to hide away.

It was a Sunday evening in early autumn that we had the pleasure of experiencing the tasting menu at Genesis House. As we finished the second course, a soothingly warm, white kimchi broth, while flipping through the pages of a mesmerizing Rothko book from the restaurant’s curated library, we were certain we’d found just the place.

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We initially discovered the somewhat hidden building of Genesis House by chance when walking through the Meatpacking District. We rested there to complete some work in the gorgeous space, as many lucky enough to know of Genesis House do, and immediately planned our next return.

Genesis House is more than a restaurant, it is a sanctuary. Designed by Suh Architects, Kyungen and Eulho Suh, the space is a true work of art that honors traditional elements of Korean heritage and history, while seamlessly matching the modern, cool pulse of Seoul.

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Upon entrance is the tea pavilion, where one must remove their shoes before entering. Surrounding the open-air tea room are bookshelves with over 100 carefully curated publications – this is reason alone to visit the space. From an archive of Hermes scarves in The Hermes Scarf: History and Mystique, to Interview Magazine Covers 1970s to 1990s, there is a book for everyone to achieve their own meditative state within this cultural odyssey.

Within sloped wooden roofs and raised floors reminiscent of hanok architecture, the dining area is both introverted and open, reflecting the tranquility of ancient Korean villages.

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The transportative space complements the intellectual spirit of the dining experience, with a seasonal five-course tasting menu that honors a different Korean Dynasty on rotation. The fall menu introduced us to the culinary delights of the Goryeo Dynasty, a 500-year dynasty founded in 918, distinguished by its caliber of elegance and precious intricacies in the world of food, culture, and art.

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Mil-Cheonsin, a dish inspired by an annual ceremony to pray for a bountiful harvest, combines wheat crepes with chicken and sautéed bellflower roots, or doraji-namul, quintessential to Korean celebrations. The Eoyuk-Kimchi-Naengchae is a wrapped symphony of flavor with octopus, abalone, boiled beef, and Korean citron with ripened white kimchi. And for a dish that’s a visual feast as much as a culinary one, Saengseon-Kkot-Jjim consists of abalone with fish and tofu, crowned with autumn lance asiabell and bellflower, resembling blooming flowers. Finally, Gaeseong-Mu-Jjim, inspired by a dish from Gaesong, simmers beef, chicken, pork, radish, and mushroom together in a tantalizing blend.

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But what’s a feast without a little liquid indulgence? The Genesis House Classic “Spa Day” makes the perfect night-cap with roasted golden barley, soju, and a cucumber sphere ice cube. You might as well be getting a facial with how fresh this drink feels on the palette. Leaving the restaurant, we couldn’t help but feel that we had experienced more than just a meal—we had embarked on a journey through time and space, guided by the bold flavors and warm, opulent yet abstract ambiance of Genesis House.

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Next time you find yourself craving an escape from the cold chaos of a
New York City winter, or looking for a place to rest while out and about
during the more pleasant months, we can promise you refuge in the
sanctuary that is Genesis House.

Next time you find yourself craving an escape from the cold chaos of a New York City winter, or looking for a place to rest while out and about during the more pleasant months, we can promise you refuge in the sanctuary that is Genesis House.

WRITTEN BY SARAH DAOUI