Little Banchan Shop, a Korean specialty store with an emphasis on high-quality, organic banchan offerings, will open its first Manhattan outpost at Pier 57’s food hall, Market 57, and is the latest move from owner Hooni Kim, a pioneer in New York City’s traditional Korean dining scene. Opening on May 21, the new location will feature a unique build-your-own Bibimbap Bar, allowing guests to customize their Korean rice bowls with a variety of fresh ingredients.
Bibimbap – a Korean dish comprised of rice, assorted vegetables, egg, and gochujang sauce – has gained popularity worldwide for its harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The Bibimbap Bar at Little Banchan Shop in Market 57 will offer an array of fresh and high-quality ingredients to create a well-balanced meal, including marinated beef, sautéed vegetables, and traditional Korean sauces.
The new Little Banchan Shop will also showcase a five-foot display case filled with more than a dozen varieties of colorful, small-batch Korean food known as banchan. Traditionally, banchan are made in batches, stored in the fridge, and portioned out at mealtimes as needed. The convenient nature of banchan is perfect for modern lifestyles, making it possible to have wholesome, delicious food on the table in minutes. Guests can select their favorites from these traditional Korean essentials, such as sauteed spinach and kimchi, all of which are made on-site at the eatery’s Long Island City location.
Little Banchan Shop opened its original location in Long Island City in 2022 and is the brainchild of Korean American restauranteur and Chef Hooni Kim. As the owner of Michelin-starred Meju, which is run by Little Banchan Shop; Danji, the first Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in the world; and Hanjan (now closed), Kim has been at the forefront of introducing Korean cuisine to a wider audience. With the opening of Little Banchan Shop at Market 57, Kim aims to further his mission of bringing Korean food into the mainstream.
“We’re excited to expand on our Queens location and bring the delicious taste of Korean dining with our high-quality and nutritious ingredients to Manhattan,” said Hooni Kim, owner of Little Banchan Shop in a statement. “Market 57’s diverse roster of global cuisines is a natural fit for this new venture, and we look forward to adding to the authentic dining experience with Little Banchan Shop.”
Focused on women- and BIPOC-owned food concepts, Market 57 serves as a platform for emerging chefs and food entrepreneurs who have been underrepresented in the culinary industry. Curated by Jamestown with input from the James Beard Foundation, Market 57’s vendors are aligned with the Foundation’s mission of championing a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.
Market 57 is located on 15th Street and the West Side Highway in Hudson River Park, between Little Island and Chelsea Piers, and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
