Konban NYC

This Japanese restaurant from Seoul first appeared in New York as a pop-up at Domodomo, showcasing their pork chop-sized katsu. And you’ll find a bunch of different katsu options, as well as a small izakaya menu, at Konban’s first US location in Chelsea. The subterranean space has a window-framed outdoor rock garden, and a semi-open kitchen, with chefs who greet you loudly when you walk in. 

Get the inch-thick pork loin or tenderloin katsu, which are rosy pink in the center, and good value at $16 and $14 respectively. The appetizers and larger dishes, like a black garlic-forward beef udon with tripe are satisfying too, and they have a bunch of Japanese beers, wine and sake options. The lighting here is built for your phone-eats-first friend, but we like that you can stare out at the zen garden and dissociate while they find the sharpest focus on those panko-crusted cutlets.

photo credit: IDBD NYC

photo credit: Laura Moss

photo credit: Will Hartman