Her Name Is Han (Koreatown)
Koreatown is home to some of the most popular spots in NYC, ranging from KBBQ to more exciting fusion dishes. However, many diners still seek out Korean comfort food that reminds them of home, and Her Name Is Han is here to deliver.
According to their own language, Her Name Is Han (an eccentric name to begin with) focuses on what they call Korean “soul food”, which primarily consists of traditional and home-cooked meals that many Korean Americans may have eaten while growing up. While some other restaurants may take the hype spotlight in Koreatown NYC from the tourist’s perspective, many locals deem Her Name Is Han to be one of the best authentic Korean restaurants around right now in Manhattan.
And while some aspects of the establishment are reminiscent of traditional Korean restaurants, some are not. For example, the decor inside is an amalgamation of several different styles, with movie spotlights serving as ceiling lighting and library-style lamps resting on books to light each table. Another unique thing to note is the length of the menu. Coming in at twenty-eight pages, the menu’s offerings are sure to provide something for even the pickiest diners, even if they have never tried Korean food before.
Before you even order, a plate of banchan (반찬), or side dishes, comes out for the table. It comes with kimchi, potato salad, marinated spinach, and marinated shredded lotus root (correct me if I’m wrong on this one as I may be). We thought that they were all delicious and made with high quality ingredients. For me, it was pretty similar in quality to the Korean restaurants found in Los Angeles, and nobody had any complaints overall.
For starters, our group got the spicy marinated raw blue crab to share (밥도둑 양념게장), which also comes with a side of white rice. While it may sound like a wild option, you will not be disappointed. Each guest is offered rubber gloves to grab the crabs with, and the best way to get the crab meat is to bite down directly on the body and squeeze it out of the shell. The meat’s texture is very similar to raw sea urchin in sushi restaurants, and its taste is smooth, buttery, and slightly salty. While you may have seen videos of this dish trending on TikTok recently, it is a longtime favorite amongst many Koreans and completely safe to eat while raw. However, it should be noted that this version is fairly spicy if you cannot handle spice well.
For one of our entrees we ordered the large K.F.C., or Korean fried chicken. Each piece is fried with potato starch and fried twice, giving it the signature crispiness that is associated with Korean fried chicken. While this kind of dish usually comes with sauce glazed on top, this version has a sweet and sour sauce on the side along with a helping of pickled radishes. The chicken is crispy on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside. The taste is excellent with well-balanced flavor profiles that is complemented by the sauce and radishes.
Up next we have the spicy pork BBQ. A simple dish, it consists of pork marinated in gochujang (Korean red chili pepper) sauce grilled over a fire to bring out the meat’s smokiness and depth. The meat is tender and has a slight kick to it from the sauce, making it excellent for those wanting a spicier entree option. It also comes with a side of salad with large columns of mushrooms dotting the plate. There is also a similar option that comes with chicken and the same side if you do not eat pork.
Lastly, we have the yuzu chicken noodle soup which is basically Korean knife cut noodles (고유 한 닭칼국수) with a twist. It is topped with crushed black sesame and chives, helping to give the soup a rich and deeply umami flavor when mixed together. But while it is “deep” in flavor, it is also surprisingly light and refreshing. Even with the chicken, the broth is not overly heavy and does not make you feel bloated afterwards. The shredded chicken is tasty and plentiful, and the noodles are perfectly taut and absorb the broth superbly. The real star of the dish though, is the yuzu oil. While most items in this article so far have been more or less traditional, the yuzu flavoring turns this traditional Korean noodle dish into something that is elevated and modern. It is a beautifully unexpected twist that is fragrant, tantalizing, and leaves you wanting more. Among the many modern Korean fusion dishes I have tried in my time, I believe that this dish pulls it off the best.
Our group was incredibly satisfied with this meal and left feeling full. We would all come here again and we could all see why this restaurant has the local fame that it does amongst New Yorkers. As the restaurant gets crowded during peak dinner times, you may have to wait, especially if coming with a large group. At a solid price point with excellent food and even better customer service, Her Name Is Han is a real gem of New York City’s Koreatown dining scene.
