You’ll find plenty of destination restaurants in Williamsburg, but LALAON has something many of them don’t: a front-row seat on the East River. Inspired by the communal dining traditions of Seoul’s Han River, the expansive Korean restaurant pairs uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline with premium Korean barbecue, creative cocktails, and an exceptionally diverse wine program.
Inspired by Seoul’s Han River
For founders Ju Young Oh and Min Sung Kang, LALAON grew out of personal experience rather than a restaurant concept. Kang spent his childhood near the Han River, where barbecue dinners, celebrations, and shared meals by the water were simply part of everyday life. Those memories became the inspiration for bringing that same sense of community to Brooklyn. The restaurant’s motto—“By the water; shaped by fire”—captures that vision. Meals are designed to be shared and the focus is on gathering around the table rather than rushing through dinner.
A Menu Built Around Sharing
The culinary program is led by Executive Chef Seung Hoon Jung, Head Chef Donny Kim, and Sous Chef Dasom Kim. Their menu celebrates traditional Korean cuisine with contemporary influences.
Korean barbecue is built for sharing. Premium cuts of meat arrive alongside steamed egg, fresh ssam vegetables, flavorful stews, and an extensive assortment of house-made banchan. Together, they create a traditional Han-sang-style feast that encourages everyone at the table to sample a little of everything.
The BBQ Experience is the menu’s centerpiece. The kitchen selects four chef-curated meats for the table—dry-aged ribeye, short rib, American Wagyu, and New York strip among them—and rather than handing diners the tongs, the staff handles the grilling from start to finish. Each cut is cooked tableside on the restaurant’s signature grill and served at precisely the right moment. Watching the process unfold becomes part of the experience, with the aroma of caramelizing marinades and sizzling beef adding another sensory layer to the experience.
Although barbecue is the main attraction, it’s hardly the whole story. The kitchen also turns out a thoughtful selection of seafood, Korean-Chinese specialties, and traditional comfort dishes that showcase the range of Korean cooking. Standouts include the deeply savory Brisket Soybean Paste Stew, refreshing Bibim Naengmyeon, richly satisfying Galbi Kimchi Fried Rice, and spicy Gochujang Pork Belly. Smaller plates—including Corn Ribs, Korean Fried Chicken, Beef Tartare, ceviche, and the inventive Don Burger—offer plenty of opportunities to mix and match flavors.
Cocktails Worth Exploring
Cocktails receive as much attention as the food. The beverage program blends Korean ingredients with premium spirits to create drinks that are inventive and delicious. The citrus-forward GGC combines soju, Haku vodka, and yuzu for a bright, refreshing start to the evening, while the Ah-Ah offers an elevated take on the espresso martini with Ketel One vodka and coffee liqueurs. The floral Cote blends lychee with St-Germain, while other cocktails incorporate jasmine, mandarin, Midori, and Korean-inspired garnishes. The GGC is an especially refreshing companion to the meal, balancing citrus and subtle sweetness without overwhelming the food.
Wine lovers shouldn’t overlook the list. It’s unusually broad for a Korean restaurant, with enough depth to pair comfortably with everything from seafood and vegetable dishes to richly marbled beef. Korean beers and a colorful collection of thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic cocktails round out the beverage program.
Contemporary Design with a Waterfront Focus
Oh, who serves as the restaurant’s creative director, personally designed the 10,000-square-foot space, drawing on decades of experience in architecture and interior design across Korea and New York.
The interiors balance polished materials with an inviting warmth. Marble, natural stone, wood, concrete, and expansive glass walls create a contemporary backdrop that compliments what everyone came to see—the river just beyond the windows. Whether seated in the main dining room, the lively bar, or on the outdoor terrace, the waterfront remains a constant presence.
LALAON accommodates more than 300 guests across several distinct spaces, including a 40-seat cocktail bar, an 80-seat main dining room, an outdoor terrace overlooking the East River with seating for approximately 100 guests, and a mezzanine designed for private celebrations and events.
Simply put, LALAON offers a dining experience that feels welcoming, generous, and genuinely designed to bring people together. It’s a win for Williamsburg.
Photos courtesy of LALAON
