Momofuku Ssäm Bar (CLOSED)

Chef and owner David Chang’s empire of restaurants has many hits, from the fried chicken sandwiches at Fuku to the fine dining-focused Ko. He’s published cookbooks, owned a beloved magazine (R.I.P., Lucky Peach) and keeps growing his business. For us, Momofuku Ssam Bar is that perfect bridge between the Chang of the early days (he started in the East Village with Noodle Bar) and the newer establishments he continues to open across the country. It’s still buzzy, hip music plays and the Korean-inspired cuisine is still just as good as ever.