If you’ve followed Jaeki Cho, you can see that beyond filming, narrating and championing small and immigrant eateries around the U.S. (and now the world), this is a man who likes to eat. Scrolling the feed, you can find Cho and company chomping on Nigerian akara-based bean burgers in Brooklyn, sprinkling chopped pistachios over Palestinian knafeh in New Jersey and spending the afternoon eating tlayudas, agua frescas and meringue ice cream in Corona Plaza.
This marathon of food and drink has been a constant of Cho’s life since he first started featuring mom-and-pop spots on his TikTok, his way of showing support to restaurants during the pandemic. People noticed, and through countless videos championing small businesses and community-minded events, Righteous Eats has over 400K followers on TikTok (plus over 200K on Instagram). Cho has been featured in Thrillist and The New York Times and he earned the rightful (dare we say, righteous) title of “mom-and-pop-restaurant hype man." But despite all the good press, Cho stays grounded, forever rooted in putting restaurants first.
But since a number of his hours are dedicated to pounding the pavement across all five boroughs, along the way, he has come across some pretty righteous stuff. Here are his top 10 favorite eats of 2024.
RECOMMENDED: Behind the lens with Righteous Eats’ Jaeki Cho
Where: Koreatown
Type of cuisine: Korean
Why? “A pork bone soup with a depth of flavor only time and patience can achieve. Go all in with extra pork, the kind of umami richness you can’t forget. Pair it with their kimchi mandoo—dumplings that bring just enough spice and tang to cut through the broth’s unctuousness. A soulful meal that sticks to your ribs and lingers on your mind. At one point, I was checking in three times a week.”
Where: Bronx
Type of cuisine: Puerto Rican
Why? “Crispy on the outside, savory on the inside, these fritters deliver the taste of the island in every bite. At South of France, they’re shaped like a bar of soap—unassuming but unforgettable. For the full experience, go for the picadera, a vibrant medley of Puerto Rican finger foods bursting with fried, juicy goodness. Honestly, I’d take this over mozzarella sticks and Buffalo wings any day.”
Where: Astoria
Type of cuisine: Egyptian
Why? “A flaky, buttery pastry (or Egyptian pizza), stuffed with a mix of meats, cheese and vegetables, that’s both hearty and indulgent. Finish with the Nutella and nuts feteer, a dessert that’s part comfort food, part guilty pleasure and wholly satisfying.”
Where: Prospect Lefferts Garden
Type of cuisine: Grenadian
Why? “This is Grenada on a plate. Smoky, tender breadfruit meets perfectly seasoned kingfish fried to golden perfection. Pair it with coconut water straight from a freshly cut young coconut (machete optional). If you’re lucky, indulge in the sweet tang of passion fruit or the creamy tropical richness of soursop, both grown on owner Big Mac’s farm in Grenada.”
Where: Bushwick
Type of cuisine: Mexican
Why? “Mexican-style ices that are more than just dessert—they’re a testament to the Cortes family’s hard work and muscle. The tart lime and sweet cantaloupe flavors transport you to sunny days and simpler times. Pure refreshment in every spoonful.”
Where: Elmhurst
Type of cuisine: Burmese
Why? “A textural wonder of fermented tea leaves, crunchy nuts and a dressing that packs an umami punch. Try it with Nam Gyi Thoke, thick rice noodles tossed with curry chicken, onion and a symphony of Burmese spices. These dishes are complex, vibrant and unapologetically bold.”
Where: Floral Park
Type of cuisine: Halal
Why? “A croissant sandwich that shatters expectations. Maple syrup weaves through layers of a smash burger, egg and buttery pastry, creating a sweet and savory symphony that’s messy, magnificent, and, in this case, holy—because it’s halal.”
Where: Greenpoint
Type of cuisine: Bagels
Why? “Where New York meets umami. Wasabi cream cheese and smoked tuna are tucked into a miso-flavored bagel, delivering heat, brine and just enough funk to keep you coming back for more. The perfect creation from the minds of a Jewish music engineer and a Taiwanese music executive.”
Where: Bronx
Type of cuisine: Mexican
Why? “A dish where every bite feels deliberate, layered with a mole sauce that harmonizes sweet, smoky and spicy flavors like a symphony. This restaurant is owned and operated by a family, not only vocal about their undocumented status but deeply committed to supporting those in need and fighting hunger within the South Bronx community.”
Where: Park Slope
Type of cuisine: Syrian and Korean
Why? “A scallion pancake meets Middle Eastern street food. Topped with hummus, tender meat shawarma, onions, tomatoes and beansprouts—its fusion food at its best.”
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