The story
At 1 East 33rd Street, Octo brings a focused vision to Midtown Manhattan: the Chinese dishes that were uniquely developed in Korea since the late 19th century. The restaurant is born out of the high demand for these classics, which have become some of the most popular foods in Korea. The name Octo, pronounced “oak-toh,” means “good soil” in both Korean and Chinese—a reference to the nurturing role the team hopes to play for both guests and staff.
The menu is a genuine tribute to Korean-Chinese cuisine, balancing the seriousness of traditional Chinese dishes with the distinct interpretations that cater to the Korean palate. You will find the cornerstones of the genre: Jajangmyeon (noodles with black bean paste sauce), Jjamppong (a spicy seafood noodle soup), and Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork or beef). But Octo also pushes further with signatures like a Black Truffle Peking Duck, prepared with new techniques and finished with Italian black truffle and gold leaf, and a Whole Live King Crab Tasting that requires pre-ordering. The kitchen also offers a range of dim sum, from Truffle Siu Mai with soft-boiled quail egg to Kimchi Soup Dumplings.
The dining room is elegant and comfortable, a setting that has earned the restaurant a spot on the Michelin Recommended list for 2026. It is a place where foodies can explore elevated authenticity, and where the flavors of Korean-Chinese cuisine—time-honored and rooted in tradition—are served with a distinctly New York energy.
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