Atoboy Turns 10 in NoMad, NYC: A Look at the Korean Restaurant's Banchan-Inspired Roots

Atoboy, the Korean-inspired restaurant in New York's NoMad neighborhood, has reached its tenth year. It first opened its doors in July 2016 on East 28th Street, and the milestone is a good moment to look at what the place is built on.

The name comes from "Ato," an old Korean word meaning gift. The idea behind the restaurant is banchan, the small side dishes that arrive with every Korean meal. Instead of a conventional set of large plates, the cooking takes that habit of many small dishes as its starting point and builds Korean-inspired cuisine from it. Readers who know Japanese teishoku or kaiseki, with their rows of little bowls, will recognize the logic.

Today the restaurant serves a four-course prix-fixe menu, paired with a curated drinks list that leans toward wine. Over the years it has been recognized by The New York Times and the Michelin Guide, and it has appeared on the OAD list of top restaurants alongside dining destinations from around the world.

Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with the last reservation at 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the last reservation at 10 p.m. Reservations go through Resy, and gift cards are sold on the restaurant's website.

Atoboy is at 43 E. 28th St., New York. For press inquiries, the restaurant lists a dedicated contact on its website, and general questions go to info@atoboynyc.com.