Hangawi

12 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016, United States
+1 212-213-0077
$$$ Vegan restaurant , Korean restaurant , Vegetarian restaurant
(1888 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Hangawi is a quietly distinctive spot tucked away in Midtown Manhattan that offers a dining experience focused on vegan Korean cuisine. It’s not your average casual dinner destination—guests enter by removing their shoes to step into a space designed with a calm, almost meditative atmosphere that encourages slowing down and savoring the meal. The ambiance feels intimate and thoughtfully arranged, perfect for those looking to escape the city's daytime rush or seeking a quieter dinner surrounded by subtle, warm lighting and minimalist decor.

The menu here leans heavily on plant-based interpretations of classic Korean dishes, with highlights including the gluten-free Hangawi Bibimbap, the aroma-rich Black Truffle Dumplings, and a rotating selection of mushroom-centric plates that seem to impress many visitors. The food is crafted with care, showcasing balanced flavors that aren’t overly flashy but maintain a refined authenticity. Sharing multiple dishes is a smart approach here, allowing diners to sample a range of textures and heat levels—from the spicy tofu kimchi hot pot to the gently sweet pumpkin porridge.

Hangawi tends to attract those who appreciate mindful eating, whether you’re a longtime vegan or simply curious about plant-based Korean fare. The experience often includes a few moments of quiet between courses, with the main dishes arriving a bit more leisurely than the starters—something to expect if you’re planning a relaxed, unhurried meal. The staff are attentive without being intrusive, and the level of service generally matches the calm pace of the restaurant.

This place works well for small groups or dinner dates that want to enjoy something different from the usual New York dining options but still appreciate a certain level of care in presentation and ingredient sourcing. Drinks—both cocktails and non-alcoholic—play a supporting role, with a few inventive options that complement the food rather than steal the spotlight.

Given its atmosphere and thoughtful menu, Hangawi fits best for weekday or weekend dinners when you can commit to a leisurely meal without needing quick turnover. It’s a spot where the ritual of removing shoes, sitting on floor cushions or low seating, and sharing dishes adds a layer of cultural immersion that many diners find memorable.

Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Parking
Difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Tuesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Wednesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Thursday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

1:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

1:00 AM - 9:30 PM

1888 Reviews
chintan anjaria

29 Dec 2025

The food was absolutely excellent — I honestly wish I could give it more than 5 stars! I loved the taste; every bite was amazing. The atmosphere was really good and made the experience even better. The service was fast for the appetizers, though the main course did take a little time, but it was worth the wait. I would highly recommend trying the Combination Roll and the Kimchi Clay Bowl — both were outstanding. Definitely a place I’d recommend! It is an amazing vegan place

Prerana Dewan

28 Dec 2025

This restaurant is an absolute gem and one of its kind. Having a vegan Korean restaurant in the city is truly a blessing and the food, experience, and staff here are all truly exceptional. We tried the emperors mini lunch menu that includes a soup, appetizer, entree, and dessert and it was so worth it! It was a great way to try a little bit of everything and the portions were very substantial. All of the food tasted so fresh, flavorful, and packed with vegetables. I loved the pumpkin porridge, sweet corn soup, and rice cakes. Both the stuffed mushrooms and combination rolls were delicious and so unique. Soy chocolate ice cream for dessert was light and tasty. Lastly, it’s so wonderful sitting without shoes in the cozy environment and heated floors. Would absolutely come here and again and it’s now one of my favorite spots!

Devon V

23 Dec 2025

We honestly visit NYC from Philly just to have dinner here. The dishes and sake list are out of this world and always leave us wanting to come back instead of trying somewhere new. The restaurant is beautiful with the best staff. This was our first time having a cocktail and it was perfectly made. Not a single dish we wouldn't order again. Highly recommend splitting so you can try more!

Neha

17 Dec 2025

I love that you take your shoes off and you have a very authentic experience. I liked the food a lot but nothing really wowed me. I loved the dumplings the most. I had the tofu bibbimbap which was great I got a mango drink called the meditation- I would definitely skip this one. The other drinks my friends ordered were way better. The cucumber one was solid

Savannahkhay

20 Nov 2025

Hangwai is an absolute standout—one of those restaurants where every detail feels intentional, from the warm atmosphere to the beautifully plated dishes. The menu is creative without being pretentious, and the flavors are exceptionally well balanced. We especially recommend the mushroom truffle dish, which was the star of the night. The truffle aroma hits you before the first bite, and the combination of earthy mushrooms and rich, silky truffle is unbelievably good. It’s the kind of dish you instantly want to order again, even before you’re finished with it. Service was friendly and attentive, and the pacing of the meal was perfect. Hangwai strikes that rare balance of being refined yet comfortable—an excellent choice for a special night out or a memorable meal with friends.

Selina Oeien

17 Oct 2025

One of my favorite restaurants in all of New York — the tranquil environment and tastiest vegan, Korean food. Such a relaxing dining experience on the tatami mats, an oasis from the hustle outside! I honestly love any of their stone bowl rice options but the korean pancake platter and kale dumplings in tofu skin wrap steal the show! Every ingredient feels so mindful in creating the most comforting flavors. Our host even brought over a complimentary vegan tiramisu, which was the perfect end to the night. Highly, highly recommend booking a reservation here!

Steph W

07 Oct 2025

Ambiance (5/5): This was such an immersive dining experience! As soon as you walk in, you are asked to take off your shoes, where you walk up an elevated level to then descend into the floor where the tables are. There are some tables that are normal as well but I think has to be selected when you make your reservation and/or request them. The staff are in traditional outfits, the dividers between the tables are decorated, the furniture/walls/pictures are ornate. The restaurant is fairly dark and noise level was okay to louder since we’re nested so close. Service (5/5): Our server gave us good recommendations and was very attentive to our needs. It may be harder to flag someone down but there are plenty of servers/busboys helping throughout that we did not have any issues. Cauliflower bites (5/5): There is a nice breading that soaks up the spicy sauce. It was my favorite of the 3 apps that we ordered. Baby dumpling (5/5): These cannot be fried. I still enjoyed them! Bossam bites (3/5): The skin of the bites were not to my liking. The whole dish is something I would have skipped. Before the entrees, they provided some free kimchi dishes (spicy and non-spicy)! Mongolian Hot Pot (5/5): I felt like there was so much flavor and tons of ingredients that were in the dish. I had enough to take home to-go. My friend’s tofu dish was also very flavorful (and I slightly preferred hers over mine!) I can concur that this place is worthy of a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Amazing that the whole menu is vegan-friendly!

Astha Avinash

26 Sep 2025

Really cute date night vibe, and prompt service. We got the rice bowl with truffle and mushroom and it was delicious. The fruit tea was also a new favorite. Got the Mongolian stew and loved how spicy and flavorful it was. Not a fan of the spicy baby dumplings - thought the skin was thicker than usual dumplings and the filling a little bland.

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