Noreetuh

The story

Noreetuh in New York City: Modern Hawaiian Dining in the East Village

Noreetuh serves modern Hawaiian cooking at 128 First Avenue in New York City's East Village, and the Michelin Guide awarded it a Bib Gourmand in 2026 for good quality, good value cooking. The restaurant's name means playground in Korean, and the menu reflects that mix of cultures in its Hawaiian base.

Chef Chung Chow's cooking

Chef and co-owner Chung Chow builds the menu around Hawaiian staples and adds Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese influences. Musubi, the rice and nori snack from Hawaii, appears in many versions, from classic SPAM to Hokkaido scallop with nori mayo and lemon.

Standout dishes

The mochiko fried chicken comes with pickles, Hawaiian macaroni salad and King's Hawaiian rolls, and a loco moco version is also on the menu. Grilled iberico rib meat and smoked lamb with flour wraps show a heavier side of the kitchen. Larger tables can order a whole roasted heritage pig, which needs at least two weeks' notice and prepayment. Dessert includes bruléed Hawaiian pineapple and a chocolate haupia sundae.

Wine and drinks

General manager and co-owner Jin Ahn runs a list of about 300 wines with a strong French and German selection, plus craft beers and specialty sakes. Wine Spectator gave the list its Best of Award of Excellence in 2021. The restaurant has also hosted a wine dinner series since 2015, with themes that have ranged from Champagne Bollinger to Rieslings.