Little Banchan Shop LIC: Korean Comfort with a Modern Twist
Store Overview
Nestled in the heart of Long Island City at 5-28 49th Avenue, Queens, NY 11101, Little Banchan Shop is a modern Korean specialty food store and eatery redefining what “banchan” means for New Yorkers. Created by Chef Hooni Kim — known for his Michelin-starred restaurant Meju — this boutique shop is part gourmet kitchen, part café, and part market. Inside, you’ll find sleek shelves of neatly labeled Korean side dishes, homemade sauces, and freshly prepared meals-to-go. The atmosphere is minimalist and elegant, with soft lighting, clean wooden accents, and the aroma of sesame oil and grilled bulgogi in the air.
Locals pop in for lunch bowls or to stock up on weekly essentials like kimchi and soups, while foodies from across NYC make the trip for the city’s most refined take on home-style Korean cooking. The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about food — explaining ingredients, origins, and pairings with care and pride.
Little Banchan Shop, 5-28 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Menu & Services
Little Banchan Shop’s menu is a rotating showcase of small-batch Korean comfort food made with premium, natural ingredients. Their focus is on banchan — the flavorful side dishes that accompany every Korean meal — as well as ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat options for home dining. Highlights include:
- Kimchi: House-fermented and perfectly balanced — tangy, spicy, and deeply umami.
- Black Bean Sauce Pork Noodles (Jjajangmyeon): A savory, comforting noodle dish for just $17.
- Rice Bowl with Gochujang Pork: Gluten-free and packed with flavor at $19.
- Soy-Garlic Korean Fried Chicken Wings: Crispy, sweet, and organic — a must-try favorite at $18.
- Bibimbap with Bulgogi Beef Brisket: A hearty rice bowl with a mix of textures and heat.
- Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle Soup: A warming, spicy broth perfect for chilly NYC evenings.
Beyond meals, the shop offers handcrafted sauces, Korean condiments, and traditional pantry items like Jeju Mulmaru organic soy sauce. They also feature a line of gluten-free items, including gochujang and soy sauce alternatives, ensuring accessibility for all eaters. Catering is available for groups, and online ordering via littlebanchanshop.com makes it easy to bring this quality Korean cooking home.
Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM.
Review Summary
Little Banchan Shop has earned a 4.5-star rating from over 160 Google reviews, praised for its quality ingredients, beautiful presentation, and authentic flavors. Customers love the freshness of the banchan, the balance of spice and flavor, and the clean, organized space. On platforms like Yelp and DoorDash, reviewers call it “a Korean food utopia” and “the best take-home Korean food in NYC.”
Some note that prices lean higher than typical takeout, but most agree the craftsmanship justifies it. The New Yorker even described it as “a Korean utopia to go,” celebrating Chef Kim’s effort to preserve and modernize the traditions of home-cooked Korean dining.
Human Commentary: In a city obsessed with the next big thing, Little Banchan Shop succeeds by honoring something timeless — care, craft, and the beauty of everyday food. It’s not about flash; it’s about feeding people well, one perfect side dish at a time.
Location & Accessibility
Little Banchan Shop is located in the Hunters Point section of Long Island City, a rapidly growing neighborhood filled with art galleries, high-rise apartments, and creative studios. Nearby landmarks include MoMA PS1, Hunter’s Point South Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, ICONYC Brewing, and LIC Market. It’s easily accessible via the 7, E, and G trains at Court Square or Vernon Blvd–Jackson Ave stations. The area’s mix of residential locals and visiting professionals makes it ideal for both quick lunch runs and thoughtful grocery shopping.
Genius Marketing Analysis
GI (Genius Insight): Little Banchan Shop has created a bridge between traditional Korean home cooking and modern NYC food culture. By emphasizing small-batch production, design aesthetics, and transparency in sourcing, they appeal to both the Korean diaspora and the Brooklyn-style conscious eater.
MDA (Marketing Action): Introduce a “Weekly Banchan Box” subscription — a rotating selection of seasonal side dishes and sauces, delivered or picked up. Perfect for busy professionals who want authentic Korean flavors at home without the prep.
Genius Ideas (10)
- Banchan of the Month: Feature one rotating side dish with a story about its cultural significance.
- Cooking Demo Series: Host weekend demos showing how to use banchan creatively in everyday meals.
- Collaborations with Local Chefs: Limited-edition banchan inspired by NYC restaurants or chefs.
- Family Meal Kits: Ready-to-cook dinner bundles for families — complete with soup, rice, and sides.
- Banchan and Brew Nights: Partner with local breweries like ICONYC for pairing events.
- Mini Market Pop-Ups: Set up pop-up stands at LIC Flea or Smorgasburg with rotating items.
- Reusable Jar Program: Offer discounts for customers who return glass containers for refills.
- Holiday Gift Boxes: Curate sets featuring kimchi, sauces, and snacks for festive gifting.
- Banchan 101 Blog: Educational posts on Korean food traditions and ingredients on their website.
- Neighborhood Loyalty Program: Digital punch card for frequent shoppers to earn discounts or freebies.
Conclusion
Little Banchan Shop isn’t just selling food — it’s sharing a philosophy. Every jar of kimchi, every bowl of rice, every pack of marinated meat tells the story of Korean care and culinary precision. In Long Island City, where new meets old, this shop perfectly mirrors its surroundings: forward-looking yet rooted in heritage. It’s a place where community, flavor, and craft all come together beautifully.
Q & A
Q: What does “banchan” mean?
A: Banchan refers to the small side dishes served alongside rice in Korean cuisine — think kimchi, spinach, pickled radish, and more.
Q: What’s the price range at Little Banchan Shop?
A: Most items range from $10–$20.
Q: Are there gluten-free options?
A: Yes — many dishes use gluten-free soy sauce and gochujang.
Q: Does the shop offer catering?
A: Yes — they now offer catering for delivery or pickup through their website.
Q: Is there seating inside?
A: Limited indoor seating is available, but most customers take their meals to go.
#HASHTAGS
#LittleBanchanShop, #LongIslandCityEats, #KoreanFoodNYC, #BanchanCulture, #LICFoodScene, #HooniKim, #KoreanCuisineQueens, #SmallBatchCooking, #AuthenticKorean, #NYCFoodLovers
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