Korean Chef Jiho Kim to Launch Flagship Restaurant in Manhattan's Flatiron District

Korean chef Jiho Kim has secured a lease for his flagship restaurant, Jiho, located at 21 West 17th Street in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The restaurant will span 3,120 square feet, with 1,868 square feet dedicated to the ground floor and an additional 1,252 square feet in the basement. The asking rent for the space was set at $120 per square foot.

This New American eatery will showcase a Korean-inspired menu, blending traditional flavors with contemporary culinary techniques. Kim, who previously founded the West Village restaurant Joomak and the food hall restaurant Ddobar in West Chelsea, has been in search of the perfect location for his flagship restaurant for some time. Carson Shahrabani and Noam Aziz of Meridian Capital Group facilitated the transaction on Kim's behalf, expressing their satisfaction in finally finding an ideal site after years of searching.

The location at 21 West 17th Street is part of Louie, a condominium complex developed by Vinbaytel Property Development, which features 21 full-floor condo units. The building was completed in July 2024. Notably, the complex also recently leased its second retail space to chef Andrew Sargent for his inaugural New York City restaurant.

While Joomak is currently closed, according to Yelp, and Ddobar shut its doors in March, Kim's new venture is anticipated to reinvigorate the local dining landscape. The Flatiron District, known for its vibrant culinary scene, is expected to welcome Jiho with open arms as it adds to the diverse offerings available to food enthusiasts in the area.

For further inquiries, Emily Davis can be reached at edavis@commercialobserver.com.