This week we heard from the owner of Round K Cafe, a new coffee shop and Korean restaurant that opened recently at 99 Allen St. Ock Hyeon Byeon has only been in this country for a couple of months. He’s patterned the new spot after South Korean coffee houses of the 60s, 70’s and 80s. Byeon was a barista back home for six years (he also has an engineering degree).
The coffee is made from high quality beans sourced from around the world, including beans grown by a friend in Guatemala. There are specialty teas and delicate Korean-style homemade pastries. A full service food menu is in the works. For now, weekend brunch is served, featuring home style Korean baskets with different meats and tofu over rice with a fried egg, as well as soup and a variety of kimchi. Byeon went before Community Board 3’s liquor licensing panel this week, but was turned away due to an incomplete application; he’ll be back for a beer and wine license next month.
Byeon said he deliberately chose a location away from Koreatown and wanted to be part of a diverse community. He’s offering a Korean language and culture class every week and plans to feature the works of local artists.
Round K Cafe is located on Allen Street just below Delancey Street. They have free wifi.
Excellent and very needed!