We arrived on a Saturday night and were seated quickly in time for our reservation, which was a great start to the evening. Space felt much smaller than expected, and the tables are extremely close together. The dining area felt tight and very loud as a result. One thing that stood out was the placement of the single bathrooms. They are right near the dining area. If someone forgets to close the door, the smell carries over to nearby tables, which is not ideal in such a compact space. Of course, that is largely due to the layout, so it is not necessarily anyone’s fault. That said, some type of diffuser and space separator might help. The bathrooms themselves could also use some attention, as they felt quite unkempt and gave off more of a club bathroom vibe than a restaurant.
Our table for 2 had a large cylinder filled with chopsticks, which felt unnecessary and took up valuable table space given how small the tables are.
Unfortunately, the water glasses we were initially given were visibly dirty, though they were promptly replaced once we mentioned it. While the staff was cleaning a nearby table, cleaning spray was used and some of it drifted onto us. Given how close the tables are, it might be better to spray the cloth first and then wipe the tables to avoid overspray.
There were also long gaps between dishes coming out, which made it difficult to enjoy the meal together since items arrived at very different times. One of our dishes was forgotten entirely, though to the server’s credit they quickly corrected the mistake. They also comped part of the bill, which was not necessary but was a very kind gesture and much appreciated.
Overall, the drinks are strong and the food is decent if you enjoy fusion style dishes. While the tight layout made table dining less comfortable, I would consider coming back and sitting at the bar next time for a different experience. As a millennial, I did enjoy the music videos and playlist playing in the background. It added a fun, nostalgic vibe to the night.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Mondy Telfort
Unfortunately Nowon is very underwhelming. A group of us came in for Restaurant Week, and from the start things felt disorganized. Our original waitress didn’t seem confident about allergy information for the menu items. She would check with the kitchen and confirm something was safe for me to eat, only to return later and say it actually wasn’t. That back-and-forth was frustrating and concerning. There was also confusion when she explained the Restaurant Week menu and ordering requirements, which made the process more complicated than it needed to be.
One person in our party ordered a drink that never arrived. When we asked about it, another waitress told us they were out of that drink — which was odd because no one had informed us. Our original waitress never returned to the table, and we ended up being taken over by someone else without explanation. Though the second waitress was great.
The service overall was extremely slow. By the time we placed our orders, the restaurant was nearly empty, yet the food still took a very long time to come out.
As for the food itself, it was mediocre at best. I had a hard time understanding how the cuisine reflected Korean flavors as suggested — there didn’t seem to be much Korean flair. The menu is quite limited, and the pricing feels too high for the quality being offered. In a competitive area like the Seaport, I don’t think this restaurant stands out.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place, and unfortunately I won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Frank Gannon
My wife and I came in for the first time tonight and were blown away by the food. The Legendary Burger absolutely lives up to the hype. Perfectly cooked, insanely flavorful, and easily one of the best burgers we’ve had in a long time. The General Lee’s Fried Chicken was also outstanding. Crispy, bold, and packed with flavor. The kitchen is clearly firing on all cylinders.
Amiel was our bartender and he was pleasant and professional. Service was straightforward and efficient, though we didn’t get much follow-up during the meal. That said, the food more than spoke for itself.
Such a great addition to the Seaport. We’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Hannah
A nice Korean restaurant in the Seaport with beautifully designed, aesthetically pleasing décor. The space feels modern and inviting, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal.
The menu offers more of a creative twist on Korean dishes, incorporating an American flair rather than sticking strictly to traditional preparations. There are plenty of shareable options, which is what we opted for. We shared the Black Sesame Caesar Salad, Chopped Cheese Tteokbokki, and the Legendary Cheeseburger. The portions were great for two people and perfect for sharing.
You definitely still get Korean inspired flavors, which was nice. We especially enjoyed the salad and the cheeseburger, both were flavorful and well executed. The tteokbokki was our least favorite. The flavor itself was good, but since tteokbokki is a personal favorite of mine, I think I would have preferred it in a more traditional preparation rather than as a chopped cheese-style sauce over rice cakes.
Overall, it’s a cool spot that’s great for drinks and food with friends. While those looking for a more traditional Korean dining experience might prefer other options, it’s a fun place to explore Korean inspired flavors in a fresh, modern way. I’d definitely come back to try more from the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Aspen Nehra
Fantastic food, great service, and a really welcoming atmosphere. Everything we ordered was delicious. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eleni Odysseos
The food is absolutely amazing every bite packed with flavor and the drinks are next level, creative and unforgettable. Great atmosphere, great energy, and everything feels thoughtfully done. A must-visit spot in Seaport. Can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin
Burger was good and up to standard, and service for us was pretty good. Nothing too out of the ordinary though, a pleasant dining experience after all if you need to eat something.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ilves
Located conveniently near Boston's main shopping areas, NOWON offers a pleasant dining experience for shoppers looking to take a break. The restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploring shops. The menu, while limited in options, features a selection of well-prepared dishes, although didn’t have the WOW effect. One aspect to note is the service; it can be a bit slow at times. If you are not in a rush, this slower pace can actually enhance your dining experience, allowing you to unwind and enjoy your meal at your leisure. The ambiance is peaceful, making it a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of shopping. Overall, NOWON is a nice restaurant for those looking for nice food in a relaxed setting. Just remember to give yourself ample time to enjoy the meal without the pressure of needing to leave quickly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Manuel Filho
Very good
Shaunik Sachdev
Saving grace as Seaport had no other good place around. Their cheeseburger with gluten free bun was fantastic. The fried chicken burger was also very good but was small-ish in size.
The Kimchi fried rice was the real winner 🥇 Everything about it made you want more. Best fried rice in Boston.
They made a good old fashioned so that always helps the bar get points!
I definitely misjudged Nowon as another influencer focused restaurant that only cares about aesthetics and while that is partly true… the food was pretty good!
The ricotta toast was lovely. The ricotta was whipped really well and it was nice mix of sweet, tangy, and creamy. The bibimbap while tasty, really needed a protein to go with it. The chicken sandwich was good but I’d recommend no peanuts. It did nothing for the sandwich by adding an earthy taste.
Service was also a miss, waitress never came up to check once an we had to flag her down for the check even though it wasn’t busy.
Fix those minor kinks and I can see Nowon being a hit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
David
Please save your money. We just waited an hour for all of our food to come out so we could eat together (3 people). By time all the food came, the initial dishes were cold. Our server didn’t even serve us. We had about four different people serve us instead. Also the bibimbap plot really tasted like a HealthyChoice hear up stir fry 😭 • Broccolini came out cold. • Overcooked mushy rice • Excessive cheese on veggies
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Christopher C
My wife waited 30 minutes to receive her food. The waiter didn’t even give us our food; another worker gave us our food. Abysmal service overall. I lined the tip for $0 and I check my statement to see I was charged an additional amount. Ridiculous.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Emiel Barbosa
The legendary burger was definitely worth the hype
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
t k
Hands down the best burger in Boston. Chicken was incredible as well.
We arrived on a Saturday night and were seated quickly in time for our reservation, which was a great start to the evening. Space felt much smaller than expected, and the tables are extremely close together. The dining area felt tight and very loud as a result. One thing that stood out was the placement of the single bathrooms. They are right near the dining area. If someone forgets to close the door, the smell carries over to nearby tables, which is not ideal in such a compact space. Of course, that is largely due to the layout, so it is not necessarily anyone’s fault. That said, some type of diffuser and space separator might help. The bathrooms themselves could also use some attention, as they felt quite unkempt and gave off more of a club bathroom vibe than a restaurant.
Our table for 2 had a large cylinder filled with chopsticks, which felt unnecessary and took up valuable table space given how small the tables are.
Unfortunately, the water glasses we were initially given were visibly dirty, though they were promptly replaced once we mentioned it. While the staff was cleaning a nearby table, cleaning spray was used and some of it drifted onto us. Given how close the tables are, it might be better to spray the cloth first and then wipe the tables to avoid overspray.
There were also long gaps between dishes coming out, which made it difficult to enjoy the meal together since items arrived at very different times. One of our dishes was forgotten entirely, though to the server’s credit they quickly corrected the mistake. They also comped part of the bill, which was not necessary but was a very kind gesture and much appreciated.
Overall, the drinks are strong and the food is decent if you enjoy fusion style dishes. While the tight layout made table dining less comfortable, I would consider coming back and sitting at the bar next time for a different experience. As a millennial, I did enjoy the music videos and playlist playing in the background. It added a fun, nostalgic vibe to the night.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Unfortunately Nowon is very underwhelming. A group of us came in for Restaurant Week, and from the start things felt disorganized.
Our original waitress didn’t seem confident about allergy information for the menu items. She would check with the kitchen and confirm something was safe for me to eat, only to return later and say it actually wasn’t. That back-and-forth was frustrating and concerning. There was also confusion when she explained the Restaurant Week menu and ordering requirements, which made the process more complicated than it needed to be.
One person in our party ordered a drink that never arrived. When we asked about it, another waitress told us they were out of that drink — which was odd because no one had informed us. Our original waitress never returned to the table, and we ended up being taken over by someone else without explanation. Though the second waitress was great.
The service overall was extremely slow. By the time we placed our orders, the restaurant was nearly empty, yet the food still took a very long time to come out.
As for the food itself, it was mediocre at best. I had a hard time understanding how the cuisine reflected Korean flavors as suggested — there didn’t seem to be much Korean flair. The menu is quite limited, and the pricing feels too high for the quality being offered. In a competitive area like the Seaport, I don’t think this restaurant stands out.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place, and unfortunately I won’t be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My wife and I came in for the first time tonight and were blown away by the food. The Legendary Burger absolutely lives up to the hype. Perfectly cooked, insanely flavorful, and easily one of the best burgers we’ve had in a long time. The General Lee’s Fried Chicken was also outstanding. Crispy, bold, and packed with flavor. The kitchen is clearly firing on all cylinders.
Amiel was our bartender and he was pleasant and professional. Service was straightforward and efficient, though we didn’t get much follow-up during the meal. That said, the food more than spoke for itself.
Such a great addition to the Seaport. We’ll be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
A nice Korean restaurant in the Seaport with beautifully designed, aesthetically pleasing décor. The space feels modern and inviting, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal.
The menu offers more of a creative twist on Korean dishes, incorporating an American flair rather than sticking strictly to traditional preparations. There are plenty of shareable options, which is what we opted for. We shared the Black Sesame Caesar Salad, Chopped Cheese Tteokbokki, and the Legendary Cheeseburger. The portions were great for two people and perfect for sharing.
You definitely still get Korean inspired flavors, which was nice. We especially enjoyed the salad and the cheeseburger, both were flavorful and well executed. The tteokbokki was our least favorite. The flavor itself was good, but since tteokbokki is a personal favorite of mine, I think I would have preferred it in a more traditional preparation rather than as a chopped cheese-style sauce over rice cakes.
Overall, it’s a cool spot that’s great for drinks and food with friends. While those looking for a more traditional Korean dining experience might prefer other options, it’s a fun place to explore Korean inspired flavors in a fresh, modern way. I’d definitely come back to try more from the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Fantastic food, great service, and a really welcoming atmosphere. Everything we ordered was delicious. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is absolutely amazing every bite packed with flavor and the drinks are next level, creative and unforgettable. Great atmosphere, great energy, and everything feels thoughtfully done. A must-visit spot in Seaport. Can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Burger was good and up to standard, and service for us was pretty good. Nothing too out of the ordinary though, a pleasant dining experience after all if you need to eat something.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Located conveniently near Boston's main shopping areas, NOWON offers a pleasant dining experience for shoppers looking to take a break. The restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploring shops.
The menu, while limited in options, features a selection of well-prepared dishes, although didn’t have the WOW effect.
One aspect to note is the service; it can be a bit slow at times. If you are not in a rush, this slower pace can actually enhance your dining experience, allowing you to unwind and enjoy your meal at your leisure. The ambiance is peaceful, making it a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of shopping.
Overall, NOWON is a nice restaurant for those looking for nice food in a relaxed setting. Just remember to give yourself ample time to enjoy the meal without the pressure of needing to leave quickly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Very good
Saving grace as Seaport had no other good place around.
Their cheeseburger with gluten free bun was fantastic. The fried chicken burger was also very good but was small-ish in size.
The Kimchi fried rice was the real winner 🥇
Everything about it made you want more. Best fried rice in Boston.
They made a good old fashioned so that always helps the bar get points!
Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I definitely misjudged Nowon as another influencer focused restaurant that only cares about aesthetics and while that is partly true… the food was pretty good!
The ricotta toast was lovely. The ricotta was whipped really well and it was nice mix of sweet, tangy, and creamy. The bibimbap while tasty, really needed a protein to go with it. The chicken sandwich was good but I’d recommend no peanuts. It did nothing for the sandwich by adding an earthy taste.
Service was also a miss, waitress never came up to check once an we had to flag her down for the check even though it wasn’t busy.
Fix those minor kinks and I can see Nowon being a hit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Please save your money. We just waited an hour for all of our food to come out so we could eat together (3 people). By time all the food came, the initial dishes were cold. Our server didn’t even serve us. We had about four different people serve us instead. Also the bibimbap plot really tasted like a HealthyChoice hear up stir fry 😭
• Broccolini came out cold.
• Overcooked mushy rice
• Excessive cheese on veggies
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
My wife waited 30 minutes to receive her food. The waiter didn’t even give us our food; another worker gave us our food. Abysmal service overall. I lined the tip for $0 and I check my statement to see I was charged an additional amount. Ridiculous.
Food: 3
Service: 1
The legendary burger was definitely worth the hype
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hands down the best burger in Boston. Chicken was incredible as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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