A Seoul-inspired spot called Lalaon (22 North 6th St.) opened on June 17 in Williamsburg. Lalaon brings Korean barbecue and comfort food, fresh seafood, and the gathering culture of Seoul’s Han River to the East River waterfront.

Lalaon was founded by husband and wife team, Ju Young Oh and Min Sung Kang, Brooklyn locals who own Ms. Ohho in Greenpoint, known for Korean home cooking. For Lalaon, Oh and Kang have created a restaurant that is more upscale than MS. OHHO, but just as welcoming. 

The duo told Greenpointers that when they discovered Lalaon’s waterfront location, “it immediately felt right” because it reminded them of Seoul’s Han River, where Kang grew up.

Kang remembers how food naturally brought families together there and said that it’s a place where people gather to share food, conversation, and experiences. Memories of those shared tables became the inspiration for Lalaon. 

“The concept for Lalaon naturally aligned with both the location and those personal memories,” they said.

Lalaon’s kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Seung Hoon Jung, Head Chef Donny Kim and Sous Chef Dasom Kim. 

The team’s menu focuses on a Korean barbecue experience designed for communal dining, encouraging guests to gather around the table and share dishes.

The barbecue experience features premium cuts of meat paired with steamed egg, ssam vegetable sets, traditional Korean stews and a selection of authentic banchan.

The remainder of the menu offers raw bar seafood, Korean-Chinese comfort dishes and traditional Korean favorites like brisket soybean paste stew, galbi kimchi fried rice, and gochujang pork belly. The menu also includes corn ribs, Korean fried chicken, a burger, beef tartare, and ceviche.

Lalaon’s cocktail program highlights Korean ingredients like jasmine and mandarin. Examples on the cocktail menu include the citrus-forward GGC with soju and Haku vodka and the Cote with lychee and St-Germain.

Lalaon was personally designed by Oh, who is also the restaurant’s creative director.

Lalaon’s sweeping 10,000 square feet of space includes over 300 seats across the bar, dining room, outdoor patio, and mezzanine, which is used for private events. Oh designed the restaurant’s vast interiors with marble, natural stone, concrete, wood, and glass to create a contemporary design.

Lalaon is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.