Fresh off their historic comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, BTS wasted no time settling into New York and their first stop was a bowl of pork gomtang. The group visited OKDONGSIK, a Michelin-listed Korean restaurant in Koreatown, Manhattan, on the evening of March 23, just hours after wrapping their “Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE” event at Pier 17.
Which BTS Members Visited OKDONGSIK?
Four members made the visit in casual outfits, keeping things low-key after a packed schedule:
- Jin
- RM
- J-Hope
- V
The members were captured on video enjoying their meal in a relaxed setting. After dining, they headed to their vehicle and, even under tight security, acknowledged fans warmly with eye contact as they left (classic BTS behaviour that had ARMY losing it online).
What Chef Ok Dong-Sik Said
Chef Ok Dong-Sik, the owner and head chef behind OKDONGSIK, confirmed the visit himself. Here is what he shared:
- “We were contacted in advance through their manager to check if dining would be possible.”
- Four members visited and enjoyed their meal.
- He also revealed that one of the members became interested in the restaurant after watching Culinary Class Wars Season 2 on Netflix.
The fact that BTS reached out beforehand shows this was a deliberate choice, not just a random stop.
Why OKDONGSIK? Here’s the Story Behind the Restaurant
OKDONGSIK is not just any restaurant. It carries a genuinely interesting backstory that connects several big cultural moments:
| Detail | Info |
| Founded | 2016, Hapjeong, Mapo District, Seoul |
| Specialty | Pork Gomtang (clear pork bone soup) |
| Michelin Listed | Since 2018 |
| Netflix Appearance | Culinary Class Wars Season 2 |
| New York Pop-Up | November 2025 |
| Permanent NYC Location | Opening April 2026 |
Chef Ok Dong-Sik appeared on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 2 with the concept “Pork Gomtang in New York,” which put both the chef and the dish firmly on the global map. The New York branch launched as a pop-up in November 2025 and is set to open its permanent Manhattan location in April 2026, making BTS’s visit feel perfectly timed.
What Was BTS Doing in New York?
The visit fits into a packed comeback schedule. Here is a quick breakdown of their recent and upcoming activities:
- March 20 — Released their fifth full-length album, ARIRANG
- March 21 — Held a massive comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul
- March 23 — Attended the “Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE” fan event at Pier 17, Manhattan
- March 23 (evening) — Visited OKDONGSIK in Koreatown, Manhattan
- March 25 and 26 — Scheduled appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
- April 9 to 12 — BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN GOYANG at Goyang Stadium kicks off a world tour spanning 82 shows across 34 cities
Will OKDONGSIK Become the Next BTS Fan Pilgrimage Spot?
Almost certainly. BTS has a long track record of turning the places they visit into must-go destinations for global ARMY. The group has previously recommended Korean eateries serving dishes like blood sausage soup with rice, milmyeon (wheat noodle soup), and ssambap (rice with assorted wraps), and each of those spots quickly became part of the unofficial BTS food tour route for international fans visiting Korea.
Following the Gwanghwamun comeback concert on March 21, global fans who travelled to Seoul were already sharing their BTS food tour experiences on social media. Now, with OKDONGSIK entering the picture — tied to both BTS and a hit Netflix show — the restaurant is very likely to see a surge in fan traffic, particularly as it prepares to open its permanent New York location in April.
Key Takeaways
- Jin, RM, J-Hope, and V visited OKDONGSIK in Manhattan on March 23, 2026
- Chef Ok Dong-Sik confirmed the visit and said the members contacted him in advance through their manager
- One member reportedly discovered the restaurant through Culinary Class Wars Season 2 on Netflix
- OKDONGSIK has been Michelin-listed since 2018 and is opening a permanent NYC location in April 2026
- BTS is currently on their ARIRANG world tour, covering 82 shows across 34 cities
Whether you are an ARMY tracking every move or simply a fan of good food content, OKDONGSIK is clearly a spot worth knowing. With its Michelin pedigree, Netflix fame, and now a BTS stamp of approval, it is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about Korean restaurants outside of Korea in 2026.
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