Ben Hon

Some meals feel like a celebration before the celebration even begins. @vitormendes18 (former chef de cuisine at Theodora) is one of the nicest and most talented chefs I know, and last night he gave a small group of us an early look at iara, his modern Brazilian concept inspired by the Amazon. Six courses, family style, full of energy and laughter. Hosted at the beautiful Miss Ada, this was more than a pop-up preview. Vitor has been putting in the work for a long time, and iara is the clearest sign yet of where he’s headed. Remember the name. This one is going to be special. Swipe through for a look at the night! #iara #vitormendes #risingchef

The first-ever authorized disciple of Japan’s most elusive ramen master just set up shop in New York City. Chef Hiroki Odo of two-Michelin-starred Odo has transformed @the.gallery.nyc into a dedicated ramen residency, bringing in Japan’s Chef Daisuke Watanabe (@ramen_feel ), a direct disciple of the master behind Japan’s most elusive ramen destination, alongside 170-year-old fermentation house Marukome. I was invited to a preview and tried two bowls and the sides. The Miso ramen hit hard, and was rich and garlicky in the best way. The Shio ramen was completely different, light and clean, with handmade noodles that were really nice. The residency runs from May 15 through June 13. No special tickets, just book through OpenTable. It’s part of the regular menu. Swipe through to see what I had! 🍜 #ramen #ramenlover #misoramen #shioramen

Thailand has a special place in my heart. ❤️ I visited two years ago and honestly, I’d move there tomorrow if I could. The people, the culture, the food, especially the rice, it all left a mark on me that I haven’t been able to shake. So when I heard about the @eatthairice event at @platformbyjbf , I knew I had to be there. The event brought together some of the best culinary talent in the city: 🔸 Noah Sandoval (@noahsandoval ), 2025 James Beard Award Winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes • Neal Harden (@chefnealh ), Culinary Director of ABC Restaurants and Executive Chef of abcv • Pithayakorn “Fo” Panapoi, Chef of @ladongnyc • Oksana Chepoy, Pastry Chef of @floretysons • Chompon “Boong” Boonnak (@boongboonnak ), Mixologist at Mahaniyom Each dish was a celebration of Thai rice and what it can be in the hands of people who truly respect the ingredient. It was one of those evenings that reminded me why I love food so much. Not just for how it tastes, but for what it represents, a culture, a people, a place that made me feel completely at home. Swipe through to see everything we experienced. 🍚🇹🇭 #eatthairice #ilovethailand #platformbyjbf

Penn Plaza might be the last place you’d expect a room like this. @thedynamoroom is right next to MSG, and it’s the kind of spot that makes you forget you’re steps away from one of the busiest corners in the city. Beautiful space, great ambience, and the service to match it. This place comes from the team behind Sunday in Brooklyn and Café Chelsea, so it’s no surprise it all comes together the way it does. If you’ve got a show or game at the Garden coming up or just want to try something delicious in the area, make a night of it and start here! Swipe through the carousel to see all the delicious things we had! 1. Highlight reel 2. Pork Tomahawk, Spiced Pork Jus 3. Bigeye Tuna Tartare, Peppers, Capers, Olives 4. Clam & Leek Toast 5. Cocktails 6. Steak Tartare 7. Salt & Vinegar Chips 8. Waldorf Salad Apple, Celery, Grapes, Walnuts, Gouda, Lemon Vinaigrette 9. Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Tartare Sauce 10. Our lovely server 11. Spaghetti & Ramps, Sorrento Lemon, Calabrian Chili, Breadcrumbs 12. Smoked Cheddar Souffle 13. Classic Potato Mash 14. Creamed Greens 15. 50-Day Dry-Aged Split Bone Ribeye, 22oz 16. New York Style Cheesecake 17. Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Profiteroles 18. Carrot Cake 19. Dining Room 20. Exterior #TheDynamoRoom #PennPlaza #MadisonSquareGarden #steakhousenyc

The West Village has no shortage of brunch spots. But none of them are really doing this. @chachatangnyc has been around for two years now,, and their new brunch menu builds on what they already know how to do well. Modern takes on classic Cantonese, executed with a lot of love. The pearl noodles with bacon and egg alone are worth the trip. Chewy, savory, and nothing like the brunch you were expecting. Then there’s the kalbi steak hash and savory oatmeal congee, comforting and nostalgic in the best way. If you’re figuring out plans for Mother’s Day weekend, this is definitely a place to consider. Swipe through for a closer look at each dish! 1. Highlight reel 2. Chicken soup dumplings 3. Beet turnip cake 4. Crystal shrimp dumplings 5. Asian pea and cucumber salad 6. Milk tea 7. Pearl noodles w/ bacon & egg 8. Kalbi steak hash 9. Pancake Jian Bing 10. Savory oatmeal congee 11. Grilled shrimp spring-licious bowl 12. Earl Grey martini 13. HK style French Toast 14. Exterior #chachatang #chachantang #chinesediner #westvillage #brunchnyc

Hojokban x Gebang Sikdang Lunch set is 🔥🔥🔥 From now through May 15, @hojokban ’s lunch and brunch are fully taken over by this pop-up, with an exclusive menu you won’t find anywhere else in NYC. Crabs are flown in from Korea, with rich roe worked throughout. The soy-marinated blue crab is the one to get, aged to bring out its natural sweetness and depth. Lunch is the full set experience. Dinner stays à la carte, with the regular Hojokban menu. This is a limited run. If you like raw, marinated crab, it’s worth making time for. Limited seats, reservations recommended. Swipe through to see the full spread! #hojokbannyc #nyc #gebangsikdang #rawcrab

@oyattenyc is going to be one of the hardest reservations to land this year. Chef Hasung Lee, who recently placed second on Culinary Class Wars, is opening a new restaurant that’s already getting a lot of attention ahead of its debut. Doors open this Tuesday, May 5th. The experience is split across two floors. You start downstairs in a darker, more rustic space, then move upstairs into a brighter, more refined dining room for the second half of the meal. The shift is pretty noticeable and gives the dinner a different pace as it moves along. There’s also a large quartz installation by Bahk Seon Ghi that runs between both floors. It’s one of those details you don’t immediately focus on, but it quietly connects the whole space. I went for a preview, so it’s still early, but this is definitely a spot people are going to be talking about. Swipe through to see the full menu, supplements and all! #oyatte #finedining #tastingmenu

A beautiful recap of one my favorite events of the year - THE JMF BBQ BENEFIT at @pigbeachqueens ! Every year, @pigbeach_bbq hosts a bbq benefit for the Jeff Michner Foundation, where some of the best pitmasters and chefs from around the country gather in Queens to honor and celebrate the life of Jeff Michner, former executive chef of Pig Beach. Jeff passed away suddenly in 2018 at age 36, leaving behind his wife Sarah and daughter Hayes. The proceeds from this event will be donated to the Jeff Michner Foundation, an established 501c3 nonprofit created by the Michner family, which supports families managing loss and grief and provide scholarships to graduating high school students with the love for cooking and golf - two of Jeff’s biggest passions in life. To find out more about this incredible foundation, head on over to @pig_beach_queens . Thank you so much for inviting me again this year, @mattabdoo . I love you and everything you do! 🙏🏻💛 Can’t wait to see everyone again next year! #ForChefJeff #pigbeachbbq #pigbeachqueens #jeffmichnerfoundation

Some places just hit different when you know the people behind it. Got an early look at @shakeshack ’s new Smoky BBQ Menu last week at @madsqparknyc , where it all started, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. The team put a lot of love into this one and honestly, it shows. The Smoky BBQ Menu is available nationwide right now for a limited time. Do yourself a favor and get to your nearest Shack. Swipe through to see everything on the menu! 🍔🙌🏻 #ShakeShack #smokybbq

I’ve known Chef @yuushimano for a long time now, going back to my early days on here, and it’s been incredible watching what he’s built with @restaurant_yuunyc . If you’ve been wanting to experience his cooking, they’re now offering a Wine Bar Short Course Menu ($65 per person). A focused, well-paced menu that gives you a real look into his style, from the duck and foie gras croquette to the lamb chops, with the option to add dessert at the end. A beautiful entry point into what this kitchen is doing. They’re also doing something new with the Restaurant Yuu Luxury Box Set that feeds two people ($78), available for Saturday pickup only. It’s a compact version of the restaurant, with uni chawanmushi, wagyu takikomi rice, and foie gras terrine, all packed to go. It still feels like a complete experience, just in a different format. Always rooting for this place and for Chef Yuu! Swipe through to see both. 🍽️ #restaurantyuu #greenpoint #brooklyn #michelinstar

We’ve got an incredible lineup of artists for our Kimbap & Art Happy Hour on 5/1 with Kimbap Lab x Pearl River Mart. We’ll be highlighting them in the lead-up to the event. First up is Ben Hon (@stuffbeneats ), a good friend of Dan. Ben is a New York–based photographer whose work sits at the intersection of food and people. His photography goes beyond the plate, focusing on the moments, environments, and individuals that shape how we experience a meal. He’s photographed for The Food Network and Bon Appétit, and has worked with brands like Google and Rémy Martin but at its core, his work is about the people and stories behind the food. Come spend some time with Ben’s work in person. Fun fact: one of the first times Dan met Ben was actually at an event Ben shot featuring Kimbap Lab, before Dan was even part of the team! Friday, May 1 5–7PM | Free to attend Pearl River Mart Foods, Chelsea Market (Basement Level) Also featuring: Caitlin Lam (@caitshouse ) Nancy Pappas (@nkpcreate ) Janet Lee (@attab.oy ) Lam Vo (@lammakes ) Carolyn Yoo (@carolynyoo ) Dan Ahn (@danahn17 ) Art, kimbap, desserts from @theeggsuite , and drinks from our neighbors @teaandmilkny will be available for purchase. While Kimbap Lab’s menu is gluten-free, offerings from other vendors may vary.

Four cocktails, one hour, and a format that’s a little different from the usual night out. @cocktail_omakase_nyc on the Lower East Side is built around a four-course tasting, created in collaboration with Tokyo’s Bar Libre. You choose between three paths, non-alcoholic, low-ABV, or full-proof, each served as a progression over the course of the hour. The menu changes every couple of weeks, shaped by seasonality and an ongoing exchange between New York and Tokyo, so it’s always evolving. I hadn’t heard of this place until a friend took me recently, but it’s a fun one to keep in mind for pre or post dinner. On this night, my friend did the spirited menu and I did the non-alcoholic menu because it was a school night. 😅 Swipe through to see how it all came together! 🥃 #cocktailomakase #LES #lowereastside