How Many Restaurants Does Esther Choi Have?

Esther Choi Restaurants: Key Takeaways

Esther Choi owns 6 restaurants, all located within the United States.
Her restaurant portfolio is focused on casual to gastropub dining, with no Michelin-starred establishments to date.
The flagship brand Mŏkbar has grown to 5 locations, emphasizing Korean-inspired ramen and small plates.
Recent expansion includes new venues in Las Vegas and Newark, often in partnership with major hospitality groups like Caesars Entertainment.

Chef Esther Choi has developed a focused and popular restaurant portfolio primarily based in the United States, blending Korean influences with accessible casual dining concepts.

This article explores how many restaurants Esther Choi owns, detailing her core brands, geographic footprint, and approach to the restaurant industry from casual concepts to gastropubs.

Esther Choi Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Esther Choi currently owns and operates a total of 6 restaurants, all of which are located within the United States, predominantly in the New York City area and select expansion cities.

Her portfolio is distinctly focused on casual dining and gastropub concepts rather than fine dining, reflecting a modern approach to approachable Korean cuisine blended with American influences.

Below is an overview of her restaurant distribution by region with notable locations:

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	6	Mŏkbar (New York City, Brooklyn, Midtown Manhattan, Riverdale Maryland, Las Vegas), Ms. Yoo (Lower East Side, NYC)

All of Esther Choi’s restaurants are fully owned with no franchising or licensing deals reported, ensuring consistent control over quality and brand identity.

The brand has pursued growth in key urban markets like Las Vegas in partnership with entertainment groups like Caesars Entertainment and the Newark, New Jersey area, signaling strategic regional expansion beyond NYC.

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Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

To date, Esther Choi does not currently hold any Michelin-starred restaurants. While her concepts focus on flavorful, approachable cuisine, they emphasize casual dining rather than haute gastronomy.

This absence of Michelin recognition aligns with her business model targeting wider audiences with accessible price points and informal atmospheres.

Though there are no Michelin-starred venues, her restaurants have built strong reputations for innovation and quality in casual Korean-American dining.

For insights on Michelin-star trends and statistics, check out restaurant Michelin stars statistics which can offer perspective for restaurateurs aiming for or considering fine dining recognition.

Notable Esther Choi Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Esther Choi’s restaurant portfolio includes two main concepts and a unique venue experience, each targeting different dining moods and markets.

“Mŏkbar” Restaurants

Mŏkbar is Choi’s flagship casual dining brand, featuring Korean-inspired ramen and small plates that combine authenticity with contemporary flair.

This concept has grown to 5 locations, mostly in New York City neighborhoods and one outlier in Las Vegas.

Locations include the bustling Chelsea Market and Brooklyn neighborhoods in NYC, The Hugh in Midtown Manhattan, La Fantome in Riverdale, Maryland, and an expansion to the Forum Food Hall at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Known for its accessible price range of $15 to $30 per person, Mŏkbar bridges the gap between authentic flavors and casual dining, catering to diverse clientele from food hall visitors to neighborhood diners.

Restaurants with bar programs, like Mŏkbar’s cocktail offerings, benefit greatly from expert bartender skills and hiring top talent, which can elevate the guest experience.

Ms. Yoo

Ms. Yoo represents Esther Choi’s gastropub concept located in the Lower East Side of NYC, offering elevated Korean-inspired American bar food paired with a thoughtfully cocktail-focused bar program.

This venue targets a more adult demographic interested in craft cocktails alongside familiar yet inventive Korean-American dishes.

With price points ranging from $30 to $50 per person, Ms. Yoo blends the casual pub atmosphere with a bitten-up bar experience, distinguishing it from the more approachable Mŏkbar locations.

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Unique Venue: Gahm by Mŏkbar

In addition to the main brand, Esther Choi opened a unique venue called Gahm by Mŏkbar in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

This spot offers a tailored menu that complements the core Mŏkbar concept while delivering a neighborhood restaurant experience with distinct personality.

Gahm’s presence extends the reach of the Mŏkbar philosophy into a community-centric environment, emphasizing a blend of casual dining with elevated Korean flavors.

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Esther Choi Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In summary, Esther Choi owns and operates a tightly curated portfolio of 6 restaurants, all based in the United States with no international locations as of mid-2025.

Her focus on casual Korean-inspired dining through flagship concepts like Mŏkbar alongside her gastropub Ms. Yoo illustrates a thoughtful approach to expanding Korean flavors in approachable formats.

While she does not currently have Michelin-starred establishments, her reputation for quality and innovation continues to grow, especially with new venues in Las Vegas and Newark developed in partnership with industry leaders like Caesars Entertainment.

Esther Choi’s restaurant empire stands out for its dedication to quality ownership, careful brand development, and a blend of casual comfort with elevated Korean-American culinary influences.

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As new cities are targeted for expansion, her portfolio may increase, but it remains grounded in her core values of authentic yet accessible dining experiences.

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01. How involved is Esther Choi in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Esther Choi maintains an active role in the creative and operational oversight of her restaurants. Though she delegates daily management tasks to trusted general managers and chefs, she is deeply involved in menu development, quality control, and strategic expansion decisions.

Her hands-on approach ensures that each location embodies her culinary vision and maintains consistent standards across the brand.

02. Are Esther Choi’s restaurants expensive—and which ones offer the best value?

Esther Choi’s restaurants are positioned in the casual to mid-price dining range. While she does not operate fine dining venues, her gastropub Ms. Yoo commands a higher price point compared to the more casual Mŏkbar locations.

Price ranges:

Mŏkbar: $15–$30 per person, known for affordable Korean ramen and small plates.
Ms. Yoo: $30–$50 per person, offering bar food with craft cocktails.

Best value for everyday dining tends to be Mŏkbar, while Ms. Yoo suits special outings or social drinks.

03. How does Esther Choi choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Expansion decisions are based on a combination of demographic research, market potential for Korean-inspired casual cuisine, and partnership opportunities.

Recent expansions into Las Vegas and Newark were strategically chosen due to their growing culinary scenes and partnerships with hospitality groups like Caesars Entertainment, which provide access to entertainment venues and food halls.

Esther Choi’s team also considers local demand for accessible Korean flavors and the ability to maintain brand quality across locations.

04. Are Esther Choi’s restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

Sustainability and local sourcing practices vary by location but are increasingly integrated into Esther Choi’s operations.

Many Mŏkbar locations emphasize sourcing fresh ingredients locally when possible, and responsible seafood sourcing is a priority.

While the brand has not broadly publicized sustainability certifications, efforts to reduce food waste and use eco-friendly packaging have been implemented in newer venues.

05. Can you book Esther Choi’s restaurants online—and are there loyalty programs?

Yes, most Esther Choi restaurants accept online reservations through platforms like OpenTable or direct website booking for convenience.

While there is no unified global loyalty program across all her venues, some locations offer periodic specials or rewards programs, particularly in partnership with venues such as Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas.

Customers are encouraged to check individual restaurant websites for the latest reservation and loyalty information.