I've been meaning to try this cubby of a 'restaurant' for awhile. You walk in, place your order, and the ahjuhmah makes it for you right away. I have never seen kimbap made that quickly, but not one piece fell apart while I was eating it. Portion is pretty large for the price. I ordered the vegetable kimbap and it was only $7. Definitely recommend if you just want a quick meal on the go--I was able to eat it while walking. Tastes almost as good as my umma's! Almost :) Remember to bring cash and they don't accept cards! read more

E-Mo - Vegetable kimbap - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

the bulgogi and sausage kimbap are absolutely delicious. E-Mo will be my weekly go to for Kimbap. Service was swift and extremely polite. Even my husband who does not like to try new dishes, loved the bulgogi kimbap. we love the balanced flavors. Wonderful experience! read more

I absolutely love the kimbap here! I honestly don't go anywhere else for my kimbap now. Everything is so fresh and the flavors are always on point. The rice is never too hard or soft. The kimbap is always made to order which is probably one of the main reasons why it tastes so good. Other places pre-make the kimbap and leave it in the fridge - it's just not the same! An order of kimbap usually comes with soup too, a great pairing with the food. I love the beef, spicy tuna and spicy octopus kimbap. Can't go wrong with any of the kimbap. The mushroom one is amazing as well. Highly recommend. read more

E-Mo (Aunt in Korean) definitely reminds me of my aunt's homemade kimbap growing up. This ma & pa shop is small and best for to-go but also has a small seatless bar, fit for about three maybe - four people. It's literally taken me a decade to try this place out because it's CASH ONLY and I'm not a huge kimbap eater. (Mostly because girl, when you're Korean and your parents don't want to cook for you they make you kimbap like every day... EVERY DAY. Grateful for all the different versions of kimbap I explored as a child but it got extra after a while.) Ingredients are fresh. I tried the Bulgogi and Kimchi. Didn't find the kimchi spicy enough and the bulgogi meat was a bit dry for me but girl that sesame oil on top, really brought everything together. Bonus points because you see them make every order. Overall a bit over priced. I mean $7 for kimbap is a bit too much, don't ya think? I guess that NYC rent is really crackling down on them. Whatever, I wanna go back to try the tuna. (Sorry Bae, prepare for tuna breath. LOL #notsorry) read more

E-Mo - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

Local mom and pop shop right in the middle of KTown. Definitely check out! A good snack or bite on the run. Love the Beef and Spicy Tuna Kimbab. Made with fresh ingredients and on the spot by the couple. Cash Only read more

One of the best places to eat in NYC. It's a small shop and cash only. One of the best kimbap I've ever had! If you're ever in the area would highly recommend stopping by and ordering a roll! read more

Some of the best kimbop that I've had. I got the mushroom roll and it was delicious. The store is very small and one worker. Each roll is made fresh to order and the rice is still nice and warm. I found 1 roll to be good for a light meal. Many other places nearby if you wanted to add a side to your roll. I cannot wait to return. read more

A fix is a fix! Sometimes one just has a HANKERING for kimbap plain and simple. Cash only and portions are great for ktown. Quick and easy.

I finally got to try this cute little kimbap shop and it was so good! The owner was super friendly and sweet. I got one spicy tuna and one broiled eel kimbap. I love that they make them fresh per order instead of making them ahead of time. The kimbap tasted very fresh and the filling wasn't skimped. Next time I'm in K-town with a kimbap craving I know where to go. read more

This is a specialty Korean place that only serves one item: kimbap. They offer several different kinds of kimbap here. My personal favorites are beef and cheese kimbap. The price of the kimbap isn't too bad here, at around $6-$7 for a roll. Everything is freshly made in front of you and it tastes really good. A roll is pretty filling. Its a very small store and you might pass by it, if you aren't looking for it. The inside is a bit cramped and can only fit a few people at a time. As this is strictly a takeout joint, there really isn't much ambience or seating here. read more

I had to ask my friend what does e-mo in Korean mean. I was fairly certain that it's not the American definition. I don't think kimbap (Korean sushi) can really be emo. Unless it were jealous that I wasn't eating it and threatening to strangle itself by sushi mat. Anyway my one friend told me it means Aunt. So maybe the person who opened the little shop is an aunt. Or the person that opened it was making a tribute to their aunt. Anyway who cares. They have delicious kimbap here. They are made when you order so it is never soggy or old. They also give you some free soup which is pretty light and flavorful. I almost want to say there's no MSG since I drank two of the things and wasn't thirsty after for water. The beef kimbap was definitely more delicious than the spicy tuna, which by the way isn't raw. read more

This little mom and pop shop is easy to walk past if you are in the area. Their menu is extremely simple and the kimbab are absolutely delicious ! My personal favorite is the Beef Kimbab, which comes with korean bulgogi, yellow radish, carrot, radish, and gobo. This cash only restaurant is very small and has no standing or sitting space. The food is made fresh in front of you and comes with Miso soup. They have interesting selections that I would like to try in the future like the Spam Kimbab ( who doesn't like spam ?) and the squid kimbab. Most rolls range from $6.50- $6.99, but the portions are pretty big and can almost be a meal for most people ( I normally order 2 rolls). All in all, a clean and neat little shop that satisfies your Kimbab cravings. read more

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Cash only! Picked up the beef kimbap and spam kimbap. The rolls were freshly made in front of me with a good amount of filling in each. For $8 a roll, it was great! Good quality, very fresh and flavoring was all there. Service was also quite nice. Yum! read more

The real estate in this spot is diminutive to the extreme. Such a bare bones minimalist two-person operation can easily be missed with all the hustle and bustle and other exciting and garish goings-on that occur on 32nd between Broadway and Sixth... happily, if you do chance upon this place, you will be treated to some cheap tasty bites that come of the form of kimbap/gimbap (aka Korean Sushi). All they serve here is kimbap, and they have just about ten available (I think either seven or eleven); each order is made to order (no pre-made fluff here), and even if there are a number of orders ahead of yours, you can rest assured that the two-person crew will get you your kimbap in hasty fashion. I've had the opportunity to try three of the rolls that they serve up here (the squid, the spam, and the tuna). The whole kimbap making deal is pretty simple... you have your rice, veggies, choice of protein, all rolled up and held together by seaweed/laver wrap. If they weren't so tight-fisted with the spam distribution, I would say that the spam kimbap was my favorite... alas, there wasn't nearly as much spam per roll as I'd hope (still tasted great though). The squid kimbap is certainly a novelty (don't think I've had squid sushi before... and I can see why; when it comes to texture, you'll still be working through through the squid meat even after you've pulverized the rest of the kimbap). So, ultimately, the best roll I've tasted here (to date) would be the tuna; it's the tastiest and certainly makes the most textural sense (plus they're quite generous with apportionment). Another successful stop on my food tour of k-town, and certainly deserving of a return visit. read more

E-Mo - Spam - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

I have not been back to this place since COVID but this was my favorite spot to get Kimbap prior to COVID. It is a tiny shop with some counter seats (pre-COVID) but they were mainly focused on take-out. They had a good 9 ish options for kimbap and they always made it fresh once you ordered. The owners were always super friendly and nice and you got your order super quick as well. My favorites were the spicy tuna, spam and bulgogi. They are super tasty and flavorful and a really good price as well. It is slightly more expensive than the kimbap that you can get from Woorijip but it definitely is more fresh and a bigger portion. Each order does come with a miso soup so I usually find that one roll is enough to keep me filled for lunch/dinner. The only downside is I believe they only take cash (I cannot remember exactly or if this has changed). I cannot wait to come back here when I am craving Kimbap! read more

Never had kimbap and couldn't fathom a knock-off of sushi, such ignorance I have lived in. My friend convinced me to give a shot and after much verbal bashing and blood, sweat and tears, I finally stepped into this hole in the wall. The chefs definitely have to get some credit because cramped into such a small place with a line practically out the door into the street, they move fairly quickly and efficiently. Initial thoughts, a spicy tuna kimbap and miso soup for about $7, things look fairly good already without even one bite in my mouth. Seems TOO GOOD to be true. With food in hand, I ventured into Greeley Square to find a place to have lunch. Having underestimated the prowess of E-Mo, once I opened my tray, I realized this was one of the most gigantic rolls I've ever encountered for $7. The first piece was very delicious and I actually wanted to kick myself for ignoring kimbap so long. The tuna was a little warm and this roll had too much rice for my liking but it tasted pretty good. Kimbap isn't sushi but it's just as good in its unique way. The miso soup was delicious and was the perfect partner for this lunch special. One of the best deals in Koreatown that is now embedded in my memory. E-Mo, please forgive me for the ill thoughts I had once harbored against you. I will surely be back to seek redemption. :-) read more

E-Mo - Spicy Tuna - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

Pssst don't tell my mom, but E-mo makes the best Spicy Tuna Kimbap!! I like how they add the sesame leaf for that extra texture/taste. It's actually spicy! Most Spicy Tuna don't impress me with their spiciness but this one definitely has a kick. Foreigners call it Korean Sushi but the literal Korean to English translation is Seaweed Rice. There's so many combinations and E-mo's got the bases covered from Beef to Kimchi to Vegetable. There's certain Korean foods that are easier to introduce to people outside of the culture, Kimbap is definitely one of them. It's delicious, no aversion to it AT ALL during my childhood. KIDS would love this snack/meal! It was made to order right in front of you. It's a quick filling snack/meal that's easy to eat with your fingers. COMES WITH FREE SOUP!! Can't wait to stop by again! How come I've haven't notice it before. read more

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PROS: - Specialty in making Kimbap - Nice cashier who greets and smiles. - Gives free Miso Soup along with the kimbap of your choice. - Has Variety of Kimbap (Cheese, Mushroom, Spicy Tuna, Tuna, Bulgogi, Spicy Squid, Sausage) CONS: - Place is narrow and there's no seating. - Kimbap at Woorijip is cheaper. - Got the Mushroom Kimbap - tasted good but the veggies inside the kimbap was not washed - several pieces had dirt/sand in them - I felt it crunching while I was chewing. Don't think I am gonna come back for more. But it is good place to try out though, read more

I've passed by this location so many times without noticing it until my friends pointed it out. The kimbap here is solid. If I have never had kimbap in Flushing, I would give this spot 5 stars. However, kimbap in Flushing is cheaper and tastier, hence my 4 stars. Nonetheless, I will definitely be returning if I am around the area and craving kimbap. The service is quick and friendly, which is also a plus! Note: Their prices have gone up. The price for a roll is $7-$7.50 read more

You go to E-Mo for one thing, and one thing only. Kimbap, the Korean version of sushi rolls, ranging from $6.00 - $6.50 each. Because all the Korean restaurants were too busy, and we were looking for something simple that we can take home, we saw this small little establishment, no more than a 10'x15' room (or closet), operated by a husband and wife team. The wife takes the orders, cash only, as the husband is primarily prepares the rolls, all made to order. You can watch them make the kimbap on the spot, since the preparation table is so close to the front. There is no seating at all, so be sure to find somewhere else to go. Spicy Tuna Kimbap ($6.50) - 12 pieces each consisting spicy tuna, takuan (pickled daikon radish), carrot, spinach, and a pickled brownish crunchy vegetable. It is all wrapped up in rice and nori seaweed. One-third of the roll is spicy tuna, akin to the Japanese variation but with cooked tuna, mayo, and gochujang (a Korean red chili pepper paste). This is probably my favorite of the bunch here. It's not as creamy as some other places, erring more towards the small chunky bits of tuna texture. It has a subtle amount of heat, but noticeable for those that don't eat spicy at all. Beef Kimbap ($6.50) - 12 pieces of beef, takuan, carrot, spinach, a brown pickled vegetable, rice and nori. It is basically the same thing as the Spicy Tuna, but swapping the spicy tuna with beef. About one-fourth of the roll contained beef. I was hoping for the beef to be something similar to bulgogi, but instead the beef was a bit flavorless and could have definitely used some marination prior. Squid Kimbap ($6.50) - 12 pieces of squid, takuan, carrot, spinach, rice and nori. About one-third contained thin strips of squid complimented with gochujang. The squid was firm with a nice bite, and I was glad that it wasn't chewy and the Korean red chili paste helped to give the squid some extra flavor. This was a decent roll, better than the beef, but fell short of amazing. But a couple things that brought down all the kimbaps was that they all tasted a bit muddled or drab, which my guess was from the rice. It didn't taste extremely fresh, maybe because I just had the much better kimbap at Nolbu only 2 days prior. Also, all the kimbaps were loosely packed, so when you tried to delicately pick it up with a chopstick, they would sometimes break and fall apart. The nori was highlight on the kimbap though, as the seaweed flavor was very pronounced and noticeable. But overall, I was a bit disappointed with these average run-of-the-mill kimbaps. I was also let down that they didn't give us any Miso soup or even bother to ask. Do I have to be in the know and ask? For $6.50, I found them slightly pricey and unmemorable. If you're coming from or going to Queens, I highly recommend getting your kimbap from Nolbu or Song's, for cheaper kimbap that is much more generous in the main ingredient (at least 1/2 to 3/4 contains spicy tuna, bulgogi, or squid) and tastier. read more

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Not good at all! I got 2 kimbap rolls (spicy squid and spicy tuna) and it ended up costing me $14 which is ridiculous! Last time I went to Rolly Kimbap in Flushing and it was a little over $15 for THREE rolls! Ok, it's pricy here so the rolls must taste good right? WRONG. The spicy tuna barely had any spicy tuna it in...It was like 25% spicy tuna and 75% vegetables...Spicy tuna rolls that I have gotten elsewhere were jam packed with spicy tuna but here, they are very skimpy with the ingredients! The taste was also off...It didn't taste like what spicy tuna is supposed to taste like...The spicy squid was lacking in flavor and was nothing amazing. Very nice service but that's about it. Kimbap rolls are pricy, lacking in ingredients and subpar. Won't be coming back! read more

E-Mo - Spicy squid kimbap - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

Kimbap is made to order. which is nice.. they make them fast and this store is super small... three ppl cramped into the back of it rolling these things out. Spicy tuna... this was the spiciest spicy tuna ive had in any restaurant of sorts. Rolls are not very thick but they are fresh and tasty. 6-7 bucks for a roll... and they give you a free miso soup if you want. read more

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I can't believe I didn't know this place existed for the last 2 years I've lived in the vicinity. It's now going to be hard to control my random kimbap cravings. Now I don't have to think about traveling to Flushing to have my favorite kimbap rolls! E-Mo only sells kimbap. That's a good thing. I purchased 1 spicy tuna roll (with a plain and basic, yet tasty soup) for dinner. At $6.99 a roll, it's no Woorijip and it doesn't seem as filling as say, a value meal from McDonalds at that price, but it'll do. The spicy in the spicy tuna was good and it was exactly as expected. I couldn't give it a full five stars, since I've had my favorite ones elsewhere, but this will do for a 1 block walking radius! The couple (I think?) are very friendly and you get your food pretty fast. Will have to try spicy squid (shout out to Xavier S for the tip) next time. read more

E-Mo - Cute little shack - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

This is such a cute place. You just go in, tell them what you want, smile at the nice korean lady, get your food and miso soup and go enjoy it. The simple menu consists of different kinds of kimbap. That's all you really need. They give you a lot for just $5-6. They make them right in front of you! read more

I haven't had fresh kimbap in a very long time.. so you can only imagine how excited I was when I randomly stumbled upon this little hole in the wall restaurant. This little Korean lady made some super fresh rolls and super quickly too! I got the spicy squid and my friend got the tuna roll and cheese roll. All were super delicious and came with a side of homemade miso soup! read more

E-Mo - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

E-Mo is a cash-only takeout restaurant that serves 11 different types of kimbab - beef, tuna, veggie, spam, sausage, spicy tuna, kimchi, cheese, mushroom, and a few others. My friend and I stopped in for a quick dinner on a Friday night and waited about 10 minutes total in line to order and for our kimbab to be made. We tried 3 different kinds: - Cheese: they use American cheese, which is interesting for kimbab, but tasted better than expected. - Kimchi: I wasn't sure if the kimchi would be spicy, but it wasn't at all, it was just normal pickled cabbage. I liked the texture and flavor of this one- crunchy because of the kimchi, and tasted mostly like pickled vegetables. - Tuna - Wasn't a fan of this one. The tuna was the kind you'd find in tuna salad, but very dry. The place itself is tiny and doesn't have any seats, only a counter that you can stand at. If it's a nice day out, I'd recommend taking your food to Greeley Square nearby to sit and eat. read more

Small little kimbap shop in K-Town. Come here when you're on the go and need something quick to eat! I love that they have SO many different types of kimbap available. And they make it right in front of you so you know that it's fresh and new. If there are a lot of people in line, it might take some time to get your order since there's usually only 2 people working there making the rolls. I've tried majority of the kimbap's so far and have loved every single one. Every time I go to NYC, I come here to take one for the ride home. Make sure to have cash on you because they only take cash! read more

First off cash only joint, so bring cash. Second off everything is made to order which is great and honestly you're not waiting too long for it.. unless you have like an order of 10! Thirdly, you come here for kimbop and their pricing is on par for the area. $7.50 for a beef kimbop and slightly cheaper for vegetarian ones. Fully enjoyed my beef kimbop, it was both filling and flavorful! read more

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This place was AWESOME! I've never had Kimbap before so this was my first experience with that. Man, I am definitely coming back. It's so delicious and flavorful, not to mention it's like double the size of a regular sushi roll. It was fantastic. This place was definitely a hole in the wall. I almost walked right by it! I couldn't believe how small the place was. You could literally fit only 8 people in the joint. So, no seating. This is a real to-go place. By the way, it's CASH ONLY. read more

E-Mo - Spicy Tuna Roll - About $6 - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

I love this place! I think it's family owned and the staff are always so kind!! Please support them. They make the best kimbap and the ingredients are always fresh. My favorite is the spicy tuna kimbap. read more

This is strictly a kimbap place, and all of the rolls range from $4.50-6.00 and come with a hot Styrofoam cup of dashi broth with some scallion in it. There are about 10 kinds of kimbap special fillings to choose from and they make them fast, like a kimbap factory. All of the fillings are already laid out to be wrapped, so the special filling is added and then off you go. Fillings range from Spicy Tuna, Veggie, Tuna, Beef, Kimchi, Jalapeno, Mushroom, American Cheese, Spicy Squid, and Sausage.The rolls here are very big, almost a dozen pieces packed into a tiny container for you. They also have bowls of instant ramen that you can buy, I guess they add the hot water for you and give you chopsticks. There are also some Korean snacks and specialty drinks. Some people choose to stand at the counter and eat, but I take it to go. The location is very narrow. Cash only folks! For those of you that are like me, and crave sweet and salty kimbap goodness, this is the place for you. read more

Very delicious kimbap spot, the lady will roll you your kimbap upon request so it can't get more fresh than that. I had the mushroom kimbap for lunch. read more

E-Mo - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

Small shop - cash only if i remember correctly - tucked in a small slit of 32nd! be on the lookout Menu is basic which is great cuz i had having way too many options! I got the jalapenos spam and it was great but not something i will go back everyday for...great for a quick snack to continue your shopping! I feel like the ingriendents are a bit flavorless...yes i am suppose to enjoy the natural taste of things but...the jalapenos tasted like they have been marinated forever. I wish they offered some kind of sauce (it was a bit dry)...maybe they do and i didnt ask. The owners are these married couple...english isn't their first language but they can get by...really get this home feel when you're in the store though! read more

E-Mo - Spam and jalapeños - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

Wonderful and simple kimbob. That's all they make here. Fresh, simple, delicious, and perfect for any appetite. If you're super hungry, get two or three. If you're just looking for something light to tide you over, get their vegetarian kimbob. Been going here for years and it's still wonderful. The two owners are also very sweet and since I'm a regular, they always ask how I am and how my girlfriend is doing. read more

E-Mo - Simple kimbob only menu - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

You walk up with cash in hand, order, and wait. They are all made to order in front of you by a Korean lady who carefully places the rice on the nori and lays out the vegetables (carrots, greens, and pickled radish) and your selected protein very generously on top of the rice. She then rolls it all up and cuts it into pieces, yielding more than 10 per roll. I had the spicy squid and the flavors all meshed together really nicely. It also came with a free miso soup. read more

Kimbap, you are a healthy, pretty, and cheap food. I heart you. This specialty shop only serves Kimbap (most for $6); it comes with a small cup of miso soup. I find these meals to be the perfect lunch, however it's unfortunate there isn't sitting room. As a solution to this first world problem, I buy my Kimbap here, then head over to Food 32 (across the street) for seating. Great place! read more

E-Mo - Mushroom kimbap - Korean Near Me - New York, New York

The most delicious kimbabs I've had in NYC. Their average price is around $6. So inexpensive for what you get & there is definitely no downgrade in quality! One of E-Mo's kimbab rolls equals the size of 2 regular kimbab rolls at most other places. The kimbabs are made fresh to go. Savor the flavor - you'll love it! This is a to-go place. No place for sit down. If you're looking for a quick, filling meal, this is the place to order! read more

At 2:30PM on a Saturday afternoon, there wasn't really much of a wait to get our food. We simply walked in, told the lady behind the counter what type of kimbap we want, and a few minutes later we were out of the tiny storefront with a steaming cup of miso and a styrofoam-packaged beef kimbap roll. The beef kimbap was reasonably priced at $6.99, but it is a liiiittle on the higher end of the spectrum. I've definitely gotten more bang for my buck with the pre-packaged kimbap of similar quality at Korean markets, albeit a little less fresh. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised that the kimbap was made to order - I mean, when do you ever really get to see your kimbap rolled? Before E-Mo, I've only ever bought kimbap pre-packaged at Korean markets or from a restaurant. I was a little curious as to where they prepare their meat (hopefully somewhere clean), because they definitely don't have a full kitchen behind the counter. Other than that, everything looked peachy to me. Cash and take-out only! read more

This is one of those very delicious hole in the wall joints populated by chefs that cares about their work. When a chef puts that dedication into their food... well you can taste it. I was so amped up about eating here that I ordered twice the amount I should have. I got funny looks and comments when I returned to the office and I even tried to give away some of the extra food. Luckily I didn't, since it was so delicious and with the extra food, I was able to enjoy an additional heavenly meal! Enough with the suspense, onto the food: I ordered Kimbabs of mushroom and beef. Best way to describe them to the unfamiliar is Korean style sushi rolls with their flavor profile and ingredients. This is especially true with the Beef Kimbab which was comprised of bulgogi beef which I absolutely love (when done right... and yes they did it right!). The only miss was the free miso soup... which they shouldn't have bothered with. If you're not going to make any $ on it, why serve something weak and dilute your rep? I know there are probably traditional eaters that need their miso soup but you can show them the cuisine can change. Quality cannot be compromised. Serve it right or just don't. The conclusion: Heavenly morsels (the rolls themselves are pretty big) that you should not miss! read more

I love kimbap, besides mandoo it's definitely one of my childhood faves. While it's pretty easy to find some decent mandoo around it's almost impossible to find good kimbap, even in K-town. Usually it's just a Koreanized version of a California roll with imitation crabmeat as a cheap filler for bulgogi and it's been hanging around for who knows how long. By the time you get it the rice is dried out and it becomes an affront to my childhood memories. So, when I walked by a storefront I missed multiple times that made nothing but I had to at least try. The pricing isn't too bad and the couple behind the counter always seem to be going at warp speed but they make fresh kimbap quick. The first time I tried the spicy one and was pleasantly surprised it definitely had some heat to it but was tasty and I could taste all the veggies in there as well. I liked it enough that I went back a few days later to try their beef one (the ones I loved as a kid.) Sure enough, it was a tasty-definitely not the best I've had (nothing beats homemade) but one of the best I've had for sure and best of all, no cheap imitation crab in it at all! read more