Flatiron Lunch: Roastown Coffee Continues its Transformation into Moya Korean

Every Friday we go south of the ML boundaries in search of a delicious lunch. Sometimes it’s Murray Hill south or the Flatiron District, sometimes Gramercy and everything in between- but we just like to call it Flatiron Lunch.

Based on my casual and passing observations (and if you know the chronology better than me please post in the comments), the restaurant on the corner of 6th Avenue and 27th Street previously seemed to be just a coffee shop with coffee, pastries and sandwiches. Then, it was a coffee shop with a sign out front advertising Korean Food. Now, it is a Korean sports bar with fried chicken and coffee. Because coffee and Korean fried chicken go together??

I guess I can understand if they had a decent coffee business and needed to grow, so they added a few Korean dishes. And the Korean dishes did okay and they wanted to capitalize on the success of Korean fried chicken business just a neighborhood north (I hesitate to use the term “craze”, because it seems to have peaked, but you never know if these trends find another gear.)

Any branding/marketing experts out there want to tell us what a nightmare this is? Roastown coffee cups.

With menu with coffee, pastries, breakfast items, burgers and sandwiches.

And a menu with Korean fried chicken, an “Asian Corner” and beer and wine.

I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t equate RaMyun from the chalkboard menu with ramen until I asked and the guy said the word back to me. Ramen. Duh. This sign is clearly for people like me.

I ordered the ramyun ($7.00 for spicy, $6.50 for normal) with beef ($1.50 extra). While the noodles were a little overcooked, the thinly sliced beef was perfect once I separated the layers a little. It also included a whole hard-boiled egg, cut in half. Personally, I would have preferred more spinach and scallions. Despite being annoyed at having to pay extra for spicy, and it didn’t disappoint on that front.

Other than a total lack of presentation, the fried chicken combo ($7.95 for 4 wings and 1 drumstick) was on par with other fried chickens (granted, I have been drinking about 75% of the times I have eaten Korean Fried Chicken, so my judgment and taste buds might be off.)

It was juicy yet crispy. There seemed to be a thin layer of sweet and spicy sauce that added a lot of flavor. For an extra $1.50 according to the chalkboard or $2.50 on the printed menu, I could have added coleslaw or pickle to round out the meal. I certainly wouldn’t pay $2.50, but might do that next time for $1.50.

I can say I would recommend leaving your good regular spot in Korea town for Moya, but it a good option for this area of Flatiron. Considering the lack of options for bars with food, Moya is also great for after-work.

THE + (What people who like this place will say)

  • If I skip breakfast, I can get it with my lunch at Moya.
  • If I skip breakfast, I can get it with my lunch at Moya.
  • Thank goodness I dont have to trek to 31st Street for Korean Fried Chicken.

THE – (What people who don’t like this place will say)

  • What a branding nightmare. If you are going to become a different restaurant with a different focus, just change already.
  • No way I am ever going to take advantage of both menus at once.
  • It feels disconcerting to walk into a sports bar for a takeout lunch.

Moya, 793 6th Avenue (corner of 27th Street), (212) 206-1224

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