The Monkey King

History

We signed our lease in January 2019 and were scheduled to open in Summer 2020. However, Covid delayed us from opening for 2 years! The pandemic took the whole world by surprise. No one was prepared for its chaos and the havoc it would leave behind. Covid-19 deeply impacted the restaurant industry. While the government released some resources to help established restaurants stabilize the damages, there was nothing for new restaurants. We were left on our own to defend ourselves. Imagine paying rent for a commercial space for 2 years with no restaurant! So soon as we got gas in our kitchen (March 2022), we started our ghost kitchen concept, offering delivery & takeout only. This pivoted concept has been able to help us pay rent and finish out the project. We are praying and working endlessly to open our doors for dine-in as soon as possible! Thank you to everyone who has been supporting us along the way. We are nothing without you! - TMK

Specialties

Tapping into the ancient techniques of brewing soy sauce, fermenting chili paste, grinding curry paste from scratch, and toasting/blooming spices, The Monkey King will champion a culinary experience for the third culture through the preservation of traditional Chinese and Bengali preparations using top-quality, organic ingredients grown by local purveyors. The goal is to create a space that will pay homage to the Asian American experience through food and draw the local New York community to an unparalleled experience, offering a sense of nostalgia through creativity and innovation.