Welcome to Between the Bagel NY
Between the Bagel NY, located in Astoria, New York, is a unique culinary gem that brilliantly marries traditional bagel delights with Korean-inspired flavors. With a menu featuring enticing specialties like the Seoul Meets Bagel—a creative fusion of bulgogi, eggs, and kimchi—this establishment stands out as a vibrant, community-focused eatery. The warm, inviting atmosphere is enhanced by the owner's lively personality, making each visit feel personal. Customers rave about the generous portions and flavorful sandwiches, notably the DAPS, showcasing the perfect blend of comfort food and cultural diversity. Between the Bagel is not just a dining destination; it's an experience that celebrates New York's rich culinary tapestry.
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31-13 30th Ave., Astoria, NY 11102 Hotline: (718) 932-1425
Welcome to Between the Bagel NY, a culinary gem nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Astoria, New York. Located at 31-13 30th Ave., this bagel haven has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and visitors alike. It's not just a bagel shop; it’s an experience, a fusion of cultures that beautifully marries traditional New York bagels with the robust flavors of Korean cuisine.
As you step inside, the ambiance is casual yet energetic. The owners' playful humor infuses the space with warmth, making every visit feel like a homecoming. And speaking of the owners, they embody the spirit of Brooklyn, engaging with customers and creating an inviting atmosphere that sets the tone for a memorable meal.
Now, let’s talk food. The menu at Between the Bagel NY is a delightful exploration of creativity:
- Signature Sandwiches: The standout here is the Seoul Meets Bagel (SMB)—a generous serving of bulgogi beef, egg, and cheese, all layered on a fluffy bagel with sautéed kimchi and gochujang mayo. The combination is a flavor explosion, perfectly balanced with heat and richness.
- Omelettes: For breakfast enthusiasts, their 3 Egg Omelette Platters are equally enticing. From a cheesy Three Cheese Omelette to the robust Bulgogi Omelette, each dish comes with home fries and buttered toast, delivering comfort and satisfaction in every bite.
- Breakfast Egg Sandwiches: Simplicity meets excellence here. The 2 Eggs and Cheese with Meat is a delicious way to start your day, easily eaten on the go.
What makes this establishment truly special is the attention to flavor and texture. Customers have raved about the loaded bagels, which are so hearty that splitting one is often recommended. Reviews highlight the Ben's Balls—kimchi fried rice arancini that are a complimentary touch and a flavorful sidekick to any sandwich.
The bagel itself is often described as chewy and substantial, holding its structure around its generous fillings. For the adventurous diner, options like the DAPS, featuring spicy Korean pork with mozzarella, grilled onions, and jalapenos, showcase the creativity and boldness of the culinary offerings at Between the Bagel NY.
With every bite, you can feel the cultural synergy at play. As Walter C. said, “The food is no joke. Great bagels and specialty sandwiches.” If you’re looking for a culinary experience that reflects the diversity and dynamism of New York, look no further. From the moment you enter to the last crumb of your meal, Between the Bagel NY promises a delightful adventure in flavors that you won’t soon forget.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this spot on 30th Avenue is worth the journey. Just be prepared: it’s likely to become your new favorite bagel shop!
Love this place! They don't take themselves seriously and joke around. But the food is no joke. Great bagels and try the specialty sandwiches. It is well worth a try. A lot more that a social media sensation.
Got both their bagel specials: Seoul Meets Bagel & DAPS. Ben's Balls (kimchi fried rice arancini) were on the house. Both sandwiches were THICK and full of flavor. Definitely heavy and half got each of us full but definitely worth the price and the drop-by. We were able to meet the owner and he is definitely a ball of energy and personality! New to the neighborhood and happy there's a spot like this here.
This place is amazing and such a great experience overall. Ben is super cool and will try to find something to chat with about with every customer. The bagel is loaded and the flavor is on point. Depending on your hunger, you can easily split one with an order of bens balls on the side. Highly recommend checking this spot out, since its right next to the NW train.
I got the SMB on egg everything bagel, and it was yummy. All the toppings worked well together, and the bagel itself was nice and fluffy. They also gave us the fried rice balls on the house! Friendly staffs and atmosphere, and I'd love to come back
One of my favorite finds last year, finally made it out to Between the Bagel (unfortunately didn't get to meet the owner who I hear is such a cool character) but I have been desperate to try the Seoul Meets Bagel (bulgogi egg and cheese) and didn't realize I'd be getting a Ben's Ball on the house (korean arrancini). The space is humble, quintessentially New York and the staff was friendly. The Bulgogi egg and cheese was delicious, and quite filling. Greasy, meaty, and perfect for a hangover or just a treat yourself kind of breakfast/brunch. The arrancini was actually equally a highlight - with a nice gochujang mayo on top of it, and a beautiful crunch with a nice dense rice-filled interior with bits of meat inside. Wow. I really really enjoyed this. One of the best things about New York is our cultural diversity, and the marriage of these things together. Between the Bagel is a shining example of that, with an authentic, no-frills, homemade feel.
Made the trek out here from Manhattan and it was so good I'm already thinking about when I'll next be able to come. Sorry to traditional bagels, but Asians know how to do it better heh I tried the dank ass pork sandwich (on a sesame bagel). It came with a generous amount of the super flavorful filling, and the bagel soaked up some of the flavor in a way that you definitely don't get with cream cheese and lox. I also found that the bagel itself was fluffy and toasted to perfection, which was a pleasant surprise--my impression before coming here was that the main draw to this place was the fillings. Bonus points for the free banana pudding they were handing out--will never be upset about free food!
Probably the most Queens thing you can do on a Saturday morning. Get a solid bagel with amazing Korean ingredients. It really works, and the diversity and creativity of the owner speaks to why this place is packed each weekend. The owner has a wicked sense of humor, as you can see from the hilarious signs hanging on the wall. But he's also a genius for combining bulgogi with egg, cheese and sauce. It's delicious and the most unique bagel we have tried in Queens. And don't sleep on the complimentary rice ball that comes with the bagel sandwich. It's also delicious! One small critique: the bagel itself is a bit chewy and dense, which is ok for some but we prefer softer bagels. Still, it tastes good with the Korean beef. Make sure you get there early or order ahead. This place was packed and super busy filling take out orders when we got there at 10 am on a weekend. But...definitely worth it!
Food 9/10 Do not go for the regular stuff, it is leagues below their specialties. The SMB hit so hard after a run, I can't believe I actually ate an entire HUMONGOUS bagel by myself. Such a great treat, the flavors were great, and although fusion sometimes misses, this was a strangely huge hit for me. Would totally come back again! Atmosphere 8/10 A standard bagel store with some cool and funny decor by the cash register. Service 6/10 It did take a while for the bagels to come out, but I won't discount that because it was quite busy inside and everyone was bustling.
This place has earned its recognition and I can confirm it is well deserved! It has exactly the type of energy you would expect from New York. The area around is cute, and I made a stop here on my way to the airport. Of course I had to get the SMB (Seoul meets bagel). I was also given one of Ben's balls to sample, which was a fried kimchi rice ball with spicy mayo on top. This was so delicious - the rice was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the sauce tied it all together. The bagel itself was STUFFED. There was so much bulgogi inside that it could very easily feed 2 people. It's also loaded with kimchi and egg, and I opted for no cheese. The bagel itself, which I chose the onion bagel, was also good - chewy inside that held its structure well. I would definitely recommend this spot for a unique and delicious bagel!
Not one to usually review bagel spots, but you absolutely cannot miss Between the Bagel. I got the "Seoul Meets Bagel", which is a massive amount of egg, cheese, and bulgogi with their special mayo, on an everything bagel. This comes with a rice ball, too, which is an amazing start. The bagel itself is a 10/10. The ingredients themselves were all perfect. This is one of the best bagels I've had as an adult. As someone who grew up in / around the area, that should tell you all you need to know. Store owner is a hilarious, friendly guy, too. 5/5. We will be back!