Won Jo [23 W. 32nd St. (bet. 5th Ave. and Broadway) 212-695-5815]
An excellent Korean BBQ restaurant. They have all the standards and they taste very good. Also a nice atmosphere and the grill is powered by real coals that they bring to your table. Prices are standard.
Showing posts with label korean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label korean. Show all posts
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Momofuku Ssam Bar [207 Second Avenue, New York; Menu]
It's hard to keep up with this place, especially considering that its name and reason for its origin, the Ssam (essentially a Korean burrito) isn't even on the menu anymore. But anyway, it's still a great place for a late night meal (it's usually too crowded at peak hours, although being able to wait in the back at Momofuku Milk Bar makes this much more tolerable than it used to be). The menu changes with the seasons and uses lots of fresh, local ingredients, so I recommend sharing some seasonal small plates and starting with the always there, always delicious pork buns.
It's hard to keep up with this place, especially considering that its name and reason for its origin, the Ssam (essentially a Korean burrito) isn't even on the menu anymore. But anyway, it's still a great place for a late night meal (it's usually too crowded at peak hours, although being able to wait in the back at Momofuku Milk Bar makes this much more tolerable than it used to be). The menu changes with the seasons and uses lots of fresh, local ingredients, so I recommend sharing some seasonal small plates and starting with the always there, always delicious pork buns.
Mandoo Bar
Mandoo Bar [2 West 32nd Street, New York; Menu]
It's all mandoo all the time at this Koreatown hangout. These Korean dumplings are handmade and served boiled, steamed or pan-fried with a variety of different fillings. For two people, I would recommend sharing one order of seafood/pork and one order of kimchee. The kimchee mandoo are particularly unique, offering a spicy sensation and fine flavor not normally found in dumplings. The baby mandoo are cute, but not really worth it. Stick to the big boys and eight to ten dumplings should be enough to fill most people up. Be wary of long lines at lunch time.
It's all mandoo all the time at this Koreatown hangout. These Korean dumplings are handmade and served boiled, steamed or pan-fried with a variety of different fillings. For two people, I would recommend sharing one order of seafood/pork and one order of kimchee. The kimchee mandoo are particularly unique, offering a spicy sensation and fine flavor not normally found in dumplings. The baby mandoo are cute, but not really worth it. Stick to the big boys and eight to ten dumplings should be enough to fill most people up. Be wary of long lines at lunch time.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Kunjip
Kunjip [9 West 32nd Street, New York; Menu]
This place was jam-packed, but once I finally sat down here, I was treated like royalty, Korean royalty. The service was extremely attentive and it seemed as if the staff did not want any of its diners to lift even a finger. I started with the Man Doo Jim (steamed dumplings), before moving onto some delicious BBQ. All the regular side dishes were on display and my favorite BBQ dish was probably the Yetnalsik Bul Go Ki. All in all, an excellent K-Town dining option.
This place was jam-packed, but once I finally sat down here, I was treated like royalty, Korean royalty. The service was extremely attentive and it seemed as if the staff did not want any of its diners to lift even a finger. I started with the Man Doo Jim (steamed dumplings), before moving onto some delicious BBQ. All the regular side dishes were on display and my favorite BBQ dish was probably the Yetnalsik Bul Go Ki. All in all, an excellent K-Town dining option.
Kum Gang San
Kum Gang San [49 West 32nd Street, New York; Menu]
Very good Korean BBQ restaurant in Koreatown. It's enormous and it stands out from the crowd with its waterfall up front featuring a piano player and/or a cellist on the top at peak times. Oh yeah, for food you should stick to the BBQ. I especially liked the Special Kalbi and the Miso Soup was a good starter.
Very good Korean BBQ restaurant in Koreatown. It's enormous and it stands out from the crowd with its waterfall up front featuring a piano player and/or a cellist on the top at peak times. Oh yeah, for food you should stick to the BBQ. I especially liked the Special Kalbi and the Miso Soup was a good starter.
Kang Suh
Kang Suh [1250 Broadway, New York; Menu]
This 24-hour Korean joint is a solid place for late night cravings in Koreatown. As always, the menu is extensive, but I recommend sticking to BBQ. With numerous side dishes and plenty of meat, you're sure to wake up in the morning not sure why you ate so much.
This 24-hour Korean joint is a solid place for late night cravings in Koreatown. As always, the menu is extensive, but I recommend sticking to BBQ. With numerous side dishes and plenty of meat, you're sure to wake up in the morning not sure why you ate so much.
Bon Chon Chicken
Bon Chon Chicken [314 Fifth Avenue, New York; Menu]
First, I had to find the place. It's on the second floor of a small office building, a somewhat typical location in Koreatown, but unheard of anywhere else in New York. The space is far larger and more upscale than I expected. This is not a rival to KFC (although it does offer its own twist on that acronym), and this is evident from the moment you read about vitamins on the front door. But while I don't quite believe in the health benefits of Bon Chon's chicken, I do believe in the taste. The stuff is delicious. What's unique to me is the crispiness of the skin, coupled with the tenderness of the chicken inside. It's an excellent combination. Portions come with drumsticks and/or wings, and with a spicy sauce or a soy-garlic sauce. Crucially, neither sauce is slathered on, so the wings are far less messy than most, but they maintain a distinct flavor.
For two people, I strongly recommend a large portion of drumsticks and wings, half spicy, half soy-garlic. This will set you back $20, but should fill you up pretty well. For a little palate cleanser, try the radishes that come with the chicken. Other food options on the menu appear to be overpriced, and since they specialize in chicken here, I say stick to the good stuff. Also, the beer is unfortunately overpriced, because it would definitely go well with the chicken. It's $22 for a pitcher ($6 for pints/bottles)! Finally, whenever you go, make sure that you are not in a hurry, because the service is extremely slow.
First, I had to find the place. It's on the second floor of a small office building, a somewhat typical location in Koreatown, but unheard of anywhere else in New York. The space is far larger and more upscale than I expected. This is not a rival to KFC (although it does offer its own twist on that acronym), and this is evident from the moment you read about vitamins on the front door. But while I don't quite believe in the health benefits of Bon Chon's chicken, I do believe in the taste. The stuff is delicious. What's unique to me is the crispiness of the skin, coupled with the tenderness of the chicken inside. It's an excellent combination. Portions come with drumsticks and/or wings, and with a spicy sauce or a soy-garlic sauce. Crucially, neither sauce is slathered on, so the wings are far less messy than most, but they maintain a distinct flavor.
For two people, I strongly recommend a large portion of drumsticks and wings, half spicy, half soy-garlic. This will set you back $20, but should fill you up pretty well. For a little palate cleanser, try the radishes that come with the chicken. Other food options on the menu appear to be overpriced, and since they specialize in chicken here, I say stick to the good stuff. Also, the beer is unfortunately overpriced, because it would definitely go well with the chicken. It's $22 for a pitcher ($6 for pints/bottles)! Finally, whenever you go, make sure that you are not in a hurry, because the service is extremely slow.
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