There’s just so much amazing food in Korea and not enough time to cover as much as I wanted, but here are just some of the notables from my recent Korea trip. When I go back I’ll be sure to do much more thorough documentation, and possibly some experimental cooking projects. Korea has more than a lifetime’s worth of culinary adventures lying in store, and the best part is that most of the best food is SUPER CHEAP!

NOODLES. There is a Korean word called “jjolgit” (쫄깃), similar to the Italians’ “al dente”, describing the texture of a perfect noodle – it’s something akin to chewy, springy, soft and firm at the same time. This is the only way to describe all the noodles that have been consumed in these photos. The noodles in Korea are almost always prepared in this fashion, everywhere you go.

DUMPLINGS. Unlike in Chinese cuisine, there aren’t a gazillion different kinds of fillings in Korean dumplings, for the most part, but there is a ton of diversity in shape, size, and skin. Some of these are humongous yet still tasty inside, and the skin on fresh dumplings is perfect every time.

BIBIMBAP. There are many variations on the mixed rice bowl theme, but one standout was the raw seasoned beef (like a carpaccio) on rice with mixed greens – “yook hwe bibimbap” (육희 비빔밥).

GRILLED MEATS. You can’t mention Korean food without using the words “Korean BBQ”. For most that means Kalbi, the famous marinated beef ribs, but the majority grilling time usually goes to pig. Bacon. With three layers of fat it’s called “Samgyupsahl”, but with five layers it’s called “Ohgyupsahl”, which is at least two layers of more fatty amazingness. This is usually washed down with alcohol anyway, so that should nullify all the unhealthy bits, right? There are many other dishes for grilling, such as chicken, duck and seafood, and each spot specializes in a particular dish with their own grilling method, from gas to charcoal.

Boka (Bonchon Fried Chicken)
9 Saint Marks Place, between 2nd and 3rd Sts
(212) 228-2887‎

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Korean (and some Japanese) Bar Food
Favorite Dish(es): Large Fried Chicken Combo – Spicy ($18)

This is the sister restaurant of the Bonchon Fried Chicken pub/bar in Ktown, a fried chicken chain that’s big in South Korea. It’s usually pretty empty, unlike the Ktown spot where you may have to wait up to half an hour for a seat, and sometimes longer for the chicken. Boka is more of an actual sitdown restaurant, with a bigger menu serving wannabe-trendy versions of Korean and Japanese bar food (which we have yet to try). The main reason to come here is the patent-pending Bonchon recipe fried chicken. It comes in two varieties, a sweet ginger soy glaze and a spicy sweet red pepper glaze that has a little kick to it. Both are good and super crispy, like no other fried chicken. They don’t use any batter on the chicken – it’s just marinated and fried (a few times probably). Coming from someone who usually doesn’t eat the fried skin, this crunchy stuff is really addictive. To cool off the spice and grease, the chicken is served with a bowl of cold pickled radish cubes, which is sweet and sour. Wash that all down with a pitcher of Kirin or Coors, and you’ll make this place a regular stop for your Korean fried chicken fix.

Online Menu

Chung Moo Ro
10 W 32nd St, between 5th Ave and Broadway
(212) 594-4963

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Korean BBQ
Favorite Dish(es): Kalbi ($30?)

Korean food on 32nd St Ktown has gone down in quality tremendously over the past few years, possibly due to its rising popularity. Many new restaurants have come and gone, and most of them have failed to do Korean food any justice. This relatively new one, however, has done a pretty good job at Korean BBQ. The best in Manhattan, in our opinion.

The Kalbi is cut a bit differently from other places – instead of a flat rhomboid shape it’s more of a thicker cut, which makes it a bit juicier. Get the marinated version Kalbi, the top one on the menu. Their other dishes are decent too, like the Soondoobu Chigae (spicy tofu stew) and Bibimbap (Rice mixed with cold vegetables), but the BBQ is the true star.

One tip: cook your own meat. The waitresses tend to overcook the meat. You paid for it. The place is clean, big, good for groups, and is just as smelly and expensive as the others.

Online Menu

55 W. 35th St, between 5th and 6th Ave
(212) 695-8222

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Korean
Favorite Dish(es): Mo Doo Boo Nak Ji Bokum (M6 on menu $17.95) – squid, vegetables, noodles, and tofu stir fried in a red spicy sauce and served on a hot stone plate; Dak Gal Bi (B3 on menu $18.95) – marinated chicken BBQ on hot stone plate

Don’t let the foreign dishes and names intimidate you! There’s descriptions to everything on the menu and you can order by code…or just point on the menu…=P
This is one of the best Korean restaurants in Manhattan in our opinion. It’s a bit pricey compared to the rest of Korea Town (32nd St), but it’s worth it for the quality and flavor. Homemade tofu is their specialty- from old style porridges to traditional entrees. Most things on the menu are served sizzling hot on iron plates and the waiters will even serve you rice tea the traditional way using the stone pot used to serve your dinner rice. Try drinking some after your meal- it’ll help your settle your stuffed belly…

Online Menu

Village Yokocho
8 Stuyvesant St, between 11th and 12th Sts
(212) 598-3041

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Japanese (and some Korean)
Favorite Dish(es):

Very cute, casual place with a trendy authentic Tokyo vibe. Usually bustling and busy during all hours of the day, especially lunch and dinner times. Most everything on the menu is under $10, but small “tapas” style. All-around tasty…we definitely recommend having the takoyaki (fried octopus balls), okonomiyaki (japanese pancake), fried chicken, and a calpico shochu to drink!