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.

County Line BBQ
Huge Flintstones-sized portions. Country style dining with a lazy stream running in the back.

Ironworks BBQ
Smoky brisket. Fast cafeteria style BBQ on the edge of downtown Austin. Not tremendously memorable compared to the others but conveniently located for a quick BBQ fix.

Chuy’s
The definition of Tex Mex. Fresh unlimited nacho station. Good drinks and special sauces. More of a tourist spot then a “food find”, but definitely a solid meal.

Curra’s Grill
Amazing homestyle Mexican food. Super flavorful, cooked with love. Had my first ever Avocado frozen margarita, a totally unique experience.

Homemade apple butter (applesauce reduced to a jam), cottage cheese, and butter

Looks like cole slaw, but they call it Pepper Slaw since it has no mayo and has chopped green peppers. Sweet and tangy.

Can't beat fresh squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day!

The main attraction - FRIED CHICKEN! Crispy, crunchy, organic, hormone-free and fresh from the farm across the street... Best we've ever had.

There's also other dishes that they change on the menu from time to time, from roast beef to a sweet ham meatloaf, and plenty of sides including mashed potatoes, egg noodles, and corn... but in our opinion, you can't beat the chicken.

After the meal comes a selection of desserts including fresh, organic, ice cold chocolate milk and chocolate ice cream made from the same milk. Both are creamy with a clean chocolate flavor, not artificial or chemical tasting.

Some lemon crumb pie to finish it off. Totally unnecessary, but still good. They regularly change up their dessert selection depending on the fruit in season.

Online Menu

Places Visited:
1. Maxie’s Supper Club
2. Hot Truck @ Shortstop Deli
3. Doug’s Fish Fry
4. Purity Ice Cream
5. Hazelnut Kitchen

Having lived in Ithaca for 4+ years while serving time at Cornell, I always enjoy making the trek upstate to get a breath of fresh country air and relive foggy memories of yesteryear. While we originally planned to go wine touring, all the great food stops along the way kept us plenty occupied… and our bellies full. Here are a few of the highlights.

1. Maxie’s Supper Club
635 W State St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 272-4136

This is a pretty new spot in Ithaca that opened up a few years ago, and offers real smoked BBQ and a raw bar, both of which are pretty rare for Ithaca. The BBQ was pretty decent, the cheese grits were super saucy, and the andouille sausage was mighty zesty. Raw clams and oysters were half price during happy hour, and it was great to wash them down with some good local brews on tap. All in all, a great find.

2. Shortstop Deli
204 W Seneca St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-1030

Had to stop by the 24-7 Shortstop Deli down on Seneca for a late night grub session, since now they’ve got the famous Hot Truck subs, a Cornell tradition. “TMBC” – six meatballs with sauce and mozz on a half loaf of toasted french bread. And they even have totally sustainable, eco-friendly cutlery and glassware too. Ithaca is becoming quite a progressive town for others to take note.

Doug’s Fish Fry
3638 West Rd
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753-9184

Doug’s Fish Fry in Cortland is a personal tradition that I always highly recommend to any fried seafood lover. Their East Coast-style fried fish recipe truly takes the cake, in my book. Lightly battered cod in crispy breadcrumbs, using generous chunks of fish caught fresh and shipped in from Boston, served with a zingy slaw and chunky fried taters with skin on. They also fry up scallops and clams on certain days of the week. Mmmmm mmm. Totally worth the trip.

Purity Ice Cream

700 Cascadilla St
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 272-1545

Purity Ice Cream is like a blast from the past. Super creamy, buttery, thick, rich, old-fashioned churned ice cream where you can taste all the flavors without any of them overpowering each other. Watch out for the “Goose Tracks” though! (Inquire within.) Good stuff in any weather.

Hazelnut Kitchen
53 E Main St
Trumansburg, NY 14886
(607) 387-4433

Our final stop on the dining expedition was a cozy little joint with a quaint rustic feel in Trumansburg by the Seneca Lake wineries, owned and operated by a super nice husband and wife couple. The food is fairly upscale but with a great local upstate flavor and vibe, using only fresh readily available local ingredients. Chef Jonah switches up the menu seasonally. Our vegetable pot pie dish had fresh parsnips and celeriac, and the huge Conan-portioned pork chop was locally raised and rubbed with fine coffee from an Ithaca beanery called GimmeCoffee, which now has a cafe down in Soho. Talk about keeping it local. Definitely call ahead, as the whole town seems to be coming to this spot on the weekends, probably with good reason.

Needless to say, we ate a good time in Ithaca. We’ll be back to eat some more soon.