The hunt for the best burger in Korea may be over… But I’m not ready to call off the hunt just yet. This burger can hold its own even against US burger joints in the States. Great fries and toppings done right. It truly replicates an authentic Brooklyn feel inside, including its open kitchen, friendly staff, and fully stacked rack of self-serve hot sauces. Milkshakes are incredible – the nutella x burnt marshmallow is insane. This place is, simply put, bomb.

and:

Nonhyeon-dong 논현동 166

Amazing ribs in a different style than typical galbi spots, using a high quality charcoal. These are full meat-on-bone ribs, with a super smoky BBQ flavor. They even give you a glove to grill and eat with. Good accompaniments. No need to get the hot ribs, they serve the sauce on the side.

Lamb skewers (양꼬치) that you reheat on a grill. They’re awesome. It’s a dish I hear was imported from China, and the spices for dipping seem to be the same as those used in middle Eastern rubs. They’ve also got a tasty corn noodle soup (옥수수온면) and a ricecake-infused sweet’n'sour beef, tang soo yook (탕수육).

Here’s some video highlights from a reconnaissance trip in the summer of 2011, while visiting friends and family during the international B-boy tournament, R-16 KOREA.

For a taste of what to expect from the motherland of kimchi, bibimbap, kalbi, samgyeopsahl and more, check out the August FOOD DESTINATION: Seoul post.

Let the food adventures begin!

Supercore is a cozy little diner serving light Japanese fare such as curry, soba, and a personal favorite – beni-tori, chicken slowly simmered in soy-sauce and ginger. Great occasional change-up from the regular western brunch on weekends. Nice chill space with warm wooden interior. Bonus points for serving kimchee.

Online Menu

Good things come to those who eat LATE! This spot is usually jampacked during regular or post-drinking hours alike, but a small crew of hungry eaters came here to munch around 1 am on a Tues night, and were treated to meatball magnificence. Dim-sum style menu instructions. Choose: meatball / sauce / bread or salad / cheese. Hear specials, re-evaluate choices and order even more. Our fiesta de carnage consisted of a well-rounded assortment of flagship standards and envelope pushers, including: Beef meatball/tomato/mozzarella/roll + “chicken cordon blueball” special/parmesan cream/naked/add an egg on it + beef/spicymeatsauce/mozz/whole wheat roll + assorted slider combos. Also added some totally unnecessary but good sides such as butternut squash daily veggie special + risotto special. With a few wines and beers, came out to $20 a head. Sharing dessert.

Don’t save room, but make some space for the ice cream cookie sandwiches. They are like Oh My Gawd. Hit the gym the next day. Hard.

mega meatball smorgasbord.

oh lonely special chikn cordon blueball slider a la parmesan creme, let me put mine lips to thee...

OUTSTANDWICHES! snickerdoodle/pumpkin special ice cream + mocha latte special cookie/vanilla ice cream

dry-erase markers. B-I-N-G-Oh

Calexico
645 Manhattan Ave
(between Bedford Ave & Norman Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
(347) 763-2129
www.calexicocart.com
Menu

This place is kinda awesome. It’s not traditional $2-truck hole-in-the-wall Mexican or fancy Mexican. It’s just spot on good. Really creative flavor combos, chill vibe, good location. Wasn’t too crowded on a Sunday late brunch. Def recommended.

i think this beef burrito is how it all got started

crunch w slaw good combo. usually prefer not battered but these are just as good.

something like a crazy 7-layer torta. goodness

cant go wrong with melty cheese and peppers

1 or 8

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Sushi
Favorite Dish(es): Sushi Omakase (Chef’s choice), Sesame Torte

Online Menu

Only found this place looking for a local spot to take my parents. I’ve never really even considered having sushi in Brooklyn (aside from Blue Ribbon) since there’s just so many options in Manhattan, but I’m really glad we tried this spot out. It’s not the best or most creative – it’s just super solid. And for sushi in Williamsburg, that goes a long way. Pristine museum white interior decor with comfy banquette seating and super attentive and professional waitstaff. Definitely a scene on the weekends, with a bar area in front. A fancy but not uber-chic spot to impress the fam or a date.

Sashimi Omakase. Sushi was better. Some good stuff, some standard. Fresh and clean.

Sukiyaki Terrine. Funky french-inspired remix of the classic hotpot dish.

some kind of salty balls app. definitely did not need to order this.

golden sesame torte with black sesame ice cream. best dessert i've had at a sushi spot. could eat the whole cake.

white everywhere, kind of kubrick meets MOMA.

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.