West and East 32nd Street just past 5th Avenue in both directions in NYC is known as "K-Town" to us locals, short for Koreatown. The row is a long conglomerate of the best Korean restaurants, take-out places, boutiques, and karaoke bars! One favorite restaurant I have been to several times now is BCD Tofu House. The name is misleading because there are plenty of delectable meat options, and they even serve the deadly puffer fish in a cold soup form! The tofu here is supreme and you can order it in many different textures and tastes...the best way to enjoy it though here is in the hot soup pots. Although I have had the soup pots, tonight's dinner with a friend had me craving yet another favorite Korean dish of mine: bibimbop.
The meal starts with ponchon (complimentary appetizers) which include kimchee, pickles, and a whole deep fried crocker fish with a dipping sauce. The kimchee here is quite good and has the perfect balance of spice. My favorite korean appetizer is the pickled daikon radishes.
My friend and I both ordered the bibimbap in the hot stone with ground beef, cucumber, radishes, bean spouts, zucchini, sea aster (a plant), egg, and a delicious sweet chili paste to mix in. The best way to enjoy it is to mix all the ingredients in with chopsticks but not to scrape the bottom of the hot stone. The rice at the bottom cooks and forms an amazing crispy cake by the time you are done with the rest of the bowl.
As I walked back to Penn Station after the meal, I had to stop into Koryodang bakery. It is a well know Korean bakery that has shops in the city and Queens. The bakery is set up like any other Asian bakery, with plenty of room to sit and enjoy teas and sweets for those who have time to relax. For others who don't, big trays and tongs are there for you to pick your breads and pastries and head to the register.
I treated myself to a slice of sponge cake with apricot filling. Sponge cake is one of my favorite types of cakes, and I only get it when at an Asian bakery since I feel it is prepared best with all of the fillings like honey and fruit. If you are in New York City, it is worth having a meal in K-town, especially at these two eateries! Enjoy!
Sounds like a great meal! I've never had the bibimbap before and would love to try!
ReplyDeleteYum! I haven't had Korean food since I moved to the UK - you are so lucky to have it close to hand!
ReplyDeleteI wish I can go back to Korea, the food was exquisite. I miss the taste of bibimbap and samgyepsal (dunplings). Lucky you, we don't really have REAL Korean food in MTL.
ReplyDeleteIt's been soooo long since I've had Korean food! You're so lucky to have such great choices close by!
ReplyDeleteNice reviews, I wish I had about a month to go and eat in NYC...there is sooooo much to explore. Lucky you! At least I can live vicariously through your descriptions!
ReplyDeleteNext time Im in NYC Ill check this place out!YUM
ReplyDeleteI would definitely just head straight for the desserts!
ReplyDeleteEverything sound yummy! Especially the cake!
ReplyDeleteHi this is my 1st time here, like you blog with title of Spaghetti, my kids and I like Spaghetti too, will visit you more often.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Korean food yet. It all sounds terrific!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an excellent place to try...I'm going to forward your blog to my daughter, who lives in NYC. Perhaps she has been there. I've never had Korean food of any kind, which is rather surprising. Oh well, kimchee, but that's on so many US restaurant menus that I don't count that!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great place. We only have 1 Korean restaurant in our small community. Sometimes I miss NYC for the sheer variety of food that could be found there.
ReplyDeleteI love Korean food and I sometimes go to Korean town in Manhattan. My favorite Korean restaurant is called Don's Bogam, Their Korean BBQ is absolutely awesome! I love their Galbi. I also have to stop by at the bakery on the way back to Penn station. I can never pass by those Asian bakeries without buying anything :-)
ReplyDeleteoh looks like a great place to go!
ReplyDeleteis bibimbap not the most fun food word ever? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review dear!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an exciting discovery which am sure u'll enjoy everytime ur there....when in NY,all we have to do is hop by ur blog ...
ReplyDeletecheers and fantastic day......
Gosh, I love NYC what a foodie city. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful and tasty diversity...I am envious. All we have here are Chinese restaurants, fast food burgers, and pizza.... oh how I miss the city!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE K-Town! Korean barbecue is one of my favorite things to eat. And Asian pastries - heavenly. Great reviews!
ReplyDeleteI want to visit New York City so bad, I've never been! I want to visit and do nothing but eat :-D
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