8 replies to this topic

[StephanieL]

For dinner in K-Town on Monday night, I randomly picked Kunjip simply because I'd never been there before. As all the reviews say, it's a small place that's very popular, with corresponding gotta-turn-those-tables hurried service. The menu has all the usual items, with a high proportion of spicy dishes, and offer BBQ on small, portable tabletop grills.

The assortment of panchan was about the most extensive I've ever had. There were about 7 or 8 items, plus miso soup, plus a bowl of mixed black and white rice with beans. I conceded to the weather and had the sanchae bibimbob, assorted cold vegetables plus kimchee topped with a fried egg. Plain on its own, but enhanced by mixing the rice into the bowl and topping the whole thing with hot sauce. It was filling and just what I needed. N had the budae chigae, a casserole with vegetables, noodles, sausage, and Spam in a spicy broth. She enjoyed it a lot, even the Spam part. At the end, they gave us bowls with a cold, sweet, cinnamon drink that was very refreshing.

So, not a bad option if you want some no-frills Korean food. I've heard they get really packed during lunch.

[changeup]

From the little that I know, Kunjip is considered the most homey and legit of the Korean restaurants on that Street. Not a bbq or tourist spot, just a good quick spot for traditional fare done simply and well.

[porkwah]

i used to eat there a lot when i worked in the neighborhood years ago. enjoyed it.

occasionally i eat lunch at the hole in the wall korean place at 55th (or is it 56th) and 6th - some things there are good.

[Orik]

From the little that I know, Kunjip is considered the most homey and legit of the Korean restaurants on that Street. Not a bbq or tourist spot, just a good quick spot for traditional fare done simply and well.

That's been my experience and I've eaten at most of them when I worked Korean hours in the area. If you go at somewhat off hours the experience is better but if you go at crazy hours then you're on your own with the early morning shift kitchen, beware.

[chopjwu12]

This is the ny cooks favorite korean spot pretty much. Everyone i know eats there after work when they are in the mood for korean.

[changeup]

Great dinner here last night:

Beef Japchae (sweet potato noodles) - very good, nice and savory beef/soy dressing

Kimchi Pajeon (pancake) - Nice and sour, must be slightly more aged kimchi

Dduk Boki (rice cake links in red korean pepper sauce) - Not a big fan in the first place, but this was fine


Kam Ja Tang (pork bone - spine really - soup with potatoes) - Pork meat is delicious, picks clean right off the bone. Definitely something I want to eat again soon, the potatoes get just soft enough. Great dish.

Bulgoggi Dolsot Bibimbap (Hot rice bowl) - needs plenty of gochujang (korean red pepper sauce), very fresh, not oily at all. Not super crispy rice though, if crisped rice is your thing, this is not your place. This came with a small Doenjang soup (Sondooboo was the other option) which is nice.

Jaeyook Doo Boo Kimchi (stir fried pork with kimchi, side of fresh tofu) - Absolutely awesome. Vinegary, tangy, spicy - a true marvel. Nice contrast with the fresh tofu sitting there alongside. Includes a few slices of new years cake tucked in there. I ordered this since I couldn't find any plain red pepper pork on the menu, and glad I did.


We also ordered a few beers (OB, Hite) and a bottle of Soju. With three people we didn't finish anything, and took a few things home. The first three are listed as apps (or we ordered the small size when there was an option), the second three as entrees, but they arrived whenever - Kam Ja Tang arrived 2nd for example. They brought along a couple of those hot soupy egg souffle's throughout the meal, which was nice.

The funny thing is that one guest wanted to linger and chat after they cleared everything off, and I was sort of pushing us out the door knowing this is a turnover place. Well, she resisted for about 2 minutes, at which point the lady in charge just marches over, eyes the inch of beer left at the bottom of her bottle, grabs it and unceremoniously states "thank you for coming!". Pretty funny to me, I think my guest felt super insulted though.

We wound up spending about $50 per person on this "intro to basics" meal for my friends.

[irnscrabblechf52]

'twas good

[changeup]

I must have returned a half dozen times for the Kam Ja Tang since I wrote the above.

[irnscrabblechf52]

we had
G18. Jaeyook Doo Boo Kimchi spicy pan-fried pork and kimchi with tofu
C30. Bibim Nang Myun spicy cold buckwheat noodles and egg
A5. Hae Mool Pan Jun seafood and scallion pancake
G23. Soon Dae traditional korean sausage

Really, really good. Went at 5:45, 3 of us, meal probably lasted 40 minutes. They did try to hustle us out at the end, but it wasn't too bad. The bibim nang myun (seen this spelled all different ways) was my favorite, but i am partial to buckwheat.