Tomorrow will be my first time eating Korean, what should I prioritize ?
Tomorrow will be my first time eating Korean, what should I prioritize ?
by Extasion
29 Comments
Extasion
Monday I saw a Korean restaurant downtown in my (medium) city, I didn’t even know we had Korean restaurants, so I looked up Korean restaurants and there are two. I never ate Korean food, so I chose this one, it just opened this year. I wanna go solo, with my family and my family’s friends sometime. I don’t know if this subreddit is mainly composed of Koreans or foreigners. For foreigners (westerners) what are you favourite dishes, what do you think I should go for ? As for Koreans, what are your favourite dishes, what do you think I should try first ? Are there things I should know ?
vannarok
Uhhhh many of the dishes don’t look traditionally Korean NGL. They look like a Northeast Asian fusion restaurant that included different languages in their menus…
If you must, the jeongol (hotpot/stew), gimbap, and bibimbap (esp. the beef one) seem to be close enough. Not so sure about the kimchi.
Ramen (the emphasis being on the ra*men*, not ra*myeon*) and gua bao are definitely not Korean.
curryp4n
This place is a mixture of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, “galettes,” and the “fondues” are Korean.
RexRonny
Norwegian here.
Beef Bulgogi are a perfect intro to Korean food to my opinion. That’s what got me hooked on trying Korean dishes. Now my current favorites are Tteobokki and Kimchi jjigae enjoyed with great pleasure after gotten used to kimchi and the distinct version of chili they use in their cooking. Also the deep fried chicken with red sauce are really good, but quite spicy just to warn you ahead of eating it.
One distinct feature with Korean food are the side dishes, usually kimchi as a bare minimum, but often plenty more to most dishes. Try them out, really exciting to see how much flavour you get from ordinary ingredients in Korean versions
BigPicture365
There’s way too much stuff on the menu and a lot of them not being Korean would be a red flag for me,
but if you must go here since there are only 2 korean restaurants where you are and eager to try it, i would recommend bulgogi or bibimbap, and later when you go with friends or family get jeongol.
michaell2019
First menu I’ve seen with korean words but no korean food.
piches
bibimbap + bulgogi
Fragrant_Tale1428
Maybe items from photos 6, 7 & 9. They look more traditionally Korean. * Next to my top picks for the first time, but you may prefer other proteins or options more.
*BE02 Bibimbop with beef (looks like what’s in the picture on photo 7, top)
VE02 Jjapchae
AC02 Beef Kimbop
*PL03 Bulgogi
PL08 Stir fried squid
AC05 Kimchi pancake or
AC07 Chive pancake or
*AC08 Seafood pancake
I like multi Asian cuisine restaurants when I want a bit of this and that. The downside is the huge menu to choose from!
Hope it’s a great, tasty experience!
Edit: space format
zestypetal
For a newbie you will probably love Korean fried chicken and bulgogi 💗
PresentPickleNinja
Jeon of any kind! Kimchi jeon if you feel like tasting kimchi (which is great) otherwise vegetable jeon. It’s so simple and so nice if done well.
Legeto
A different place. Too much food, too much fusion, and way too expensive. A first time intro to Korean food would be bibimbap, kimbap, and bulgogi with a side of kimchi, garlic, pickled radish, and so on.
Realkool
Like many others have said this is a combination of Japanese, Chinese and Korean fusion dishes. But the fact that they have Korean writing on the menu makes me think that they are probably Korean. A lot of the dishes look pretty good so they might very well be. But if you want, a more authentic Korean experience my recommendation would be to talk to the owners. Tell them you are interested in traditional Korean food and ask them what they recommend. Most likely they will be thrilled and will point you in the direction of their more authentic Korean dishes.
janschy
There’s a lot of haters/purists in these comments, but honestly just order what looks tasty.
If you want, you can reverse engineer and figure out what is more or less “traditional” Korean. Korean food has always been a fusion of different cuisines and influences so I’m kinda shaking my head at the purists.
Yes the restaurant itself is not a traditional mom and pop Korean shop, who cares? You said this is one of the few Korean restaurants around, support it!
If you’re going with a larger group. Get a couple stews from the bottom of page 5, some bulgogi or other protein from page 6, maybe an order of jajang noodles or japchae from page 8, and some pancakes (seafood or kimchi) and some kimchi on the side, of course. This is kind of assuming you don’t like spicy stuff, but if you like spicy, go for some tteokpokki or maybe even the tteokpokki with the Buldak ramen.
If you’re going by yourself or with a smaller group, Bibimbap wouldn’t be a bad choice. It’s more of a casual lunch type food but it’s a good variety of Korean ingredients. But it’s more of a one and done dish, and not super conducive to trying a lot of different stuff.
​
Again, SMH at the people who aren’t saying this is “traditional” Korean. The restaurant isn’t advertising itself as such. A lot of Korean food is very trendy and changes quite often, which is, in the long run, what makes it good.
teekeno
You should prioritize finding a full-fledged Korean restaurant.
Carpet-Crafty
Wow, English, French and Korean. In my opinion you should prioritize whatever you feel like eating.
Ornery_1004
This is not Korean food. Japanese style ramen. Chinese bao.
EffectiveExtreme2144
Too many haters in the comments – sorry OP isn’t in Downtown LA!
​
There are plenty of Korean dishes on that menu. Enjoy. J’aime des kimbap, je fais le kimbap au poulet frit avec gochujang tout les temps, c’est exquis.
Sensitive_Buffalo416
Doesn’t look like a Korean restaurant, but it’s it’ll good be pretty yummy. Looks more like it’s just “Asian fusion”
KoreanB_B_Q
Personally, I would prioritize finding a more authentic place. Kidding aside, a ton of the stuff on the menu isn’t Korean and like someone else said, charging for banchan?!?!?
French presentation with Korean food. This is a first… at that point just go to Momofuku in New York.
I mean, if you are set on this place for your first Korean restaurant. Get the BB02 Bibimbap, FD04 Fondue Bulgogi (as entree), PL08 Calmar saute or PL09 Cheese Buldak, AC04 Kimchijeon or Ac08 Alette ciboulette, (*if you are having jeon, ask for Makguli.) Rest is up to you. And yes, get flavored soju. Just have a good time.
Bon appetite, you Frenchie.
Edit: You have to buy kimchi separately?! I’m already upset.
HeavyFunction2201
Korean fried chicken,
Bulgogi – not spicy, beef simmered in sweet savory soy sauce
dakgalbi- spicy stir fried chicken,
bibimbap – rice, veg, meat mixed together with sweet and spicy sauce
Japchae – savory noodles stir fried in sesame oil
Tteokbboki – Korean street food spicy sweet rice cakes – very chewy texture
joonjoon
Please ignore the haters. There’s a lot of Japanese stuff on the menu but plenty of Korean.
Obviously you will want to get some kimchi, that is the soul of Korean food. ET5 or ET10. That seems quite pricey considering kimchi comes automatically, you should check if it does.
Since it’s winter time any of the FDs would be a good bet. FD03, 04, 05, 08 sound good to me.
Any of the PLs other than PL07 would be good.
Bibimbap is a classic, can’t go wrong so any of the BBs.
VE02 is a classic and a favorite also.
Hope you enjoy!
shiningject
This place looks like a Japanese, Korean and Korean-Chinese mishmashed into one.
You even have to pay for the banchan.
I’d say don’t have too much expectation for this place to be authentic or good because it likely isn’t gonna be (for both Japanese food or Korean food).
It’s better to find an authentic Korean restaurant in your area OP.
SansevieraEtMaranta
This is a mix of several Asian cuisines – most are fusion dishes. What do you like to eat typically? Rice, noodle, fried, or stew type dishes? Spicy or not? Will help with recommendations
felix_the_orphan
5 or 9
fleur13
You would be served a lot of banchan that comes with the main dish. Would it be a stew, soup or meat dish it is always comes with a banchan. This is the way.
spicytunaonigiri
Bibimbap is probably the best introduction to Korean flavors. Go with dolsot (stone bowl) one if they have it.
29 Comments
Monday I saw a Korean restaurant downtown in my (medium) city, I didn’t even know we had Korean restaurants, so I looked up Korean restaurants and there are two.
I never ate Korean food, so I chose this one, it just opened this year.
I wanna go solo, with my family and my family’s friends sometime.
I don’t know if this subreddit is mainly composed of Koreans or foreigners.
For foreigners (westerners) what are you favourite dishes, what do you think I should go for ?
As for Koreans, what are your favourite dishes, what do you think I should try first ?
Are there things I should know ?
Uhhhh many of the dishes don’t look traditionally Korean NGL. They look like a Northeast Asian fusion restaurant that included different languages in their menus…
If you must, the jeongol (hotpot/stew), gimbap, and bibimbap (esp. the beef one) seem to be close enough. Not so sure about the kimchi.
Ramen (the emphasis being on the ra*men*, not ra*myeon*) and gua bao are definitely not Korean.
This place is a mixture of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, “galettes,” and the “fondues” are Korean.
Norwegian here.
Beef Bulgogi are a perfect intro to Korean food to my opinion. That’s what got me hooked on trying Korean dishes. Now my current favorites are Tteobokki and Kimchi jjigae enjoyed with great pleasure after gotten used to kimchi and the distinct version of chili they use in their cooking. Also the deep fried chicken with red sauce are really good, but quite spicy just to warn you ahead of eating it.
One distinct feature with Korean food are the side dishes, usually kimchi as a bare minimum, but often plenty more to most dishes. Try them out, really exciting to see how much flavour you get from ordinary ingredients in Korean versions
There’s way too much stuff on the menu and a lot of them not being Korean would be a red flag for me,
but if you must go here since there are only 2 korean restaurants where you are and eager to try it, i would recommend bulgogi or bibimbap, and later when you go with friends or family get jeongol.
First menu I’ve seen with korean words but no korean food.
bibimbap + bulgogi
Maybe items from photos 6, 7 & 9. They look more traditionally Korean. * Next to my top picks for the first time, but you may prefer other proteins or options more.
*BE02 Bibimbop with beef (looks like what’s in the picture on photo 7, top)
VE02 Jjapchae
AC02 Beef Kimbop
*PL03 Bulgogi
PL08 Stir fried squid
AC05 Kimchi pancake or
AC07 Chive pancake or
*AC08 Seafood pancake
I like multi Asian cuisine restaurants when I want a bit of this and that. The downside is the huge menu to choose from!
Hope it’s a great, tasty experience!
Edit: space format
For a newbie you will probably love Korean fried chicken and bulgogi 💗
Jeon of any kind! Kimchi jeon if you feel like tasting kimchi (which is great) otherwise vegetable jeon. It’s so simple and so nice if done well.
A different place. Too much food, too much fusion, and way too expensive. A first time intro to Korean food would be bibimbap, kimbap, and bulgogi with a side of kimchi, garlic, pickled radish, and so on.
Like many others have said this is a combination of Japanese, Chinese and Korean fusion dishes. But the fact that they have Korean writing on the menu makes me think that they are probably Korean. A lot of the dishes look pretty good so they might very well be. But if you want, a more authentic Korean experience my recommendation would be to talk to the owners. Tell them you are interested in traditional Korean food and ask them what they recommend. Most likely they will be thrilled and will point you in the direction of their more authentic Korean dishes.
There’s a lot of haters/purists in these comments, but honestly just order what looks tasty.
If you want, you can reverse engineer and figure out what is more or less “traditional” Korean. Korean food has always been a fusion of different cuisines and influences so I’m kinda shaking my head at the purists.
Yes the restaurant itself is not a traditional mom and pop Korean shop, who cares? You said this is one of the few Korean restaurants around, support it!
If you’re going with a larger group. Get a couple stews from the bottom of page 5, some bulgogi or other protein from page 6, maybe an order of jajang noodles or japchae from page 8, and some pancakes (seafood or kimchi) and some kimchi on the side, of course. This is kind of assuming you don’t like spicy stuff, but if you like spicy, go for some tteokpokki or maybe even the tteokpokki with the Buldak ramen.
If you’re going by yourself or with a smaller group, Bibimbap wouldn’t be a bad choice. It’s more of a casual lunch type food but it’s a good variety of Korean ingredients. But it’s more of a one and done dish, and not super conducive to trying a lot of different stuff.
​
Again, SMH at the people who aren’t saying this is “traditional” Korean. The restaurant isn’t advertising itself as such. A lot of Korean food is very trendy and changes quite often, which is, in the long run, what makes it good.
You should prioritize finding a full-fledged Korean restaurant.
Wow, English, French and Korean. In my opinion you should prioritize whatever you feel like eating.
This is not Korean food. Japanese style ramen. Chinese bao.
Too many haters in the comments – sorry OP isn’t in Downtown LA!
​
There are plenty of Korean dishes on that menu. Enjoy. J’aime des kimbap, je fais le kimbap au poulet frit avec gochujang tout les temps, c’est exquis.
Doesn’t look like a Korean restaurant, but it’s it’ll good be pretty yummy. Looks more like it’s just “Asian fusion”
Personally, I would prioritize finding a more authentic place. Kidding aside, a ton of the stuff on the menu isn’t Korean and like someone else said, charging for banchan?!?!?
That is a very pretty menu
cheese tteokbokki, kimbap, pickled cucumber, spicy noodles, japchae, bulgogi, squid !!
French presentation with Korean food. This is a first… at that point just go to Momofuku in New York.
I mean, if you are set on this place for your first Korean restaurant. Get the BB02 Bibimbap, FD04 Fondue Bulgogi (as entree), PL08 Calmar saute or PL09 Cheese Buldak, AC04 Kimchijeon or Ac08 Alette ciboulette, (*if you are having jeon, ask for Makguli.) Rest is up to you. And yes, get flavored soju. Just have a good time.
Bon appetite, you Frenchie.
Edit: You have to buy kimchi separately?! I’m already upset.
Korean fried chicken,
Bulgogi – not spicy, beef simmered in sweet savory soy sauce
dakgalbi- spicy stir fried chicken,
bibimbap – rice, veg, meat mixed together with sweet and spicy sauce
Japchae – savory noodles stir fried in sesame oil
Tteokbboki – Korean street food spicy sweet rice cakes – very chewy texture
Please ignore the haters. There’s a lot of Japanese stuff on the menu but plenty of Korean.
Obviously you will want to get some kimchi, that is the soul of Korean food. ET5 or ET10. That seems quite pricey considering kimchi comes automatically, you should check if it does.
Since it’s winter time any of the FDs would be a good bet. FD03, 04, 05, 08 sound good to me.
Any of the PLs other than PL07 would be good.
Bibimbap is a classic, can’t go wrong so any of the BBs.
VE02 is a classic and a favorite also.
Hope you enjoy!
This place looks like a Japanese, Korean and Korean-Chinese mishmashed into one.
You even have to pay for the banchan.
I’d say don’t have too much expectation for this place to be authentic or good because it likely isn’t gonna be (for both Japanese food or Korean food).
It’s better to find an authentic Korean restaurant in your area OP.
This is a mix of several Asian cuisines – most are fusion dishes. What do you like to eat typically? Rice, noodle, fried, or stew type dishes? Spicy or not? Will help with recommendations
5 or 9
You would be served a lot of banchan that comes with the main dish. Would it be a stew, soup or meat dish it is always comes with a banchan. This is the way.
Bibimbap is probably the best introduction to Korean flavors. Go with dolsot (stone bowl) one if they have it.