The healthy indulgence – Kimchi

Since the population of Koreans started to increase in the United States back in the 1970 and 80s, the popularity of Korean food also started to rise. Although Korean restaurants in New York are not as high in number as compared to other Asian cuisines, Korean cuisine is becoming part of American culinary culture.

Kimchi - Healthy Korean Dish

Kimchi salad has become the new miso, Korean barbecue is joining the league of hibachi grills and sushi bars and Korean burgers and tacos are a complete new form of American fast food. But the reason why it took time for Korean food to become America’s choice was because they were purists who decided not to adapt dishes to match American palate. It was in the hidden streets of Korea Town that New York’s food industry first tried the enigmatic cuisine. The journey of Korean cuisine in New York started with Kimchi. Just like Pad Thai became the familiar Thai dish for many when Thai cuisine started getting popular in America, Kimchi led the exploration of this wonderful cuisine. An introduction for the American palate to a completely unique cuisine.

The great thing is that Korean restaurants in NYC are coming up at the right time because now New York eater is bolder than ever before. Also with vegetarianism on this rise, veg Korean food has a lot of scope to fit into the healthier lifestyles of the new-age New Yorker. With Kimchi coming in exciting preparations, chefs are finding new ways of slipping in the Kimchi salad into American comfort food.   

Kimchi is a fermented Veg Korean food item generally prepared with cabbage, Korean radish, or sometimes cucumber. It is fermented in a brine of ginger, garlic, scallions, and chili pepper. Kimchi is so essential to Korean households that Koreans make enough Kimchi to last for the entire winter season. They used to use traditional Korean mud pots back in the day. But now there are special Kimchi refrigerators and commercially produced Kimchi easily available. Kimchi has innumerable health benefits and is considered a major reason for keeping South Korea healthy. It is packed with vitamin A, thiamine B1, riboflavin B2, calcium, and iron. But the biggest benefit of a diet that includes Kimchi is found in the bacteria – lactobacilli. This is a common bacteria found in fermented foods that helps with digestion.

Koreans believe that food is like medicine — if you eat well, your mind and body will all stay fit. No wonder, South Koreans consume a whopping 40 pounds a year of this spicy delicacy. It is part of a high-fibre, low-fat diet that has always kept obesity far away from Korea. After reading about the innumerable health benefits of Kimchi, I felt intrigued to try including it in my diet. But to set the right standard of good Kimchi I went to Gammeeok in Korea Town. This is a quaint little place in K-Town that made Kimchi an instant favorite for me. Now that I have the best Kimchi in the best Korean restaurant in NYC, I don’t think I will be ordering my Kimchi from anywhere else.

The best Korean grills in NYC

Korean cuisine is a unique cuisine that has been evolving for centuries and still welcomes all experiments with open arms. But its origin is tied to the ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions in the Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria. It has taken a new shape because of an interesting interaction between natural environment and various cultural trends.

Delicious Korean BBQ, Grills at Gammeeok in NYC

The main dishes often seen in a Korean restaurant are rice based dishes, soups and stews, kimchi, banchan and anju. One popular occurrence in the menu is the Korean barbecue delicacies. It is a popular method of grilling meat typically beef, pork or chicken. The barbecue is generally prepared on gas or charcoal grills built into the dining table itself. Korean restaurants that don’t have built-in grills provide portable stoves for diners to use at their table. Another common trend is for the chef to prepare dishes to order in a centrally displayed grill.

Korean barbecue is called gogi-gui which stands for ‘meat roast’. There are many forms of gogi-gui that are popular. A few of them are bulgogi and galbi, and many other marinated as well as unmarinated dishes that are further classified into many categories. But the main three meats used are beef, pork and chicken. A lesser known fact is that there exists an LA-style galbi that has grilled, marinated beef short ribs. In Korean restaurants chefs use a vertical cut for the beef. But in Los Angeles the meat is generally cut horizontally with a slicer instead of a knife. Although this process produces a less tender galbi, Korean Americans have adopted to this local, more convenient cut. What is fascinating is that LA galbi has also found its place in Korea where it is regarded as a nice western touch to the traditional galbi. Not just the main grilled meat, the Korean barbecue also has great side dishes called banchan to go with the roasted meat. Whether it is a green onion salad, pajeori or the fresh vegetable dish with lettuce, cucumbers and peppers, there is something always accompanying a meat dish at a Korean restaurant. Korean barbecue is also served wrapped with lettuce and added condiments such as ssamjang.

Appetizing Korean Entrees at Gammeeok in New York

But Korean cuisine hasn’t always been popular in New York. Even long after moving to the US, the cuisine stayed hidden in the streets of Korea Town. But after the New York food industry tried the unique flavors of anju, Pork Bbq and kimchi salad, there was no looking back. Now Korean barbecue has become at par with your regular hibachi grills and sushi bars. It is in Gammeeok in Korea Town that I decided to taste my first galbisal. Once I tried it there now my definition of Korean food is eating at Gammeeok. Starting from their Korean barbecue to their signature dishes like Seolleongtang and Kimchi. And I always wondered why no other Kimchi salad in New York tastes like the one at Gammeeok. Well the last time I was here I discovered that it is because that one of the most crucial ingredients for Kimchi, the red pepper, is actually directly imported from South Korea to Gammeeok. No wonder how many authentic Korean restaurants in New York I try, I always come back to Gammeeok for more.

5 Korean eateries in NYC that will make you go “Ma shee suh yo” (It’s delicious) !

There are moments when your mind starts buzzing with the images of spicy delicious Korean hot pots & bulgogi. Picturing those rich delights leave your heart and soul craving for it and all you want to do is run to a quaint Korean eatery. It is why we have collated a list of top 5 Korean restaurant NYC that are known to bring the true flavors of Korea to NYC. These are some budget eateries that are sure to win your heart just as they help to keep those cravings at bay.

1        Miss Korea BBQ:  Located on the 32^nd street between Broadway and 5^th Ave, this food joint has a very exquisite feel. The ambiance and the delicious Korean BBQ is well complimented with a variety of drinks. This Korean restaurant NYC emphasizes on serving really high-quality aged meat. The highlights include 24/7 service, BBQ, seafood, and quick service.

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2.       Jungsik: The food joint exudes an urbane look and feel. The place is quite popular for offering an interesting blend of Korean flavors and American techniques. The French-Korean twist on food is what makes it unique. Great food is accompanied with top-notch service. The highlights include perfectly executed service, extensive wine list, budgeted even after being a Michelin star restaurant.

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3.       Gammeok NYC: This perfectly authentic Korean joint located on the 9 West, 32^nd street, Koreatown, New York is one of the most affordable places that serves beyond outstanding food. The food joint boasts an extensive menu. It offers both dining and online delivery service. The joint will not just please your taste buds with its delicious food, but also allow you to top up your dining experience with a drink (or many as you please) from their full bar menu. The highlights include authentic Korean dishes, 24/7 open, happy hours, live entertainment, good for organizing group parties etc.

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 Five Senses: This modern food joint, which can again be found on the 32^nd street, is popular for its Bulgogi and Japchae. The place serves generous portions of food that are worth the price. You might find big waiting queues at all the time by the restaurant. However the wait is worth the while because they are really quick with the service once you get a place. The highlights of this joint include traditional touch to the food, incredibly attentive waiters, and big food portions.

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  Danji: Traditional Korean food with a contemporary touch by the chefs, Danji is a bustling food joint that is small and quaint, but offers incredibly flavorful Korean cuisine. However, the restaurant is rumoured to serve small portions but there is no compromise on the quality of the menu. The restaurant serves the best rice beer, which adds to the highlights of the joint. Besides, the restaurant serves half priced wine bottles on Sunday, which is another remunerating feature.

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New York Foodies, here’s why you should choose to indulge in Korean food more often!

New York Foodies, here’s why you should choose to indulge in Korean food more often!

New York City accommodates more than 8.5 million people. This makes it the most populous city in the US. NYC is always on its toes, with a calendar full of events all through the year. As a result of amalgamation of various events, cultures and traditions, NYC offers some enthralling food experiences for everyone to indulge in. In the midst of some utterly sumptuous cuisine choices, here is why we want to encourage you to indulge in Korean food more often;

·         Numerous Korean food places in New York City: The growing love for Korean food in NYC has resulted in setting-up of some absolutely fantastic Korean Food Places in the City. Night long barbeques featuring karaoke nights at many of the Top Korean restaurant in New York’s 32^nd street talk much about the love that new Yorkers possess for this cuisine. You may find many restaurants that will be ready to serve you nightlong Korean food oozing with rich flavors.

·         Quick Korean food online delivery in New York: With the world going gaga over online shopping, food ordering on the internet has become popular than ever. It now does not take much time to find multiple Korean restaurants offering quick online food delivery in New York.  Irrespective of what you are yearning to relish- Kimchi, Banchan, Korean noodles or Anju, ordering any Korean dish is quick, easy and convenient.

·         A budgeted food menu: The extensiveness of Korean menu offers multiple authentic cuisines to choose from. But what is more enticing is the moderate prices that these Korean cuisines accompany. So, it’s another great reason to prefer Korean food over other cuisines.

Korean food not just satisfies your hunger but it also satiates your senses with its rich flavors. New York is home to tons of food delights, right from Jewish delicacies to the popular soul food and much more. Amidst all this, Korean cuisine is far and widely being accepted because of the authentic delights it has to offer to food lovers. There are so many beautiful Korean dishes you can try to deal with your usual late night hunger pangs, post party food cravings, lazy brunch yearnings and much more. Go on, give Korean food a try, and you are sure to fall in love with every bit of it.

Source:-  http://www.gammeeok.nyc/