Koreatown — So Much To Eat, So Little Time

My parents turned me on to a cute Canadian sitcom called “Kim’s Convenience” about a Korean-Canadian fam who run a corner deli in a Toronto hood.  The cast is good and there’s a Pam/Jim situation thrown in there too.  I’m a fan because hearing jokes centered around a Korean family albeit a fake one makes me think of my own roots.  It’s the same way I feel when I walk through Koreatown in Manhattan: let the comfort food journey begin.

My kids loved Mandoo Bar (Korean for dumpling) but sadly they’ve been closed since an April fire and I’m not sure if they’re reopening.  But – a few steps away is teeny tiny, cash only E-Mo (Korean for aunt).  E-Mo is a kim bap place.  Kim bap is a seaweed wrap of rice, beef, egg, pickle.  Some call it Korean sushi I just call it mighty good. I grew up eating it since it’s a staple of Korean picnics, parties and lunchboxes.  The E-Mo husband/wife duo make them fresh on the spot and throw in a cup of soup – all for under $10.  From tuna to Spam to cheese, they offer quite an array but I stick to the OG beef one.  Portable, kid-friendly, homemade.

Another quick Seoul food fix is Woorijip where they serve buffet-style dishes in a very casual sit down setup.  Tight squeeze at noon but strollers fit.  I like the savory mung bean pancakes that I take to go.  When my kids crave KFC aka Korean Fried Chicken we eat at the mega-chain Bonchon.  The other offerings are meh so go for the chicken – mild or spicy deep fried fast food deliciousness.

There are a number of Korean beauty shops in the area so I pick the ones that have the most unique names.  Enter Besfren.  As in she used to be my BFF and now she’s just my Besfren.  Well they sell skincare, makeup and the ubiquitous face masks.  All for a bit cheaper than your local Walgreens.  They even run a coffee bar next door.

Yes Koreans like their coffee…and their pastries.  Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours are where you and your kids can pick out a sweet treat before wrapping up your K-town excursion at Koryo Books.  It’s a great Korean book/tchotchke shop that also happens to be K-Pop central.  Even if your kids are not into BTS, they will be when they leave.  I’m not afraid to say I’ve been getting my recent fashion cues from RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jimin and Jungkook.  

I promise more K-town blogging about karaoke bars and grown-up restaurants like Her Name is Han and Turntable Chicken Jazz.  In the meantime don’t forget to check out Kim’s Convenience on Netflix!

Koreatown, W 32nd St between Fifth & Sixth Aves aka Korea Way