There are so many new Korean places in Duluth I can’t keep up. This one opened a week ago and I’m so happy to see they’re already busy everyday. First, let me tell you how to get there. Although the address says Pleasant Hill, the storefront faces North Berkeley Lake (across from Super H). So, to get there, take North Berkeley Lake Rd away from Super H Mart (if you go the other way you’ll hit Super H). It’s the free standing building in the Walmart plaza next to the gasoline station.

Best deal for $3.50

Now the food. I liken the quality and taste of food here with the fast casual concept. If you want a quick, no-frills meal then this is your spot. They’ve got different kinds of kimbap (maki rolls) that cost $3.50 an order and comes with 12 big slices. Served with a bowl of spicy soup and daikon kimchi, they make for a good snack or appetizer. I suggest the bulgogi kimbap so you get a little protein but the fish cake one is also good (if chewy is your thing). There’s also a cheese kind that was actually okay.

$7.99 and it’s not even full

I’m a huge fan of yukgaejang because it’s my favorite Korean soup. I can proudly say I’ve had it at almost all the Korean places in the metro that serve it. The version here is ordinary — no depth of flavors, just flat beef broth. There are a good amount of beef pieces in the spicy soup although they needed a few more hours in the pot to tenderize. I do like that it didn’t come piled high with bean sprouts (a turn-off and a no-no) and that it came with lots of fernbrake (or fiddleheads, a black, noodle-like veggie that’s a major component of this soup). It’s a good deal for $7.99 if you’re not particular with your yukgaejangs. Unfortunately, I am and I’d rather spend that money next door in either direction of Pleasant Hill for amazing yukgaejang that even comes with handmade noodles. But that’s just me.

They have two kinds of ramen: one with veggies and egg and another one with cheese. (Really, cheese?) The menu says “instant noodles soup” so I wouldn’t even dare order that if I were you. Besides, you have better use for your $5.99. They have quite a selection of rice cake dishes — tteokbokki — chewy rice cakes resembling solid tubes of pasta in spicy tomato-based broth. I am an equal opportunity tteokbokki eater so the ones here are okay to me (although a bit pricier than most places).

There’s one thing, however, that you must get here. The Chicken Juk (rice porridge) is really pretty good. Flavorful minced chicken swim in delicious porridge. It has the perfect balance of sticky and soupy. Comfort food, yes!

Overall, a pricey place. Nothing spectacular overall but hits the spot when you’re in the immediate area and craving for something quick.

Pepper Garden
2605 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Suite 600-A
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-9010

Technorati Tags: Korean, Duluth

Did I have you at dumpling? Thought so. This is another of those new establishments in Duluth. It opened about two months ago. It occupies the space vacated by my ultra favorite EERecipe Rice Crepe House (if you never went then too bad for you). Managed, operated, and staffed by a Korean family, everything is made in-house. Handmade, homemade noodles? Check. Handmade dumplings? Check. Korean mommy cooking just about everything from scratch? Check.

Korean dumpling and noodle shops pride themselves with handmade dumplings and noodles. This place is no exception. There are a handful of these in our city, each unique in its own way. But what I really love about this place is the noodles. They are thinner yet just as chewy. And I like that they aren’t as starchy. The soup broth still gets a fair amount of starch but not as much as all the other places. The dak kalguksu, a chicken noodle soup, has flavorful broth, lots of slippery noodles, chunks of white meat chicken, zuchini, and radishes. Unlike other places, it comes with a side of soy-based sauce for dipping or for mixing with the soup. I do both. It adds another dimension of flavor that doesn’t take away from the original taste of the soup. Lovely.

I love the simple banchan here, too. The flavors are bright and really fresh. The cucumber kimchi is phenomenal. Best anywhere. It has loads of thick-sliced celery — a veggie I never got to like because the taste overpowers everything else in a dish but surprised myself by eating lots of them here. There’s a slight sweetness in the background that plays with the spiciness of the brine. The cucumbers and celery are super crunchy, making it like a refreshing salad, really.

This special isn’t on the menu but posted on the wall instead. I don’t know what it’s called. It’s a pork rib kimchi stew with a mandoo in it. At $7.45, this is a steal since the regular menu price is $24.95 for two people. The stew has a very bold flavor with tons of kimchi in it. You get a big pork rib with meat that’s literally falling off the bone. There’s a huge mandoo (dumpling) in there, too, that has a minced meat filling that includes scallions and eggs. The dumpling wrapper has the perfect thinness that allows the filling to stay put even after you stir the stew vigorously, yet it breaks when you bite down. I really liked this delicious, hearty soup.

There are a few more noodle dishes that I can’t wait to try such as the bibimguksu (one of my favorite cold noodle dishes) and a special dish written on the wall. The menu will be expanded in the few weeks to come to include the usual bibimbap and bulgogi dishes. So if you’re not too familiar with the type of Korean dishes they have on the menu, don’t fret, there’s gonna be something there for you soon. In the meantime, live a little, explore, and try one of the best noodle/dumpling shops in the city.

Dumpling House
2645 N Berkeley Lake Rd
Ste 129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 232-9600

Technorati Tags: noodles, dumplings, Duluth, Korean

This noodle house opened about a month ago, one of the newest additions to Duluth, specifically Pleasant Hill Rd. It sits on the same spot vacated by my beloved Mr. Tea House. I know of only 3 or 4 Korean noodle places in Atlanta that make their own noodles in house by hand. This is one of them. They specialize in kalguksu, a popular Korean noodle soup dish.

What’s amazing about this place, aside from the handmade noodles, is the prices. Humongous bowls of soups are either $6.99 or $7.99. Only. If soup isn’t what you’re craving for, they have really good rice dishes. I haven’t had a chance to try their tonkatsu or rice cake stews or soups as I’ve only been here twice but I will do so next week and will let you know about it.

This Ox Bone Broth noodle soup is a hearty, filling, and comforting soup. You’ve got slices of zucchini, radish, and slivers of carrots. There are lots of big pieces of tender oxtail meat, too. The broth, which is very mild and light, is perfect for the summer months. The handmade noodles, prepared al dente, are thick and have the perfect chewiness. Stir constantly and eat fast so that the noodles don’t make your broth starchy and thick. And even if they do, the soup is still good.

Bulgogi and rice. A ubiquitous, introductory dish to Korean cuisine, their version is one of the best in the city. There isn’t that icky, soapy taste that’s quite common at other places. The meat here is marinated well and stir fried with onions. It has a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. When this place first opened, they had Kimchi fried rice. It was good. But they stopped serving it.

So there. You owe it to yourself to try Korean handmade noodles. There is no excuse.

Located next to Suno in the Super H plaza in Duluth. Open early enough to have a late breakfast.

Kal Guk Si
2570 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Duluth, GA 30096
678-691-7361
Closed on Tuesdays
Open all other days 10:30AM-9:30AM

Technorati Tags: Korean, noodles, soup, Duluth

“Gwinnett gets all the fun.” My good friend Broderick (of Savory Exposure fame) said it best. So true. There are a handful of new eating joints that sprout up along Pleasant Hill in the last month or two. This is one of them. A chain, with one other location in Suwannee at the Assi Plaza, this Korean bakery has become my favorite as of late.

Unlike other Korean bakeries, Hansel’s breads are so yeasty, buttery, doughy, soft, and fluffy. Because there’s not much air, they stay down when you bite into them. Just the way I like it. My absolute favorite here is the carb overload Sweet Rice Bread. Yep. Rice inside bread. It’ll make any paleo dieter cringe. It’s so divine, I finish a couple of bags a day. Filled with sweet, sticky, rice cake resembling gritty paste, then dusted with cheese and sugar, these chewy, bread bites are so addicting.

If you want a meatier snack, the Sausage Brioche will help you get a protein kick. They savory quasi-Vienna sausage pairs well with the sweetish brioche.

Don’t mistake these baguettes for the French version. These don’t have a crusty exterior but they’re great nonetheless. It’s a tad sweeter, too, and heavier and doughy.

my twice a week supply

Notable baked goodies include their milk bread. The sliced white bread tastes so much better than regular American bread. They’re creamier, a tad sweeter, and chewier. Tastes more like homemade bread really. The Pizza Bbang, pizza on bread, is an Asian favorite. Fried doughnuts filled with red bean paste and sprinkled with sugar is a must here. If sweets are what you’re craving for, their butter cream-frosted, fruit-topped cakes will satisfy you. Fluffy and airy, these not-so-sweet cakes are best eaten with their coffees or teas.

A great, quiet place to hang out and sip iced Citron tea. Yum.

Hansel And Gretel Bakery
2605 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Ste. 400
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 623-5555

Technorati Tags: bakery, Duluth, Korean

Do you know what Omurice is? It’s a very thin omelet filled with fried rice then drizzled on top with ketchup. Growing up, going to Japanese restaurants were filled with the anticipation of eating this fun dish. It’s a very common item on the kid’s menu. In fact, I’ve never really noticed any grown-up eating it. Basically, it’s kid food. When I got older, I would get this as a side to my Japanese grown-up meal.

In Atlanta, you’ll find more omurice in Korean restaurants than anywhere else. I love the Korean version — rice, stir-fried in ketchup with beef, eggs, peas, and carrots. The picture above was a $7.95 platter that came with a huge omurice, a big piece of tonkatsu, and cabbage salad. Banchan and hot soup all complete the meal. Yum.

Find this meal and similar others at Don Quixote in Duluth and Buford Highway.

Technorati Tags: omurice, Korean, Japanese

Jajangmyeon. Homemade noodles with a side of fermented soy bean sauce has always been my favorite. The version here is good. A little less smoky and a bit more sweetish than what I prefer, but tasty nonetheless.

Did you know? This smoked pork is amazing. There’s no other word to describe it. The thin slices of pork belly are smoked then stir-fried with leeks. There is no other place that makes it better in this part of town. Get it.

The menu is extensive so there’s something for everyone. Food is really good. Go before it’s too late.

Fung Mei
1605 Pleasant Hill Rd Map
Duluth, GA 30096
770-935-8888

Technorati Tags: Chinese, Korean, Duluth

Tonkatsu. Humongous portion on a humongous plate. Two huge pieces. Crispy fried, tender pork. Pretty good tonkatsu sauce. Served with rice, shredded cabbage salad with thousand island dressing.

Dukbokki Noodles. Now I have to admit this one is pretty awesome. You get this tubed-shaped rice cakes (dukbokki or tteokbokki) that are so chewy in a spicy, thick, broth flavored by Korean hot pepper paste and kimchi. But that’s not all. It has homemade ramen-like noodles. And a boiled egg!!! If there’s one thing you can’t miss here, this is it. It’s number 4 on the menu.

Chicken Noodle Soup. This is a little too bland for my taste as the broth is really light and thin. There are tons of shredded chicken, leeks, sea weed strips, ribbons of dropped egg, and get this… homemade noodles. Yes. Homemade. In fact, all the noodles here are homemade. A few dashes of salt can make this very hearty soup delicious.

Spicy Pork Bulgogi. This lunch set is sure to make you full. You get lots of tender pieces of pork stir-fried in a spicy, savory, sweetish sauce. Then you also get kimbap (similar to the Japanese maki or sushi rolls), shredded cabbage salad, curry sauce, and rice.

Banchan. The usual suspects. But. They have sausages in gochujang sauce!

Very friendly service in a very nice, quiet atmostphere. I’d go for the dukbokki noodles alone. Prices hover in the $7.95 range.

Don Quixote Restaurant & Cafe
There are two locations: Duluth and BuHi. The pictures here are from Duluth. Each location is independently owned and operated.
3751 Satellite Blvd
Duluth, GA 30096
(678) 584-1129

Technorati Tags: Korean, Duluth, Atlanta, tidal

Korean restaurants are sprouting like weeds in Duluth. A new addition opened this month in the same plaza where Great Wall supermarket is located and there are two more nearby which I haven’t had a chance to visit. According to my translator good friend EDM, Namsangol is a village in Korea where traditional houses exist. I so wanna live there. Follow the link and look at the amazing houses!

Anyway, I was hoping they have table-side BBQ at lunch but was told they only do it during dinner OR you must order for 3. Which I can definitely finish. But I only had half an hour for lunch so BBQ will have to wait another time. The menu here is extensive with the usual soups, rice plates, stews, meats, and more. But what’s great are the combination options. $10.99 gets you a bowl of tofu soup and a choice of fried rice, galbi or bulgogi. The pork-kimchi fried rice isn’t as spicy as I would’ve wanted it to be but it hit the spot. Lots of flavorful pork in “well-stir-fried” rice. Well-stir-fried, you ask? My mom coined the phrase and we heard it a lot growing up: it’s when rice is properly stir-fried — not sticking to each other, dry, not wet, not mushy, and each morsel has that crunchy exterior yet soft inside. They do that here. Oh, and did you know, it’s even topped with a fried egg!

The soondubu is almost excellent. They use the softest, silkiest, high-quality tofu and there are a lot of seafood in it (clam, mussel, squid, shrimp, fish). But while the soup is hearty, the broth, although flavorful and bold, needs a little bit more punch. Almost excellent. Almost.

Definitely a good addition to the neighborhood. Will have to explore more of the menu and try the BBQ of course.

Nam San Gol
2300 Pleasant Hill Rd.,
Duluth, GA 30096
770-623-1789

Technorati Tags: Korean, Duluth

Just a quickie post — went to the newly-opened-for-two-days, BBQ Chicken aka Chicken & Beer, which is right next door to Honey Pig. It’s such a fun space with a fun mural, a quirky glow-in-the-dark bar, colorful walls, cozy booths, with Korean and American pop songs blasting in the background. By the way, did you know, the name of the restaurant is BBQ Chicken (not barbecue but B-B-Q which stands for Best of the Best Quality). Chicken & Beer is what they serve. Catchy, huh?

A Korean chain, they use 100% olive oil. I was only able to try the Olive Original Chicken and the Olive Sweet Spice Chicken. Oh my gosh, the Olive Original Chicken is soooooooo good. Possibly the best regular Korean fried chicken in town. The skin is super crispy with a slight herby taste and a hint of olive oil. It is so tender and juicy. It. Is. Delicious!!!

The Olive Sweet Spice Chicken is also good. The sauce they use is so garlicky with just a tiny hint of heat (would have liked it to be more spicy). It is not cloyingly sweet and the consistency of the sauce is just right (not too sticky and gooey).

But wait. You wanna know what would really blow your mind? The waffle fries. Imported from Korea, the pieces are small but they are so crispy with no hint of sogginess or oiliness. The Cajunish-cheese dusting they’re sprinkled with makes them oh so wonderful. Mind blowing. I kid you not.

Prices for 2-pc combos (with a side, salad and drink) start at $6.95, half-order chickens start at $9.45, and whole chickens start at $17.95. The menu is quite big with salad, wings, and burgers.

Do it! NOW.

BBQ Chicken (Chicken & Beer)
3473 Old Norcross Rd.,
Duluth, GA 30096
678-417-6464

Technorati Tags: chicken, KFC, Korean fried chicken, Duluth, Atlanta

Before anything else, today is Chow Down Atlanta’s birthday. You. Each and every one of you made this possible and I’d really like to thank you for all your support. For stopping by, reading, commenting, even hating — well, I think I only “angered” two or three of you so that’s good. You made this past four years so much fun. I’ve met so many good people, made so many new friends, and ate my weight in food (which is what I’ve been doing all my life anyway). I’m still here. And so are you. Thank you.

Did you know? There’s a Chinese tradition of eating noodles on your birthday because noodles symbolize long life. What better way to celebrate my birthday than to have a noodle post. Here’s hoping there will be more years of CDA. Cheers!

I grew up eating noodles of every kind. Noodles when you are a kid are so much fun: slurping noodles from end to end, one noodle at a time, was the ultimate child’s play for us on the dining table. Italian and Asian noodles are both comfort food to me. One particular Asian noodles that I really like is the Chinese Ja Jiang Mein: noodles in brown sauce (or black sauce as I’ve called it). There are many variations of the sauce but basically, ground meat, sweet fermented soy beans, and hoisin are used. When I was 17, I discovered the savory Korean version, Jjajangmyeon, and all I could say then was wow.  This past summer, I had a Jjajangmyeon phase. I went to all the places in the city that had it and ate my weight in Jjajangmyeon. I’m still eating it at least once a week.

Before I tell you where to find the best bowl of jajangmyeon here in Atlanta, here’s a guide to deciphering all the different types of jajangs you’ll find on the menu. The following are the prefixes you’ll see preceding the word Jajangmyeon.

Yuni (유니) - this sauce consists of finely minced meat and finely diced vegetables without starch. Almost always freshly prepared and not offered at all places
Gan (간) - doesn’t have starch, which means the sauce will be thick like gravy. Unlike the regular jajang sauce which sits in a big pot heating away, this one is usually freshly stir fried in the wok to order
Samseon (삼선) - has seafood like squid, shrimp, scallop, sea cucumber or any combination of in the sauce
Jaengban (쟁반) - means the jajang comes premixed on a platter (jaengban means a platter) and the sauce usually consists of starch
Gochu (고추) - has chili peppers in the sauce so it’s a bit spicy

In Atlanta, there are a quite a few places that make their noodles in-house. Some even hand-pull them. Here are the best places I went to over and over again.

The best: Sam Won Gak

1291 Old Peachtree Rd.,
Suite 103
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 622-6022

My favorite place.  The best place for Jjajangmyeon in the city, hands down, is Sam Won Gak. I was almost reluctant to feature this restaurant because I wanted to keep it for myself. But I decided to spread the love. I have been here literally countless of times. The beautiful yellow noodles here are homemade. They are chewy, stretchy, and perfectly sticky.  I eat two kinds of jajiang here.  Both are phenomenal. The Yuni Jajiang is what I mostly eat because of its intense, wake-up-your-senses, bold black bean flavor. The black bean sauce is so savory, smoky, thick, and chunky, with lots of minced pork and veggies. The sauce is served separate from the noodles and you’ll have to mix them up yourself. Don’t dump the entire bowl of sauce into the noodles. Add as appropriate so you can control the flavor and saltiness.

The regular jajangmyeon here is fantastic. It is similar in taste to the yuni above but the sauce is starchier, stickier, and thicker.

The jaengban jajaiang is equally delicious. It’s a platter of noodles with the sauce already mixed in. It’s starchy, has a teeny-tiny hint of sweet, and a very smoky flavor. The soybean paste taste is slightly muted here than in the yuni.

If you want the best jjajangmyeon in the city then don’t go anywhere else. This blows away any and all places in town.

The Rest (because the rest just don’t compare to the best):

Ching Mei

3230 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Ste 116,
Duluth, GA 30096-8833
(678) 205-0898

Although the noodles aren’t homemade, Ching Mei, a Korean-Chinese place inside Nukoa Plaza has good jajangmyeon. Their $5.99 huge bowl of Jajangmyeon has a sauce that’s quite good and thick. A good option if you’re in the area.

The yuni jajangmyeon here is smoky but not as black beany as I want it to be. It’s still good and the sauce is concentrated enough that you can taste the black bean paste.

Kuk Poong

3525 Mall Blvd., # 1A
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 813-8222

The regular jajangmyeon here is actually decent. The noodles are chewy and the sauce has enough flavor and smokiness to it. Avoid the gochu jaengban jajang here at all cost as it is sweet and the black bean taste is almost nonexistent.

Yeng Jing

5302 Buford Highway, #A6
Doraville, GA 30340
(770) 454-6688

This Korean-Chinese place claims to use handmade noodles. The yuni jajangmyeon here is a little on the sweet side, thanks to the dash of hoisin they use on the sauce. It’s good but not as flavorful as the other places in town. And I can’t get past the sweetish taste. The version here is more Chinese than Korean so if you prefer that then this is your place.

Their jaengban jajang uses the same sauce but it just comes premixed. Overall not my favorite place for jajangmyeon.

Man Chung Hong

5953 Buford Highway Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30340-1375
(770) 454-5640

Man Chun Hong uses homemade “well-being” noodles, which have herbs mixed in the noodles to give it a dark green color. Although their noodles are made in house and hand-pulled, the sauce has little taste and the presence of the black beans is surely missed. The jajiang sauce is okay but coupled with the forgettable noodles, it just doesn’t do it for me.

So there. If you’ve never had jajangmyeon then you must really try it. Beats the regular ho-hum Chinese and Thai noodles we’re so accustomed to. Go now!

Technorati Tags: Korean, noodles, jajangmyeon, Atlanta, Duluth, Buford Hwy, Suwanee