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

In every mall food court, you’ll see a Japanese stall featuring hibachi dishes. Dishes stir-fried in a hibachi grill then doused with teriyaki sauce. I know you know what I’m talking about. I grew up eating those, too.

On the very end of Pleasant Hill Rd. in north Duluth, there’s one such hibachi joint. Except it’s not in a mall food court. It’s in a strip plaza. Opened just a couple of weeks ago, it’s just like those you see inside the mall. But nicer.

I’m also happy to report that the food is better. The teriyaki sauce, though a bit floury in taste, is mild and quite tasty. Not the thick syrupy, cloyingly sweet version you see at the mall. Chicken and beef teriyaki rule here. If you want tender. stewed-like meat, then get the beef. But if you, like me, enjoy stir-fried meats with crispy edges, then chicken is it for you. Both are equally good and comes with a medley of steamed veggies. Another good thing to note is that they use good quality Japanese rice!

Best of all, they have mall prices! Chicken will set you back a mere $4.99 with portions twice as much as the malls. Beef costs a few more for $6.29. You can mix and match any meat or get three kinds if you want. There are also sushi rolls on the menu and all sorts of teriyaki salads. Current special gets you a Chicken Teriyaki plate for $2.99 with a purchase of any teriyaki plate. Now that’s a deal.

A great addition to the neighborhood for quick, no fuss, cheap but flavorful eats.

*Note: The address says Peachtree Industrial Blvd but the physical location is facing Pleasant Hill Rd. (inside the Kroger plaza)

Extreme Teriyaki Grill Express
3455 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. (the actual store front faces Pleasant Hill Rd.)
Suite 230
Duluth, GA 30096
678-682-8888

Technorati Tags: Japanese, fast casual, Duluth

The long stretch of Pleasant Hill Road is literally peppered with ethnic eateries — from Duluth to Lawrenceville to Lilburn. Towards the east side of that road where Duluth ends, I’ve noticed a bunch of new places. One of those is Pannus. Opened only four days ago, this Hispanic bakery produces baked goodies from Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia to name a few. Everything is baked in-house (they occupy two units in the plaza) and will focus on whole sale and distribution to bakeries and restaurants in town, in addition to selling to the public. It’s a no-frills joint: take-out and cash only.

There are so many bread and pastries on their display case on my visit (they claim to produce 40 types of bread). I’ve tried quite a few. But there’s one that you must try here: the humongous Guava-Cheese pastry. There are so many versions of this Hispanic goody. While I absolutely love the Cuban version, their Mexican version comes very close. The huge pastries are flaky and airy. There’s just enough guava jelly filling to get a sweet taste in every bite. The best part? The blended, ultra smooth cream cheese inside. It’s oh-my-god good. Priced at 50 cents? Even better.

Pannus Bakery
960 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
(678) 682-3229

Technorati Tags: Hispanic, Mexican, bakery, Lawrenceville

I started writing the draft for this post five months ago. Got lazy and completely forgot about it. There’s just so many snack houses/bakeries/bubble tea places these days it’s difficult to play favorites. But Lattea is among top on my list.

Open til 3AM on weekends, Lattea provides hungry, bored night owls a place to hang out. And eat. Or drink. What sets this place apart from the rest is one thing: taro bubble tea made from FRESH taro. For those who aren’t familiar, taro is similar to a (purple) potato except a lot starchier. Used in dishes, it makes sauces very thick. I’ve loved taro, oh I don’t know, since I was born maybe? It explains why I’ve visited a popular bubble tea place for taro drinks 44 times in the past 6 months. And that’s not the only bubble tea place I visit on a regular basis! Here at Lattea, fresh taro is boiled for 3-4 hours, mashed, strained, then blended. The taro bubble tea, while ultra thick, starchy, and gritty is so good. So good. You can really taste fresh taro in the drink. I usually call ahead to make sure they process fresh taro before I come in. Like I said, it takes 4 hours.

All the smoothies here are also made with nothing but fresh fruits. Avocado, Watermelon, Kiwi, Mango, Strawberry, Peach are just some of the flavors they come in. Of course, availability depends on what’s in season. They have plenty of avocados and strawberries right now.

There’s another thing you must get here. The Mango Dessert. It’s a syrupy concoction with fresh mangoes, tapioca, and shaved ice. So refreshing and so very good.

There are snacks and hot pots if you need food with your fun drinks. Hot pots include meats of your choice and veggies and noodles in a soothing broth. Snacks include typical Taiwanese snacks: chicken nuggets, fish balls, wings, sausages.

I suggest pairing your drinks with the nuggets and some fries plus the mango dessert. You’ll come out full and refreshed.

Located in the Mall Corners Plaza. Next to Ming’s BBQ 2.

Lattea
2131 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 622-7613

Technorati Tags: bubble tea, Duluth, hotpot, snacks, Taiwanese

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

The illustrious chef, Mr. BoBo, (as I fondly call him) has moved again. First Wan Lai. Then Bo Bo Garden. Now, Golden House. Mr. BoBo is a star chef among the Chinese. He’s like the Linton Hopkins of Cantonese cuisine and the talented version of Peter Chang minus the “wide-eyed” groupies and the New York Times. I was told he’s been around since the early 80s, starting at the very first Chinese restaurant in Atlanta. His new venture — yes, he has a financial stake — Golden House, is aimed to be the best Cantonese restaurant in the south.

Mr. BoBo went all out in creating his restaurant. Not only is the place humongous, it is grandiose. It is an exact replica of a fancy Chinese hotel restaurant, complete with the 95% Chinese clientele, 5% tourists, an army of servers, bowed chair covers, round linen-topped tables, huge chandeliers, red carpet, and fountains everywhere. As my eating buddy said, “Wow, it feels like we’re in China!” Its grand opening was held on September 10th. A momentous date. It coincides with the Chinese Mooncake Festival. It was also a Chinese public holiday.

my favorite mooncake (served during grand opening): with salted duck egg in the middle

The menu — and the food — is an exact replica of Wan Lai and Bo Bo Garden with one exception: dimsum on weekends in the coming weeks ahead. I have visited twice since its grand opening and Mr. BoBo’s food is as exceptional as ever. You can read more about his food here and here.

Go now and taste real Cantonese cooking from a highly-experienced, brilliant chef. Trust me, it’s worth the drive.

P.S. FnS was also there during opening day. You can read his impression here.

Golden House
1600 Pleasant Hill Road
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 921-2228

Technorati Tags: Cantonese, Chinese, Duluth, Pleasant Hill, tidal

Snacks. Taiwanese restaurants are known for snacks. The snacks here are fantastic. First, the bread. I.LOVE.BREAD. I’ve said it over and over on this blog. I love bread. I spend an obscene amount of money weekly on my ridiculous bread habit. I like yeasty, doughy bread slathered in butter. I forgo desserts for the bread basket. And I love Korean white bread because it’s chewy. Imagine my surprise when I saw three kinds of toast on the menu. I eat their Condensed Milk Toast everyday. Yes, everyday. It’s a thick slice of Korean bread (from the bakery next door) which is baked (not toasted) then topped with the perfect amount of condensed milk. It is heavenly.

But wait. There’s also the Milk toast, topped with butter and condensed milk. And the Chocolate toast, topped with, yes, you guessed it… Nutella!!! So while most people go to a coffee shop to get through the 2PM slump, I come here for a toast. Or two.

Confession: I’ve been eating my toast with a side of Fried Corn The sweet corn here is sooooo good. It’s slightly fried so it has that crunchy exterior. They are then lightly sprinkled with a very subtle five-spice powder. I’m not a fan of five-spice but this one doesn’t have that offensive taste. Winner!

These Fried Sweet Potatoes will blow you away. The sweet potato pieces are lightly battered with tempura batter then fried golden. They are dusted with crack a sweetish-salty, red powder from Taiwan. Omg. So good.

Fried Chicken. The tender, super moist pieces have a very thin but crunchy batter then finished with the same subtle five-spice powder. Perfect snack or appetizer. The Pork is just as good.

There are only two types of main dishes here. The mini shabu-shabu (hotpot) costs $12.95 to $14.95 with your choice of meats or seafood. I’m a big eater so I can finish the entire thing including an appetizer and a toast. But I would think two people can share this and come out really satisfied if they add an appetizer. There are two kinds of broth: the regular and the kimchi. The kimchi broth has a tangy flavor. It is on the watery side which makes it a great version of the real Korean kind — good for the summer as it is not too thick and rich. The pot of broth comes with a huge plate of fresh vegetables: corn, Asian cabbage, Asian broccoli, tomato, mushroom, taro, potato, plus tofu, a meatball, and glass noodles. As with any hotpot, don’t dump everything into the pot so nothing overcooks. Place some of the veggies a bit at a time and add as you eat them. This is a great deal for hotpots considering Korean versions start at $29.

The hot plates, the other main dish, are the perfect lunch option. Sizzling plates with meat and veggies are typical Asian mall food. You can find it in every single mall in Asia. The hot plate consists of a choice of meat topped with light gravy, a side of veggies (corn, peas, carrots, green beans, lima beans), and an egg. Plus a bowl of steamed rice. For $7.95, this meal can’t be beat. Daily hot plates specials only cost $5.95. The Fried Chicken is my favorite here. The cutlet is juicy and tender. The batter is crunchy. The gravy is light and tasty.

Did you know? The bubble teas are also very good here. They are more creamy and have the right amount of sweetness. The tapioca pearls are slightly smaller than other places but they are chewier. I’ve been here four times and I like that you can hang out and drink bubble tea while you work or play on your Mac (or whatever toy you have). Definitely a great addition to the neighborhood.

Special thanks to X1 for the heads up on this place

Mr. Tea House
2570 Pleasant Hill Rd., #104
Duluth, GA 30096
(678) 900-9728
Closed on Tuesdays

Technorati Tags: Taiwanese, Duluth, bubble tea

the Chinese symbol for Happy

So you all know by now how addicted I am to ramen, right? I ate 58 bowls last year and I’m up to 15 bowls this year (with my sister) so far. It’s only February, by the way, so I’m sure I’ll break my record last year. (Well, I’m not the Ramen Girl for nothing . ) I think I’m gonna have to share the title with my sister who is equally obsessed with it these days.

I’ve been literally waiting for this Korean (Japanese) ramen joint to open. Every week since early January, I’d peek at how much progress they’ve had in building the place once occupied by Shabu King in the Super H plaza in Duluth (outside on the left of the plaza, not inside the grocery). Brought to us by the same folks who own Honey Pig, they opened to the public yesterday with a very limited menu (thanks to the intel from my friend G4). I was their very first paying customer. (It’s ramen, hello?) And I also came back today.

First, I have to admit, the place is beautiful. Japanese contemporary zen is how I describe it. There’s this long communal bar in the middle with a crevice filled with unlit chunks of charcoal. The bar stools are cemented to the concrete floor so if you’re short like me, it’s not gonna be comfy as you’ll be too far from the table. I really like the enclosures for the hanging pendant lights which are lined with colorful Chinese fabrics. Everything just looks so cool.

Limited menu. They were offering only four items for now. Tonkotsu ramen, tonkatsu plate, kabob tonkatsu plate, and gyoza. I was never a fan of Korean-owned Umaido because the broth is so bland and tasted exactly like the ones in the packets you buy for 25 cents. I also don’t like their wheat flat noodles, albeit housemade. So I came here with no expectations whatsoever thinking it’s going to be just another Korean-owned ramen place. Surprisingly, the broth is very good. Really good. Not Jinbei or Haru good but very good. It is very flavorful and has a good consistency. Bold and creamy. The roast pork they use is tender and delicious. Oh and the noodles? They use egg ramen noodles like the Japanese version!!!

The Tonkatsu plate is good as well. You get a huge serving of pork fillet lightly coated in panko batter then fried to a beautiful golden brown. The pork is juicy, tender, and tasty. A side of cabbage salad, a bowl of steaming rice, and a cup of miso soup complete the meal. But wait, you also get a bowl of black and white sesame seeds. You crush them with the wooden pestle and then they come and top it with tonkatsu sauce. Sweetish-savory, nutty. Add a dollop of the Japanese mustard and you’ve got one great dipping sauce.

The Kabob Tonkatsu is almost identical except they put pieces of pork meat into skewers and separate them with pieces of sweet onions in between. Fun!

The gyoza are also very good. The wrapper is thin and chewy and the meat filling is perfectly balanced (in taste and quantity) with the herbs. It doesn’t reek with chives and scallions which I like. A great appetizer, don’t miss it.

So far so good. Can’t wait until they expand their menu to include other ramen flavors (shoyu and miso), okonomiyaki, izakaya items and sake. Was told it gets more moody at night when they turn down the lights. Do it!

More pictures (click on the mosaic to go to my Flickr page):

Raku Donkatsu + Ramen
2550 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Suite 112
Duluth, GA 30096
770-476-1212

Technorati Tags: ramen, Duluth, Atlanta, Pleasant Hill, tonkatsu