Soup

Here are the place we go to. The best Kalbi is at Woo Lee Oak (Joyce St in Crystal City, walking distance from pentagon city mall). They have the best side dishes and the best cut of meat. Also the most expensive. Almost as good, are two places in Annandale. First is Sorak Garden on Little River Turnpike. A korean place with those multi-page menus and they do Karbi well. I like the restaurant but service can be maddening. Second place is call Yaechon (just off the beltway on hummer road off little river turnpike). If you go there, go with two or three friends and get the grill sampler. About $60 and they bring out a lot of different variety of meats and seafood to grill. The place is one of those multi-page menu places but the food is always consistant. They are open 24x7. I used to love going their after a night out (with kids those days are long gone). Last hint on the Karbi places, don't go to the buffet places for the ribs. The meat quality is not as good. There are non-karbi places also. I've like korean restaurants that specialize in a specific type of dish. In annandale, there are three I frequent. First is "light house Tofu or VietGol" on columbia pike behind burger king. They make a stew from fresh soft tofu that is really good. The tofu doesn't have a form and is very custard like. Second place is Seoul SoonDae. They do blood sausage. Really good. I like the soup and the sausage combo. They are on markham road off little river turnpike. The third is the lunch box. It is directly behind Yeachon. They do fresh hand pulled noodles which is served with blackbean type sauce or in a spicy seafood soup call Jampong. Excellent. Hope that helps. Soup

I remember taking yakgwa from my grandfather secret stash when I was no more than four and eating it in my fort (i.e., under his desk). I picked some up at the korean G-store last year and it wasn't that great. Perhap my test have changed. I also remember non sweet snacks, beside yut and Yakwa. Anyone ever have Bondaegee. I think it is silk larve with a soy type sauce. Have never seen it in this country but I had it in korea last time I was there. I also had small snails they sold in foam cups. It cost me couple of hunderd won. YUM.

Thanks, Soup! I live in MD but I am willing to drive to Annadale for some good food. I love Korean food and am always looking to find a good catering for parties (just in case, ya know?) Hopefully for the next party you'll have more appreciative guests! ← Try them out for catering. If you're looking for good korean places there are some really good ones. Let me know and I can send you name and directions to these places. As for the next party for us, it will be the annual summer bash. We usually do the grilled meat thing but I hope to do a pig roast someday. May be this will be the year. I've heard about these "chinese box" for roasting pigs. Actually invented by couple of guys from miami. anyone use it? Soup

I know this is going to be a bad guess but is it Yut? I'm not sure how its made but I remember that there are a lot of different versions. My favorite one is more sticky soft brown color version made with ginger. I have had it in over 35 years. I have recently notice yut being sold at the local K G-store. Soup

Anyone have any thoughts on the best brand and type of gochujang at the korean G-Store? I only have a table spoon of the stuff my mom gave me and I need to replenish. Soup

That is a good looking dinner!!! Where are the chopsticks? BTW, is the shrimp, salt pepper with panko? What ever it is, it looks real good.

Thanks for the comments. Ellencho, My son didn't pick but did point to his mother if that is any sign. He did look very nice in the Hanbok. We actually took it off before giving him his first taste of cake (BTW, it was also his very first wheat product). He loved it. Smiled the whole time as he preceeded to smear butter creme all over himself. Gastro888, I used a korean caterer in Northern Virginia called DongAh. Very good and will continue to use them. As for the food, my family is really enjoying the leftovers. I especially love the head cheese. YUM!!! Thanks Soup

Last time I was in korea, my wife and I went to the Kimchi museum in Seoul. Near the financial district (i think). Lots and Lots of plastic formed to make it look like kimchi. Not sure if I have a favorite but my top five goes like this (not in any order). Chongack kimchi (small radish with the greens attached). Mul Kimchi or Tongchimi Oyee Kimchi (cucumber) Gul Kimchi (napa cabbage kimchi preserved with salted oysters) Tong Kimchi (Large raddish cut into big sections).

1. Honey bunches of oats (w/o almonds). 2. Frosted mini wheats 3. Honey nut cheerios

I know you can eat the leaves but what about the root? Can they be eaten?

My youngest turned one over the weekend. In Korean it called Dor (note: all spelling is phonetic and my best guess). We ended up catering the meal which was lunch. We invited our friends and neighbors. For the catering service we use a place that had catered our wedding, my oldest first and 100 day celebrations as well as my wife's 30th birthday. They are very good and only cost $12 per person. For $12 you get 10 dishes in volumes enough to feed the guests (big eaters) and a few extra. For my son’s event we invited 30 people, mostly white suburbanites/neighbors. We also had family and close friends. Most of the neighbors even though they live within 2 miles of Korea town have not had Korean food. Despite this knowledge I went and chose dishes I wanted and that my family wanted. I should have considered the people a bit more. I order the following dishes: Bulgogi - Grilled beef in a soy sauce base that slightly sweet. Shrimp Tempura Combination pan fried platter - It had white fished fried in an egg batter, zucchinis fried in the egg batter, and hot peppers stuffed with ground beef fried in egg batter Fresh made Kim chi - the unfermented version Chap Chae - Potato noodles with julienne veggies and sliced beef Hae Pari Nang Chae - Jelly Fish Salad with julienne veggies and shrimp with a sweet and really pungent mustard dressing Doragi - fern bracken??? dressed with soy, salt, pepper, sesame oil, etc. Spinach - blanched spinach dressed with soy, salt, pepper, sesame oil, etc. Pig’s Head cheese and pigs feet - thinly sliced and served with a condiment made of brined shrimp Nack Gi Bokum - Spicy stir fried baby octopus with veggies The food again did not disappoint. When my eldest turned one, we had just moved into the neighborhood and we didn’t invite many of our neighbors. Most of the guests were family and friend of family. Let’s just say there were no leftovers. But this time is was the complete opposite. I have so much food left over. To be fair, my family made a good dent and a couple of my friends did as well. But with a few exceptions, most of the neighbors didn't go for the food that much. My wife commented that the women stayed away from dishes except for rice, bulgogi and the spinach. As for the men, a few of them were adventurous, meaning I saw them trying everything. I really appreciated the one that decided they like the weird stuff and basically stuffed their face (high praise in my book). One of my neighbors really loved the head cheese and pigs feet and just went to town. The people who seem to like it really chowed down (there were a few) but most were too timid. No one other than the Koreans went for the Jellie fish. I’m not complaining. The day was for my son and his grandparents. And it was a great party. My sons, family and I had a good time. But I can’t help feel a bit disappointed that people didn’t really appreciate the food that I have so much connection to. Next time, I’m going to just get a bucket of chicken and a tub of potato salad. I don’t think I will be cooking Korean food for any future neighbor events. BTW, my wife took picture and I will try to post. And my son looked great in his outfit. I got to get a digital camera. Soup

Just to report back. Got the bakeware and the pan. Have used some of the bakeware. I've also used the pan a few times. EXCELLENT. I feel like I got a pretty good deal. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I think a lot of of people love the little bottle. I too am a huge fan. In DC you can get them in most grocery stores but a 6 pack cost $4 or 5 bucks, significantly more than coke in other packages. As for the coke in small bottles, the question is why? Some of my friends swear they taste better. I'm not sure. Does it test better or is it marketing and it all in our heads? Any insights? BTW, does coke have different formulations in other countries. I've had coke in Korea and I would swear that it tasted different. Soup

The boxed cake mix definitely have a place in my pantry. When we want a quick cake fix, nothing is so easy and for me it yields a fine result. My wife (who is the real baker) makes it from scratch and its really really good but I see the effort she puts into it. Recently she make an apple spiced cake from scratch and it was amazing. I generally like my wifes because she put slightly less sugar in. I think the box cake mixes are too sweet. Soup

I've not made it from scratch. However, I have bought the premade stuff in the frozen section of the Korean store. Throw that in with a really good stock (sometimes I go with homemade when I have it, or I reach for the box) and what ever vegetable I have on hand. I'm getting hungry thinking about it. Soup

Anything made by and eaten with your mom. Soup

Nengmyun? Is that what you mean? It can be made at home. The noodles cook up very quickly, less 2-3 minutes. Stir every minute or so. Drain, immediately plunge into ice water, work the noodles with your hands, you will feel them 'tighten' up (this is the cholgi cholgi texture that nengmyun noodles should have). The yooksoo that is traditionally with hoeng hweh is white beef broth. Nengmyun is a North Korean specialty. ← yes, my spelling is off. The issue for me is the yooksoo. I tried making it from scratch and it so ok at best and the whole time I'm thinking I can just go buy this for $12. Its never turned out that great. Last summer was the first time where I didn't even try once to make it. Instead, I went and bought those premade packets of Yooksoo (liquid soup in a packet). It was passible but it wasn't as good as the resturant version. There are few dishes like that for me. Pho and Nangmyun come to mind. By the time I'm making that stock I think to myself, I can drive 3 miles and get this for a few bucks. Soup

You're hanging with the wrong crowd. I've never tried that particular dish. I remember when I was a kid I was at a friend's house and the whole family got really excited about umah making her special mul nengmyun with 7 up. Turned me off to noodle dishes with soda in the broth forever. Hey soup- I've never tried rice, bacon and kimchi. But it doesn't sound like it would too different from other Asian-American favorite combos like spam, rice and kimchi or sausage, rice and kimchi. ← Basically variation on the theme. But its all good. I just had a snack of rice, kimchi and bob evens breakfast links. My wife gave me the look. Soup

What do you consider good prices on lobster? It depends on if I'll make the trek over there or not...! ← As of a year ago there was only one retail market in Jessup. It had a fraction of what can be found on Maine Avenue and was more expensive overall. ← Joe H. Super H is good for specific things: fish of 3+ lbs which are skinned, fileted and returned with the frame, head and filet are not among them. Maine Avenue does this extremely well, better than anywhere I've found in the D. C. area. Plus they have Carolina/Crisfield lump crab meat for $21 to $23/lb. I think there were two retail places the last time I went and to be honest I wasn't blown away. I just walked around the loading docs of the wholesale area and asked a few of the folks (I was looking for very specific items). It was about 10am so must of the activity had been done, I got a price of $8.99 per pound regardless of size. I remember I got a couple pound and half lobster and two 3 pounders. I was specifically looking for larger ones because of the person I was cooking for. As for Maine Ave, I've been a number of times but I don't go anymore. I can find better stuff at better prices at Han Ah Rum or Super H. Super H is good for specific things: fish of 3+ lbs which are skinned, fileted and returned with the frame, head and filet are not among them. Maine Avenue does this extremely well, better than anywhere I've found in the D. C. area. Plus they have Carolina/Crisfield lump crab meat for $21 to $23/lb. For 21/25 and 11/15 shrimp Maine Avenue is better and less expensive. For smaller shrimp Super H is superior. NEITHER is good if you are looking for fresh shrimp. Once a month I'll make bouillibasse/Kinkead's Portuguese stew/cioppino. Over the years I've tried everywhere even driving from Reston to Jessup, note that Super H is only ten minutes away. For my purposes it is really a combination of places with Whole Foods having excellent farm raised mussels, clams, etc. which neither Maine Avenue or Super H do as well. For produce Super H is outstanding. But Whole Foods and Wegmans are too; unfortunately they are more expensive for the same quality. Soup ← ← Joe H. Bouillibasse sound real good but I'm intrigued by the stew. Mind sharing the recipe. On the Super H and shrimp and mussel, I'd agree. The large shrimp I actually get at costco. For 11/15 shrimp, Costco has it for $9.99 lb. That's where I get the shrimp for that size. I also buy the mussels there (the size is good and most are alive) and I get those at costco for $1.19 per pound. The issue with the mussel is you have to buy it in 5 lb bags but that is not a problem as my family can down that without much issue. Now, were can I find softshell crabs for a reasonable price? I think the season is soon? Soup

That sounds way too sweet. Someone mentioned on egullet that sweet should not be the foremost flavor but more of an undertone in korean dishes and it probably applies here. But I eat stuff that grosses people out. Rice bacon and kimchi...Perfect combo. Soup

What do you consider good prices on lobster? It depends on if I'll make the trek over there or not...! ← As of a year ago there was only one retail market in Jessup. It had a fraction of what can be found on Maine Avenue and was more expensive overall. ← Joe H. I think there were two retail places the last time I went and to be honest I wasn't blown away. I just walked around the loading docs of the wholesale area and asked a few of the folks (I was looking for very specific items). It was about 10am so must of the activity had been done, I got a price of $8.99 per pound regardless of size. I remember I got a couple pound and half lobster and two 3 pounders. I was specifically looking for larger ones because of the person I was cooking for. As for Maine Ave, I've been a number of times but I don't go anymore. I can find better stuff at better prices at Han Ah Rum or Super H. Soup

That's why I recommended 10-20 days. By the way, the two most important techniques to be aware of when making kimchi is the brining and fermentation process. Recipes are not so important. ← Will try 10 to 20 day ferment. Any insight into temp. Like I said my basement is constant 66 to 64 degrees.

I buy seafood from basically two places, Super H or Han Ah Rum . They have the variety, price and quality that surpasses almost everyone else. The "high end" store mentioned above do have very nice products but they are not at the prices for most items that these two store offer. BTW, I didn't mention Lotte because their seafood section has really gone down hill. Has anyone figured out why they put magazine pictures of scantily dressed women on the price signs for their seafood. It is strange. I've also gone a few times up to the MD seafood whole sale market. Its between Baltimore and washington just off 295. Good prices on lobster.

For the best korean BBQ I look for cut of meat, seasoning and banchan (side dishes). The best around Washington DC for my $ is Woo Lee Oak on Joyce St in Crystal City. But it is also the most expensive korean restaurant. It is expected to move to Tyson soon but not heard anything about a specific date. It gets top marks for all three. I would also try getting Jungsik with the ribs (lots of side dishes). Sorak as mentioned by other is also good but I have to say meat is slightly of less quality than Woo Lee Oak. Seasoning is just as good and Banchan is good. However, I really don't care for the service there especially when busy. I was there two Sundays ago, and the service made me regret going there. My favorite @ sorak is the nangmein rib combo. Yaechon on hummer road in Annadale is also good. This is a great place to finish off a long evening out. They have a grill meat special for 50 or 60 bucks that comes with enough meet to feed 2 or 3 big eaters. You get chicken, beef (rib and burgogi), pork, shrimp, and lobster. I would really steer you away from Il mil or any other buffet places because the cut of meat used is not that great. Go for quality vs. quantity in this case. Of the three, if this is your first time out at korean, go to Woo Lee Oak. Otherwise give Yaechon a try. Soup

Oysters, Perfect in everyway...Happy to hear so many feel they are aweful. More for me... Not to go off on a tangent but any thoughts on the best oyster festival? I means based on the type of oyster featured, how they are sold and cost. BTW, 3 dozen is my record at a mothers day brunch. Its small compare to other folks who've scarfed considerability more. Soup