Time to talk NYC eats! I recently look a trip to the big apple, and basically ate everything I could get my hands on. I didn’t get to photograph everything, but I’ll recap + share what I can.
BCD Tofu, Always and Forever
This used to be my JAM back when I lived in New York. I probably came here at least once a week! That was 2009-11 so their jjigaes were much cheaper – I think $12 or so? Now they’re $15-16, and still so worth it.
My favorite’s their kimchi or mushroom, and I always got as spicy as humanly possible. They have a “danger” option, and it’s a must try if you’re into heat. And honestly, they don’t mess around. It’s spicy AF so coupled with the boiling nature of the stew, you’ll probably be reaching for water throughout your meal…lots and lots of water.
They give you 5-6 banchan, and I think they do a pretty mean kimchi here. They also give each person a fried fish which is a plus. On top of that, you get a steaming bowl of rice + nuroongji. Not quite sure how I’m supposed to write out the latter, but Imma explain it to you. They cook their rice in stone bowls, which gives you this crazy delicious crispy rice bottom. They take that and mix it with hot water, and you can enjoy that with your stew, but having it with kimchi’s the move.
My mom actually has a stone contraption – yeah, I don’t know what to call it – just to make nuroongji because my dad loves it so much. He’ll often have it for breakfast with her homemade kimchi. So good. So comforting.
Korean Pastries at Paris Bagette
This is probably my favorite Korean bakery in Ktown, and I always make sure to stop by when I’m in the city. I usually keep things simple and get red bean bbang, but this time, I went big and got 4 different noms:
- a cruffin stuffed with lemon goodness
- a tiramisu donut
- a Korean sugar coated donut stuffed with red bean
- Soboro bbang with peanut streusel
A few thoughts. The Korean donut was the standout – I’m a sucker for red bean – but the soboro was a bit of a disappointment, just because it was kind of hard? This is usually my favorite Korean bread so I was bummed, but it was still tasty nonetheless.
I would’ve loved the cruffin if it was custard instead of lemon, and the tiramisu donut was just fine. It had a little too much cocoa powder on it IMO, but I’d be down to try their other donuts next time! My mom told me if she were staying with me, she would’ve requested that I bring back a big bag of treats, lol. Next time!
My First Time at Employees Only
I was SO excited to go to EO. It’s been on World’s 50 Best Bars for god knows how long so I was pumped to experience the hype firsthand. I ended up having dinner here as well, and the food was FIRE. Seriously, don’t sleep on the food.
- Ricotta Gnocchi: roasted shiitake mushroom, madeira reductions, crispy parsnip chips
- Cavatelli with spicy pork sasage, tomato and arugula
- EO Burger with grass feed beef, tomato, melted cheese, red onion, bibb lettuce, EO sauce on brioche, served with a side of truffle fries.
- Cheesecake
I wasn’t expecting everything be so tasty so that threw me for a loop – OMG the truffle fries, gnocchi and cheesecake were amazing. As for drinks, I ended up getting litty because I wanted to try a bunch of different cocktails.
My absolute favorite though was their “Strangers Punch,” made with Probitas rum with clarified milk, Torres 15 brandy, Tibetan tiger tea, cinnamon syrup and a twist of orange. Quite possibly one of the best drinks I’ve ever had so definitely make sure to try it when you go.
Dim Sum All Day Every Day
My dear friend David Ortiz (aka @dcfoodfreak) recommended this spot the last time I was in NYC, and I enjoyed it so much, I decided to come back. I ended up getting much of the same stuff as last time, but I added a few new dishes to the mix: BBQ pork buns, chicken siu mai, and these steamed mushroom dumplings. I wasn’t crazy about the mushroom dumplings, but everything else was solid, as per usual.
Bar Food at Cote
Soooo, I definitely need to go back for a table so I can experience the full tasting menu, but I got to try a few of their dishes at the bar before heading down to Undercote. I started the evening off with their “Steak & Eggs” and Korean “Bacon.” The former’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s so ridiculously good. You gotta try it! Think hand-cut filet mignon tartare served with Kaluga Hybrid caviar with milk toast. It. Was. Perfection.
The Korean “Bacon” was solid as well, but it didn’t blow my mind like the tartare did. This was house-smoked crispy heritage pork belly served with pickled jalapeño. A little too rich for my taste but still yummy.
Checking Out Undercote
Then I went downstairs to Undercote and ate more, lol. This space is really cool – it kind of feels like an aquarium but in a cool way. I know that’s a weird description – you just gotta go and see for yourself. I got two drinks (Pina Colada & Rebirth) and had a favorite for sure. Their Pina Colada was really strong, and I really enjoyed the creme de menthe element. I was intrigued by Rebirth since it was made with Korean Red Ginseng, but I didn’t enjoy it as much.
Food was effin’ delicious. I got oysters with sea urchin and caviar, their sweet & tangy chicken nuggets, and their crispy & gooey Korean “gnocchi.” The gnocchi is basically rice cakes that are fried (I think) and tossed in a wildly addicting gochujang glaze. I honestly couldn’t stop eating them, and I’m low key inspired to recreate it at home because it’s simple yet nom.
Katana Kitten: A Must Visit Bar in NYC
After dinner, I went Angel’s Share and then Katana Kitten. Both amazing, but Katana Kitten’s my current NYC obsession. But so is Double Chicken Please, lol. Just go to both! Katana Kitten has such a fun vibe – everyone’s always having the best time, dancing, drinking and eating. It’s just good vibes, and the bartenders there are so dope.
I couldn’t leave without getting my favorite drink so I immediately got a “Panda Fizz” to start the evening. Easily one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. Made with haku vodka, pear, calpico, lemon, pandan and soda, it’s absolute perfection. I also really like their melon-lime soda!
And I got more food because I love their food, lol. I know, I’m a fatty but whatever. I’m not in the city THAT often so gotta go big, right? Their nori fries (crinkle cut with ao-nori and sea salt) and mortadella katsu (crispy panko crust, tonkatsu sauce, dijon mustard on milk bread) are musts in my book.
Alright frands, I hope you enjoyed reading my latest recap! For more on travel, make sure to check out this tab, and stay tuned for fresh new content coming your way.
