Food Gallery 32 - Part 2

"S" and I returned to Food Gallery 32 in NYC's Koreatown located at 11 West 32nd Street. We wanted to try some of the other food options.

Today we went to Jin Jja Roo for Jjamppong - noodles served with seafood and vegetables in spicy broth ($7.99). This was a huge bowl of soup and noodles with mussels and shrimp, carrots and onions. It was slightly spicy, but not overpowering. And it was served with pickled radishes.

Afterwards we went to the 3rd floor bakery and tried their macarons ($1.50/each). "S" had a strawberry and I had a vanilla - very good.

Kyedong Chicken

Thanks "M" for recommending Kyedong Chicken in Flushing, Queens.

I was driving down Northern Blvd. looking for this small store front when I spotted their delivery car and followed it.

The Medium order of wings and drumsticks with soy garlic sauce was only $11.95. But it's cooked to order so I had to wait 35 minutes.

The reward was hot, crispy, flavorful chicken.

Tong Sam Gyup Gui

...is a Korean Pork BBQ restaurant located at 162-34 Depot Road. in Queens. This small restaurant can easily be spotted by the cartoon pigs on the outside windows.

We were all given complimentary bean sprout broth soup.

"M", "R", "S" and I had the Samgyupsal ($19.99/pp) which is thin sliced pork belly barbequed along with bean sprouts, garlic and kimchi tableside on giant convex grills. This is served with lettuce (to act as wraps), onions, pickled jalepeno peppers, peppercorns and two types of sauces.

Each diner is given an apron to protect their clothing. Once you wrap all the ingredients in the still damp lettuce the water and sauces drip down your hands and usually onto your laps. Several napkins are also required.

And to soak up any leftover pork fat we had Bibimbap ($1.99/pp) - rice with vegetables in a spicy sauce. This was placed on the same grill along with seaweed. The bottom layer of rice becomes slightly crispy.

The menu is very focused and there is no dessert. But "M" and "R" had beers. The only other beverage offered was water.

Japan Korea Block Fair

...the 1st Annual Fair was held last weekend on Broadway in NYC's Upper West Side.

I tried the Japanese fried chicken ($3) for little nuggets with wasabi mayonaise. Moist, but not crisp on the outside.

"E" tried a vegetarian patty made with cabbage and topped with a sweetish sauce.

The Ninja demonstration was a little weak and hokey.

Crisp

I am a big fan of Korean fried chicken, but have only tried those offered in NY. When I heard that Crisp in Chicago was supposedly the "best" Korean fried chicken I knew I had to try it during my next visit to the Windy City. And so I did...

Crisp is located at 2940 N. Broadway in Chicago.

I tried the Whole Jumbo Wings (10 for $11.95) in Plain Jane (traditional spices, marinade, secret batter) and Seoul Sassy (sweet sauce with ginger, soy, garlic and spices). First of all the wings were HUGE (were these chickens or turkeys?) and they were delicious. I have to agree - this Chicago Korean Fried Chicken wins over the several different types I have tried in NYC.

Bon Chon

Good news fans of Korean fried chicken! Another Bonchon outpost has opened in NYC's Garment District at 207 West 38th Street. This was their first week and they are still putting the finishing touches inside (paint, drilling) and service is very slow. Be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes for your order.

I tried the white meat "strips" small (6 pcs for $7) with your choice of sauces - garlic or spicy garlic. I tried the garlic and my pieces of real chicken breasts strips were coated with sauce. They weren't as crispy as the other Bonchon location, but maybe because I had to wait 35 minutes for my order. But it was freshly made because the chicken was scorchingly hot.

All meals are served with fries (very crispy and tasty) and a cup of some sort of Japanese radish floating in liquid (not much flavor).

Hopefully they will improve service so the lunch rush won't be so unbearable.