Homung Nangmyun

3/11/09 - Homung Nangmyun (Closter, NJ)

"Cold noodles! Cold noodles!" And with that plea from Ella, which we hear more than once a week, we stop on over to the best nangmyun spot around - Homung Nangmyun in Closter, NJ. In Closter, NJ? Yes! And we recommend it highly. Seriously the best nangmyun you can find anywhere - both the noodles (homemade from sweet potato) and the broth (a secret recipe with deep flavor - the kind where you don't need to add any mustard or vinegar, which is usually added at most restaurants to enhance the generic broth). Ella can finish the entire bowl. Other menu items are excellent as well, like their haemul soondubu jigae (seafood tofu stew), potato pancakes, homemade mandu (dumplings), and also their Soo Yook (sliced/assorted beef brisket with garlic & scallions). A nice bonus for mom and dad is that this is a BYO spot. We love BYO. So bring your soju/beer and enjoy the best nangmyun in the world.

The Cheese Store

The Cheese Store (720 Monroe St. in Hoboken, NJ) - 2/15/09

Whenever we get the chance, and especially when we are craving the finest cheeses & charcuteries, we head on over to The Cheese Store in Hoboken, NJ. This gourmet shop is owned and operated by Chung Park, who happens to be one of the most respected experts in the tri-state area when it comes to cheese. Chung opened up his shop in July '07 after a lifetime of cheese related jobs in New York, including an apprenticeship at a Goat Cheese Farm near the Catskills and 5 years spent at Murray's Cheese Shop on Bleeker. When you enter The Cheese Store, you will want to buy all the fabulous gourmet products on display. But what you really need to do is spend the time to talk to Chung about whatever cheeses he is recommending, because he will tell you everything you want to know about his offerings. And taste that cheese. It's the best in town.