Gam Mee Ok

Gam Mee Ok (485 Main St. in Fort Lee, NJ) - 4/6/09

We eat a lot of Korean food; because we love Korean food. And one restaurant that is definitely on Ella's list will be familiar to any Korean who spent their twenties/thirties in NYC. Gam Mee Ok in K-town was the after-hours spot for the perfect bowl of soothing and healing Sul Long Tang (ox-bone soup with rice & noodles). Definitely a necessary and recommended ritual after a night of heavy drinking. Been there, yes? Then you are also aware of their famously delicious kimchi, which the waiter cuts up for you at the table. Well, fortunately for Ella and family, there is a second Gam Mee Ok located in Fort Lee, NJ. And this one is the one. Because in addition to offering the same menu items as the NYC location, this branch serves up the most amazing Yook Gae Jang (spicy beef stew with shredded beef, scallions, and assorted vegetables). This is mom & dad's favorite Yook Gae Jang - it makes them happy. Along with a cold bottle of soju, we order the Soo Yook (thinly sliced beef brisket with flavored scallions) and a slice of their Bin Dae Duk (fried pancake made of ground beans, vegetables, and some pork). Both dishes are great for anju (food that goes well with drinking). And Ella likes them too. For our meal, we order a bowl of Yook Gae Jang (for mom & dad) and a bowl of Sul Long Tang (for Ella). This hearty meal is good on any day, but it is particularly rewarding when it is cold and rainy outside.

Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar

Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar (17 E. 32nd St., NYC) - 3/29/09

So what's the best Korean restaurant in NYC? Tough to say. But for the past few years or so, the answer has been Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar on 32nd Street. The food is consistently excellent, and the dining experience is enhanced by attentive service and a hip decor/space. Also, the vibe is not as frantic as it is at some of the other spots in K-town -- you know how some can be quite hectic and noisy and rushed... There are 2 things we always order at Don's. Of course the Kalbi (beef short ribs) here is absolutely fantastic; well-marbled beef marinated tastefully and grilled at your table. Always solid. We sometimes order the beef platter, with assorted meats/marinades and such, but we usually decide on multiple portions of their regular/marinated Kalbi. The other must-have dish at Don's is their Dubu Kimchi, which is a spicy, stir fried offering of pork and kimchi with steamed tofu on the side to balance the spicy fire. Okay, so Ella doesn't eat the spicy foods yet, but mom and dad love this dish! And for mom and dad, nothing is better than cold soju & beer to wash down all this flavorful goodness. Can't wait to go back.