The best Korean restaurants throughout New York City are a mix of old and new: Korean-American mainstays that have been barbecuing meats or slinging bowls of soups for decades, as well as imports of hot spots straight from Korea, plus modern restaurants serving innovative riffs on classic Korean fare. As a Korean American who grew up eating my mom's home cooking and visiting Seoul every summer,
The menu balances homey staples such as japchae, chive pancakes, and spicy tofu stew with more luxurious options like uni rice - which I ordered on a visit this past week. A bowl of sizzling rice comes beautifully topped with uni, tobiko, kimchi, pickles, and veggies. Mix it all up for a comforting side dish that has layers of flavors.
Shrimp burgers, 'shake it' fries, and unique Korean-inspired offerings differentiate Lotteria's menu, making it a favorite among local diners excited about its American debut.
Japanese fried chicken, or karaage, often uses boneless filets and smaller, bite-sized chunks for quicker cooking and easier eating with chopsticks, while Korean fried chicken utilizes familiar cuts like wings and drumsticks.
For classic Korean barbecue with some noticeable new tweaks: Baekjeong introduces colorful faux porcelain dishes and rotating seasonal banchan, while maintaining top-notch meat quality and an impressive grill experience.