Jenny R.'s Profile

Dear Reader,

One of my biggest fears is taking my dad to a Korean restaurant that I have personally never been to when he's REALLY hungry. What if he doesn't like the restaurant? What if it's dirty and has flies all over the place? What if the kimchee is overly fermented???? Then he'll be really hungry AND really grumpy! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so we usually go to Seoul Garden (it's ok), because frankly, even though I'm Korean American, I rarely eat Korean food in the city and I don't know where else to go. But tonight, when my dad asked if I might want to eat Korean food and that he and my mom would be by to pick me up in FIVE minutes (thanks for the heads up), I for some reason decided that we would try some place new. So after Yelping for Korean restaurants, I decided to nix Han Il Kwan in the event that we might be there amidst a throng of Korean Tourists (that would REALLY upset my dad) and try Muguboka.

It was so worth it. The Dwen Jang Jiggae tasted just the way my mom makes it, and she agreed. The kimchee was just right, the pan fried mackeral was not too salty, the oysters in the oyster jun were plump and juicy, they also serve multigrain/brown rice, and the free Hwemul Pajun was crispy and oh so delicious. Plus the place was nicely lit and clean! The best part was that my dad kept saying how delicious everything was with every bite that he took. SUCCESS!!!!!

At any rate, I cannot wait to go back on a cold rainy day and have the Dduk Mandoo Guk. Also, a few more public service announcements, PLEASE eat at this restaurant if you have a hankering for Korean. And finally PLEASE do not eat at Hahn's Hibachi (wtf hibachi isn't even a Korean word) EVER.

Yours,

Sojutini

The first time I ever had Turkish food was at this hole in the wall place in Oxford...England. It was seriously authentic - you know it's good when the cops roll in for their stake out take out. But this review is about A la Turca.  As clean a restaurant that you can have in the Loin and friendly service that makes you glad that you stopped by. The lamacun ("llama-choon) and pide ("pita" with a bit of an "uh" at the end) are absolute must appetizers. The baklava was really tasty as well.

I think Foreign Cinema has actually gotten a lot better (despite my review from a few years back) since I've been dining there. The brunches are so decadent and dinner entrees have surprising tastes and are seasonal. I actually usually end up getting two appetizers because I can never decide. If you have brunch there you must try the pop tarts. They are the perfect starter to have with your coffee.

Yuuuuuuummm.

I would go and just order beers (great range of tasty beers) and eat the free pull apart rolls. The mussels and pork with a spork was unique and really tasty. The pork just fell to pieces and the muscles were not overcooked, but plump and delicious. The halibut was good (not anything amazing) and the only downside was that I couldn't finish all of the fish. They gave me so many pieces. The place is kind of loud though, so you might find yourself shouting at your dining partner. Oh, and save room for dessert!

Ella's is always consistent. The chicken hash is always tasty and the coffee is always hot. What more could you want? The toast slices are ridiculously thick and the biscuit is fluffy and buttery. The only downside is that it's sort of hard to park around the area. The good news is that they expanded and renovated a couple of years ago and the turnover has since gotten a lot quicker and the ambiance is a lot nicer.

Ok. I am not a huge burrito fan. I think I ate one too many in college when I was in SD. BUT I love nachos. I could eat them everyday. And while I thought that their burritos were ok (at least they are humongous), their nachos were OUTSTANDING. I eat nachos pretty much anywhere they have them on the menu, so you can be sure about my nacho connoisseur-ness. So 5+ stars for nachos, 3 stars for burritos...so rounded off to four stars overall.

The best kind of restaurant find is one where you're just wandering around, are low blood sugar, and find a place that not only smells good, but where the food tastes just how you imagine it might. My friend and I had the following:

- potstickers (perfectly chewy and crunchy bottom - could have used a little more filling)
- sizzling rice soup (could have been a little hotter - temp wise)
- mu-shoo pork (the filling was outstanding - just like I remember it from my youth)
- beef with snow peas (not greasy, perfectly stir fried beef and crunchy peas)

This place is small. We were there on a Sunday night around 8ish, so not sure how crowded it gets on other nights or at lunch, but I will definitely bring friends and out of towners for delicious Chinese food.

The only downside to this place is that it closes too early - if you walk in at 6:45, this one guy will repeatedly remind/warn you that you only have 15 minutes to sit down, order, then eat.

The soup is always hot and the portions are humongous. They even put cilantro in the broth, which is becoming more rare these days...The fresh rolls usually come out after your soup, because (surprise!) they are made fresh! If you're close to Union Square or coming down the hill, come here for some good pho.

Best Ramen I have ever had. The noodles are chewy and delicious and the broth is buttery and hot.

Be ready to wait on weekends around noon-ish, Asian for "noodle for breakfast time". Also cash only.

I live one block from this place and you would never know, walking past it, that a mini vegetarian oasis resides beyond the grimy streets of the 'Loin. We ordered the spring rolls, the crepe, and asparagus and green bean entree with brown rice on the side. Everything was delicious! The crepe was crunchy and filled with sprouts and crunchy jicama and the entree's veggies were supremely crunchy and not heavily sauced.

At the last minute we saw someone's steamed bun order and managed to add 2 of them to go. I'll let you know how they are, but I'm sure they'll be great.

Good for large parties (tables accommodating 8-10 people). Around 7ish it started to get packed (on a Monday!). Definitely want to make another trip back.