A New Twist on Tradition - Ngam

Ngam 

99 Third Avenue

New York NY 10003

212.777.8424

http://www.ngamnyc.com/

Ngam serves up a new touch on Thai goods with a slight infusion twist, labeling it as the "Modern Thai Comfort Food." Taking traditional Thai food to the next level, Ngam is a place that will have you on your feet as to what culinary twist to expect. The best sellers include the Old School Pad Thai, a more traditional style of Thai dishes, as well as the Dark Knight, a bed of black squid ink noodles topped with fried calamari to it's perfection. Every dish at Ngam is infused with an immense amount of flavor, giving the right balance for your palette. The one thing that did not work for me was the Thai Taco, a stir-fry bunch of meat and vegetables topped on a pan fried roti wrap; there definitely could have been more to this.

With the variety of Thai goods, expect nothing less than a packed madhouse when visiting Ngam. Be sure to make reservations well ahead of time to dodge the long lines. Although you may be waiting a while for your food, the customer service is at the top at Ngam, which may be hard to come across now-a-days. Staff is ready to tackle your every craving, minus the number of dishes that were ordered before you.

Fresh on the Market - Ramen and Co

Ramen and Co.

100 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038

With the hype of ramen burgers on the menu, Keizo Shimamoto just recently announced his newest store, Ramen and Co. located in the Financial District. With a soft opening that allowed the FiDi locals to consume his goods during lunch hours from 11 AM to 2 PM, it is official for the rest of the world to experience the ramen burger, hopefully with shorter lines. With a bun made of ramen and a patty made of extremely tender, juicy meat topped with a mouth-watering sauce, the ramen burger is something to try. Although I am personally not impressed with the ramen bun itself, it is definitely something that everyone should try for the simple ideology of FOMO.

Co-workers of mine rave about the ramen burger, but I personally preferred the juicy meat and freshly fried potato chips instead. The ramen could be a bit of a heavy touch for many, especially since it is composed of noodles. The unique presentation of the dumpling wrapping is something that makes you appreciate the little things that Ramen and Co. create, but going for a bowl of ramen here is definitely suggested. 

An average lunch will set you back about $10 which is honestly not bad at all. Going for a quick bowl of ramen on a cold winter day is probably recommended, but there's nothing wrong with a summer splurge. Although the address is written for 100 Maiden Lane, the actual restaurant is located at the cross section of Pearl Street, right around the corner of the Chipotle, next to Terri. 

Hidden Treasures - Once Upon a Milkshake

Once Upon a Milkshake, every big kid's fantasy to have a whole store devoted to milkshakes, ice cream, and all things good. Living in Korea, it is difficult to find a place that makes a good milkshake since it varies from place to place as well as person to person who makes it. Once Upon a Milkshake dedicates their everyday to making the perfect milkshake. Coming from Singapore, the first branch just opened in Seoul, bringing a menu that is just above the rest. 

They offer a handful of choices which range from fruit flavored to sweet classics and even new twists that you have never heard of before. The best part is being able to have the option of choosing the texture of your milkshake. This is one thing that is not offered anywhere. The dense taste of the milkshake is also adjustable to your personal buds by adding extra flavor if needed. 

With three sizes of mini, regular and large, milkshakes start at $4 a pop. Because there is so much to choose from, which can be difficult to make a choice, they offer a swirl of goodness by incorporating two flavors. The most popular mix at Once Upon a Milkshake which is unexpected is the cookies and cream with condensed milk mixture. If wanted, the option of mixing up to three flavor is allowed as well, but a rare case.  Using a high quality puree with 100% real fruits, no artificial flavoring, items are not that sweet but can be altered to your taste. The recommendation and most popular ones on the menu are: the classic cookies and cream, condensed milk, and tiramisu. It may be a little pricey, but if you crave for it, you'll understand the splurge.

For those who are looking for an alternative to milkshakes, there is the option of ice cream. Single scoops are just $3, doubles for $5.50 and a triple for $7.50. Plain in taste, the store is considering toppings but this is totally breaking from the Korean norms. The most popular being chocolate, cookies and cream and black currant (a sour fruit that is much like a blueberry but tartier) which is served in a regular cup.

Once Upon a Milkshake is closed on Mondays, opened Tuesday to Thursday from 10 to 10 and Friday to Sunday from 10-11pm. With free wifi and an open area, it is a relaxing environment for a chit chat and enjoying with a group of friends, even to do some work. BEST PART. Someone speaks English.

Take exit 2 from Noksapyeong station and go straight until you see a green underpass that takes you across the street on the right. Take the underpass and exit on the left when reaching the exit. Go straight past Craftworks and Once Upon a Milkshake is an eye catching purple storefront with opened windows cannot and should not be missed.

Address: Seoul, Yongsan-gu, Noksaypeyong 242
서울시 용산구 녹사평대로 242(이태원동)
Phone: 070-7435-313

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Oliver Sweet

Oliver Sweet is an internet based bakery that caters to the community in Korea, delivering all baked goodies from holiday themed cookies to pastries to cakes. With a wide option of baked goods that cater to the occasion, Oliver Sweet makes packaging and ordering gifts easy. For those who are looking to sample the Oliver Sweet baked selections, there is one cafe in Banpo-dong that sells a selection of Oliver Sweet desserts. 

Oliver Sweet can also be found in some of the department stores which includes the Lotte and a selected handful of restaurants (including Vatos Urban Tacos). They break from the traditional catering and taste of cakes and pies by offering a twist to their goodies. The Cognac Pecan Pie for example is a liquor infused pie that is baked with the full blast of pecans. Baked with a chewy texture, the pecan pie's tart is not flaky at all, but more like a crust that is baked to perfection.

In addition to the pie, the Earl Grey Tea Cake infused with Grapefruit is a multi layered cake themed around cream, cake, and more cream. With a spongy texture, the cake offers grapefruit flavoring that is definitely different from from any other cakes offered in Korea. It is rather light in taste, not offering much of a strong green tea or grapefruit taste, but it does compliment one another pretty well.

It is definitely suggested to order an Oliver Sweet speciality cake or baked goody for an occasion. Going out of your way to try their cakes may not be worth it, but of course if you see it in the area you are in, do order one to give it a try. You never know if this is would be your kind of dessert. 

Cafe Address: 612-140 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea 137-713

Restaurant Review - 한추 (Hanchu Fried Chicken)

한추 is one of the most famous restaurants, not for it's amazing interior or service, but for their fried chicken. Labeled as the best fried chicken in Seoul, there have been quite the number of foreign and local bloggers that praise the fried chicken at 한추 in Apgujeong between the Sinsa and Apgujeong station. The reason why 한추's chicken is so special is because they use a particular marinate before actually throwing the chicken down to cook.

With a simple breading that is a full blast of flavor, the chicken is then deep fried and served as is or with a special sweet and spicy 양념 sauce. With a plate of chicken for roughly $17, it is enough to feed two or three, depending on the stomach. Although the chicken is praised to be the best thing on the menu, and the best in Seoul, this is dubious. It's gone both ways, but it is worth making a trip to try the "best" and judge it yourself. 

One thing on the menu that is a definite must order is their stuffed chilly peppers. Stuffed with meat, battered, and deep fried. It is a hit and a no brainer with many. For the most part, many visitors praise the stuffed green peppers more than their famous chicken which does go to say a lot. 

한추 has been around for a while and is a well-established restaurant in Korea.

One weird eat if you're courageous enough to try is the chicken butt. Yes, chicken butt. It may sound to be horrible, but it really isn't as bad as you think it is. It is just a different part of the chicken's body, a delicacy in Korea and many Asian countries.

For that reason, the interior caters to the loud and young generation that is looking for good food and beer of course. Chicken in Korea is almost always paired with beer. Because of this, you can find a young crowd consuming the goods at 한추 and enjoying a good time. This dinky-looking place is probably not the best place to go to for a date, but it is the best place to go with a group of friends. 

The top three items on the menu, one of the most basic menus of restaurants is the Original fried chicken, fried chicken with spicy sauce, and the green peppers. They have a very basic English translation which is enough to interpret the menu. Because it is a young, drinking place, a side of chips and radish is served with your order. 

Located in Apgujeong parallel to the Garosu-gil shopping area, there are a few ways (and quite a walk) to get to 한추. Keep in mind the restaurant opens late hours from 5PM to 3AM, catering to the young crowd of drinking. 
Address: Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Sinsa-dong 549-9

서울 강남구 신사동 649-9

Phone Number 02-3446-5778

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Molly's Pops

Molly's Pops (몰리스팝스) is one of the most famous places for foreigners, locals, adults, and children of all ages. For what reason? For their ice pops. Molly's pops is the one place in Seoul that offers fun and amazing flavor to all guests for their refreshing ice pops. For just $3 a pop, that pretty much beats the price of any convenient store ice cream, as well as my ultimate favorite Baskin Robbins. Molly's Pops take ice pops to another level by incorporating all kinds of flavors.

The best sellers are of course the ones made with booze for a different kind of kick as well as the signature Wasabi. Yes, a wasabi ice pop. As peculiar as it may sound, this bizarre food is actually not so bad when incorporated in a popsicle stick. Refreshing and cold, there is definitely enough of a taste of wasabi at the end that surprises you. 

Although they are labeled as an ice pop, the texture of the popsicles are extremely milky to the point where they melt in your mouth. It is a smooth blend of amazing flavor, incorporating all things good from sweet to tart and tangy. It is all things good on a stick you can't go wrong with that or any choice of ice pops at Molly's pops. 

This small shop is located from exit 8 of the Hongdae station on line 2. Take a right into the first block when you walk out of the station and follow the block straight down after you pass the curved road on your left (technically walk on it). Go to the very end until you hit a dead end and make a left. Molly's Pops will be on your right within a two blocks walk.

Address: 330-20 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-Gu, Seoul
서울 마포구 서교동 330-20

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Sugar Daddy

Everyone knows I have the craziest sweet tooth, especially for cupcakes. I have been on the search in Seoul for forever now to find the best cupcakes and constantly let down each time. Sugar Daddy is definitely the only one that comes close, almost the perfect cupcake. Sugar Daddy is an extremely small shop in Itaewon where the baker is in the store baking and decorating as she sells cupcakes from the same table. This extremely small and cozy spot is filled with all things delicious which are not only cupcakes! 

Sugar Daddy offers cupcake sized pies, mini cheesecakes, fudge bars, cookies, and cupcakes of traditional flavors as well as all things crazy. Many of the ingredients used in the recipes are ordered from foreign markets and online stores which explains the quality of the baked goods. Furthermore, the owner (Yumi Jung) tries to incorporate all things crazy that Americans love into her baked goods which provides her with another bonus thumbs up.

I am absolutely in love with Sugar Daddy for the amazing service for starters. Yumi had two stools in front and offered seating for us to consume our root beer cupcake and key lime pie. She then proceeded to offer us a cup of tea, Australia's T2 tea which she allowed us to choose from a wide selection of flavors. Halfway into our baked goods, she then offered us a freshly baked cookie from her cooling rack. 

In terms of her baked goods: the root beer cupcake is definitely a special kind of cupcake which is a fun eat. The root beer kick to the cupcake takes it to a whole new level. I'm personally not a fan of root beer, but this cupcake definitely changed my mind. Topped with a "scoop of icecream" and a "straw" for consumption, this cute it is a blast of flavor with a fluffy cake base, whipped fondant-icing like cream, and a drizzle of deliciousness. 

The mini key lime pie, made of a graham cracker base that is topped with a key lime filling is also on point. The tart key lime is not overpowering and it is the perfect blend with the crust, definitely a recommendation for anyone looking for something tangy but not too sour. The cookies are made of all things crazy as well, but like most Korean cookies, they are all hard and not soft-baked, but still delicious in taste!

For my cupcake hunt in Korea, I think I have found the best and closest thing. I definitely recommend Sugar Daddy to anyone who is looking for that perfect cupcake. With so much to choose from, you may be spending a little more than anticipated. Cupcakes and baked goods average at $4.50 a pop, cookies priced at $1 and totally worth every penny of it!

From the Noksapyeong station on line 6 of the brown, take exit 2 and go straight to the light. Take the hill up on your left and go straight. Go up the hill and you will see the small shop of Sugar Daddy on your right. This location in Haebangchon is actually closed.

updated
For the Itaewon Sugar Daddy shop that recently opened in replacement of the location above in Haebangchon, take exit 4 of the Itaewon station on line 6 and go straight by the McDonald's.

Traditional Korean Eat - Pigs Feet 족발

One of the weirdest sounding, but extremely tasty and popular eat amongst the locals is pigs feet, literally. 족발 is one thing that a lot of Koreans go crazy for, I mean crazy. Although it is not a popular dish amongst foreigners, it is definitely something to try. When served, pig's feet doesn't look as bad as you may think it is. It is quite appealing and looks like regular pork meat. Pig's feet is usually used for making broths for all kinds of soups, but Koreans sure know how to put a twist on this ingredient and make it something spectacular. Cooked full of flavor, the pig's feet is sliced and served with a dish of vegetables. To be enjoyed like BBQ meat, you can wrap and dip in a special sauce that it is served with. Because it is pig's feet, it is served with the full on fat, crunchy pieces of cartilages and occasionally, a few pieces of bones. The bones are one thing to look out for, but this dish does taste a lot better than it sounds. 

In addition to being served as whole, sliced up, pigs feet is also incorporated with a handful of other meats, usually sea food, stirred up for your enjoyment. When stir fried with other ingredients, it usually includes a ton of spice, a level beyond imaginable for many foreigners so be careful when ordering!

Korean Traditional Eat - Sundae 순대

Sundae (순대) is an extreme traditional Korean eat, but also considered a peculiar dish for many, especially foreigners because of its strong tastes. Most commonly made from boiling or steam cow or pig intestines and filled with a variety of ingredients, this blood sausage is something that many cannot tolerate. Most Sundaes are filled with cellophane noodles (dangmyeon), pork blood, fermented soy bean paste, glutinous rice, kimchi, and or soy bean sprouts. It is a popular eat in Korea and they come in all different forms.

Depending on the area stirring up Sundae, the most common is the cow or pig sausage served whole and consumed just like that. Other areas specialize in different kinds which is made of squid (Ojingeo Sundae), Alaska pollock (Myeongtae Sundae), Brown Coacker's air bladder (Eogyo Sundae) and many others. 

For those who are trying out the dish for the first time, you can find this along the street through the street vendors. It is a good idea to share with others, just in case you are not used to the unique taste. Another suggestion is to have the 순대국 which is a soup version of the traditional eat.