To kill two birds with one stone

I remember promising to give a lowdown on how divine "Bibimbap" and "West 32nd Street" are ... so here it is, compact in one post that also simultaneously covers my favorite Korean restaurants in no particular order. Aren't I so multifaceted :)

A quick FYI for those who are unfamiliar with Bibimbap: it's a popular Korean dish that consists of a whole buncha sliced up veggies and meat (usu. beef) served over a steaming bowl of rice, topped with an egg - all to be mixed together in a spectacular mishmash with a red chile pepper paste before you embark on eating it. I like 'dolsot bibimbap' which is bibimbap served in a sizzling stone bowl; keeps your meal hot during its entirety and further adds a crispiness to some of the rice, yum!

1. LI HUA (171 Grand St. )

- This place serves the best bibimbap I've ever had! You must try the 'bulgogi dolsot bimbimbap' - the meat is marinated so that it's bursting with flavor. They also put shitake mushrooms, which I haven't seen as a bibimbap ingredient anywhere else; makes a great additional taste and texture. For all their bibimbaps, they offer the normal chili paste but also a home-made soy sauce concoction for those who feel adverse to any kind of spiciness. You may ask for both if the whim hits you.

- All the other foods I've tried here have not disappointed me either, for example the 'rice cakes' and the 'kalbi'.

- Great lunch deal; Good service; Minimal decoration; And you'll usually find some sort of bubbly Asian pop on the sound system.

2. KUNJIP (9 W.32nd St.)

- I find that the highlight with this place is that it's slightly cheaper than the other restaurants along 32nd.

- The food is fine, not amazing, but it's exceedingly popular nonetheless, oftentimes there's a line here that rivals that of Pinkberry.

- Service and decor are nothing special.

3. SEOUL GARDEN (34 W.32nd St.)

- They're known for their 'soon doobu' here (a savory thick stew with super-soft tofu) and there's no question why - it's heavenly! I always get the 'seafood soon doobu' with 'medium spicey'. I end up drinking a lot of water though. My fav part is cracking the raw egg into it and then eating the mushed up 1/2 cooked egg with the stew and rice.
- They have a decent amount of sidedishes, good thing is that you can ask for refills, although the service is blah, especially at dinnertime, you might have to wait a bit if you don't make reservations ahead, they're becoming more and more popular, must make a note to become friends with the hostess.

4. SHILA (37 W.32nd St.)

- Good food; soothing ambience; diligent service; lots of sidedishes; but as expected, just slightly more expensive than those mentioned above.

- I've realized that it helps if you speak Korean at these restaurants, or bring a handy Korean-speaking buddy along, so that you/they can make banter with the waitresses making them warm to your table more, haha.

5. KUM GANG SAN (Flushing, Queens: 138-28 Northern Blvd)

- My overall favorite Korean restaurant. The food tastes authentic, and finally a place that serves a proper whole lot of sidedishes. Although my fondness for this place could be biased due to some nostalgic childhood memories here.

- This place is hidden behind a building, you basically drive towards a hole-in-the-wall to find the parking lot and then you reach this massive restaurant, very surprising.

- They also have a Jpnese selection on their menu, it's so-so, I recommend sticking to the Korean stuff

- They have a location in Manhattan too (49 W.32nd St.) which I only vaguely remember going to - just some disconnected memories of a good bibimbap, an opulent waterfull and a lot of blue decor ... it's been a long time.

Notice how most of the above are located on W.32nd? Sigh, it's a great place for the stomach. So how about some delectable dessert that's also on the block?

1. PINKBERRY (7 W.32nd St.)

I love this place - see previous post on the issue. Although their recent behavior is definitely shady; a stubborn reluctance to divulge what their stuff is made of (they no longer call it fro-yo) and a mice problem with their uptown location - get your act together Pinkberry!

2. KORYODANG INC (31 W.32nd St.)
A chic, modern and spacious (at the back) Korean bakery that not only sells all sorts of pastries and cakes, but also popsicles and the best shaved ice ever - they serve it with a red bean sauce, various fruits, and really good mochi pieces!

Now, top your evening off with a heart-felt karaoke session and you're all set!