When it comes to finding good food for good value in New York, I find that the simplest way can often be the best one. Find the crowds and follow them. I’ve been to pretty much all the restaurants in New York’s mini strip of Korea Town and of them all, Woorijip probably has the biggest crowds and the best value. At six in the evening, this Korean deli is filled with people just getting off work. At two in the morning, it’s filled with groups of party-ers winding down their night.

Woorijip translates to “our house,” which is quite a fitting title for the Korean “fast food” joint.

During the day, Woorijip offers buffet-style dishes, hot and cold, all for $6.50 per pound. They’ve literally got quite a comprehensive collection of dishes here, ranging from egg-free zucchini pancakes, kimchee, cold chewy noodles to pork belly, grilled fish, and fried rice. I love the flexibility here, since I just love to sample and nibble on a bunch of different dishes in one meal. You do pay a premium for the variety, but it is within reason and quite affordable.

There’s nothing very special about the space at Woorijip, but the large sit-down area is quite convenient for a quick chat over dinner or if you’re too inebriated to wait to eat until you get home.  Between the checkout registers and the buffet dishes is a thin aisle that houses all the prepared hot dishes. It’s a tight squeeze, but people generally know what they want and move pretty quickly. These hot dishes are nice and steamy, and there’s also an impressive variety of dishes (Korean fried rice topped with an egg, Spicy Squid with Rice, Kimchee Pork with Rice, etc.)

To the left of the tables is the refrigerated section filled with prepared cold foods, like kimbap, one of my favorites since it’s so easy to eat and portable too! Comparable to E-Mo, Woorijip also has a pretty big selection of kimbap (tuna, beef, chicken, vegetable, and a sample platter of everything).

In this section are also the various Korean soups – spicy, clear beef broth, tofu broth, pumpkin soup, and many others.

The Noodle Bar is apparently a newer addition to the restaurant’s options. I’m actually embarrassed to say I haven’t tried the noodles at the bar, but I’ve heard good things about them. Generally, I think the key to good noodles is the broth, and if they’ve managed to cook up a decent one, then it’s definitely worth a try.

Woorijip isn’t the hippest of all places, but it does a pretty good job at what it aims to do — offer customers a large variety of different dishes at great values. I forgot to add, in addition to food, Woorijip also has a refrigerated section offering all sorts of sojus, sakes, and wines. This may not be too common yet (or maybe it is), but I have friends who swear by this Korean joint when they’re in the mood for a “low-key” night of cheap drinking with friends. After all, it’s the company that should matter most, right?

Cheers,

Jess

Woorjip
12 W. 32nd St (between 5th and Broadway)
(212) 244-1115

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