Korean Food USA is a new series that showcases Korean and Korean-inspired eateries all around the nation.

When Ashley Lee became the owner of San Francisco’s Jang Soo BBQ, the restaurant underwent a complete renovation.

Described by SFWeekly’s Jonathan Kaufman as “recall[ing] both Prairie School architecture and J. Lo videos,” the revamped restaurant has crystallized chandeliers and the walls are furnished with slate.  If the decor isn’t extravagant enough, Lee, who also owns Ashely’s Cafe on California St., takes service to the next level: she greets all her guests wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress.

Being a BBQ joint, the meat they serve is superb—it’s tender yet flavorful. However, they also have other delicious entree dishes as well. Kimchi Jjigae, a spicy stew made of fermented cabbage, beef, onions, garlic, and kimchi, is a favorite. Eaters have the option of ordering it “Korean-style”—i.e., straight-up spicy.

Haemul Dolsot Bibimbap

Jang Soo also have several different kinds of bibimbaps, like their Haemul Dolsot Bibimbap. The dish combines all the regular ingredients of vegetables included in bibimbap, but instead of meat, there is variety of seafood mixed in.

So, if you need a new K-BBQ joint to frequent, try Jang Soo!

Jang Soo BBQ
6314 Geary Blvd (Btwn. 27th Ave & 28th Ave.)
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 221-8282

[Photos: (top) Lara Hata/SFweekly; David B/Yelp]

Korean Food USA is a new series that showcases Korean and Korean-inspired eateries all around the nation.

Chosun Korean BBQ, in Dallas, TX, proves that you don’t have to go to New York City or Los Angeles to get good Korean food. Described as a “heavenly retreat,” Chosun will satisfy your K-BBQ craving with their special BBQ Combos and wide selection of mouth-watering meats.

A popular request is their Yang Nyum Kalbi, which is Korean marinated beef short rib. The marinade, with the right amount of sweetness, makes the meat tender and juicy, seducing eaters to order another round. And while the servers at Chosun grill your meat right at your table, you have the option of ordering the meat so that it comes out already grilled and ready to eat.

If you prefer your meat in a hearty casserole, order Gop Chang Jun Gol—beef intestines in a spicy broth with vegetables.

Besides beef, Chosun has a self-service salad and soup station, and offers Korean favorites like Kimchi Jjigae, a spicy stew with kimchi and pork, and Naengmyeon—a dish we covered on our Crave Alert series a while back.

If you’re ever in the North Dallas area, go and satisfy all your Korean food cravings at Chosun Korean BBQ!

Chosun Korean BBQ
2560 Royal Ln. #105
Dallas, TX 75229
http://www.chosunbbq.com

[Photos:Yelp]

Korean Food USA is a new series that showcases Korean and Korean-inspired eateries all around the nation.

Some people are skeptical about the quality of food when they hear “chain restaurant,” but upscale Korean restaurant Woo Lae Oak, also known as “The House of Return,” has proven these stereotypes wrong. The first Woo Lae Oak to open in the U.S was in Los Angeles, California (it’s now closed), but it soon expanded to Illinois, New York, and, just recently, in Virginia. The popularity of this restaurant has been on-going since it first opened. Each of the Woo Lae Oak restaurants have a sophisticated and chic décor, but it’s not overwhelming to the customer. People can come in for a fancy event, or for a casual dinner with friends.

The chefs at Woo Lae Oak combine traditional and contemporary methods of cooking in their dishes, and, while using traditional Korean ingredients, they alter the flavors to make their dishes more palatable to a wider range of people.

The dish that people can’t get enough of: Un Dae Gu Jo Rim

One of their most famous dishes is their Un Dae Gu Jo Rim, which is black cod marinated in a spicy, sweet garlic soy sauce. The fish is very soft and fresh, and each bite is a burst of flavor.  Another popular dish is Kimchi Jjigae, a very traditional Korean stew made with meats, tofu and chilli paste. It might be shocking that a dish with kimchi would be so popular, but this restaurant tones down the spiciness of the dish and makes it a bit sweeter to attract more eaters.

Unfortunately, due to building lease issues, Woo Lae Oak in Soho, NY, closed down this past May. However, their sister restaurant Bann is close by with the same satisfying dishes.

Woo Lae Oak – CA
170 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
http://www.woolaeoakbh.com

Woo Lae Oak – IL
3201 Algonquin Rd (at Newport Dr)
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
http://woolaeoakchicago.com/

Woo Lae Oak – VA
8240 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
http://www.woolaeoak.com/

[Photos Korus Journal/WooLaeOak website]