After serving New Yorkers free Korean food from their mobile truck in April/May, Taste of Korea NYC—a South Korean government-funded program spreading Hansik (Korean cuisine)—has launched a FREE Lunch Program!

Perhaps up for debate, but nothing shares the flavorful history of a nation quite as well as its authentic cuisine, and the program is yet another integral piece of the rapidly growing Hallyu movement in New York City.

To enter to win a FREE Korean lunch for you and 19 co-workers, head on over to the Taste of Korea NYC’s Facebook page! A few of the nine restaurants catering have been featured on our Korean Food USA series: Do Hwa, Miss Korea BBQ, and Franchia Vegan Café.

The Free Lunch Programs ends Wednesday, November 23th.

[Photos: Taste of Korea NYC Facebook]

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

A fast and delicious Korean meal isn’t only available at food carts. At Miss Korea, there are Korean-style lunch boxes, a.k.a. dosiraks, with either your choice of kalbi, bulgogi, spicy pork, or marinated chicken available for just $10. However, Miss Korea’s lunchtime popularity requires ordering early to beat the crowd.

It’s a well-balanced meal, complete with assorted sides, including kimchi, salad, miso soup, a generous portion of rice, and a fried mandu. It’s clear that Korean BBQ isn’t the only dish that Miss Korea does well. The dosiraks are available for pick-up only, perfect for those super long lunch breaks and spontaneous picnics only possible during the summer.

Miss Korea
10 W 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 594-4963
http://www.misskoreabbq.com

[Photos: Brownie/Midtown Lunch]

Have you ever seen a Korean blonde? Did you ever wonder what a Korean woman would like in blonde? Legally Blonde the musical is opening up in South Korea and of course the actors have to be blonde. It’s starring former Miss Korea, Honey Lee (Lee Ha Ni) and Jessica of the girl band SNSD.

The results are in and Kim Ju-Ri is officially Miss Korea 2009 and will be representin’ South Korea at the Miss Universe pageant.   The contest occurred on July 8th at Seoul’s Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and was hosted by former Miss Korea finalist Sohn Tae-young.  The new Miss Korea, Kim Ju-Ri, takes over from last year’s winner, Na Ri – who was beaten down in the media and criticized for not being pretty enough.  Ouch!

Miss Kim entered the competition as Miss Seoul.  She is a ballerina who is a graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet School in Russia.   And after she was awarded the crown, she said in an interview “Although I’ve become Miss Korea, my dream is to be a ballerina.  As a Korean ballerina, I would like to show the world the pride and beauty of Korea’s women.” Awww, how nice.  She actually beat out not only contestants from within South Korea, but also contestants from overseas that hailed from New York, Los Angeles, Texas and D.C.  What about the Brazilians?  Someone from there would’ve challenged for the crown.

This is the list of winners and there were a lot of awards.

Miss Korea (jin): Kim Ju-ri
Miss Korea (sun): Cha Ye-rin, Seo Eun-mi
Miss Korea (mi): Park Ye-joo, Lee Seul-gi, Yoo Su-jung, Choi Ji-hee

Talent Award: Yoo Su-jung
Friendship Award: Yang Kook-hwa
Manners Award: Jo Su-jin
Photogenic Award: Wang Ji-hye
Korean Abroad Award: Kwon Ri-sae
Popularity Award: Park Ye-joo

Who would you vote for as Miss Korea?  Who will represent South Korea at the Miss Universe pagaent this year?  The Miss Korea website link has been flying around the Internet and if you want to take a look at the contestants, go to:

http://misskorea.hankooki.com/poll/poll_list.php

Will there be another Honey Lee or someone even better that can take the crown?  If you recall, Honey Lee placed in the top 5 in 2007 of the Miss Universe pagaent in Mexico.  She had entered the competition as one of the favorites, but in the end she came up a little short.  What would be really cool, though we may be in the minority on this is to allow mixed Koreans to participate.  Yes America is different because it is inherently a melting pot, but there are many biracial and mixed Koreans who take pride in their Korean heritage.  And if they do, why not allow it because we are becoming an increasingly mixed world.  Enough of that quick editorial; onto the contestants.  Here are a few of the contestants.