I’m taking my sis and her 12-year-old to a Korean restaurant on Friday. I’ve had Korean food once before, a long time ago. Sis and nephew have never had it. I don’t know anything, really, about Korean food and would am seeking recommendations for novices such as ourselves to order on our first time out?
Sis is allergic to shellfish, FYI. In order of adventurousness, I’m the most willing to eat unusual things, then nephew, then sis. Any guidance you can provide would be great. We like spice, but that’s not a deal breaker.
Pork or beef Bul Go Gi is a good start: good, Oriental tasting, but not exotic. I would suggest Kim Chi, but it is definitely an acquired taste, and not something I’d give to someone for their first experience. There are also potato pancakes, but I forget the name at the moment. I really like Korean cuisine, and don’t cook enough of it, IMHO.
Bi bim bop and jap che are also two easy choices. Bi bim bop is a rice dish with a bunch of vegetables and a little meat sometimes served with an egg. Jap Che is a noodle dish kind of similar to lo mein.
I’ve never met any one who doesn’t like bul go gi though so it is the safest choice.
Myself, I think soft tofu soup is easy to like. It’s a little stone cauldron (heated to a very high heat) filled with a spicy broth, lumps of soft tofu, and bits of meat or vegies. You can dictate the degree of spiciness. I know it’s summertime now, but when it’s frosty outside you can’t beat a boiling bowl of tofu soup.
This is horrible! It’s going to be another half an hour 'til my dinner is ready! I’m this close to chucking in the trash and speeding over to Korean yum-yum right now!
At some restaurants, there’s a barbecue built right into your table. You’re brought a platter of marinated meats and sliced vegies, and you cue them yourself right on the grill. It’s a lot of fun, and the barbecue is extremely good.
All the above suggestions are good. I also like fried mandoo as an appetizer.
You might also throw yourselves on the mercy of the waiter. Tell them you haven’t had Korean food before, you’re allergic to shellfish, and see what the waiter suggests. I’ve had some fabulous meals that way (even if I did know something about the cuisine.)
Warning! Most kimchi has shellfish products or byproducts in it. This includes most of the spicy side dishes that will be served with your meal.
Any of the beef or pork dishes will be palatable to Americans. The limiting factor is tolerance to spiciness. Bulgogi (sliced beef in a sweet marinade) and japchae (clear noodles with beef and veggies) are not spicy at all. Other meat dishes will be more spicy. If it’s an issue, ask your server.
There should be some variety of soups. Soondubu (spicy tofu soup) is the best. The tofu absorbs the spiciness of the broth. The broth can be seafood or beef based. Both are likely to have shellfish byproducts in then. Your server will probably ask how spicy you want it. Say mild. If it’s too weak, it’s easy to add more flavor.
Many Korean restaurants also serve kimbap, which looks like a sushi roll. They can have un-sushi-like ingredients like kimchi or cheese. I recommend kimbop for Americans who want something exotic but not spicy (the rice cuts any spiciness).
My favorite Korean dish bibimbap. It’s a rice bowl with veggies and a little beef added. Typically, they give you a bowl of pepper paste for you to add in yourself. You stir everything together yourself. If you have a problem with eating raw egg, be sure to tell your server “please precook the egg”. The best bibimbap is served in a hot stone pot (call “dulset”). That gives you a crispy layer of burnt rice to munch on at the end.
All Korean restaurants will serve four or more “side dishes” in little bowls to go with your meal. These are tasty tidbits to complement your main dish. You can ask for refills, but it’s rude to fill up on these and not your main course, so don’t overdo it. I recommend trying each of these (with the shellfish caveat) to get the full Korean experience. The best Korean restaurants will serve many kinds of these; Koreans typically judge the quality of a restaurant on the variety and quality of them.
If you’re of age, all Korean meals are well-complemented by soju, a type of rice wine. Like any alcohol, different brands have different tastes, so it may take you a while to find your favorite. It can be strong stuff, so be careful.