Bori Korean Kitchen - Review - Bellevue - Seattle

Gangnam Style Korean Kitchen, located in Syracuse's Westcott neighborhood, offers a menu characterized by traditional, homestyle Korean dishes. The restaurant, which opened in spring 2016, occupies a modest space and does not feature popular Korean barbecue or street food, distinguishing itself by providing an array of dishes that cater to both the local Korean diaspora seeking familiar tastes and newcomers to the cuisine. The dining environment is described as small and unpretentious, with seating for approximately 30 people and mismatched chairs. During a Saturday evening visit, only two staff members were observed managing both the cooking and serving, alongside a steady flow of takeaway orders, indicating a streamlined operational model. The entrance, though indicated by a sign referring to a red door, is now a beige door, requiring some deduction from patrons. The culinary experience at Gangnam Style Korean Kitchen begins with appetizers like shumai, a Chinese-origin dumpling also popular in Korean and Japanese cuisines. The steamed shumai, priced at $9.95 for five, are noted for their light and airy texture and a filling of chopped shrimp. Another starter, the haemul pajeon, a seafood pancake, is available for $21.95. This savory pancake, made from a potato starch, egg, and flour batter, contains flash-fried green onions, chopped shrimp, and squid. It is served warm, sliced into eight pieces, and accompanied by soy sauce for dipping, offering a balanced combination of flavors and textures. The main courses highlight the restaurant's emphasis on bold flavors. The ossam bulgogi, costing $26.95, is prepared in a spicy sauce featuring gochujang chili paste, jalapeño, and Korean chili peppers. This dish, incorporating thin strips of squid and pork belly stir-fried with carrots, mushroom, scallions, and cabbage, is served with a side of rice. The spiciness is significant, described as effective in clearing sinuses, yet balanced by the sweetness of maple and plum syrups. The squid and pork retain their natural flavors and tender texture without becoming overly chewy. Another main dish reviewed is the bibimbap, priced at $20.95. This traditional Korean dish, ordered with ground pork as the protein, is served in a sizzling hot stone bowl, ensuring it remains warm throughout the meal. It consists of rice mixed with spinach, bean sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots, all cooked in a sauce infused with sesame, soy, and garlic. A fried egg on top acts as a binder when mixed, contributing to the dish's comforting, savory, and umami-rich profile. The banchan, or complimentary side dishes, include pickled cucumber and onions, and bean sprouts. While the kimchi was found to be largely bland, thin slices of pan-fried tofu provided a notable kick, likely from gochujaru (chili flakes) or gochujang in its marinade. Operational details of Gangnam Style Korean Kitchen include takeout and delivery options via DoorDash, but no reservations are accepted. Credit card payments incur a 4% surcharge. The noise level within the small dining room is generally respectful and moderate. Accessibility for disabled patrons is challenging due to a step at the front entrance and narrow walkways, with a unisex restroom located through the kitchen. Parking is available in the adjacent Westcott community lot, with on-street parking as an alternative. Outdoor dining is not offered. The restaurant accommodates various dietary needs, with vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options readily available. However, gluten-free diners may find options limited due to the use of soy sauce. There is no specific children's menu, though chicken fingers are provided as an option. The restaurant operates from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday, remaining closed on Tuesdays. A dinner for two, including starters, entrees, one soda, tax, a 20% gratuity, and the 4% credit card surcharge, amounted to $109.44. #KoreanCuisine #RestaurantReview #SyracuseFood #DiningOut #HomestyleKorean #OssamBulgogi #Bibimbap #FoodReview

Secret Burger Kitchen, a new establishment in Capitol Hill, Seattle, offers a solid smashburger experience complemented by flavorful fries. Despite its name, the restaurant is not particularly 'secret,' as indicated by the prominent 'smashburger' signage on its windows. The restaurant is characterized by its compact dining area with only a few tables and an ordering system that relies on a kiosk, alongside a continuous flow of delivery pickups. This setup suggests it is more suited for quick meals rather than extended stays. The interior decor features 90s hip-hop artwork and graffiti-style murals, which the reviewer notes gives it character, although the ambiance is somewhat disjointed by the presence of Top 40 pop music playing in the background. The review highlights several menu items, starting with the Unicorn Crunch Shake. This vanilla shake is distinctive for its topping of Fruity Pebbles and exclusively the marshmallows from Lucky Charms. While initially challenging to consume, the cereal components eventually soften and integrate well with the shake, creating a pleasant blend of flavors and textures. Regarding the main attraction, the Smash Cheeseburger, the review mentions that the single-patty version, while having a good crust and a desirable salty, griddled taste, is somewhat overshadowed by the substantial bun and numerous toppings. This leads the reviewer to suggest opting for the double patty to achieve a more balanced burger experience. The Classic Double With Cheese is noted to have patties that are less 'smashed' compared to the single version but are praised for retaining a lacy, crispy edge. This double-patty configuration is considered more suitable for handling the generous amount of special sauce and iceberg lettuce, providing a better overall structural and flavor balance. For those looking to avoid a bun, the Beef Smash Burger Bowl is presented as an alternative. This option includes crumbled beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, and sufficient quantities of sauce and shredded cheese to ensure it does not resemble a 'sad salad.' A thoughtful addition to the burger bowl is a serving of fries on the side, further enhancing the meal's appeal. Overall, Secret Burger Kitchen provides a decent and convenient option for those seeking smashburgers and tasty fries in the Capitol Hill area, suitable for a quick lunch or a late-night meal. #SecretBurgerKitchen #Smashburger #CapitolHill #SeattleRestaurants #BurgerReview #CasualDining #Fries #Milkshake

Khue’s Kitchen, a new Vietnamese restaurant in St. Paul, is the brainchild of Eric Pham, who is charting his own culinary path distinct from his family's renowned Quang Restaurant and his fine dining experience at Spoon and Stable. The restaurant is named after his mother, Khue Pham, who serves as both an inspiration and an active participant in the kitchen. Pham's journey to opening Khue's Kitchen was marked by significant challenges, including a year-long pop-up venture to raise funds, and a devastating fire that destroyed his planned St. Paul location just days before its grand opening. Undeterred, he successfully reopened in a new space within MidCity Kitchen near Highway 280. The menu at Khue's Kitchen offers a contemporary take on classic Vietnamese cuisine, reflecting Pham's Generation Z perspective while honoring traditional flavors. One of the standout dishes is the Bánh Mì Xíu Mai, priced at $15. This dish features a large pork meatball bound with bread pieces, served alongside toasted bánh mì. The accompanying rich tomato sauce, infused with chili oil and scallions, showcases a subtle yet sophisticated technique. Another highlight is the humble Chicken Salad, also priced at $15, which is characterized by its bright and acidic profile, thanks to a skillfully prepared fish sauce vinaigrette. A dish that gained significant popularity during Pham's pop-up days is the Spicy Chicken Sando, available for $17. This sandwich is celebrated for its exceptional crunchiness, achieved through a buttermilk brine and a coating of corn and potato starches, then enhanced with a chili crunch and a vibrant green herby aioli. The Sticky Jicama Ribs, priced at $20, present an unconventional combination of marinated tofu and fried jicama, all glazed in a striking red soy sauce. For those seeking traditional fare, the Grilled Sirloin, at $37, is a notable option. It is consistently cooked to a perfect medium-rare and generously coated in a slightly sweet Vietnamese marinade. The ambiance at Khue's Kitchen is described as casual and relaxed, contrasting with the high-level execution found in the kitchen. The wine list predominantly features natural and orange wines, chosen to complement the herbaceous and complex flavors of Pham's dishes. Drawing inspiration from Quang, the service is efficient, with food arriving quickly, diverging from the lengthy tasting menu experience often found in fine dining establishments. The restaurant encourages a communal dining experience, suggesting that patrons bring friends to sample a variety of dishes. Khue's Kitchen operates from Wednesday through Saturday for dinner service. Its address is 693 Raymond Ave., St. Paul, and further information can be found on its website, khueskitchen.com. #RestaurantReview #VietnameseCuisine #StPaulFood #EricPham #KhuesKitchen #MinneapolisRestaurants #FoodCritic #DiningExperience