My name is Thanh Nguyen and I'm just a typical college student who loves good food and will enjoy anything that is food related. Therefore, I would like to share my eating experience and share with you guys the places that I like as well as the food that I will devour. I've been to many places and primarily Korean food joints. Here in Philadelphia " The City of Brotherly Love" there are a handful of Korean joints that are laid out throughout the city. I chose Korean food as my favorite cuisine because of it's simple flavors of hot , sour, sweet, and super spicy. Unlike other Asian cuisine where one bowl consists different flavors of garnishes such as hot & sweet chili sauce , or a combination fresh herbs. In Korean cuisine the dish is focus on it's main course in this case a type of protein whether if it's fish , beef, poultry or pork. Then you have the condiments galore with kim chi, fermented soy bean ( which I happen to love very much) and all other authentic Korean food goodies. One can't be eaten alone, you have to mend all of the condiment with the star of the dish to have a unique but a well balanced flavor. There are two places in particular that I really like here in Philadelphia. First up this is a very hip modern and sleek Cafe joint called " Cafe Soho" Located on 468 W Cheltenham Ave Philadelphia, Pa 19126 . This cafe is focus on Korean fusion cuisine with a flare of Japanese flavors. Therefore, if you are looking for authentic Korean cuisine this place might not be your ideal place to try, but there is one dish in particular that makes me come back for more and more. That is their Korean style fried chicken, these gigantic wings that takes up 30 minutes to prepare because they double fry it and let it seep into their signature sauce for 10 mins until the skin of the wings gets super crispy and so juicy. They make it so crispy that the skin of the chicken cracks like candy with sweet and spicy flavors that only in this place you can enjoy. So the first bite is full of flavor of crispy , juicy and spicy heaven explosion that will make you come back for more. The prices on the wings are $20.00 for twenty wings, for take-out is the same price but they give a free can of soda , pickled radishes , and a really cute carry out bag .
Next up, more of a traditional approach on authentic Korean cuisine a place where I like to go on a cold winter afternoon. Located on 6600 N 5th St Philadelphia, Pa 19120 just around the corner of Soho , lies a place named " Jong Ka Jib" a soft tofu restaurant . This Cozy and very nice place offers really great Korean soups, and other variety of foods. There are different variety of soft tofu soups, there are mushroom flavored, seafood, pork, beef, oysters, beef and oysters, and soybean. After trying most of these flavors I enjoy the mushroom flavored the most it packs a lot of great earthy and just straight up delicious goodness. Before the soup even get on your table you are greeted with a very nice cup of hot tea , and along comes the train of condiments. you get kim chi,
oi Sobaegi ( kim chi cucumber), fermented beans, pickled seaweed, pickled bean sprouts , picked / salted radishes and two eggs. So as you nimble on your condiments and enjoying the flavors, out of nowhere you hear a bubbling sound coming from behind. There you see a hot steaming bowl of soft tofu soup waiting to be eaten, and let me tell you once you have this stuff you will come back for more. While the soup is still bubbling and hot crack in the eggs and let it cook gently to be enjoyed later in the meal. With the soup and condiment you will be eating along with a bowl of claypot cooked rice that has a crispy outer later that is fairly enjoyable when dipped in the soup. All I can say is that this soup can be serve as the best hangover solution if you ever have one.
This is the array of Condiments that comes before the main course is on the table.
This is the soft tofu soup
This is how the seating looks, very cozy and elegant with a touch of Korean historic features.
If you want more of a hip and modern experience with great drinks and good Korean fusion food then give Cafe Soho a try, But if you are looking for more of a cozy and laid back approach with great authentic Korean food then Jong Ka Jib will be a great choice.
Thanks for checking out my first blog, and Good eating. If it looks good and edible then eat it my friends .
