Gammeeok

Cuisine Korean
Price $$ (16-30)
Rating 4/10
Last Visit June 5, 2019
Location New York: Midtown
General Notes

This restaurant can be really hit-or-miss, which might explain the low average rating on Yelp and Google Maps. Their soups (Tang) are excellent and their self-proclaimed specialties - I would definitely recommend trying this. However, many of their other options are really subpar. I had the stone pot rice which was pretty awful, and I've heard bad things about the BBQ in general. Not a place I would return to again, but if you do decide to come I would try the soups (or at least, not the BBQ).

Positives

> Apparently, this place is open 24 hours a day. I have obviously never been in Koreatown so late, but this place must have some crazy nightlife.
> Their kimchi is surprisingly good. I generally don't like kimchi very much, but this one had a particularly strong acidic tang to it and tasted quite refreshing. This isn't really a positive or negative, but they have an interesting way of presenting the kimchi - they bring it out of a pot and actually cut it up using scissors tableside, and then pour over a type of broth/sauce.

Negatives

> Their BBQ is really dry, which is really strange because Google Maps actually lists this place as a "Korean beef" restaurant. This could not be farther from the truth. I haven't tried their Jjim or Anju, which also seems pretty interesting.

Dishes Tasted
  • ★★★☆ Seolleong Deluxe -- Milky broth made from an ox-bone and brisket served with noodle, beef brisket, tongue, and ox-knee cartilage. This dish was absolutely delicious. The broth was incredibly flavorful and comforting. I especially loved the tongue and ox-knee cartilage, but the brisket was a bit dry. The dipping sauce for the meat was a nice touch as well. Apparently this is one of their signature dishes; I would highly recommend this!
  • ★☆☆☆ Bulgogi Dolsot -- Beef loin marinade soy sauce and vegetables over a bed of rice served in a sizzling stone bowl. The beef was dry, and the dish as a whole lacked flavor. The texture of the rice was meh, and it didn't have that crispy aspect at the bottom at all.
Kimchi
Bulgogi Dolsot