Koreatown. Chances are if you are a New Yorker, you are probably thinking of the one in Midtown, right? Well, as a native Flushing resident, I would like to change that. It’s not that I am against the one in Midtown, but it can’t really compete with a neighborhood filled with actual Korean residents. Especially in terms of food. Considering I lived the last ten years in Flushing, I can prove that there are some restaurants that deserve as much attention as those in Midtown do.
*Remember, many Korean dishes have pork, beef, eggs, seafood, etc. If you have a dietary restriction, you MUST let the restaurant staff know.
1. Hansol Nutrition Center
16026 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358
This restaurant is a personal favorite of mine for many reasons. Hansol has a very large menu full of popular Korean dishes, from kimchi soup to pork cutlets (dongas). The meals are quite large, fairly priced, and overall delicious.
2. Myung-San Korean Restaurant
162-21 Depot Rd, Flushing, NY 11358
People new to Korean food may not appreciate the restaurant nor its food fully, but the food is as authentic as possible. Having a homey atmosphere, this family-run restaurant is popular for families and friends who want to get together. In addition, the food is made as if it were made at home. With only fresh ingredients and care for the customers, the restaurant captures what Korean food outside of corporations tastes like.
3. Debasaki
33-67 Farrington St, Flushing, NY 11354
A trend rampaging in Korea is chimaek, a combination of the words “chicken” and “maekju” (Korean for beer). As a result of this fad, many fried chicken chains have spread across Korea and, inevitably, Korean-American communities. Debasaki has many flavors for the fried chicken and the large selection of popular Korean comfort food.
4. Hanjoo Chik Naeng Myun & BBQ
41-06 149th Pl, Flushing, NY 11355With a large variety of meat and delicious side dishes, Hanjoo does the reputation of Korean BBQ justice. In addition to great quality of meat, the meat is cooked on a glass plate rather than a metal grill, making it a unique dining experience. The restaurant also has a quite homey and comfortable atmosphere. Here are photos of its food.
5. Arirang Restaurant
41-04 163rd St, Flushing, NY 11358
Although Korean food is mostly known for BBQ and kimchi, a large portion of it is noodles and soups. In Arirang, the noodles are made and cut in the restaurant, adding a genuine flavor to its noodle dishes. In addition to the noodles, the meal portions are very large and have generous heaping of seafood or meat (depending on what you order).
