We looked forward to opening of Insa but we were very disappointed when we went there. If you are asked if you have a reservation as soon as you walk in, it's a bad sign especially in Brooklyn. We settled for the bar which had very limited menu. Bulgogi was over priced and not really that great. Too much onion as fillers. Better off taking the train to 32nd street for an authentic Korean.
3
Korean person here: I love Insa. True, the prices are higher than most Flushing Korean restaurants, but frankly, not all THAT much. I don't mind paying a bit more to avoid the trek out there (at least some of the time!). And comparing Insa's $16 dukboki to Koreatown dukboki is like comparing a foie-gras burger (well, a good one, at least) to Shake Shack. They are totally different--though both delicious. Insa's has house-made fishcakes in them, for goodness sake, not MSG filled, squishy ones (as good as those can be).
My only gripe is that the spicy food should be spicier. But then again, I said the same thing about nearly every restaurant I went to in Seoul recently. As Koreans living there will tell you, when we criticize Korean food for not being "authentic" enough, what we really just mean is that it's not "old fashioned." I agree with Wells: Insa is definitely authentic (no fusion there) -- I'd just add that the food isn't old-fashioned. (I'll keep heading to Flushing for that!)
My only gripe is that the spicy food should be spicier. But then again, I said the same thing about nearly every restaurant I went to in Seoul recently. As Koreans living there will tell you, when we criticize Korean food for not being "authentic" enough, what we really just mean is that it's not "old fashioned." I agree with Wells: Insa is definitely authentic (no fusion there) -- I'd just add that the food isn't old-fashioned. (I'll keep heading to Flushing for that!)
4
I'm surprised at the glowing review. I went with a fairly large crowd of friends about a month ago. We ordered a variety of things from the menu and, almost without exception, the food was disappointing. Nothing terrible, but everything was solidly mediocre. At the prices they charge, you're better off making the trek to Koreatown for a better meal at a more affordable price.
3
Food was decent, but I found it all to be a bit more expensive than warranted by the quality. A nice addition to the neighborhood, and karaoke rooms are clean and nice, but this to me is not a Critic's Pick.
3
Hooray! Insa also offers yache mandu and yukgeejeng with authentic bracken fern! And it's only a little more expensive than the Korean place in Valdosta! It's on my list for next week! Perfect timing for this review, Mr. Wells.
1
I live and work nearby and have been to the bar at Insa a couple times. It is beautiful and mysterious, with a feel like it could be in a James Bond film from the '60's in some faraway land. The bar snacks are seriously elevated and the cocktails are top-notch.
I'm pleasantly surprised to see this easy-to-miss spot reviewed in the Times!
I'm pleasantly surprised to see this easy-to-miss spot reviewed in the Times!
1
I'll pass. Having been to Korea 6 times, i totally fail to see New York's passion for Korean food.
New York hardly has a passion for Korean food. In fact, it's one of the least popular of the world's major national cuisines. There are several Korean restaurants because there are a lot of Korean-Americans who live here and a lot of Korean businesspersons who travel here.
Having been stationed in Korea twice, I think you are totally off base. I love Korean food, especially street food.
1
Industrial Brooklyn? Right near the Whole Foods. Give me a Break!
5
Reading this is enough to make me never want to eat again.
2
$60 per hour for noraebang (or karaoke, but if this is indeed a Korean joint, that is the better term)?! $16 for tteokbokki (essentially rice noodles in spicy sauce)?! If someone is going to trek to Gowanus for Korean, then you might as well trek to Queens to get more reasonably priced, spicier Korean dishes, with more banchan (where is the pa kimchi? where is the yangpa?) And as a side note, tteokbokki should never cost more than $5.
8
But the karaoke rooms are big and lovely! $60/hr is not bad, if you have a group that fits the room. Too expensive for a small group, unfortunately. But if you compare it to the per/hour price of the Koreatown places, the price is comparable, assuming a 8 or more people...
There's a good micro brewery (Threes Brewing) just across the street for you craft beer fans.
3
Wow. That fourth paragraph, that begins with, "I dragged one dark, purplish slice..." almost needed to come with a Trigger Warning for vegetarians. Beware - this paragraph is not for the feint of heart!
5
*faint of heart* but I agree with the sentiment. Please, please, how about reviewing vegetarian-friendly locales. Not everyone is a chef looking for his/her next outre entree.
Mr. Wells has certainly done that as well. Recent reviews that come to mind are Wassail, Dirt Candy, and Superiority Burger.
3
It all sounded okay until I got to the "20% administrative charge" in the details at the end. How nauseating to even think of seeing the words "administrative charge" on a regular dinner bill, never mind one at 20%. Doubtless those involved here see themselves as savvy "business-minded" successes, 'administering' to "clientele." And I suppose this same clientele eagerly pays this administrative charge to participate in this haughty dining charade, as evidenced in the review itself. But in the end, it's always such a shame to see food go to waste.
5
I don't know if you have been to Gowanus, but it is my guess Insa will not be serving many corporate customers. An administrative charge is a fairly common, if not particularly courageous, way for a restaurant to transition away from accepting gratuities. You may miss the power to reward excellent service - I do - but unless you are one of those people who does not tip, you won't be paying more. What is your objection?
12
But the $16 tteokbokki, a common Korean street food, is okay? I think I know which audience this restaurant is trying to cater to and I best be keeping away from this place. The last one in town tried the same before it came to a close (Moim).
6
But the food at Insa is many times better than Moim's was, much more authentic, too.