I must correct the author. You referred to Hanjan as a "rambunctious Korean pub". That is completely not accurate. You obviously don't spend enough time there. Hanjan's food is fantastic and the energy is fun and lively, but not rambunctious! I haven't had better Korean food anywhere else yet in the city than Hanjan...period. Chef Hooni Kim knows what he's doing and uses the best Korean ingredients so if Chef Soogil Kim can cook how he cooked at Hanjan, he should do just fine with his new restaurant. Looking forward to trying Soogil soon!
2
I visited Soogil on Sunday afternoon, and I have no complains. I enjoyed everything that I ate. will definitely return to try again. I had the sweet potatoes appetizer, next time I'm not sharing. I also had the Foie Gras over the rice cake, ( I was looking for more). The glass noodles (best I had in a very long time, last time was in Hawaii) I had the pork belly it was delicious. ( I called this no grease pork, diet pork). I was still a little hungry so I ordered the ribs, and it was amazing.--(can't compare to Daniel, because I haven't been there in a while). sorry no dessert as I was already full. I will try again in a month.
1
The term “umami grenades” seem to be an oxymoron. I believe the term umami refers to a more subtle flavor than the other four basic tastes: salty, sweet, sour and bitter. So describing alluding the fifth taste, umami (well-known to be subtle) to a grenade is something that doesn’t make sense to me.
A loanword from the Japanese (うま味), umami can be translated as "pleasant savory taste." It need not be subtle.
3
Devin, this review is particularly good; commensurately balanced between the choice of restaurant, price, and descriptions, this is authentic vs ostentatious. Thank you.
1
Fabulous review. With such high praise and so few flaws, I'm scratching my head about why it didn't receive 3 stars.
9
Wells was not too impressed with the service or atmosphere, so three stars is a stretch.
I dined there a few weeks ago. It was a tasty and enjoyable experience. It is on my return list for sure..
2
The East Village has become a food mecca, rivaling the Lower East Side and other neighborhoods. This is the first review in many weeks that completely intrigues me...the price is right, the cuisine innovative, the design grown-up.
5
Your food photography is usually great, but some of these shots are up too close to show the dishes properly. Cool abstract art, though.
1
I found the desert in slide No. 8 ingenious and appealing. But, as for the idea in itself of blending the Korean and French cuisines, I have great doubts of it ever working.