With the crazy, chilly weather we’ve been experiencing lately, what’s better than having some comforting Korean cuisine?
Kimganae is an authentic Korean restaurant located on Union Street in Flushing. It‘s known for its cozy comfort food that brings Seoul to your taste buds for a low price.
Before your entrees arrive, you are served delicious complimentary appetizers. Kimganae gives a small, steamy bowl of hearty fish cake soup and a tiny plate of savory radish kimchi. Despite the small size, you can get free refills of either appetizer.
The first dish I tried was the haemul dukbokki, which is rice cake made with octopus, shrimp, fish cake, cabbage, carrot, scallions, and sesame in special dukbokki sauce. This dish tastes exactly how it looks: spicy. The dukbokki is soft and pillowy, while the octopus tentacles are chewy and flavorful. The shrimp are tender, the cabbage is sweet, and the thick hot sauce is splendidly rich and spicy, while also containing some sweet notes. My only true criticism about this meal was that there wasn’t enough dukbokki; my dish consisted mostly of cabbage and the dukbokki sauce.
The second dish I tried was the chicken roll, which is chicken breast coated with sesame oil, hot sauce, egg, sweet radish, carrots, and spinach wrapped inside rice and seaweed. This colorful roll is mildly spicy, but the sweet and sour flavor of the radish enhances the taste of the chicken. Meanwhile, the carrot creates a crunchy texture.
I also ordered the Omelet Rice, fried rice made with ketchup, paprika, ham, onions, peppers, and carrots, covered with an omelet style egg, drizzled with homemade gravy, and garnished with sesame and scallions. Cooked with just the right amount of ketchup, the rice holds a sweet and tangy flavor. On top, the homemade gravy tastes a bit like worcestershire sauce and compliments the omelet perfectly. The dish also comes with corn and a small salad. Just like the dukbokki, this dish is comforting and makes you feel right at home.
Kimganae is a great place for a small get together with friends and family. If you’re looking for a place to get quick, yummy, inexpensive food, this restaurant is perfect.
