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Ian Hunter's Guide to New York's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets

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KOREAN/ VIETNAMESE
 
Bann: Korean. 350 W 50th @ 8-9th; 24/24/$48; 582-4446; Upscale version of Korean; Cook it yourself Bar-b-q; Also have prepared dishes; Trendy bar as well; Beautiful inside; Service is solid; Undiscovered. Certainly a higher end version of the old favorite the cheaper versions of which found in Korea town.

 
Bali Nusa Indah: Indonesian. 651 9th Av @ 45-46th; 21/15/$42; 974-1875;  One of NYC’s only Indonesian restaurants; See menu in hyperlink – they have dozens of selections; Spicy dishes can be very hot; Unique flavorings and worth the venture on a weekday out;

Kum Gang San: Korean. 49 W 32nd @ Broadway; 21/15/$33; 967-0909; Open 24/7; Extremely popular Korean BBQ with large menu of classics; Truly lots of fun, especially with a group; Affordable pricing.

 
Cho Dang Gol: Korean. 55 W 35th St@ 5th-6th Av; 23/15/$29; 695-8222; Value pricing, delicious takes on Korean mainstays; Tofu dishes stand out; Trendy interior; Seafood pancake; Great soups.

 
Shilla: Korean. 37 West 32nd @ 5th-6th Av; 22/19/$44; 967-1880; Upscale Korean BBQ house; Japanese entrees as well; Large selection of seafood or meats to grill; Plenty of a la carte- prepared items as well;  Probably the best of its genre in the area.


Won Jo: Korean. 23 W 32nd @ B-Way-5th Av; 21/12/$31; 695-5815; Perfectly marinated BBQ; Wood fires; Cheap; Cook it yourself at this huge BBQ house; First class food – even great fish selections.

 
Kang Suh: Korean. 1250 Broadway @ 32nd; 21/12/$35; 564-6845; Do it yourself BBQ; Open 24/7; Also offers standard Korean fare like great Kimche and even sushi; Fried Beef dumplings; 2-levels, upstairs is better. Huge menu of soups; sauces and meats;
 
O Mai: Vietnamese. 158 9th Av @ 19-20th; 23/18/$35; 633-0550; Upscale for Vietnamese; Soft lighting; Good for dates; Neighborhood friendly spot; Fairly tight quarters with food that makes it worth it.

 
Do Hwa: Korean. 55 Carmine @ Bedford-7th Av; 21/19/$38; 414-1224; Amazing BBQ meats; Grill it yourself; Younger, pre-club crowd; Unique cocktails. As authentic as Korean BBQ gets; Modern décor.

 
Nam: Vietnamese. 110 Reade @ W-BWay; 22/19/$39; 267-1777; Love this menu; Professional, spacious, mature setting; High end experience at fair prices; Traditional cuisine. Bamboo & faded photo ambience; Stir fried noodles amazing. Hip and lively.

 
VietCafe: Vietnamese. 345 Greenwich @ Harrison-Jay; 22/17/$33; 431-5888; Amazing for lunch featuring unbelievable sandwiches; Trendy looking spot for dinner; Modern preparations of Viet classics; Almost a brasserie feel. Open kitchen.


Woo Lae Oak: Korean. 148 Mercer @ Houston-Prince; 23/22/$47; 925-8200; Sleek, sexy; New age Korean; Stylist; Trendy; Fashionable – yet still cook-it-yourself options. Great for groups and/or dates. Sexy vibe, decent drinks- try Soju; So much better than Korea town.

 
Bun: Vietnamese. 143 Grand @ Crosby-Lafayette; 21/17/$31; 431-7999; Extremely innovative; Rice vermicelli appears in many forms; Noodles to die for; Menu is enormous & plenty of space to enjoy.


Pho Viet Huong: Vietnamese. 73 Mulberry @ Bayard-Canal; 23/10/$18; Excellent authentic Vietnamese; Exotic dishes. Cafeteria like setting; Most of the menu under $10; Pho – everything available;

 
Pho 21: Vietnamese. 21 Mott @ Pell; 20/12/$25; 965-5366; Extremely authentic restaurant with large menu featuring soup, pork, and prawn dishes; Exotic spices and combinations; Dirt cheap for lunch or dinner. Go Pho it!


Nha Trang: Vietnamese. 87 Baxter @ Bayard-Canal; 21/7/$16; 233-5948; Korean; Mountains of food; Crowded; Dirt cheap. BBQ beef; Pho Noodle soups; Huge menu to select from; Truly authentic & packed with locals.

 

Doyers: Vietnamese. 11-13 Doyers @ Chatham Sq; 21/6/$18; 513-1521; Beyond inexpensive & a hole in the wall setting; However, it’s a diamond with incredibly tasty local fare; Sugarcane wrapped grilled shrimp; Huge menu.

 
Indochine: Vietnamese. 430 Lafayette @ Astor-4th St; 20/19/$49; 505-5111; French-influenced dishes; Super sexy staff serve up high-end Vietnamese classics with a French spin; Large, upscale menu; Unique food. People watching- fun scene.

 
Kampuchea: Cambodian. 78 Rivington @ Allen; 22/17/$33; 529-3901;  Fun lively spot; Noodle dishes are focus; Artful and energetic scene; Street food at right price; Communal tables; Oxtail stew and spicy corn on the cob stand out.

 
Pho Grand: Vietnamese. 277C Grand @ Eldridge; 20/12/$25; 965-5366; Extremely authentic restaurant with large menu featuring soup, pork, and prawn dishes; Exotic spices and combinations; Dirt cheap for lunch or dinner. Go Pho it! Same owners as Pho 21.

 
Bonjoo: Korean. 107 1st Av @ 6th – 7th St; 21/14/$36; 505-7974; Dimly lit, sexy scene & great date spot; Amazing scallion pancakes; Stewed beef short ribs; Delicious traditional Korean fare that is a welcome relief from traditional BBQ houses.


Dok Suni’s: Korean. 119 1st Av @ 7th-St Mark’s; 22/14/$30; 477-9506; Cozy quarters- Vintage Korean newspapers on the walls; Fantastic food, hip crowd; Crowded & popular; They grill the meat for you; Excellent drinks.  

 
Bao 111: Vietnamese. 111 Av C @ 7-8th; 21/19/$38; 254-7773; Hip, upscale food; Great, flavorful dishes; Powerful drinks; Trendy for the genre. Sexy date spot- rare for this cuisine and for area. Give it a try!
 
Bao Noodles: Vietnamese. 391 2nd Av @ 22-23rd; 20/15/$25; 725-7770; Known for the Pho Noodle dishes – all excellent; Great sandwiches. Also has fine Korean dishes. Not fancy, but cheap! Popular bar scene as well.


Hangawi: Korean. 12 E 32nd @ 5th-Mad; 24/24/$46; 213-0077; Vegetarian Food;  Relaxing; Serene; Tranquil; Check shoes at the door. Tranquil.  Only vegetarian place I have on site.


Vermicelli: Vietnamese. 1492 2nd Av @ 77-78th; 19/16/$29; 288-8868; Vietnamese; Surprisingly good Asian selections; Well spiced and good variety; Unique soups and specials. Not perfection but fun for a date.