Kunjip Korean Restaurant & BBQ
KUNJIP RESTAURANT
9 West 32 St
(212) 216-9487
Wow, I’ve been meaning to update my post. Sorry I haven’t been doing that because I’ve been so preoccupied! And when I had time, all I can do is sleep. But anyways, finally here’s a post on one of the many Korean restaurants that I need to do a post on.
I came here for a friend’s birthday this past April looking for something that’s not entirely BBQ and not entirely Korean, so I found this! Kunjip is a mixture of both, especially if you don’t want to spend so much on the barbeque or have too much of it. I did do research before I decided to come to this place, and there are a lot of reviews who totally digg this place. Of course I couldn’t totally trust them, but it did really motivate me to try this place out. Then I learned that one of my friends went there and told me that their bbq isn’t all that great and that’s it’s quite expensive — about $46 for two people for the bbq there. Yeah that sounds really expensive, but I figure that for that price you can split it with four people. I mean like for that price, they should totally give a lot of meat right? She told me she was really full, but thought it was expensive. She paid like $30, which I didn’t think it was bad. I think Korean in general is very expensive, because again it does take a lot of time to prepare, and I wouldn’t mind one bit to pay a little more.
When I first walked into the restaurant, I was missing a friend but figured we can still sit down since we were all hungry. With a party of 4 at that time, we walked in and asked the maitre’d if that was alright, which she told us that it was. At that time, the whole restaurant was entirely packed. I didn’t see a lot of people having barbecue, which made me wonder why. Maybe because the bbq is expensive? lol. I did see some tables with a metal top and figured that we needed that table for the bbq. But then we were directed to a regular table, which I asked the waiter why that was and he said the bbq will be served on a little hot pot?? Interesting. After we were seated, we told the waiter we needed a bigger table because another one of my friends were coming, and he was really nice and courtesy, and prepared another table there and then!! Great great service!!! More points to them really!
Alright, first off, appetizers!
Appetizers
All this was for free. At some places they give you more, but this is still pretty good. The kimichi was very good here and well as the stringbeans. I wasn’t a fan of the white jelly drenched in soy sauce and scallions, but I was told that it is cool and smooth to eat.
Kimchi Panjun – kimchi pancake, Price: $12.95
My god, all I have to say is this pancake is mucho mucho spicy!! I know Kimchi is supposed to be spicy, but this was burning my mouth like crazy!! It was a painful experience, but strangely it tasted pretty alright. Maybe because I was really hungry. Hey, Lol, doesn’t this look like a pizza? It does come in a whole pie, not that big like you would with a pizza, but it’s certainly not worth the $13.
Recommended: No, unless you feel like splurging a little and love spicy food.
Rating: 3/5 – Good
Man Doo Gui – Fried dumplings, Price: Small (shown below) – $8.95 // Large – $12.95
Honestly, these are the best korean dumplings I have ever had in my whole entire life. It’s nice and crispy on the outside, but not too crispy, and soft and juicy on the inside. I think the inside has marinated pork, leek, and something else. There is a fair share of meat inside and it meshes very well with its crispy skin.
Recommended: Yes!
Rating: 5/5
Entrees
Gobdol Bibimbob – rice on the heated stone pot with assorted vegetables, ground beef and egg, served with red pepper paste on the side, Price: $ 12.95
I didn’t have this personally, but I did have a little taste of it. My friend who ordered this thought it was pretty good. A lot of places would cook it pretty bland, but this place does it pretty well. It can definitely be better, but it’s alright.
Recommended: Yes
Rating: 4/5 – Very good
Barbecue
My bf and I decided not to get the $50 bbq for two, because we didnt want the ox-tongue or the beef briskets:
Bbq Combination (For 2) Sang Sam Gyup Sal & Chadol Baeki & Hyu Mit Gui – grilled slices of pork, beef briskets and thin slices of ox-tongue.
So instead we ordered the Doi Ji Gal Bi Gui:
Doi Ji Gal Bi Gui – grilled boneless pork ribs marinated in soy sauce, $17.95
Je Yook Gui – grilled sliced pork strips marinated in spicy sauce, $18.95
A waitress will come and periodically check on the meat to see if it’s done. As she’s cooking it, let me tell you how strong that aroma is!! People from other tables are looking at our table with envy, I’m sure, and even the new people that came ordered the bbq as well! Let me tell you, oh man, both the meats are so sweet and succulent! Trust me, you gotta have it with a side of rice. Even though the rice was purple, it still tastes like rice and it went well with the meat. Oh my gosh. Wow, it was the best pieces of meats thanks to them marinating it! But it really wasn’t enough for 4 people.
Recommended: Yes to both! But it’s pretty pricey.
Rating: 4/5 – Very good
I probably would not come here for bbq because it’s not worth the price, but I will definitely come here for the korean food. I do highly recommend people to come here, especially if they want a mixture of both bbq and korean.
KUNJIP RESTAURANT
9 WEST 32 STREET, MANHATTAN 10001
212-216-9485
NYC Health Inspection
Current violation points: 25/28
Inspection Date: 10/26/2006
Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.
1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Food contact surface not properly maintained.
3.) Thawing procedures improper.
4.) Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
5.) Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
6.) Food worker does not use proper utensil to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.
Previous Inspection Results
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