Gimchi

[Dilfan]

Daughter was at a sleepover last night, so wife and I went to Gimchi for supper. For an appitizer we ordered the "Rock and Roll" roll, which was very good. We then had the Del Sol Bi Bim Bahp and another Korean dish with rice noodles, both of which were very good, but since I'm "addicted" to the Bi Bim Bahp, I guess you could say I have a biased opinion! :)
It wasn't very busy last night and we got a server who we had not gotten before. She was very knowlegable about the food and equally attentive to our needs. She easily got a 20% + tip.
I'm so glad that we like this restaurant because this is a place that we can, and do, walk to since it is only two blocks from home.

[justagirl]

I work in Metry by W Napoleon and Causeway...how far is this place and is it open for lunch? Sounds like a place I'd like to try.

[Dilfan]

It's on Turnbull, one block North of Veterans. Used to be India Palace. You could take W. Napoleon to Cleary, cross Veterans and turn right on Marion St. (just behind McDonalds). Go about 3 blocks and it will be on your right. I'm pretty sure they're open for lunch, but I wouldn't swear to it. :)

[Yvette]

Thanks for the report. I will have to check in on this place soon.

[justagirl]

Hey Judi...and Yvette...does this sound like a good lunch place meeting...assuming I can make my own planned event???:o

[Lorin]

Don't meant to be a wet blanket, but this restaurant is as far from authentic as can be possible. The Korean food is so Americanized it's virtually unrecognizeable and frankly not all that good. The bulgogi marinade had a grainy-ness to it and was sour, the side dishes were watery and lacking in flavor. I will concede that the sushi is acceptable for contemporary American style, if you're lucky enough to get served. I 've been to Gimchi 3 times and on the last visit (with another local food writer), we tried to order standard sushi from the menu and were told, "Oh, well, we'll see if they can get to your sushi order but it'd be better to order food from the kitchen." There were winning dishes like the beef wrapped asparagus "maki" and pan fried dumplings, but overall, I think this place needs work.

[JudiB]

justagirl, I'm up for it! I don't believe I've ever eaten Korean food. Yvette? What's a good day?

And of course... the invitation goes out to anyone in the Metry area for lunch that day! I'd love to meet those of you I haven't met.

[Lorin]

I don't believe I've ever eaten Korean food.

Well, unless they've installed some Korean chefs or someone familiar with Korean cooking/food, you won't truly get your chance at Gimchi.

Sorry to be so snarky, but it annoys me no end that we have almost no Korean food in New Orleans and Gimchi could stand as representative. If you want to try Korean Food, check out Korea House right behind Drago's.

[Suzy Wong]

I know Lorin has only good intentions, and I have not been, but maybe you should try it. Not to rag on Stein's Deli, but once was enough for me, I thought it was dirty, over priced for what it was, and barely mediocre. But many posters love it, taste is so subjective.....

[Dilfan]

Well, unless they've installed some Korean chefs or someone familiar with Korean cooking/food, you won't truly get your chance at Gimchi.

Sorry to be so snarky, but it annoys me no end that we have almost no Korean food in New Orleans and Gimchi could stand as representative. If you want to try Korean Food, check out Korea House right behind Drago's.

Lorin,
I tried Korea House a few years ago and remember not being very happy with the food. I don't think there was anything wrong mind you, just that my palate was not ready for the flavors of that style of cooking (much the same as the first time I tried Indian food). While Gimchi may not be truly authentic, and I don't know if it is or isn't, I would think that it would be a good "primer" for getting to know Korean style food and cooking. I know that eating there has made me more acceptable to try Korea House again.
And as far as their being Americanized, are there "any" restaurants around that are truly 100 percent authentic and where nothing on the menu is Americanized?

[JudiB]

Thanks for your opinion, Lorin. You're welcomed to join us if you'd like. :)

Everyone's welcomed!

[Dilfan]

jag, et al,
I just had to go to the bank so I stopped by to get their hours. They are open Tuesday thru Friday - 11:30 till, Saturday - 4:30 till, and Sunday - 11:30 till. Phone is 454-6426

[peychaud]

Lorin,

Does Korea House do Korean barbecue--where you cook the marinated meat and/or seafood at your table?

We had the Korean barbecue at Gimchi right after it opened, but it was just so so. They were also very skimpy on the kimchi. It would be great to have good Korean barbecue in New Orleans, but Gimchi isn't quite it.

[Dilfan]

We had the Korean barbecue at Gimchi right after it opened, but it was just so so. They were also very skimpy on the kimchi. It would be great to have good Korean barbecue in New Orleans, but Gimchi isn't quite it.

We've tried most of the barbecue there and really like the steak. Was not impressed with the shrimp, but the chicken and pork were okay. Unfortunately, the marinade can be fantastic one night and just okay the next. We went right after they opened and thought they had some issues to work out, and since it is so convienent to the house, we go back on a regular basis, and they seem to be improving (at least in my opinion).
They will bring you more of the sides (kimchi) if you ask.

[peychaud]

They will bring you more of the sides (kimchi) if you ask.

That was one of my big irritations with Gimchi. In the past when I've gotten Korean food, the kimchi flowed pretty freely. If you finished it, they just brought more.

At Gimchi, after we finished the (relatively small amount) of kimchi they brought along with our beef and shrimp, they told us that was all the kimchi that was included and if we wanted more, they'd have to charge us. I'm sure the price wasn't much, but it was the first time I'd ever eaten Korean food and had too little kimchi.

[Dilfan]

That was one of my big irritations with Gimchi. In the past when I've gotten Korean food, the kimchi flowed pretty freely. If you finished it, they just brought more.

At Gimchi, after we finished the (relatively small amount) of kimchi they brought along with our beef and shrimp, they told us that was all the kimchi that was included and if we wanted more, they'd have to charge us. I'm sure the price wasn't much, but it was the first time I'd ever eaten Korean food and had too little kimchi.

We usually order too much food, so the sides are not a real issue since I'm the only one who likes the kimchi and other spicy dishes. They will usually ask us if we want more, which we very seldom do, so I really don't know if they would charge for it or not. I agree that kimchi is pretty inexpensive and should be refilled as needed. Next time there, I'll have to ask about it.

Unfortunately, I'm a novice when it comes to Korean food. I spent some time in SE Asia back in the late 60's on Uncle Sam's nickle, and tried a lot of differnt foods in China, Japan, the Philippines, Viet Nam, and Singapore, but never made it over to Korea, so I have no idea what the food is supposed to taste like. I guess we'll have to try Korea House again and compare the same dishes that we get at Gimchi.

[Lorin]

Lorin,

Does Korea House do Korean barbecue--where you cook the marinated meat and/or seafood at your table?

We had the Korean barbecue at Gimchi right after it opened, but it was just so so. They were also very skimpy on the kimchi. It would be great to have good Korean barbecue in New Orleans, but Gimchi isn't quite it.

Yes, they do and the side dishes of various kimchee, including cabbage, pickled daikon, fermented black beans, potatoes, cucumbers, etc. were terrific. PreK they were sloppy and since the reopening, they've tightened up, removed the wonky sushi bar and really tried to give us some serious Korean food.

Suzy is right, I meant no harm and just wanted to tell it like it is from my perspective. When it comes to Asian cuisine, I am very picky. Korean food made by Korean people, Japanese food from Japanese people, and so on. Gimchi does no harm, it's just not very good and initially there were no Korean cooks in the entire place.

As for getting truly authentic cuisine - yes, the smaller Mexican restaurants like Chilangos and Tacos San Miguel have not "Americanized" their food.

JudiB - thanks for the invite. If I can be there, I would love to join you, even at Gimchi!! :)

[Suzy Wong]

Review in todays Times Picayune:

http://blog.nola.com/brettanderson/2008/10/gimchi_in_the_perfect_place_to.html

Edited to add, how was it Judi? Unless I missed your post (sorry)