Woori Duri Let Down & "Chinese Restaurant"

So the place formerly known as Jugaek, turns out to be just another expensive bunshik. In fact, it was so much so that I decided not to stay there. I'm talking about e.g. $7.99 for a bibimbap. Practically every item on the menu is at least a dollar or two more than it was when it was still Jugaek.

How could I stay when just up the road, there's a killer lunch deal: jajangmyeon (ie black noodles) for just $2.99 (from 11-3 pm)?! Shoot, I could get two bowls of jajangmyeon with enough for a coke on the side, for the price of one bibimbap at this new bunshik. And no need for me to remind you all about the current state of our economy--every bit of savings counts!

So indeed, I still have yet to try this new and pricey bunshik, but don't hold your breath on it . In the meantime, y'all should check out my decidedly favorite lunch spot: Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant 신금문도 (aka "Chinese Restaurant" according to the restaurant's outdoor signage)... located across the street from KFC on Northern Blvd, just after the tiny Gulf gas station. They also have $1.99 pints of beer. This is a Korean style Chinese restaurant (much like Mani 1, or Sam Won Gak--click here for a cool review w/ good pics over at The Girl Who Ate Everything).

No telling how long this special will last so hit it up!

Service=A
Atmosphere=B
Taste=B
Price=A++ (their lunch special might be the best deal in the five boroughs!!)


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152-12 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354
718-445-4170

Mani 1...one more time

I've already reviewed Mani 1, aka ChoiRyongMong 취령몽, but just ate there again recently, as it's so conveniently located near the 7 train. Took some pics.

Black Noodles (jajangmyeon) & banchon (side dishes):




General Tsao's Chicken:

Jajangmyeon Mania at Mani 1 Chinese Restuarant

Mani 1, or ChoiRyongMong as it's written in Korean (취령몽), is a relatively new Korean style Chinese restaurant located where Mesa Sur, one of the only South American eateries within walking distance to downtown Flushing folded after only three or four months in business. Unlike it's predecessor, Mani 1 seems like it will do just fine, catering to the neighborhood.

Much how Chinese food in America has been adapted to meet local, American taste buds, so too has Chinese food in Korea been creatively altered to the Korean pallet. Probably the prime example being the scrumptious "noodles in black sauce" dish, jajangmyeon (짜장면), which can be found right here at Mani 1 (lunch $4.99/regular $5.99; item #56 on the menu).

Mani 1 has a pretty solid jajangmyeon. It isn't quite the best dish on the menu here but it's not a bad place to start.

The other two quintessential dishes that you'll find at just about any "Chinese-style" restaurant in Seoul (or more importantly, Flushing) are jampong (짬뽕, $5.99/$6.99; #59) and tangsuyuk (탕수육, $5.99/$12.99; #31). The first one, jampong, is a seriously spicy bowl full of thick noodles, chives, and all kinds of seafood, like shrimp, squid, clams, and octopus, in a peppery red soup. But the real winner at Mani 1 is the tangsuyuk, ( like sweet and sour pork). But it's only truly great when you order their spicy version, meun tangsuyuk, (only, of course, if you like your spicy spicy!). It's not in the menu, but there's a picture of it on the wall in the restaurant. It's one the spicest dishes around. Avoid the naengmyeon here. Despite being advertised in Korean and Chinese under the restaurant's main sign, it's really a disappointment. For where to go for good naengmyun read this.

Sure there's better jajangmyeon in Flushing, but Mani 1's spicy tangsuyuk makes for some of the best tangsuyuk around. Go with friends and mix and match: a dish of jajangmyeon, a spicy tangsuyuk, and a bowl of jampong, so you can share and get a satisfying taste of all three (the tangsuyuk serving is too big for one person).

Give Mani 1 a shot if your a newbie to the genre of Korean style Chinese food.
40-26 Union Street at the intersection of 41st Avenue (1.5 blocks to the 7 train Main St. stop).

Service: A
Price: B
Dilectability: B+

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