Chow Down Atlanta

Three words: Korean Black Goat. Possibly the only place serving Korean native goat dishes, Bang Ga Nae sits on PIB between Pleasant Hill and GA-120. This place used to be a Malaysian restaurant years ago. I’m glad they’ve kept the pond with waterfall inside. Rather than tables, they have booths with high backs for privacy. They also have two tatami-style seating arrangement for bigger parties which I would not recommend unless you want to sit cross-legged which is so bad for your knees.

Now if you’ve never had Korean goat before, then you’re in for a treat. I’ve only had black goat in Asia and this is the first place I’ve seen it on the menu. Black goat meat is very tender and not gamey at all. Here at Bang Ga Nae, they serve black goat meat in many different ways: stewed (the most common way of preparation), broiled, and deep fried. I wanted to taste the meat in its purest form so I opted for their Deep Fried variety. Lost in translation, my sweet-and-sour sauce on the side ended up served with the meat. Oh well. In this dish, the goat meat is sliced in thin strips then dipped in cornstarch batter before deep frying. The coating is very light and thin but with a slight chew. The meat? Buttery. Melt-in-your-mouth good and better than lamb, mutton, or veal. I can’t wait to go back for their stew and broiled meat.

Although pricier than most Korean places, they do have combo specials that pair galbi with noodles or soup. They also have bibimbap and soups that start at $5.99. Bang Ga Nae is an absolute delight. And go for the black goat meat if anything else.

Notes: The sweet and sour sauce that they use is totally different from the Chinese kind. It is very light (in taste and color) and they use pineapple juice as a souring agent. It is very good but get it on the side so your meat won’t get soggy. A much better alternative is to dip your deep fried goat meat in Korean chili paste.

The galbi here is quite expensive at $14.99 and the serving is small (about the same as the lunch portion as Book Chang Dong) but the meat is sliced thicker (though fattier). Taste-wise, I’m not a big fan — for some reason, it just didn’t do it for me. Good but not stellar like other places.

Insider tip:
Friendly but excruciatingly slow service.

The scoop:
Bang Ga Nae
3312 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite B
Duluth, GA 30096
(678) 417-7769

Technorati Tags: Korean cuisine, Duluth, GA, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Korean goat, black goat

Do you have eating phases? I do. Last week, I ate Korean seven times, three for dinner and four for lunch. I’m over that now and I’m currently into my Cuban phase. This may be the last Korean post for a couple of weeks. Unless, of course, I find another new Korean joint (which is always the case in Gwinnett).

Big House opened 6 or 7 months ago. It is the lone occupant in a teeny tiny plaza on PIB right before you hit Abbots Bridge (GA 120) if you are heading north. The place serves a more traditional Korean fare and caters to the more upscale, more authentic Korean clientele brought about by the golf course nearby. The decor is very Asian — lots of lacquered wood with booths partitioned in wooden slats. Every booth is equipped with a small flat screen tv which is neat.

Each table has two earthen jars of house made kimchi (cabbage and radish). The kimchi is very fresh and crunchy. The taste and quality is also a lot better than most places. The server will give you small plates, tongs, and scissors for you to be able to dish them out and cut them into manageable bites. An assortment of 7 banchan is served additionally and these aren’t the common ones either: rice cakes, chap jae (stir-fried noodles), soy beans, and egg-battered fried vegetables. This is one of the very few places where fruits are part of the banchan. I like that. Fruits help cut down the fatty taste in your mouth.

I opted for a more traditional soup: cabbage, jellied ox blood cubes, shaved beef, tripe, and vegetables in a spicy kimchi-beef broth. It was delicious and hearty but definitely not for the novice. There were also a lot of mustard leaves and some stringy weeds that made this soup quite filling.

The Bulgogi soup is just fantastic. It tastes very similar to Japanese sukiyaki. The broth is salty-sweet with lots of bulgogi. Enoki mushrooms complete this comforting soup.

There are bento boxes that offer complete lunches which include your choice of meat (bulgogi or galbi), as well as bibimbap, pancakes, and tofu soups. Definitely a great place for authentic soups with nice ambiance to boot.

Insider tip:
A smaller portion of seafood pancake is available during lunch for $4.99.

The scoop:
Big House Korean Restaurant
3305 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30096
(678) 417-7330

Technorati Tags: Korean, soups, Duluth, bulgogi, galbi, Korean food

I was really very surprised when I walked in the door. The decor screams “Midtown-Buckhead-ish” (to quote friend B). Yet the location spells nondescript strip mall in the middle of suburbia. Now occupying the spot vacated by Banaras (another good Indian restaurant which closed before I could get my post up), and just like its sister Udipi Cafe Decatur, this Duluth location offers a pure vegetarian South Indian cuisine.  Now I’m not really a big fan of vegetarian cuisine, but I found a favorite here.

The lunch menu consists of different thalis which they call Luncheon. Think of thali as a sampler platter. It’s a great way to taste most of the items on their menu. My favorite here is the Leisure Luncheon, a South Indian thali which comes with Kootu, Poriyal, Poori (fried puff bread), Rice, Rasam, Dhal, Raita, Papad, Payasam, and Pickles. All these for $7.95.

For the same price, I also get the North Indian thali which is equally delicious. It comes with a creamy Palak Paneer, Vegetable Korma, Channa Masala, Dhal, Rice, Chapatti, Rasam, Raita, Papad, and Pickles.

The carrot halwa (that came with the thalis on my last visit and is available on the menu as a dessert) was the best I’ve had. This popular dessert has the consistency of very, very thick applesauce and is made with grated carrots which is simmered in honey and butter. Here, they  include pineapple and golden raisins. Seriously, I’m already addicted.

The Paper Masala Dosa is an intimidating-looking crispy crepe made with a batter of rice and black lentils then filled with curry mashed potatoes and onions. The version here is huge — almost two feet long. The crepe is perfectly fried and the filling is a flavorful creamy curry. It is served with sambar and chutney. This makes for a good appetizer.

I love naan bread but they don’t have it available for lunch. No matter, I always get a free extra piece of chapatti every time. My meals here have always been filling and satisfying. Everything tastes delicious and they use fresh, quality ingredients.  To top it off, service is the best.

Insider tip:
Gourmet Britain provides a good description of Indian food here.
They have a nice patio for dining al fresco.

The scoop:
Udipi Cafe
3300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Duluth, GA 30096
(678) 584-5840

Technorati Tags: Udipi Cafe, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Duluth, Indian food, Indian restaurant, thali

This restaurant offers a more traditional menu and mainly soups but they do have a few items that are not: fried rice, bulgogi, pork bulgogi, and maybe two stir-fry dishes. My choice of dish here is the Galbi Tang (beef rib soup) which I get every time I visit. The broth is very flavorful. The ribs are tender but could have used another 20 minutes in the pot to make them fork tender and fall-of-the-bone. Although the amount of ribs was substantial, they use different cuts of beef making them look like scraps from other dishes. No matter, the soup is very comforting.

The banchan has a good selection and they give you 8 which is standard. I like the soy beans and peanuts, as well as the steamed broccoli doused with kimchi sauce.

One of my quirks when visiting hole-in-a-wall Korean places is that their bulgogi tastes soapy. It’s not the case here. Their version is very flavorful with tender pieces of meat. A great accompaniment to the kimchi fried rice.

The very simple kimchi fried rice is so not worth it for $6.99 because it’s nothing but rice and no meat but the taste is quite okay with a very distinctive eggy taste to it. I don’t recommend eating this by itself (it’s not filling) — you have order the bulgogi with it. For the best Kimchi Fried Rice, you must, must go to Tofu 88.

Definitely a great place for cheap but okay eats.

Inside scoop:
Not a lot of English spoken here. Be ready to point at what you want on the menu or tell them the Korean name of the dish you want.
Sorry, no galbi here.

The scoop:
Jin Mi Garden
2863 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.,
Duluth, GA 30097
(770) 418-9579

Technorati Tags: Korean food, PIB, soups. Duluth, cheap eats

I’ve been going to Sushi Yoko for many, many years — back when it was still called Sushi Yoshi. It remains my go-to place for a great yet inexpensive lunch. Yoshi was really stellar but the owners decided to move it to Spalding Dr. a few years ago, and ended up selling Yoko. As fate would have it, Yoshi closed not too long ago and Yoko, whose owners were smart enough to keep all of Yoshi’s fans is still going strong and has been for quite a while.

Everything here is good and I suggest you go during lunch if you want to eat through the menu at very reasonable prices. You see, a combination of two items costs only $7.50 and includes miso soup and salad. I always get two combinations for a total of 4 items which sets me back a mere $15. Can’t beat that. Sushi and sashimi lunch plates cost the same. Other items start at $6.85 and nothing goes over $10.50.

My favorite items here are: hamachi kama (small but very fresh, seasoned perfectly), broiled salmon, udon (chewy noodles), tempura, katsudon, gyoza (grilled and very good), nikujaga (beef stew, simmered for hours), chirashi, and of course, the sushi and sashimi. The fish here is good quality and always fresh. Be warned, though, as service has never been a selling point here. But the staff is quite responsive if you just make sure you flag them.

Insider tip:
Sodas have NO free refills.

The scoop:
Sushi Yoko
7124 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071
(770) 903-9348

Technorati Tags: Japanese food, PIB, Atlanta

I must have been Korean (or Japanese) in my previous life because I love everything Korean (and Japanese).  Especially the food.  I scout the city regularly for Korean restaurants and chances are, I’m there on opening day.  But what most people don’t know is that Korean chicken wings rock.  I’m not talking about the real Korean chicken.  I’m talking about the Korean version of the American chicken wings.

The Koreanized chicken wings are tiny.  But tiny is good because you don’t get all the unnecessary chicken fat which is not really good for you.  The wings are seasoned well then crispy fried.  The best part — they’re served with fried rice.  Although they’ll gladly give you fries if your an American, or if you ask.  By the way, I invented the word Koreanized.  Like my other word:  hormonized.

Three of my favorite Korean chicken wings places in the metro area are:  Chicken World (one of the oldest), B Q Wings, and Cafe Hot Wing II. All are Korean-owned.

Chicken World

This place has been open since the early 80s. My friends and I used to go here a lot when I was a teenager. The wings here are good sized, nice and crispy. And it’s the only place where you can get Koreanized wings and Mexican food. So aside from the wings and rice, you also get chips and salsa. You gotta love the combination.

This used to be a wholesome family place. But times have changed and they now cater to the mostly blue-collar Mexican men clientele who come after work to eat, drink beer and hang out. The walls are plastered with posters of scantily-dressed ladies and the menu is peppered with pictures of lewd ladies in compromising poses. But the saddest part is that the place also now looks like a dump. Sadly, I won’t be coming back. Too bad, the wings were really good. (More pictures here.)

Chicken World
5150 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340
(770) 458-5164

B Q Wings

The newest kid on the block, this place opened maybe a year or two ago. While the place is small, the menu is extensive. They have chicken wings, burger, fish, subs, gyros, salads, and seafood combo meals that come with fried rice and a drink. Most meals start at $5.29. The wings are also very good and can be prepared in your choice of flavors. Although you get a jumble of different-sized wings, they are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I normally get my chicken wings plain (to get the real flavor of the chicken) but their garlic wings are so delicious. The rice is tasty and the fries, though frozen, come out crispy and dusted lightly with Cajun seasoning. B Q Wings is a great place for cheap but good eats. (More pictures here.)

B Q Wings
3631 Peachtree Industrial
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-0088‎

Cafe Hot Wing II

I so love this place. The wings may be the tiniest but they are crispy and flavorful. The fried rice is good — complete with its requisite liquid smoke flavor. It’s also a place where you can get Korean ribs, subs, and spaghetti. The best part is how you’ll be treated like a family member the minute you step in. We’ve been invited countless times to their family birthday parties just by being there at the time. This family-owned restaurant makes you feel like, well, family. (More pictures here.)

Cafe Hot Wing II
3551 Chamblee Tucker Rd
Atlanta, GA 30341
(770) 454-8608

Technorati Tags: Chicken World, Buford Highway, Korean wings, B Q Wings, Duluth, Cafe Hot Wing II, Chamblee-Tucker

This is probably one of the worst places to eat in Atlanta.  I’m sorry but I gave it a try and I vow never to return. A non-foodie friend I’ve known forever actually recommended this place to me five years ago for “some Southern home cooking.” Well, he’s a rheumatology physician so what does he know.

Korean owned and operated, Oga’s is a diner-type restaurant specializing in “meat and two” — meals consisting of one meat and two sides. The place is clean, although, they seriously need to get rid of their Christmas decorations when it’s in the middle of summer.

Food is (not so) cheap with meals costing $7.50 and jumbo burgers for $4.75 (the smaller version starts at $2.85). However, here at Oga’s, you really get what you pay for. Veggies come from cans, beef patties are frozen, and I don’t even want to know where the meat comes from. The worse thing: everything is bland. In fact, I can’t even remember a single item I ate that had even the slightest hint of taste whatsoever.

The verdict: there are much better places in Atlanta for cheap eats that are far more superior in quality and taste. Skip this one. You’re better off having a real fast food nearby.

Insider tip:
Limited parking. Located inside the perimeter.

The scoop:
Oga’s
5719 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Chamblee, GA 30341
(770) 458-2747

Technorati Tags: Oga’s, Chamblee, PIB, southern cuisine

Hungry for a hearty meal? Then you’ll have to try Mi Pilon on Buford Highway for some Latin-Caribbean food. This cafeteria-style joint offers home-cooked meals in a very casual, family-oriented atmosphere. Freshly-cooked entrees are showcased in a glass enclosed-bar and you basically just pick a dish or two (or even three as in my case). All selection comes with rice, beans, and plantains.

Staples such as roast pork (lechon) and roast chicken are solid choices. There’s also the stewed oxtail for those wanting to be more adventurous. The roast pork and chicken were tender and full of flavor. The oxtail was absolutely delicious and had that simmered-for-hours taste. The empanadas (baked flour pastry filled with ground pork) were also wonderful and were already a meal in itself.With daily special combos starting at $7.99, Mi Pilon offers great food at affordable prices.

Insider tip:
Combos come with either one or two dishes but you can request to have a 3rd one added (which is what I usually do).

The scoop:
Mi Pilon
5705 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071
770-797-2924

Technorati Tags: Mi Pilon, Buford Highway, Latin cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, Atlanta, restaurants

Well, what can I say, it’s cheap eats so don’t expect much. That being said, Korean-owned Bob’s offers all you can eat southern food for less than 7 bucks and that already includes a bottomless drink! Think greasy, overcooked, bland food and canned veggies. But if your budget is tight and you’re in a hurry then this is the place for you.

Main entrees include fried chicken, roasted chicken, country steak with gravy, fried gizzards and chicken livers. Veggies include steamed cabbage, green beans, corn, fried okra, yams, carrots, and collard greens. There’s a small salad and dessert bar as well as chicken noodle soup, fried rolls and corn bread. All that for a little over $6 with drinks included. Now that’s cheap eats!

Insider tip:
Specials added daily. Located inside the Kroger plaza on the corner of Pleasant Hill and Peachtree Industrial Blvd

The scoop:
Bob’s Home Cooking
3455 Peachtree Industrial, Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-9677

Technorati Tags: Bob’s Home Cooking, buffet, Southern cuisine, country cooking, fried chicken, Duluth, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Pleasant Hill, restaurants, Atlanta

This is Atlanta’s best kept secret — it’s the best Vietnamese restaurant in town. Hands down. Aside from consistently scoring a Health Code rating between 99 to 100 since opening day almost three years ago, they have the best service, the best food, and the best bubble tea. The best. I know, I’m a Phoenix Noodle groupie — eating there at least twice a week since opening day and on first-name basis with the entire staff.

A little background story… the famous Canton House (best overpriced dimsum) on Buford Highway was owned mainly by two Vietnamese brothers. Early 2004, one of the brothers who was also the main chef, got out of the partnership and opened Phoenix Noodle on Peachtree Industrial Blvd across from The Forum Shops. A family-run business, the ex-partner/dad is the head chef, the mom is the hostess/cashier, the dad’s sister is manager/server, and all four Georgia Tech/Georgia State-graduate sons are part-time servers.

Pho is what Vietnamese cuisine is known for over here. It’s a soup that is actually a breakfast food in Vietnam, commonly sold on the streets. It is made with beef broth with rice noodles and topped with thin slices of steak, beef tripe, and beef tendon to which you add fresh basil leaves, fresh bean sprouts, lime juice, and jalapeno slices. When we were young, my mom had a very close Vietnamese friend who we’d visit on weekends. Most times, we’d get invited to stay for dinner. She made the best home-made pho. The best. And so her pho was my standard. It has been a life-long mission to find pho as good as hers.

In the 90s there was a Vietnamese restaurant inside the Burlington Coat Factory plaza on Buford Highway called Pho Ca Dao. The chef was a little old Vietnamese lady who spoke no English. She made great the best pho. As good as my mom’s friend’s pho. Never mind the dingy atmosphere — it was frequented by a lot of Vietnamese and came highly-recommended by my Vietnamese friends. Sadly, the place closed down a few years ago. I’ve been to almost all Vietnamese restaurants in Atlanta and none has ever come close to my mom’s friend’s pho or even Pho Ca Dao’s. Until now.

Phoenix Noodle’s pho is not only comfort food. It is delicious: tasty and full-bodied with that simmered-for-hours taste. Everything on the menu is good. Every item. From the fried and fresh spring/basil rolls to all the grilled meat/shrimp plates (best value for the money), to the vermicelli noodle bowls, to the entrees. There is nothing you could order wrong. The tender spicy salt and pepper squid which is very lightly battered then fried served with a sweet-salty sauce is enough to lure you to come. Best of all, the bubble tea — tea-based cold drinks (or smoothie) which come in assorted flavors that you can mix and match with tapioca pearls (balls) or cubes of fruit jelly. Highly recommended flavors are honeydew, fresh avocado, coffee, taro (potato-like), lychee, watermelon, mango, and rainy day (assorted berries).

Insider tip:

• Some bubble tea flavors are made with real fruit depending on availability. This week they have cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberry, and avocado.
• Lunch menu entrees come with soup.
• There’s a separate kid’s menu that includes noodle dishes and grilled chicken.
• The pho rice noodles can be substituted with low-carb Japanese clear noodles for $2 more. (They had to search and go to great lengths to find a low-carb noodle-substitute but personally, I found it altered the taste of the pho.)
• They chef is very willing and so versatile that he can accommodate special orders — this week we requested him to cook a Malaysian noodle dish.
• You can request a bowl of plain pho broth for $2 and a side of fried egg is $1.
• By default, you will be served with a sweet-salty sauce (for eggrolls and fried entrees) but you can ask for the equally-delicious Thai-style sweet-and-sour sauce.

The scoop:
Phoenix Noodle Cafe
http://www.phoenixnoodlecafe.com/
5450 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 2E
Norcross, Georgia 30092
Sun - Thur: 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Fri - Sat: 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Technorati Tags: Phoenix Noodle Cafe, Vietnamese cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, pho, fresh basil roll, spring roll, lunch, dinner, bubble tea, tapioca pearls, fruit jelly, pho, spicy squid, vermicelli bowl, grilled plates, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, The Forum Shops, kids menu, Atlanta