Authentic Bibimbap at Kang Nam

Before: Hot stone Bibimbap (no meat)

After: Hot stone Bibimbap (no meat)

Gaeran Jim

Place: Kang Nam Restaurant

          4103 West Olympic Bouvlevard

          Los Angees, CA 90019

Genre: Korean BBQ

$$

Hit or a Miss? Hit!

My opinion:

Before becoming a pescetarian, I absolutely loved Korean BBQ. Though I can no longer enjoy Galbee or Bulgogi, Korean food remains one of my favorite types of cuisine. There are still several pescetarian options at an authentic Korean restaurant. Bibimbap is just one, but it is perhaps the best option and the most authentic. I did a review on Bibimbap at Bibigo, but it just doesn't compare to the "real deal." In the heart of Koreatown stands Kang Nam Restaurant, a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant that serves Japanese food (still an authentic Korena restaurant; I promise.) As with all traditional Korean restaurants, you're given a few small dishes/salads to begin, sort of like how you're given  bread at any other restaurant. The kimchi was good, but I'm a huge fan of the bean sprouts. I ordered the bibimbap 1) because I wanted to have the 'real thing,' 2) I absolutely love bibimbap. [one tip: If you can, go with a friend who either speaks korean or is very familiar with korean food.] I went with my best friend who does not speak Korean, but knows all of the food and what's good/what's not good. So aside from my Bibimbap, my friend told me we had to order this "egg/tofu thing." [Gaeran Jim] Despite the vague description, it sounded like something right up my alley, so why not? I got so excited when I saw my sizzling bowl of Bibimbap: white rice, topped with an egg, seaweed, bean sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini and daikon. oh and of course gochujang sauce (a fermented spicy red sauce.) After mixing it around and letting the bottom become crispy, I was finally ready to enjoy my long awaited bibimbap. It was delicious. It's the perfect dish on a cold day in Los Angeles. The smells make the experience even better. I think what I love most about it is that you control how hot or neutral you want it to be. I like the sweet/spicy gochujang sauce, so I'm not too hesitant to add more. There isn't much to describe in terms of flavors, because Korean food/flavors themselves are so unique that putting a label on it/them wouldn't do it/them any justice. But I'd have to say that was the best authentic Korean restaurant I've been to. I almost forgot, the Gaeran Jim! Basically, it's a soft egg dish in a sizzling hot stone. It has a soft tofu/egg consistency and a savory flavor, similar to that of any broth, but it's vegetarian. It's definitely something I'll be ordering in the future! Here's some advice, whenever you go to a Korean restaurant, or any restaurant serving authentic cuisine, be adventurous! Ask the waiter/waitress what they love, what's traditional, or what your friends like! That's the only way you'll find what's true to authentic cuisine. So if you ever find yourself on that part of town and are looking for a delicious, reasonably priced authentic Korean lunch/dinner with excellent service, go to Kang Nam Restaurant!