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Ktown Night Market in L.A.

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Ktown Night Market in L.A.

Ktown Night Market Concert

Ktown Night Market Concert

What is it about different cultures coming together and combining their vision of food, creating an eclectic edge? There’s a feeling that pulses between the hustle of vendors, aroma of fusion cuisine and live music. I’m talking about the Ktown Night Market, a two-day event held monthly during the summer at various locations throughout Koreatown and Downtown Los Angeles. Tonight’s event takes place at The RFK Community Schools Complex, a former site of the Ambassador Hotel and the famous “Cocoanut Grove.” Celebrities known to have frequented the historic venues include Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Anna May Wong among others. As time has passed a unique charm of the area still remains as festivities go on to intrigue guests.

Grilled Lobster Claw and Tail

Grilled Lobster Claw and Tail

Ktown Night Market is a gathering of local vendors, food trucks, musicians and celebrities like Heesun Lee and Awkwafina. Wandering through the endless options of fusion food and never-ending lines, maybe you’re wondering what dishes to try. Perhaps Grilled Lobster or Sriracha Fried Shrimps from Claw ‘N Tail? Possibly Lamb Steak on a skewer? Yes, the tasty and tender savory goodness of grilled meats on a stick! Where else will you see diverse cultures walking around with handheld foods or that special something that’s a bit messier?

Making ramen

Making ramen

Okonomi Fries

Okonomi Fries

The sweet love I have for Japanese Fusion. I’m talking about Okamoto Kitchen’s crispy fries drizzled with Okonomiyaki-style Okonomi sauce. Made of Kewpie Mayo, aonori, greens, red ginger, and bonito flakes, the layers of flavor really get your taste buds’ attention. It’s mix of sweet, savory, and crispy all in one sloppy bite. The Kewpie Mayo’s delectable taste combined with the light airy french fry is a match made in heaven. If there were such a thing as french-fried love fused with Japanese cuisine, it would be “The Notebook” of foodie romances.

Cheeseburger Monster wrapped in Fried Potato Chips

Cheeseburger Monster wrapped in Fried Potato Chips

If you’re not an adventurous foodie, the Indiana Jones of the Fork, then opt for something like the Cheeseburger wrapped in Fried Potato Chips. This culinary creation is a beefy cheesy melted baby wrapped in a blanket of crunchy goodness. A person with a lesser heart could not handle this dish as the grease is a complimentary palate cleanser. While you’re at it, chow down on ramen, Korean BBQ, boba tea, and desserts like Matcha Milk Spread from Tak’s Dessert.

Tak's Dessert Matcha Spread

Tak's Dessert Matcha Spread

Kore Limited on-screen during the concert

Kore Limited on-screen during the concert

Pamper yourself with eyelash extensions

Pamper yourself with eyelash extensions

So you’re feeling full and satisfied. You wonder, “What else there is to do?” There are Carnival style games, making it a family-friendly event or fun date night. Ktown Night Market also hosts a variety of local businesses from Koreatown. Notable mentions include Kore Limited and Soaporo’s Natural Handmade Soaps. If you're running low on energy while dancing to musical guests such as Ashley Yoon and Coco Avenue, there is a remedy: drink Vision Smart’s Vision and Sport Sparkle Natural Energy Supplement. That juice will keep your rhythm flowing. Vendors provide attendees with a plethora of goods, catering to their many possible needs.

Vendor deep-frying sea cucumbers

Vendor deep-frying sea cucumbers

Deep-fried sea cucumbers

Deep-fried sea cucumbers

Whether you bite into a Deep Fried Sea Cucumber or something more adventurous, Ktown Night Market is certainly the standard for showcasing what Koreatown and the Greater L.A. Area has to offer. Foodies and people from all walks of life come together and enjoy this melting pot of cultural fusion food.

When's the next Ktown Night Market? Click here.


garrett t

When Garrett T. is not eating, he is writing foodie romance novels. Follow him on Twitter for his latest culinary adventures!


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Ginseng Chicken Soup at SGD Tofu House

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Ginseng Chicken Soup at SGD Tofu House

Sam-gye-tang. Ginseng chicken soup. Koreans typically eat this on the hottest of summer days. It's thought that as the heat wears you out, samgyetang would re-energize you. Me personally, I prefer consuming it on rainy evenings. As the sun sets, darkness blankets across the horizon. The world feels cold and unwelcoming, but a bubbling pot of samgyetang in your stomach will make everything feel like family.

Open for seventeen years as of 2016, it is said SGD Tofu House is the first soondubu shop to open in Santa Clara's Koreatown. Since its establishment other branches have opened in NorCal. They are known for their tofu soup as it suggests in their name. They also offer savory pancakes, bibimbap, and barbecue.

What does SGD stand for? In Singapore, those letters stand for "Singapore Dollar." However if you google it, the first link that pops up is "Saccharomyces Genome Database." In our situation, SGD means "So Gong Dong," a business district in Seoul, South Korea. Sogongdong is near the Deoksugung Palace and Gwanghwamun Square. I once went to a samgyetang shop there once. They served ginseng wine with the soup. Samgyetang and alcohol in the stomach = drunk chicken.

Common banchan of seasoned sprouts, japchae, kimchi, and fishcakes.

Common banchan of seasoned sprouts, japchae, kimchi, and fishcakes.

Upon ordering, out comes a set of complimentary banchan (side dishes). A common occurrence at traditional Korean eateries.

Up close and personal with Napa Cabbage Kimchi.

Up close and personal with Napa Cabbage Kimchi.

Their Napa Cabbage Kimchi is not sweet, which is a big deal. A huge deal. Many Korean restaurants around here make sweet kimchi, so I appreciate SGD for keeping it authentic.

Seasoned sprout.

Seasoned sprout.

The Seasoned Sprout is sesame-oily, making it my favorite side dish of this meal. The Japchae is lightly seasoned. If you're health-conscious, it's the type of flavor you wouldn't mind eating on a daily basis. The Fishcake also falls in the same category. The Seasoned Seaweed is spunky with its sweet and sour. The Water Kimchi (dyed pink with beet, I believe) is delightfully refreshing. It's ideal for a spring and summer day, but can be equally enjoyed during cold weather.

Of all the banchan, my favorite is the Seasoned Sprout and Water Kimchi.

Family of banchan.

Family of banchan.

Mushroom soondubu (tofu soup).

Mushroom soondubu (tofu soup).

My mother gets her boiling bowl of mushroom soodubu, which looks more bold than it tastes. The bright red color makes it appear so spicy. I try a spoonful, expecting my ears to tingle. My eyes hyped my taste buds up. The tofu soup is actually quite bland. That famous quote runs through my head: never judge a book by its cover! One can't help but judge, so be prepared for surprise.

Why hello there, samgyetang!

Why hello there, samgyetang!

Inside the standard samgyetang contains white rice and garlic. In my bowl there is five or six cloves! I lost count. There might've been more. As expected, the meat falls right off the bones. The bones, you can bite into and break apart as well. Watch out for those pieces of ginseng. If you are curious, have a bite. Discover how bitter it is. If you're having a bad day, take a bite of ginseng. More likely than not, your day is probably less bitter than ginseng.

Water in stone bowl of rice to be enjoyed later.

Water in stone bowl of rice to be enjoyed later.

The rice comes in a stone bowl. Your server will scoop it out into smaller individual bowls. Water is poured into the stone bowl and later you shall enjoy what is to be burnt rice. In our case, the rice wasn't burnt at all. If burnt, the rice and water mixture will taste toasty.

My mother and I dined on an early Friday night. By the time we left, SGD Tofu House was filled with families--mostly parents with young children. After paying your bill, grab a candy for the road.

sgd tofu house

SGD Tofu House
(408) 261-3030
3450 El Camino Real, Ste 105
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website

SGD Tofu House (Blossom Valley)
(408) 227-8583
832 Blossom Hill Rd
San Jose, CA 95123


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Legit Kimbap & Grocery Shopping at Hankook Market

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Legit Kimbap & Grocery Shopping at Hankook Market

This week on "Kingdom Koreatown," my mother and I give you a tour of Hankook Market. A couple weeks ago we went to Kyo Po Market. Both Korean grocery stores are recommended for different reasons. Depending on what product you're looking for, you would go to either. Some Korean restaurants shop at all the Korean markets for a particular ingredient.

Looking towards dried goods and fresh produce.

Looking towards dried goods and fresh produce.

The banchan (Korean side dishes) are set up in a very inviting manner. Near the fresh produce and mini food court, a wide range of seasoned vegetables and marinated meats are divided into a couple stations. I like to refer to the longest station as the "Side Dish Palace." What a pleasure for the eye to observe!

Side Dish Palace. What a tasty rainbow :)

Side Dish Palace. What a tasty rainbow :)

I advise shopping towards the noon and later in the day. Early in the day, side dishes are still being prepared. When my mother and I strolled in around 10:30am, several containers were empty. But don't come too late in the day either. They'll be gone, digesting in the people who beat you to them.

Seasoned lotus.

Seasoned lotus.

Yum yum in the tum tum.

Yum yum in the tum tum.

Glistening meats in the cooked food section.

Glistening meats in the cooked food section.

The food stations at a glance.

The food stations at a glance.

Can't wait to go home and eat your colorful side dishes? Head on over to the HK Super Deli, a small food shop at the back. They sell some of the tastiest Kimbap I've ever eaten! You don't have to be in Korea to have legitimately delicious Korean food. It's not about where it's made; it's about who made it.

Take the Kimbap rolls to-go or have a seat in the dining area. Take a look at the menu. The classic Korean dishes, including Bibimbap and Nengmyeon, are so affordable. All under $10 USD!

Stacks of kimbap ready to go. Come to mama!

Stacks of kimbap ready to go. Come to mama!

Considering how tasty the Korean rolls are, I'm excited to try the Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) on our next visit! Sure, we could've ordered every single item just for the sake of trying, but these foods wouldn't taste as yummy if taken to-go. Kimbap can maintain its flavor and structure, but fried food, not as much.

Bindaetteok and jeon. Mung bean pancakes and savory Korean pancakes.

Bindaetteok and jeon. Mung bean pancakes and savory Korean pancakes.

My mother orders a bowl of Udon and two rolls of Kimbap. Don't forget to ask for a smaller bowl if you plan on sharing.

The Napa Cabbage Kimchi that comes with the noodles ranks on the top ten kimchi I've tried in Northern California. Slightly fermented. Made with love and care like the kimbap. You can taste it.

Udon with kimchi and kimbap.

Udon with kimchi and kimbap.

The Udon is simple and clean. The star ingredient I say is the spongy fried tofu. What a delight whenever you bite into a piece.

Baby bowl of udon.

Baby bowl of udon.

Of the items we tried, the Kimbap still outshines them all. Each slice is bigger than your average kimbap. But you won't mind having fat cheeks while chewing on them. Their taste is worth looking chubby!

Vegetarian kimbap. So good you won't care that there's no meat in it (if you're big on protein).

Vegetarian kimbap. So good you won't care that there's no meat in it (if you're big on protein).

Need a generous jar of kimchi? Rice cakes? There's no shortage. Native Koreans and foreigners alike can depend on Hankook Market. Ah yes, if you're not Korean, don't be shy. You'll be welcome here. During my visit I saw Chinese and Middle Eastern families as well. After all, this is America.

The kimchi section with random decorative leaves above.

The kimchi section with random decorative leaves above.

For those of you who love dessert, welcome to rice cake heaven.

For those of you who love dessert, welcome to rice cake heaven.

The storefront.

The storefront.

Hankook Market
(408) 244-0871
1092 E El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087


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