NYC Restaurants

Dinner at Dubu Maru in Koreatown begins with a customary offering of small plates. Think vibrant kimchi in a fiery red sauce, dried radish - tough and chewy - and delicious in its own rite, and a single slice of hot dog on a bed of onions with scattered sesame seeds. Larger plates include bibimbap with bulgogi. Look for ribbons of thinly-sliced beef atop a bed of rice with bright greens and julienned vegetables. Slather on some sweet-and-spicy gochujang, mix it up, and dig in. Also on the menu is an assortment of stews. Seafood Tofu Stew arrives in a bubbling bowl of goodness. It starts with the cured anchovy broth that surrounds baby clams, green mussels and shrimp amid pillowy tofu. The yolk from a lightly boiled egg bursting into the broth adds a whole new dimension to the dish. Other offerings include Korean pancakes with an eel omelette, a pineapple pork cutlet, and marinated beef ribs. The second floor space is modern yet cozy. We found the service to be friendly and accomodating. >>

- Thomas Rafael