E-Mo Kim Bab (no website; 2 W. 32nd St., New York; 212-594-1466) is a takeout eatery that sells only one product -- kim bab, Korean seaweed rice rolls. The seaweed rolls contain rice with pickled radish, cured ham, spinach, sesame leaf, omelet and a special ingredient. Patrons can choose one of nine special ingredients for their kim bab: American cheese, beef, kimchi, mushrooms, pickled jalapeño, spicy or tame tuna spread, squid or vegetables. Each kim bab is sliced into colorful mosaic tiles and has a crunchy, chewy texture.
Food Gallery 32 (no website; 11 W. 32nd St., New York, 212-967-1678) has a diverse menu, offering Korean and some non-Korean dishes. The gleaming white food court comprises the Red Mango counter and seven stands, as well as seats on a second level. Most of the culinary creations are Korean and Korean-fusion fare. Other items include spaghetti with creamy seafood, Japanese rice bowls and stir-fries, and Taiwanese soup and dumplings. Since this is a food court, the various eateries have different types of offerings.
Han Bat (no website; 53 W. 35th St., New York; 212-629-5588) is a restaurant open 24 hours a day, seven days per week, that offers southern Korea country dishes. The restaurant is clean and inexpensive and serves family-style meals. Nearly all meals come with rice and small appetizers. Patrons can order a variety of popular Korean dishes, including bibimbab, scallion and seafood pancakes, and stir-fried baby octopus. Good news -- Han Bat serves alcoholic beverages.
Window shopping is a cheap form of entertainment, and bookstores, which sometimes offer great deals, are appealing to tourists. Koryo Books (no website; 35 W. 32nd St., New York; 212-564-1844) is one of the oldest Korean stores in Koreatown. Though relatively small, the store is well stocked and offers a large variety of Korean language books on topics such as cooking, crafts and fashion; fiction; Korean translations of English language bestsellers; and magazines. There are some English language books, too. Patrons enjoy visiting the traditional Korean tearoom on the second floor.
