kim bab, how I missed it so

[jocelyncee]

After a year in Germany and spending much of that year going to a Korean church with walterka I got completely hooked on Korean food. The ladies in that church made lunch for everyone (a small congregation, but still) every week. Worship together, eat together. Whoever was hosting our small group for Bible study each week had something to eat there too, usually quite a substantial dinner -- always a boon for poor college students.

So last Tuesday, my dear sweet husband called me, and spake thusly:

"Hey, I heard there's a new Korean restaurant here... Wanna go?"

And I thought thusly:

'Sweet goodness, he really REALLY loves me.'

I had been jonesing for some good Korean food for the better part of eighteen months. We had gone to a place in OP that was... okay. But no kim bab. At all. Not having my favorite thing means I won't bother to drive 30 minutes to go there. We went once, and never went back.

Now, this place opens up three blocks FROM MY HOUSE. No kidding.

So we went. And they had kim bab. And that was my dinner.

And I was in heaven.

It's a clean but slightly shabby place, that apparently used to be the best Italian restaurant in this town, 20 years ago. Then it was a place called "Campus Hideaway" or some such. Then it was an anarchist bookstore.

Now, it's my favorite place in the world.

The dishes look like a lower/middle-class grandmas: in good condition, but obviously not new and obviously not expensive, and the patterns don't all match. There are the obligatory red checkered tablecloths, and the cooks and wait staff all wear cute little old-fashioned aprons over whatever else. It has its charming oddities, and some rather basically presented niceties (cold water is on the drinks table in an old perculator coffee pot, and, incidentally, does not taste like coffee in the least).

It is also extremely affordable. I can get my favorite food in the world for under $5, and they bring you complimentary kimchi, as much as you can eat.

(Note: My husband and I got a cereal-bowl with about a 1/4 cup of kimchi in it with our meals. When I polished that off in about 60 seconds, alone, the nice young lady brought out a refilled bowl, this time with about 4 times as much kimchi in it.)

We're going there again tonight. I have committed myself to going at least one a week. This is a restaurant I want to succeed, for a long, long time.

Oh, and for you locals? It's the Campus Hideaway Roll Cafe.

Comments

[thatguy.livejournal.com]

Can't say I've ever had Korean food, specifically. I might have to find a Korean Restaurant around here and try that.

I had a somewhat similar experience in San Francisco with a sushi restaurant. At Sekisui in Memphis, they have what's called "clear soup," (I was just thinking about this earlier today and how I want some), and I always get some before ordering whatever sushi. I went to a place across from the hotel in SanFran called "Just Sushi" (also, a word of caution, don't eat at anyplace that's named "Just" anything.. stomach wasn't happy later). I asked if they had clear soup, and they just looked at me funny,"What's that?"

I can hear your conversation now.. "Do you want to cook tonight, or would you rather eat Korean?"
"umm.. let me think"..

I mean, you don't even have to drive!

[jocelyncee.livejournal.com]

Actually, that reminds me...they served a kind of clear soup before our meal (yet another free thing that makes me happy) and it had seaweed in it. It was kind of like spinach, but not slimy. :)

They have clear soups at the Japanese steakhouse type places that I've been too.. Benihana is the big one, but there's other (cheaper) alternatives elsewhere.

Are you still in Jonesboro? If so I'd try the place that is where Hollywood Grill used to be... bluecanarykit and I went there for her birthday this summer, and it was yummy. :) I recommend the ... Philadelphia Rolls? The ones with spicy *cooked* fish/crab... good stuff. They may have your clear soup there too.

(Actually, you can make that at home too... it's pretty simple with a Googled recipe. Of course, it may be part of the eating out treat too...

[bluecanarykit.livejournal.com]

actually that was sea chicken rolls. they were the nummy.
philadelphia rolls are smoked salmon, cream cheese and green onion. 8^)

can't wait to visit and try the kim bab.

[jocelyncee.livejournal.com]

I think we should make that place a tradition. :) It was much goodness.

Mmmmmmmm... kim bab.

[thatguy.livejournal.com]

I actually moved from Jonesboro shortly after I graduated high school. I used to make it back there more often, but people have since moved away and/or drifted apart. My sister who still lives there is about the only reason for me to go back.

I'm not really familiar with where Hollywood Grill used to be. Was that where Front Page Cafe used to be?

Thanks! I wouldn't have thought to google a recipe. I need to do that.

[jocelyncee.livejournal.com]

It's in the shopping center on Highland Drive near Stadium. I can't remember what it used to be before Hollywood Grill, but there's been something in and out of that spot every few years or so. You know how it is.

And I think most of what I cook is googled. :) It's the fastest way, really.

Well, I hope you can find a good Japanese place close to where you are then. Oh, and if you're ever in the Kansas City area, I can probably hunt down a recommendation for ya. :)