One of Everything

Here’s Everything on the Table at Korean Barbecue Spot Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong

Hope you're hungry.
Hope you’re hungry.

When it came time to open its Manhattan flagship, the owners of Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, a Korean barbecue restaurant mini-chain with a critically acclaimed L.A. location and perpetually packed Flushing outpost, decided to depart from the script. They hired Deuki Hong, who’s been cooking professionally in kitchens since he was 15 and put in time with both David Chang and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, to run the kitchen. Having a classically trained chef helming a Korean barbecue place is somewhat unheard of, and while Hong isn’t cheffing things up, he is certainly focusing on the details. The menu includes dumplings and sides like stir-fried squid in addition to the main event, but we decided to take a look at a sample spread of grilled meats, along with accompaniments and some banchan.

Hope you're hungry.
Hope you’re hungry.
This gets dressed with soy, vinegar, and a little garlic.
This gets dressed with soy, vinegar, and a little garlic.
Crunch time.
Crunch time.
Of course.
Of course.
This is to snack on while your meat is cooking.
This is to snack on while your meat is cooking.
Ideal for brisket.
Ideal for brisket.
This is simmered for three hours.
This is simmered for three hours.
Also available in a less spicy version.
Also available in a less spicy version.
This ties the meal together.
This ties the meal together.
Because winter is here.
Because winter is here.
The radish is fermented with cabbage, garlic, ginger, and fresh fruit.
The radish is fermented with cabbage, garlic, ginger, and fresh fruit.
They put an egg on it.
They put an egg on it.
Also, fish cakes.
Also, fish cakes.
That's "premium" pork jowl, buddy.
That’s “premium” pork jowl, buddy.
All grilled up.
All grilled up.
Give it a minute.
Give it a minute.
One more.
One more.
Okay, all dressed up.
Okay, all dressed up.
Nice marbling.
Nice marbling.
Ready for kimchi.
Ready for kimchi.
The dining room.
The dining room.
Working the pass.
Working the pass.
Namesake Kang Ho-dong is a South Korean wrestler and comedian.
Namesake Kang Ho-dong is a South Korean wrestler and comedian.
Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong’s Impressive Spread