Tiny New York Kitchen Has Lunch With the Bibimbap Backpackers

Tiny New York Kitchen Has Lunch With the Bibimbap Backpackers

Last Wednesday I had such a great time with my new friends, the Bibimbap Backpackers, who travel the world introducing different cultures to delicious Korean food, in particular a dish called bibimbap.  About 30 food writers were invited to this fun event that took place at Take31 Restaurant (15 E. 31^st Street, NYC 10016).  I get invited to many a “promote our product” types of events, which I usually decline, but for some reason I felt inclined to attend this event.  Perhaps it was because the super nice college age Korean kids kept emailing me asking me if I would come.  I was the first one to arrive because I hate being late for anything.  I was warmly welcomed and chatted with my hosts.  I have to admit that I hadn’t known too much about Korean food except that of our 32^nd Street Korean BBQ joints (which aren’t half bad actually).  The Bibimbap Backpackers were here to introduce us to the other side of Korean food.  We started out with a Korean pancake, called pajeon, and then had delicious glass noodles, called japchae.  Then we had fried dumplings, called mandu, that were kind of like a potsticker.  The main course came next which was a “make your own” rice bowl, called bibimbap.  We were handed bowls of rice and then urged to make our own bibimbap with all sorts of ingredients laid out on a long table. You could go vegetarian or add meat along with a wide array of vegetables.  Add your favorite sauce and there you have it.  Super yummy.  The final item that we were served was a fried rice cake, called Hotteok, that tasted kind of like an elephant ear.  I have to admit that I snarfed everything down and was full as ever.  Thanks so much to the Bibimbap Backpackers for inviting me to such a fun and delicious event.  If you would like to read more about the Bibimbap Backpackers then check them out at facebook.com/BibimbabBackpackers.