Korean Foods/Bakeries/Restaurants--Opinion??

Fellow Foodies--

Gotta a couple of questions about Korean-style foods, etc. I heard that in Centreville, VA there a "mini Korean strip mall" similar to Annandale's Korean shopping district. Reviews of a Korean bakery called Shilla Bakery (locations in Annandale and Centreville) were excellent online. I will check it out and post info. Any opinions on Korean breads and baked goods?

Also, upon researching Korean foods, etc. online, I came across something called "Korean-style fried chicken". Has anyone ever tried this fried chicken and what were your opinions? At the Korean strip mall (near Grand Mart in Centreville) which is located at Old Centreville Squares 1 and 2, there are several interesting stores and markets that I will check out tomorrow and post info.

Web site for Korean bakery--on Fairfax County web site with links--

www.fairfaxcountywebsite.com/ShillaBakery.htm (Shilla Bakery's site/info for Korean baked goods.)

Good eats??

Foodie

 

Fellow Foodies--

Well, we went to the Korean bakery in Centreville called Shilla Bakery. Great find for great desserts that you do not find in "generic store bakeries", pastries, Korean donuts (which rivals Dunkin Donuts--seriously! The Koreans call their donuts "buns"--I believe.), flavorful and unusual varieties of fresh breads that they bake daily (all day), and drinks that are great!

Their coffee and tea bars are great--lattes, mochas, teas (all varieties), cappucino drinks, etc. Their drinks also includes Bubble Teas which are great, ice creams, sandwiches, salads, etc. Great seating and a huge area to relax and partake of their goodies!

Our kids (as ourselves) loved their food. Also, there is a great Japanese & Korean restaurant called Sho-Chiku in the same strip mall called Centreville Squares I and II where we ate lunch also. Shilla Bakery's web site info is posted on my previous post from yesterday. Shilla's food has a French-Korean influence and the flavors are delicate, light, and not too filling!

Have fun--and try it out.

Foodie

 

Pyung Lae Oak
6023 Centreville Crest Ln., Centreville, VA / 703.815.8885

we take my son here monthly- he lvoes the bulgogi (SP?) and their lunch boxes are SO inexpensive and packed with good food. hubby loves kimchi and enjoys it here. I great service, great atmosphere- i'm not a fan of any type of asian cuisine but this is excellent Korean cuisine that i will eat absolutely any time (as long as it's not more than once a month...)

 

there are several fantastic korean restaurants in falls church. i'll look up the names and pass them along. my hubby loves them. i'm not a huge fan. redon, one of my few fav dishes is bulgogi. a friend of mine gave me her family recipe recently and it's sooo yummy. really not had to make! happy to pass it on.

 

There's a good Korean restaurant in Chantilly on 50 just east of 28 called Yil Mi. They have a lunch buffet and offer Korean barbecue where they cook the food at your table. Like many Korean restaurants, they also offer sushi, although that's not Korean. I never tried the Sushi. The Chop Chae, Bulgogi and Short Ribs are all yummy.

 

Fellow Foodies--

Thanks for all the great responses. Has anyone tried Korean Fried Chicken yet? We were at Super Hmart in Fairfax yesterday; but did not get a chance to try their "fried chicken". It is lower in Trans Fat that other fried chicken places.

Great reviews of several franchises from Korea that are here in the VA areas. One of which is in Centreville Square's "mini Korean strip mall". When we are back out in Centreville, we will try it out and report about our findings. One of my Korean American girlfriends says that is quite different and tasty.

Foodie

 

We have been to Wei Lu Oak in Tysons. Very high end, somewhat expensive, but good. Note: You have to LOVE :love:garlic to love Korean food. Also, make sure that anyone that you plan to kiss also eats it!

 

Foodie - being of a 100% Korean heritage but I was raised in the states by my anglo family (yes I was adopted too) - with the emmient arrival of our son from Korea - I often think of myself as a bannana (I'll let you and others use your imagination)

For a few years I have ventured into the deep-end of korean culture & cuisine. I love Grand Mart and the shopping area in Centerville, places in Annadale & Fairfax are a little too Korean for me (at least for now)

Korean Fried Chicken - is really a fusion food - West meets East and addictive. It has a nice balance of sweet, spicey and crispy.

Typically they use Soju as a tenderizer - which gives it s delicate flavor underneath. After the chicken is fried it is then spiced with a garlic, soy & pepper sauce. The "crust" is much lighter (kind of like the delicate crust you get with panko bread crumbs) and yes it is not as greasy as western fried chicken.

 

thepea2001 and others--

Thanks for your history lesson about Korean fried chicken. In Atlanta areas, Super Hmart is opening 4 more stores my family told us recently. I wish Loudoun County would get a Super Hmart.

Have you tried Shilla Bakery yet in Centreville? Great stuff!! Congrats again for you and your husband about adopting your new son. My husband went to Korea last year on a business trip for Grumman and brought back some great photos.

Maybe when you are back from Korea--I can prepare for you a Mennonite "goodie basket" if you are interested--just PM.

Thanks,

Foodie