Comments on: The Bulgogi Cart on 49th St. (Finally, a proper review…) http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/ Finding Lunch in New York City's Midtown Manhattan Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:12:49 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: chris6sigma http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-220953 chris6sigma Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:06:15 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-220953 X-posted from the Korean BBQ Cart review: http://midtownlunch.com/2009/06/10/new-korean-bbq-truck-to-serve-bulgogi-dogs-korean-tacos/ So I did a in-depth look at the two carts side by side. Here's my assessment: As a Korean, I love the fact that Korean food is becoming ‘mainstream’ enough to serve streetcart style in Midtown Manhattan. Will they ever become as popular as the ubiquitous chicken & lamb halal carts? Probably not, but all of a sudden, 6th Ave has drawn two unlikely and scrappy competitors to the street meat scene. Enter the bulgogi and kimchi cart (I’ll call it B&K for short) located at 49th & 6th and the Korean BBQ cart (I’ll call it KBBQ for short) just a block away 50th & 6th, in the vacated Happy Well Being Cart space (not sure if they’re related?). The proximity of the two carts to each other of course warrants a comparative review, so here we go! The Bulgogi and Kimchi Cart (front): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842518241/ The Bulgogi and Kimchi Cart (side): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842513923/ The Korean BBQ Cart: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843304900/ I ordered the bulgogi and rice combo from both carts, each coming in at $7. Bulgogi, an extremely common entrée in any Korean restaurant and household, is thinly sliced beef, marinated in soy sauce, sugar, ginger, scallions and other seasonings. It’s usually pan fried (though sometimes BBQ’d), with scallions, carrots and other veggies. With both bags in hand, the KBBQ cart was noticeably heavier. Upon closer inspection, the KBBQ container was a few micrometers larger than the B&K container. Guess they source their bags from the same place: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843312418/ KBBQ on the right is slightly larger than B&K on the left: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843322984/ An inside look (side by side): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843314924/ An inside look (Bulgogi & Kimchi): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842530355/ An inside look (Korean BBQ Cart): http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842528131/ Both meals come with a generous serving of white rice, bulgogi, and a small side salad. Here’s a quick breakdown: Bulgogi: Both bulgogi’s were approximately the same texture – slightly juicy, not too fatty, and tender. However, B&K upped the flavor quotient with a heavier hand of soy sauce and sugar marinade. If you’re averse to salt, this is probably a negative trait, but I thought it was overall tastier. Edge: Bulgogi & Kimchi Rice: The rice bedding of each cart were nearly identical – slightly dry though still retaining the sticky and fragrant nature of a good short grain rice. I sampled the rice side by side multiple times and couldn’t come up with a clear winner. Edge: Tie Salad: The salad category is where the carts truly started to deviate from each other. KBBQ’s salad was composed mostly of romaine lettuce, with a single wilted cherry tomato. The salad had been heavily doused with Italian dressing and left to sit for some time, so it turned into green mush. I didn’t want to take a bite of it, but for this reviews sake, I had to. It tasted like it looks – mushy, over-seasoned, horrible, FAIL. B&K on the other hand, had a delicately dressed salad of crisp mesclun greens. I finished the B&K salad with gusto. Edge: Bulgogi & Kimchi The ‘X Factor’: Much to my delight, after killing the B&K salad, I discovered a hidden treat. A small, but very well made side portion of japchae. The noodles were slightly al dente (I prefer my jap chae to be a little more tender), but the flavors were good, and it gave a little more variety to the meal. B&K’s japchae!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843321550/ I guess you could give credit to the KBBQ cart for giving slightly more food for the same price, but both meals are very filling regardless. Edge: Bulgogi & Kimchi The Winner: Bulgogi & Kimchi is the clear winner with their more flavorful bulgogi, crisper salad, and jap chae surprise. Now everyone can stop whining about how there’s no good Korean food outside of 32nd st. Kamsahamnida! X-posted from the Korean BBQ Cart review:
http://midtownlunch.com/2009/06/10/new-korean-bbq-truck-to-serve-bulgogi-dogs-korean-tacos/

So I did a in-depth look at the two carts side by side. Here’s my assessment:

As a Korean, I love the fact that Korean food is becoming ‘mainstream’ enough to serve streetcart style in Midtown Manhattan. Will they ever become as popular as the ubiquitous chicken & lamb halal carts? Probably not, but all of a sudden, 6th Ave has drawn two unlikely and scrappy competitors to the street meat scene.

Enter the bulgogi and kimchi cart (I’ll call it B&K for short) located at 49th & 6th and the Korean BBQ cart (I’ll call it KBBQ for short) just a block away 50th & 6th, in the vacated Happy Well Being Cart space (not sure if they’re related?). The proximity of the two carts to each other of course warrants a comparative review, so here we go!

The Bulgogi and Kimchi Cart (front):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842518241/
The Bulgogi and Kimchi Cart (side):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842513923/
The Korean BBQ Cart:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843304900/

I ordered the bulgogi and rice combo from both carts, each coming in at $7. Bulgogi, an extremely common entrée in any Korean restaurant and household, is thinly sliced beef, marinated in soy sauce, sugar, ginger, scallions and other seasonings. It’s usually pan fried (though sometimes BBQ’d), with scallions, carrots and other veggies.

With both bags in hand, the KBBQ cart was noticeably heavier. Upon closer inspection, the KBBQ container was a few micrometers larger than the B&K container.

Guess they source their bags from the same place:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843312418/

KBBQ on the right is slightly larger than B&K on the left:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843322984/

An inside look (side by side):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843314924/

An inside look (Bulgogi & Kimchi):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842530355/

An inside look (Korean BBQ Cart):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3842528131/

Both meals come with a generous serving of white rice, bulgogi, and a small side salad. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Bulgogi:
Both bulgogi’s were approximately the same texture – slightly juicy, not too fatty, and tender. However, B&K upped the flavor quotient with a heavier hand of soy sauce and sugar marinade. If you’re averse to salt, this is probably a negative trait, but I thought it was overall tastier.

Edge: Bulgogi & Kimchi

Rice:
The rice bedding of each cart were nearly identical – slightly dry though still retaining the sticky and fragrant nature of a good short grain rice. I sampled the rice side by side multiple times and couldn’t come up with a clear winner.
Edge: Tie

Salad:
The salad category is where the carts truly started to deviate from each other. KBBQ’s salad was composed mostly of romaine lettuce, with a single wilted cherry tomato. The salad had been heavily doused with Italian dressing and left to sit for some time, so it turned into green mush. I didn’t want to take a bite of it, but for this reviews sake, I had to. It tasted like it looks – mushy, over-seasoned, horrible, FAIL. B&K on the other hand, had a delicately dressed salad of crisp mesclun greens. I finished the B&K salad with gusto.

Edge: Bulgogi & Kimchi

The ‘X Factor’:
Much to my delight, after killing the B&K salad, I discovered a hidden treat. A small, but very well made side portion of japchae. The noodles were slightly al dente (I prefer my jap chae to be a little more tender), but the flavors were good, and it gave a little more variety to the meal.

B&K’s japchae!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris6sigma/3843321550/

I guess you could give credit to the KBBQ cart for giving slightly more food for the same price, but both meals are very filling regardless.

Edge: Bulgogi & Kimchi

The Winner:
Bulgogi & Kimchi is the clear winner with their more flavorful bulgogi, crisper salad, and jap chae surprise. Now everyone can stop whining about how there’s no good Korean food outside of 32nd st.

Kamsahamnida!

]]> By: Midtown Lunch » Bulgogi Cart on 49th Finally Comes into It’s Own http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-86257 Midtown Lunch » Bulgogi Cart on 49th Finally Comes into It’s Own Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:14:27 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-86257 [...] It was almost a year ago this week that the infamous “$1 Bulgogi Sandwich Cart” popped up on 49th St. btw. 6+7th.  It disappeared for a little while, and then reappeared- serving cheap plates of bulgogi (Korean stir fried beef), with a weird undercooked yellow rice, and ....  [...] [...] It was almost a year ago this week that the infamous “$1 Bulgogi Sandwich Cart” popped up on 49th St. btw. 6+7th.  It disappeared for a little while, and then reappeared- serving cheap plates of bulgogi (Korean stir fried beef), with a weird undercooked yellow rice, and ….  [...]

]]> By: Midtown Lunch » Bits & Pieces (The Katsu Sushi & Street Cart News Edition) http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-68076 Midtown Lunch » Bits & Pieces (The Katsu Sushi & Street Cart News Edition) Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:07:13 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-68076 [...] The Bulgogi Cart on 49th btw. 5+6th now has Bulgogi & Kimchee Udon Noodle Soup ($5). [...] [...] The Bulgogi Cart on 49th btw. 5+6th now has Bulgogi & Kimchee Udon Noodle Soup ($5). [...]

]]> By: Anonymous http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-44096 Anonymous Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:25:13 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-44096 i just ordered the medium sized bulgogi with white rice and some salad with no kimchi for $6. the bulgogi is dry with barely any marination. it's just plain beef that is a bit oversized. i've been to many korean restaurants in manhattan and flushing, and this cart does not compare. but for the price i paid, the food is overpriced. i will not return. -__- i just ordered the medium sized bulgogi with white rice and some salad with no kimchi for $6.

the bulgogi is dry with barely any marination. it’s just plain beef that is a bit oversized. i’ve been to many korean restaurants in manhattan and flushing, and this cart does not compare. but for the price i paid, the food is overpriced.

i will not return. -__-

]]> By: ForkNewYork.com http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34635 ForkNewYork.com Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:21:37 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-34635 the $1 sandwiches are no more. Not even offered. A $2 version served on a hot dog bun takes it's place. Really. I had the beef bulgogi on white rice. came with small salad and spoonful of kimchi. Good flavor, served hot... no line. All in all, just fine for a quick tasty cart lunch when I am too tired to walk down to 53rd for chicken and rice :) the $1 sandwiches are no more. Not even offered. A $2 version served on a hot dog bun takes it’s place. Really.

I had the beef bulgogi on white rice. came with small salad and spoonful of kimchi. Good flavor, served hot… no line.

All in all, just fine for a quick tasty cart lunch when I am too tired to walk down to 53rd for chicken and rice :)

]]> By: Midtown Lunch » Kim’s Aunt Kitchen Cart Gets a Proper Look See http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-19812 Midtown Lunch » Kim’s Aunt Kitchen Cart Gets a Proper Look See Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:20:22 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-19812 [...] I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  I don’t know who Kim is, or his Aunt, but they have a pretty awesome cart.  I first wrote about this place months ago, when the Bulgogi Cart first appeared on 49th St.  Brand new, and so full of promise, I was excited for Bulgogi Sandwich, and cheap Korean food from a cart.  And then, it disappeared.  Frantic, I found myself wandering the streets in search of something… and by coincidence, Kim’s Aunt Kitchen Cart had just hung a handmade sign, touting their very own bulgogi. [...] [...] I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  I don’t know who Kim is, or his Aunt, but they have a pretty awesome cart.  I first wrote about this place months ago, when the Bulgogi Cart first appeared on 49th St.  Brand new, and so full of promise, I was excited for Bulgogi Sandwich, and cheap Korean food from a cart.  And then, it disappeared.  Frantic, I found myself wandering the streets in search of something… and by coincidence, Kim’s Aunt Kitchen Cart had just hung a handmade sign, touting their very own bulgogi. [...]

]]> By: Kione http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-19562 Kione Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:11:44 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-19562 Quick update on this place and its ever-evolving "bulgogi" combo platter ... the cheap ground beef is now served over white rice (which is actually a plus for me) and the "spicy" sauce is kind of bland. My sides included some kind of soba noodle, cart salad and a smattering of kimchee. At 6 bucks it is cheap, but it's still not really worth it ... Quick update on this place and its ever-evolving “bulgogi” combo platter … the cheap ground beef is now served over white rice (which is actually a plus for me) and the “spicy” sauce is kind of bland. My sides included some kind of soba noodle, cart salad and a smattering of kimchee.

At 6 bucks it is cheap, but it’s still not really worth it …

]]> By: Midtown Lunch » PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Evelyn” http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-16844 Midtown Lunch » PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Evelyn” Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:07:47 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-16844 [...] Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Minar… finally, cheap Indian food! Also, thanks for the recommendation about the Bulgogi sandwich. Too bad it went up to $2 though.  [...] [...] Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Minar… finally, cheap Indian food! Also, thanks for the recommendation about the Bulgogi sandwich. Too bad it went up to $2 though.  [...]

]]> By: Anonymous http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-5105 Anonymous Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:00:19 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-5105 aside from the friendly service; the $5 "bargain" was a little too obvious: 1. a penny size amount of kimchi- seriously, i wish i had a camera..when i asked the man where it was in the meal, he asked me to open the container and fish around the massive amounts of lettuce to find it 2. bulgogi it is NOT- ground up low quality beef with some not-so-spicy sauce. Even the menu states it should be thin slices of meat! 3. Where are the veggies like the menu photos portray? scallions even? i KNOW those are cheap. hey, i love cheap carts; and i try to give them slack for the bargain..but man, i felt more than ripped off with each bite. those poor people who dont know korean food will have such a horrible impression. BUT-->next time i will do the sandwich; at a $1 a pop, it cant let me down.   <em>Um... I wouldn't bet on it.  Even the $1 sandwich is sort of disappointing (and now I think they've raised the price to $2.  I gave up on this cart a long time ago... -zach</em> aside from the friendly service; the $5 “bargain” was a little too obvious:
1. a penny size amount of kimchi- seriously, i wish i had a camera..when i asked the man where it was in the meal, he asked me to open the container and fish around the massive amounts of lettuce to find it
2. bulgogi it is NOT- ground up low quality beef with some not-so-spicy sauce. Even the menu states it should be thin slices of meat!
3. Where are the veggies like the menu photos portray? scallions even? i KNOW those are cheap.

hey, i love cheap carts; and i try to give them slack for the bargain..but man, i felt more than ripped off with each bite. those poor people who dont know korean food will have such a horrible impression.

BUT–>next time i will do the sandwich; at a $1 a pop, it cant let me down.

 

Um… I wouldn’t bet on it.  Even the $1 sandwich is sort of disappointing (and now I think they’ve raised the price to $2.  I gave up on this cart a long time ago… -zach

]]> By: cjLoveBites http://midtownlunch.com/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4766 cjLoveBites Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:22:34 +0000 http://midtownlunch.com/blog/2007/01/24/the-bulgogi-cart-on-49th-st-finally-a-proper-review/#comment-4766 I gave this cart a shot today because I was in a hurry (it's right outside my building), and I'm always up for something new. I agree that the guy was really friendly, and that was an added plus. Not having read your post about it, I ordered the Bi Bim Bap, which I am kind of regretting. There's no egg, the sauce is too spicy for me, and I cannot figure out one of the ingredients, which is a little unnerving. I can't decide if I'll give this cart another shot yet. I gave this cart a shot today because I was in a hurry (it’s right outside my building), and I’m always up for something new. I agree that the guy was really friendly, and that was an added plus. Not having read your post about it, I ordered the Bi Bim Bap, which I am kind of regretting. There’s no egg, the sauce is too spicy for me, and I cannot figure out one of the ingredients, which is a little unnerving. I can’t decide if I’ll give this cart another shot yet.

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