Actually it wasn’t very fast food joint like. I waited a good amount of time and sitting there by myself felt like forever! To pass the time I got a cup of free miso soup that you serve yourself. It had bean sprouts in it and looked too clear to be miso soup. I took a sip and decided not to finish it because it tasted awful. Finally I was presented with a container of steamed white rice and a bubbling pot of chicken tofu stew. It looked delicious and quickly dug into it.

I never had chicken tofu stew before, it had always been seafood. Pro Hot Korean’s tofu stew was quite delicious. It didn’t start out too spicy but half way through I was sweating, a lot. I thought I wouldn’t be full from eating this lunch because the container of rice seemed small and I was eating tofu, how filled up can you get from that?! Oh was I wrong, after eating the last spoonful of rice and tofu I was happily full.

If you don’t mind the wait for the hot food or sitting next to complete strangers (it’s a tiny place with few seats), the chicken tofu stew is worth checking out. Of course it is like 100 degrees outside and hot spicy food maybe the farthest thing you’re thinking about right now, well then you can always get their cold noodles.

Pro Hot Korean, 62 W. 56th St. (btw. 5+6th) 212-397-9104

Earlier this week, we received reports that Pro Hot Korean (on 56th btw. 5+6th) was offering a Korean taco special this week and next (9/7-9/17). At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ve professed my unabashed predisposition towards Korean tacos during my previous assessments of Café Duke and Bann Next Door. Not to be outdone, the demurely humble Pro Hot Korean joins in on the suddenly chic Korean taco trend with their version of galbi, bulgogi, and spicy chicken filled tacos.

At $4.99 for two, these appear to be priced at a bargain – but how does it compare to its predecessors? We take on the tacos and get a feeling for the fillings after the jump.

$4.99 actually nets two tacos, roughly the same size as Café Duke’s (which were 4 for $8.95). My inner fat ass, worried that only two tacos wouldn’t be enough for lunch, decreed that I take on two orders for a total of 4 tacos at $10 and change. I opted for one order of the galbi, and one of the bulgogi, though I later learned that you’re allowed to mix and match your tacos within a single order.

An early adopter helpfully pointed out that the tacos are cooked to order, so be prepared for about a 10 minute wait. This method of preparation is probably preferable to the pre-fabricated lunch kits that Pro Hot Korean usually provides.

Each order arrives with two small soufflé cups of indistinctly flavored salsa, conveying a merely benign level of heat. Rabbit food in the form of jaundiced iceberg lettuce and tasteless tomatoes only serve as distraction from the main attraction. The tacos are sufficiently apportioned with flavorful meat, though the quality of the protein can be deduced by the slight greasiness and chewiness. However, these are the only Korean tacos I’ve sampled to date that utilize the authentic taqueria style double wrapped corn tortillas– a major plus in my book.

I was more than satiated after downing my double order – next time, I’ll probably stick to a single order and supplement with a small side order of dumplings or soup. And next time I’ll definitely try the spicy chicken tacos. To be frank, Pro Hot Korean’s tacos don’t match the pleasing piquant flavors of Bann Next Door or Café Duke’s plentiful portions. But they’re adequate, inexpensive, accessible next week (Café Duke’s availability is still subject to the weather) and likely closer to your office than Bann Next Door.

Related:
Pro “Deli” Loses the Bagel, Goes 100% Korean w/ Best New Bi Bim Bap

Thanks again to Luncher ‘hightemp’, who tipped us off yesterday to the news that Pro Hot Korean (on 56th btw. 5+6th) is trying out a Korean taco special this week. After mostly positive Korean taco results from Bann Next Door (on 50th btw. 8+9th) and Cafe Duke (on 51st btw. 6+7th), you can be sure that I’ll continue my well documented obsession with Korean tacos at Pro Hot Korean at some point this week. In the meantime, early adopters let us know how they are in the comments.

Thanks to Lunch’er “Michelle” for passing along this good news…  Pro Hot Korean (on 56th btw. 5+6th) has finally reopened, and only a month later than promised!  According to Michelle it looks exactly the same (except for a cold case behind the hot food area) so we’re not exactly sure what the “renovations” were all about… but either way, we’re glad they’re back.

Related:
Pro “Deli” Loses the Bagel, Goes 100% Korean w/ Best New Bi Bim Bap

Lunch’er Wellerfan checks in to let us know that Pro Hot Korean (on 56th btw. 5+6th) will be closed until April 19th for “emergency repairs to the building”. (Apparently the dry cleaners next door is effected as well.) This is sad news for cheap Korean food lovers on the northern borders of Midtown, although good news for the new “modern” Korean spot on the same block.

Related:
Pro “Deli” Loses the Bagel, Goes 100% Korean w/ Best New Bi Bim Bap
Korean Food @ Pro Hot Bagel (?!?!)

At the peak of the heat last week I reported that Pro Hot Korean (on 56th btw. 5+6th) was now serving naengmyeon, a cold summertime Korean noodle soup- welcome news for anybody who works in the northern part of Midtown and can’t trek to Koreatown for some refreshing cold noodles.  It turns out the version they serve is Bi Bim Naengmyeon, which isn’t a soup at all (like the Japanese hiyashi chuka) but a cold noodle salad mixed with red chile paste, zucchini and apples or asian pear.  Oftentimes it will come with a cold broth on the side and Pro Hot Korean gives you a cup of their “miso” soup, but it was hot so I’m guessing you’re not actually supposed to pour it over the noodles (unless maybe the hot broth gets cooled down by the cold noodles?  I’ll admit, I don’t really know.)

As with anything pre-packaged, and the PHK version of naengmyeon is made in advance, it wasn’t the best thing I had ever had- but it certainly was refreshing and fairly tasty.  They were also serving a kimchee dangmyeon, which is pretty much the same thing (at Pro Hot Korean anyway), but instead of the buckwheat noodles they use the standard Korean glass noodles.  For $2 less ($6.95 instead of $8.95) I think next time I may try the dangmyeon.  Despite using a different noodle, they both looked practically the same from the outside (although the naengmyeon comes with half of a hard boiled egg.)

The best deal is after the jump.  

I didn’t notice this until afterwards, but for the same price as the naengmyeon ($8.95), you can get kalbi ribs, with rice and some of the korean cold noodles on the side.  I’m not sure which of the two noodles it was (although I’m guessing it was the cheaper kimchee version), but either way- I’m all about variety, so next time I’m craving cold noodles, I think it will be the galbi rib box for me.

Pro Hot Korean, 62 W. 56th St. (btw. 5+6th) 212-397-9104

It’s freakin’ hot as shit outside (can I say that?)  That means Japanese Ramen places are rolling out the cold noodles.  I’m pretty sure Menchanko Tei (55th btw. 5+6th & 45th btw. Lex+3rd) always has Hiyashi Chuka on their menu, but Men Kui Tei (56th btw. 5+6th) and Sapporo (49th btw. 6+7th) only serve it in the summer time.  And I think it’s pretty safe to say… it’s summertime.  (I called to confirm… all three restaurants are serving it.

But the most exciting news is after the jump…

Korean cold noodles are finally available in Midtown!  Pro Hot Korean on 56th btw. 5+6th is serving Naeng Myeon, the Korean version of Hiyashi Chuka.  I haven’t tried them yet, but if it’s as good as their dolsot bi bim bap, it should be good enough!

Got any other suggestions for cold noodles?  Or good summertime dishes?  Post them as comments below…

There is a long line of pre-made bentos along the right wall, or you can go up to the front and order your food fresh off a menu, that includes an assortment of Korean meat dishes, a few stews, and Korean style ramen soups.   The new-found popularity has created turnover that insures a much fresher bento then a year ago, and the selection is great.

But the real stand-out of the menu is the $9.50 Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap (Korean rice dish, served in a hot stone bowl).  Confused as to how a fast food, take out style Korean place could do Bi Bim Bap served in a hot stone pot for under $10, I had to check it out.  Hot stone Korean rice porn, after the jump…

Even though Pro Korean is mostly take out, there is a row of 5-6 tables along the left hand wall, and not surprisingly the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap is best enjoyed there.  Order it at the front counter to stay, and depending on the size of the crowd, you’ll wait anywhere from 5-20 minutes for them to prepare it.  While many delis carry a standard bi bim bap now (boiled rice with Korean vegetables and meat), the beauty of the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap is how the hot stone pot will sizzle everything that touches it, allowing you to mix up the rice into an almost fried rice-like concoction.  Topped with a freshly cooked sunny side up egg, you break the yolk over the whole thing and mix everything up along with red Korean chili paste. 

By the time you get to the bottom, the rice has crisped up along the sides of bowl, leaving you with delicious bits of crispy rice, or as I like to call them- “the best part of Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap”!  Usually the dish is served in a pretty hefty stone pot, leaving me really curious as to how this small take out deli was going to serve their version, and worried that I wasn’t going to get my crispy rice. 

In retrospect it shouldn’t surprise me that somebody has developed a plastic-like single serving size bowl, that conducts heat well enough to crispy up the rice at the bottom of bi bim bap.  While Korean food here is still somewhat unknown, I should have figured that in Korea they would have needed a way to serve this kind of food in a more cheap, and casual setting… leading to innovations like the bowl I got at Pro Korean.  It wasn’t disposable, and you can’t take it to go, but it was much more portable then the version you’d get at a nice restaurant in Koreatown- and it did the trick.  When I got to the bottom… crispy bits!

Very exciting to get fresh, hot, good Korean food, for under $10, in a fast food setting where you don’t have to leave a tip.  The downside is, the deli has become very popular since becoming 100% Korean, and the tables can fill up very fast.  You can order the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap to go, but they will mix the whole thing up for you, and chances are they are not going to leave it in the stone pot long enough for the rice to crisp up.  So it’s sort of a crap-shoot that you are going to be able to get a table and truly enjoy the dish as intended.

They’ve gotten rid of the sushi bar, but they still fall into the trap suffered by many Asian food purveyors in Midtown, offering teriyaki and a list of udon/soba noodles soups, just in case a Korean food-challenged Midtown worker stumbles in and can’t decipher the menu.  I didn’t try any of it, but with Men Kui Tei right next story, I can’t imagine why anybody would order a Japanese soup from a small take out Korean deli. 

All in all, the crowds tell the story… and if you can manage to get a table (for the fresh dol sot bi bim bap), you can’t go wrong.

THE +

• Cheap, fast food Korean in the 50s (for people who can’t venture down to Koreatown)
• Since the place has gotten more popular the turnover of the pre-made bentos is a little better, so the food is fresher
• They tone down the heat of the dishes for the American palate, but are perfectly happy to make them authentically spicy if you ask.
• If you don’t like pre-made food, you can order everything fresh off the menu.
• They have a hot stone bi bim bap, without having to sit down and order from a waitress!

THE -

• The place can get very busy, and there aren’t a lot of tables.
• When it’s busy, it can also take a lot of time to get freshly ordered food
• You can get better food, for cheaper in Koreatown

Pro Korean, 62 W. 56th St. (btw. 5+6th) 212-397-9104

More Photos Here

For me, the whole thing started with Cafe Duke.  I thought it was so awesome that they had this Korean station inside an otherwise generic Midtown deli.  Then the fried fish cart on 46th started serving Bulgogi, and the Bulgogi Sandwich cart opened on 49th.  A few weeks ago I noticed a sign on Ambrosia, a deli on 45th St., offering Korean food (right next to the sign that touts their awesome Mexican Fiesta food… unfortunately it’s a little too pricey for my tastes).  When I finally stumbled upon Pro Hot Bagel, I realized that something big was happening.

Pro Hot Bagel, a deli on 56th btw. 5+6th has been taken over by Korean & Japanese food.  It started slow when a few months ago they added a small sushi bar to their mammoth list of sandwiches (and bagels).  But recently they have gone all out, adding a Udon/Soba station, that also serves Bento Boxes, Bulgogi Boxes & Bi Bim Bap.

Pictures and a +/- after the jump…

I’m all for a good noodle soup, but considering this place is right next to Men Kui Tei (one of my favorite Japanese Ramen places) I decided to stick to the Korean food.  The Bi Bim Bap was not bad.  For $7.50 you get Spinach, Shredded Carrots, Lettuce, Radish, Shredded Scrambled Egg, a few pieces of Tempura zucchini (???), shredded seaweed and a very small amount of beef.  The red “sauce” they give you on the side was a little too much red bean chili paste, and not enough oil to thin it out- so it made it hard to pour over the food, but I guess it’s a little healthier that way.  They also give you a large thing of white rice, and a free miso soup. 

If you have never had Bi Bim Bap before, the idea is to mix all the stuff they give you with rice and the sauce to form a Korean mixed rice dish.  At nice Korean rice restaurants they have a version that is served in a hot stone pot, so what you get is similar to fried rice when you mix it all together.  It normally has a sunny side up (or over easy) egg on top that you crack all over the dish (delicious!).  Obviously delis like this only serve a cold version, but it is still good- and for me, probably the healthiest thing I would be willing to eat for lunch in Midtown.  (Look at all the vegetables I’m eating Mom!!!)

The Bi Bim Bap is good, and the Bento boxes looked fine, but the real star of the show is definitely the Bulgogi Box.  I realized that despite all my writing about Bulgogi Carts and the such- people still may not know what Bulgogi is.  It is thinly sliced Korean BBQ’d beef.  It’s slightly sweet, and usually cooked with scallions or onions.  Th Pro Hot Bagel version (I’ll never get used to saying that) is on par with the rest of the fast food delis and carts in Midtown, but what makes it special is everything that they give you for your $7.95.  In addition to the Bulgogi (and free Miso soup that comes with everything), you get rice, seaweed salad, two pieces of Tempura sushi, 2 fried pot stickers and a steamed shumai.  I’m a big fan of variety, so this kind of thing gets a huge thumbs up from me.

While I still hold out for a Koreatown style fast food Korean place opening in Midtown, that serves hot, fresh Bi Bim Bap & Bulgogi for super cheap prices- I’m all for this new Korean food taking over Bagel places trend.  Or any Asian food for that matter.  Where’s the Vietnamese food up in this piece?  Is anybody listening…

THE +

• Cheap & Quick Korean & Japanese food
• The Bulgogi Box has a ton of variety (a mix of Korean & Japanese stuff)
• Everything comes with free Miso Soup (and it’s pretty good!  Not that watered down crap you usually get for free.)

THE -

• The Bulgogi is not made fresh like at Cafe Duke or the various carts
• The food is no better or worse then any of the other cheap Korean options… (so it really comes down to which place you are closer to)
• The red sauce you pour over the Bi Bim Bap was too thick to pour (too much Red Bean chili Paste, not enough oil)
• You don’t get a lot of meat in the Bi Bim Bap

Pro Hot Bagel, 62 W. 56th St. (btw. 5+6th) 212-397-9104