Midtown Lunch

Get ready to hear some new voices on ML Philly as we are going to be getting reports from a new correspondent each week. Today, we are getting a report from this week’s profiled luncher Stephanie. Looks like its battle of the bentos on 15th and Locust with Miga and Shiroi Hana across the street from each other. Let us know your preference in the comments!

Having grown up in LA by way of NY, I tend to be picky about my Korean food. In the four years that I’ve spend in Philly, I’ve nearly exhausted all of my Korean options in the city, my palate jaded. But finally, after nearly months of stellar recommendations from fellow foodies and rush-hour-shuffling past Miga’s signage on 15^th and Locust, I finally stopped by the restaurant to see what was in store for lunch!

Miga’s lunch menu is respectable, offering an assortment of Japanese fare alongside traditionally Korean dishes. Most of the choices were under $15, which can be considered a little pricey at lunchtime. The restaurant was also running bimbimbop specials starting at $7.95, but my taste buds salivated at the thought of beef bulgogi, or marinated sliced rib eye – a tempting offer at $11 as it came in a lunch box with a variety of accompanying sides.

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Today, Nick from My Inner Fatty is a giving us another report on Korean food in University City. Click ahead, his gorgeous food porn photos make me feel like I am eating with him!

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I just got to sample the pork version of Giwa’s new Korean style tacos that they will start offering this week. Giwa’s management is still unsure about when they will offer it, but when I asked if they would include it during lunch time if people request it, they assured me that was a likely possibility. And they should- it’s a great snack at any time of day.

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Today, Nick from My Inner Fatty is a giving us report on the Koja truck in University City, which is perfect since today is Chuseok- the Korean Harvest Festival.

Perhaps it’s the smell of garlic soy that wafts from the ventilation of the truck as you walk by, or maybe it’s the consistent crowd that gathers around lunchtime, but in truth, I would be lying if I didn’t admit what drew me to the Koja truck was the kick ass mural they have plastered all over the sides.  Yes, I decided to eat here for the extremely trivial, and arguably dumb, reason of it looking awesome.  Luckily, they’re more than just a pretty face, there’s some culinary substance hidden inside those colorful walls.

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What is the deal with the Bellevue Food Court? Is it worth checking out? Is it overpriced garbage or might there be some hidden gems? I had to find out. I bravely entered the Bellevue and made my way down the escalator having no idea where I would end up.  Then I saw Yunique Noodle House and I was back in my comfort zone. They have a mostly Korean menu, but they serve both Pho (Vietnamese soup) and Ramen (Japanese soup)…  this could be a bad sign or something great.

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For  limited time, Miga is doing a $7.95 lunch box to celebrate their 1 year anniversary. It looks like it comes with a lot of goodies. Check it out.

I ordered from Pastoral, a neighborhood Korean place, because I wanted jajungmien, a Korean brown noodle dish that is one of my favorites. Once on the phone with Pastoral, I was told they do not make it anymore. Wah! Then I asked about their lunch specials. Nope, not doing them until September (does that make any sense?) Finally, I decided on veggie jap chae, which was listed as $9 on Menupages. But apparently, you can’t trust everything on the internets these days.

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