Woo Chon (Korean)
8-10 West 36th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
Manhattan
(212) 695-0676

We first started going to Woo Chon when a good friend of ours -- a native Korean now living in New York -- told us it was the best Korean restaurant in the city. Who were we to argue?

As you enter, observe the waterfall that makes up the front window, and the lush row of plants that line the waiting area inside. The downstairs dining room only holds a few tables, so chances are you will be led up the stone steps to the attractive room on the second floor, which features a parquet ceiling, rustic stone columns, and calligraphy prints on the walls.

Starters
We recommend a glass of OB (Korean beer) or Chong Ho (Korean rice wine, which is served cold) as you peruse the extensive menu, which has English descriptions and photos to help those who are new to Korean cuisine. Woo Chon also offers a selection of Korean vodkas, California and French wines, and a full menu of mixed drinks.

For an appetizer, we like to share an order of Chap Chae, a tasty melange of rice noodles, scallions, julienned carrots, and several kinds of mushrooms. If you are not in the mood for an appetizer, you may want to simply nibble the salad and the other side dishes brought to your table. We especially enjoy the tasty, albeit spicy, kimchee, which is made from pickled cabbage and other vegetables.

Entrees
Our favorite entrees are the marinated beef dishes you barbecue on the grill in the middle of your table. The Galbi Gui (marinated prime rib), for example, is excellent. If you are not a red meat lover, you can also grill fresh chicken or seafood (try the shrimp dish, called Saewo Gui).

Other entree choices include large, steaming bowls of Korean-style buckwheat or white noodles in a hearty broth and "hot pot dishes," which include a mixture of meat and vegetables. Hot Pot Dishes are also cooked at your table.

Dessert
Woo Chon is not the place to go if you like to finish your meal off with a rich, chocolatey dessert. If you like something sweet, we suggest a delicious glass of plum wine or a plate of fresh fruit. Or, if you have indulged in plenty of Korean barbecue with all the trimmings, as we usually do, you may find that you are content with the oranges that accompany your check.

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