Jungsik

Jungsik is a two Michelin star contemporary Korean restaurant in Tribeca. I got to try some dishes from the restaurant's $150 course and it was the most pleasing experience to both the eye and mouth.  

Korean food is considered the trend in New York and other big cities, with many restaurants offering "Korean-style" chicken or other fusion foods. While in New York, there are many places that do offer authentic Korean cuisine, Jungsik puts an innovative touch to Korean dishes, offering New Yorkers a delightful experience to try their unique menu. 

Jungsik is considered a contemporary, fusion restaurant. They offer course meals which range from $100-$200. It is definitely not a common, daily experience to eat here, but their beautiful dishes live up to the price. Each dish is inspired by a Korean dish, such as Kimbap or Kalbi, but definitely nothing you've ever seen on the streets of Seoul. 

I got to try the octopus, kimbap, and kalbi. One juicy piece of octopus leg came out on a dish and as soon as I bit into it, it melted in my mouth. Fried octopus is common fast food in Korea (usually ten or more pieces, not one), but Jungsik's octopus was completely different. I was amazed how such a common, fast food could be reinvented into a high quality dish.

Kimbap is also a popular fast food and one of the most loved Korean dishes. At the specialty kimbap places in Korea, they make the kimbap and roll it up in foil in less than two minutes. It's the best type of food to eat while you're on the go. Jungsik's kimbap felt and tasted completely different. The outside was a bit fried and was as flavorful as the octopus.

The dessert is also on another level. Like I said before, every dish is a piece of art that pleases both the eye and the mouth. I got to try the Baby Banana, which was basically a banana and a scoop of ice cream on a dish. The surprise was that the banana was the dessert itself, not an actual fruit. It was a white chocolate cake made to look exactly like a banana, with the most delicate detailing. 

Jungsik shows fusion cuisine at its best. Ultimately, it's not about whether the authentic or the fusion style is "better." You can't say which is better, the authentic Korean-style octopus leg or kimbap, or Jungsik's re-invented fusion style dishes. Sometimes you crave the simple, homemade taste while sometimes you crave an upscale dish made with high-quality ingredients. Jungsik takes Korean ingredients and recreates a dish that has the familiar Korean taste but is also new, surprising, and innovative. When done well, fusion can invite more people to appreciate a cuisine and learn its stories and culture. 

 

Supermoon Bakehouse

Croissants, donuts, cruffins. This newly-opened bakery is the ultimate temptation for the sweets lover. The cute little store is also a hype and attraction due to its modern, hip interior design. 

Ever since the introduction of cronuts by Dominique Ansel Bakery, baked goods are becoming more and more innovative. While the plain donut or croissant are good on their own, why just have one when you can indulge in a high-calorie, overly (perfectly) sweet combination of your favorite desserts? The cruffin became the new cronut, a creation of Mr. Holmes Bakehouse (locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seoul).

Supermoon Bakehouse was newly opened in New York, founded by the co-founder of Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. At Supermoon Bakehouse, you can choose among a variety of flavors of croissants, donuts, and cruffins. Their flavors change often, so you can expect a surprise every time you go. Banana Split Sundae, Matcha and Lemon, and Ferrero Rocher are just some of the croissant flavors. They also have savory croissants such as Ham and Cheese and the New York Croissant, which comes with lox and cream cheese. Hey, croissants go well with everything.

The marketing and design of this bakery are done very well. When you walk in, there is a long display counter with beautiful croissants laid out in a single line. The baked goods aren't behind a glass window like most bakeries, but you get to see each one and when you order, they bring them out from the back.

The walls also have cute neon lights and everyone awkwardly waits, hoping to get the table with the best background for the Instagram photo (I did this). Their to-go boxes are also cute and super shiny. Basically, everything about this bakery is a dessert dream come true. 

As long as you aren't on a diet and live in New York, it is definitely worth it to visit and try a different flavor for each day of the week.