-
I am really surprised to read good reviews about Noo Na. I wanted to like Noo Na, I really did. I have been pining for Korean in the 'hood for 13 years now (ever since first arriving in the BK) and so was thrilled to hear of the opening. Sadly though, there was nothing good about our meal at Noo Na.
The sorry excuse for ban chan was just that - sorry. I had to repeatedly ask for more Kimchi bc the serving is so overwhelmingly tiny. The mandu was ice cold and tasted like store bought mandu you can find in the frozen section. Not good. The bulgogi, while palatable, was too sweet and did not taste authentic. The rice serving was too small and also cold. My husband's bibimbap was underwhelming, had too much sesame oil and if you want the egg on top it is $2 extra. Someone said this place is over-Americanized and under-spiced. Exactly true. Not enjoyable at all.
Also, the service was unfriendly, unknowledgeable and unaware. (I asked if the soondoboo chigae was good and he had no idea what I was talking about. I pointed to it in the menu and he said he'd never had it. Huh?) The dining room is pretty in a minimalist way but other than that, Noo Na fails big time. Dang.
›1 Reply-
re: giveitsomeseoul
Been in the neighborhood and finally made it to Noo Na. I live a bit further over and find myself sticking to the tried and true Jamican and Trini food available in the neighborhood. I couldn't have been happier that I finally made it.
I'd already had a bottle of wine with a friend by the time I got there. A bottle of Western Cape made of three different grapes I think - delicious and cheap. Noo na hit the spot. I tried the sesame pancake, the mandoo and the kimchee and beef soup. I wasn't disappointed by any piece of the pie. The dumplings stood out above the rest due to the tofu preparation. Tofu can be so bland, but they did that special thing that some restaurants are known to do and imbued it with a level of nutiness that brought the dumplings to another level. I frequent Mandoo in the city, and while these aren't the same kind of dumplings, I'd say they are comparable on a taste level. Both places are written about at whorebivore.com Check the reviews and form your own opinions. Better yet, eat at them.
The best part about the place, they serve Dragon Stout. For the uninitiated, it's a stout out of Jamica that'll knock your socks off.
-
-
We had a quick dinner here mid-week. It is still BYOB.
We shared the beef bulgogi and pork hot stone bibimbap. I am accustomed to having a fried egg with my bibimbap. When I inquired, I was told that it's not traditional when there is meat in the bibimbap. The waitress offered to bring me a fried egg but I decided to try the dish they way they serve it. It was tasty, but I missed the egg. The bulgogi looked a bit like beef fajitas when it was presented, but then again, I've never had it prepared by a kitchen, so this may be the way most restaurants present it. I've always grilled my own. It was tasty and fresh with lots of sauteed onions and mushrooms. The panchan had the same selection as mentioned by Pitu and the serving was a bit sparse. The room is dark, attractive, clean and comfortable and the service was professional.
I will visit Noo Na again. It's not destination dining, but it's definitely a good neighborhood place. I am excited to have Korean food within walking distance from my apartment.
-
-
-
pitu
Sep 17, 2006 11:50 AM
It's pretty good - GREAT addition to the neighborhood.
I had soon dabu jigae (soft tofu/seafood stew) that was deeelish. Not as utterly sublime (or as much seafood) as I'd have in one of the palaces in Queens, but really great considering I can walk home afterwards. Hot stone bibimbap was respectable, avail with spicey squid or beef. Seafood pancake, also a respectable rendering. It's a pretty room, plain and Nice. No liquor license yet, so BYOB. No tableside BBQs, but they do the beef, pork and mackerel in the kitchen in that style. And since most places are gas grills anyway, I fail to see what difference that makes outside of party atmosphere.
Banchan was kimchi, pickled daikon, seaweed salad, and dried fishies, all tasty.So, all in all it won't keep you from making a pilgrimage elsewhere but it's going to make alot of Brooklyn residents very happy. YEAH!
