Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

No hesitation: Char Kwe Teow, all the way.
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Give the deep-fried pineapple a try sometime. They're almost as good as the deep-fried banana used to be.

The stumps weren't there back in the day. They replaced the counter seating and the gray, scrawny cat.

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Bownie, a Sri Lankan crawlspace in Flushing. It has been championed by a dedicated few, myself included, but nothing doing. It's remained off the radar. Even with the much-ballyhooed Southern Spice having opened up across the street, Bownie still doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Perhaps, though, if I win a free book in its' name, Bownie will finally be put over.
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Nam Wah, on Doyer's, is NYC Chinatown's oldest surviving dim sum parlor. Don't know if they ever had a reputation for excellent food, but they certainly don't now. To be fair, they are now known for selling almond cookies and tea.

We had dim sum there some years back, and really enjoyed the laid back, somewhat surreal, old-school vibe. It was a late Saturday morning, we were the only customers, and everything, including the waitstaff, seemed to be moving in slow motion. The food, your basic dim sum cart staples (dumplings, buns, etc.), was very greasy. You're likely to have much better dim sum elsewhere in the neighborhood. If you have to try the dim sum, so be it. What I'd recommend is eating at another venue, then hitting om Nom Wah for some tea and cookies. You won't be rushed; I still pass by all the time and never see anyone in there.
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Some constructive criticism here, which I hope you will take in the spirit in which it is given.

Having read your posts on this site, I'll start by saying that your enthusiasm and thoughtfulness regarding food is wonderful, all of which informs your incredible photographs. When I read that you'd been in Seoul for a few days, and were being taken around for a whirlwind eat-tour by fellow gastronomic enthusiasts, I looked forward to your reports.

Kudos to you on the dukboki stand post. On my next trip to Seoul - my wife has family there - I'd like to to hit it. This is exactly the type of streetfood that puts the "soul" in Seoul. Perhaps more such dispatches are forthcoming from you - I look forward to reading them.

That said, so far, the three other posts I've read have been about pizza, donuts and burgers. I realize that these are all about Korean takes on American fast food, but I would never recommend that, given less than a week in Seoul, people should seek out Mr. Donuts or Lotte Burger. The street food choices alone in this city are dizzying, not to mention bbq, out-of-the-way noodle and seafood joints as well as fried chicken stands, all far more unique to Korea than ubiquitous fast food chains. You can get surreal treats like corn dogs covered with french fries on a stick, absolutely delicious pancake-like pastries called hot-tuk, heartwarming roasted yams hot and wrapped in foil. If you're adventurous, you can step it up with a cup of marinated silkworms. Again, if you sampled more stuff along these lines, I look forward to reading your reports.

It's my opinion that posting about fast food chains is, in general, not about "serious" eating. It is not completely without it's cultural significance, no, and you might even have a tasty bite or two, but, compared to what else is out there, there's nothing particularly adventurous or unique about it. If you were in stripmall, USA, that would be one thing. But this is Seoul we're talking about.

Again, just my opinion. Don't take it the wrong way; your reports in general have made the blogosphere a happier place.
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I have my own name for these treats: MachisoyoBurgers. As in delicious.

I like them so much, that I can even get hooked on the ones you can get in the freezers at H-Mart. To date, the best I've had have been from street stalls in Seoul, but the mix is also sold at H-Mart, and, fried up at home and topped with some vanilla ice cream, they're a force to be reckoned with.

Thanks for the tip.
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Mei Li Wah Bakery, Manhattan's Chinatown (formerly Mei Lei Wah Coffee Shop: purveyors of the best coconut bun in town, and the city's most underrated dim sum)
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Long ago and far away, when Chickpea was still Chickpea and all was well with the world, they served up a delicious version of the Sabich called the Chickplant, on their fluffy and warm, homemade pita. I realize this is no help to anybody right about now, but I loved that sandwich enough to want to try other versions.

Taim awaits. Thanks for the report.
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Have been to Shopsin's a few times. Got in, got out, had good to very good meals, was treated well and was left alone, which is how I like it. All the while, Senior Shopsin is holding court to his devoted minions, spouting off assorted nonsense, a lot of it having to do with French and Asians, clearly getting off on the hold he has on some people.

My take on the food is that it's fine, often better than that. And he's definitely a memorable NYC character, admirably serious about and dedicated to good food.

But I refuse to go along with the idea that his acceptance and/or rejection of a specific customer - ie whether or not you merit service - is some kind of litmus test of an individual's character. That notion, to me, is ridiculous. It's as if the people who have survived to pay the check have passed some kind of test. It's his place; he can toss whoever he wants, fine. That doesn't necessarily mean, however, that his BS meter is always on target.
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The original Dupar's, in LA. Best pies I've ever had.

Thanks for the photos, Tina. Although I found the dim sum at Chatham to be hit or miss, I found that I liked the place much better when I sat up at the counter. Great atmosphere. Your photos make me want to go back and try the pork buns.

I would like to throw Congee Village into the pot here - have yet to try anything there that I didn't like. Fantastic casseroles and chicken dishes. Also, the Hong Kong fare from XO Kitchen on Hester, especially the meatball congee, enough to feed two, and any of their cheese-topped selections.

The "Bing Lady", with two locations, the original in Flushing and a brand spanking new one on West 3rd, sells lots of tasty bings (chinese sesame pastries - at least 15 different fillings) and buns, some of which clock in at a buck. Don't quote me on this, but some of her items might even be a little bit less(!).

Of course, Ed, if items that cost less than a dollar qualify for your list, then I would be lax if I didn't mention the roast pork bun at Mei Lei Wah, which drains the pockets to the tune of a whopping 60 cents.