Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Danny Ng's, formerly on Pell (now, I believe, on Bowery just below Canal) was serving that pumpkin dish way back when.
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Joe,
Thanks for this - looks great. Have you tried their other menu items, and, if so, what's good or what looks good? To this point, my favorite calzone in the city has been the deep-fried number at Louie and Ernie's. I've also read some raves about the one served up at Lucali's. Looks like these guys have a real contender here. Looking forward to trying it.
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Quote from Henryfan above: "I think that a serious eater should be someone who has a discerning palate, knowledge of flavors and ingredients, and to be genuinely curious in all things food related. A glutton is someone who eats too much per seating."

Nicely put. I also think a serious eater is someone who is willing to go out of their way to try something that sounds interesting, good and/or different, without whining before or after the experience about whether it was worth the trip. If you dig eating, it's always worth the trip.
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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.

Anyone ever try Korean fried chicken?

While in Seoul last December, I ducked into a small joint - one of seemingly hundreds - that specialize in two things: fried chicken and beer. From what I'm told, it's a Sunday afternoon tradition - just hunker down with a whole chicken, a pitcher, and some good friends.

I'm happy to report on two Korean Fried Chicken venues in NYC: Baden Baden, on 32nd Street, and Mani Mani, out on Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. Both recommended. At Mani Mani, you can get two different kinds, glazed or regular. The glazed has a kind of smokiness to it that keeps the mouth watering for days on end. The regular is not bad, gets a little dry on you, but comes with a spicey, tangy sauce that makes up for it.

I wouldn't recommend ordering any of the myriad other items on Mani's menu. Plus, at 15 bucks a pitcher, the beer is overpriced. Baden Baden, overall, is the better restaurant, serving a very tastey looking grilled squid as well. Mani Mani, however, reminded my wife of her college years in Seoul. It is as much a cultural experience as anything else.

Perhaps, in years to come, Korean fried chicken will join the ranks of Dominican and Columbian in terms of opening up the fried chicken experience in NYC.

Right you are, Moth 23 of the Chowhound byways. I've also heard amazing things about some guy who doles Korean street food out of a cart somewhere on the Lower East Side. Having eaten tons of streetfood in Seoul, I'm dying to find this guy. We need more Korean street food in NYC: sweet round pastries shaped like small hubcaps that I like to call "machisoyo burgers", sweet corn, an outer space type version of corn dogs wherein the dog is covered with fries that shoot out in every direction like a fast food version of Sideshow Bob, and, yes, even dixie cups full of worms. We need more food that we avoid looking at while we're eating in NYC.

For that matter, how can any list of cheap eateries in this town be complete without at least giving mention to Mei Lei Wah coffee shop, purveyors of the legendary combination bun filled with chewy goodness, and a cup of coffee bound to set your heart-a-beatin' like a superball in a malfunctioning airvac.