Korean Shaved Ice at Cafe Milan

January 5, 2016

There aren’t many places to get bingsoo (Korean shaved ice) around Koreatown San Jose. But when I do, I resort to Cafe Milan. Other cafes, including Tous Les Jours, serve bingsoo during warmer months. Cafe Milan sells this icy dessert all year long. They dub it as “snow ice.”

Next to the popular Korean restaurant Jang Su Jang—featured in Kingdom Koreatown episode 5—is the Lawrence Plaza Food Court. And that is where Cafe Milan resides with its amusingly ghetto chairs. The fairest of them all? The VIP couch with slashes. Looks like some dude who ate one too many beans and sat here. He laid a very loud rip.

The VIP couch exudes “fancy antique.” The kind commonly seen in Korean dramas. My grandmother used to have a couch like that. In sentimental thought, I ignore the eye sore and have a seat.

There are diverse types of furnishing. Feeling outdoorsy? Black metal patio chairs are here for you. Craving Mies Van Der Rohe? Yup. They’ve got a knock-off version of the knock-off of his design. If you prefer simple, go for the cushioned cubes. So many options! Your rear will never get bored.

How did they gather this random mix of chairs? I’ll leave it to your imagination. Something to think about while your bingsoo is being prepared.

Mommy Oh and I order the Black Sesame Bingsoo for $10. When I was in elementary school, bingsoo used to cost $5! It’s certainly cheaper to make it at home, but does your home provide an antique couch with an epic rip in it? Nopers! If so, I cordially invite you to invite me over to sit on your VIP seat.

The Black Sesame Bingsoo doesn’t taste much of black sesame. The ingredient that takes the spotlight: sweet red bean paste. The bowl also comes with sliced almonds and mochi. A delightful combo of ingredients. Their ratio could use some tampering. More black sesame seed powder, please! On the menu, the Black Sesame Bingsoo is depicted with a pile of that magical black powder. The bingsoo served in reality had only sprinkles of it. Don’t be shy. Pour on that magic, baby!

Cafe Milan serves 15 types of bingsoo. For larger groups, challenge yourself with the Titanic. It comes with handfuls of various fruit and serves five to ten people. Eat Your Green is ironic. It sounds like a nutritious spin on shaved ice using strictly fruits and vegetables. Naw, it received its name due to the ingredients’ color: green. Eat Your Green contains green tea ice, honeydew, mochi, chocolate syrup, green tea and ice cream. Not healthy, but sounds yummy.

For those needing to warm up after the icy dessert, order coffee and tea. Or get some organic ice cream. They sell Italian sodas as well.

*Looking towards Cafe Milan from the Lawrence Plaza Food Court.*

In previous visits, the workers consisted of young boys and girls in their early twenties. When filming the latest Kingdom Koreatown, there was only one middle-aged man. He appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent. Initially my mother and I thought Cafe Milan was closed. As we walked up to the counter, we saw the man sitting behind its corner. Peekaboo! He must like to play hide-and-seek.

I continue my search to find the best bingsoo in Koreatown San Jose. Having been spoiled by drool-worthy bingsoo in Seoul, perhaps I won’t be able to fulfill my craving until my next trip to South Korea. Bingsoo chains have been flocking over to Koreatown LA. Maybe that’s where I’m heading for the next episode of Kingdom Koreatown. Hint hint. Catch ya next Wednesday!

Cafe Milan
(408) 261-1151
3561 El Camino Real Ste 99
Santa Clara, CA 95051

Steamed Pork Wraps at Jang Su Jang

December 29, 2015

Where in the world does one get a pink taco; its wrap made of thinly-sliced radish soaked in beet juice? Inside, a slice of steamed pork topped off with yet more boldly-red, pickled radish and fermented shrimp await to enter your mouth. In terms of shape they may resemble Mexican tacos.

Korean pink tacos are smaller in comparison. You combine the ingredients yourself at the dining table. Their proper name? Bossam (보쌈). And they aren't always pink. Thinly-sliced white radish, napa cabbage and sesame leaves are also used as wraps.

In Koreatown San Jose, you can enjoy Bossam at Jang Su Jang. This joint offers an extensive list of classic Korean dishes and have some of the best Japchae I have munched on in the neighborhood.

*Japchae. Korean glass noodles stir-fried in sesame oil with carrots, green onions, onions, and spinach.*

*Eight types of side dishes served on our visit. Unlimited refills just like any other Korean restaurant.*

*Pickled Squid. Even after fifty chews, this stubborn creature holds its atoms together quite well.*

My mother and I agree the Korean Parsley side dish is our favorite as it isn't salty nor spicy. It possesses a perfect amount of seasoning. We find the side dishes in Koreatown San Jose tend to be prepared too sweetly, so we appreciate when there's minimal sugar.

We order one serving of the Bossam Jungsik (보쌈정식). As petite females, you can make two servings out of it! Wow. It's like a buy one get one free deal.

*My mother putting together her Steamed Pork Wrap.*

The Bossam How-To:

Grab a slice of radish or given type of leaf. We were given napa cabbage leaves at Jang Su Jang, along with pink and white radish.
Place a slice of steamed pork in the middle of your veggie wrap. With love. Maybe even sing it a lullaby while you're at it.
Put pieces of other available goodies on that baby! In our case, boldly-red seasoned radish and seeded jalapeño.
That's not all. On top of those toppings, add a dab of fermented shrimp.
Fold the wrap in half and stuff it into your mouth.
Chew. Absorb the flavors and crunchy sound waves.
Repeat steps 1 through 7.

To balance out the protein, my mother and I order the not-so-interesting Dotolee Yachaeguksoo (도토리야채국수). These acorn noodles tossed with vegetables and soy sauce dressing are not too tasty, but are functional. The greens serve as an intermission from them pork slices.

*My mother mixing up the salad ingredients.*

*Dotolee Yachaeguksoo split into smaller plates.*

Jang Su Jang is said to be one of the more popular Korean restaurants in Koreatown San Jose. No worries if you have to wait. Kpop music videos play on two television screens in the lobby to help pass the time.

*When driving into the Lawrence Plaza, watch out for those red letters.*

Jang Su Jang (featured)
3561 El Camino Real
Ste 10
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website

Jang Su Jang (2nd location)
269 W Calaveras Blvd
Milpitas, CA 95035
Website

Bibimbap Grilled Eel & Yukgaejang at Chungdam

December 16, 2015

Chungdam is a district in the affluent Gangnam, just south of the Han River in Seoul. It's home to CUBE Entertainment and other neighboring Kpop companies including JYP and SM Entertainment.

In San Jose Koreatown, Chungdam is a restaurant adjacent to Motel 6. Its shell was once home to a Carrows, the American breakfast chain. Don't judge a book by its cover. The exterior of Chungdam is not an accurate depiction of its inside. The drab storefront is easy to drive by and overlook, however once you've dined at Chungdam, you'll acknowledge its presence every time thereafter.

*Parade of banchan (side dishes) at Chungdam.*

We were one of those typical passersby. Only when my mother's alumni recommended Chungdam did we decide to spotlight it on Kingdom Koreatown.

The minute you step into Chungdam, you discover the dull storefront hasn't been upgraded due to a cunningly calculated strategy to keep the restaurant from getting too popular. Of course, I'm kidding about this being an intentional scheme. Though if they do improve the exterior, Chungdam is sure to draw in longer wait times.

PS: The interior is modern and clean-cut. Far from its dusty 90's exterior.

One would expect a Monday noon to be filled with workers flocking in during their lunch break. But no. Middle-aged Korean housewives dominate the restaurant. They were not eating diet-conscious dishes. They were getting down with the grilled meats, baby! I'm talking about thick slabs of protein. These serious slices look close to an inch tall from the table I sit at.

I order from the Daily Lunch Special menu: Dol Pan Bibimbap with Grilled Eel (장어 돌판 비빔밥). It is served from Monday through Friday. Mommy Oh opts for the boldly orange-red Yukgaejang (육개장), a spicy Korean beef stew.

A mini parade of banchan (side dishes) is served. Ready or not, we introduce to you:

*Dried shrimp side dish. Hard and crunchy.*

Mommy Oh and I agree that the shiregi side dish is our top favorite. It is reminiscent of tea leaves with a hint of dwenjang.

My second favorite side is the mushroom dish. Little seasoning, allowing the natural mushroom flavor to shine loud and bright as it hits your taste buds.

*Mushroom and onions. Simple and clean.*

The lotus root dish is more enjoyable for its softened crunch than the sweet sauce it is soaked in.

*Lotus root side dish. Softest I've ever had!*

Upon placing our order, I glance through the accompanying smaller menus. What?! They also sell Shiregi Haejanggook (시래기 해장국)? The last time I encountered and enjoyed this Dried Radish Greens Stew was in a back alley of Insadong at Osegyehyang. This soul-enriching meal tastes like dwenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and can be prepared vegan without sacrificing the delicious factor.

Chungdam serves up to 30 bowls of Dried Radish Greens Stew daily. Note to self: I will order this on my next visit and be sure to arrive early well before supply runs out!

*Digging into that boldly orange-red soup*

The boiling bowl of Yukgaejang arrives. The Dol Pan Bibimbap with Grilled Eel then makes a grand entrance with its song of proud sizzle. Pushing my hunger aside, I take a moment to honor the sounds. I breathe in the steam before ravaging.

*Another beauty shot of Bibimbap Grilled Eel*

The grilled eel glistens under the brightly lit table. First bite. Triple S: soft, slippery and sweet.

For flavor I prefer the Yukgaejang. The sauce smothered on the Grilled Eel is slightly sweet. In terms of texture, the Bibimbap Grilled Eel offers contrast. The crispy bed of rice toasted at the bottom of the bowl paired with the soft-in-a-slippery-way eel is a Delight with a capital D.

*Picking at the toasted layer of white rice from Bibimbap Grilled Eel*

At the end of a proper Korean meal comes the Shikhye, a traditional sweet Korean rice beverage. It is typically milky and contains bloated pieces of white rice.

The shikhye served at Chungdam, at least during our visit, has a unique spin: the addition of pumpkin. Pulp of this squash plant replaces the usual white rice. Close your eyes and have a sip. It tastes like your average shikhye.

*The damage. Fairly priced considering the ambiance and quality of food.*

Compared to hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurants, Chungdam is pricy. However this joint has a modern interior and clean food. The price is fair and I'm returning!

Chungdam
(408) 246-1208
3180 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Website: http://chungdamsv.com/

Blog

Korean Shaved Ice at Cafe Milan

Steamed Pork Wraps at Jang Su Jang

Bibimbap Grilled Eel & Yukgaejang at Chungdam