Authentic Korean Food at this Brickell Hidden Gem
And you can barely hear the rented Lambos
Gangnam, it turns out, is not a style. It’s a neighborhood in Seoul that means “South of the river,” a trendy, hip, densely-populated urban enclave south of the major river running through the city. Sound familiar? I can only assume it’s packed with guys revving rented Lambos and wannabe K-pop stars livestreaming their dinner.
So Gangnam, the name of a hidden Brickell Korean spot a few doors down from Better Days, carries a double meaning. Sure, people know the name from the K-pop video that was inescapable in 2012. But beyond its name recognition Gangnam is the lone spot south of Broward where you can find casual, affordable, authentic Korean food. And in endlessly in-your-face Brickell, it somehow flies under the radar.
Only place for Korean food? What about Cote, Gyu-kaku, and the 65 Korean fried chicken places that opened last year?
Ok, yes, technically those spots all serve Korean food. But they serve a specific kind of Korean food – namely Korean barbecue and Korean fried chicken. And sure, you can find a bibimbap bowl on the menu at Cuban restaurants if you look hard enough. But unless you’re venturing up to a Broward County strip mall, you’re not finding a full menu of Korean food anywhere in Miami-Dade, which is where Gangnam comes in.
The scene: Feels like someone took a hole-in-the-mall from Plantation and stuck it two blocks off Brickell Ave. Inside, ingredients are stocked next to a handful of tables, with K-pop on TV (the owner’s son is an aspiring K-Pop star) and mostly Korean guests enjoying their food. Outside, you’ll find Korean barrel tables with steel tops, and the odd outdoor dining area in Brickell that doesn’t come with car engines and live streamers. It is, dare I say, pleasant, and a welcomed change from everything else in the neighborhood.
What to eat and drink: The Bibimbap bowls are spectacular, just make sure to mix all the ingredients up before taking a bite as the mix of meat, egg, veggie and sauce flavors is the point of the dish. The La Galbi La ribs are the best among the entrees, an sizzling platter of beef ribs marinated in Korean spices. The kimchi is good, though it’s not much different than what you’d find in Asian markets. Try the Kimchi Jeon, essentially fried kimchi pancakes, for a little something different.
Gangnam has a big cooler of Koren beers, which are your traditional mix of Asian lagers that are especially refreshing next to the spicy food. For the most authentic experience, get a bottle of Makgeolli, a fermented rice wine served in copper cups.
Don’t miss: The copper cups with the Makgeolli. My guess is they won’t last long given people’s penchants for pocketing interesting drinkware.
Perfect for: Casual dinner in Brickell; Delivery
Expect to pay: $40-50 per person
How’s the parking: Nonexistant. You’re gonna need to walk or take the Metro Mover.
@gangnamkfood // 35 SE 6th St. #105, Brickell