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After relying on Beowan as my usual Korean fix for years, I recently discovered Myung Ga Korean. This place is also in Cherry Hill (NJ) except this place knows how to please picky eaters with multiple restrictions. Low carb? Check. Vegan? No problem. Jain? Sure!
I tried the same dishes I order at every Korean place: tofu soon dobu (tofu stew) and dolsot bibimbap (stone rice bowl). I've tried every Korean dish that can be made vegan and these are my favorites. The dolsot bibimbap was generous with vegetables and had lightly seared cubes of tofu over multi-grain rice. It was heaven. I love purple rice and wished it was more available. The tofu soon dobu was also solid, but I prefer the kimchi over the mushroom tofu stew because of the added flavor. Next time, I'm not ordering two entrees. The dolsot will be plenty- plenty satisfying that is!
What I love most about Myung Ga is that your dietary requests are understood. No dirty looks here. The staff is incredibly hospitable and eager to please.
My non-vegan boyfriend ordrered this massive calamari udon dish that was in a platter the size of a pizza for $16. The prices here are reasonable and the food very plentiful.
When you go vegan, brunch pretty much goes out the window. Let's face it, who wants to eat cereal, oatmeal or fruit when you're out to eat? But, what else is there? I've tried a very hyped vegan brunch place in Philly, and it was utterly disgusting. If you want the name, email me.
Sabrina's is my #1 brunch destination in Philadelphia. It doesn't have many meat-free options, but what it does have is a winner. My ultimate fav is the Grilled Veggie Sandwich on a Sarcone's hoagie roll. I request the sandwich to be made without pesto or cheese. Trust me, you won't miss anything. It comes with a side of sweet potato fries, home fries or regular old french fries. The home fries are delicious and huge with golden crispy edges. I've never tried the french fries...why would I when there is sweet potato? I make sure mine come without the powdered sugar (so unnecessary!) and the fries pictured here were actually very crispy. I avoided the coleslaw completely because the cabbage is always raw and bitter. It's as if I could taste the methane in my mouth. Unfortunately, on this particular day they were out of Sarcone's at the Art Museum location. The sandwich isn't as good on sliced whole grain bread. I have much better luck at the original Sabrina's in the Italian Market, although I frequent both. The 9th Street location is consistent and never fails, while this spot is hit or miss...
I've also tried the tofu scramble which is what you'd expect... kinda bland and kinda soft. I'd rather stick with the perfectly grilled veggies on Sarcone's sesame seed roll. And for the rest of the world that eats everything, there are some amazingly generous and decadent choices like challah french toast, frittatas, breakfast burritos, etc.
Thanks Sabrina's for giving me brunch back! What's even better is that you can order brunch all day long.
Beawon Korean restaurant is in the D&Q Plaza (great bike/ski/swim shop) off Rt. 70 in Cherry Hill. It is my favorite Korean restaurant in the Philly area. Why? Because they understand what vegan means. I've had so many veggie requests in Philly come back with little pieces of beef mixed in or tofu stew with clams or squid sitting at the bottom. Also, the Korean food in Philly is often too sweet or salty. They seem to junk it up like most ethnic cuisine here. No, thank you!
Beawon has a karaoke room in the back and every table can BBQ your own meat if you wish. They changed their menu last year or so which leaves us with fewer vegan options, but there are still two dishes I love.
The Korean waitresses laugh at my face when I order two entrees: as if it's not lady like to eat so much. I can't help it! It's so satisfying, why would I deprive myself? First, I order the tofu soondobu (tofu and cabbage stew) with a vegetarian broth. The waitstaff always look at me with a confused look and say, "kitchen staff don't do that". Stay strong and fight for your veggie broth because they do! They always check with the kitchen and always return with a triumphant, yes. Next, I order the stone bowl bibimbap with egg and beef on the side (for my non-vegan companions). The veggies included are cucumber, carrot, shiitake mushroom, daikon radish, radish, and another kind of mushroom I forgot the name of...
Finally, I add the stew to my bibimbap and voila! A magically delicious combination. The bibimbap is too bland without the soondobu. They instruct you to add this sweet, thick spicy sauce for the rice bowl but as always, it's too sweet, salty and junky for my taste. I prefer adding the stew.
Another bonus is the myriad of little dishes at the beginning of every Korean meal. I only included the vegetables in the photo, there are another 4-5 dishes not pictured. My favorites are the miso soup, watercress and bean sprouts.
After dinner, head to the H-Mart next door for an Asian grocery store that is organized, clean and full of options. You'll see every race in that store buying up Indian spices, Mexican ingredients, and any variety of dumplings you can imagine. Their fruits and veggies are always fresh and cheap to boot. Love it!
There are probably even better Korean places around, but have yet to try. If you know of any please comment! Next on my list is Myung Ga Korean, also in Cherry Hill. This one is slated to be even better... will let you know!
