I am a huge fan of K-food, whether authentic or Indianised. The various bursts of flavours and the uniqueness of the dishes are treats for my taste buds. From watching our fave K-drama actors munching on the street-side corn dogs and other bites to enjoying Korean food sitting in Calcutta, we’ve come a long way. Among the many places we’ve visited over the last few months, I liked the simplicity of Korean Street, a small Korean street food shop located at Lords More in Jodhpur Gardens Colony. Despite having very limited space and few seating options available, they maintain hygiene and the food is very tasty.
“Calcutta is buzzing with K-trends at this point. People have a growing interest in K-food, K-drama, K-pop music and dance, K-styles, and the list goes on. My 12-year-old daughter, who’s a huge fan of everything South Korean, inspired me to open this shop. I planned for a year to do it and I had zero knowledge about Korean food and ingredients. Then I got in touch with my friend from Korea, Joseph Cho and his wife, who live in Calcutta and handle an export business of K-cosmetics. He and his wife taught me how to make Korean food, techniques, all about the ingredients, and how to make a proper Korean sauce. I also watched a lot of videos online and practised and finally after a year, it bore fruits in the form of Korean Street. We want to serve authentic Korean cuisine at an affordable price by keeping a nominal profit range so that people can enjoy the food in the City of Joy. I want to introduce many more Korean foods at our shop and expand franchises in north Calcutta,” said owner Sweta Saha.
t2 tasted some quick bites at Korean Street. Here are our picks:
t2 PICKS
Tantanmen Ramen: A wholesome bowl with minced meat, veggies like mushrooms, boiled egg, spices and sesame seeds. Their in-house sauce tastes finger-licking good! Rs 250 (veg) + Rs 20 for egg / Rs 60 for chicken.
Chibap: Hidden under a layer of fried egg, you’ll discover a bowl full of Korean sticky rice served with meat. It’s the perfect lunch you can lay your hands on. Rs 229.
Korean Corn Dog (with ramen layer): This staple Korean street food has a crunchy taste. Fillings include a chicken sausage wrapped in mozzarella cheese. It’s deep-fried, with some gochugaru sprinkled over it and coated in crunchy fried ramen, which adds crispness to it. Dressed with mayonnaise and ketchup, this dish is a go-to favourite at Korean Street. Rs 129
Korean Cheesecake: Creamy, cheesy and super tasty, this delectable dessert is a must-try. Rs 140
Sweta Saha, owner of Korean Street
What: Korean Street
Where: 194, Jodhpur Gardens, Jodhpur Colony, Lords More, Lake Gardens
Timings: 1.30pm to 10.30pm (Monday to Thursday) and 1.30pm to 11pm (Friday to Sunday)
Cost for two: Rs 500 (approx)