Mandu is a favorite thing of mine.. the Korean dumpling often stuffed with veges, pork or beef are awesome steamed or fried and dipped in soy sauce. Now I have another Mandu I’ll keep in mind whenever I get the craving for Korean in DC. The family-run restaurant on K Street is just awesome. This is the Lee family’s newest location and actually boasts extra items you won’t find on the menu elsewhere. It’s a fab spot for lunch throughout the week and has a dinner menu too.  Joining me for lunch was my little sis Jenny Kim and Korean food lover Flounder aka DJ Flounder from DC101. We had an absolute blast and started off with Hobak Jeon (zucchini fried in egg and flour) and of course mandu.

As for our meals we decided to teach Flounder (who has some mad chopsticks skills) how to eat one of our favorites: Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap. Think rice bowl, tons of vegetables, beef and hot paste served in a scolding hot stone bowl. There’s a raw egg on top and the idea is you mix it all together, adding in the hot paste allowing the stone bowl to fry the rice and cook the egg before your eyes. Jenny Kim got the same thing while I opted for spicy soup called Kimchi Jigae.

I spoke with Mrs. Lee who is called “Mama Lee” in the kitchen and she told me how she moved to DC in 1974. She started the restaurant on her own and has since been able to open up this second location on K Street with the help of her son Danny and daughter. She says whenever she’s at one of the restaurants you will always find her in the kitchen.. either cooking or supervising.

I could tell our meal had an oma touch (oma is mom in Korean). The food tasted very authentic.. just like my mom Chin would make.  In addition to great bites.. there’s an awesome bar and whole upstairs level for more dining.

The deets:

Location: 453 K Street, NW DC, Parking: Metered parking, paid lot on K Street or Parking Garage on I Street

Average app: $7 Average meal: $12

We show Flounder how to eat Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap