Kum
Gang San
Tom Finkelpearl, Executive Director, Queens Museum
of Art
My
favorite Korean restaurant in New York City is Kum
Gang San in Flushing. First of all, there is free
parking in a lot behind the restaurant. Entering from
the lot you are treated to a large waterfall, a relic
from a former Chinese restaurant on the same site.
Kum Gang San is a large restaurant that is always
bustling with a mostly Korean clientele. The food
is traditional Korean fare including favorites like
Kal Bi (ribs), Bul Go Ki (beef), and Jae Yook Gui
(pork). If you order two or more barbeque dishes,
the wait staff will fire up the grill built into your
table and cook it in front of you. No need to ask
for rare or well done; simply take it off the grill
when you decide it’s ready. There are plenty
of vegetarian dishes including a delicious Jap Chae
noodles, and you can ask for the Bi Bim Bap without
seafood or meat. There is also a nice range of Japanese
dishes including excellent sushi. The kitchen has
experimented a bit with fusion, and I was surprised
to taste cheese in a side dish, but you would be best
off staying with the more traditional dishes. The
prices are on the high end for Flushing; main courses
range from $13.95 to $18.95, but there are inexpensive
lunch specials during the week. When ordering, remember
that a wide range of side dishes automatically come
with Korean meals. While it is busy at the predictable
times, there is seldom a wait. This is a great place
to have a business lunch or a leisurely feast with
the family – not a joint to run in to if you
are in a rush.
Kum Gang San
138-28 Northern Boulevard
(Between Main and Union Streets)
Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 461-0909
Directions: 7 train to Main Street Flushing
Hours: Open 24 hours
