Korean Food USA: Kristalbelli

Kristalbelli

Korean BBQ has gone upscale, and of course New York is the city to add a dazzling touch to a simple concept.

Kristalbelli, the highly buzzed about restaurant opened by J.Y. Park, the South Korean entertainer extraordinaire and producer of K-pop acts such as the Wonder Girls and 2PM, opened its doors to the anticipation of many.

Belly-shaped crystal grills at KristalbelliKristalbelli’s unique belly-shaped crystal grill (also where the restaurant gets its nom de guerre)

Inside the two story building is a restaurant and bar, but what’s really special about Kristalbelli are the belly-shaped grill crystal grills placed at each group table. Infrared heating fires up the grills, using traditional Korean cooking techniques that rely on infrared and crystal to efficiently cook meat. Kristalbelli is now be the first restaurant in the states to use infrared technology.

At the helm of operations is Korean American executive chef David Shim.  He composed menus for a lounge, dinner, dessert, and wine. Each menu item represents his take on traditional Korean dishes.

Lounge Menu Samples

  • Bokbunja steak is a cut served with black raspberry reduction.
  • Kochi is pork belly served with shrimp and asparagus skewers.
  • Twigim is fried sweet potato and burdock.

Dinner Menu Samples

  • Gujeolpan is a “traditional emperor’s cuisine” of thinly sliced veggies and beef served with a crepe.
  • Haemul pajeon is a mixed seafood pancake.
  • Doenjang jjigae is a soybean paste stew with veggies and tofu.
  • Premium wagyu beef is available.

Kristalbelli
8 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
(212)-290-2211
http://www.kristalbelli.com
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[Photo: Kristalbelli]