So Moon Nan Jip is a local gem on Palisades Park's Broad Ave. It's been serving up authentic Korean…read morecuisine since the mid-90's. They are conveniently open from 7AM to midnight every day!
They're famous for their traditional charcoal grill BBQ, but if you're not in the mood for that... there's plenty of other options. They have sushi, sashimi, noodles, soups, stir-fry, bibimbap, and many other classic Korean dishes. They also have soju, sake, beer, and wine. It's a bit expensive compared to other places.
We came by on a late weekend (around 11pm) and were seated immediately. They updated their interior, so it's more modern. Very clean. It's not a huge restaurant, so I'm sure it gets busy and crowded during peak times. There's a lot of seating for large groups and a small bar area to the left. Service was pretty standard. All of our food came out very quickly. We did come in an hour before closing time, so it's understandable that the servers felt rushed.
The meal:
*Complimentary Banchan (side dishes) - They were SUPER generous! I could've gotten full off of these alone. We got kimchi, seaweed, broccoli, spicy radish salad, soy-sauce pickled vegetables, potato salad, dried squid, and bone broth soup. All of them were fresh and had varying flavor profiles - spicy, sour, sweet, salty, tangy. Fermented foods are a big part of Korean cuisine, so if you're not used to that... it might be an acquired taste.
*Bibimbap (mixed rice bowl) $18 - An iconic dish known for its colorful presentation! This included white rice topped with vegetables (bean sprouts, spinach, mushrooms, carrots, lettuce, and radish seasoned with garlic+salt+sesame oil), bulgogi (sweet & salty marinated beef), and a fried egg. It was garnished with sesame seeds and seaweed strips. They gave me a bottle of gochujang (hot pepper paste with soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil) to add in that signature sweet and spicy taste. I mixed the ingredients together and took my first spoonful - YUMMM. Lots of different textures and flavors, but mostly savory and spicy. It's only rice, beef, and veggies, but the seasonings and sauces make all the difference.
*Galbitang (spicy short rib soup) $23 - This is a classic Korean soup that always hits the spot! It's comforting, hearty, and nourishing. The broth was deep and savory with just the right kick of spice. The ribs were tender and fell right off the bone. The addition of radish, onions, and garlic enhanced the overall flavor.
We got complimentary slices of watermelon, which were a sweet and refreshing ending to the meal.
Put this place on your list of Korean restaurants to try!