First an apology.
I am sorry for my extended absence!.... but low and behold, ForkNewYork is back, and better than ever.
…and to celebrate my return, I give you one of the most incredible meals (and dining experiences) in New York….. the Bo Ssäm at Momofufu Ssäm Bar.
If you are a New Yorker and food lover, the word Momofufu is respected and well known. This is the empire of extraordinary restaurants by Chef David Chang, who has single-handedly infused his own Korean inspired flavors into the NYC restaurant scene in spectacular fashion. Don’t believe me? Try scoring at seat at his 12-seat only Momofufu Ko.All of his venues are terrific, but in my opinion, the meal of the year is in fact the Bo Ssam at the quirky and delightful Momofufu Ssäm Bar.
What is it? Are you ready?
Once you make the reservation for 6 or more, and are seated, it comes to the table…..
A massive (and I mean gigantic) slow cooked Neiman Ranch pork shoulder rubbed in brown sugar and kosher salt that literally melts when you touch it with your tongs (there is Korean taco making going on here). We had a party of 6 and couldn’t finish half of it. Tender, falling apart, juicy pork.
On the side? A dozen small raw oysters (some include this inside the taco…. me, not so much), 2 bowls of hot, sticky white rice, 2 bowls of beautifully prepared bibb lettuce, ssäm jiang (an addictive korean bbq sauce), spicy kimchi and ginger scallion sauce. Oh. My. God.
If you are thinking the table was jammed and this was a feast of epic proportions, you would be correct. Our only mistake was ordering the pork bun appetizer (incredibly delicious and legendary) beforehand… not fully appreciating how large the Bo Ssäm feat would be. Lesson learned.
There is something magical to Korean dishes that I have been trying to put my finger on for years, but somehow just can’t. I don’t know if it the freshness of the raw ingredients mixed with savory meats… or the infusion of fish and shellfish into non-traditional pairings….or is it the sweet and spicy way that the flavors come together as if they were naturally meant to be married? What ever the answer, I always love eating this food and can appreciate the simple yet complex nature of these flavors. Terrific.
As amazing as the Bo Ssäm meal was, there was room for a taste of dessert, which was also wonderful… (if not a bit overly ambitious by the kitchen). On my recommendation, skip desert at the table and walk around back to the Momofufu Milk Bar and indulge in Blueberry and Cream cookies and espresso. And get a corn cookie. And a slice of crack pie. (I kinda lost control)
And so my dear friends and blog followers, with a flash I return to my beloved ForkNewYork with a meal you must experience to appreciate… the Bo Ssäm at Momofufu Ssäm Bar. I can’t think of a better way of spending a Sunday afternoon with friends.
Did I mention that they cook you a big ass pork shoulder?
Momofufu Ssäm Bar
207 2nd ave. nyc 10003 | corner of 13th + second
ssäm bar hours of operation
lunch
every day / 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
dinner
sun – thurs / 5 pm – midnight
fri + sat / 5 pm – 2 am
Reservations:
http://www.momofuku.com/ssam-bar/
