Elza Fancy Food
“Fellow yelpers seemed to rave about the kuksu soup ($7.50), so choosing that was a no-brainer.”
“the chef is the cashier also, they don't really speak English and the take out menu doesn't have English on it..”
“All the food options are in a glass fridge as soon as you walk and a menu sits on top of it in both Russian and English.”
Elza Fancy Food
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
3 reviews
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I lived in this neighborhood for years and passed by this place everyday without trying it. After moving out decided it was time, and now my one regret in life is not eating here daily when I lived a few blocks away.
This is more of a take out spot, as there are only really two tables two sit at. All the food options are in a glass fridge as soon as you walk and a menu sits on top of it in both Russian and English. The lady behind the counter was very nice and helpful and I think was also the chef of this delicious food.
On to the food,
I have eaten at Russian and Korean restaurants my whole life, but never in my dreams did I think the two could be somehow combined, today I learned they can be.
-Kuksu Soup – Enough to feed 3 people at least. Is a cold soup, served with Vermicelli, Bulgogi Beef, Egg, pickled veggies, and sesame. It was one of the best soups I have had, and was super flavorful and very refreshing.
-Manti – served with sour cream and stuffed with lamb, similar to soup dumplings, and equally delicious
-Bean Sprouts – very refreshing, hint of sesame and some spices, ate the whole container myself in one sitting.
Overall solid, fresh, home style food. Food is unique, and great mix of Korean and Russian style cooking. Very much recommended and excited to come back and try some other things here.
Also they accept credit card and cash of course.
Small eatery with big flavors! Great spot to grab a bite if you're hungry, semi-broke, and don't want Chinese fast food. It's true, English is difficult here but don't worry, they try their very best to accommodate you and your gut.
I've passed by this place for the last 10 years and never gave it a 2nd thought… But after seeing Yelp food pics, I decided to try the ban-chan.. Side dishes cuz I love Korean side dishes! I noted to self: as suggested by many Yelpers, this is a fusion of North Korean & Russian good eats.
I can only speak to the following items I've devoured!
-Bean sprout salad, clean, simple, delicious & different from the South Korean version with no hint of sesame oil flavoring but packs a nice punch with the cilantro and red pepper powder (FYI – Korean red pepper powder is slightly sweet and spicy!).
-Fernbrake salad, I LOVED it! It was very different from the usually mild "salt & sesame oil" of the South, & usually in stew or bibimbaps… This one has intense chili oil, vinegar, red pepper, & salt taste (probably originally preserved in a salted water package. These have to be imported from Korea… The States don't have these wild growing veggie roots here) – it goes really well with a bowl of plain white rice or noodles!
-Cucumber salad, this version was soaked in red pepper & lots of vinegar (possibly apple cider vinegar). It's like pickled but the strong sourness makes you crave some meat to compliment each other.
-Meat & Rice dumplings (don't know the name, the nice lady recommended)… We didn't love it… Bc unlike the side dishes… This one lacked serious flavor… Very bland. It does however come with a red pepper paste as dipping sauce. It is very spicy and not everyone will like this.
Overall, while some items are very pricey (fernbrake salad sets you back $15/lb!!!), definitely worth giving it a go! I heard the cold noodle soup is good but we're Chinese… We tend to like our noodle soup piping hot!
Happy feasting Yelp peeps!