Korean Express
“I walked in to order, got a dook mandogook (soup with veggie dumplings) and a bulgogi kimbap (korean sushi roll with meat and veggies).”
“It looks pretty sweet–two entrees with Japchae or rice.”
“As for the lunch items you can choose 2 with your meal and I got the Kimchi Jeon (Scallion pancake) and the bulgogi with jap chae.”
Korean Express
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I stumbled across this place after taking care of some business at Hunter College. I was seated immediately and ordered the spicy ramen soup. It was very spicy and super delicious. Seriously, it was a party in my mouth. The accompaniments were quite tasty too– I love a spread of pickled goodness.
The diners were a range of folk, including some Asian grandmothers tearing some dishes up. I wondered what they were having, though I was good with my choice. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but it is definitely an option when I'm back in the area.
I want to like Korean Express- I really do. It's the only Korean food close to where I live on the UES. This is my second time here. The first time, I ordered for take out. I ordered the lunch special, which is such a steal. For under $10, you get 2 protein sides and a carb. I chose Korean Beef Stew and Spicy Pork with kimchi fried rice. Way spicier than I expected, and very oily, but very good.
The second time, we dined in for lunch. Service was fine. The restaurant was relatively empty when we went at 12, but by the time we left around 1, the place was packed. We ordered one lunch special and a seafood pajeon (korean pancake) to share between 2 people. For the lunch special, we chose the Korean Beef Stew and Teriyaki Chicken with Jap Chae (glass noodles) as the carbs. The list of lunch special sides you can choose from is not very extensive. Our food arrived very quickly, which is great. The lunch special tasted alright, and for under $10, I would say it's a pretty good value. But watch out for the Seafood Pajeon- oh my gosh. Right when our server brought the pancake, we were hit with a strong smell of seafood- and not the good type of seafood smell. It was very fishy. Not rotten. Just very fishy. The pancake didn't look right, either. It was very thick and when we broke off a chunk, we saw that the insides were still gloopy-looking. It didn't look fully cooked, and much to my dismay, didn't taste fully cooked either. The seafood items inside the pancake seemed to be fully cooked, at least, but the smell and the taste were just unpleasant. I asked our server to bring the pancake back to the kitchen and cook it for a bit longer. When it came back, it definitely looked much better. But upon tearing a piece off again, it still looked wrong inside. The taste was still offensive. And I was still disappointed.
I'm disappointed that Korean Express won't be my go-to Korean restaurant in the area. The dishes are much too Americanized and don't taste authentic. Most dishes are not bad. They're just not authentic. But whatever you do, do not order the Seafood Pajeon.
9.95 lunch special for 2 sides and a carb! Pretty nice deal for this area. I had the jap chae, beef stew (kalbi jeem), and tofu with scallions. The jap chae was too oily and the beef stew was wayy too salty. Since this area is very limited in korean food options, I will probably come back and try their other options. Hopefully it gets better!
I had passed this place many times and had not tried it until today. The service was great. They were friendly. The decor simple as can be. They have a lunch special $9.95 you can chose 2 items with rice, jaechae or salad. Wow what a deal. I picked the korean beef stew and the tofu in scallion sauce with salad and my friend ordered the spicy pork and the korean beef stew with jaechae. We enjoyed the meal. It was very flavorful and filling. Definitely ordering delivery soon.
Solid place for Korean food. I don't know why it's called Korean Express when the food doesn't come out fast…
Other than the name they have a wide variety of korean food, I had the ramen and the bulgogi stew before which both warmed my insides during 30 degree weather. Especially since it is close by to Hunter, they will be seeing me frequently when I am craving it.
Their kimchi and pickled radish side dishes are really good! (They also give out soup to some customers but I haven't gotten any…)
The service is great, quick to refill water, quick to refill our side dishes if it's empty. Will be returning as been wanting to try their japchae.
as a forever alone, single woman in new york, i appreciate a place where i can eat alone and not feel like a total weirdo. this place has great bibimbap and japchae AND i don't mind going here solo when my like, 3 friends aren't around to hang w me. a lil pricier than most places and the atmosphere isn't the most glam, but beggars can't be choosers in this incredibly huge, lonely city! 🙂
"In and out, my kind of style"
If you want true authentic Korean food, this may not be the place for you. However, if you want something good, cheap, and fast the pull up a chair.
For a Korean lunch spot there is a good variety of food on their menu. There is a 2 "entree" with a side for 10 bucks lunch special. I had the spicy chicken and Korean beef stew and the food was good buuuutttt the portions were a little small. Maybe, I was really hungry.
This place is decent enough for a taste for Korean food but it you are a super Korean food expert then you would be better off going to K town or Flushing.
I gave 4 star to jab chae.
Tofu stew is so so. Overall is 3.5 star:)
One of the few Korean restaurants in UES, can't be too serious, a good spot for stop by when craving for Korean taste.
Service is fast and good.