Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Dons Bogam is not unknown to me as I discovered this place 4 years ago, looking for a restaurant for lunch on Christmas Day, before seeing The Hobbit. So, I was excited when I got invited to their new location Dons Bogam Black, also located Midtown. I guess the "Black" from the name is similar to what you get with an American Express Black card: upscale Korean food, but fortunately without outrageous prices that would make you wish you had that coveted credit card...
Bar at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Dining room at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
The space there is amazing, especially the 40 feet screen on one of the walls that displays images of Korea. They also have a full bar that makes interesting cocktails, like the smokey bear, made with smokey whiskey and yuzu.
Smokey bear cocktail at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Smokey bear cocktail at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
We had to choose from their large selection of Korean BBQ, made with Prime Grade beef, Washugyu beef (crossbred of the famous Japanese Black Wagyu and the finest American Black Angus), or pork. Of course, as we were invited, the Washugyu category was off the table, so we went for the bulgogi, made with chuck steak marinated and served with vegetables.
The meat had a beautiful marble and looked very appetizing. They spread it around the dish so it would cook evenly and after maybe 10 good minutes, it was ready to be eaten, wrapped in lettuce, topped with scallion and gojuchang sauce. The meat was fantastic: tender and very tasty, smothered by a juice that I could have eaten with rice or simply with a spoon.
Bulgogi and banchan at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Bulgogi at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Bulgogi at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Bulgogi at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
With the bulgogi came the banchan, these little plates I am always looking forward to see in a Korean restaurant, each place having its own take on it. There, we got:
Acorn:
Acorn at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Kimchi:
Kimchi at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Cauliflower:
Cauliflower at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Bean sprouts:
Bean sprouts at Dons Bogam Black in NYC
Bok Choy at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Bok Choi at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Caramelized black beans:
Caramelized black beans at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
We also tried two appetizers:
The fried dumplings made with ground pork and vegetables: a delicious dish with a crispy and not greasy shell and a very tasty filling where the pork was the star.
Fried dumplings at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
Fried dumplings at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
As well as the beef japchae aka glass noodles that were sublime:
Japchae at Dons Bogam Black in NYC, NY
We left the restaurant full and glad that we got a chance to try Dons Bogam Black during their Grand Opening: the food was really good and this is definitely a place I would go back to and bring friends and family who never had Korean food before.
Enjoy (I did)!
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Dons Bogam Black - 276 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
