Classy Korean Restaurant: Gayeon, NJ

Gayeon just made it to my top list for good, clean, classy, traditional, Korean food. This restaurant is located in Fort Lee, NJ, but they also have a restaurant out in NY (link here). I'm incredibly excited to share this experience, so let's get started. 

All about the interior

The bar area is the first thing you'll see once you enter this restaurant.

P.S. you can check your winter coats at the front desk if you ask. 

Modernly Traditional

The vibe of the whole restaurant was set up so you feel like you're at a modern-contemporary-traditional Korean restaurant. 

Okay, let's get started

I know, the food is what you're really looking to read about and what you should order, so keep scrolling down for more. 

Korean rice wine & soju

The bartender mixed Korean rice wine and soju. You're probably thinking that's a weird combo, and trust me, I thought so too, but it was surprisingly great. 

Sips & cheers

Also, we're Korean and we ordered a meat dish, so of course we had to have a drink with us. 

Haemul Pajun 해물 파전

Korean seafood scallion pancake. This is such a simple dish, but you'd be surprised by how many restaurants go overboard on the oil. Fortunately, Gayeon's "jun" didn't feel greasy and I loved the presentation too. 

Nakji Bokkeum 낙지 볶음

Spicy stir fried octopus, bean sprouts, vegetables. My spice tolerance isn't that great, so my mouth was burning (a lot), but would I order this dish again? Absolutely. It was refreshing that Gayeon wasn't shy about making this dish spicy, like a true Korean cuisine would. 

Bossam 보쌈

Braised pork belly, octopus & spicy radish kimchi, aged sesame leaf. Okay, the trick to eating this: wrap everything in the sesame leaf and your taste buds will thank me later. 

Salmon Chobab 연어 초밥

Fresh salmon, deep fried rice, honey soy, chili mayo. I think this was one of my favorite dishes (I'm also a huge fan of salmon). The salmon was fresh and the deep-fried rice had a nice crunch when you took the first bite. The warm sticky rice with a hint of sweetness would then kick in. 

Appetizers/sides 반찬

From potato salads to carrots to kimchi. Just your average palate of Korean side dishes. 

Dry Aged Prime Rib Eye

Wow just look at that meat. This meat would melt in you mouth from the tenderness. 

Galbi (갈비)

This meat has a thinner texture than the rib eye, but was still tender and would melt in your mouth. This meat is also a bit more flavorful and I actually enjoyed this one a bit more. 

Naengmyun 냉면

Cold noodle soup. I was incredibly full after everything but having a bite of the cold naengmyun was a refreshing way to (almost) end the meal. 

Madeleines

This wasn't too sweet, which was great, and it was warm and felt like I was taking a bite out of a warm soft fluffy cloud. This was the perfect way to conclude our meal. 

One of the best authentic Korean foods I've had in America in a while. You'll definetly see me coming back here for more in the future.