Top Chef Korean Food Challenge: from OC to Tijuana

Tteok bokki

In a campaign to increase exposure about Korea in the US, the Korean Tourism Organization sponsored a Korean cooking challenge, pitting top non-korean chefs from OC, La Jolla, and Tijuana to see who has the best interpretation of classic korean dishes. The contest was hosted by Cathlyn Choi (from the TV cooking show Cathlyn's Korean Kitchen), and sponsored by buzz KOREA, the tourism organization's global campaign.

Competing chefs: Javier Plascencia and Adria Montano (Villa Sorriso, Tijuana), Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver (Marine Room, La Jolla), Brian Hirsty (Bluewater Grill Tustin) and Graham Norton (Bluewater Grill Redondo Beach).

The show will air on SoCal PBS station KOCE April 7 at 9 pm and starting the first week of March, you can vote for the chefs team that you think should win on the Buzz Korea website. To help you decide on who should win, below is a recap of my experience during the shooting, tasting the different dishes, etc. I can't tell you who won though.

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Lotus of Siam (Las Vegas, NV)

Lotus of Siam has been touted as the best Thai restaurant in America, thanks to Jonathan Gold's review in Gourmet Magazine, although some blog reviews say that it does not live up to the hype. By chance, Gastronomy Blog reviewed the restaurant right before my trip to Vegas with friends, and it sounded so good that we decided to go there for dinner and see for myself.

The restaurant looked small and sketchy from the outside but was actually big. We did have to wait half an hour for a table even though there were about half a dozen empty tables. Well, once we got seated things moved along smoothly.

Lotus of Siam has an extensive menu with some pretty unusual specialties and hard-to-find Northern Thai dishes, so we had a hard time choosing even with the six of us. With popular vote, we first settled with the Nam Kao Tod ($7.95)
Crispy rice mixed with minced sour sausage, green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanuts, and lime juice

A nice mix of flavors and textures makes it a great light appetizer. Crispy and crunchy, tangy and spicy.

Tom Kah Kai ($13.95)
chicken, coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, lime juice

I like tom kah kai better than tom yum because of the richness that coconut milk adds.

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March Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 5th -Tuesday, March 8th
Mardi Gras at Dominick's and Little Dom's
Celebrate Mardi Gras at Dominick's or Little Dom's with New Orleans native Chef Brandon Boudet. There will be a special menu which includes $5 gumbo, $5 crayfish pie, $8 Muffaletta sandwiches, and $4 mini king cakes.
Dominick’s, 8715 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Little Dom’s, 2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (6pm-close).

Sunday, March 6
Gold Standard
This is the 3rd annual LA Weekly's Gold Standard event featuring 40 restaurants hand picked by Jonathan Gold, including A Frame, Bistro LQ, Jitlada, La Casita Mexicana, Manilla Machine, and more, paired with Bulleit Bourbon.
$60 general admission, $80 VIP (early entry + swag bag).
1-5pm. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Boulevard. Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Sunday, March 6
TruckIt Fest
A monthly event at Union Station featuring 40 of LA's best food trucks, 200 local designers and artisans.
$5 General Admission; $45 V.I.P. Ticket (includes valet parking, access to a private lounge, $10 voucher, and menu service, so guests can order and receive their food from the lounge instead of standing in line.)
11am - 5pm. Los Angeles Union Station, 800 N Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Wednesday, March 9 and March 23
Beer Freek Tasting at The Yard
Taste four rare beers paired with chef "CJ" Jacobson's food every other Wednesday. March 9 features Hair of the Dog brewing company with food like rabbit stew croquette, grilled pork sate, and more. March 23 features The Bruery's beers including Black Tuesday and Chocolate Rain.
5-10pm.The Yard, 119 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA. 310.395.6037

Thursday, March 10
PPLA Food Fare
This event benefits Planned Parenthood LA and will include some great restaurants like Blue Plate Oysterette, Foundry on Melrose, Lucques, Joe's Restaurant, Clementine, and more. Since Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken are the PPLA chefs of the year, their ventures will also be on hand.
Tickets are $150 in advance ($175 at the door) for the afternoon session (10:30AM-2PM) and $225 ($250 at the door) for the evening session (6:30-9:30 PM)
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.