One of the most delectable items at Choga is the appetizer dukboki, a spicy red pepper broth with Korean rice and fish cakes nested in julienned vegetables. The rice cakes are soft yet satisfyingly chewy in the same instant, a pleasure for the mouth both taste and mastication-wise. The flat strips of ground white fish conceptually seem unappetizing, but that could not be farther from the truth. Supple on the tongue, they have a pleasant, unobtrusive fish flavor. The spicy broth may be the best part of the entire dish; savvy diners often retain additional sauce to use on main courses much to the bemusement of the wait staff. The dukboki is a substantial portion easily sufficing for two, but hungry diners will not find it difficult to finish alone. At $8.50, its certainly a bargain considering the complexity of flavors it presents.
Pros: authentic food, relaxed atmosphere, charming staff
Cons: noisy bar crowd
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