By Merlyn Varghese 

Korean cuisine stands out because of its umami rich foods, bold flavors and its focus on fermentation. If you’re looking for a great restaurant to experience Korean cuisine, try Food Court Korea, which has been at 947 Willis Ave. in Albertson since 2020.  

The menu consists of a variety of classic Korean dishes including soups, stews, noodles, rice bowls and  barbecue. Before ordering their meals, customers are served free banchan, which are Korean side dishes. This includes kimchi, which is fermented cabbage, pickled radish and other vegetables. Every customer is served a generous portion of banchan and it is refilled if necessary.

One of the many dishes includes jjajangmyeon, which consists of noodles in a black bean sauce containing small pieces of pork and vegetables. The thick, chewy noodles were well-cooked and when paired with the rich, savory sauce, created a delicious umami flavor. With a hearty portion making it sharable between two people, this dish was reasonably priced at $13.95. Most dishes are priced between $10 to $30, and considering the large and shareable portions, the food is worth the price. 

Japchae is another key dish made with glass noodles and stir-fried vegetables. This dish stands out also because it’s another that is easily shareable and tastes sweet and savory with an umami flavor. There is also bibimbap, which includes rice topped with vegetables and an egg. Spicy, savory and with the rich texture from the vegetables, rice, and scallion oil, the bibimbap offered a satisfying meal for $10.95. There are also various appetizer options including mandu (Korean dumpling), $8.95, pajeon (crispy scallion pancake), $13.95, and a variety of chicken wings such as fried, marinated and soy garlic flavored wings. The chicken wings are crispy and well-seasoned with a spicy and savory taste. The price varies from $11.95 to $42.95 depending on the flavor and the number of wings being ordered. The dishes are also customizable with extra meat and seafood options for a few extra dollars. Drinks included soda and water. Customers receive complimentary ice cream providing a sweet finish to the meal. 

At first glance, Food Court Korea appears unassuming with a single-door entrance, but this restaurant has a lot to offer. Seating a maximum of 42 people at a time, the restaurant has wooden tables and chairs which are close together without feeling cramped, and the soft lighting contributes to a cozy feeling allowing customers to eat and chat comfortably. The tiled floors, tan-colored walls, and wooden interior along the walls, with the lack of fancy decorations contribute to the laid-back feeling. The menus are simple with a few images and there are TVs always playing K-pop music videos making it a good place for casual dining. The staff is friendly and willing to answer any questions. The wait times aren’t long and the food is served in a timely manner. Additionally, the restaurant accepts larger groups of up to 10 people. 

Food Court Korea’s decor provides a welcoming and laid-back feel.

Food Court Korea is an excellent place for authentic and classic Korean food. Based on the quality of the food and service, this restaurant deserves a high rating of 5 out of 5 stars. For anyone familiar with Korean food, it is a great spot that brings out the feeling of comfort and familiarity. For anyone new to Korean cuisine, it is a good place to try out new foods that are certainly worth the money in a casual, relaxed environment. 

Food Court Korea is open from 11 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and closes at 8:30 pm on Sundays. The restaurant also closes from 3 pm to 4 pm only from Monday to Wednesday. For more information or to order online, visit the restaurant’s website at foodcourtkorea.com or call the restaurant at 516-996-2882.