To the unenculturated, the pungent emanations of Korean kimchy (pickled and fermented cabbage) are malodorous and offensive to the olfactory senses. To the Korean people, however, kimchy is so much more than a national dish; it’s a family treasure handed down from one generation to another over the millenniums. The influx of Korean war brides following the Korean War and beyond has meant the gradual introduction into the American mainstream of kimchy and other Korean culinary arts.
Having experienced Korean cuisine from coast to coast, it has always impressed me to find Korean food remarkably consistent–usually at least good and often excellent. Kimchy Cabana certainly ranks with the best I’ve had yet. Our inaugural dining experience was made even better because we shared our meal with two of Niles’ finest law enforcement officials, my brother-in-law Chuck and his commander, true gentlemen for whom the badge truly represents integrity and dedication to the public.
Our meal started with the traditional Korean family meal offering of small dishes featuring spicy and pickled vegetables. Most Korean restaurants alternate these vegetables on a daily basis but always include kimchy which is typically the eye-watering star of the show. Every vegetable tantalized our taste buds with taste sensations which ran the gamut from piquant to sweet. Another perfect prelude to our meal was a kimchy pancake appetizer which is certainly among the very best of its kind I’ve ever had.
Incomparable Korean barbecue was featured fare as we enjoyed all we could eat of beef and pork bulgogi–broiled, thin-sliced tender beef and pork marinated in a barbecue sauce which creates a harmonious melding of sweet, savory and spicy tastes. The pork was slightly more spicy and therefore more to my liking. Our bulgogi was prepared at our table on a sizzling cast-oven plate and had no discernable fatty or sinewy pieces.
During our second visit, we also had chicken bulgogi which just didn’t meet the high standards of its pork and beef counterparts, but would otherwise still be considered very good.
Kimchy Cabana
9020 Greenwood
Niles, Illinois
847-827-9020
LATEST VISIT: 18 June 2004
# OF VISITS: 2
RATING: 20
COST: $$$
BEST BET: Bulgogi, Pork Bulgogi, Kimchi Pancake