Dan Moo Ji

Entering the colorful restaurant feels like you’ve accidentally stumbled into a teen girl’s bedroom. The walls are covered with hearts, cartoon faces drawn in marker, clusters of neon Post-its doodled by happy customers. Groups of fashionable Koreans huddle around tricked-out tabletop burners where dishes are cooked and served by the frenetic all-girl staff. No table is without an order of kimbob, large slices of Korean sushi filled with tender curls of spicy octopus, or bulgogi (seasoned beef rib-eye). Kimchi fried rice topped with unorthodox ingredients — such as melted cheese — sounds odd, but the first grease-laden bite is revelatory. Korean cold noodle fans should check out the jjol myun, a heaping bowl of rice noodles finished with julienned vegetables and spicy sauce. Order enough food to give reason to linger and let the cheerful spirit soak in.