Ginger’s Seoul Bar & Grill Opens In Stamford: NEW Korean + Korean Pizza!

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting Ginger’s Seoul Bar & Grill in Stamford. This brand new Korean restaurant is conveniently located off the Merritt Parkway on High Ridge Road, and features both traditional Korean fare alongside some surprising culinary twists.

The restaurant’s interior is bright, modern, casual and inviting. One of the things that struck us as different, fun and fascinating was the authentic pizza oven that sits in the middle of the restaurant. Korean pizza? Yes! Inspired by June’s extensive travels, the oven’s exterior design bears a Spanish influence, reminiscent of the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona. June says, Korea, like much of Asia and Europe, has a fascination with cuisines from other cultures and the Bulgogi pizza is June’s answer to merging two different cuisines and cultures. More on that later.  

Korean cuisine, which has rapidly grown in popularity here in the states, is known for its vibrant and unique flavors, with an emphasis on fermented sauces and pastes used in their cooking. These include ganjang (soy sauce, but a saltier variety, made without wheat), doenjang (fermented soybean paste, similar to miso) and most especially gochujang (a fermented chili paste). Guests will find these flavors beautifully represented in this well crafted menu.

June started us off with her Cucumber Kimchi, made with chive, onion, garlic, onion, chili pepper and vinegar. House-made kimchi marries spicy cucumber and was a marriage made in heaven. It was so delicious we ordered a second serving.

Next we had the Mandu. Made from pork, beef, chicken, tofu, diners have the option of having these dumplings steamed or fried. Ours were steamed and were absolutely delicious. (If you order the above-mentioned pizza use the dipping sauce to drizzle it over the top of the pizza – do it!)

The Korean Fried Amish Chicken Bao was wonderful. The crispy chicken, soft bao bun, crunchy pickled relish and sweet house-made gochujang sauce offered an impeccable variety of flavors and textures. Surely we could have ordered another, but we had more things to try and had our work cut out for us.

The Traditional Tteokbokki has a unique taste that’s characterized by the sweet and spicy flavor so indicative of Korean cuisine. This unique dish is characterized by chewy rice cakes enveloped in a bold sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. There’s something exotic yet familiar about it. The best way to describe this “rice cake” would be to compare it to gnocchi, though its consistency is chewy from the rice, as opposed to being light and pillowy from the potato.

One of our favorites – and something completely unexpected – was the kimchi pancake, Kimchijeon. This popular appetizer and side dish has all the vibrant, tangy flavors of kimchi in a wonderful crispy pancake. 

If you’re craving something akin to sushi, may we recommend the Vegetarian Kimbap? Similar to what you would expect from a sushi maki, these seaweed rolls are filled with rice and thinly sliced burdock root, pickled radish, and avocado. kimbap translates directly to "seaweed and rice., and is a very traditional Korean dish that goes back several centuries. You can find Kimbap on Ginger’s menu with fillings including: spicy shrimp, bulgogi, tuna and more.

And what’s more Korean than Bibimbap, a Korean dish comprised of rice, assorted vegetables, various proteins, an egg, and spicy Gochujang sauce. Bibimbap is cooked in a hot stone bowl so the rice underlying the toppings gets crispy as you let it sit, and keeps the dish toasty while you eat. It’s the ultimate comfort food.

Finally, we’d like to recommend The Bulgogi Japchae. This dish combines two popular Korean elements, bulgogi – the marinated beef – and japchae a dish traditionally made with vegetables and stir fried sweet potato vermicelli noodles and assorted vegetables. Here it’s served with Earwood mushroom, onion and carrot in addition to the marinated beef. The result is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Before you leave, don’t miss out on dessert. Desserts at Ginger’s Seoul are not an afterthought.

If you’ve never had Bingsu, or Korean Shaved Ice, you need to run, don’t walk, to Ginger’s Seoul. Bingsu is light and fluffy milk-based shaved ice dessert topped with a variety of sweet toppings, including sweet red beans, condensed milk and mango, as we found in ours. This is a true treat, and one of our favorite desserts. They also served up some perfectly fried dough in a few form factors. Yes please.

Ginger’s Seoul is a passion project and collaboration between June Seo and James Grunberger. June was born in Seoul and raised in the restaurant business. She is the restaurant’s Head Chef and Managing Partner.  The multi-talented Seo is also a Floral as well as Interior Designer, Pilates and Yoga instructor.  She holds a B.A. in Modern Dance and is also a graduate of The Sushi Chef Institute in Torrance, California and taught by Andy Martsuda.

James Grunberger is a third generation Stamford native as well as third generation jeweler. James serves on the City Board of Representatives for the 18th District, is a retail store builder property manager, and community organizer.

I asked James about the inspiration behind Ginger’s Seoul, and he told me that he enjoys healthy Asian cuisine and June loves to cook Korean food. Prior to opening their restaurant they had to drive to Queens or New Jersey to authentic find Korean restaurants. They wanted to bring the community simple, authentic flavors into a casual, modern Korean atmosphere. James, who’s very much the philanthropist and active supporter of his community, told me that one the restaurant starts making a profit, at least 20% will support East side Partnership safe, clean and green activities, Stamford Police Foundation programs, the new Police Activities League programs (PAL) and The Ferguson Library, all in Stamford.

Thank you James and June, we’re very much looking forward to coming back!

Ginger’s Seoul 927 High Ridge Rd, Stamford

www.gingersseoul.com