Seoul Garden Houston, TX

Just blocks off IH-10, there's a place where the bul go gi sizzles, the kim chee ripens, and the Seoul-search ends. The non-descript, slightly shady-looking strip mall exterior is forgotten once past the double doors and over the ornate red bridge into the dining area. Typical of Korean restaurants, there's a grill in the center of the table to cook your own BBQ. And naturally, they'll immediately provide 15 different pickled and fermented sides to go with. Up and down Long Point are more hole-in-wall options, but this one is great with a group. - JoAnn Takasaki