The Ultimate Beta: Behind Every Good Chef is a Beta: The Best Korean in Minnesota

Notice the title. It says the best. This is not a title I would give easily. Psssst...I am about to reveal a secret we've been guarding for the last 11 years. There is good Korean in this town. And it's in Columbia Heights. Sandwiched between a discount hardware store (think of the dollar store, but insert hardware) and a trailer park. Right there, in the middle, is the best Korean you will find in our humble state. Head to 45th and Central Ave NE, at the intersection, turn west, follow the vast strip mall on the right, at the end, in the way back, you'll see Dong Yang.

Just take a look at it's humble exterior, which is very deceiving. If you go, take minute to watch the mix of people in the parking lot, go ahead, you'll be entertained for some time.

You walk in and it's an Asian grocery store. Look around, see the fun candies, interesting canned and jarred items, marvel at how much cheaper you can buy a steamer or fresh basil, than at, say, Byerly's. But keep going. Head to your left and you'll see a small, brightly lit, cafeteria counter and people who are smiling. They're smiling because they have discovered the secret.

To the left is a picture of the counter. It's pretty simple, you look at the picture and order by the number on the left corner. It all goes very quickly, so just go with your gut.

You will pay, grab some chop sticks, maybe a drink, napkins and sit yourself down.

A few minutes later, you'll hear a voice call a number. No, you didn't get a number when you ordered, you just go. If they hand you your food, you know it's yours, if not, you just go and wait at your table again.

When you get your food, you will swoon. You'll also marvel at all the dishes you ordered. To me, the best part about Korean food is the variety. You order your main dish and it comes with a vast array of sides.For main dishes you can get beef, pork, eggs, seafood and fabulous noodles. Usually the sides are vegetable, generally fermented, spicy vegetables. Every day is different. Every one is delicious, or at least worth trying once.

Seafood pancake at Dong Yang

At this point, I have to warn you, eating at Dong Yang requires some sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things. If you don't possess these traits, that's okay, just stop reading now.

For me, this is exactly why I'm into food, so this is my heaven. A couple tips, 1) order and eat family style- it's the best way to get variety and it's the way the menu is designed. 2) If you don't order a drink, you can still get a free cup of tea, it's in the pot to the left of the counter, just fill up a couple styrofoam cups- it's really good tea. 3) Much of the food comes spicy. It's not Thai spicy, but it comes the way it comes. That's all about the sense of adventure I was talking about. 4) Finally, a good lesson for anyone interested in exploring the hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurant world- look around, see what others are doing, how they behave, and imitate. Don't make assumptions.

Every time we've been to Dong Yang, it's surpassed our expectations. Pictured are the Dumplings, the Seafood Pancake, Spicy Stir Fried Pork and the Cellophane Noodles. See below for a little inspiration, then pack your car and head over to the Heights to check this out.

Let me know what you think.