Gochujang: Korean street food arrives at Playhouse Square – The Cauldron
In the heart of Playhouse Square sits Gochujang, a quaint little restaurant that twists the classic American dinner with traditional Korean street food.
After hours of classes with barely any breaks, I often leave the CSU’s film building exhausted and slightly anger-hungry. Across the street lies a small restaurant that I had been eyeing since the beginning of the Fall semester, making the little restaurant all the more appealing.
On the outside, there is a glowing sign that reads “Korean Street Food”, and features pictures of corn dogs and unique foods. I have never tried Korean street food before. When I think of street food, I think of roadside hot dog stands or deep-fried carnival food.
However, as my stomach growled again I decided to try it out. Walking in felt like stepping back in time to a 1970s American dinner. The overhead speakers were playing soft 80s rock and a course of “Hello!” and “Welcome!” coming from the kitchen immediately greeted me as I walked in.
Trying new restaurants can be daunting for me as a picky eater, but the warm welcome from the staff made me feel at ease in the new environment.
Photo Credit: Cory Conrad
Pictured: The dining room of Gochujang
Gochujang is one of the most recent additions to the extensive list of restaurants in downtown Cleveland, opening this past September.
The restaurant shares its name with a traditional Korean red bean paste that has a sweet yet savory taste. The flavorful nature of the sauce is reflected in the extensive menu that offers a wide variety of foods from French Fries to Black Pasta.
Walking up to the register I was not sure what to order. I had questions about nearly every dish but the staff were extremely accommodating and patient, answering all my questions and helping me decide what I would like the best.
Photo Credit: Cory Conrad
Pictured: Black Bean Pasta, Street Chicken, Sweet Bread, Sweet Fried Tteok
I ordered the Black Pasta, Sweet Bread, Sweet Fried Tteok, Street Chicken, Cream Bread and Milk. The amount of food I received was a lot more than I was expecting, all for less than 40 dollars.
The Black Pasta was the main dish, something I had never tried before and well outside my picky eater comfort zone. The pasta was hearty, savory and extremely filling. After a few bites, I was full yet I could not stop eating.
Gouchujang also offers a wide variety of sides, perfect for anyone who loves appetizers. My favorite was the Sweet Fried Tteok. Similar to an elephant ear pastry, but much cleaner to eat without the copious amounts of powdered sugar. The sweet flavor is more of an undertone compared to the overwhelming sugary taste of many deep fried American deserts.
The sweet bread was the second side I ordered, similar to the sweet Tteok. It is a deep fried bread, tasting like french toast glazed in a crunchy cinnamon coating, offering a balanced sweet flavor and satisfying crunch.
The last side I ordered was the Street Chicken, unlike the tough deep fried chicken in many American Restaurants the Korean style Street Chicken was soft, tangy and melted in my mouth.
After finishing the feast of food, I left Gouchujang feeling satisfied. The restaurant is a nostalgic and lively place that is the perfect spot for unwinding after a long day of classes.
Gochujang is great for any students who need a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The portions are big enough to share amongst friends, making the restaurant a great way to hang out with friends, grab a bite to eat and save a bit of money all at the same time.