4 April 2019 Seoul Brothers Alementary Beer Release

Seoul Brothers Alementary Beer Release

April 4, 2019 By

Robert Austin Cho from Kimchi Smoke (https://www.kimchismoke.com) and Blake Crawford from The Alementary Brewing Company (http://www.alementary.com) collaborated on a new beer aptly called, “Seoul Brothers.”

Blake Crawford and Rob Cho

Since 2016, Cho has brought his nationally acclaimed Barbecue (Best BBQ Joints in NJ by Food and Wine ‘18 and a face to face battle with Bobby Flay on Beat Bobby Flay) to various popups at Alementary known for its scientific approach and award winning flavor combinations. The combination of Southern Korean BBQ and craft beer was a natural pairing. “What’s not to like about some smokey spicy food with lots of umami washed down with some brewhaha? Now, we have a beer that’s what Kimchi Smoke’s all about. Not fusion, but 100% Korean + 100% American = 100% total deliciousness”, stated Cho.

Cho gave Crawford what he was looking for, and just like that– the geniuses at their brew laboratory came up with this rendition of Cho’s vision. The final product is reminiscent of makgeolli, traditional Korean rice wine, while maintaining all the properties of being a beer. This style is Blonde Rice Ale with ABV at 7.5%

On Friday April 12 5PM, “Seoul Brothers” will be released in six 12-ounce cans at Alementary. Cho will be on hand doing his pop up selling his signature 12 hour smoked Bad as Texas Brisket and Korean Redneck Tacos.

Kimchi Smoke Pop Up April 12 5-9pm and April 13 12-9PM.

Alementary Brewing Company –
58 Voorhis Lane, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , , ,
1 March 2018 North Jersey BBQ Showcase March 15

North Jersey BBQ Showcase March 15

March 1, 2018 By

The North Jersey BBQ Showcase will be held on March 15 from 6PM – 9:30PM at Garden State Plaza (lower level concierge area) in Paramus, NJ.

Event and Judges

NJ/NY’s best pitmasters, chefs and restaurants will showcase their skills as well as compete as the Best of the Best with 3 categories: Experts Panel (Esther Davidowitz, Food Editor of The Record, Deborah Smith, Editor of Jerseybites.com and Marc Mangano (Certified KCBS judge), Bloggers Choice (@gothamburgersocialclub,  @omgitsbomb, @yeahfoodbeer,  @revcianco, @mattbruck @myinnerfatkidisout) and People’s Choice.

Participants

Participating in this tasting event are Hugh Magnum of Mighty Quinn’s (NYC/Paramus), named Top 23 BBQ Restaurants in America by Timeout, Handsome Devil (Newburgh), who won Best BBQ at NYCWFF ’17, Smoked (Ridgewood), featured in 201 Magazine, Red, White, and Que (Kearny), named Best BBQ in NJ ’16  by Thrillist, Robert Austin Cho, who recently appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, Empanada Mania (Bergenfield), Best Empanadas by NJ.com, Glaze Donuts (New Milford), who won Best Donuts in NYC ’16, Mr. Cupcakes (Paramus),Fink’s BBQ (Dumont), voted Best BBQ in NJ by Bergen Magazine, Carlito’s Trailer (Jersey City), a new food truck featuring homemade tortillas, Hamilton Pork (Jersey City), Best New Restaurants ’17 by NJ Monthly, and Kimchi Smoke (Westwood), Best BBQ ’17 by NJ Monthly.

“The reason I’m organizing this event is to bring more BBQ awareness to North Jersey and to the local businesses. We now have some very good ‘cue options here and I wanted to bring the BBQ community together. We can all brag we’re the best but at the end of the day, we support each other. We want to eat, hang out and have a great time while we’re at it. And of course, take some good pics for the Gram!” – Robert Austin Cho.

Tickets available: Adults $50, Children under 12 $20; Limited Tickets may be available at Door. Entry allows samples from all the restaurants, cash bar available.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , , , ,
8 February 2018 Kimchi Smoke Robert Austin Cho on Beat Bobby Flay

Kimchi Smoke Robert Austin Cho on Beat Bobby Flay

February 8, 2018 By

Rob Cho

Rob Cho

Robert Austin Cho, Chef/Owner of Kimchi Smoke in Westwood, will be appearing on Beat Bobby Flay on February 22 at 10PM. The episode, “Sour with the Sweet” will include a Round 1 Battle between BBQ fusion master Cho and Brian Malarky, a Top Chef finalist.

What was the secret ingredient Bobby Flay chose in Round 1? Cho was hoping that it would not be a vegetable, so he could have his long awaited showdown with Flay. “I got into barbecue by watching Throwdown with Bobby Flay and just being on the show with an opportunity to face Bobby Flay is a real blessing. My parents immigrated to the States to give me a better opportunity. This is that opportunity. Win, lose, or draw I know my father would proud of me”.
Food Network’s Sunny Anderson and Chef Josh Capon will be serving one of them to Flay.
Judges: Rich Aronovitch, Dana Cowinand Leah Cohen who recently opened Piggyback Bar in Jersey City. 
 
301 Center Ave. Westwood, NJ 07675
(201)497-6333
Kimchismoke.com
Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , ,
28 September 2016 Kimchi Smoke New Opening and Pop Up

Kimchi Smoke New Opening and Pop Up

September 28, 2016 By

kimchi-smoke-sandwichI know I’ve told you about my love for Kimchi Smoke in the past and I’m excited that Owner Rob Cho will soft open his brand new, spacious location in Westwood, NJ on October 12th. Between October 12th and 15th, the soft opening hours will be 12PM – 9PM. The tiny Bergenfield location closed on September 24th….no more eating messing sandwich in the car!!

Rob will be hosting a pop up dinner dubbed “Park and Cho” in Westwood on Oct 5-6 (5-9pm). The menu will be a collaboration between Chef Tim Culvert, former head chef at Park and Orchard, sous chef Victor Oravetz and Rob and will include Smoked Clam Chowder, Smoked Tomato salad with Orange Raspberry Vinaigrette, Gumbo with Brown Rice and Cornbread, Chipotle marinated Chicken with spicy vegetables and cabbage slaw, Kale Jap Chae, Texas Stallion (smoked pork shoulder with sautéed broccoli rabe w gochugaru, sharp provolone cheese on toasted hero) and Apple Crumble with Lemon Ginger sauce.

Kimchi Smoke Pop Up will be Oct 7-8 from 12-9pm. Menu will include newer items or items that aren’t on the regular rotation: Reuben Lee (smoked brisket, smoked kimchi, Fatboy BCS, mozzarella cheese and remoulade on marble rye, Gochu glazed Baby Back Ribs and Smoked Pork Belly on Ramen Buns, 5 Spice Beer Can Chicken w Sautéed Choy Sum and Smoked Kimchi, K-Town Bratwurst, Bourbon Daktori Tang (braised chicken with potatoes).

Kimchi Smoke Barbecue

301 Center Ave.

Westwood NJ 07675

201-497-6333

Go have a ‘life-altering’ Chonut, or whatever else Rob’s cooking/smoking.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant News Tagged With: , , , ,
31 July 2016 Meadowlands BBQ Battle Recap

Meadowlands BBQ Battle Recap

July 31, 2016 By

BBQ Battle WinnersI was invited to judge at yesterday’s Meadowlands Battle for the Best BBQ. I’ve guest judged at the popular racetrack a few times now and Rachel and Jennifer from the organization’s marketing department always put forth a great event, in this case, on a very rainy Saturday.

Food trucks and more modest tents and tables were set up in The Backyard, an outdoor event space overlooking the race track. Attendees could walk around and purchase food from vendors among the following participants:  

  • Bearded Pigs BBQ
  • The Guac Spot
  • Smoke + Fire Craft Meats
  • Road Grub Mobile
  • Tacoholics
  • Empanada Guy
  • Kimchi Smoke Barbecue
  • Olsen’s BBQ & Grill
  • Bite Back BBQ

There were also some sweets-focused vendors: Glazed and Confused, Flirty Desserts, Kath’s Catering, Waffle de Lys, Carnival Concessions & Jersey Girl Smoothies.

The battle we judged consisted of four food categories: chicken, pork, brisket and ribs. The vendors could opt to submit entries for all the categories or not. Four vendors turned in food in all four categories, the others cooked chicken and/or pork.

I’m a KCBS-certified BBQ judge and knew what to look for from the cooking teams. Knowing it wasn’t an official/sanctioned BBQ competition, I was more open-minded about the various submissions, some of which were a bit unorthodox.

The winners were chosen based on a points system: appearance, taste, tenderness. I thought there were clear winners in each category. Prizes were $500 for wins in each category and the winners were:

There was also a “Fan Favorite”, Delicious BBQ.

I was familiar with the outstanding food Robert Cho puts forth at Kimchi Smoke, so wasn’t surprised he took home a win. I was a little surprised though that his win was for chicken and not the delish pork or brisket he’s famous for. I’m a sucker for brisket and I’ve been presented a good version at VERY few BBQ events. Kevin Pohlman, the self-proclaimed “one-man BBQ competition team” behind Smoke + Fire Craft Meats blew me away with his. The brisket slice was perfectly-bendable without breaking off, a sure sign of an overcooked brisket, juicy, beefy with the right amount of smoke. I’ve trained myself to take small bites at these cooking competitions, but I simply couldn’t do that with this brisket – fine work. I was happy to see that a ‘dessert’ vendor could pull off a good pork dish – neat!

The Meadowlands hosts many food events during the year and fans can stay abreast of upcoming events by connecting with the track via Facebook or by signing up for its newsletter.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , , , ,
16 February 2016 King of Brisket – Kimchi Smoke

King of Brisket – Kimchi Smoke

February 16, 2016 By

Chonut Pulled Pork TacosMy Kimchi Smoke article was just published on Jersey Bites. I love what Robert Cho and team are doing and it’s some of the best brisket I’ve had.

A must-visit place for my NJ/NY readers!

Kimchi Smoke
49 W. Church St.
Bergenfield
201-338-8333

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,