Often overshadowed by more popular spots like Korea House or Bon Ga, Il Me Jung is a small, unassuming restaurant nestled in a cozy space on Long Point Road. It’s popular for its Korean seafood dishes, prepared with fish so fresh you can pick them out of tanks up front before you order. Unlike most such places in Houston, which focus on grilled meats as befits Texas crowds, Il Me Jung is about as authentic a Korean restaurant as you’ll find, with dishes like al-bap and Korean-style sashimi trumping the barbecue every time. The owners and servers are all exceptionally friendly, but most speak very little English, so for non-Korean speakers, every meal at Il Me Jung is an adventure.
This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2014.