By gr on 2006-11-19

Solomon's Market
When I see this place, I'm inclined to think, this is what the American dream is all about. What was once a deli, now is something totally different. It's been there since 1935, and sits in a residential area on a corner. It's not necessarily a busy area, but a cozy one.

If you take a step inside, you realize, it's not a Korean restaurant. From living in Los Angeles, it doesn't surprise anyone that a Korean restaurant might pop up someplace, but this is in Rhode Island. Using a kitchen stove with a few burners, you'd see all of them with their fire's on with home cooking going on. A few employees are behind the counter, which most definitely has to be a family business.
The menu is awesome. It's Korean food all around. You'd think maybe they'd open up in an Asian area, there is one in Providence. Maybe they'd open in an area where there's other restaurants... no! These folks opened up in a spot that's residential and as local as can be.
The place look like Solomon's Market, sans Solomon and whatever he / she sold.
Kimpap looks right and taste right. I forgot to mention, you won't get a table full on banchan. But you will get a bowl of oikimchee (cucumber) and onion. It's quite good and just about makes up for the minimalism.
If this were 1935, you could easily picture an old dude maybe with a beard wearing an apron. Instead you get the folks who put their heart into their work.
Glass noodles - Chop Chae
Soon doo boo

I've spoken a few words to the folks at Solomon's. Their English isn't great, but they're always friendly, and happy to see their customers. I've seen it crowded, and sometimes, it's not, and it's a place for people to have something a bit different than the other Asian foods - Indian, Japanese, Chinese, or Thai. It would be too perfect to talk about it being kick ass busy, successful, owner in a Gulf Stream, but no, it's perhaps just doing enough. I'm not sure what the demographics are in Providence, but I do notice, this is where there Koreans come to eat. So back to what I said. It's the American Dream.

A man with a plan,
in a small New England town.
Korean food time.