A Traditional Korean Deli Opens With a Bay Area Twist: It’s Online Delivery Only | Eater SF

"After missing authentic Korean food from New York when Clara Lee moved to the Bay Area, I learned she formalized the project as Queens, an “online Korean deli” whose online ordering goes live on February 15th. It will take orders for ready-to-eat dishes as well as fermented and frozen foods for customers to stash, make weekly deliveries to San Francisco customers (deliveries on Tuesdays in two delivery windows, with deliveries outside SF to come), and operate out of an Oakland commissary. The focus is on authentic banchan and stews like Kimchi Jjigae (aged kimchi, heritage pork, tofu, green onion, and dashi-anchovy stock). Lee emphasizes quite traditional food—you won’t find Korean fried chicken or other trendy items on her menu—and highlights fresh, local, seasonal produce common in the Bay Area, including wild greens like lamb’s quarters, foraged mushrooms, and abundant Napa cabbage. The business’s name nods to a New York borough but is actually an homage to her mother and grandmother and to the women who defined Korean flavors and cooking techniques, and Queens will also hold occasional pop-up dinners and tastings." - Caleb Pershan