King Spa Restaurant - Review - Palisades Park - The Infatuation
"Taking a nap in a golden pyramid guarded by a pair of lion statues is pretty good. Following that nap up with some chicken wings is even better. King Spa is a Korean spa in Palisades Park, New Jersey with saunas, massage treatments, and body scrubs galore. It’s not quite as luxurious, or as large, as SoJo Spa Club in nearby Edgewater—but daily admission here is about half the price, and King Spa is open much later, until 2am. Best of all, the counter-service Korean restaurant on the second floor serves food till 11pm, so even night owls can replenish the nutrients they just sweated out in the mineral salt room. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick Order at the counter and, as you wait for your number to be called, find a seat in the sprawling dining room with ornate, princess-pink furniture. The dishes here skew under-seasoned, so don’t be shy in your use of the provided salt shaker and jar of gochugaru to make them sing. Prioritize King Spa’s satisfying soups, and rest assured that you won’t be the first person to accidentally dribble spots of red broth onto your provided uniform. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick They also serve juices, homemade ginger tea, and eggs baked—like you—in the spa’s very hottest sauna. If you need to cool down, there’s a freezer section with honeydew Melona bars and other Korean ice-cream treats in the food court, as well as a separate stand downstairs that serves bingsoo. (Appropriately, you’ll find that right next to the ice room.) Food Rundown Yoogaejang The glass noodles in this spicy beef soup have a nice chew, and the broth itself is earthy and comforting. Seafood Soondubu Also available with veggies or beef, this stew with exceptionally silky tofu and mixed seafood (we especially like the shrimp) is hot in terms of both spice and temperature, served still boiling in its pot. Bibimbap Served cold, this dish isn’t strictly necessary, but if you’re sharing, it makes for a refreshing contrast (and welcome vehicle for roughage) from the hot soups you should otherwise be eating here. Chicken Wings The wings don’t have a ton of flavor on their own—and not much in the way of a sauce— but they’re nevertheless juicy, crunchy, and enjoyable." - Molly Fitzpatrick
