Kimchi Kooks Kate's Kitchen

"Kimchi Kooks is an adorable place where you can pick up some freshly made banchan. The family-run operation looks like a studio apartment that was converted into a boutique, with some potted plants, a few shelves of pantry items, and a couple of fridges stuffed with small containers of fish cakes, burdock root jorim, and various other Korean sides. Grab a few (we’re partial to the spinach namul), and don’t leave without at least one jar of kimchi. They also make some takeout dishes in the little DIY-looking kitchen right behind the counter, with weekend specials like bibimbap and doenjang jjigae." - neha talreja

"Another banchan specialist, Kimchi Kooks is a family-run store in Bay Ridge where you'll find some potted plants, an antique television, and several fridges stuffed with a variety of Korean snacks and side dishes. Swing by to pick up some lotus root jorim, marinated eggs, or fish cakes. There is, of course, kimchi available in several varieties like classic cabbage and tangy kale. We’re partial to the white kimchi, which is light, crisp, and juicy, with just a hint of anchovy. This place also serves a few takeout dishes, prepared in the DIY-looking kitchen right behind the counter. Stop by on the weekend for specials like bibimbap and soondubu jjigae." - bryan kim, kenny yang

"Kimchi Kooks is an adorable place where you can pick up some freshly made banchan. The family-run operation in Bay Ridge looks like a studio apartment that was converted into a charming boutique, with some potted plants, a few shelves of pantry items, and a couple of fridges stuffed with small containers of fish cakes, burdock root jorim, and various other Korean sides. Grab a few (we’re partial to the spinach namul), and don’t leave without at least one jar of kimchi. They also make some takeout dishes in the little DIY-looking kitchen right behind the counter, with weekend specials like bibimbap and doenjang jjigae. " - Bryan Kim

"Kate’s Kitchen, a tiny storefront on a quiet street in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood, which opened earlier this year. With her own space and two full-time prep cooks, Kook now makes an ever-evolving array of banchan alongside a rotating assortment of hot dishes." - Kate Kook

"This neat little kitchen in a rather obscure corner of the neighborhood is a bit of a walk from the R stop at Bay Ridge Avenue, but well worth it. Formerly operating a Smorgasburg booth proprietor Kate Kook and her son, WooJae Chung, make all sorts of fermented and pickled Korean salads and banchan for carryout, neatly arranged for easy access in a refrigerator case. They also do a handful of hot dishes served with a choice of rice, such as beef bokkum and soft tofu hot pots." - Robert Sietsema