Jane C.
Yelp
After nearly two years of patient searching for solid, authentic Korean food in Atlanta, we finally made our way to Yet Tuh.
Yet Tuh sits along Buford Highway, the main stretch of road that houses an impressive stretch of authentic international restaurants, including Korean food. Roughly translated, Yet Tuh means 'What used to be'. I didn't ask our matronly smile-bearing server about the name, but I curiously wondered if the food-laden bowls and plates she brought to our table reminded her of homes, meals, and childhood memories that used to be.
Speaking of plates, every Korean restaurant worth its salt will offer a set of banchan, or side dishes. While each joint has its own signature dishes, or unique takes on traditional ones, there are always some dependable mainstays. Kimchi, or spicy fermented cabbage, is one of them, and Yet Tuh offers its patrons a particularly fiery batch.
For those unfamiliar to this traditional cuisine, think of these small side dishes as a low-stakes gateway to authentic Korean food. It's free of charge and sometimes placed on the table even before you order. For nostalgic hungryfolk like me, these small plates of fishcakes, seasoned bean sprouts, and sweet and salted soybeans were an automatic doorway to home.
James' standby order is yukgaejang. 'Jang' means stew, and most Korean restaurants will offer their stews in small, black earthenware pots. If the kitchen fires them up correctly, they'll continue to bubble deliciously with retained heat as you head in, spoon first. Yukgaejang is a spicy meatstew, featuring soft strands of brisket, glass noodles, and chopped vegetables.
Side note: if you suffer from nose drippage from KFC's spicy chicken, this dish isn't for you. That deep red color packs quite a punch, and James tested the absorbency rate of three napkins before reaching the bottom of this bowl. But if you love the heat (or if you need your sinus passages cleared), this, along with a bowl of rice, might be the antidote for your ills.
Full review: https://www.pageandspoon.com/post/yet-tuh--doraville-ga