HI,
I went to Super H on Friday evening arriving around 8 PM. The frenzy in the food court rivaled Mitsuwa midday on a weekend. I quickly resolved in my mind I needed to eat before I explored the store. Otherwise the entire store would be hauled home!
I have often commented on the difficulties communicating in Korean restaurants. I found talking to the food court counter people at Super H not particularly easy. However on all occasions, other Koreans standing in line with me, who were likely 1st generation Americans, were very eager to explain, suggest as well as interpret. When I admired the food at the tables around me, they not only explained what I needed to know, they were happy to point out which booth and how to order it. I can see some breakthrough in my Korean food knowledge is possible by hanging out at this store, especially the food court.
The first thing to speak to me was the Dumpling booth. I saw people eating plates of dumplings, which triggered a keen interest. There were no problems identifying where to obtain the dumplings because the booth is labeled: dumplings. I threaded my way through the crowd to find large pictures of dumplings: steamed mandoo referred to as 'Traditional Korean dumpling,' 'Jumbo dumpling' which they had no more, Kimchi dumpling (looking like jumbo navels) available in 15 minutes and red bean filled dumpling though really a rice bun though very abundantly filled.
While in line waiting, I observed these dumplings were not fresh from the freezer instead they were freshly made. When I finally had an opportunity to eat one, the ingredients were obviously very fresh. Not only are the fillings fresh, when I returned Sunday evening I saw a worker actively kneading dumpling dough in the rear.
I ordered the 'Traditional Korean dumpling' and red bean filled dumpling/rice bun:
When I returned on Sunday evening, I had the Jumbo dumpling as well as the Kimchi dumplings.
There are two booths: Snacks and another called Korean with some overlap in these two booths offerings. For instance, Snacks serves bulgogi over rice for approximately $5, while the Korean booth next door serves a dinner portion of bulgogi for $9.99. At Snacks, they are not offering their full menu yet. There are many items like Korean pancake, which are taped over presently at Snacks. Korean next door has a handwritten menu pasted on the counter in Korean with English transliteration, by Sunday these were machine printed. Next to this menu is another with English explanations of the food offered in the Korean- English transliterations.
We ordered bulgogi dinner from the Korean booth. When I inquired how long I needed to wait, the order taker gave me a puzzled look. The woman next in line asked in Korean, then advised me the answer. This was a very typical exchange all evening.
I returned on Sunday with my cousin, I ordered grilled beef ribs and he ordered beef rib soup:
From Snacks, we ordered homemade noodles. The server advised these noodles would come in a soup. I watched them for a while, even took a picture, which they advised they didn't like. The noodles were absolutely fresh. However, the water they tossed them into wasn't boiling or even a vigorous simmer, then they added more water causing the pot to cool further. It was no surprise these noodles were gummy. I attribute this to start-up stress as well as the very eager attention so early on by customers. I will try these another day when they have polished their act, because anything beginning with fresh noodles is just worth revisiting.
At the next table, I saw people enjoying the Korean-Chinese favorite Ja Jang Myun, which is noodles with a sauce dominated by black beans. The people caught my admiring look, then advised the Chinese offered was Korean style, which does not surprise me. It is also the only booth, so far, where you can buy a soda pop.
There is a Korean bakery booth with goods made to Korean tastes. The novelty breads in a stand alone display have little boxes filled with samples to grab with a toothpick. Since everything is new (to me at least), it was great fun to taste your way around the stand. From the novelty bread section I purchased a muffin-type snack cake, which had various bean pastes, raisins and nuts inside. A friend made a comparison to a heavily fruited fruit cake, though more interesting and better tasting in my opinion. From the refrigerated section, I bought a sweet potato cake slice with a cheesecake texture. As we picked our way through this cake slice, we did find a piece of potato. The whipped cream decoration with two sunflower seeds embedded was not whipped cream. I estimate it was whipped crème fraiche. Both bakery items were both worthy of repeat purchases.
There was only one booth where there were few lines and less customer enthusiasm: Japanese sushi and noodle soups.
Shopping afterwards is great entertainment.
Super H Mart
801 Civic Center Dr. (Just south of intersection of Oakton and Waukegan Road)
Niles, IL 60714
Tel : 847-581-1212
Store Hours: 8:00 AM ~ 11:00 PM