Hotgogi (Chicken or Tofu) Rice Bowl with Cabbage Salad

an ode to a restaurant called Mmaah, and other Berlin recs.

I discovered @rhi.scran this summer, and upon making her gochujang tofu mince, it hit me with so much nostalgia for this restaurant called Mmaah, that makes Korean street food. When my husband and I lived in Berlin we were (maybe embarrassingly) frequent customers at this spot. It was a quick bike ride away from our apartment making it one of our go-to quick meals. We’d switch up between getting their Bulgogi Beef or Hotgogi Chicken. But the Hotgogi Chicken was always the star. Especially when getting them over beautiful, perfectly cooked potatoes. So when I discovered Rhian’s recipe I knew I needed to add my own spin on it, to make it even more of the taste I remember, and ultimately to what my husband and I have been missing! If you wanna add potatoes, I hiiiighly recommend Rhian’s sticky garlic sambal potatoes 🔥

First some other spots that were missing that were our weekly go-to’s, or now, our must visits whenever we’ve back. I often get folks wanting some Berlin recs for when they are planning a trip, so this is my mini (from a verrrry loong list) of recs for now:

1. Nano Kaffee- Nano was half way between our apartment and Z’s office, so some morning I’d bike with him for a morning coffee and a franzbrötchen (a beautiful mix between a croissant and a cinnamon roll).

2. Concierge Coffee- If the morning stop wasn’t at Nano, it was here. Specifically their Paul-Lincke-Ufer location. The smallest lil nook, and coffee beans I crave. But… their chai is life changing. Truly. I’m warning you now, none will ever be the same.

3. Five Elephant- On the weekends when we really wanted to romanticize our EU life, we’d join the rest, and take a long and slow mittagspause “afternoon pause” and bike to the Kreuzberg location. They’re known for their cheesecake, and I will definitely say the hype is real. Truly one of the best cheesecakes I’ve ever had.

4. Home Cafe- Sadly…. this cafe has now closed (heartbreak..) but it still had to have an honorary mention. This is the first cafe Z and I went too in our neighborhood after finding our apartment. Like it’s name, Home definitely became our second home. It was our weekly brunch spot, our neighborhood coffee stop, our spot for meeting our friends who also lived in the neighborhood. Sarah made one of the best breakfasts in town, especially an eggs benedict with the most *perfect* poached eggs. Such a special place that will be so missed, but so happy for their new journey!

5. Albatross Bakery- Hands down my favorite bakery of all Berlin, or at least the most special to me. Amazing sourdough bread and stunning laminated pastries. A gem forever and always!

6. Zola Pizza- To this day Z calls this his pizza food enlightenment. Near left us speechless, and maybe a few tears, after our first visit. Some of the best neapolitan pizza in Berlin!

7. Barra- if you want a truly special experience, I highly recommend Barra. Stunning dishes, amazing wine and amaro, great people. So, so special.

8. Döner Kebab- a must! Everyone in Berlin has their go to döner spot. We had one at the end of our block, and another a short bike ride away that had the best spicy sauce and meat, Imren Grill. A great lunch, a great picnic dinner, or a great 3 am bite.

9. Späti- a German 7/11 or bodega. The grungier the better, but this one called Dion & Gefolge is the trendy version with an unreal beer, wine, soda, pantry items, etc. you could ever want on a visit to Berlin!

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What I’d Drink With This!

• Singha Lager or Orion Draft Beer (or your prefered light, easy drinking beer like a lager or pilsner)

• Sake

• N/A: Halmi / Cinnamon, Ginger, Jujube, Persimmon drink

• N/A Yuzu-ade (limeade/lemonade but with yuzu)

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Now to the recipe!