Manna House — Restaurant in Greenfield

I Love Korean. Food. But it’s just not easy to find. Unless you’re looking for Hot Pot/BBQ. Which I’m not. I found Manna House on Yelp and finally made it for an early dinner. This is my kind of place in that it’s a small, independent, scrappy restaurant. There were only two people working when I ate at Manna House: one person cooking and a second person waiting tables. The place is in an interesting location in downtown Greenfield. Small space at the end of the block, kind of long and narrow. VERY high ceilings. Two big problems with the atmosphere that I must mention.

We have to acknowledge the fact that I am NEVER looking for “fine dining” or “formal” atmosphere. I’m looking for a good/fun vibe and great food. The two problems here are the fact that the ONLY lights in the entire space were a few (very few) little track lights all the way up on that very high ceiling. Completely inadequate lighting. So way down below where I was sitting, with my food, it was almost too dark to see that food. They need more lights.

Second problem: there was no ambient music or anything at all. You could have heard a pin drop in that place. Instead of hearing a pin drop what I had to hear were my fellow diners chewing and slurping etc etc. I’m not even kidding. That’s now quiet the spot was. I REALLY dislike ever hearing anyone chew anything. So that was kind of terrible. And a very easy thing to fix. They should fix it.

I started with Steamed Tofu. It’s a simple dish. But delicious! And I really like it. Then Kimchi Pajun which was nearly meal sized all on its own. I think it would have been really good, but it got over cooked. Like borderline burnt. VERY close to the burnt border…

I also ordered Kim Bap with Tofu. Kim Bap is, basically, Korean sushi and this is the equivalent of Futomaki in Japanese Sushi. You can get it with Ham or with Tofu (I don’t eat ham). The Kim Bap was EXCELLENT. Delicious, big and expertly rolled so that each piece held together as I ate it. Highly Recommend.

I then got Soon dubu Chigae, which is a spicy, silken tofu soup/stew with seafood. This was pretty good. Not great. Flavor was good. Could have been spicier. Seafood component was very “meh.” I feel like Manna House isn’t doing much with seafood on their menu. It’s difficult to offer just a few seafood items and then have great quality seafood.

My meal came with two Banchan which were good: Kimchi and potatoes in sweet syrup. Banchan are maybe the best thing about eating Korean food.

Rice was also good. Although not as good as I’ve had at other Korean spots.

I’d definitely get the Kim Bap again. And the Pajun. I’m assuming the overcooking was not how it usually goes. But not sure I’d dine in again in the dark silence…True Score 3.5 But Since there are no .5s here I’m rounding up because I get the feeling Covid was...

We went to dinner a little before 7 on a Monday evening, and had the place to ourselves. I was in the company of my nephew and his wife, who is from South Korea. My own experience with Korean food is quite limited, but I'm enjoying their introducing me to a number of dishes in the last year or so. We shared an order of Kimchi Pajeon, a pancake reminiscent of a thin omelet and flavored with kimchi, the spicy fermented cabbage so frequently part of a Korean menu, accompanied by a soy-based dipping sauce. It was a bit overdone around the edges, but otherwise very good, and a sufficiently generous serving to share before our main course. Next I had Beef Bulgogi, marinated beef with scallions, and my nephew had Ohjinguh Bokkeum, squid with vegetables served in a (very) spicy sauce. His wife had a soup with noodles whose name I didn't catch, but which she pronounced authentic. The non-soup dishes were served with rice. We enjoyed our meal, and my nephew and his wife took home an order of Kimbap for his younger sister. I would recommend either of the dishes I named, with the understanding that the squid dish is quite spicy - the taste I had didn't leave me gulping water, but I was happy to have rice to go with it. The Bulgogi is a decidedly safer choice, and I look forward to being a bit more...

I was at death’s door. I could feel the Reaper’s cold touch in my bones. Life flashing before my very eyes, I knew I had not much time left. Struggling to process this mysterious ailment plaguing me, I began to accept my fate. I called for a priest, but none would see me. I called for family but alas, none could bring themself to face me in my pitiful state,. My girlfriend by my side grew distant…she could sense our time together was quickly coming to an end. No hospital would see me…all doctors had accepted defeat. I wasn’t ready for death, but he sure was ready for me. Then I felt a heat hit my tongue. Spices coasted through my being. “Oh God” I thought, as my vision began to restore itself to near superhuman levels, “I must be dead. Have I made it to Heaven?” Yet to my surprise, one sip of the sweet spicy nectar of Manna house’s ramen began to work it’s magic. Another sip, and feeling returned to my legs. Another, and I could move my fingers. Three weeks of Spicy Ramen IV drip later, and I am ailment free. I need not sleep any more. I have reversed the aging process. Manna house holds the fountain of youth my friends 11/10...