The Korean-style pork cutlet that ate Palisades Park

The Jumbo Pork Chop at Woochon Restaurant in Palisades Park.

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

I met two friends for lunch today at Woochon Restaurant in Palisades Park, and one of them had never tried Korean food before.

Looking over the lunch menu and knowing what a dedicated meat eater he is, I suggested he have the Jumbo Pork Chop ($12.99).

He was delighted with it, but the closeup photo above doesn't do its size justice: 

The breaded pork cutlet -- not exactly a "chop" -- was at least 12 inches long and 6 inches wide, and its shape resembled the state of New Jersey.

In fact, my friend said, it reminded him of weiner schnitzel, a thin slice of veal that is breaded and fried.

The Korean cutlet was served on an enormous plate with white rice, french fries and salad. He took half of the cutlet home for his wife to taste.

My other friend, who served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and speaks Korean, had a traditional short-rib stew with cabbage ($10.99).

I had my favorite dish, soft-tofu stew with seafood ($9.99), and both of us asked for brown rice instead of white.

Soft-tofu stew with seafood.

Five of the complimentary side dishes served with the meal.

More side dishes, including cabbage kimchi, front.

  

After lunch, I went for a walk along Broad Avenue, stopping at two catering stores to check out the prepared side dishes, soups, stews and fish, and the refrigerated bottles of kimchi.

This caterer offers a dizzying variety of Korean side dishes.

A sign says this new dumpling restaurant will open on Dec. 19.

Woochon Restaurant, 280 Broad Ave., Palisades Park; 201-242-9999. Free parking on side streets.

Update: Woochon Restaurant is closed permanently.