THE FOOD HERE IS highly under-rated. Not only has the Korean cuisine been excellent (no dog) but the range of other delicacies has not been bad at all. On a scale after the first dozen meals or so, i’m going better than portland, less than NYC but on par with Chicago but on a different scale. Lots of BEEF with GOOD FAT – what the hell is that? It’s like saying he went peacefully? And lots of sides… kimchi (umm), squid legs, eggs and cabbage? The only odd/different thing about eating Korean is the DIY preparation. The DIY part is actually ok, but on days when the temperature reaches 90+ they drag out this grill onto your table, fire that puppy up and you BBQ right there… and DAMN does it get hot! Outside of Korean, i’ve managed some Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, BK, French (check this one out :) and almost Steaks at Outback – but believe it or not, the line was TOO long! Must be that new super spokesperson Meredith! Also, I can’t tell if Chicken is a special thing or something that they settle for. Today was one of three special days in the Asian summer calendar. Apparently, as tradition has it, on the first official day of summer, the middle day and the final day… you eat DOG to keep you cool (or make you sick). Thankfully, the modern day asia has opted not for dog and replaced the tradition with Chicken. Twice we’ve tried to accomodate this local custom only to be shutdown with major waits at chicken specialty restaurants.

One more odd thing about eating and then i’ll let it go. This also goes not to the food but the custom. In Korea, EVERYONE eats lunch at Noon. So bazaar. I would come out of my office at 12:05 and the place would be a ghost town. All 3 floors top to bottom… nobody. Apparently, the lights in the whole building flicker on and off at Noon to let everyone know it’s time to eat lunch, but since i don’t turn the lights in my office on, I never noticed it. In addition, if you don’t leave to eat lunch, eat at your desk or eat alone, you’re considered an outcast! seriously. So thankfully, the team has been kind enough to remind me about lunch and let me tag along.

One last plug. Right after i got here, DailyCandy.com published this neat little prop to korean food.

Cannoli and chopsticks. Bamboo and Brioni. Gnocchi and ginger root. Ah, the melting pot that is Little Italy-Chinatown.

And now, a little seasoning: Li Hua, a new Korean eatery. The tiny spot may look modern — with its airy minimalist vibe and gleaming high-tech kitchen — but the cooking is proudly traditional. Our Korean pals deemed the scallion pancakes, soon-doobu (tofu and seafood in spicy egg-yolk broth) and chap-chae (sweet-potato noodles with beef) as good as grandmom’s, and everyone fought over the never ending supply of sides. But the table favorite was definitely galbi, marinated short ribs.

A cool rock soundtrack encourages grooving as well as gorging. And the prices are beyond reasonable. When was the last time eight people ate for less than 80 bucks?

Talk about spicing up the neighborhood.

Li Hua, 171 Grand Street, at Baxter Street (212-343-0090).