East Market opened this past spring, and with 13 market stalls, it has been a hit for many people across Columbus. Kosō, a Korean vendor located at East Market, is the place to order from when craving East Asian fresh, flavorful and delicious food.
First, I ordered the udon noodles. The dish was $10 and included noodles, tofu, soy and broth. The udon noodles were thick and fluffy, the tofu was soft and squishy and the broth was flavorful and comforting.
However, the bibimbap I ordered for $12 was the star of the show. It had a white rice base; greens; carrots; cabbage; sprouts; cucumber; a choice of beef, chicken, or tofu and a fried egg on the top. The dish also came with both a spicy and peanut sauce on the side. With each bite, the taste got increasingly better. Its tangy sauce perfectly complemented the sweet flavors of the crunchy vegetables.
Seating at East Market is offered on the first floor and upstairs. If you prefer eating in a less crowded area, I recommend sitting upstairs as it’s less packed with customers.
Despite Kosō’s amazing food and welcoming staff, there was one aspect of the experience that could be improved upon: the takeout packaging. Both the udon and the bibimbap came in a large black plastic bowl. Despite recycling options in the East Market, most takeout packaging cannot be recycled because of the food remnants left on the plastic. It’s likely that customers will recycle their takeout packaging with leftover food on it, unaware that they are actually contaminating the recycling.
While other vendors at the East Market also distribute single use packaging to their customers, Kosō could make the effort to provide reusable, washable dishes to customers eating within the market because it is more sustainable to the environment.
Regardless of Kosō’s plastic packaging, it’s definitely the vendor to purchase from when going to East Market. Its delicious and reasonably priced food cannot be resisted by a hungry stomach, and its friendly service will not disappoint.
DREW
GRACIE
MWad