J & P Cafeteria

So amazzzinnggggggg! It’s like grandmas cooking from my childhood — if I had a Korean grandma that is. Hubby and I shared a bulgogi which came with banchans and rice. I asked for a soup — it was raining and called for some soup weather. They just gave me what they have which was amazing! Potatoes and veggies with some meat on the bottom. All of that for 10 bucks! It was just enough for two people, but would definitely order extras next time since we were in a rush this time. Seating is limited and it’s kind of hard to find the place located on Neal — but gps found the place still (thank you google maps!) the place is nothing fancy and it looks kind of messy inside but for the food is good — I can’t complain about that.

I’m downgrading the initial review for one thing: price. Ordering the exact same combination this past Saturday as I did a few weeks ago, this time, I paid $ 3.50 more for two orders of kimbap, which comes with your choice of soup (kimchi, bean sprouts, cabbage), a galbi, and a bulgogi. Food still tasted great; combinations were all packaged well although I think the first time was better.
I’m just bummed the pricing is so arbitrary. Something about it being over $ 30 for all the food makes it slightly less of an amazing find.
Nevertheless, there is still enough food for 2+ meals for two people.

A GAZILLION STARS!!! OMG, WHAT A GEM!!! The hubs and I were craving for some Korean, and we somehow stumbled across J&P Cafeteria in the warehouse district off of 4^th (they’re actually located on Neal). Owned by Ms. Palmer (she’s Korean!) and her children (May and Chris), the menu offers breakfast platters, lunch platters, sandwiches, subs, and KOREAN goodies. I was so excited, we tried a variety: Bulgogi (well-​marinated beef, and not too salty or too wet), Galbi (cut-​up beef shortribs; not too fatty, this had great flavor and tender), Jaeyook Bokeum (spicy pork, marinated perfectly; it had a nice kick), Hangook Bop (basically, comes with bop, your choice of the soup of the day (we opted for the dooboo jjigae (spicy tofu soup that had a nice kick and had large chunks of tofu and zucchini) and a side of banchans), and a Steak & Cheese (because I’m a sucker for Steak & Cheese; while loaded generously with the meat, it was forgettable). All the Korean food are made in-​house and made fresh daily; you can really tell the love that goes into the preparation of the food, especially the banchans! It’s been such a long time that we’ve had fresh and perfectly-​seasoned banchans, especially kimchi that was well-​fermented and that fresh! The meats were all marinated so well and so tasty, and it reminded me of the homemade Korean goodies at church picnics/​family dinner get-​togethers! The meats all come with rice (I thought they were perfectly-​cooked, but the hubs thought it was slightly wet) and a generous amount of banchan. The prices were out of this world, as it was such a bargain for each of the combo meals (less than $ 10). Service was really friendly (I think Ms. May, who was the grill master, was slightly ‘overwhelmed’ with the amount we ordered, but I buttered her up), and you can tell that they care about the food that they offer to the customers. :D There are some limited seating inside (about 4 tables or so), but people mostly do carry-​out. Just note that the gooks/​jjigaes (soup/​stews) change on a daily basis, so you can call ahead or just give whatever they have available a try! They also offer kimbop and bibimbop on the weekends, which seem to be a huge hit, so I’ll be coming back for those! Apparently, they’re looking for another location between now and February of ’16, so until the big move, I’ll definitely be back to get my Korean craving all satisfied! :D DC is extremely limited in terms of having authentic (non-​fusion) Korean fare; Annandale needs to watch out because if you’re looking for authentic, no-​nonsense, homemade, delicious Korean food at a bargain, go check out J&P — you’ll love it! :D
+FRESH banchans!!! :D
+Jaeyook Bokeum: D
+Galbi :D
+gooks/​jjigaes change on a daily basis (call ahead!)
+kimbop & bibimbops offered on the weekends!
+ask for Ms. May (grill master) and Ms. Palmer (mother/​owner) :D
+limited seating inside
+will be moving to another location between now-​Feb ’16
+plenty of street parking on 4^th St and Neal

The best pancakes in town for the money. On Saturdays they serve a korean BBQ sushi roll that is big enough for 2.

Don’t come here. Seriously. I want it to remain my secret. And my friends. We go here at least once a week and it’s AMAZING. For $ 6 you will be stuffed. Just walk up to the counter, and ask their advice on the soups, and get a rice. That’s it.
The soups are either mild, medium, or spicy, and the menu changes every day. They are $ 3 a bowl.
The rice is a styrofoam contain that has a big thing of rice, some kimchi, and some other pickled veggies, or sometimes smoked fish, or whatever else is up for that day.
But don’t go there. It’s a really dirty hole in the wall type place in a weird part of town. best to stay away, really. Just stay at home nice and safe with your boring food and boring experiences. Life is better this way. Shhhh. I promise.

I come here fairly often on Saturday mornings for their kim-​bap and bibimbap specials, and they are excellent. The prices are… AMAZING. I typically pay $ 5 for a very large serving of beef kim-​bap and a kimchi or spicy bean sprout soup.

This place is my go to lunch spot, ma can make the best cheese steak in DC, but you are going to have to ask her for it. There prices are un matched, and you will understand why they are able to keep the price down just by looking around. Don’t forget about breakfast, no diner around and make and egg sandwich or pancakes like this place. Enjoy

this is not the place to take to impress a date, unless your date cares about food and people and working in which case it’s awesome. The place looks like the inside of a moving van but the portions re huge, the prices cheap and the owner knows you.
It’s a breakfast/​lunch place for the working stiffs of Union Market and lunch served as two more meals that week and it’s awesome authentic korean food

CliffsNotes: Yeah, here’s another place you won’t find many Unilocalers. The Warehouse «District» area is where all the restaurant suppliers and importers set up shop. It’s also the site of a weekend flea market. Although J&P Cafeteria doesn’t have a appealing location, its got prices and portion sizes that are hard to beat. Here, you’ll find meals made for the working laborer. Chicken sandwiches that cost $ 3.50 and complete meals (entrees and two sides) around $ 6. Better yet, the portions are generous enough to feed two. The décor is a little grimy so it fits along that «hole in the wall» feel. Bottom line — If you find yourself nearby, feel safe in knowing that J & P Cafeteria is A-​OK when all else fails. [Last Visit: March 1, 2010]