$2 Hite Draft Beers PLUS mouth-watering, tender Sliders & Dumplings at Gyenari in Culver City from 3pm until a finally reasonable Happy Hour of 7:30pm? Um, yes please!
The Washdown:
- light, summertime Hite Lager (Korea) 4.5% ABV, $2
- citrus, cooling, refreshing, but could be stronger Cucumber Gingerita, $7
When I heard about Gyenari's fabulously priced Happy Hour Prices & Times – hello, people in LA work late, then have to drive in traffic – I couldn't resist.
While Hite is a relatively generic Lager, close to American Domestics like Coors & Bud Light, it's appropriately priced at $2 during Happy Hour – and comes in a nice big Draft mug to swig, too. It's perfect for a hot summer day and has a super bubbly personality with lots of carbonation. Plus, you can order the Hite Tower Tap for everyone to share – 100 ounces for $24 = a very VERY Happy Hour!
The $7 Cucumber Gingerita combines my 2 favorite cocktail accessories – Cucumbers & Ginger. Tasting more like a Ginger-jito with a refreshing Mint Sprig & splash of Sour, the only thing that's lacking in this drink is more Vodka! You'll see what I mean after you suck this almost lemonade-soda cocktail down in 30 seconds flat.
The Grubdown:
- incredible, you-must-order this chunky Japanese Curry Crabcake with Asian Pear Slaw & Pickled Ginger Aioli (2 for $5)
- tender Short Rib Patty with Bulgogi, heaping Gouda Cheese, Balsamic Soy Onions & Kimchee Mayo (2 for $5)
- fluffy, tangy, spicy Kimchee Mandoo Dumplings with Korean Vegetables, Tofu & Potato Glass Noodles (4 for $4)
- a little dry, Spicy Pork, Chicken & Bulgogi Korean Taco Trio with Spicy Salsa & Guacamole $6
Our waitress wasn't kidding when she said her favorite thing on the menu was the Crabcake Slider. I was totally impressed by how succulent it was with big Chunks of Crab, tang from the Pickled Ginger Aioli, and a hint of sweetness from the Japanese Curry & Asian Pear Slaw – definitely NO CRAPcake here!
The tender Short Rib Patty & Bulgogi Beef Slider is super cheesy with a generous amount of Gouda, and a little spice from the Kimchee Mayo. Oh and did I mention the sweet, pillowey buns are out of this world?!?
I love Kimchee so I had to order the Mandoo Dumplings, too – Steamed of course, but you can also get it Pan Fried or Deep Fried. It's served with a spicy sweet Scallion Soy Dipping Sauce. The texture of the dumpling is buttery and light at the same time with Fluffy Tofu & Korean Vegetables inside.
The Taco Trio was my least favorite of our Happy Hour menu items. The meats – Chicken, Pork & Bulgogi – are bland and all kinda taste the same. But, at least they're filling and come with Spicy Salsa & Guac.
All in all, considering the quality of the food, the reasonable prices, and realistic Happy Hour 'til 7:30pm, Gyenari's Happy Hour is a steal!
Follow @GyenariLA for summer specials and shows.
9540 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. 310-838-3131.
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