Dave’s Gourmet Korean Food offers refreshing options for vegans

By Raushan Melton
Staff Writer

When strolling around at the local farmers markets, one should make sure to stop by Dave’s Gourmet Korean Food for a healthy and delicious addition to one’s daily diet.
Dave’s is not merely a booth, but a flavor experience. Its masterfully curated items are vegan, flavorful and healthy, creating an ideal menu that adds diversity to the many food options available at the Farmers Market.
The business, owned by David and Linda Kim, began in 2003 after the couple realized the popular vegan dish kimchee, a side of seasoned fermented vegetables, was an ideal food option for vegans and health addicts. Beginning with kimchee, the pair expanded the scope of the cuisine to traditional Korean “banchan,” or side dishes, that are made to complement rice or soup.
The most popular product that Dave’s offers is tempha, a black bean and brown rice paste. Although it is a little bland, much like unseasoned tofu, tempha has a delicious chewy consistency and sweet yet spicy flavor. The natural flavor and added spices blend into the tempha to create an incredibly satisfying, savory experience.
Another noteworthy item at Dave’s is the seaweed salad. This item uses seaweed that is grown in freshwater ponds, so there is no fishy or overpowering taste. This type of seaweed creates a natural flavor that other Asian food cannot compare to due to its natural origins.
Another quality that distances Dave’s from other vendors is its considerable dedication to catering to health-conscious diners. Every dish on the menu is vegan and monosodium glutamate (MSG) free. The menu also does not contain refined sugars or preservatives, leading to a healthy eating experience. Dave’s savory flavors are just as appetizing as other unhealthy and seemingly more flavorful dishes at the Farmers Market.
Dave’s Gourmet Korean Food stands out among the other vendors at the Farmers Market. With a blend of spicy, sour and sweet flavors, Dave’s food holds an abundance of unique flavors and combinations that are worth testing out.
Dave’s Gourmet Korean Food is at the Hermosa Farmers Market on Fridays and Manhattan Farmers Market on Tuesdays.