I don't know if it's me getting older or what; but this winter seems much colder than previous years. Even the temperature adjustment after returning from France, where we visited Strasbourg didn't last long. I started feeling really cold after days! And then of course all of that rain from the Atmospheric River, well we needed something warm and comforting to eat. It was time for us to get our fix form Woomiok. So, I did the usual thing, dropped by Woomiok right when they opened and placed my order for the Emperor's Soup and an extra side order of Bone Soup to go. I then headed to Nijiya to do some shopping.
The young man who took my order was a joy. My order was ready for pick-up when I returned.
Upon getting home I unpacked and laid everything out.
I didn't realize it, but it had been over a year since I last visited. I did notice a couple of changes, other than prices which has gone up about $2 since the last time. There was a lot less rice and noodles as before; but to be perfectly honest, we don't order this for the noodles or rice. And there seemed to be a bit less meat as well.
Once the Missus got home, I set up the large dolsot with our Iwatani Butane Stove and we were off.
The bone soup still has that nice tongue coating richness and once you add the salt and scallions to the mix it's quite comforting. Like I said, its really about the soup for us.
The baechu kimchi, jangahjji (pickled peppers and radish), and kkakdugi (radhish kimchi) were all quite good this time around.
Here's a little hack we do and one of the main reasons we like getting this for takeout. While at Nijiya I'll get some soft tofu, which I drain and dry, then add to the dolsot. It really adds to the dish. Add the side order of soup and the tofu and this ends up being two meals for us.
It's really warm and comforting. And one of the first things we get when the cold starts getting to us.
Woomiok
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
Hope everyone is keeping warm. And tell me, what have you been eating to warm your belly?
These wings were just drenched in sauce. There was a huge pool of sauce at the bottom of the box. The two or three pieces on the top, while over sauced held up fine, but the pieces on the bottom were a soggy mess.
Doesn't even look like it's from the same place, does it?
The menu is on the wall, or you can scan a QR code and read the menu on your phone. 
The Mister wanted Boiled Tofu, and it was furiously boiling when brought to the table! He had ordered the 'Chef's Special' ($13) which included shrimp, pollack roe, clam, oyster, mushroom and kimchi. (white rice is included, but the multigrain rice option is an extra $2; get it). Great, fresh seafood and smooth, satisfying tofu.
I've been craving something from a hot stone pot (because crispy rice). Ordering the "Chef's Special Hot Stone" ($20) was just the flavor filled melange I wanted. Marinated beef rib eye as well as beef short ribs over the sizzling rice, topped with plump shrimp and small but flavorful scallops really hit the spot. 
Your condiments are brought to the table after ordering. 
The chicken held up quite well after the drive home. This batter is more of the "laquer" type and it was still quite crunchy. Not much seasoning though, so it really needs a sauce. The sauce came in a presealed container and was like a sweet (emphasis on "sweet") chili sauce that was kind of weak overall.
The wings were somewhat unevenly battered, the pieces on the top were quite crunchy, but for some strange reason, even though I liked the fact this wasn't swimming in sauce, the bottom pieces had gone mushy. For some reason, the meat of the wings were drier as well. This soy based sauce was also too sweet for my taste.
Right in the same strip mall as Eastern Dynasty I saw that Manna Bakery was closed. Man, this is an oldie. I've never posted on this place. I think my last visit was in pre-blogging days, but I know they had a very loyal clientele. 
If you walk in the entrance on the right, you'll be at the proper area. 
If you had walked in the entrance to the left and counter-clockwise through the store, you'll see this overhead signage.
Grab a container and choose from the hot/steam trays
as well as from the chilled trays. At the end of the line are canned and bottled beverages and the cash register and seating area. Everything is $10.99/lb. {there is also a water fountain with cups in the seating area}
The fried items seem to be fresh when we are here; lightly crisp and not greasy. The squid and whole shrimp are a favorite (as you can see from these separate visits). The chilled trays always hold something wonderful. Each of these packed full trays weighed a little less than one pound.
You can also order something from the kitchen- the menu board is right above the trays.
The Bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and vegetables) has been a special taped to the bottom of the menu board for a while now ($9.99). Steamed rice topped with a variety of vegetables and marinated tender, thin sliced beef (you can also get the beef in the per-pound steam tray) topped with an egg. It's served with pickled radish, Kimchi and the mildly spicy, slightly sweet gochujang sauce. A spoon is necessary for mixing the ingredients together. You can have all of this served in a stone pot (dolsot bibimbap) so the rice is sizzling and brown/burned (in a good way) for $2 more (#10 on the photo menu).
#20 on the menu is 'pork cutlet' ($11.99). Topped with teriyaki sauce and served with rice and salad, this is quite a large meal. We were sad that on this visit, the pork was fried just about 30 seconds too long, leaving it a bit dryer and more chewy than usual. 
