The Hungry Tiger Inside Montgomery's New Korean Market

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted December 26, 2024

Folks who want to expand their culinary palate may want to try The Hungry Tiger, a new restaurant inside Kasia Market in Belle Mead that opened on Dec. 20.

Those not familiar with Korean food have an opportunity to taste the cuisine prior to purchasing a meal. This is just one thing that sets The Hungry Tiger inside Kasia Market apart from other restaurants. Market owner Dennis Ahn says his kitchen makes everything fresh everyday.

The Hungry Tiger menu includes Bingu is a milk-based Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruit, sweetened condensed milk, mochi, and sweet red beans. Other specialties by Head Chef Chef Yunnie Kwon of Belle Mead include Korean Fried Chicken, Kim Bap, and made-to-order bowls offering a variety of high-protein ingredients from which to choose.

“We’ll give you a taste. If you like it, we will put it in a bowl for you. You go to the end of the line, we weigh it — we sell per pound — and you can pay only for what you would eat.” Customers can then have their food wrapped for take out, or sit down in the dining room furnished with locally-made wood-slab tables. “We weigh the food in an effort to reduce food waste, so we don’t have to throw out good food,” Ahn said. “Some people eat more, some eat less. People can take as much as they can eat.”

The Hungry Tiger offers healthy options, and is especially proud of its house-made bone broth — as an essential ingredient for good health. The chef purchases the bones from Lima Family Farms in Hillsborough, which manages 400 acres grazing space for its 100% grass-fed cattle.

Farm owner John Lima, who has a B.S. and M.S in civil engineering, says, “I got into this business to ensure my family is eating healthy food. It was hard for us to find food raised without chemicals, drugs, or antibiotics. We wanted to make our contribution to the local community by offering 100% grass fed beef, and non- GMO products at an affordable price.”

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Ahn says that The Hungry Tiger buys bones every week from Lima. “We cook bone broth 24-7, and, really, that’s what’s naturally good for our bodies.” Bone broth is brimming with health benefits: fights inflammation, contains beneficial nutrients that support bones and joints, and boosts the immune system according to Mayo Clinic.

The Hungry Tiger Head Chef Yunnie Kwon of Belle Mead. Her two young sons attend Montgomery public schools.

Hungry Tiger Head Chef Yunnie Kwon, who moved from New York City to Montgomery after the pandemic, says “We need Korean food in this community, for sure.” She says that while the actual Korean population in Montgomery is low, probably less than 5%, the culture is growing rapidly. Korean films and shows on Netflix are big right now, as well as the music (KPop), and, of course, the food, so there is a lot of interest in it.

The restaurant has five stations: each with a different food. Three favorites include the Korean fried chicken, BingSu, and bubble teas. “Our crispy fried chicken is the best. You’ve never had better,” Ahn says.