Welcome to Short Order COOK, our weekly check-in with chefs around town. Every Wednesday we’re chatting with your favorite Philly chefs to find out what they’re eating, watching, cooking and what’s in their pantry!
Graduate Hospital’s SouthGate is serving up “casual Korean restaurant on the streets, craft cocktail & beer bar between the sheets” We caught up with SouthGate owner Peter Hwang to find out how we can order their food and cocktails to go, some ways he’s keeping entertained and to see what’s in his pantry.
Are you offering takeout at SouthGate?
Yes, we are open for takeout and delivery through Caviar and a few other delivery services. We’re closed on Monday as usual, and we’ve shelved our brunch service, but we’re offering a streamlined version of our regular menu and have continued to put out most of our popular dishes.
Have you been experimenting with new ingredients or recipes during quarantine?
Not as of yet. I’ve tried to simplify all the processes involved with ordering and prep. With social distancing recommendations and an uncertain future for the industry, we’re trying to keep as few people in the restaurant as possible.
Any guilty pleasure foods you’re willing to admit?
A bowl of Pho Tai Nam Gau from Pho 75. After 10pm, I go get a Mushroom whiz with onions cheesesteak from Steve’s Prince of Steaks. Add ketchup and you have an umami bomb!
What cookbooks would you recommend to the home cook?
I’m not a professional chef, but I’ve found a lot of inspiration from Asian and Korean cookbooks. Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking, Lucky Peach, and Momofuku are great to get an understanding of where Korean food came from and how its progressed as it’s become popular in the U.S.
Any TV shows, books, or podcasts that you’ve enjoyed recently?
Setting the Table by Danny Meyer is a must for reading and rereading. David Chang’s “Too Small to Fail“ podcast series has been both sobering and inspirational for what’s going on in our industry right now. There’s so much good food programming available, but I’m hoping someone creates an English language version of the food-centric Korean Drama “Let’s Eat”. There’s never really been a better illustration of how food affects your mood than the admittedly ridiculous scenes where the cast waxes poetic on the flavor of pig’s feet.
Where is the first place you’re going out to eat once quarantine is lifted?
I’ve been meaning to get back to Serpico for years. And when that day comes, and not some cocktail sips between wearing my mask or a 25% max occupancy day…..I’m talking V-Day/Vaccine Day/Victory over Covid-19 Day, it will be so damn sweet.
Lastly, is there something you want to mention or let people know about?
There’s no shortage of amazing people within the food industry doing remarkable things despite devastating effects of the pandemic on their personal and professional lives. Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen, Ed Lee’s The Lee Initiative, Guy Fieri, etc. Please support all the independent restaurants and the organizations advocating for them, the IRC, the Beard Foundation, and the PRLA. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. Let’s do what we can to make sure our Philly Tough restaurants can keep making Philadelphia one of the best food scenes in the country.
And now, let’s take a look at what’s in Peter’s pantry!
