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TRIANGLE TODAY | THE NEWS & OBSERVER

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018

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KIDS TOWN

on page 2 for fun kid stuff

RESTAURANT REVIEW

DURHAM’S NAMU Greg Cox for Triangle Today

Tucked away in Straw Valley, a small commercial complex in a miniature forest of hardwood trees and tall bamboo, Namu is not a place you’re likely to stumble across by accident. If you do go looking for it, you’ll find yourself thinking you need a treasure map to supplement your GPS. (Hint: The entrance is on Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard side of the building.) Persevere. When you do walk through the door, you’ll feel as if you’ve stumbled on the Shangri-La of restaurant settings. Muted earth tones, lots of natural wood and greenery, and the clean lines of the mid-century modern structure set a serene mood for a maze of rooms surrounding a glass-enclosed interior courtyard. For those who find the zen of the space compromised by the glowing apples on the backs of laptops (Namu is part-Korean restaurant, part-coffee shop), a sprawling, secluded patio — complete with koi pond — beckons. The menu, listed on a large chalkboard behind the order counter, is a mix of traditional and contemporary Korean fare. There’s also a varied selection of Counter Culture coffee drinks, teas and Korean sodas, and a small but well-chosen selection of beers and wines on a separate printed menu.

You’ll find most of the traditional dishes grouped under the “Han Saang” heading (literally, “one table,” a reference to the Korean custom of sharing a meal family-style). Think of these as shareable small plates — or, to be precise, small paper trays. Korean barbecue is well-represented, and a worthy option even if you don’t get to cook it yourself. I’m partial to the galbi (short ribs), but I wouldn’t say no to any of the bulgogi (beef, spicy pork or chicken). Mandoo, Korea’s answer to potstickers, are another good bet. So are seafood pancakes, which are smaller than is typically served in restaurants but every bit as rewarding. A classic Bibimbap is one of Namu’s best sellers, and deservedly so. By all means, round out your meal with both kinds Juli Leonard of kimchi on offer: the familiar spicy red version and a tangy, bracing white kimchi. As long as you’re at it, spring for orders of spicy edamame, seasoned bean sprouts and geem (toasted nori) for a D-I-Y banchan. Namu Venture over to the other side of the menu, labeled “Namu Dish,” for entree-size portions, and a walk on the wild side. Here you’ll find Korean barbecue served up in everything from tacos to something called kimchi bul-fries: your choice of bulgogi served nacho style over waffle fries, topped with pan-fried kimchi, a fried egg and spicy aioli.

a refreshing take on Korean cuisine 5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham 919-251-9794 facebook.com/Namu-Durham-713409472154505/ Read more at triangletoday.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018

fun finder

TRIANGLE TODAY | THE NEWS & OBSERVER

SUMMER BOREDOM BUSTERS

N&O file photo

Saturday, June 23 | 2 to 6 p.m.

POP-PUPALOOZA – POP UP DOG PARK

Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh Dogs will be allowed off leash while at our specially crafted dog park that features 4 acres for dogs to roam! For the humans, Kona Pizza, 454 Grill, LocoPops, Neuse River Brewing Company and Dingo Dog Brewing will be at the park. More than 25 pet-related vendors and pet rescue organizations will sell snazzy dog bow-ties, delicious puppy snacks and provide information about fostering or rescuing a pooch! Sunday, July 22 | 3pm

INTO THE WOODS

Raleigh Little Theatre 301 Pogue St, Raleigh A musical that centers around a childless couple and teaches the consequences of their choices. Their journey features some familiar faces such as Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. $15, all ages https://raleighlittletheatre.org/shows/intothe-woods/

Wednesday, July 4

FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA AT TWEETSIE RAILROAD

http://tweetsie.com/special-events/ fireworks-extravaganza/#details Enjoy the most spectacular fireworks show in the High Country! It’s one of the most popular events in the mountains

Find details for these events and more fun stuff at

kidstownnc.com

Kids Town for Triangle Today Summer. We look forward to it with eager anticipation and giddy excitement. Until--we brace ourselves for it, but we know it’s coming--”Mom, I’m bored!” Thankfully, there are many inexpensive ways to beat the boredom around the Triangle. Here are a few ideas from among the more unique offerings to be found nearby. Science shows and more at Morehead Planetarium On weekends and most weekdays during the summer, Morehead Planetarium offers engaging live science shows that encourage audience participation. Experiments vary in nature depending on the show, but most explore biology and physics in amazing and dramatic fashion, keeping kids on the edge of their seats. The Science LIVE! shows at Morehead are both fun and free, but if you choose to stick around for a planetarium show while you’re there, those do require a ticket. Thankfully, at less than $8.00 for adults and only $6.51 for children 3-12, it can still be a fairly inexpensive afternoon. It’s worth noting that Morehead also hosts monthly free Skywatching sessions at several locations around the Triangle. These free, family-friendly events offer young space enthusiasts an opportunity to look at celestial objects through telescopes, learn how to identify and find various constellations, ask questions, and sometimes even view meteor showers.

Plane-watching at RDU Observation Park It’s kind of a kick to watch planes take off and land, for both kids and adults. At Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s Observation Park you can not only watch the planes from the observation platform, you can actually listen in to the conversations between pilots and air traffic control via mounted speakers. It’s completely free and exciting to watch and hear as the planes come and go, but if anyone does lose interest there is also a cool play area to check out, along with tables for a picnic lunch. Get creative at Nasher Museum of Art The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University offers drop-in Kids Studio sessions for children aged 5-10 on select days through the summer. Kids are encouraged to explore their creative side in these fun workshops that are free with a paid adult admission of just $7.00. On Thursdays, admission is free for everyone. Though an art museum sounds like it might not fit the bill for younger kids, the Nasher Museum’s family information page offers some thought-provoking ideas and questions to help engage little visitors. Keep the boredom monster at bay this summer with local activities that are easy on the budget but big on fun.

Find more kid-friendly fun at kidstownnc.com

TRIANGLE TODAY | THE NEWS & OBSERVER

Bu.ku leaving downtown Raleigh for Cary, former An building

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018

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The Thai barbecued pike with green papaya salad is a dish found at Bu.ku in downtown Raleigh. Juli Leonard

Drew Jackson for Triangle Today At the end of the year, Bu.ku is leaving its downtown Raleigh home after an eight-year run, but it will take over one of the area’s most beloved dining rooms. Early next year, Bu.ku will move into the former An Cuisines space in Cary, which closed in 2017. “The An space is really beautiful,” said Sean Degnan, who co-owns Bu.ku with Tony Hopkins. “An was a really fantastic Asian fusion restaurant, and the look and vibe really fit what we want to do. We’re going to freshen it up for 2020 and beyond.”

While the Bu.ku name is leaving downtown, the family isn’t, Degnan said. They’re currently working on a new fusion concept for a space near the heart of Fayetteville Street. The location wasn’t identified and will be announced in the coming months, according to a news release. “We’re still working on a name,” Degnan said. “But you can expect two syllables with a dot in the middle.” They also own Latin American focused So.ca in Cameron Village.