Grilled Mentaiko
It is quite salty on its own, with a…read moreslightly dry texture and a fine, sandy graininess when you chew it. But once paired with mayo and cucumber, the flavor becomes much more balanced. The creaminess of the mayo and the freshness of the cucumber soften the saltiness, and then the mentaiko slowly breaks apart in your mouth, releasing a rich, briny umami from the tiny fish roe. Mayo, mentaiko, and cucumber are a perfect combination.
Beef Tartare
The portion is smaller than beef tartare I've had at other Korean restaurants. With chopped scallions added, the overall flavor leans more toward a sharp onion-garlic aroma, and the saltiness slightly overpowers the sweetness. Without pear, it misses that refreshing sweetness and crunch, so the flavor feels a bit too strong.
Sizzling Pan Bulgogi
The bulgogi reminds me of Japanese gyudon, with a similar sweetness from the onions and sauce. But because it is stir-fried on a sizzling pan, the beef has a light seared aroma around the edges and more wok-like fragrance. It also comes with Korean glass noodles, which soak up the sweet-savory sauce and become slightly sticky and chewy. One bite of beef, one bite of noodles, one bite of rice, and I naturally fell into full "head-down rice-eating" mode. The mushrooms also absorb the meat juices and sauce, keeping the dish from feeling repetitive.
Simply Jokbal
The "Simply" version just comes without side dishes and rice, but the portion of jokbal is the same. The serving size was honestly surprising, and even three of us couldn't finish it. The jokbal is cut into small chunks, with a high ratio of lean meat. The collagen-rich parts are soft, bouncy, and still hold their shape, giving a texture somewhere between braised pork hock and pig's trotter. The spicy sauce leans more toward the direct heat of Korean chili powder rather than just the sweetness of gochujang, a bit like the spice in tteokbokki. The savory meatiness, chili aroma, and saltiness build up layer by layer. No wonder this is their signature dish.
Braised Pork Ribs
The seasoning is somewhat similar to the beef tartare, with sweetness from onion and fruit. The rice cakes also soak up the sauce very well. The ribs are not like the small-cut pork ribs commonly seen in Chinese cooking. Each piece has a short bone with a thick layer of meat around it. The meat is firm, fibrous, and chewy, but still deeply flavored from the braising. The more you chew, the more the meatiness comes through.
Spicy Seafood Soup
The biggest strength of the soup is its strong seafood flavor. The broth is rich in umami without feeling too heavy or sauce-based. The downside is that there is not much seafood: only squid, two shrimp, and a few mussels. The noodles were also average, without much chewiness and not great at absorbing the broth. This dish is more about drinking the soup than eating the toppings.