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Crazy about Korean cuisine

By | Jan 17, 2012
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Guest blogger Ben Boudreau is the local community manager for Yelp.com, a website featuring restaurant reviews by ordinary diners. Once a week, he shares Halifax’s highlights.

Over the past few years, Halifax has really kicked it up a notch when it comes to world cuisine! Getting a great sushi roll isn’t as hard as it used to be, Vietnamese noodles are never far away, and Thai curries have changed the way we think about Friday night take-out. In order to help you get ahead of the curve, we’re going to run through a quick Introduction To Korean Cuisine course this week. Jal meokkesseumnida! Er…bon appétit!

Kicking things off with an expert, Kimberley M got her first taste of Korean food in its country of origin but happily heads to Seoul on Duke Street to get her local fix. She starts “off with some dumplings (Mulmandu),” that come “accompanied by miso soup, and the traditional side of kimchi”—spiced and fermented cabbage, for the unititated. Next up, fresh veggies, rice and an egg cook together in front of her to make “dolsot bibimbap in a stone bowl.” This Korean staple makes for a hearty, satisfying dish, perfect for first-timers. Just add some hot sauce, stir it up, and enjoy!

Another pro, Nick B, gets his fix at E-PIN Grill House – the perfect scene for a night of Korean barbecue. Here’s how it works: “At your table you have an electric grill, and the point of the experience is to cook at the table, turning dinner into a longer, slower, more social experience.” Choosing a combination meal for his party of three, “the table was filled for us with short ribs, teriyaki chicken, some beef, and a wide assortment of side dishes like Kimchi, potatoes, a couple of salads, and so on.” With all the ingredients for a feast, meat-eaters will love this interactive Korean way of dining.

Still scared? Don’t be. Just run over to Scotia Square and pay a visit to long-standing local favourite, Korea Garden Express. Both Lori M and Leslie F are quick to recommend their quick, affordable lunch combos as a great way to ease into the new cuisine. Leslie loves the “nice kick” of the spicy pork combo, while Lori never strays from the Seoul Chicken and Lemon Chicken dishes: “The Seoul Chicken has a kick of heat while the Lemon Chicken is tart (but in a good way).”

All set to navigate a whole new menu? Get even more edible expertise delivered straight to your mobile phone with Yelp’s free app! You’re just a finger-tap away from delicious new discoveries. Better yet, review a local love and you might just see your tips right here in our weekly round-up.

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