Dubu Dubu, 1 Utama

1 Utama has lots of food outlets ranging from tiny cafes to famous chain restaurants as well as stand alone ones.  My choice for today was Dubu Dubu which currently has 3 outlets here in the Klang Valley, namely in 1 Utama, Berjaya Times Square and Midvalley. For the curious ones like me, you will eventually find out that Dubu Dubu simply means tofu.

Korean food has always been knows to be one of the healthiest type of cuisine you will ever find on the face of this earth. Koreans pride themselves as a nation where obesity is virtually unheard of.

We ordered peach tea (RM4.90) and ginger tea (RM4.90). I would say the ginger tea was perfect for the cold I was suffering from. It wasn't only deliciously sweet, but was a good remedy for my cold.

Bulgogi beef set (RM20.90) and bulgogi chicken set (RM17.90) were chosen as our main for the meal. The presentation  looks similar. A bowl of what I call healthy rice (short grain rice with a tinge of purple) , some vegetables, a bowl of soup and an egg on top of your choice of meat are what you get.

This is japchae (RM14.90) . Japchae is what we Malaysians call glass noodles, sook hoon or tong fun. With its chewy texture, this plate of  stir fried noodles which contained  lots of ingredients, was superb.

Grilled fish ball (RM7.90) - 6 pieces of fish balls with a few slices of carrots was what this dish was all about. I ahve no complaints as far as the size of fish ball was concerned. But, I would prefer the grill fish ball to be slightly saltier as what I tasted was rather sweet.

Citron dubu (RM5.90) -  looks like our version of taufu fah! Taste wise -similar too except that citron dubu is topped with citron preserve instead of the normal sugary syrup that is served with taufu fah.

Address : Lot S345 Second Floor
1 Utama Shopping Centre
Lebuh Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya

Tel : +603 77 33 6872

Mastercard & Visa accepted

Seoul Korea Restaurant, Old Klang Road

I have always loved Korean food and when I was told about Seoul Korea Restaurant  and just how great their food was I could not contain my excitement. I picked up the phone immediately and made a reservation. I was told that the huge crowd on weekends is testimony of the quality of food served here. In fact I brought along some people who are regulars at this place and told me that they had and are willing to queue for over an hour just to get a table – well, I for one, will never do that!

To find this restaurant simply look out for a mamak restaurant called Jalal Yusof. It’s located right above. Well, if that isn’t a good enough indication, then look out for Shell in Taman Desa. Seoul Korea is located nearby i.e. opposite the Danau Idaman condo…that should do!

I walked in at 12 noon as per my reservation and was ushered into the private room which had 2 tables. As there were 8 of us, we ordered a few dishes to be shared.

Before it was 'mixed'

After it was 'mixed'

This is the dol-sot bibimbab (RM17)…that’s almost like our version of mixed rice. Not too bad, I would say. I love the gochujang sauce – i.e the hot pepper paste. This made the rice far more delicious!

The photo above shows kimchi ji qae (RM16). I was made to understand that this is a sort of stew…tasted and looked more like soup to me. For a first timer I would say it tasted a bit like assam soup….haha!  It is mildly spicy and will really make you eat lots of rice. Speaking of rice…I must warn you that rice here costs a whopping RM5 per bowl. I personally think that it is over-priced!

The banchan here looks and taste really good. Banchan refers to the side dishes and like most Korean restaurant, most of the side dishes here are refillable at no additional charges.

We also had kori gom tang (RM25) –ox tail soup. I found this very mild compared to our Malaysian soup ekor. It had huge chunks of ox tail in it.

The dae ji gal bi  (spicy Korean pork ribs) RM 25 and dae ji bulgogi (Korean pork) and also the  beef bul ga bi (RM59) are all cooked barbequed-style. Frankly I prefer it the authentic Korean style where the meat is brought to you in a big basin and you cook it yourself. Here, the waiter does all the cooking and he then serves it. I would say that I have very high standards as far as Korean BBQ is concerned and the ones I had at Seoul Korea that day did not impress me. The meat was tough and the sauce was not up to mark…well, perhaps the meat was not well marinated.

I may be back again someday, but in the meantime I will continue looking for authentic Korean food served the authentic Koren style, just like the ones I had in Korea.

Address : No. 1-1 (1st), Plaza Danau 2,
Jalan 4/109F, Taman Danau Desa,
58100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel : 03 7982 4607

Opening hours :	Mondays –closed, but when a public holiday falls on Monday, then they are open
Tues- Sun:	12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Master and Visa accepted

Woo Ga Chon, Sunway

Woo Ga Chon has been around for quite a few years but I only had the chance to walk into the Sunway outlet today. I like the ambience - there were lots of pictures of Korea all over the restaurants. Pictures of Korea in the winter, autumn, etc. It gave me a very "Korean" feel.

Immediately after we were seated the staff , all of whom are Koreans, served us with this tea.

 

Pork and chicken - before BBQ

 

 

We decided on the BBQ selection -dak gal bi (RM28 ) - that's chicken and also dae ji gal bi (pork), also priced at RM28.

 

It's cooking!

Pork - it's done

Chicken - ready to eat!

The outcome - both the chicken and pork were very delicious. The chicken was slighlty spicy and I actually prefered it to the pork.

As with all other Korean BBQ meals, this one come with ample ban chan.

Cabbage

Lettuce

Soup

Kimchi and radish

Corn with cream

Spinach, brinjal

White tofu - this was really good!

Chives

Steamed egg -one of the best I've tasted

Mashed Potato

Anchovies with peanuts



Dessert

 After a very hearty meal, we had a pleasant surprise -we were served dessert  -a chilled bowl of dessert which tasted like barley to me and some watermelon. Perfect!

I'll be back again, thats for certain!


Address : 17-G Jalan PJS 8/10

Bandar Sunway

46150 Petaling Jaya


Tel : +603 5630 1051

Opening hours:




Mastercard  & Visa accepted

大长今 Dae Jang Geum

Dae Jang Geum – she was the first female physician Of the Korean Joseon dynasty, and I’ve certainly come across many Korean restaurants bearing this name.

 

The place is full of activities as I walked in. A group of Koreans are happily chatting away at one table and a gwei lo family are also having an interesting conversation at another.

 

 

 

 

The waiter politely enquired we wanted to sit at the normal tables –with chairs or whether we preferred the Korean dining style i.e whereby you sit on cushions placed on the floor. We chose the latter.

We ordered galbi (RM65) and dae ji galbi (RM32) – our selection was beef and premium pork ribs. The waiter cooks these at our table and carefully cuts them into tiny pieces using his super sharp scissors. Upon seeing that my son loved the beef, the cut them into minute strips for him.

Our meal is being cooked

 

 

Ready to eat!!

 

We also asked for a bottle of water. Just like most other Korean restaurants, water is free and refillable.

 

 

The side dishes are excellent and whenever you ask for them to be topped up, they are being done so promptly - there are lots of side dishes to whet your appetite

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a hearty meal, dessert is served – watermelon and of course some sikhye – a sweet, cold drink made of barley malt and some rice.

 

What makes the USJ10 大长今 outstanding is to me, of course, the level of service and the detailed attention accorded to its customers by each and every person working there.

 

Address : No 15-G, Jalan USJ 10/1F

47620, Subang Jaya

Opening hours : 11am-3pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm

Tel : +603 5621 7002

Mastercard & Visa accepted