KOREA

It will seem strange that we always end up eating in a Asian restaurants while we're away but the truth is there aren't many Asian restaurants we really enjoy in Marbella and we've been to most of them which is why during our Madrid mini-break we decided to eat at a few Asian restaurants.  After attempting to snag a much-coveted table at tiny Sudestada and failing, we went to our second choice restaurant -  Korea.  My friend T took us to this tiny restaurant once before.  It's a little bit out of the way but is worth it, so much so that even the Korean ambassador eats there.  Don't be put off by the slightly shabby retro decor or the big hole in the tablecloth (its' for the pan used to cook Korean Barbeque at your table), the food here is authentic and reasonably-priced.

We started with the traditional kimchi (spicy pickled cabbage), bean sprouts tossed in a soy sauce and sesame oil dressing and some fried dumplings.  The kimchi was sinus-clearingly spicy and the bean sprouts were crispy and well-seasoned.  Unfortunately, the dumplings were overcooked and filled with mushy mystery filling.

For our main courses, we ordered two meat dishes and the traditional yam noodles (or sweet potato starch noodles) and vegetables dish called chap jae.  The noodles were served with some steamed rice topped with sesame seeds.  It was the best dish we had - sweet and salty at the same time.  The first meat dish arrived in paper-thin slices and came with shredded cabbage and a side salad. The meat was cooked right on our table with some lard then the cabbage was added and a dipping sauce of sesame oil and salt made completed each delicious mouthful.  This is a classic Korean beef barbeque similar to but not the same as bulgogi.   This was followed by a spicy pork belly dish which was not as good as the barbeque beef.  We wanted to have another classic - Bibimbap (rice topped with assorted vegetables, bean paste and sometimes a fried egg too) but we couldn't even finish the pork so that'll have to wait until our next Korean meal.  The best part was when we asked for the bill and it came to €58 for 2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 side dishes and 5 beverages.   Now, isn't that bang for your buck?

_________________________________

Korea

Calle Cristobal Bordiu, 59

28003 Madrid

Tel: +34 91 554 2034