The Food
Long hours and earnest efforts have been put into the preparation of the cuisine served in this restaurant, especially with regards to the marinating of the meats and the kimchi. The prime meats are specially procured and marinated with natural ingredients like fruit juices, brown sugar or honey. The barbeque grill is changed frequently according to the meats served and also, to prevent the bitter taste of charred bits; a very thoughtful touch.
Embark on your Seoul adventure with an array of complimentary appetizers, designed to stimulate even the most discerning of taste buds. The selection is based on availability so do go early to catch favourites such as the jellyfish with Korean pear or even the ubiquitous kimchi. Do not fret if your bowls empty out fast, as refills are free-of-charge too.
A definite must-try and cannot-miss will be the Jang Shou Suwon Neobiani ($30), consisting of strips of wagyu beef just off the ribs. Armed with a variety of sauces and condiments to go along with the well-marbled beef, you can certainly take your time in discovering your favourite. However, the manager recommends placing the cooked beef on a leaf of crisp lettuce, adding some onions, kimchi and a little chilli paste. All wrapped up and eaten whole, I would have to agree it was indeed a great suggestion, but I was curious enough to try other options too. The cold onion rings served within a light savoury sauce were subtly sweet and served well to accentuate the rich flavours of the beef, while adding a welcomed crunch.
Even if beef is not quite your thing, Jang Shou also serves other meats such as pork and chicken, with the former stealing the limelight. With pork ribs marinated in honey, the Jang Shou Galbi ($25) stood out right away. Tender and succulent, the slices of pork are delectable and can be enjoyed the same way as the beef. The chicken option, Jang Shou Dak Galbi ($22) is also commendable as the restaurant only uses the chicken leg, ensuring that every bite is juicy and delicious, albeit a tad over-zealous with the seasoning.
If all that meat has put the health-conscious you on a guilt-trip, pile on the complimentary salad served with a novel tomato dressing. Otherwise, try the healthy Chik Naeng Myun ($15), featuring arrowroot noodles in a chilled broth. Well-regarded in Korean cuisine for its nutritional properties, the root is grounded into a flour and made into noodles very much similar to glass vermicelli, but brown in colour. Sweet, spicy and tangy; the chilled broth served with goes really well with the noodles.
Diners who come for dinner will be in for a special treat of a complimentary fruit platter and chilled plum tea, drawing a pleasant end to the hearty meal.
