Yakiniku Koryowon (Korea House)

After months of hesitation, I finally convinced myself to go to Yakiniku Koryowon. 

Why did it take so long for me to make the journey here?  Well, I honestly was afraid that I wouldn't like the food...after all, those of us who live in Hawaii don't normally get the "real" Korean experience when we eat out at Korean restaurants.  A lot of places that I know of serve "Westernized" Korean food, so this was going to be a change.  So I wouldn't get caught eating alone, I invited a friend who likes Korean food, and had also wanted to try eating here.

So, what were my first impressions of this place?  Well, it was a much larger than I expected with about 30 tables and a private room in the back, which is where I sat.  Every table had 2 grills and this place was much smokier than I was used to.  They even had fans at the doors to get the smoke out!

Since we really had no idea on what to order, we settled on the Koryowon Special for two(US$34.95).  For this, the menu stated that we got the following:

Kal bi, which is marinated beef.  The kal bi came sizzling hot on a cast iron, "cow" shaped plate.  The kal bi was served over a bed of white onions and was literally so tender that it melted in your mouth!

Grilled yellow corvina.  Now I'm not so sure what type of fish this is as I've never seen it on the menu anywhere except for in Korean restaurants, however, the fish was fried nice and crispy.  Done just right!  The meat was firm and flaky.

Fish fritters.  These are pieces of fish that are dipped in an egg batter then fried.  The fish was fresh and the batter just slightly crispy.  This is normally served with a dipping sauce, but I chose to eat this one plain.

Tofu stew.  This one arrived at the table bubbling hot.  In the pot, there were a few anchovies, white onions, spring onions, tofu, cucumbers, potatoes, and other vegetables.  The soup had just the right amount of spiciness.  My only wish?  That it had more tofu...

After all of that, the dishes kept on coming.  We also were allotted the standard ban chan side dishes and kim chees.  Since I don't know the names for them all, I'll just show you the pictures with a brief description.

kim chee.  This kim chee was different in that it had a few raw oysters in it.

marinated fern shoots.

fried seaweed.

potatoes marinated in soy sauce.

This was a vegetable that is similar to watercress but without the bitterness to it.

shredded white radish.

kim chee raw crab.

vegetable pancake.

soybean sprouts.

kim chee raw clams.

After seeing all of this food, I wondered what they were thinking of when they said it was a dinner for 2.  This amount of food could easily accomodate 3 people.  After eating as much as I could, I was too full to even move!

That said, this was a great dining experience and one worth trying again.  The food was excellent as was the service.  It was a great value.

Yakiniku Koryowon (Korea House)
1625 Kapiolani Boulevard
Telephone:  808.944.1122

Comments

[Renee]

wow, that is indeed quite a feast!

I like the look of the potatoes and the fish fritters... looks good!

I have to admit I'm not much of a Korean food fan... maybe because the few experiences I've had of the food have been less than stellar... maybe one day when I find a really good restaurant...
: )

[Wena]

before dieting, i used to eat korean food everyday at the company's cafeteria where two korean ladies set up their stall. we have a lot of korean staff onboard, so it's proving to be quite profitable as the locals also eat it.

having said that, i got FAT on korean rice. it's great compared to the local rice.

[Reid]

Renee, I've been told there aren't very many really good Korean restaurants in S'pore. A friend visited a while back and still talks about eating at Million Yakiniku which was an earlier post. When I asked what he wanted me to bring from Hawaii, he said See's chocolates and food from Million!

That said, I think there are as many Korean restaurants here as there are Chinese restaurants. Lots of fast food Korean places too! I can't think of one person here that doesn't eat Korean food!

Wena...perhaps the Korean rice you're used to eating is different than what they serve here. Unfortunately, the rice they serve here is generic Japanese-style long grain rice. =(

[Renee]

oh nooooooo.... See's chocolates!! REID!! thanks for reminding me, and starting a craving going : ( not fair! I want See's chocolates too! ; p
they used to have 2 stores in HK... but if not wrong, I think they've been shut... couldn't find them during my last trip to HK... (or maybe they just moved).
urrgh!

[Reid]

Renee...I have a thing for See's too, especially the dark chocolate confections. I'm not too much of a milk chocolate fan. My favorite there has got to be the dark honey nougat. =) Another thing that I need to bring huh?

[Maya]

Hi there

Wena sent me here of course :) Like to know that wun tun noodles look the same over in your Palace Saimin and over here in Malaysia, give or that some ingredients. And the Korean food. Hmm. I am reminded of how my other half just winces at the mention of kimchi. The only other food he won't touch. I don't mind Korean cuisine but I am still ever fond of sushi and sashimi. Good stuff you have here.

[Reid]

Hi Maya, I love sushi and sashimi too! =) Thanks for the compliment...do you also have a blog?

[milgwimper]

Reid,

Thanks for finding this, and your comment with the links to your blog entries are up on the comments. WOW, I like their banchan with the raw clams and crabs. Those are my favs! This seems more like a Korean restaurant than the yakiniku places I have been, but I am jealous Reid. I haven't found a place here that offers the raw clams as banchan! *cry*

[Reid]

Hi Milgwimper,

I've tried to eat raw seafood like this before, but it didn't agree with me, so now I just stay away.

If you and DH come here in December as you previously mentioned, I'll bring the two of you here for dinner. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[milgwimper]

Reid,

Oh I am sorry that the raw seafood didn't agree with you. I hope we can come, I am so want to meet you! :D :)

[Jo]

Didn't agree with you? What was the topic of conversation? ;o)

[Reid]

Hi Milgwimper,

I'm looking forward to meeting you and DH as well.

Jo,

LOL! By the way, can you come too? I'll introduce you to all my favorite Korean places. You can order the food mild if you want! =)

[Jo]

::looks grim:: HA! I wish! My 2nd grandbaby is due to be born the first week of January and it doesn't look like we will be around for that! Living here is a major financial burden even with Mike's salary. Anywhere else, we would be doing well, here, we can barely afford the rent... I'll be there vicariously through Mills though. She is such a great storyteller you'll get the chance to know me and I you.

[milgwimper]

Well I am still crossing fingers and toes (makes it hard to walk and cook you know) , and praying that we will be there in December! I wish Jo could go too, but I will take lots of pictures, and try to remember every details etc. so as to tell Jo, all about it, and Reid all about Jo...er ok somethings about Jo...*wink*

[Reid]

Hi Jo,

Ahh well, maybe next time then huh?

Hi Milgwimper,

LOL! I'm hoping that you and DH have a chance to visit. Let me know once the plans are confirmed. Hopefully I'll be able to entertain you...I'll be very busy at work then. *sigh*

[Jo]

Hey, who knows, if our fast is successful, we might be able to afford a trip or two. If not, well, there's always the farm!

[mike]

My wife and had had the same special on 12/29/07 for dinner...the price had gone up a little....food was good but stick with the Yakiniku grill...they had a mixed grill special for the same price...better deal for the money as the tofu pot and fried fish were just okay and really wasn't worth the money.