446787 Tue Oct 02 01:42:35 -0700 2007 7 42 U.K./Ireland 0 2995227 It's my favorite topic--Korean restaurants! When I was apartment hunting a few weeks ago, I found a new(?) Korean restaurant that I hadn't tried yet, Hop House Kim-Chi on Parnell Street. Hands down is the best Korean food in Dublin, although I have to say the competition isn't very fierce. Here's my rundown of the Korean in Dublin that I've tried: Hanyang: decent BBQ, terrible soups and stews, don't carry Korean beers! Frankly, I'd say that BBQ isn't that hard--so overall I'd give give Hanyang 1.5 stars. Alilang http://www.alilangkorean.com NIce atmosphere, mostly Chinese menu, decent soup. They wouldn't let me order soju--told me I wouldn't be able to handle it! Menu is limited, and food isn't great, but it's okay if you are desperate. 2.5 stars. Hop House Kim-Chi: http://www.myspace.com/hophouse I've only done take-away so far, but definitely the best of the bunch. Perhaps my standards have just dropped since I left the Korean mecca of Oakland, but I thought their soon dobu chi gae was good (although I could do without rock shrimp in anything) and their BBQ was as good as any take-away I've gotten in the Bay Area. They also carry Hite beer. I've also tried their bibimbap, which was good, but was disappointed at how few veggies were in it. In most places they use veggies as fillers, but I guess in Ireland they are more dear than the meat! Would have been great if there were more greens. They also do sushi, which looked good but I haven't tried it. Also, randomly, they appear to have a reggae night on Saturdays (check their MySpace page.) Overall, for the location, I'd give them a 4. They've gotten good reviews on other sites for both their Korean and Japanese food. Hong Quing Ting Korean & Chinese Restaurant I quickly looked at the menu here, and didn't see anything on it that wasn't Chinese. Has anyone tried this place? Tue Oct 02 01:42:35 -0700 2007 15890 Lina 1 3011707 Thanks for this. Last December when I was visiting Dublin we tried one of the Korean places on Parnell St, it was probably Alilang. I agree, it wasn't spectacular, but the Dubliners we brought who had never had Korean food before thought it was fabulous. As I recall, I was disappointed they didn't automatically serve you those cold appetisers, and that they didn't have soon tofu, but I could swear now that I saw one of those hot clay pots on another table, maybe they have an extended Korean language menu? But I don't want to start any false rumors! I lived in LA and had Korean food there, but I did sample soon tofu in Oakland, and I was jealous my friend had such a great place so nearby (I had to drive 30 min to Koreatown). If you are ever in London, try the Korean here (my fav restaurant of the moment is a Korean place). I'm sure it will satisfy your cravings. Sun Oct 07 00:37:49 -0700 2007 2995227 114726 minyming 2 3011774 Which is the place in London you like? And have you tried any of the places in New Malden which is home to Europe's largest South Korean community? I haven't seen any reports on this board on New Malden places and keep meaning to go down there and try out some spots. Sun Oct 07 03:55:32 -0700 2007 3011707 28263 oonth 3 3013631 Actually, even after a tasty reconnaissance mission tonight, I'm still not sure what the name of the restaurant is, but it's at 56 St Giles High St. It's named "The Polo" according to allinlondon.co.uk, because of the signboard above the restaurant, but the window has the following printed on it: "Korean Restaurant, Po Jang Macha." I've not been to New Malden, but am rearing to go exploring. Mon Oct 08 01:34:46 -0700 2007 3011774 114726 minyming 4 3014669 Thanks, I know the place that you mean although have never eaten there. It's part of quite an interesting little parade of shops as I remember. And opposite there's a not bad Korean/Japanese grocery store with a sushi place upstairs (Centre Point Sushi Cafe?) which I keep meaning to try. Mon Oct 08 10:40:14 -0700 2007 3013631 28263 oonth 1 3503224 Seoul Inn: This one is in D8 on Clanbrassil St, I think. Was delighted the other day to get a takeout menu stuck in my door from a Korean restaurant. Even in NYC the Korean places don't deliver! As it turns out, they don't in Dublin, either, because this was basically a mediocre Chinese restaurant with a Korean flag on the front of the menu. There were about 6-8 items on the menu that were denoted as Korean. I got kim chi soup, seafood pancake and something called "special spicy beef" or something like that. The soup was Chinese hot and sour soup with some kim chi throw in. Not revolting, but not Korean. The seafood pancake was too thick and floury. The beef was the dealbreaker, though. There was nothing about this dish that had anything to do with the Korean cuisine that I so adore. It was sort of like a sweet and sour beef dish with large slices of carrots and celery throw in. I don't think I've seen celery in Korean food (correct me if I'm wrong). It was absolutely typical of a low-quality Chinese takeaway, which is what Seoul Inn very clearly is. I didn't realize that Korean food in Dublin is such a hot commodity that a Chinese place would want to masquerade as such. I guess that's a good sign really, but this attempt bombed. 1 star (for the delivery angle). Tue Mar 18 03:03:06 -0700 2008 2995227 15890 Lina 1 3911934 I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for the next installment of 'Lina tries to find edible Korean food in Dublin,' so without further ado, let me present my next review. Ukiyo Bar http://www.ukiyobar.com/ Ukiyo is a Japanese karaoke bar with a claim to fame--apparently they serve booze until 4 am on a Sunday. This didn't interest me, however, it was the kim chi on the menu that caught my eye. Headed in there last night and ordered the scant Korean dishes they had on offer (the waitress told me the lunch menu was more heavily Korean). Veggie kim bap, bul go gi and kim chi. Friends, I won't lie. Since moving to Dublin my standards have dropped considerably, and I'm not just talking about food. But I still can't give them more than 2.5 stars. I'm not Korean and my homemade kim chi is better than this joint, and same goes for the bul go gi. Bul go gi has got to be one of the easiest things in the world to make so when someone makes an "ehhh" version, I die a little inside. The kim bap was okay, but the rice was mushy. Overall, I was moderately satisfied but once again, I think it's just because I have no standards anymore. In other news, I went back to Hop House (the one in the old Shakespeare pub) and it's seriously gone downhill. Made me depressed. Also, the cheeky waiter insisted that a Korean pancake would never come with a dipping sauce, despite the fact that they had provided said dipping sauce on my previous visit. I guess they had run out that night. Of soy sauce. Or something. Tue Jul 29 12:31:19 -0700 2008 2995227 15890 Lina 2 3916091 Keep them coming! Hope you'll find something more than just edible though. Good luck and don't lose hope. Wed Jul 30 14:01:07 -0700 2008 3911934 10076 limster