Koreana @ 101 Premier, Kuching

This restaurant has been opened in Kuching for quite awhile, been there a few times, but have never taken any photos. So this time, I made it a point to remember to take my camera and take some photos.. Hence, let me introduce you to Koreana, my mum's all time favourite Korean place..

Written in Korean as follow

The place has a nice overall feel to it, quite cosy and comfortable.. and most importantly, well air conditioned!

The lunch crowd has started to die down since I went in at approximately 1 plus.. However, still considered rather busy. One thing I like about the menu is that most dishes has an accompanying photo, hence I know exactly what I'm getting myself into, being unfamiliar with korean names and all, and very well organised.

The side dishes here were actually good, among all, the radish kimchi is my favourite, very refreshing and seasoned well. The kimchi was in my opinion, better than Goong, the other Korean Restaurant I blogged about as it was less sour, hence more palatable. However, it could do with a little less salt.

The other thing I should mention is that the sauce, in the middle was a pleasant surprise, prepared with spring onions, sesame seeds, garlic etc.. simply a saliva producing device.

Various Side Dishes (Kimchi, Radish Kimchi, Taugeh (Bean Sprouts), Cucumber and Spinach

The Dolsot Bi Bim Bap (Rm 23) was served with fresh lettuce and a slightly spicy soya bean paste sauce on the side. It was mostly vegetarian with a few pieces of meat.. Having said that, once mixed, its simply flavourful, very tasty. Sadly, the rice was quite wet in this case, therefore, it did not have the crunchy rice crust at the end, which I so desire. Note, for those of you who is currently despairing at the absence of the runny egg yolk, fret not, as it is well hidden below the pile of fresh lettuce.

Dolsot Bi Bim Bap (Rm 23)

First time trying the korean beef ribs stew (Gal Bi Gim , Rm 32), stewed with red dates, carrots, garlic and so on.. The meat was tender, enveloped with flavourfully thin fat layers, illustrated in the picture below, sauce ever so subtly salty, punctuated with sweet notes all around. This dish is probably not suited for those that find it hard envisioning and ultimately consuming sweet tasting meat.

Korean Beef Ribs Stew, Gal Bi Gim (Rm 32)

Kimchi Pah Jeon (Kimchi Pancakes, Rm 23).. large serving, overly generously filled with spring onions, octopus, kimchi etc.. I was hoping for it to be slightly more crunchy, and less thick.. Some spring onions were a tad bit old, making it hard to bite through. However, this is entirely up to personal preference, some of you might prefer thick pancakes!

Kimchi Pah Jeon (Rm 23)

Last but not least, knowing me, there's bound to be a chicken dish, so there it is, korean spicy chicken, Dak Galbi (Rm 37).. comes in three sizes, I had the small size.

Dak Galbi Small (Rm 37)

This was not as tasty in comparison to the other dishes, I was desperately wishing for it to have a slight more 'umph' and spice in it, since the name implied it to be SPICY.. but still very pleasant tasting.

Overall, the rice and noodle dishes here are quite pricy,the rest were competitively priced.  They have a barbecue section here as well, but I did not have the privilege of trying it this time, will definitely head back for some juicy, tender, slightly charred barbecued meat in the future.

Location: 

No. 7, Premier 101 Comm. Centre, Lorong Kempas, Jalan Tun Jugah, Kuching, Sarawak, 93350

Opening Hours:

10 am - 2pm, 5 pm - 10 pm

Ratings: 

Ambience: 7/10

Cleanliness: 8/10

Price: 7/10

Service: 7/10

Food: 8/10

Overall ratings: 7.5/10

Verdict: Will be back for more! =) Next time, onto trying other dishes.. probably some cold noodles and Korean BBQ!