It’s been said before on these food reviews – it doesn’t matter which type of food you’re looking for, find the one where nationals of that country gravitate to, and follow them.
It’s a simple rule of thumb which will take you to the most unlikely of places.
This week we’ve found a popular Korean hangout where the food is top shelf, service terrific, and the setting comfortable, clean and tidy.
It’s a bit tricky to find. Head toward the green grocer at Underwood Central, turn left through the breezeway and when you think you’ve hit a dead end into the backlot carpark, turn left again and look for the Hwa Ryong sign.
When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with a smile and taken to a table which has a little drawer at side where the cutlery and napkins are kept.
You’ll get menus. The set courses are written only in Korean but the floor staff will take you through what you get and for how much.
First, a warning. Some of the Korean flavours can be rather strong, particularly to the western palate.
Black bean sauce, for example, is one of the specialties, and is served alongside the fried rice, or stirred through some of the noodles.
Also, the spicy dishes are indeed quite hot. If you don’t do heat overly well, go for a milder option.
It’s also worth understanding that some of the menu is open to interpretation. Entrees here offer up various soup and noodle dishes, most of them in the $15 vicinity. And each of them a full meal.
Rice dishes work well as a main or side dish, but only if you’re a big eater.
Korean sweet and sour is a treat. Pork is plentiful and comes in a thin batter, raw onion and capsicum, and comes drizzled in a freshly prepared sauce with freshly cut lemon.
There’s a spicy version for those who like a bit more bite.
Both these dishes come in small, medium or large. Again, it’s easy to fall into the trap on a hungry belly of ordering the medium or large, which are really meant for sharing.
Each of your meals will come with a side – soups with a small bowl of noodles, and other dishes with a small bowl of spicy soup.
Bibimbap is a Korean dish of rice topped with vegetables, chilli paste and beef and can be quite warm on the tongue.
There’s chicken with chilli and garlic sauce, and half a dozen stir fries, each designed to share in the middle of the table.
If you have a group of adventurous friends who like exploring rich flavours, this is the place – well priced and popular with the local Korean population.
Of the 30 or so restaurants I’ve reviewed in the Logan area, this probably leaps into the top five. The only downside is that drinks are limited, and you’ll be looking elsewhere for dessert.
