BBQ In Love Cafe (BBQ In 사랑 Cafe) is an interesting eatery along the main road of Raja Uda. Although it primarily serves Korean cuisine, the restaurant also has elements of Japanese and Western cooking.

Customers can be seated at regular dining tables, or opt for low tables on an elevated platform. Traditional Korean dresses (한복) are provided for selfie purposes. In addition, the restaurant has two special booths that afford a degree of intimacy.

Today’s meal begins with a round of Walmae Makgeolli (월매막걸리, RM22.00). Makgeolli is a rice wine with milky consistency. The bottle should be shaken properly before opening as the wine contains chalky sediment. With a low alcohol content, the wine is ideal for casual drinkers. Makgeolli is usually consumed as an apértif in order to stimulate the appetite.

Korean Fried Chicken (양념치킨, RM8.90) is a snack that was popularized by the Korean drama “My Love From The Star” (별에서온그대). Unlike its American counterpart, Korean Fried Chicken is fried twice in order to produce a crunchier crisp. After frying, the chicken is brushed with sweet-and-spicy sauce. I think it is not necessary to add crushed peanuts as the fried chicken is sufficiently crunchy.

Cheese Big Scallops (RM14.00) is one of the bestselling snacks in this restaurant. Each serving contains two large scallops, each covered with cheese and then baked until slightly browned. The strong taste of cheese makes the scallops go well with alcohol.

Moving on to Korean barbecue, the serving of Bulgogi Beef (불고기, RM38.00) uses premium Australian beef tenderloin. The juicy slices of beef are satisfying indeed. Bulgogi Beef is usually wrapped with lettuce and garlic. Ssamjang (쌈장) is also available upon request. Customers have the option of grilling the meat at their own tables if they prefer so.

The Korean Army Stew (부대찌개, RM49.00) comes with a platter of raw ingredients such as pork slices, meatballs, crab sticks, Korean dumplings (만두), Korean rice cakes (가래떡), tofu, shiitake mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, enoki mushrooms and lettuce. Each food item is cooked by dipping it into a boiling pot of kimchi stew (김치찌개).

Next, Korean Rice Cake (떡볶이, RM19.00) uses elongated Korean rice cakes that are quite chewy. The rice cakes are stir-fried with spicy chili paste (고추장), fish cakes, boiled eggs and scallions. The taste is quite addictive.

Each à la carte dish comes with three different side dishes called “banchan” (반찬). Popular varieties of banchan are cabbage kimchi (배추김치) and julienned Korean radish (무생채).

BBQ In Love Cafe has recently added several Western dishes too. For instance, Smoked Duck (RM25.90) is served with either teriyaki sauce or brown sauce. Each Western dish comes with French fries, garden salad and a scoop of ice cream.

After the meal, it is tempting to open another bottle of wine as an excuse to cleanse the palate. Plum Wine (매실주, RM48.00) is a popular choice among ethnic Koreans. As soon as the bottle is opened, floral aroma permeates the nose. As the wine is sipped, it presents fruity sweetness with a subtle hint of acidic aftertaste. The plums inside the wine bottle can be eaten in the end.

Even though BBQ In Love Cafe is a Korean restaurant, it covers a wide range of dishes to accommodate the taste buds of most people. As for the ambience, the dining area is particularly appealing to the younger crowd. It is also worthwhile to note that the restaurant is a suitable venue for private parties.

Name: BBQ In Love Cafe (BBQ In 사랑 Cafe)
Address: 7105, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-324-8492
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 6:00pm-11:00pm (Monday-Friday), 11:30am-11:00pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bbqinlovecafe
Coordinates: 5.42133 N, 100.38094 E
Directions: From Jalan Permatang Pauh, turn right into Jalan Raja Uda. Drive northbound for approximately 800 meters. BBQ In Love Cafe is located at a row of shops on the left just before Petronas gas station. There are plenty of car park spaces around the restaurant.

Kim’s BBQ (킴스) is a Korean restaurant at Straits Garden, spanning the length of two shops. Kim’s was previously operating at Arena Curve and just moved here 10 days ago. It is operated by ethnic Koreans, so you can expect the recipes here to be as authentic as they can be.

The dining section is rather spacious and presents a family-friendly atmosphere. Wood is featured heavily, as evidenced by timber floor and furnishings. Built into each table is the most cutting-edge stone grill from Korea. Compared to an iron plate, a stone grill retains heat better and allows food to be cooked more thoroughly.

Kim’s is no longer serving buffet, but is instead focusing on à la carte dishes. Korean barbecue (고기구이) continues to be Kim’s forte. There are several set meals to choose from. Like in many Korean restaurants, pork and beef are the most popular choices of meat.

The Pork Lover Set (돌판돼지고기바비큐) comes with sliced pork, scallops, shrimps, mushrooms (eryngii and enoki), sausages and Korean rice cakes (떡). Vegetables include fried kimchi (김치볶음), onions, bean sprouts, broccoli, pumpkin and potato. Cheese corn and egg are cooked separately. The Pork Lover Set is ideal for 2 (RM69.00) or 3 (RM98.00) persons. For larger parties, go for the BBQ Family Set instead.

The 2-person Pork Lover Set includes 2 servings of pork of customer’s choice. We opted for Garlic Pork Belly (마늘삼겹살) and Spicy Pork Belly (고추장삼겹살). The latter is marinated with spicy gochujang (고추장) and suits my palate better. A popular way to enjoy Korean barbecue is by wrapping a bite-size portion of meat, garlic and ssamjang (쌈장) in lettuce. Another way to savor the meal is by dipping cooked pork into a cheese fondue (치즈퐁듀, RM7.90).

Next, Kimchi-Jeongol (김치전골, RM49.00) is a sour-spicy stew in a large iron pot. The stew contains numerous ingredients like kimchi (김치), pork slices, dumplings (만두), fish cakes (어묵), crab sticks (게맛살), Korean rice cakes, enoki mushrooms, tofu, leek and ramyeon (라면). Jeongol (전골) is similar to jjigae (찌개) except the fact that the former contains more ingredients.

Cheese Dak-Gangjeong (치즈닭강정, RM35.00) consists of fried chicken chunks and rice cakes. The chicken is glazed with sugar and spicy sauce. Crushed peanuts and sesame seeds are sprinkled on top. I love the chewy texture of the rice cakes. Molten mozzarella cheese on the side serves as a dipping sauce.

Jap-Chae (잡채, RM28.00) uses a translucent, springy glass noodle that is made from sweet potato starch. As per tradition, it is stir-fried with pork, assorted vegetables and soy sauce. The dish is sweet and savory, much to my palate’s delight. Regarded as a symbol of longevity, Jap-Chae is typically served during auspicious occasions like birthdays and weddings.

Moving on, Haemul Pajeon (해물파전, RM28.00) is a pan-fried seafood pancake that is made from wheat flour and eggs. The pancake is topped with shrimps, scallions, and chili peppers. Spicy soy sauce serves as the condiment. Haemul Pajeon is usually consumed as an appetizer or a snack. The pancake is also popular as an anju (안주), i.e. food that is consumed with alcohol.

Banchan (반찬) refers to small plates of food that go with main dishes. The number of banchan dishes varies from restaurant to restaurant. The five that are served today are pickled napa cabbage (배추김치), pickled cucumber (오이무침), mashed potato, water spinach and sausages. At Kim’s, banchan is complimentary and refills are free of charge.

After finishing the main dishes, it is popular among Koreans to order Pan-Fried Rice (돌판볶음밥, RM9.90) to conclude the meal. Using the stone grill, cooked rice is pan-fried with seaweed (김) and grated cheese (RM3.00) with a small amount of oil. Koreans like their fried rice to be slightly browned and crispy.

As for beverages, Ginseng Tea (인삼차, RM7.00) is highly recommended due to its pleasant bitterness which soothes the throat. Other hot drinks are Maesil-Cha (매실차, RM5.00) and Yuja-Cha (유자차, RM5.00); the teas are prepared from plum and yuzu respectively.

Kim’s has several popular brands of canned drinks from Korea. For instance, Podo Bondbong (포도봉봉, RM5.00) contains chunks of white grapes. This sweet, fruity drink is irresistible to children!

Should customers prefer private dining, the restaurant has three small rooms with sliding doors. Each room can accommodate 8 people. Individual rooms can be combined to form a larger one.

Besides mouthwatering Korean barbecue, Kim’s also excels in serving authentic Korean dishes. The staff’s attention to detail is exemplary. This restaurant is definitely a great choice if you seek a true taste of Korean cuisine. Last but not least, Kim’s has a sister outlet at Jalan Tavoy, George Town.

Name: Kim’s BBQ (킴스)
Address: 349-01-07, Straits Garden, Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-296-4058
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 5:30pm-10:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/hotstonebbq
Coordinates: 5.39517 N, 100.31743 E
Directions: Straits Garden Suites is a building along Jalan Jelutong. Kim’s is one of the shops at the front. There are several parking spaces in front of the restaurant. Alternatively, customers can also park at the multistorey parking garage and enter the restaurant from its back door at Level L1. Kim’s reimburses customers for their parking expenses.

At Level 1 of Sunshine Square is Baguni Korean Concept Store. Located near CIMB Bank, the shop sells Korean merchandise like snacks, noodles and drinks. The Korean specialty store shares the premises with Gusttimo. By the way, the Korean word “baguni” (바구니) means “basket”.

Inside the store is a small eatery called Baguni Kitchen. Its menu includes cooked Korean food like Ramyun (라면) and Bibimbap (비빔밥). The café-like dining section is spacious and fairly comfortable.

The most popular choice is Shin Ramyun Soup (RM9.40) from Nongshim (농심). The bowl of noodle comes with two choices of toppings; I opted for egg and chicken sausage. A small portion of napa cabbage kimchi (배추김치) is also provided.

Another interesting choice is Hot Chicken Cheese Ramyun (RM9.40) from Samyang (삼양). The ramen is flavored with chicken-flavored seasoning, cheese and pungent spices. Go easy with this dish because the spiciness level may be unbearable for many people.

Address: Level 1, Sunshine Square, Jalan Mayang Pasir, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-641-0045
Business hours: 10:00am-11:00pm (Sunday-Thursday), 10:00am-12:00am (Friday-Saturday)

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Bulgogi House serves both Korean barbecue (고기구이) and hot pot. Like a typical Korean barbecue restaurant, a stove is built into each table. Food is served in all-you-can-eat buffet style. There are 2 options: Happy Refill (RM26.50 per adult, RM17.00 per child) and Super Refill (RM32.00 per adult, RM18.00 per child). Super Refill gives access to all dishes

For Super Refill, customers can choose the type of soup for hot pot. Doenjang jjigae (된장찌개) is made from fermented soybean paste, while kimchi jjigae (김치찌개) is prepared from fermented napa cabbage. We opted for the latter as we wanted to try something spicy.

Sliced Pork (삼겹살) and Sliced Chicken (닭구이) are served raw and are meant to be cooked in the hot pot. Both meats are not marinated, which is a real bummer because they would have tasted better. Once cooked, the meat slices are typically eaten with lettuce (상추), doenjang (된장), gochujang (고추장), green chili peppers (청양고추) and garlic (마늘).

BBQ Chicken (닭갈비) and BBQ Pork (돼지불고기) are served sizzling hot in a skillet. Between the two, I prefer the pork version as it is very flavorful. Meanwhile, Tteok-galbi (떡갈비) is the special dish today. The patty is consists of marinated minced pork.

Kimchi Pancake (김치전) is made from flour batter and cabbage kimchi (배추김치). Although the pancake is tangy, I feel that it is slightly dry. On the other hand, the Steamed Egg (계란찜) is prepared just right.

Moving on, Tteok Kkochi (떡꼬치) is a steamed Korean rice cake served on a skewer. The seasoning is a mixture of sweet, spicy and tangy flavors. This snack is quite appetizing and appeals to my palate.

The entire set of 8 dishes will be served by default. To order extra helpings of any of these dishes, place one of the colored spoons into the ordering basket. Customers can order as much as they desire as long as there is no wastage in the end. There is a 1.5-hour time limit though.

Banchan (반찬) is a collection of side dishes in Korean cuisine. Customers can help themselves at the self-service bar. Served today are cabbage kimchi, seaweed (미역), pickled onion (양파피클), salad (샐러드) and edamame (에다마메).

One of the more noteworthy banchan items is candied sweet potato (고구마맛탕). The sweet potatoes are coated with syrup and then fried. I really enjoy the pleasant sweetness of this snack.

Apart from iced water, drinks are not included in the buffet package and have to be ordered separately. Alcoholic beverages include rice wine (막걸리) and soju (소주). Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to try them today.

Address: 11-1-1, Jalan Setia Prima U13/H, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
Contact: 03-3362-5089
Business hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm, 5:30pm-11:00pm, closed on Mondays
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In Korean mythology, haechi (해치) is a creature that resembles a lion covered in scales and a horn on its forehead. Also known as “haetae” or “haitai”, this legendary creature is considered auspicious and is believed to protect the city of Hanyang (한양, modern-day Seoul) from natural disasters.

Speaking of Korean cuisine, bansang (반상) is a meal which contains several “banchan” (반찬, side dishes). There are different names depending on number of banchan, which can range from 3 (for simple meals) to 12 (for royalty). Haechi usually serves 3 side dishes, which makes the meal “3 cheop” (삼첩). Today’s banchan are blanched bean sprouts (콩나물), spicy cucumber (오이무침) and pancake (전).

Our first order is Pork Ribs With Soup Set (돼지갈비찌개반상). Pork ribs (돼지갈비) are kept sizzling hot on a hot iron plate. As the pork has been marinated thoroughly, it is juicy and tasty overall. It is great that the pork ribs consist mostly of lean meat.

There are several types of jjigae (찌개, Korean stew) to choose from. We opted for kimchi jjigae (김치찌개, RM28.00), which is one of the most common types of jjigae in Korea. Stewed with kimchi (김치, fermented napa cabbage) and gochujang (고추장, red chili paste), the sour-spicy soup also contains tofu, onions and scallion. A bowl of steamed rice is provided to go with kimchi jjigae.

There is also a small serving of kimchi on the side. Authentic kimchi has generally sharper taste than what most locals are used to. But as the saying goes, “When in Seoul, do as the Koreans do.”

We also ordered the Bibimbap With Meat Ribs (비빔밥갈비반상). Bibimbap (비빔밥) is a rice dish topped with minced pork, shiitake mushrooms, Joseon radish (조선무), carrot strips, spinach, cucumber, bean sprouts and egg. Served on a hot stone bowl, bibimbap ingredients are mixed thoroughly before consumption. This allows the ingredients (especially egg) to be cooked against the inner walls of the bowl. As for sizzling meat, our choice is pork ribs (RM30.00).

Each set meal comes with vegetable salad and fruits. I am particularly fascinated by the fruity sweetness of the salad. There is something about its mango dressing which makes the salad so soothing to my palate.

According to the owner of Haechi, this is his second restaurant after the original one in Kota Kemuning. It is always a pleasure to savor the taste of authentic Korean cuisine. And when ethnic Koreans take the helm, you know that you are in the right hands.

Address: 19-1-2, Jalan Setia Prima U13/R, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
Contact: 03-3358-7464
Business hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm, 6:00pm-10:00pm, closed on Mondays
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Jung Won (정원) is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Tanjung Tokong, next to the main road to Mount Erskine. Food is served in all-you-can-eat buffet style. The price is RM39.00 for adult and RM22.00 for child.

At each table is a stove where customers cook most of their food. In the indoor dining section, the stoves are fueled by cooking gas. Outdoor ones are powered by burning charcoal, so I recommend that you dine outdoors if you do not mind the absence of air-conditioning. The griddle is tilted to allow excess oil to drip out.

Pork is the main delicacy at Jung Won. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) is essentially unmarinated pork belly. Marinated pork choices are Dwaeji Galbi (돼지갈비) and Dwaeji Bulgogi (돼지불고기), seasoned with gochujang (고추장) and soy sauce respectively.

If you do not take pork, you may try dak galbi (닭갈비, marinated chicken) instead. Nakji (낙지, baby octopus) is also nice.

Typical condiments such as lettuce, onion, garlic and ssamjang (쌈장) are provided. The Korean way of enjoying barbecued meat is by placing a piece of meat on lettuce, add condiments such as ssamjang and garlic, and then fold the lettuce into a pocket before eating the entire piece.

This Korean barbecue buffet includes a number of side dishes called “banchan” (반찬). Baechu Kimchi (배추김치, napa cabbage kimchi) is probably the most widely known banchan. Meanwhile, Japchae (잡채) is translucent noodle made from sweet potato flour. Kimchi Fried Rice (김치볶음밥) is also nice.

Other Korean delicacies are Dak Bokkeum (닭볶음, spicy braised chicken), Kimchi Jeon (김치전, kimchi pancake) and Gimbap (김밥, seaweed rice rolls).

Gochujang Jjigae (고추장찌개) is a popular stew made from kimchi, pork and tofu. Should you prefer something non-spicy, Miyeok Guk (미역국, seaweed soup) is available too.

Address: 80-G, Jalan Mount Erskine, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-899-6100
Business hours: 5:30pm-11:00pm

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BBQ In Love Cafe, stylized as “BBQ In 사랑 Cafe” (“사랑” is the Hangul word for “love”), is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Raja Uda. The restaurant is within a short walking distance from the famous 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿条汤).

As per tradition, this Korean restaurant is furnished with low tables where customers sit on cushions. Each table is equipped with a gas-fired grill and a ventilator. Customers are requested to remove footwear before stepping onto the platform. Alternatively, proper dining tables are also available.

The restaurant is operated by an engineer-turned-chef, who by passion acquired his culinary skills from South Korea. Besides traditional Korean delicacies like bulgogi, dakgalbi, bibimbap and kimchi, the owner also imparted creativity of his own into the food menu. It is learnt that even Korean customers are impressed with his cooking.

For barbecued meat, the most economical approach is to select from the set menu. For example, Set B (RM129.90) is designed for 3 persons and includes Marinated Pork, Grilled Saba Fish, Kimchi Soup, Grilled Squid With Butter, Fried Korean Dumplings, rice and ice cream.

The centerpiece of this set meal is the platter of Marinated Pork (돼지불고기). There are 5 types of pork with different marinade (homemade sauce, Korean sauce, BBQ sauce, black pepper sauce, kimchi sauce) and a non-marinated version. The staff usually does the cooking, but if customers prefer, they can help themselves too.

Once cooked, meat is usually wrapped in cabbage and eaten by hand. The restaurant also provides sweet-savory sauce which is very similar to gochujang (고추장). The sauce is prepared in the kitchen from scratch.

At BBQ In Love Cafe, every customer is treated with 3 complimentary side dishes (반찬). For set meals, 6 types are provided: napa cabbage kimchi (배추김치), pumpkin (호박), sausage (소세지), potato (감자볶음), cucumber (오이무침) and bean sprouts (콩나물). These side dishes are made in-house and are also available for purchase in bulk. Of particular mention is the pumpkin which has unique tanginess and crunchy texture, making it easily mistaken as unripe mango.

The pot of Kimchi Soup (김치찌개) is loaded with ingredients such as pork, tofu, enoki mushroom, onion, scallion and kimchi. Compared to kimchi soup from other Korean restaurants, BBQ In Love Cafe’s version is much sweeter because the kimchi is not fermented for too long, resulting in kimchi with sweetness as opposed to sourness.

As for Grilled Saba Fish, the mackerel is seasoned with sweet soy sauce. A squeeze of lemon helps to enhance flavor substantially. Meanwhile, the Grilled Squid With Butter is best enjoyed when hot because it becomes noticeably tougher after a while.

Fried Korean Dumplings (군만두) is filled with minced pork and comes in a plate of 6 pieces. The fillings can be quite hot, so use caution when biting. Although the Korean name “mandu” (만두) comes from the Chinese word “mantou” (馒头), it is actually more similar to jiaozi (饺子).

An order of Cheese Big Scallops (RM14.00) comes in 2 pieces. Each shell is covered with a thick layer of molten cheese. The cheese is best enjoyed when warm and sticky. If allowed to solidify, the cheese loses its appeal and becomes somewhat disconnected from the scallops.

Dak Galbi Chicken (닭갈비, RM29.00) is one of the most popular Korean dishes in Malaysia, probably due to the influence of chain restaurants like Mr. Dakgalbi. Chicken is seasoned with gochujang and then fried on a sizzling hot plate with cabbage, onion, scallion and sesame seed. What makes BBQ In Love Cafe different is the use of fruit juice to marinate the chicken. This results in chicken with fruity sweetness amid gochujang’s spiciness. This dish is highly recommended.

As for Bulgogi Beef (불고기, RM38.00), it is very sweet but not in a surfeiting manner. The sweetness also comes from fruit juice, which is blended from fresh fruits. Although more expensive to prepare, I think it is a good call. Again, I recommend this dish to anyone who takes beef.

Next up, Korean Cheese Pork Rib (치즈등갈비, RM35.00) is also served on a hot plate. This dish is a recent invention because cheese is not a common ingredient in Korean cuisine.

When the cheese is still hot, it fuses well with delectable chunks of pork ribs. I feel that the pork chunks are quite salty when eaten directly. This is because this dish is meant to be eaten with rice.

The next dish, Seafood Pancake (해물전, RM25.00), is often eaten as an appetizer (전채) or a side dish. It is also popularly consumed with alcohol (안주). The pancake is loaded with generous amount of shrimp and squid, and meant to be eaten with sweet dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar and chili pepper.

Bibimbap (비빔밥, RM19.00) is another popular Korean dish within and outside Korea. Literally meaning “mixed rice”, the stone pot of rice is topped with pork, egg and a variety of seasoned vegetables (나물). Gochujang is added and all ingredients are mixed thoroughly, using the hot surface of the stone pot to impart toastiness.

For people who prefer something more watery, Teapot Sake Scallop is a sound choice. The teapot is filled with rich soup infused with sake (酒), which is Japanese rice wine. Also included in the teapot are scallop, shrimp, shiitake mushroom and enoki mushroom.

As for drinks, Honey Aloe Vera (RM5.90) is on the sweeter side of things. I think less sugar is recommended as aloe vera is sufficiently sweet on its own. Meanwhile, I find the Passion Peach Green Tea (RM6.90) to be satisfying indeed.

Fly Juice (RM8.90) is served in a container which is meant for the customer to keep. This fizzy and fruity drink is a good remedy to combat thirst.

If you are in the mood for alcohol, Bokbunjajoo (복분자주, RM50.00) is highly recommended. This Korean wine is fermented from black raspberry which is only found in southern parts of the Korean peninsula. Served chilled and taken in small sips, Bokbunjajoo is prized for its soothing sweetness as the fruit wine trickles down the throat.

BBQ In Love Cafe serves set lunch on weekdays. With attractive prices starting from RM9.90, the meal includes a main dish, green tea and soup. In addition, each customer who spends RM80.00 or above shall receive a RM10.00 discount voucher for the next visit.

Name: BBQ In Love Cafe (BBQ In 사랑 Cafe)
Address: 7105, Jalan Raja Uda, Taman Aman Jaya, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-324-8492
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 6:00pm-11:00pm, closed on Monday
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BBQ-in-Love-CAFE-180895082252311
Coordinates: 5.42133 N, 100.38094 E
Directions: From Jalan Permatang Pauh, turn right into Jalan Raja Uda. Drive northbound for approximately 800 meters. BBQ In Love Cafe is located at a row of shops on the left just before Petronas gas station. There are plenty of car park spaces around the restaurant.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Hana Cafe (하나카페) has changed a lot since my last visit. The premises has now been converted to a guest house with 7 rooms in total. The front porch has also been extended so accommodate a larger indoor dining area.

The indoor section doubles as a café and as common area for guests. Cozy chairs and air-conditioning present relaxing ambience for diners and guests alike.

Outdoor seating is available for those who prefer natural air outside. Al fresco is more viable in the late evening after the sun has set.

In the spirit of year-end holiday season, Hana Cafe’s teddy bear mascot has donned a Christmas hat.

In partnership with an ethnic Korean chef, Hana Cafe has recently introduced Korean Fried Chicken (양념치킨) to its menu. South Korea, colloquially known as the most Americanized country in Asia, has seen a surge of popularity with this dish, all thanks to the hit drama “My Love From The Star” (별에서온그대). Korean fried chicken is now a popular finger food in the country. Since this is a must-have snack at parties, there are thousands of shops that deliver this delicacy to homes and offices.

Hana Cafe has two version of the Korean Fried Chicken. The Original Fried recipe uses non-spicy breading with light crisp. Although it appears similar to KFC‘s fried chicken, ethnic Koreans are able to distinguish the difference because Hana Cafe uses flour that is specially imported from Korea.

The other version is Korean Chili Sauce, which is coated with gochujang (고추장) and is similar in appearance and taste to honey barbecue fried chicken. The key difference is the presence of Korean-style spiciness in addition to sweet-savory flavors. Between the two, this is my preferred version as it presents more exciting flavors to my palate.

Hana Cafe’s Korean Fried Chicken is priced at RM28.00 for 6 pieces (half chicken), and RM50.00 for 12 pieces (full chicken). A full chicken feeds 4 to 6 people.

A meaty dish should be balanced with a bowl of Salad (샐러드, RM10.00). Made from red leaf and romaine lettuce, the salad is meant to be eaten on its own. I incorrectly thought that lettuce is used to wrap fried chicken, similar to barbecued meat like gogi (고기) and galbi (갈비).

In response to popular demand, Hana Cafe also serves several types of Korean noodles. As strange as it sounds, many Koreans are willing to pay for noodles prepared from instant noodles, such as Shin Ramyun (신라면, RM10.00) from Nongshim (농심). I think the reason is because Hana Cafe uses the exact products that are sold in Korea, not the modified versions for export.

Shin Ramyun is meant to be spicy, but it should be manageable by Malaysian standards. Korean instant noodles are known for large serving size and ingredients like dried vegetables. Only egg and seaweed are added to the cooked dish.

A small serving of kimchi (김치) is also provided on the side.

Bingsu (빙수) is a type of Korean dessert made from shaved ice. Interestingly, Hana Cafe uses a true snow flake machine to produce ice, as opposed to mechanical ice shavers as preferred by local Caffé Bene outlets.

As a result, Hana Cafe is able to produce ice crystals that are significantly finer. This results in a unique texture that can be loosely described as “mushy” rather than “slushy”. According to the proprietor of Hana Cafe, this is how bingsu is supposed to be prepared – at least in Korea itself.

In terms of toppings for Bingsu, there are four types to choose from: Classic (RM9.00), Kiwi (RM12.00), Oreo (RM12.00) and Honey Nuts (RM12.00). The latter contains generous amount of cashew nuts, walnuts, peanuts and almonds. Honey serves to provide some sweetness to this dessert.

The presence of unique dishes at Hana Cafe and the restaurant’s serene setting make it a great place to enjoy a meal at Tanjung Bungah. I highly recommend the Korean Fried Chicken above all. Try it out and decide for yourselves whether you like this Korean delicacy.

Name: Hana Cafe (하나카페)
Address: 11, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-890-8810
Business hours: 1:00pm-11:00pm, closed on Sundays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/HanaCafePenang
Coordinates: 5.46582 N, 100.28963 E
Directions: Traveling westbound on Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Hana Cafe is located on the left, just opposite of Dalat International School. There are some parking spaces in front of the shop and more at the back. The latter can be reached from the next traffic light junction.

The ambience of the restaurant is quite relaxing. Since Korean barbecue is the main attraction at Todam, each dining table has a built-in grill. Should customers prefer to dine in a more traditional setting, they may request to be seated at a low table.

Before the actual meal, customers are treated with a variety of banchan (반찬) or side dishes. Banchan types served today are Baechu Kimchi (배추김치, napa cabbage kimchi), Oimuchim (오이무침, cucumber kimchi), Gaji Namul (가지나물, boiled eggplant), Kongnamul (콩나물, boiled bean sprouts), Gangnangkong (강낭콩, boiled green beans), Gogumasun Namul (고구마순나물, boiled sweet potato shoots), Dubu Jorim (두부조림, boiled bean curd) and Gamja Saelleodeu (감자샐러드, potato salad).

For the main meal, our choice is Budae Jeongol (부대전골, RM50.00). The large pot of spicy stew is meant for 2 persons. Similar to jjigae (찌개), jeongol (전골) is prepared using gochujang (고추장, fermented chili paste). The stew is typically eaten with steamed rice.

Budae Jeongol literally means “army stew”. This dish was invented during the aftermath of the Korean War when fresh food was scarce. Therefore, the Koreans had to improvise surplus food provided by American soldiers. This explains why sausage, ham and macaroni appear in this dish. Also included in the stew are minced pork and garaetteok (가래떡, Korean rice cake).

Overall, Todam’s food has reasonable quality but does not really stand out when compared to other Korean restaurants. The food is rather pricey but this is the norm in similar Korean restaurants. Nevertheless, I feel that the restaurant’s ambience and waiting service are commendable.

Address: 2-1A, Lorong Batu Nilam 21A, 41200 Klang, Selangor
Contact: 03-3318-6955
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 5:30pm-10:00pm (Monday-Thursday), 11:30am-10:00pm (Friday-Sunday)

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We start our meal with some drinks. Shik Hae (식혜, RM4.00) is a traditional Korean beverage prepared from barley and rice. The drink has a distinctive malty aroma, but I think it is way too sweet for me.

Our first dish is Kim Chi Ji Gae (김치찌개, RM17.50). The appetizing stew is infused with sour and spicy flavors of kimchi (fermented cabbage). The stew also contains sausages, tofu, onions and scallions.

Next, Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab (돌솥비빔밥, RM19.50) is a rice dish topped with minced chicken, vegetables, fried egg and gochujang (고추장). The ingredients are served in a hot stone pot that gives the dish a finishing touch. The taste is balanced overall.

Chicken BBQ (닭불고기, RM19.50) is seasoned with a special sauce, and then grilled to medium well. The chicken is marinated perfectly; it is succulent to the last morsel. This dish is traditionally eaten with lettuce, garlic and ssamjang (쌈장).

At Ko Hyang, each dish comes with several side dishes (반찬) and seaweed soup (미역국). Although the restaurant is operated by ethnic Koreans, the recipes are adapted to the local palate.

Address: UG-30A, Setia City Mall, Bandar Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
Contact: 03-3358-0420
Business hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
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