Lunch at The Mandarin
I had lunch at The Mandarin Restaurant the other day and was shocked to find that they had changed owners! I've been a regular patron of The Mandarin for I'd say about 20-25 years and it was always the same couple who ran the restaurant. For those like me who know this restaurant well, I've been going there since I was a kid and they were located back at McCully Street. I asked the new owner what happened to the previous owners and she said that they chose to retire. Aw man...I wish I had a chance to say goodbye! They were really nice people and treated me and my family like their own family.
So of course I was a little apprehensive about the new food. The menu was virtually the same but the taste is what's important. The Mandarin always had in my opinion, the best jajangmyeon and jjampong in town. It's kind of like the Korean version of Chinese food. If you've watched Korean dramas, you've probably seen jajangmyeon. It's that noodle dish in blackish sauce. In Couple of Trouble (aka Fantasy Couple) it's the dish that Na Sang Sil always craves.
So of course I ordered the jajangmyeon and my dad ordered the jjampong (spicy noodle in soup). Had to try and compare!
First comes out the usual raw onion and kimchee side dishes.
You're supposed to pour vinegar over the raw onion then dip it in the choonjang (the black stuff). It may make your breath hauna after, but yummy! The new owners also give danmuji (aka takuan) now too. And I think it was homemade. Not bad!
Then the main dishes came out. I was relieved to discover that the tastes were virtually the same. There were a few subtle differences like the addition of squid to the jajangmyeon but the sauces and soups were essentially identical. What a relief! I wouldn't know where to go if The Mandarin's dishes had changed. I don't really like the other Korean-Chinese offerings around town.
The jjampong
The jajangmyeon (before mixing)
The jajangmyeon (after mixing)
I also noted that they had "wang" mandoo as a daily special so I ordered that too since I love mandoo so much.
Sad to say...this dish sucked. I don't know what they put in their stuffing but it was very bleah.
But overall, I'm glad I can still rely on The Mandarin for solid Korean-Chinese food. Check it out! They're located in the Imperial Plaza off of Kapiolani Blvd.
So of course I was a little apprehensive about the new food. The menu was virtually the same but the taste is what's important. The Mandarin always had in my opinion, the best jajangmyeon and jjampong in town. It's kind of like the Korean version of Chinese food. If you've watched Korean dramas, you've probably seen jajangmyeon. It's that noodle dish in blackish sauce. In Couple of Trouble (aka Fantasy Couple) it's the dish that Na Sang Sil always craves.
So of course I ordered the jajangmyeon and my dad ordered the jjampong (spicy noodle in soup). Had to try and compare!
First comes out the usual raw onion and kimchee side dishes.
You're supposed to pour vinegar over the raw onion then dip it in the choonjang (the black stuff). It may make your breath hauna after, but yummy! The new owners also give danmuji (aka takuan) now too. And I think it was homemade. Not bad!Then the main dishes came out. I was relieved to discover that the tastes were virtually the same. There were a few subtle differences like the addition of squid to the jajangmyeon but the sauces and soups were essentially identical. What a relief! I wouldn't know where to go if The Mandarin's dishes had changed. I don't really like the other Korean-Chinese offerings around town.
The jjampong
The jajangmyeon (before mixing)
The jajangmyeon (after mixing)
I also noted that they had "wang" mandoo as a daily special so I ordered that too since I love mandoo so much.
Sad to say...this dish sucked. I don't know what they put in their stuffing but it was very bleah.But overall, I'm glad I can still rely on The Mandarin for solid Korean-Chinese food. Check it out! They're located in the Imperial Plaza off of Kapiolani Blvd.
posted by Myong Choi at 3:17 PM
1 Comments:
Better than On Dong on South King?
When I order jjampong I regret not ordering jajang myun and vice-versa. Have to try Mandarin soon.
Did you hear any news about Bush's visa-waiver for SK's? I'm confused. Is it intended just for military spouses and children or for the entire country?
Post a Comment
<< Home