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| - To be succinct: the food is acceptably palatable, the service is swift but unprofessional, and the ambiance is reminiscent of a canteen from the Third World; ideal for a quick fix.
The moment I entered, a casually dressed man (who could easily have been mistaken for a patron) greeted me in Mandarin and directed me to an empty table. The table was somewhat dirty and wobbly. A young waitress took my order while making subservient nods, and as soon as she turned her back, yelled piercingly my order at the kitchen.
As with any typical Korean meal, I was first served "banchan" (small appetizers): kimchi, seasoned soybean sprouts, braised potatoes, and seaweed salad. The proportions and taste were adequate, but nothing to write home about. My entree, "Uk Gae Jang" (spicy soup made form shredded beef and vegetables), arrived promptly. It looked as I expected: fiery red and steam rising from the stew.
However, I was slightly but not entirely let down by my first spoonful. It wasn't terribly bad, but it was not very good either. It lacked punch, boldness, and consistency. The soup was watery and not as spicy compared to what I had had in Korea. The meat was tender, but wasn't juicy enough and difficult to chew.
Overall, my experience here is very consistent with the cliched adage: you get what you pay for. I would come back because of the value and the speed.
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