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| - I came here with my GF intent upon feasting on those plump giant mandu my friend spoke of just the day before. Walking in, the place felt like a modern cafeteria or a midscale food court, with the staff eating in the far corner and much of the restaurant quite empty. Part of the impression, I guess, stems from the fact that one of the tables we were seated close to had not been cleared out. This struck me as odd, as every other Korean restaurant I've been to, servers are lightning quick in clearing out and cleaning the table to be ready for the next customer. But hey, it wasn't busy and when it's break time, it's break time.
When we sat down I immediately sensed something with the furniture was off. The table was just at my navel's level. I'm an average/short guy and have average to terrible posture. Korean table manners (correct me if I'm wrong or if this is something more relaxed in N. America) dictate that serve/flatware are to remain on the table, never to be lifted at any point. These two points taken together: anyone 5'7 or taller would have to be awkwardly hunchback for the duration of their meal. Most decidedly not the best ergonomics.
We ordered the dolsot bibimbap (love me some of that yolk and gochujang-kissed bibimbap socarrat), spicy pork, kalguksoo, and of course, the giant mandu. The bibimbap and pork were acceptable, nothing particularly remarkable. The handmade noodles were delicious, especially the broth---perfect for today's weather. The mandu tasted good. However, I felt the texture of the actual filling a little off-putting. I'm not sure how much integrity I'm to expect, but the meat/vegetable interior crumbled clumsily apart when biting into it (maybe this is normal and I'm unable to appreciate real mandu?). It was otherwise juicy and savoury, and further enhanced with soy sauce.
Overall, not a bad experience. Marginally above average in many aspects, at par in others.
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