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| - We came here specifically for the Dakgalbi, and Hancook did not disappoint! On a Sunday evening, it was a quiet and relaxed place to eat.
The banchan (appetizers) came out right away. I have never seen 2 of the three appetizers before, so that was an interesting start to our meal. Each of us had a three-sectioned plate serving the 3 banchan: pickled radish (or maybe it was turnip - this I have had before, and it is always really refreshing, setting you up nicely for your meal). The second of the two appetizers was macaroni, lightly spiced. I found it a bit bland, but ate it all. It was nicely al dente. I had no idea that macaroni was part of Korean side-dishes, but surprise! The third of the banchan was even more surprising - a warm mini-salad of corn and apples.
Corn and apples, you ask? We all kind of stared at it and thought ... what?? However, it turned out to be an inspired side-dish. Some light onion flavoured ingredient (maybe scallion or finely chopped shallot) added a zing, the apple added a crisp and slightly tart texture/flavour and the corn tasted like really fresh corn. It was a treat, and a pleasant surprise. Difficult to pick up with chopsticks, but with something this satisfying, even the clumsiest of us managed to eat their portion!
We also tried the beverage called Grapefruit Chamisul, which we split between the three of us. One of our diners was skeptical of this order: he described his past experience of Chamisul as a beverage which tasted like vodka mixed with tap water. This was quite different than that. True, it is a relatively mild, clear liquor, but we enjoyed it because the grapefruit taste lent it a fragrance and essence that was undeniably grapefruit-y without being too tart.
So far in our meal, thumbs up all around! (Well the macaroni, not so much, but everything else, yes!). Another YES! when the Dakgalbi arrived. Wow, was it nice ... pleasantly spicy, lots of cabbage and finely chopped chicken pieces, and about 5 or 6 rice cakes. We ordered steamed rice on the side. Next time, I will order more rice cakes, because those really enhance the dish. Seriously, I advise you to do this if you try the Dakgalbi at Hancook. The flavours and textures of all the ingredients - the chicken, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrot, scallion all combine perfectly with the hot sauce so that no single ingredient predominates. Just a delicious, savoury and spicy flavour. More rice cakes were the only thing that would have made it better, and we could have had that if only we had ordered more! Oh well, next time ....
We did not have the cheese version. Somehow, cheese and Dakgalbi doesn't go together in my mind (even though Maangchi, the great Korean cook and blogger, posted a recipe for it). Maybe someday I will summon the nerve and try it. The couple beside us had ordered it. Their Dakgalbi arrived on a sizzling iron plate, heated by a burner which is brought to your table. The charming waitstaff (they were pleasant throughout the meal) showed up and showered the Dakgalbi with cheese that looked to be freshly grated mozzarella. Some day, I will summon the nerve and order it. For now, it seems a dissonance in my mind. But they clearly enjoyed it.
Parking around there seems hectic at first, but the is a Green P parking lot opposite the PAT Korean grocery, and also other Green P parking lots. You might have to drive around for a few minutes to find one with a free spot, but there is parking if you do not fear to drive the side-streets.
Hancook is also nicely located in Korea-town, near the fantastic Han-Ji paper store and also the PAT grocery store. The PAT grocery is worth a browse, and the Hanji is certainly worth looking at. A nice night out in K-Town, Toronto!
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