LITTLE KOREA
Neighbourhood: West End
Address: 519 Ellice Avenue
Phone: 204-783-5188
Entrees: $15 – $33
Korea is known by many as a global leader of pop culture, but amid attention for k-dramas, and k-pop, its cuisine is making an impression across cultures. For Korean classics among the best in the city, a visit to West End’s Little Korea, the aptly named corner nook is a must.
There is a special uniqueness about a great Korean eatery – the sweetness of pickled bean sprouts and honeyed potato, paired with pungent spicy cabbage on condiment plates; the sizzle of meat as it arrives on a hot cast-iron plate; the metal chopsticks clicking against soup bowls pulling the last bits of meat clinging to a pork bone. This spot, from classically trained chef Deok-Yeon Oh, is making its impact on local eaters regardless of heritage.
The concise menu at “Liko” introduces the cuisine’s top hits, including the usual suspects, bulgogi and bibimbap – the latter’s fun and healthy jumble of fresh vegetables, rice and chilli paste topped off with a fried egg is a knock out. Culinary adventurers will discover marvelous flavours venturing past these pop culture superstars too.
Soups – or stews as they are referred to, are extremely common and divine meals in a bowl for one or starters for two. Hot broths, aromatic and still bubbling in mini cauldrons, brim with a colourful tangle of beef, pork, seafood, tofu, or noodles. Crimson coloured kimchi jjigae, loaded with the star fermented cabbage, delights with its perfect blend of sour meets spicy. Opt for gamjatang, and eating becomes more active. Pork bones peeking out of broth, require a little chopstick handling to nudge off their loosely clinging meat,but the unphased are rewarded with flavourful tender bites of robust stew. Sundubu jjigae is a sure bet for seafood lovers boosted with the power of converting tofu haters. Spicy chili laced broth infuses silky tofu, plump mussels and shrimp with addictive accuracy.
For those who love to watch meat sizzle, hefty plates featuring marinated meats and vegetables do please. Keep the culinary journey exciting and try osam bulgogi, the smoking plate’s mixture of pork, squid and veggies is a nod to sea and land – and adventures in dining.
