りょんこ
The temperature dropped, and it started to feel like winter, so I was in the mood for something hot for lunch. I was undecided on where to go, but then my junior colleague suggested, "How about Korean cuisine like stew?" which was a great idea, so I decided to visit this place that I had been curious about.
① Exterior, atmosphere, interior of the restaurant:
Located about a 5-minute walk from Higobashi Station and within walking distance from Yodoyabashi Station. It is on the second floor of a small mixed-use building, so when visiting for the first time, look for the menu signboard on the street as a landmark. Inside the restaurant, there are table seats as well as counter seats, so you can feel comfortable dining alone. The interior is much newer and brighter than you would imagine from the exterior. K-POP music videos are playing on the TV monitors, creating a Korean-like atmosphere.
② About the food:
The lunch menu offers a variety of classic Korean dishes such as "Samgyeopsal" and "Stone Bibimbap." I had a hard time choosing, but I ordered the "Sundubu set meal." You can choose from seafood, hormone, and bulgogi as the main ingredients for the Sundubu stew. I chose hormone because it seemed to go well with the spicy soup. After a while, a large wooden tray with salad, rice, three types of side dishes, and a pot of Sundubu was served. The pot was boiling hot, so I had to be careful not to burn myself. I took a sip of the soup, and first, the aroma of sesame oil gently hit my nose, followed by the spicy taste of chili and the umami of seafood stock spreading in my mouth. The hormone was tender and fresh without any unpleasant smell. The sweetness of the fat melted into the spicy soup, creating a flavorful taste. Mixing it with the egg made it even more delicious, and the white rice went well with it. The side dishes such as bean sprout namul, cucumber kimchi, and grilled tofu were also satisfying. It's nice that you can get refills. After finishing everything, I was full and my body was warm.
③ About the staff's service:
There were three female staff members, all of whom provided friendly and efficient service with a smile. Even after the lunchtime rush, customers kept coming in, so the seating was a bit delayed, which was a bit disappointing. However, overall, the service was pleasant and there was no unpleasant feeling.
④ About the cost-performance:
I was able to enjoy a carefully made, piping hot Sundubu stew. The taste of the soup, the finishing of the ingredients, and the portion size were all satisfying. The bright atmosphere of the restaurant also added to the good cost-performance.
⑤ Other observations:
It would be nice if there was ginseng chicken soup on the lunch menu.