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Motormouth From Ipoh

Friday, June 12, 2009

Cheap Korean Delights from Ko Hyang @ The Gardens, Mid Valley City

So, what if you're fatigued from all the shopping at Midvalley or The Gardens (they're connected to each other, btw), and looking for a place to snack, but sick of the usual fast food, doughnuts, and pretentious food (you know, those charging triple the amount for a packet of nasi lemak, or those seemingly specializing in laksa but instead serving generic mediocre food + lacklustre servive?)?


The open dining concept may be slightly intimidating for those shy eaters, but who cares when you know you're paying for quality food, and prompt service?
Situated on lower ground floor of The Gardens, this place has received considerably positive reviews from all quarters. First read about this place from Boo, then wmw blogged bout this recently, and here's one from neko hime's.

Click on the picture for larger view, or believe in my superzoom eyesight. =P
This simple stall (not even a restaurant, nor shoplot for that matter) opened its doors ... wait, there is NO door. Erm, put it simply, started serving satisfied customers since the beginning of this year. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I clearly noted on my previous visit to Din Tai Fung, I was absolutely sure this corner was occupied by some other eatery.

Iced Coffee (white - with milk, not the Ipoh's variety!) (RM3.30) and Hot Sik Hye (Korean barley drink) (RM3.60)
The menu's far from extensive, but not too shabby either. Offering 20 authentic Korean dishes, from the perennial favourite of Bibimbap, Bulgogi to Pajeon, as well as lesser known noodle dishes such as Korean style Pam Mee (I think correlates to our Pan Mee), and stir-fried cuttlefish with rice.

Ban Chan (side dishes) - Free refills
Once seated, you'll be served almost instantly. The small lot houses an amazing 6 workers (at that time we ate there), performing their duties to utmost diligence, almost clockwork-like. You can ask for recommendations, but browsing the simple one page menu should not be a hassle.

Ban Chan (Korean side dishes) is complimentary, much alike other Korean outlets, and 3 types are served at any one time. Of course, the varieties may change from time to time. But the spicy and sour pickled cabbage (kimchi) is almost a staple. The side dishes can be refilled for unlimited rounds, if you ever feel like picking on some light snacks while chatting over a hot cup of Korean barley tea (Sik Hye), which was sweet, soothing, with a hint of smoky, roasted barley aroma.

Kimchi Pancake - Kim Chi Jeon (RM9.50)
Yup, the Kim Chi pancake is less than RM 10 per serving, which is a plus. The crispy sides of the pancake paired with the soft, chewy centre, flavoured with kim chi (yup, that famous Korean pickle again) and lots of chopped scallions. The accompanying tangy sauce provided much zing to the pancake, even a little too sour for my liking. But the pancake was indeed a great snack, or even a complete meal for light eaters.

Bi Bim Kuk Su - Korean sweet and spicy noodles (RM12.50)

Commonly eaten after a heavy, and heaty meal of barbecued meats, the cold noodles is supposedly cooling, and provided much fibres and balance to an otherwise carnivorous affair. But eaten on its own (without the BBQ cuts), the cold noodles at Ko Hyang was delicious, with just enough sauce (mixture of red pepper powder, vinegar, sugar and gochujang - Korean spicy/sour sauce)smothered around the thin, springy wheat flour noodles. The julienned cucumber and carrot added some bites, while a whole poached egg completed the ensemble for a balanced, and light meal.


Toss them up real good ..... and slurp away.
Korean cold noodles are usually eaten during summer, which ironically, best describe current Malaysia's weather. This permanently scorching/blistering weather will last for another 3 months, forecasted. Wow ..... I may just go for another round of cold noodles, or even cendol or ABC in days to come .....

Location : Ko Hyang Korean Country Delights @ LG-K05, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur. Located in front of Justlife organic supplies, and Cold Storage on the lower ground floor of the Gardens, by the escalator.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

all positive review on Ko Hyang...and surely affordable price ya!!!

Elin Chia said...

Now I know where to go for reasonable priced and positive reviewed korean food when I am shopping in MidValley :) Thanks :))

Selba said...

Whoaaaa.. this is great!!! I'm craving!

Mr Z said...

Aik...still can post aaa?
Thought u were without ur laptop.

New Kid on the Blog said...

no matter how good the review on korean food, i just can't comprehend the acquire taste. :(

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

everyones been talking abt it..not goin to b easy to find a table man..with every1 visiting!

HairyBerry said...

wah, everyone's talking about this place. looks like i gotta go try la. the gorn low noodle look good. i think that with kim chi will be superb. good for hot days like these as well.

Rebecca Saw said...

Korean barley tea?? Thts really suits me!
And tht bowl of noodles looks really appetizing.. me thinks its cos I spied a runny egg...

ck lam said...

The place to hop into for a meal...nice intro. Now don't have to think where to eat while shopping :)

boo_licious said...

Ooooo, now I'm craving for the cold noodles. Wonder, if I can squeeze this in afterwards when I go to the Gardens later for work.

Bangsar-bAbE said...

Portions a bit small right? I saw someone eating the kimchi jjigae and bulgogi the other day...so little!!

Tummythoz said...

So much positive reviews, sure have to wait for seats d.

worldwindows said...

That's a nice for a change, cold noodles. Personally I find Korean spicy food very hot. Nice but not for everyday.

choi yen said...

This was 3rd reviews i read abt this place, now this place should be full house dy ^.^

Big Boys Oven said...

Sounds like a heavenly delight!

mboy said...

The Korean Barley was nice!Hehehe

kevin_chungx said...

wow, yummy yummy,
i haven't visited korean restaurant before...
My dad and mum always stick to the chinese food, haha

jencooks said...

A cheap but good Korean rendezvous, the cold noodle captures it all. Nice pics again.

Sugar Bean said...

Just read wmw's blog about this restaurant and now yours. Wow, really crave for Korean food now. The restaurant seems good, and thanks for updating us, we didn't know about this place, outdated d!!

Love Korean cold noodles, you're right, good for hot weather!

cariso said...

I would love to try the noodles..but spicy heh?

J2Kfm said...

SimpleGirl : affordable, yes. being in the centre of The Gardens and all.

Elin : you're welcome. I'm constantly on the prowl for cheap mall food, rather than overpriced stuff.

Selba : crave away?

Mr Z : aiya, I'm using my mind. powerful eh?

NKOTB : same goes for my parents. they cant stomach the grilled stuff, kimchi and wacky gochujang-flavoured food.

Joe : nah ... go during off hours then. for a pancake, or some bulgogi?

Nic : true. though i was being hopeful and wished there were more ban chan.

thenomadGourmand : yeah, some protein to balance all those fibres and carbo.

ck lam : yeah, a cheaper option. of course, one can go for Nyonya Colors or stuff, but paying RM8+ for nasi lemak ... is kinda taxing.

boo : so did you? :)

Bangsar Babe : erm, not exactly small portion I'd say. for that price, the portion's justified.

tummythoz : gotta try your luck then?

worldwindows : true, esp those grilled stuff. cold noodles kinda addictive, IF you like cold noodles like soba and stuff.

mimid3vils : not so fast lah ... i think. hahaha ...

BBO : true, esp when one's not paying an arm and a leg!

mboy : good eh? smoky, roasted barley tea, sweetened.

kevin : in Ipoh there are two main ones. or ONLY ones. Yea Won and Onix Jun. hop over for a visit?

jencooks : thanks Jen. you're always the one to appreciate my pics eh? no matter how pathetic they are.

Sugar bean : slurping on them coldnoodles in the heat of the noon ...lovely.

cariso : NOT spicy, no worries. Korean food aint that spicy. at least at Ko Hyang!

Little Inbox said...

I'm not so fancy about Korean food too. May be I've not tried any good one that suit my taste.

Lingzie said...

ah so this is the place you told me about! ok ok duly noted. will definitely give it a try... since Go Gung is a lil heavy on the wallet :P

J2Kfm said...

Little Inbox : true also, previously i wasnt a fan, but gotta say, the kimchi, BBQ meats, and cold noodles are kinda addictive.

Lingzie : true, this one will leave you with extra moolah for desserts even!

Ciki said...

i love cold noodles.. i like the one that comes still swimming in the ice. It's so weird but once u get the hang of it, the 'dunlop pillow' textured noodle is addictive!

ai wei said...

this is a new place right?! i will drop by!

sugar bean, faster come back and teman me over here! :P

J2Kfm said...

cumi & ciki : yeah! those ice cubes are almost compulsory. though at 1st rather funny.

ai wei : how bout christine? heheheh ..forgot bout her liao eh ...

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