I used to think that I qualify as a Korean food fan...but now that I really, really think about it....perhaps I'm a fan of Korean foods more familiar to Malaysian tastebuds. You know, all the common stuff- BBQ meats, dolsot bibimbap, ramyun, pajeon, deokbokki, jap chae, kimchi chiggae, etc.
Initially I was quite skeptical about trying out their traditional Korean sausage - Soondae....but having read a few blogs, decided that it sounded quite doable after all. So off we trotted to Soondaeya in Ampang Putra, which is touted to be the first Korean restaurant in Malaysia to sell authentic soondae. Its not at the normal row of shops in the Taman Ampang Utama area where I go to eat Korean, and it took awhile before finding the shoplot.
By then, it was late- almost closing time on a weekday (they close at 10pm) and the place was empty, save for 2 tables. I did see my Korean hairdresser in a cubicle drinking with her friend- so this place must really be authentic. Or their makgeolli is good.
They didn't serve the normal banchan but gave our table 2 big containers of kimchi and kaktugi. I enjoy kaktugi - but have to say that their HUNKS of radish were a little big. Very rustic though, I suppose.
They didn't serve the normal banchan but gave our table 2 big containers of kimchi and kaktugi. I enjoy kaktugi - but have to say that their HUNKS of radish were a little big. Very rustic though, I suppose.
First served was the Pajeon. Now, I normally lurve pajeon. But this one was too full of leeks and green onions. It looked like a small patch of green grass. The pancake was rather doughy and didn't have the slightly crisp sides I have come to appreciate. Basically, it was just soft with lots of texture from the leeks. If you feel guilty about not eating enough vegetables....eat this and be glad.
Then came the main dish- a very generous platter of Soondae in 3 different colors- dark brown for the pork, red for the kimchi and white for veggie. The dish looked like it could feed 2 to 3 people. The dark brown sausage looked like a nice plump chinese "lobak" filled with pork and whatever else. However, once I put it into my mouth, here the similarity ended. I had been prepared for a strong porky smell but it turned out to be mild and not offensively porky. Its not my favourite and not something I will ever order again, however am glad to have tried this once. After having a bite from each colour, I just took the whole enormous platter home.
Upon dissection, the kimchi soondae looks to be made up of rice but I think it could well be shreds of white noodle mixed with the pork and kimchi. The casing is made of pig intestines and is thin + transparent.
Here's a photo when I got it home:
......my fat dog is crazy about this, so it will be her snack. Her little tail was wagging like a mad windshield wiper while I taking the photo.
Also tried their sik hye /rice tea (awfully sweet!) and cinnamon ginger tea ( if you like strong cinnamon- this is your cup of tea...yes, sorry.)
You may or may not love the soondae but at least you wont need to travel all the way to Korea now to say you've tried it, right? The other unusual item of food was "bossam" which looked like very fatty pork. And steamed. ..... unless you like fat + pork, order at your own risk.
Tel: 03- 4251 5170
Location: No 17-L2, Jln Ampang Putra 6, Ampang Putra.
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