AsiaLIFE

A Korean restaurant that qualifies for the AsiaLIFE Bargain Bucket, what next – a quiet Khmer wedding? Words by Melissa Fisher.

You almost miss it if you’re zooming past on your moto, save for the bright orange lettering pasted on the windows that reads, “US$2-US$4.” A massage parlour? Nope. The pricing sign may be bigger than its name, but Monivong’s “Kuobuk”, serves exactly what it advertises – USD$2 to US$4 dishes.

This family-run establishment, with its sunlit interior and gigantic picture of a Korean provincial home, borders less on fast-food and more on fast-casual dining. For friends of Korean fare, it is not to be missed. Typical Korean BBQ marble tables with stainless steel gas grills set into the table can seat parties of four to eight. The owner presented us with two menus, explaining the level of spiciness and the number of side dishes you can get for free. The special event menu (US$2 – available from 7am-2pm) allows you to choose from five individual dishes, accompanied by a side dish of Korea’s national dish – the piquant red pickled cabbage kimchi that tickles the tongue.

We chose the dolsothbibimbap. Who can go wrong with this delicious and healthy dish of various vegetables and a fried egg atop rice? Mix the steaming contents containing the Korean hot pepper paste gochujong with your chopsticks. You’ll be drinking litres of filtered water brought to you at no-charge. Need less spice? Go for the Seollungtang soup, or cow bone stock, a mild milky noodle broth with a slight seasoning of salt and pepper brought out with a small bowl of white rice.

Bigger groups order from the black felt main dishes US$4 menu, with options such as grilled pork belly, kimchijjigea (kimchi stew), beef soup, and river shrimp. These are accompanied by a free assortment of tasty side dishes including potatoes, vegetables and more kimchi. Flip to the back of the menu for larger made-to-share dishes for US$3 to US$4, such as dongeurangddang, pan-fried mini pancakes of mixed vegetables and ground meat akin to homemade potato pancakes. No true Korean meal would be complete without a bottle of Soju Chamisul, US$4. Pricier Korean liquors are available, as well as domestic and regional bottled beer for US$3-US$2.

Kuobuk Korean Restaurant, 318 AEo, Monivong Blvd., Tel 023 992 010. Open 10am-midnight.