137-147 Quay Street,
Viaduct
Auckland,


(09) 355 6770

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3 out of 5

Auckland has a very large Korean population, but Korean food has not achieved the crossover appeal of, say, Thai or Japanese.

It lacks the fragrance of the former and the subtlety of the latter, but this place—virtually opposite the main door of the Hilton Hotel—is worth a visit for anyone of adventurous temperament and healthy appetite.

It's a buffet set-up which, for a charge of $34 a head, spoils the diner for choice. Tables are laden with pre-prepared dishes, not all of which seem Korean at all (the chicken drumsticks seemed southern-fried and the sweet-and-sour fish was standard) but some of which, like jellyfish is exotic and tasty.

The Korean take on sashimi and sushi roll (called kim bap) was spoiled slightly by the fact that some of the fish had been frozen, but the main attraction was the selection of raw, very thinly sliced meats which you cook for yourself on an in-table gas barbecue.

The meat is livened up by dipping sauces and the accompanying side dishes, such as pa muchim, shredded spring onions with chilli and the ubiquitous kimchi.

We washed this all down with small shots of soju—a vodka-like sake—although there is a small basic wine list and a good selection of beers.

I can't say that Korean food is going to knock Japanese and Thai off the top of my most-preferred-Asian list. But if you're looking to try it, Koreans I have spoken to reckon this is the best place in Auckland.