American-style BBQ Pork ribs @ Morganfield's, Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang

For the love of pork…..well not exactly my no. 1 meat but my buddies recommended this place to meet up since they've heard raving reviews on it. They must be pretty good considering there are already a couple of branches in KL. Also, we were there just in time for the specials which was Buy 1 full ribs and get 1/2 slab ribs free; super good deal I would say. We ordered 2 full ribs (with 2 half slabs ) to be shared between 4 people (which we thought would be quite enough) but turned out to be a huge mistake, because we overestimated our ability to finish it! They are famous for their ribs (hence, the term sticky bones) and mainly 4 flavors to choose from; Hickory BBQ, Smoked Peppercorn (my fave!), Spicy Asian and Garlicky BBQ. You get an option of full ribs (RM 76.90) or half slab (RM46.90). *Just get the full ribs and bring home the rest of the unfinished!

Smoked Peppercorn full spare ribs RM 76.90

Yeap..this was the FREE half slab-We chose the Hickory and Garlicky BBQ. Not just the free ribs, it came with sides as well!

Night out with my ex-colleagues; Soon-to-be-mum Penny and 'old buddy' manager Kwan ;p

It was the last night in KL before I left for Canada again the very next day. We had a great time catching up with them while chowing down on those delicious ribs. If you're looking for the authentic, good old-fashioned BBQ pork ribs, this is definitely the place to be. The ribs were tender, meaty, tasty and delicate enough to have the meat-almost-falling-off-the-bone-when-picked-up effect…(mouth-watering right now). Prices were quite reasonable (even without the free half slab). Ours was definitely worth eating because we had the free halves; although we ended up packing a majority of the ribs back home. Another good option on the menu was their sharing platter that will be perfect for 3-4 people. Great place to hang out as well :))

Address: GK-09 Ground Floor, Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang

Website: Morganfield's

Facebook: Morganfield's

Jjampong (짬뽕), Jjangmyeon (짜장면) & Tangsuyuk (탕수육) @ Andongjang Chinese Restaurant, Seoul, Korea

Important to note the restaurant front as the name is not in English!

Andongjang is known to be the oldest Chinese restaurants in Seoul. Eating Chinese food in Korea ? To be fair, like in other parts of the world, the dishes here have been modified to meet the taste bud of the locals. In fact, Chinese food such as jjampong (Korean spicy seafood noodle soup) and jajangmyeon (black soybean noodles) is pretty famous among the locals particularly for home deliveries (remember Korean drama 'Coffee Prince' ?) Although this place is not exactly located at a tourist area, it is rather famous among the locals. Some servers here (and the owner) speaks Mandarin :)

The usual Korean sides

Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork)

We ordered three of the most well-known Korean Chinese dishes. Tangsuyuk or sweet and sour pork is slightly different from the usual sweet and sour pork that I have eaten in Canada or Malaysia. Even the fried pork seems a little different. One obvious difference is the color and the sweeter taste of the dish. While the usual ones are usual stir fried with ketchup sauce, this has a rather clear, brownish sauce (probably what they call as orange sauce). Quite a number of tables, majority locals, ordered this dish by itself to share among them together with a couple bottles of soju. 

Jjampong (Korean spicy seafood noodle)

I personally liked Jjampong the best, which was much enjoyed because of the delicious, spicy broth combined with seafood and noodles. Spiciness can be adjusted so no worries on that ;). The rich broth is totally satisfying for me since I love spicy food. One dish can easily be shared by 2 people. My advice would be to order tangsuyuk, jjajangmyeon and jjampong together to be shared between 2 or 3 people so that you can try a little of everything. Jjajangmyeon (black soybean paste with noodles) is another famous dish particularly for deliveries. You can probably get something like this in some of the Canadian Chinese restaurants (northern Chinese style cooking) although the soybean paste used is different from the Koreanized version. Andongjang's is way less salty compared to those I've tried at Canada and also the instant noodle version. You are also given some extra black soybean paste in case you prefer it saltier. 

Jjajangmyeon (salty black soybean paste noodles) 

Mixing the jjangmyeon

Mostly locals, quite a full house even past 8 pm

I can't exactly remember how much were they but overall, an average Korean dish price. Portion was on the larger side (at least for me ;p), so order to share. If you are getting tired of Korean dishes, give this Koreanized Chinese restaurant a try. I'm sure you will find something you like!

Address: Andongjang Chinese Restaurant, 124, Euljiro-gu, Jung-gu, Seoul

Directions: Euljiro 3-ga station, Line 2, Exit 10

Website: Andongjang

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Korean pork BBQ @ Palsaek Samgyeopsal (팔색삼겹살), Seoul

When I finally made it to Seoul, only then did I realise how important wifi, name and address of the place of interest in English and Korean, and also a picture of the restaurant; because even city cab drivers may not know where the restaurant is (what more us foreigners @__@). Majority of the restaurants only have signboards in Korean, hence the importance of a picture of the place. We took a cab from Namsan Tower to Palsaek Samgyeopsal (samgyeopsal=pork belly) at Mapo-gu. This restaurant has a small entrance and you might find some tour busses blocking the entrance. From the entrance, you walk downstairs to quite a huge place with lots of people and servers bustling around the tables. I would think that this place cater more for tourist but we did see locals dining here as well.

Hi piggy! I should probably visit branch in Malaysia ;p

Even with the number of customers, there are lots of staff that were available to attend to you. Since their main signature dish is the 8 different marinated pork (palsaek samgyeopsal), the layout of each tables were more or less the same. Once seated, a staff or two will start to attend to you (all the vegetables, sides, and of course the meat). If it's your first time, just leave everything to the staff (don't be a pain and try doing it by yourself and getting everything messy) and watch them do it. 

The variety of leaves for the bbq pork wrap!

I read in a blog previously that said if you had only one chance to eat Korean BBQ, you should visit this place. My mum was complaining how plain and bland the pork BBQ were during her Korea trip. This would have been different because their signature menu comprised of 8 different kinds of marinated pork-curry, hot (probably red pepper paste), ginger, wine, pine-leaves, herb, soybean paste and ginseng.  I personally liked the pine-leaves marinated meat (although I'm not exactly sure what sort of marination?) whereas Panda preferred the spicy ones; basically meat marinated with red pepper paste (least favourite was the ginseng meat since I'm not a fan of herbal-ish stuff). It was pretty fascinating to see how the server arranged and worked on the grilled meat :) 

Loved the colourful spread on our table:))

This is how you eat Korean bbq (or more or less at least;p). A piece of leaf, a slice of pork, garlic, kimchi and paste; wrap them up and stuff the whole thing into your mouth! 

We loved this kimchi-bean sprouts side (refillable). We were also seated conveniently near the water machine.

Eventhough I had only one chance to eat BBQ pork meat in Seoul, I was quite contented with this place. A set would probably be enough for a table of 2. It might not be your conventional BBQ pork place, but it's definitely worth a try if you're in Seoul. 

Address: Palsaek Samgyeopsal (팔색삼겹살), 18, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Korean address: 서울특별시 마포구 백범로 18 (노고산동)
Website: Palsaek Samgyeopsal
Opening hours: 1100 - 2400
Directions: Sinchon Station (Subway line 2), Exit 6. Go straight along Baekbeom-ro for about 150m.
You will see Palsaek Samgyeopsal (팔색삼겹살) across the street (provided by VisitKorea). Or just take a cab :)

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A Pork-y affair @ Pig's Ears, London, UK

So, after my sis's wedding night, she had a table booked for all of us ( yes, with the in-laws) for a much-awaited Pork Ribs dinner ! As the name implies, this place is famous for two things ; Pork and Beer! Located at Richmond Hill St, London, UK, this beer cellar cum restaurant has its own specialty and uniqueness. With London's infamous narrow streets and queer-looking buildings, I must say I would not have spotted this place by myself. Parking was difficult to begin with but we managed that somehow...

 

Since they have  been here before , they already set their mind on what to have; and they made absolutely good choices ! For starters, we had the Pork Crackling with Apple Sauce; in simple words; Pig skin! Super hard and tasty ! Yes, hard and not for those with 'lose teeth'. The apple sauce combination was a little bit weird ( probably the sage !) and I way prefer eating the skin without the sauce. Salty but addictive and its definitely a must-try~

Pork Crackling & Apple Sauce 

Super hard, crunchy, salty and addictive !

We came for the ribs and so all ( except mom) ordered the whole baby back ribs as our mains. Being so excited and ambitious, we were so sure we could actually finish the whole dish ! The dish came with a side of fries. The succulent ribs were so good. Meat was juicy, tender and finger-licking good. I must admit that even though I felt Bali's Nuri Warung BBQ Pork ribs is still my favourite ribs, this came pretty close. The sides that came with it were equally good and goes well with the ribs. 

BBQ & Cider Sauce whole baby back ribs

Ribs was a total no-no for mum so she had two starters instead; the fried fish medley and vine tomato mozzarella salad. First look; wow, mozzarella looks so fresh on top of the basil pesto that came with it. A healthy choice I would say. Portion was just nice even though a little bit too much of cheese. The fried fish medley consisted of wheat beer fish fingers, scampi and tempura prawns with tomato tartare. The usual fried finger food that came with a generous portion of salad. 

Vine Tomatoes Mozarella Salad-with basil pesto

Fried Fish Medley

For desserts, we just HAD to try the sticky toffee pudding and luckily we shared the dessert! Generous portion that was heavenly delicious…and sweet ( this would have covered more than of our sugar requirement/day). I don't think we get this often in Malaysia and a quick google showed that this steamed dessert has a British-origin. It can even be topped off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream ( as if its not sugary enough !)

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Silke had the Strawberry Meringue Glaze ( ice cream and fresh strawberries). This was a lovely-looking dessert and I felt that the ice cream is probably home made. Creamy, not super sweet unlike most commercial ice creams. Portion was just nice!

Strawberry Meringue Glaze

If you are in London, don't miss the chance to visit this place. They have a pretty extensive website which is definitely worth checking!

Address : Pig's Ears, 5 Hill Street Richmond TW9 1SX , London, UK




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