Korean

I need to stop eating with the Dutch. The whole saying about "going Dutch" must come from the fact that Dutch people don't seem too concerned with paying for food. I was planning a nice 3-10 RMB dinner of some kind of take-out or street food that I could eat on the couch. Instead I found myself with Tommy in a "That's Beijing" nominated Korean restaurant eating bibimbap and chatting with the owner.

Fortunately, the Dutch I eat with have good taste. 韩香馆 "Korean Bistro" is a great little restaurant. The setting is pleasantly modern. Dark wooden tabletops and straight lines keep the place looking clean and neat. A small Koi pond runs throug the center of the restaurant under the stairs that lead to a rooftop dinning area. We didn't eat on the roof, but I will have to go back on a warmer evening because the roof overlooks a neighborhood of Hutongs and courtyard houses that are still in good condition.

The food is strictly Korean, which is a relief from American restaurants where you can never tell if you're better off ordering from the Japanese or Korean side of the menu, but you can be sure that neither is going to be rewarding. I am no expert on Korean food, but the flavors were distinct and delicious--I even enjoyed the compulsory cold pickled vegetables served at the beginning of the meal.

Overall, though, the best part of the restaurant was the Owner. Chow King-Tai is originally from Hong Kong. He studied at Leeds and speaks fluent English and French in addition to Cantonese and Mandarin (and the menu is printed in three languages). The restaurant was not too crowded, so we talked with him several times during the meal. Tommy had eaten there before, and was greeted warmly when we walked in. Mr. Chow offered useful advice on travel in China, and also good advice on what to order.

The cost was considerably more than that of a basket of dumplings, but after last night's disaster at Kokomo it was a relief to get some good food. Korean food is a far stretch from comfort food, but 韩香馆 will be a good restaurant to remember when I need a break from Chinese food.

韩香馆:
Atmosphere: 4.5
Service: 5
Food: 5
Price: 4
Total: 4.625