Sang by Mabasa — Restaurant in Sydney

Hands down, our number one Asian meal in Sydney. And the only reason we got the opportunity to dine at @sangbymabasa was thanks again to our food-loving friend in Australia, Wee Liam (@hungrywolfgrams). Owned and run by a Korean family, it’s dad and mum who does all the cooking while son Kenny (he is also an object designer, maker and metalsmith - @studiokyss) and his wife take care of the front-of-house with a couple of staff. The restaurant appears casual and homely, which is part of its heartwarming charm. But the food looks and tastes much finer than you would guess. Like Wee Liam said, if dad and mum were hidden from sight, one would understandably assume a youngish, hip Korean Chef and his team were behind all the dishes. We had to open a bottle of Jeju’s Hallasan Soju ($20) that night because well, it seemed to pair seamlessly with everything on the menu. Below is the entire list of what we stuffed our faces most happily on: Kimchi Pancake - Only available for lunch, the privilege to savour this deliciousness was due to us being there with Wee Liam who is a regular customer. Cho Muchim ($22) - The poached cuttlefish was springy not rubbery, and lavished in a sweetish-spicy cho gochujang. Red onion, pickled plums and cucumbers enlivened this seafood item even more, rendering it the perfect snack to gobble with alcohol. Dak Moraejip ($15) - Charred chicken gizzards, garlic and fresh green chilli were tumbled in gochugaru and sesame oil to maximum delectability. Forget about stopping once you start. Outer Skirt of Beef - A surprise dish from Kenny and his parents, this particular cut of melt-in-the-mouth meat left us swooning and sighing in bliss. I was convinced it was aged but Kenny said no, the sleeve-shaped piece of beef gets its richer flavour from the cow’s organs that it wraps around. Wow… we learned something new that night. Yangbokkeum ($14) - Stirfried in gochujang and perilla leaves, the tripe was incredibly soft and tasty. Yassam ($16) - A revelation. Hard to imagine cucumber, Asian pear and perilla leaves wrapped in pickled white radish could taste so complex and refreshing all at once. Bossam ($40) - Those thick slices of pork belly were fabulous. I loved the wonderfully unctuous fat-laced skin especially; even more so when I offset it with the accompanying white kimchi, seasoned radish, ssamjang, salted shrimp, wobbly kelp and pickled kai lan for a spectrum of acidity, savoury, umami and crunch. Daegu Tang ($26) - On a cold winter’s night, sipping on hot soup is one of the most comforting things to do. And this restaurant’s version with Murray cod, shiitake mushrooms, Korean watercress, tofu and white radish m, warmed not only our bellies but the cockles of our hearts. Namul Dolsotbap ($28) - A sensational finale showcasing five namul (description from Google: “variety of edible grass or leaves or seasoned herbal dishes made of them”) on rice in a pot. I couldn’t help but notice nearly every table ordered it too. Another awesome night with the one and only @hungrywolfgrams. Thank you so much Wee Liam for...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a charming, family-run authentic Korean restaurant, and it truly was a delightful experience. The warm and friendly service stood out right from the moment we entered; the staff greeted us with bright smiles and were attentive throughout our meal. Given that the establishment is operated by an older couple, I found the small lunch menu to be quite understandable—it allowed them to focus on quality rather than quantity. However, this also meant that many diners, including us, ended up ordering very similar dishes, leading to a somewhat limited variety.

Our meals arrived promptly and were accompanied by an incredible aroma that filled the air, building our anticipation. We started with the kimchi pancake, which was a small portion that was crispy on the outside but a bit lackluster in terms of flavor; I would rate it a 6 out of 10. Following that, I tried the beef bulgogi, stir-fried to perfection, though the sweet sauce felt a bit overpowering for my taste. It was complemented by a few slices of mushroom and green shallot, also landing a 6 out of 10 in my book.

The highlight of the meal was the spicy kimchi noodle soup, but I must admit that it was a hit or miss for me. The bowl was filled with generous amounts of noodles and topped with small pieces of kimchi and a few slices of cucumber. While the clean broth was refreshing, I felt the dish was rather pricey for what it offered, and some adjustments could make it much better. My hope is that the next diners have an improved experience with this dish. I genuinely appreciate the effort this couple puts into their restaurant and hope my suggestions contribute positively to their ongoing culinary journey. Supporting small, family-run eateries is important, and I cherish the authenticity and care they bring...

RUDEST RES TAURANT IN SYD!!THEY STABBED THE CUSTOMERS HAND AND REFUSED UNSOLICITED HELP OR SINCERE APOLOGY!!!!!!!!!! The worst experience ever, terrible service, and the food tasted very average. It’s definitely not worth going to this place—there are many better Korean restaurants in Sydney that I’ve been to. I highly do not recommend it! Also the worst thing is that the young female server accidentally pricked my hand with the tip of a knife while serving. Initially, she showed no reaction, and after she finds out that I got hurt she only apologize and ask if I needed to wash my hand, offering me with tissues. I was very upset. Later, due to the pain and concern about infection, I went to the checkout counter to ask for a band-aid. They brought one from the kitchen, but none of the staff apologized. Which meant that they all know a customer got hurt and they had band-aids on hand but didn’t offer one initiative while I just got hurt. I was extremely frustrated. Throughout the meal, the chef and servers had arrogant and rude expressions. and without any reaction or a heartfelt apology, or any discount from them, I canceled the dessert, paid the bill, and left immediately. Also while I pay the bill, I finally try again to confronted the waitress who hurt me about why she didn't give me a Band-aid in the first place, and after she hear she asked my friend first if she want to pay by cash or card, then I say to her again that her apologies are useless, then she pretended not to understand, as if she was deaf, and then asked if I needed a Band-aid now to avoid my question. All of them knew, but none of them apologized. As the only Asian customers in the restaurant that night, our food was always the slowest. And their staff kept walking around the table, disturbing...