Had dinner with my friends coming over to Coquitlam. Food came out quick, the server was kind and prompt. The washroom was clean and was easy to park in front of the restaurant.
Bossam (steamed pork belly) was really good, probably something you expect in Korea. 5/5
Yukgyejang was really good as well, just like having one in Korea. 4.5/5
Soondubu (soft tofu soup with no spice) was also pretty good. I was wondering what it would taste like as the only Soondubu soup I had in my entire life came with chili sauce. It was surprisingly good. 4/5
Now, the problem is the Soondae-guk (순대국밥). I would give 2.5/5. I'm a huge fan of Soondae-guk and trust me, I use to have it at least once a week, and for how long? for more than 10 years.
It was so bland and did not have the flavour I was expecting. The meat and Soondae inside were okay, but the broth was killing my entire experience.
Now, a gentleman came over to ask if everything was alright. I asked back if this is how it usually taste here. He explained that they changed their recipe and said they are now using the beef broth. This made so much sense. However, it you are going to use something different, you really should leave a note so the customers can decide.
The traditional Soondae-guk would use pork broth. Period. However, there is a popular franchise in Korea called Damso(담소사골순대) and I remember ordering beef-broth Soondae-guk. This franchise at least had an option to choose between beef/pork broth...
Anyway, I could at least finish the soup after the explanation since I was starving. I tried toadjust the soup with sauces but wasn't successful.
Would I order the Soondae-guk again here? No. If I knew it was going to be beef-broth Soondae-guk, I wouldn't have ordered it in the first place.
However, everything else was well executed. The little yogurts they gave us were pretty good - brought back my childhood memories. I'm definitely coming back for more soups and...
Read moreWe found this new location to serve tasty food in a friendly clean environment. In the middle of a Saturday afternoon, the restaurant was moderately busy; but we were immediately greeted and seated at a nice table near the front windows. I observed a variety of patrons, including families and the younger set taking a break from their afternoon activities. Parking is plentiful, safe, and free here. The restaurant is new and the whole establishment is in good order. One thing we liked was a small button on the table that you press when ready to order. This prevents you being distracted by wait staff before you're ready to order and makes the serving a little more efficient in the restaurant, so a win-win.
One thing that is not unique to this restaurant that I want to mention is the rice wine with chestnut. We are fans of rice wine in general; but the owner encouraged us to sample the chestnut flavor. It is excellent and matches the complex flavors of Korean food perfectly. I always appreciate a new flavor being recommend by a knowledgeable person.
I had the pork cutlets. They were crispy and juicy, so cooked perfectly. The side of rice and shredded cabbage was a good compliment to the slightly sweet sauce on the cutlets. The portion was large and aimed at a hungry adult or could be shared between two.
My wife had the kimchi stew. She found it delicious with seafood and meat, so quite filling. We were pleased the restaurant respects tradition and delivers meals accompanied by pickled dishes. So many restaurants seem to be abandoning this critical element that defines Korean cuisine.
What brings this restaurant to the five star level is the excellent high quality food and the very friendly attending staff. We felt very welcome and cared for. Coquitlam has many Korean restaurants; but this is a restaurant that is a step above the crowd and still reasonable in their prices. Well worth your time and hard...
Read moreI had the pleasure of dining at DookBaeki Korean restaurant in Coquitlam recently and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed with my experience! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm and inviting atmosphere that made me feel right at home. The staff were incredibly friendly and made me feel welcomed from the start.
The restaurant's location is also worth mentioning. It's very clean and well-maintained, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for diners. The menu features a wide variety of traditional Korean dishes, all expertly prepared with the freshest of ingredients. I had the opportunity to try the dduckbokki and dogani-tang and I was blown away by their flavors. The dduckbokki was the perfect combination of chewy rice cakes and a spicy sauce that was both satisfying and flavorful. The dogani-tang was especially noteworthy, with a rich and flavorful broth that was the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day.
The service at DookBaeki was truly outstanding. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, always offering helpful recommendations and making sure that all of our needs were met. They went above and beyond to make sure that we had a wonderful dining experience.
Overall, I highly recommend DookBaeki to anyone looking for a fantastic Korean dining experience. Whether you're a fan of Korean cuisine or trying it for the first time, you won't be disappointed. The variety of dishes on the menu, the expertly prepared meals, and the welcoming atmosphere are sure to please everyone. I would give DookBaeki a solid 5 stars and I can't wait to go back and try even more of their delicious...
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