Hengbok Restaurant (Cloud Kitchen) — Restaurant in Mumbai

Heng Bok

My first introduction to Korean cuisine and it was nice. Located right next to its Japanese counterpart Kofuku, Heng Bok is a low profile Korean restaurant on Linking Road Bandra. Heng Bok is the Korean word literally means happiness and it’s true as they serve happiness from their food.

A Korean venture by the team that runs Kofuku, the menu features known Korean dishes along with one line explanations and images for those who are unfamiliar with the cuisine.

The restaurant was dimly lit with dark wooden tables cushioned with either sofas or low chairs for seating. The interiors were simple and practical. The service was very quick. The place was literally full on a weekday too. The place is often filled with people in suits and to our consolation, Korean and Chinese tourists.

What I tried:

Korean Barbeque Bapsang: We decided to ask for Mixed Platter in which we have chosen Fish, Prawns and Octopus Barbeque. Thin slices of your chosen meat were sautéed at our table with big cloves of garlic and mushroom along with sliced chillies. We were expected to wrap the perfectly cooked fish in Lettuce leaves and have them like wraps with addictive dipping sauce on the side. I liked the concept and it was tasted delicious specially prawns. Flavors bang on. Must Try!!!

Tempura Kimbap: Kimbap is Korean Sushi. Kimbap is made with steamed white rice and dried seaweed, which is similar like Sushi. Just two differences between the two the rice and the filling. While sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar, Kimbap is instead cut with sesame oil and the sweeter. As for the fillings Sushi incorporate mostly raw fish and in Kimbap consists of cooked items.  These rolls were quite thick and bigger than Sushi. Do try.

Seasoned Fried Chicken: Crispy, Juicy and perfectly seasoned. This is really one of the best fried chicken I had in recent time. Succulent Chicken meat balls tossed in sauce. It was tangy, sweet and spicy.

Kimchi Bokkeumbab: A Korean kimchi fried rice served in Veg and Non-veg as well. We opted for Veg. it was topped with egg in a tangy sticky rice. It was okay for me.

Tempura Icecream: Vanilla Icecream enclosed inside a layer of sponge cake. It was crispy from outside and the outer side topped up with chocolate sauce. Amazing!!!

Molten Chocolate: It was an indulgent treat. Tasted more coffee flavor than a chocolate.

Overall, I absolutely loved my visit at Heng Bok. The prices here are a tab bit high but well worth the experience. None of it would’ve been possible without the hospitality and warmth of our server Dorjee who was extremely attentive. Gave us helpful suggestions and recommendations.

Verdict:

Food: 5/5

Décor: 5/5

Service: 5/5

Value...

Hengbok - Linking Road. This place is all about Authentic Korean food. You are bound to find expats in groups enjoying their sake and relishing the food. Hengbok comes from the stable of Kofuku. Simple yet classy. The USP is the barbeque. Some of the tables have in built bbq station. If you are having one, to request for that table. Was there yesterday. Happened to try some of their signature dishes.

Prawns Barbeque - procedure is simple. Condiments like Onion/garlic/mushroom are tossed on the BBQ plate. Prawns (marinated) added and stirred for 3/4 minutes. This is to be had with the lettuce along with sesame dip and another spicy dip. Guess they have Gochujang sauce in the marinated prawns which gives the spicy hit. Overall nice. No flaws. Flavours and balance bang on target.

Skipped the Soup and Sushi , Opted for KIMBAP ( GIMBAP ) This is Korean dish like a sushi made from rice and other ingredients ( we opted for Vegetarian - carrot/peas/cucumber) This is then rolled in gim-dried sheet or Nori Seaweed. Either i can have it with soy sauce or the spicy dip which comes along. By the way the rolls are a bit thick. Ultimate Korean street food. Do try.

Tteokbokki - Stir Fried Rice cakes, popular Korean food. This is made from small sized garaetteok. Presume they import the rice cake. Boil and Stir fry with Gungjung sauce a bit of garlic/onions. Lovely glaze and can be spicy. Something new. It's either a hit or a miss.

Since my partner was a vegetarian we asked for KIMCHI PANCAKE (can't get the Korean name) One can call it Buchimgae as well. Simple yet full of flavours. Made of Khimchi/flour batter with celery and salt. No rocket science. Do give it a try.

Mains - Dolsot Bibimbap, guess most of us visit a Korean restaurant to try the Bibimbap. It's a rice dish. Authentic. They do not add salt. Bibim means mixing ingredients and bap means rice. This was served in a stone bowl. Its warm rice/seaweed and vegetables topped with egg. For the flavours they add the chilli pepper sauce. Mix all in the bowl and polish it. Liked it though it was without salt (authentic way to prepare)

Dessert - Patbingsu, this is simple mixed fruit (seasonal) with sweet red beans sticky topped over shaved ice.

Overall - My second take on Korean food. One needs to get adapted to the taste. I guess this is the only place in Bombay where they have a live barbeque. Do try out. I would visit this...

Heng Bok for Korean Foodies…

Location: 6th Floor, Above Shoppers Stop, Suburbia Mall, Linking Road, Bandra West

I am always up to try new cuisines and same way I was very excited to try Korean cuisine for the first time in India. As far as I know, Heng Bok is first Korean restaurant in Mumbai located in heart of Bandra.

I was here last night and being a Tuesday I was surprised so see the crowd at the restaurant, lot of expats. I am sure Heng Bok is a big treat for Koreans visiting India.

I can totally understand the feeling of Korean Foodies here. It reminded me of, how when we travel some country and we crave for we get in India, and we feel blessed to come across restaurant with Indian delicacies.

HengBok is located right next to the Japanese restaurant, Kofuku on the same floor, run by the same team. Their many features most famous Korean Dishes, I totally fell in love with the Barbeque experience here.

My server Ramesh was very helpful and was very patient.

In Appetizers we opted for - Vegetable Kimbab was ok, not my favourite as it was pretty bland for my taste. We loved our Chicken dish, it’s called Yang Nyeom Tong Dak, got for it if you love Chicken. Chicken was topped with some yummy sauce.

We were really full by the time we finished with our delicious Barbeque and Appetizers. Hence, we just ordered for some Kimchi Fried Rice, it’s called Veg Kimchi Bokkeumbap. I guess, this rice is cooked in Fish Oil and I liked the preparation, it’s topped with Egg Fry, that was yummy.

Ended our evening with Chocolate Brownie with Ice cream and their extremely famous and my favourite Mochi Ice cream.

Overall, this place is a MUST VISIT to try out your Korean style meal and don’t forget to try...