Soo La Kan Korean Restaurant — Restaurant in Malacca

A Soulful Korean Feast in Downtown Melaka 🇰🇷❤️

Date of Visit: Thursday, 24 July 2025

My wife and I were graciously invited by our Korean church friends and pastors to lunch at Soo Ka Lang Korean International Restaurant, a well-loved Melakan staple for authentic Korean cuisine since 1997.

Tucked away in busy downtown Melaka, parking can be tricky — we opted for a convenient Grab ride from a relative’s home nearby. The moment we walked in, we were charmed by the cosy, traditionally Korean interior, especially a mural wall filled with handwritten Korean messages and signatures from past diners — mostly young Korean tourists. The warm atmosphere felt both nostalgic and welcoming.

We were served an absolute Korean feast:

🍲 Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) — Light, herbal, nourishing and deeply comforting.

🌶️ Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Rolls) — Chewy, spicy, and addictive, coated in a glossy gochujang sauce.

🔥 Kimchi Jjigae — Tangy, spicy, and rich with tofu, pork and napa cabbage, served boiling hot.

🥗 Bibimbap — A colourful, delicious medley of seasoned vegetables, rice and egg — best enjoyed mixed with spicy gochujang.

🐟 Grilled Mackerel — Crispy skin with moist, flaky meat and a smoky flavour.

🥞 Pajeon (Korean Pancake) — Crisp-edged, soft-centred, with seafood and scallions, perfect with the soy dipping sauce.

❄️ Naengmyeon (Cold Glass Noodles) — Light, tangy, and refreshingly chilled — great in the tropical heat.

All mains were accompanied by a delightful array of banchan (mini Korean side dishes) — from crunchy kimchi and pickled radish to savoury seasoned spinach — colourful, balanced and bursting with flavour.

Service was warm and attentive, and the staff were happy to help with menu suggestions. Prices are fair for the generous portions and quality.

This is a fantastic place for authentic Korean comfort food — whether you're craving something hearty or refreshing. Huge thanks to our kind hosts for the meal and lovely company.

📍Highly recommended for: ✔️ Authentic Korean flavours ✔️ Cosy, homely ambiance ✔️ Great for group gatherings ✔️ Vegetarian-friendly options available

Tip: Avoid parking hassle — consider Grab or parking further out and walking in.

As always, Jom...

Typical Korean bbq restaurant, hence more selection on the bbq menu. We tried the soft tofu stew, spicy beef and leek stew, soybean stew and green onion pancake. Soft tofu stew - taste was all right, somehow kind of tasted like instant powder Spicy beef and leek - stew lacked the usual yukgaejang flavour Soybean stew - this was the best. Sour and spicy in all the right areas Green onion pancake - pancake was nicely fried, crisp at the right places and soft where it should be. One of the best pancake I've tried. Green onion was huge and satisfying also. Overall, price is abit high, some even higher than KL prices. Ingredients are plentiful though. Service was abit slow cause there were only 2 waiters on a...

Better save your money and go to doe rae accross the road. The food is not cheap, portions are small, difficult to flag down the wait staff, they don't bbq at the table and don't bother to inform. Staff can't speak english. They give u the menu and a paper and tell u to write number. There was blond asian lady who looked like the was also working there or the owner perhaps. Wanted to add on order she told us she is very busy now. Charge for tea and salad leafs while other restaurants give it for free. Banchan has limited refills and is also chargeable. Bulgolgi does not come with rice. I regret trying this place and paid close to RM500 for the lousy service which they charged 10% for....