Paik's Noodle — Restaurant in Austin

As a native Korean, I consider myself well-versed in Korean-style Chinese cuisine, having grown up enjoying these dishes both in Korea and abroad. Recently, I visited Pail's noodle in HMART in Austin, TX with a friend from Korea, eager to try their two classic dishes: Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) and Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup).

Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations, leaving us deeply disappointed.

Tangsuyuk:

Tangsuyuk is a beloved Korean dish featuring crispy pork or beef coated in a delectable sweet and sour sauce. Sadly, the Tangsuyuk here failed to deliver on this culinary promise. The sauce lacked flavor and depth, failing to complement the pork's natural taste. Instead, it overpowered the dish with an unpleasant artificial sweetness. Moreover, the pork itself was overcooked and dry, far from the succulent, juicy texture expected in this dish.

Jjamppong:

Jjamppong, a spicy seafood noodle soup, is another staple in Korean cuisine. However, this left us equally unimpressed. The broth was thin and flavorless, lacking the rich umami notes that characterize this dish. The seafood were not fresh , while the excessive use of chili powder resulted in an overpowering heat that masked any other flavors.

Overall Impression:

Our dining experience here was a stark reminder of the importance of authenticity and culinary expertise. The lack of attention to detail and disregard for traditional Korean flavors resulted in dishes that were a far cry from the genuine Korean-Chinese cuisine we know and love. It is disheartening to see such a representation of Korean food, potentially leading foreign diners to form negative perceptions of our culinary heritage.

Recommendations:

I strongly advise against ordering the Tangsuyuk or Jjamppong here. Their execution of these dishes falls far below the standards expected from a Korean restaurant.

If you seek authentic Korean-Chinese cuisine, I urge you to explore other establishments that prioritize culinary integrity and respect for Korean flavors.

Additional Notes:

The restaurant's apparent cost-cutting measures, such as the owner's involvement in cooking, seem to have compromised the quality of the food. The lack of fresh ingredients and the use of artificial flavorings further contributed to the disappointing dishes. The restaurant's overall ambiance and service were unremarkable.

Conclusion:

While I understand that this review may seem harsh, I believe it is crucial to provide honest feedback to help restaurants improve and ensure that diners have access to authentic and enjoyable culinary experiences. I hope that Paik's noodle will take these criticisms to heart and strive to elevate their food to a level that truly represents the rich flavors and traditions of...

ALWAYS check your food when it comes out when the older Korean gentleman is at the counter.

One time I got the black bean rice to go, only to discover after driving home that the black bean sauce was missing and instead the sweet and sour sauce was provided. Might as well have made rice and eggs at home because without the sauce that’s all it is.

Another time I ordered the regular jjampong, but instead received the much spicier pepper jjampong. I was dining at the court so I went back to ask if this was really the regular, and he guaranteed me it was the regular one. I sat down and took a sip, and it was WAY too spicy to be the regular one. It even had the spicy peppers in there. When I went back to complain, he took it in the back, SCRAPED off the peppers, and gave it back to me as if it were a new bowl. Ridiculous - that does not make it what it’s not. It was still extremely spicy and even spicier with the lies he added in.

These are just two examples of multiple times myself and my friends have been displeased with the service. This gentleman’s entire demeanor is unfriendly and off-putting, and is barely responsive. There have been reports of him using the bathroom and returning to work without washing his hands. It has come to the point where I will no longer order from this establishment when he is at the counter. I have found that the other employees are perfectly capable and friendly.

Food is good, though....

Review from August 18: Our food came out quicker than expected and the quality was decent. The Jjajang was surprisingly bland and I was a bit disappointed. It could have used some more salt, pepper, garlic, citrus, or literally anything to give it more flavor. It tasted like they just dumped a jar of chunjang on top with some onions rather than cooking it down with a seafood/pork/chicken stock. In other words, it did not have the savory aspect but only the sweetness that comes from the sauce base. Noodles were slightly elastic and did not feel overcooked or rubbery.

Jjampong was medium to mild on the spicy meter based on individual tolerances. Also quite decent quality. The squid(?) and octopus(?) did not feel nice to eat and were crunchy and rubber respectively. The mussels, however, were cooked decently and were only ruined because of a friend's comment. I wish that they had some sides served with it like a small bowl of rice or noodles to pair it with.

Overall, serving sizes were quite large and easy to share and the quality was good but not the greatest. Workers were nice and provided us with some extra bowls and utensils when requested. Hopefully once the full opening occurs there will be more variety in the menu as well as adjustments...