Toe Dam Korean Fusion BBQ (2nd visit)

FIRST POST ON TOE DAM KOREAN FUSION BBQ [HERE]

A revisit so soon?! Well, a month is a long enough time considering that I make revisits more often, but isn't that the whole point... finding new regular restaurants to go to?! After the dinner at Potter's Garden, I craved for some better tasting Korean food and of course headed to Toe Dam Korean. When we walked in, the restaurant was busy and all the tatami rooms along the left side were booked for a company party. The party was loud and every few minutes there would be some clapping as well as chanting in Korean, which I found quite heartwarming rather than annoying. 

BANCHAN, KOREAN SIDE DISHES. 

WAKAME, SWEET POTATOES, KIMCHI AND KOREAN MUNG BEAN SPROUTS. 

The wakame has a slight pickled vegetable flavour and there are a few slices of daikon as well as carrot. Next, the sweet potatoes taste slightly sweet, soft and not hard, which seems to happen at a few Korean restaurants. Following, the kimchi tastes sour and slightly spicy, but more tart than spicy. Last up, the bean sprouts taste very light and there is a hint of sesame oil, but some salt n' pepper could have made the side more tasty. Soybean paste, sesame oil with pepper, lettuce, garlic and jalapeños are for making pork belly wraps.

FRESH PORK BELLY WITH SPECIAL DIPPING SAUCE, STEAMED RICE AND MISO SOUP ($17.99).

The pork belly tastes tender as well as fatty, and has a nice snappy chewiness. Pork belly is usually wrapped with lettuce and jalapeño and/or garlic along with a dab of soybean paste.

MARINATED AAA BEEF SHORT RIBS ($28.95).

The galbi ribs taste extremely tender and have a flavourful marinade along with a slight sweetness, I can eat these all day.

MISO SOUP.

The miso soup is included with the order of pork belly and tastes a lot better than the former visit. In addition, there is a light kimchi and miso flavour rather than a fishy and salty taste compared to last time. The soup also has a good amount of diced tofu and onions.

GRILLED MACKEREL ($10.95).

Ehhh... I am not a fan of mackerel to be honest, especially at Korean or Japanese restaurants because the fish has always tasted dry and stiff. However, turns out it was actually just those restaurants (Sura and Hirame)! The mackerel tastes juicy, flaky and moist, along with that nice natural salty flavour. If anything, the fish is extremely oily and sat in a pool of oil. But hey, my first experience having mackerel that did not taste dry at a restaurant and is fairly tasty.

PORK NECK BROTH SOUP ($8.95).

Instead of ordering the whole hot pot of gamjatang (one of those times when I feel obligated not to order the exact same dishes), we chose the individual size soup. The gamjatang tastes flavourful and has a rich pork bone broth flavour. Furthermore, despite the lack of spiciness, the soup tasted so flavourful that it really did not matter. The meat also falls off the bone and is fairly tasty. Toe Dam really has one of the tastiest gamjatangs.

POSITIVES

- Consistent and above average eats

NEGATIVES

- Limited seating so there may have long waits during busy times?

- Staff is more Korean friendly, but do not take it personal (plus the food is worth it!)

LITTLE THINGS

- First post on Toe Dam Korean Fusion BBQ [here]

- Minimum order of two dishes for table BBQ

- Push button service

Food: 3.5/5

Service: 2.5/5