That massive pot of simmering soup you see people eating at Korean restaurants? Meet jeongol, said to have once been the preserve of the rich or the royal. You can put anything in here: meat, seafood, tofu, vegetables, dumplings and even whole cakes of instant noodles. Jeongol has been claimed by everyone now, but there’s still something quite majestic about lazily picking your way through the overflowing pot, set over a portable gas burner on your table.
Dumpling stew $35
Jeongol is what every second table is having at O Se Yo, and not just in the winter months. Nothing brings a table together quite like jeongol, whether it’s dutifully serving up a bowl to Grandma or squabbling over the last slices of chewy rice cake noodles. From the first click of the ignition on the gas stove, it doesn’t take long for the jeongol to start bubbling furiously. Go hard on the chilli with the spicy beef stew, trawl for squid and mussels in the spicy seafood, or hit up the dumpling stew, resplendent with enoki mushrooms and quivering pillows of tofu (each $35).
Seafood pancake $14
Make like the cheerful rabble of Korean families, students and friends in this casual dining room and order far more than can fit on your table. You’ll somehow find room. Start with the seafood pancake ($14), one of the better ones you’ll find in Sydney with its generosity of squid, mussels and prawns bound together in a crispy shallot batter.
The crispy base of the seafood pancake
Steamed vegetable dumplings $12
Back it up with mandu, the Korean version of dumplings that come steamed or deep fried. The meat and vegetable ones are like oversized tortellini, swollen with mince, shredded carrot, vermicelli noodles and shallots.
Spicy sea snails with noodles $15
Spicy sea snails with noodles ($15) aren’t as ominous as you’d expect, the gently chewy gastropods mixed in with a mild radish kimchi. And if the idea of silkworm pupae soup ($12) doesn’t win you over, you can always count on the sweet and tender comfort of bulgogi beef ($15), served on a sizzling hot plate.
Bulgogi beef $15
Complimentary kimchi cabbage and radish
Dining tables
Dumpling stew
O Se Yo
31 John Street, Lidcombe, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9649 4496
Open daily 11am-10pm
This article appeared in the August 2015 issue of Time Out Sydney [Read online]
Read more of my Time Out Sydney reviews
This appeals to me a little more than regular hot pot places, I've had mixed experiences but the dumpling stew sounds particularly interesting. I'll have to check this place out :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried Korean hot pot but I have the feeling I would like it better than Chinese hot pot.
ReplyDeletemm that dumpling stew looks good! a bit skeptical on the sea snails and silkworm pupae ^^"
ReplyDeleteAll looks amazing! You got me with silkworm pupae soup. Sounds incredible! :P
ReplyDeleteI want that dumpling stew badly! Mashita!
ReplyDeleteLast night I went to a Chinese restaurant and was really surprised it was run totally by Koreans. Not a Chinaman in sight and the Koreans sure knew how to cook excellent Chinese. I do love Korean cuisine but I'm not sure how I'd go attempting a sea snail! xx
ReplyDeleteGeez I can't remember the last time I had a good feed of Korean - and the kimchi waffle I had at that cafe in Marrickville doesn't count. This place looks pretty good!
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered what that locals and in-the-know foodies are always ordering at Korean restaurants! That vibrant mandu soup looks delicious, but not quite sure about the pupae soup..would definitely give the snails a try though!
ReplyDeleteOh my this looks extra good Helen. Another for my list
ReplyDeleteThose dishes look so unusual and different from the standard things I order at Korean (bimbimbap and fried chicken!)
ReplyDeleteWould love to try jeongol one time!
Yummm those dumplings in that hot pot! There's something special with Korean flavours that are so bold and comforting :D
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