If the king-sized dumplings ($10.99) are what attracts you
to Myungdong Kalkuksu Noodle and Shabu Shabu, they're worth a try but don’t get
too excited. For me, there's a reason the dumplings didn't make it into the
restaurant's name (after all, they're highlighting "noodles" and
"shabu shabu"); sure the gigantic tennis ball sized look impressive, but
they merely taste passable.
The pork filling is combined with a filler, which could be
egg white, so there's a crumbly texture to the dumpling with little actual meat
flavour. What stands out the most is the chives peppered throughout creating a
rather bland dumpling that really requires kimchi, hot sauce, or ponzu for flavour. Moreover, what I love
most about dumplings is the juices that collect within the wrapper… at
Myungdong Kalkuksu there is none.
Luckily, you’ll get plenty of kimchi and having heard the
compliments from reviewers about this complimentary side dish, I can see why
it’s so well regarded. The cabbage is fresh and crispy and the spicy sauce
spiked with tons of garlic for an aromatic heat. Our table of two almost
finished the entire jar.
Their shabu shabu ($15.99 a person for a minimum of 2 people)
is a fair size, especially if you add on dumplings, and has a sufficient amount
of thinly sliced beef. For “two thirds plate full” individuals, it comes with
tons of vegetables (napa cabbage, a slightly bitter leafy green, baby bok choy,
pumpkin, and carrot) and mushrooms (prince and enoki). Dig through the leafy
greens and you’ll also find four glutinous rice dumplings, filled with sweet
potato and cheese, which takes a while to cook, but have a great chewy texture.
The actual shabu shabu broth doesn't have the lump of
collagen you’ll find in Japan, so it relatively plain. However, once all the
beef, vegetables, and mushrooms infuse into the soup, the ingredients help to
add flavour.
After finishing everything, our waitress brings overs
noodles and places it into the broth. We’re advised to cook them for four
minutes and then dug into a bowl of chewy springy noodles. After adding the
infused broth and a couple pieces of chopped up kimchi, it was a satisfying
last bowl.
Much of what’s served at Myungdong Kalkuksu is made
in-house: the king-sized dumplings, chewy noodles, and the garlicky kimichi.
While paying for the bill, the owner joked that even the after dinner mints
were house-made – they’re not but could be given their haphazard rustic look. I
love the homey comfort food meal, just maybe not the dumplings.
Overall mark - 7 out of 10
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 8194 Bayview Avenue
Address: 8194 Bayview Avenue
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____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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