This is a sort of redux, a revisit, but not exactly. Those of you who've followed by various Korean adventures may remember, a couple of years ago, our visit to Mr. Ho in Floresta, which resulted in a resounding "Ho No". Now, I make no claims to having influenced this - but at least I added my voice to the online commentary that was, for much of its existence (about two years), leaning negative. The food wasn't awful or anything, it was just a boring, somewhat bland, dumbed down version of "gastropub" Korean food for non-Koreans. So, when they announced that they were closing up shop, moving to the downtown area, and starting over from scratch with a completely new menu, of classic Korean dishes, I wasn't sure whether to be, well, interested or not.
However, the first report from a friend was that it was really good. The place is split in two - there's the "express" counter, upfront, which deals mostly with takeout, but there are also a few shared, high tables with barstools. The menu here is direct, simple, and to the point. For 300 pesos ($5), you get a bowl or takeout container of either white rice, vegetable fried rice, or vegetable sauteed noodles, and your choice of any one of a dozen "toppings" - classic Korean stir-fries for the most part. They don't always have all twelve, but which one or two they're missing does vary. For an additional 50 pesos, less than a dollar, you can get a second topping. And, if you're really in a spendy mood, another 50 pesos will get you a bowl of kimchi that's big enough for two to share.
And, then there's the "salon", where there are regular tables, maybe seating for about 40-50 people, and a full on menu with four appetizers, nine soups, and thirty different main courses, including a selection of vegetarian ones. Prices hover around 500 pesos, with most landing right on that, and a low of 400 and a high of 600, so all falling between $6-10.
Three visits on my part have ensued....
On the first, I was solo. Excellent noodles, a great black bean sauce (I do love my jajangmyeon), and a good, mildly spicy stir fried chicken (dakgalbi). The kimchi was excellent. Given that the express lunches also include a soft drink, lunch came to a whole, whopping, 400 pesos, or less than $7.
On a revisit with the friend who'd touted it, he got the noodles with spicy calamari (ojingo bokkeum), and grilled short rib (bulgogi). All completely yummy. I wanted to try the fried rice this time around, so got that (delicious), also the same calamari, and decided to try their tonkatsu, the breaded and fried pork cutlet, which was juicy, well seasoned, and properly sauced with tonkatsu sauce - not that gloopy tomato sauce or the honey-chili dressing that they offered us at the original place.
I liked the express enough that I got a few friends together, and they left the ordering to me.... We started with a dolsot bibimbop - the hot bowl of rice with meat, veggies and egg, and a bit of hot chili paste to mix in. Quite good!
I tell you, I like my black bean noodles, so I ordered that one. Interestingly, instead of the lovely stir-fried egg and wheat noodles that come with the express version, in the salon they're served over gleaming white noodles, what appear to be somen. I like the ones on the express line more, but the dish is still delish.
The spicy stir-fried pork belly in the jeyuk bokeeum was easily the best dish on the table. It had a great kick, it was packed with pork and vegetables, and it's easily a portion for two people to share.
Likewise the tteok bokki, which I've never seen served this way. Usually you get those log or lozenge shaped rice cakes in a chili, onion, and garlic sauce. Our waitress brought a little tabletop propane burner, and a huge pot (this is enough for 3-4 people) filled with broth, vegetables, eggs, rice noodles, wheat noodles, fish cakes, and more, and set it to start heating up. Once it got to the bubbling away stage, and we weren't quite sure if we should step in, Mr. Ho arrived at the table and began to toss it all together, and cut things into pieces, and then add some condiments to it. While I do like the spicy version I've had elsewhere a lot, this was really good, and I'd happily eat it again.
So, Mr. Ho is no longer a Ho No, but a Ho Yes! read more