Seoulscape Bistro @ Kota Damansara PJ - Soldier Food They Call It

I'm perpetually on the lookout for affordable Korean food. Not so much of the BBQ-stuff but rather simple and hearty Korean dishes.

Just few days ago, while I was planning my next han-guk dining experience, the fairy-angel flew pass and my call was answered - via an email invite.

So for those who love everything-K, you are in for a fabulous treat.

Seoulscape Bistro

안녕하세요

On this lovely Thursday evening, FD brought me to Seoulscape at The Strand, Kota Damansara. As the name suggest, this place serves up a good deal of home-style Korean cuisine as well as a range of soju(s).


Seoulscape Bistro is close to a year old and run by Sub - a hilarious Korean chap come chef and Carmen - who manages the restaurant. Out of friendship, a business partnership was born, driven by the love of sharing authentic, home-grown 'mum' recipes, all the way from Korea.


Mono-tone wall art, drawstring photographs, cartoon miniature, patchwork menu - somehow reminded me of being in pre-school again. But of course everything was Korean inspired nonetheless.

Self confession: I'm no good with chopsticks - maybe it's my wrong 'gripping' technique or perhaps just plain crooked fingers. Can't seem to eat 'slippery' or 'tiny' food at ease. Point is - metal chopsticks doesn't make my life any easier.
 

Jea-Suk Ttebokki.

Rm45 (4-5pax) comes with 4 rice and 2 noodles

Rm30 (2-3pax) comes with 2 bowls of rice and 1 noodle

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What do you think of my sequenced numbering?

We started our meal with a pot of hearty goodness - perfect for a chilly night. This pot of spicy chili paste kimchi soup had an abundance of rice cakes and a variety of seafood in it. I slurped spoonfuls of it slowly then ate it soaked in fragrant rice - I went back for more. It made me sweaty and I had to scout for a tissue halfway through, can't take too much of this, seriously. The cooking was fun though.

Buddae Jiggae

Rm45 (4-5pax) comes with 4 rice and 2 noodles

Rm30 (2-3pax) comes with 2 bowls of rice and 1 noodle

   

This pot of simmering stew, or more commonly known as 'Army' food in Korea is slightly thicker and had a grainy texture, probably from the use of baked beans as soup paste.

When I had my first piping spoonful - I was infinitely sold. The soup was a combination of flavours - sweet from the vegetables; sour from the fermented kimchi; salty from the meats; spicy from the chili paste, yet astonishingly worked very well together.

Kimchi Jjigae. Rm20.

When I got down to this, my tongue was already aesthetically numb from the previous dishes. Being die-hard to try everything, I still gave it a go - kimchi stew with an assortment of vegetables. It didn't taste vastly different from the previous soups. That said, this simple dish would do just fine for those wanting to try Korean stews.

Jeyuk Bokkeum (Stirfry Spicy Pork). Rm18.

I really couldn't tell if the meat was pork or chicken, but eventually found out that it's pork - stir fried pork with homemade thick chilli paste with kimchi. I figured the strong flavours of kimchi somewhat overpowered the taste of the marinated pork but the overall flavours came off really tasty and appetizing.

Korean Galbi (Marinated Pork). Rm18.

I was glad to finally be served a dish which is not overwhelmingly red in colour! The dish didn't do much to retain my excitement though. Seoulscape's version of marinated pork with Ganjang base sauce (Korean soy sauce) was a little too dry and perhaps not marinated well, personal preference nonetheless.

I did try to put my amateur Korean language skills to practice - yes, those 3 months of intensive courses did come in useful - when I managed to pronounced 소줏 or 'soju'. #laughsatself

Yakso. Rm50 for 10 shots or Rm40 per bottle.

Koreans say - good food must be accompanied with soju. We did just that - with a shot of Yakso (yacult and soju) each. I love this and gleefully recommend to all.

Complimentary dessert.

Homemade strawberry and raspberry jam on a slice of crispy marie biscuit, topped with apple bits - not a big fan. #ahem

Being a sucker for full-body mirrors, I got a little out of control.

Some pretty value for money promotion going on at the moment. PSY again. #thisisnevergonnaend

Overall Rating: 6.5/10. Being 1 of the 3 Korean/Food restaurants in Kota Damansara, I reckon there would be stiff competition. Notwithstanding, I still think Seoulscape Bistro is the most authentic of the lot, serving healthier versions of home-style Korean dishes at a no frills atmosphere. One thing I love about this place is the Non-Existent thirsty aftermath, normally from the overused of MSG. Probably an acquired taste but I would definitely return for a hearty pot of stew.

Seoulscape Bistro is located at:
No 18-1, Jln PJU 5/20B, The Strand Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya
6148-0320

(Few doors away from Burger Junkyard and there's a bar right next door.)