I have been staying in Alwarpet, which is sort of the epicenter of the Korean settlement in Chennai (Outside of Sriperumbudur of course). Which also means that I have always been surrounded by Korean restaurants over the last decade and a half (they seem to spring up all of a sudden and then close as suddenly too ). I remember having first tasted Korean Cuisine in Chennai at ‘Korea House’ (closed now) and then frequenting the other restaurants.
Going into the Korean Restaurants itself was an experience in itself in Chennai as 90 percent of the staff were nearly always Korean and the same ratio carried over to the patrons in the restaurants as well. There was also always Beer and Soju (The famous Korean spirit) available to the Korean diners and if you went in late a whole bunch of them would pretty much be drunk and singing. It is as close to being in South Korea as I could get. Over the years after a lot of trial and error I realized that the safest option whenever I went to a Korean restaurant was the Bulgogi along with Kimchi and the other sides.
The ‘Korean food festival’ in Hilton was thus something I did not want to miss out as I had not been to a Korean restaurant for a while and was missing the taste of korea.
The Festival was held at ‘Vasco’ at Hilton Chennai. Though I have been to Hilton earlier, this was the first time I had been to Vascos. The décor was done up with Korean Motiffs and flags and two pretty hostesses dressed in traditional Korean ‘Hanbock’ , (Jeogiri and Chima).
The Hilton has flown in their Chef from Millneum Seaoul Hilton, Jun Yeon Kim to curate the festival along with the Executive Chef from Hilton, Chef Acchal.
The following dishes were served on the day we were dining there..
Soup
Salads
Starters
Main Course
Rice and Noodles
Going into the Korean Restaurants itself was an experience in itself in Chennai as 90 percent of the staff were nearly always Korean and the same ratio carried over to the patrons in the restaurants as well. There was also always Beer and Soju (The famous Korean spirit) available to the Korean diners and if you went in late a whole bunch of them would pretty much be drunk and singing. It is as close to being in South Korea as I could get. Over the years after a lot of trial and error I realized that the safest option whenever I went to a Korean restaurant was the Bulgogi along with Kimchi and the other sides.
The ‘Korean food festival’ in Hilton was thus something I did not want to miss out as I had not been to a Korean restaurant for a while and was missing the taste of korea.
The Festival was held at ‘Vasco’ at Hilton Chennai. Though I have been to Hilton earlier, this was the first time I had been to Vascos. The décor was done up with Korean Motiffs and flags and two pretty hostesses dressed in traditional Korean ‘Hanbock’ , (Jeogiri and Chima).
The Hilton has flown in their Chef from Millneum Seaoul Hilton, Jun Yeon Kim to curate the festival along with the Executive Chef from Hilton, Chef Acchal.
The following dishes were served on the day we were dining there..
Soup
- Pumpkin Porridge,
- Beef and turnip soup
Salads
- Acoron jelly with vegetable salad
- Platy Coden Salad
- Pumpkin Green Salad
- Turnip Salad
- Beef Tartar
- Top shell salad
- Shrimp with Pine nut Salad
- Jelly fish with Shrimp salad
Starters
- Sea weed Porridge
- Bean Cord Soup
Main Course
- Grilled Chicken Leg (‘Dak Yangnyeom Gooi’)
- Grilled Sea Eel (Mero Gooi)
- Braised Beef Short rib (Galbi)
- Bean Curd
- Vegetable Piccata
- Moong bean Piccata
Rice and Noodles
- Vegetable Rice
- Sauté Glass noodles with vegetable
Pumpkin Green Salad
Shrimp and Pine nut salad
Shrimp and Pine nut Salad
Top shell salad
Sea weed Porridge
Acoron jelly with vegetable salad
Grilled Chicken Leg (‘Dak Yangnyeom Gooi’)
'Barbequed' Lamb Korean style
The 'Galbi' before it gets the 'Barbeque' treatment
Yagkwa (Korean Cookies)
Yagkwa along with 'Hokkeok' (Korean style Sweet Pancake layered with sesame seeds) along with some vanilla ice cream
My observations on the Evening
In the Korean babeque lineup there are two stars: Kalbi (short ribs) & Bulgogi (thin slices of rib-eye). The marinated Kalbi gets thrown on the super-hot BBQ grill and the Bulgogi is cooked at the table on a powered grill.
I Love them both. Unlike other Barbeques, the Koreans love to marinate their beef for a very very long time.
The Grilled Lamb tastes Nearly as good as the Grilled Beef.
The Korean spices are very unique and different from the traditional indian spices and it does take some getting used to!! I am still NOT there yet !!
Do visit this festival to get an authentic taste of Korea, being a buffet you can taste tiny portions and decide whether your palate appreciates those specific type of preparations.
The FESTIVAL is Value for Money in my opinion for the sheer number of Barbeque items on the menu and if you like your Meat grilled you should not miss this festival.
The Festival is on till the 26th of August at Vasco's, Hilton Chennai for Dinner only priced at a little over Rs. 2000 inclusive of taxes.
In the Korean babeque lineup there are two stars: Kalbi (short ribs) & Bulgogi (thin slices of rib-eye). The marinated Kalbi gets thrown on the super-hot BBQ grill and the Bulgogi is cooked at the table on a powered grill.
I Love them both. Unlike other Barbeques, the Koreans love to marinate their beef for a very very long time.
The Grilled Lamb tastes Nearly as good as the Grilled Beef.
The Korean spices are very unique and different from the traditional indian spices and it does take some getting used to!! I am still NOT there yet !!
Do visit this festival to get an authentic taste of Korea, being a buffet you can taste tiny portions and decide whether your palate appreciates those specific type of preparations.
The FESTIVAL is Value for Money in my opinion for the sheer number of Barbeque items on the menu and if you like your Meat grilled you should not miss this festival.
The Festival is on till the 26th of August at Vasco's, Hilton Chennai for Dinner only priced at a little over Rs. 2000 inclusive of taxes.
Chef Jun Yeon Kim
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