Kimbap Cheonguk || Eatz

This is my first official eatz!

A good friend first brought me here for lunch and my first impression was questionable. Super small, hole-in-the-wall type of shop. I forgot to take a picture of the place but believe me it's definitely not your typical Michelin 3 star restaurant. But don't be fooled! 

I’ve been back a few times since, and this time I was brave enough to take multiple pictures of the food that my sister and I ate. I used my andriod this time but I might just bring my huge camera to the next eatz. There isn't a lot on the menu: the kimbabs, the rice, the soup noodles -- very normal korean fast eats. Took us a while but, my sister and I ordered some tasty noms!

First thing you'll notice is that they will give you a big plastic bottle of water. That is for drinking (of course). Then they will give you a teapot. Now you're thinking tea right? Wrong. Inside this amazing kettle is some really delicious broth. Yes, it's soup in a teapot! Just use the self-serve teacups that are beside you and pour yourself a cup of the goodness. The broth is super clear and very tasty. Unfortunately, I think they only serve this when the weather is cold.

Kimbab Cheonguk is well known for their kimbab. What is a Kimbab you say? Well ya’ll probably heard of sushi yes? Well you can call this the ‘korean sushi roll’. It’s still the rice and the seaweed but it’s a lot less complicated when it comes down to filling. The rolls all consists of some kind of vegetable (in this case carrots), yellow pickled radish, and burdock root. Once it’s all wrapped up, a good brush of sesame oil (for taste and the sheen) is brushed on. What makes them different is the last remaining filling. They have bulgogi (Korean marinated beef), kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage), tuna (canned) and, my favourite, cheese.

Yes cheese. And it’s not just any kind of cheese. They only use one type of cheese: processed cheese! You may think it’s weird but once you taste it, it’s the only kind of kimbab you will want to eat. Just imagine the crunchy veggies, the creamy cheese, the soft rice, and the chewy seaweed. Super tasty!

Next thing on the list is the Mul Naeng Myeon. This is a perfect dish for the summer time. The main component is the noodles. But this isn't just any kind of noodles -- buckwheat noodles. Super thin noodles but got a really good bite to it; you definitely need a good chew on these things. You are wondering why is said this is a summer dish right? The noodles are first boiled; then it is put into a bowl of broth with ice! With the noodles, it came with some thinly sliced beef,  sliced korean pear (we thought it was pickle radish), cucumbers and (the best part) boiled egg. Now before you eat it, ask them to cut it for you because, like I said, it's super chewy. Right beside you, you will find a clear bottle and a yellow one as well. Those contain the most important things: vinegar and mustard. Add those in and mix it up! You should get a sweet and sour taste and the famous sesame oil scent! The only thing that bummed me out was my egg. Sadly, my egg was over cooked and had the ugly gray rim around the yolk.

Last thing we order was an order of Soon Dae. On the menu, it kind of looks like a blood sausage. But this is (almost) vegetarian. Traditionally, it's made with a pig's intestine and is stuffed with pig's blood, rice, potato starch noodles. And that is exactly what we got! Now don't be grossed about it. Authentic sausages used intestines as the casing so this shouldn't be a problem. Because it's all rice and noodles, it doesn't have much of a flavour. The Soon Dae is served with some coarse salt and all you need to do is dip it in and eat! This is definitely an all starch dish so don't be fooled at how small it looks like.

We ordered two more kimbabs to-go and the total came up to just under $30. This is for two people plus take out! That is a steal! The last thing I will say is that this restaurant is authentic. Don't let the processed cheese and canned tuna fool you. It is run by Koreans and this type of restaurant would be considered their "traditional fast food". The restaurant is located in 'Koreatown' and boat loads of korean people come to this joint for a quick bite. 

Kimbap Cheonguk 

3A-341 North Road, Coquitlam, BC

Price: $

★★★✩✩

If you live around the Burnaby/Coquitlam are, check this place out!

Good Eatz Everyone!

- V