Korean Restaurant
F/2 No.3 The Bund
3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu
Rating : *****/*****
Korean Nectar. After finding a great discount through the website www.restaurantweek.cn we decided to taste this high end Korean restaurant owned by the successful Jean George. You might have heard from his other property restaurants: Mercato and Jean George, both of them recognized for their exquisite food in an elegant and exclusive decoration at the Bund area. We will soon post our opinion on Mercato, one of the best Italian restaurants of the city.
Chi-Q did not let us down. The design of the place is complete outstanding, combining the harmony of Korean architecture with the touch of top restaurants you can find in the top capitals of the West. Pictures speak for themselves :
We started the night with a fantastic cocktail. Two bartenders prepare non-stop exotic and tasty drinks by combining Korean liquors (soju, beers, sweet wine) with Western alcohols (whisky, gin,..). We went for the house cocktail, a combination of Korean beer with sweet liquors that blends fantastically with the barbacoe.
As for the food we started with the classical "Panchan". Small tapas made up with vegetables and blended with unique sauces. The most common one is Kimchi, a fermented radish with a variety of spicy seasonings. All of them had a solid taste, slightly westernized with less spices and a softer taste. Personally I loved it, but Nissa missed some of the spices real Koreans use.
The entrees were awesome. First we had a Kingfish Sashimi, Sweet Soy and Chili Oil, Avocado and Sunflower Seeds unique dish. The tenderness of the fish, combined with the avocado and soy with chili sauce exploted in your mouth. It was more a Japanese dish than Korean but who cares, it was delicious. After that we had the Crispy Kimchi Pancakes with Scallion Dipping Sauce. What we know as "Korean Pancake". The pancake was not heavy and very tasteful. Imagine a fried "tortilla" with spices diped in a delicious soy-style sauce.
As for the food we started with the classical "Panchan". Small tapas made up with vegetables and blended with unique sauces. The most common one is Kimchi, a fermented radish with a variety of spicy seasonings. All of them had a solid taste, slightly westernized with less spices and a softer taste. Personally I loved it, but Nissa missed some of the spices real Koreans use.
The entrees were awesome. First we had a Kingfish Sashimi, Sweet Soy and Chili Oil, Avocado and Sunflower Seeds unique dish. The tenderness of the fish, combined with the avocado and soy with chili sauce exploted in your mouth. It was more a Japanese dish than Korean but who cares, it was delicious. After that we had the Crispy Kimchi Pancakes with Scallion Dipping Sauce. What we know as "Korean Pancake". The pancake was not heavy and very tasteful. Imagine a fried "tortilla" with spices diped in a delicious soy-style sauce.
And after we finished....the star dishes came. Two baskets full with awesome beef and seafood ready to be cooked in the wooden barbecue. One of the waiters patiently and perfectly cooked all the products. The sesame oil and red pepper sauce combined greatly both with the fish and the meat.
We ended the night with two desserts which didn't say much to us. The names sound fancy but the taste was not as good, too bitter for our taste. But the truth is after reading the name of them you guys will get hungry :
1. Fresh Berries with Ginger Granite and Vanilla Meringue
2. Milk Granite, Peanut Butter Ice Cream and Caramel.
No picture of them sorry. We attacked them to quickly.
Bottom line we are talking of one of the best restaurants we've been so far. For 258RMB each (thanks to the China Restaurant Week!) we had a great high end Korean experience. Don't think about it, just go on the next special celebration you have. You won't regret it.
1. Fresh Berries with Ginger Granite and Vanilla Meringue
2. Milk Granite, Peanut Butter Ice Cream and Caramel.
No picture of them sorry. We attacked them to quickly.
Bottom line we are talking of one of the best restaurants we've been so far. For 258RMB each (thanks to the China Restaurant Week!) we had a great high end Korean experience. Don't think about it, just go on the next special celebration you have. You won't regret it.