GoGung Korean Restaurant, The Gardens, Kuala Lumpur (Visit #2)

During our last visit to GoGung Korean Restaurant, The Unc spotted Sam Gye Tang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) on their a la carte menu so we made a return visit here as he wanted to try it.

In Korea, samgyetang is traditionally served in the summer to replenish the body of nutrients lost through excessive sweating and physical exertion. Another brilliant dish for the hot Malaysian weather. A whole young chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice and simmered in a broth of Korean ginseng, red dates, garlic and ginger.

The samgyetang (RM50) here was good, but not excellent. The broth did not taste "herbal" enough, perhaps a little more Korean ginseng would easily fix the problem. The Unc would also have liked a little more glutinous rice. On a brighter note, the chicken was tender and after eating the samgyetang here, The Unc did feel slightly rejuvenated.

Complimentary banchan (side dishes) served with the meal

Service was excellent here, the waiting staff kept refilling the banchan without us having to ask

I was pleased to see that they still offered the value for money set lunches here. I tried the Dolsot Bibimbap (RM20), rice topped with minced beef, julienned vegetables, gochujang, and raw egg served in a hot stone pot. It was delicious and moreish.

Served with the dolsot bibimbap set was a bowl of doenjang jiggae (Korean stew with tofu and doenjang).

Since The Unc enjoyed the beef bulgogi (RM25) here on his previous visit, we recommended this to Hubby. He agreed that the beef was very well marinated and tender.


With the set lunch, one also gets two slices of pajeon (Korean pancakes) each. It had a nice and crispy texture.



For dessert, we were served these really sweet watermelon. Nice!

Other items available in their set lunch menu include sondubu jiggae, kimchi jiggae, seafood udon, maeuntang, and jap chae.

To read about our previous visit, click here.

15% discount on a la carte items for The Gardens Club members.

Set lunch available from Monday to Friday (10am to 3pm). Prices start from RM18 - RM25.

Opening times: Monday to Sunday 10.00am - 10.00pm

Location: GoGung Korean Restaurant, Lot T-212, 3rd Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-2287 2981

I cooked: Bak kut teh (Chinese Pork Ribs Herbal Soup)

Bak kut teh literally meaning "Meat Bone Tea", is a Chinese soup made of mixed herb and spices and different pork cuts. There are numerous forms of bak kut teh, however our favorite type is the clear soup type with pork ribs. Dong quai (Chinese Angelica root or Angelica sinensis) is sometimes added to create a stronger flavoured soup.

For those who would like to cook your own bak kut teh at home but do not know what herbs and spices to purchase to put into the soup, then try the Eu Yan Sang Bak Kut Teh sachets. A combination of Chinese traditional herbs and spices are grounded into an aromatic blend for your convenience. I have been using this product for the last 7-8 years and everytime, we are rewarded with a delicious and aromatic soup. Pork ribs is the excellent cut of meat to use as it is lean and healthy, and after 2 hours of boiling, the meat falls off the bones easily and is extremely flavourful.

Rejuvenating herbal soup

Convenient EYS sachets for cooking bak kut teh at home

Bak Kut Teh (Pork Ribs Herbal Soup)

Preparation time: less than 5 minutes

Cooking time: 2 1/2 to 3 hours

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 sachet of Eu Yan Sang Bak Kut Teh mixed herbs and spices

1kg - 1.2kg pork ribs, washed (You may use other pork cuts as desired)

1 whole garlic

15-20 shitake mushrooms, soaked

5-6 slices of dong quai (optional)

6-7 rice bowls of water

Soy sauce or salt, to taste

1. Bring the water to boil in a large pot. Add the Bak Kut Teh sachet, garlic and dong quai slices.

2. Add the pork ribs and simmer on low heat for 2 hours.

3. The shitake mushrooms should be added 1 hour after the addition of the pork ribs. This is to ensure it absorbs the flavours and goodness from the soup.

4. Add soy sauce or salt to taste and simmer for another 30 minutes on medium heat.

5. Serve with boiled rice, stir fried vegetable of your choice and a chilli/minced garlic dip.

A firm favourite in our household

Available at all Eu Yan Sang outlets. Each box contains 12 sachets.

Note: If you prefer your soup with an even stronger flavour, then use 2 sachets of the mixed herbs and spices.