13 course traditional Korean meal in Badalbi #바달비 #한정식

This has been one of my hidden gem that I have been hesitating to share cause I want to have it all for myself before it becomes a hit and ended up being a commercialised restaurant instead. However, I figured that sharing this will be a good choice for more people to get to know more about Korean food, to be more accepting of Korean flavours and have the full Korean dining experience at the same time. So, here you go!

I have always thought that I have tried all the good food in Korea until I was introduced to 한정식(Hanjeongsik). This time, I tried Badalbi 바달비, which is a restaurant that specializes in traditional Korean course meal. The exterior of the restaurant is not fancy. It is located on the second floor of an average looking building. However, once you entered the restaurant, the interior design immediately hits you with the feeling of dining in a 한옥 (Hanok, aka traditional Korean house). The waitresses are all 아줌마 (Ahjummas) dressed gracefully in 한복 (Hanbok, traditional Korean clothing). I was ushered into a private dining room. The dining room could fit at least 8 people, which is a good setting for private family gatherings/ birthday celebrations.

It was my second time coming here. And this time, I opted for 행복한 상처림 which is the 40,000KRW/person set. A specific list of dishes for each set was not provided as they are seasonal. On my second visit, over half of the dishes were rotated.

Appetizer:

- 호박죽 Pumpkin porridge. Pumpkin is not my favourite food in the world, so I did not have high expectations. But to my surprise, it was very well seasoned where the pumpkin was not in-your-face type pungent, but more of a mild fragrant, with a silky smooth, velvety texture. A warm and hearty way to start a meal.

First round of yumminess:

- Fresh garden salad with citrus dressing. The vegetables were crunchy and fresh, and the citrus dressing was the highlight of the dish. Right amount of sourness and sweetness which boosted my appetite right away.

- Japchae (Korean glass noodles). Standard taste, not as oily as how it is normally prepared which is good for me. However, it was a vegetarian version. Normally Japchae comes with strips of beef.

- 모듬 회 (Assorted Korean sashimi). 3 type of white fish sashimi served with 초장 Chojang (Sweet-spicy sauce).

- Jeon (Pancakes). Mini assorted jeons.

- 회 (Korean sashimi). I am not sure what type of fish it was but it was served on some pickled vegetable.

- Cold jellyfish salad. Another cold and refreshing salad to cut the grease.

Second round of yumminess:

- Mini Gujeolpan 구절판 (Korean platter). A gujeolpan, as its name, was supposed to be an elaborated platter with 9 different kinds of dishes served with a small stack of jeon in the middle. However, this was a smaller version with 6 sides. It was served with a sesame sauce on the side. I took a taste of it but it does not suit my taste.

- Grilled prawns. Good old grilling/barbeque style. The char on the prawns makes it taste much more flavourful.

- Braised beef and grilled king oyster mushroom served on hot stones. One of my favourite dishes from this course. Simple yet sophisticated in taste. The beef was so well seasoned and marinated, it tasted sweet and savoury at the same time. The texture of the beef was not chewy at all (I dread chewy and tough beef). I wish there was more oyster mushroom! Honestly, I can have this for every meal.

- Surf n Turf stew. It is bulgogi stew served with prawns, octopus, meat dumplings, onion, bean sprouts, and spring onions. This is seriously 밥도둑 (Homey soup-based dishes are my weak point).

- 된장찌개 Soybean paste stew. My all-time favourite comfort food!!!! It was almost the end of the meal and I was extremely stuffed but nothing shall come in between me and my 된장찌개, not even a bursting belly.

Dessert:

- 오미자차 Omija tea (5 flavour berry tea). They say you can taste different flavours (sourness, sweetness, bitterness, spiciness) whenever you drink the tea depending on your mood and health at that moment. I am not sure if it is true, but I have always only tasted sweetness and sourness. It was served chilled. Which was a good way to end a heavy meal.

I am a normal eater, maybe more of the fast-paced side. But during the meal, I felt a little rushed. Maybe I slowed down my pace to try and savour all the flavours the dishes had to offer, and being the ppalli ppalli style (chop-chop!) the Koreans are, I got a few 'Sorry miss, we have to clear the plates as the next round of dishes are coming out.' and I ended up gobbling and clearing the remaining plates on the table. It is either this, or the whole table for 4 is constantly full of plates as new dishes were coming out faster than I could clear the earlier ones. Kind of stressful (?) I would say lol. I wish they could serve in a more laid-back pace where the customers get to take their time to enjoy both the food and the atmosphere cause come on... we are in a Hanok-like restaurant, with employees dressed in Hanbok serving royal food, I expect to dine gracefully. 

Nonetheless, everything else was perfect. I would highly recommend it to anyone from 'first time eating Korean food' to 'I have tasted all Korean food, I would like to upgrade my Korean food palette'. You will not be disappointed. However, please take note that there will be no going back for your taste palette once you go down this road! You have been warned.