Han Guuk Guan 한국관 Review

I caught up with a close primary school friend of mine today and I went to Han Guuk Guan for lunch with him. Usually I never go to Korean restaurants for lunch because it's so expensive however since the friend is a fan of Korean food and I was craving Jjambbong I went. This place is quite popular within the Korean community and I heard great things from friends and family. This was my first time and honestly I didn't see what all the hype was all about however I was amazed by their Jjajangmyun.

Han Guuk Guan is pretty difficult to find, it's tucked away at the end of an alleyway off Victoria Street in front of the Cancer Council building. The decor is what you would expect from a Korean restaurant; wooden tables with bbq plates on them and steel chopsticks which some people can never get the hang of. My friend ordered the Hangook Jjajangmyun (Literally translated as Korean Jjajangmyun), I ordered the Samseon Jjambbong (Extra Seafood Jjambbong) and we ordered Gganpoong-gi (Sweet and Spicy Korean Fried Chicken. It's different from ordinary KFC [Korean Fried Chicken].)

The Hangook Jjajangmyun

My friend's dish Hangook Jjajangmyun was the flower among a bed of weeds. It was the only decent thing that we ordered. This, at the time of posting costed $15 which isn't cheap for Jjajangmyun, Korchi at Clayton only charges $9.50 and even at Han Guuk Guan the basic Jjangmyun costs $10. I tried a little and it was the perfect balance of spiciness, saltiness and sweetness. Usually I have something to pick at with all Korean establishments in Melbourne because I've grown up with Korean food. If it doesn't taste like home cooked food or food that I tasted in Korea it just doesn't taste right; the waiter did mention that this Jjajangmyun was catered to Korean taste buds however my friend loved it as well. When people say that Han Guuk Guan serves the best Jjajangmyun they aren't kidding. The portion is generous and it tastes authentic. The noodles and the sauce work harmoniously together to create this stunning black bean flavour. I would say Han Guuk Guan's Hangook Jjjangmyun is the best Jjajangmyun I have tasted in Melbourne.

The Samseon Jjambbong

Boy was this a big disappointment. DON'T ORDER IT PERIOD. I was craving Jjambbong last night and I was so excited to try Han Guuk Guan's amazing Samseon Jjambbong however I was left utterly disappointed. Maybe it was because I had such great expectations from it nonetheless it was just bleugh. The flavours weren't right and they "played" by themselves resulting in a "bland" soup. I mean this dish by no means is bland however because there was too much of everything in terms of seasoning I couldn't taste ANYTHING.  Also I ordered Samseon Jjambbong because I wanted extra seafood, the seafood as you can tell by the picture was nowhere to be seen. I would say around 1 cup of frozen seafood mix was present. I mean if this costed $9.50 like Korchi (PICTURE IS BELOW FROM A PREVIOUS VISIT) I would have been a happy diner however it costed $15 and furthermore it's not their normal Jjambbong but their Samseon Jjambbong. This is just unacceptable. Also even frozen seafood mix if cooked right can be delicious however I was given rubber squid and shrimp that was boiled for way too long. Han Guuk Guan's Hangook Jjajangmyun is amazing but their Samseon Jjambbong is horrendous and the price is way too exorbitant for what you get.

KORCHI'S JJAMBBONG ($9.50 AT LUNCH AND IT'S THEIR NORMAL ONE)

The Gganpoong-gi

I have mixed feelings for this dish. It was well worth the $29 however it tasted burnt. All the flavours were there, the spiciness, the sweetness and the garlic and also the chicken was cooked to perfection however there was an unpleasant smoky burnt after taste. I don't think it was the chicken but the sauce. I believe that they burnt the garlic which in the end sort of ruined the dish. It wasn't catastrophically disastrous however it was still a let down. It was visually appealing however the taste was so so, due to the unpleasant burnt flavour.

Overall
Han Guuk Guan's Jjajangmyun is a delight to eat and look at, however from my experience their other dishes are so so or just plain unpleasant; well at the very least their Gganpoong-gi and their Samseon Jjambbong. If the prices weren't so high I would have been more than happy with what I received. The food does not justify the prices. If you want to taste Melbourne's best Jjajangmyun go to Han Guuk Guan just make sure you don't order the Jjambbong of any sort.

Value for Money: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Ttoongdae's overall score: 6/10