Review Rating: ⭐ (Not Recommended)
Address: Inner City, City Square, MF-23, 3rd Floor, No. 106, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (Located within JB City Square Mall)
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3egu61bdEJmjvL4k7
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
ėđíĻ ę°ėĨ ë°ëđí ė ė Chicken Ganjang Barbecue Jeong-sik = RM35.00
Lunch Set - 11.00am to 3.00pm (Excluding Public Holidays)
Consists of:
1 Bowl of Steamed Rice
1 Chicken Meat Hotplate
6 Side Dishes (Banchan)
Service Charge = RM3.50
SST Tax = RM2.10
Click here for the Full Menu and Receipt (Opens in a New Tab, Price is accurate as of Posting Date)
In my Deep-Dive Exploration of City Square Mall, this was a Surprising Find for me ðģ because even though I've been in this Mall for many times, I have never really noticed this Restaurant mostly due to the fact that its hidden in a Very Obscure Corner of this Mall away from the Main Shopping Traffic. ðĪ This is an Authentic Korean Restaurant and seems to be either opened by, or endorsed by Korean Celebrity Chef Paik Jong-Won ðĻðģ who has his Face plastered all over the Exterior Windows.
The Exterior of the Restaurant is made to probably look like a Traditional Korean Building with Faux Roof Tiling. ðŊ The Place itself takes up a Large Area and the Interior has the usual Furnishings that you'd expect from a K-BBQ Eatery. ðĨ The Place is Tidy and Cleanly Well Maintained although I feel the Lighting here feels a Tad Dark. ðĪ The Background Music they play here are some Modern K-Pop Songs. ðĩðķ
All of the Staffs look like Myanmar Folks and while they're Polite, there is a Very Noticeable Feeling of Fear that I felt from them. ðĪ I would soon find out the Reason for this Fear that I sensed.
ðĐ 1st Red Flag: Very Domineering and Fierce Korean Boss
The Owner of this Place is a Middle Aged Korean Man that look like he's in his 50s or Early 60s. Even before stepping into the Restaurant, I could overhear him barking out orders in a Very Typical Fierce Towkay sort of Voice to his Staffs ordering them all about. ðĢ️ Even as a Customer, I could tell that the Staffs themselves are Very Fearful of Him. ðĪ
When I entered the Restaurant, one of the 1st Thing that I would try my best to ask nicely if I could take Photos of the Place. During that time, this Korean Boss was away doing something, so I asked one of the Myanmmar Staff. He of course agreed and I took the Photos accordingly. ð· As I was taking my Photos of the Place, this Korean Man appeared and in a Very Domineering and Harsh Tone questioned me:
"HELLO! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
I typed it in Caps because he almost was shouting at me when he asked this. ðĪ
I'll be honest, I was irritated at his Tone of Voice towards me. ðŦĪ So I gave him a Smile, and replied in a Stern Voice: "HELLO. I AM YOUR CUSTOMER."
This Korean Man looked at me expressionlessly and walked off. He never approached me again for the rest of the time I was here. I get that it is his right to ask someone who is taking photos of his Eatery, ð· but I feel he could have used a Friendlier and Nicer Tone to go about it. ðĪ I have been in similar situations where i've been asked the same thing and every Eatery Owner who asked always used a Nice Friendly Tone. ðĪ
Its strange why he would use such a Harsh Tone though, wouldn't you as an Eatery Owner be more Polite to someone who is taking Photos incase this person may be doing a Review of your Place? ðĪ Hahaha did he think that I was a Business Rival trying to copy his Renovation Design meh? ð Personally I feel he is too used to having a Domineering Attitude to his own staffs, that he even does that unconciously to Customers？ ðģ Hahaha I'm not sure. ð
Whatever it is, this Incident immediately gave me a Very Bad 1st Customer Impression already. ðŦĪ What a way to start a Restaurant Review huh? I'm thankful that at least it didn't escalate further. If he can dare show this kind of Harsh Domineering Attitude to Customers, I shudder to think how he would treat his Own Staffs. ðĪ No wonder I always felt that the Staffs here always have this Constant Sense of Fear. ðĪ
This Sense of Fear is really very Noticeable in this Restaurant. ðĪ I don't see a Single Smile from them not because they're rude but because they seem to be Very Fearful, like as if they're gonna lose their Job or get a Severe Scolding if they were to make any Mistake. ðĪEven as a Customer and Outsider looking into this, I could feel that this is a Very Harsh and Toxic Work Environment. ðŦĪ Really Uncomfortable Vibe.
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Moving on, although this place specializes more on K-BBQ, I didn't feel like eating it that day. Hahaha åŊč―įŧéĢäļŠåķčæŋæäļįđæ°éĨąäš. ð As I glanced thru the Menu, the Prices for the K-BBQ also don't seem to be very Cheap. ðĪ All the Offerings seems to be the Higher End. Granted I don't eat much Higher End type of K-BBQ so I'm not sure if the prices here are considered Expensive or not if compared to Singapore. ðĪðĩ What intrigued me however is their Set Lunch so I ordered that instead. It took 9 Mins for it to be Served Up.
ðĐ 2nd Red Flag Detected: The Staff touched my Food when serving them up.
Unfortunately, I have to report that when serving up the Dishes, I observed the Staff touching my Food with their Bare Fingers. ðŦĪ This is an Absolute No No in a Restaurant Environment. But since they are already on a "Very Fearful and Scared" Mode, I didn't raise this issue and let it slide lest that Korean Boss makes a Scene. ðĪ If you want to come here, do take note that this will happen.
Jialat. I haven't even eaten my Food and already there are 2 Major Red Flags I've observed. ðĐð No wonder this place wasn't Popular even during Lunch Hours when I was there. Ok if you are still reading, you'll be happy to know that the Worst has passed and the rest of the Review will now begin proper. ð
ð§ Free Flask of Plain Water
I appreciate that even if you don't order any drinks, there will still be a Free Flask of Plain Water served up to you. ð
This is not bad. The other Korean Eatery in the Mall KyoChon that I reviewed previously never bothered to serve this.
ėđíĻ ę°ėĨ ë°ëđí ė ė Chicken Ganjang Barbecue Jeong-sik = RM35.00
This is a Lunch Set that is available on Weekdays (and Weekends apparently excluding Public Holidays) from 11.00am to 3.00pm. When it was served up, I was immediately impressed with how much Different Variety of Dishes were available as you can see from the Photo. ð
This Set consists of:
ð 1 Bowl of Steamed White Rice
ð 1 Chicken Meat Hotplate Main Dish
ðĨĢ 6 Side Dishes (Banchan)
ð Steamed White Rice
Served up in an Iconic Korean-Styled Metal Bowl that is Hot to the Touch. ðĪ This taste exactly as the Same Type of Rice I had at KyoChon. Again, I don't think this is Jasmine Rice, neither is it a Short-Grain įį įąģ. Sticky in Texture that you can pick up with a Chopstick, there is a Noticeable Earthy Sweetness Aftertaste that you don't usually get for Jasmine Rice. ð I reckon this must be some sort of Unique Korean Rice. ð
Portion is Decent and Acceptable for the Price. ð It is a Full Bowl with no attempt to scrimp. Although of course I didn't finish the whole thing as I needed to limit my Carbs Intake. If you can eat Rice though, I feel this is Decent Quality.
ð The Main Chicken Hotplate Platter
This is the Main Meat Platter if you order this Particular Set. There are 12 Pieces of Large Bite-Sized 100% Thigh Meat Pieces. ð The Dish has a Very Gong Bao Look to it, but its actually not. Taste Profile leans towards Sweetish, and doesn't have much Salty Element. ð I felt the Level of Sweetness is Slightly Elevated but also Not Overly Sweet.
This reminds me very strongly of Jjimdak that I've made before. ðĪ No idea if its the same thing but it has a Very Similar Taste Profile. Sidetrack abit, Hahaha if you've watched this K-Drama "Again My Life", you'll probably be familiar with Jjmdak because this is what the Characters always eat in that Show. ð
The Meat Pieces are Meaty, Tender and Juicy with No Chickeny Taste. ð All the Pieces are å Ĩåģ very well with a Nice Sweet Braised Taste. Portion given is Very Decent and Acceptable for the Price. äļåĢč, äļåĢéĨ. ð
I also like the Very Saucy Bed of Veggies that on the Hotplate that the Chicken Meat were sitting on. ðĨŽ They consists of Slices of Leek, Onion, Carrot and Half a Shitake Mushroom all Coated with that Same Sticky Sweetish Braised Sauce. ð This Sauce is the Soul of the Dish and forms the Core Taste Profile. Its Very Decent Tasting and I reckon will be acceptable to our Local Palettes. ð
If you enjoy a Nice Braised Thick Sticky Saucy that leans towards Sweetish, you will most likely have no issues with this Dish. ð Eating the Tender Saucy Chicken Thigh Pieces followed with some Soft Veggie Crunch and chased down with some Rice was Satisfying. ð
ðĨĢ The 6 Banchan Side Dishes
The Most Impressive Items in this Lunch Set were definitely the Banchans. ð As I mentioned in my KyoChon Review, BanChans are Small Side Dishes served up during a Meal, that are Comparable to Chinese-Styled å°č. Most of them are Vegetable Based. ðĨŽ
As I'm not familiar with Korean Cuisine, I"m of course not sure what their Exact Names are. ð Credits to "My Korean Kitchen" for the Official Names of some of them. ð You can visit their Website that I linked to find out more.
ðĨŽ Lettuce Salad Banchan
This was a Simple Lettuce Salad. Fresh, Crunchy and Wet, it was Drizzled with what is likely Kewpie Sesame Mayo. Simple and Refreshing, this was a Decent Palette Cleanser. ð
ðĨŽ Taugeh Banchan (Sukju Namul Muchim)
There are No Raw Taugeh Taste for this one. It has a Slight Savoury Saltish Sesame Oil Sauce on it. ð I liked that the Sesame Oil is not too overpowering and is an Agreeable Taste. Doesn't taste like Cai Fan Level of Taugeh. Not bad, this was Decent Tasting. ð
ðĨŽ Kimchi Banchan
Not a Kimchi Connoisseur myself, but this is Not Bad. ð The Typical Kimchi Sourness is there of course, but I thought it wasn't Too Sourish. The Kimchi itself has a Slight Softer Bite Texture and there is also a Slight Mild Spiciness that isn't Too Spicy. ðķ️ No idea if they made it Fresh, but I reckon its probably from a Supermarket Bottle. Decent Tasting.
ðĨŽ Spinach Banchan (Sigeumchi Namul)
No Raw Veggie Taste, this tastes like its Pan-Fried with Ikan Bilis. ð The Result is a Very Agreeable Savoury Taste that is Very Similar to the same type of Variation you'd normally find in a Cai Fan Stall. ð Not Bad Tasting.
ðĨ Potato Fishcake Banchan
This is the Only Banchan that has Meat(Fish) in it. ð Served at Room Temperature, the Potato is Firmish to the Bite with a Sweetish Saltish Sauce on it that leans more towards Sweetish. I don't really like the Quality of the Fishcake though, it didn't taste Fresh, Soft or Bouncy and had a Overnight Sort of Taste and Texture to it. ðŦĪ Despite being a Non-Meat Banchan, I didn't bother to finish up this one because the Low Quality Taste of the Fishcake didn't agree with me. ðŦĪ Its not Inedible, but its also not something I'd want to waste my Calories on tbh.
ðĨ Pickled Cucumber Banchan (Oi Muchim)
This looks like it might taste like a Kimchi, but its not. The Raw Cucumber Taste is Noticeable and I'd describe this Dish as having a "Slight Earthy Alkaliney" Taste Profile. ðĪ This is the one that has the Most Foreign Taste that doesn't have a Familiar Cai Fan Taste compared to the Rest of the Veggie-Based Banchan. Unique Tasting.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At a Total Combined Price of RM40.60 (S$12.40) including Service Charges and Taxes, I thought this was a Very Decent and Affordable Lunch Set. ð The Whole Set was Very Well Presented, ð Rice Amount was Acceptable, and the Amount of Meat given in the Hotplate Platter were not Stingy. ð The 6 Different Banchans were the Icing on the Cake that took it the Value of the Whole Set over the Top for me. ð And you don't even have to order any Drinks since a Whole Flask of Plain Water is provided Free of Charge on top of that. ðĨĪ
Although not Super High Quality, the Whole Set felt very Satisfying to eat and because of the Huge Variety of Items, I never got bored and it just felt like a eating a Mini Buffet. ð I personally feel that the Variety and Amount of Items for the Price is Very Generous. ð Never eaten a Comparable Korean-Styled Set Meal in Singapore though, so I have no idea if this is considered Affordable or not. ðĪ
That said, as Good and Value Added the Meal felt though, I felt the 2 Major Red Flags hurt the Dining Experience for me. ðĐðĪ With such a Domineering Boss that can even dare raise his Voice towards a Customer, ðĢ️ I feel he needs to learn Better Customer Service Manners ESPECIALLY so for a Boss who should be the one leading an Example. ðĪ
Because of his Domineering Attitude, he singlehandedly created this Atmosphere of Fear and Tension that I could feel intently among the Staffs. ðĪ It was Not a Comfortable Feeling to see them so Fearful with not even a Single Smile on their Faces. ðŦĪ And this in turns perhaps also lead to this Service Lapse of them touching Customer's Food when serving. ðŦĪ
Times have changed. Its no longer the Ancient 1950s and 1960s where you can have a Typical Stereotypical Towkay Boss whose sole purpose is to just Act Bossy and Shout at his Staffs. ð In Today's World, the Boss must work hard and even Harder than the Staffs. ðĪ Creating this Atmosphere of Toxicity and Fear is just not the Right Approach especially so for a F&B Industry where your Customers can Absolutely Feel It. ðĪ
Despite the Mistake the Staff made by touching my Food, I still gave my Thumbs Up to the Cashier when I paid for the Food to try to boost their Morale but also because I really did find the Meal Very Value-Added. ð But even this got a Cautious čĶįŽ type of Smile from them. ðŦĪ I managed to probe further that the Boss is unhappy about some WIFI issues they had or something. ðĪ To be able to reveal such information to a Customer shows how much stress they really have that they have no outlet for help which further proved my theory that the Korean Boss was very Domineering. ðŦĪ
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I'm sorry for the Long Rant. ð Ultimately, I really want to recommend this place, and I really do because this Set Lunch I had really was Decent Tasting, Affordable and Value for Money. ð I really feel that you should give this a Try if you are interested in trying out some Korean Cuisine. (Although I'm not sure if this is considered Really Authentic or not since I have not visited Korea myself yet.) ð
Unfortunately my Personal Experience with this Hostile Korean Boss spoilt my Dining Mood so I don't think I will be back again. ðŦĪ I hope you have a Better Dining Experience than I did. ðĪ Such a Pity, this place could have easily gotten a Higher Score. ðŦĪ Have you eaten from this Eatery? I'd love to know how you think of them! ð
Served up in an Iconic Korean-Styled Metal Bowl that is Hot to the Touch. ðĪ This taste exactly as the Same Type of Rice I had at KyoChon. Again, I don't think this is Jasmine Rice, neither is it a Short-Grain įį įąģ. Sticky in Texture that you can pick up with a Chopstick, there is a Noticeable Earthy Sweetness Aftertaste that you don't usually get for Jasmine Rice. ð I reckon this must be some sort of Unique Korean Rice. ð
Portion is Decent and Acceptable for the Price. ð It is a Full Bowl with no attempt to scrimp. Although of course I didn't finish the whole thing as I needed to limit my Carbs Intake. If you can eat Rice though, I feel this is Decent Quality.
ð The Main Chicken Hotplate Platter
This is the Main Meat Platter if you order this Particular Set. There are 12 Pieces of Large Bite-Sized 100% Thigh Meat Pieces. ð The Dish has a Very Gong Bao Look to it, but its actually not. Taste Profile leans towards Sweetish, and doesn't have much Salty Element. ð I felt the Level of Sweetness is Slightly Elevated but also Not Overly Sweet.
This reminds me very strongly of Jjimdak that I've made before. ðĪ No idea if its the same thing but it has a Very Similar Taste Profile. Sidetrack abit, Hahaha if you've watched this K-Drama "Again My Life", you'll probably be familiar with Jjmdak because this is what the Characters always eat in that Show. ð
The Meat Pieces are Meaty, Tender and Juicy with No Chickeny Taste. ð All the Pieces are å Ĩåģ very well with a Nice Sweet Braised Taste. Portion given is Very Decent and Acceptable for the Price. äļåĢč, äļåĢéĨ. ð
I also like the Very Saucy Bed of Veggies that on the Hotplate that the Chicken Meat were sitting on. ðĨŽ They consists of Slices of Leek, Onion, Carrot and Half a Shitake Mushroom all Coated with that Same Sticky Sweetish Braised Sauce. ð This Sauce is the Soul of the Dish and forms the Core Taste Profile. Its Very Decent Tasting and I reckon will be acceptable to our Local Palettes. ð
If you enjoy a Nice Braised Thick Sticky Saucy that leans towards Sweetish, you will most likely have no issues with this Dish. ð Eating the Tender Saucy Chicken Thigh Pieces followed with some Soft Veggie Crunch and chased down with some Rice was Satisfying. ð
ðĨĢ The 6 Banchan Side Dishes
The Most Impressive Items in this Lunch Set were definitely the Banchans. ð As I mentioned in my KyoChon Review, BanChans are Small Side Dishes served up during a Meal, that are Comparable to Chinese-Styled å°č. Most of them are Vegetable Based. ðĨŽ
As I'm not familiar with Korean Cuisine, I"m of course not sure what their Exact Names are. ð Credits to "My Korean Kitchen" for the Official Names of some of them. ð You can visit their Website that I linked to find out more.
ðĨŽ Lettuce Salad Banchan
This was a Simple Lettuce Salad. Fresh, Crunchy and Wet, it was Drizzled with what is likely Kewpie Sesame Mayo. Simple and Refreshing, this was a Decent Palette Cleanser. ð
ðĨŽ Taugeh Banchan (Sukju Namul Muchim)
There are No Raw Taugeh Taste for this one. It has a Slight Savoury Saltish Sesame Oil Sauce on it. ð I liked that the Sesame Oil is not too overpowering and is an Agreeable Taste. Doesn't taste like Cai Fan Level of Taugeh. Not bad, this was Decent Tasting. ð
ðĨŽ Kimchi Banchan
Not a Kimchi Connoisseur myself, but this is Not Bad. ð The Typical Kimchi Sourness is there of course, but I thought it wasn't Too Sourish. The Kimchi itself has a Slight Softer Bite Texture and there is also a Slight Mild Spiciness that isn't Too Spicy. ðķ️ No idea if they made it Fresh, but I reckon its probably from a Supermarket Bottle. Decent Tasting.
ðĨŽ Spinach Banchan (Sigeumchi Namul)
No Raw Veggie Taste, this tastes like its Pan-Fried with Ikan Bilis. ð The Result is a Very Agreeable Savoury Taste that is Very Similar to the same type of Variation you'd normally find in a Cai Fan Stall. ð Not Bad Tasting.
ðĨ Potato Fishcake Banchan
This is the Only Banchan that has Meat(Fish) in it. ð Served at Room Temperature, the Potato is Firmish to the Bite with a Sweetish Saltish Sauce on it that leans more towards Sweetish. I don't really like the Quality of the Fishcake though, it didn't taste Fresh, Soft or Bouncy and had a Overnight Sort of Taste and Texture to it. ðŦĪ Despite being a Non-Meat Banchan, I didn't bother to finish up this one because the Low Quality Taste of the Fishcake didn't agree with me. ðŦĪ Its not Inedible, but its also not something I'd want to waste my Calories on tbh.
ðĨ Pickled Cucumber Banchan (Oi Muchim)
This looks like it might taste like a Kimchi, but its not. The Raw Cucumber Taste is Noticeable and I'd describe this Dish as having a "Slight Earthy Alkaliney" Taste Profile. ðĪ This is the one that has the Most Foreign Taste that doesn't have a Familiar Cai Fan Taste compared to the Rest of the Veggie-Based Banchan. Unique Tasting.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At a Total Combined Price of RM40.60 (S$12.40) including Service Charges and Taxes, I thought this was a Very Decent and Affordable Lunch Set. ð The Whole Set was Very Well Presented, ð Rice Amount was Acceptable, and the Amount of Meat given in the Hotplate Platter were not Stingy. ð The 6 Different Banchans were the Icing on the Cake that took it the Value of the Whole Set over the Top for me. ð And you don't even have to order any Drinks since a Whole Flask of Plain Water is provided Free of Charge on top of that. ðĨĪ
Although not Super High Quality, the Whole Set felt very Satisfying to eat and because of the Huge Variety of Items, I never got bored and it just felt like a eating a Mini Buffet. ð I personally feel that the Variety and Amount of Items for the Price is Very Generous. ð Never eaten a Comparable Korean-Styled Set Meal in Singapore though, so I have no idea if this is considered Affordable or not. ðĪ
That said, as Good and Value Added the Meal felt though, I felt the 2 Major Red Flags hurt the Dining Experience for me. ðĐðĪ With such a Domineering Boss that can even dare raise his Voice towards a Customer, ðĢ️ I feel he needs to learn Better Customer Service Manners ESPECIALLY so for a Boss who should be the one leading an Example. ðĪ
Because of his Domineering Attitude, he singlehandedly created this Atmosphere of Fear and Tension that I could feel intently among the Staffs. ðĪ It was Not a Comfortable Feeling to see them so Fearful with not even a Single Smile on their Faces. ðŦĪ And this in turns perhaps also lead to this Service Lapse of them touching Customer's Food when serving. ðŦĪ
Times have changed. Its no longer the Ancient 1950s and 1960s where you can have a Typical Stereotypical Towkay Boss whose sole purpose is to just Act Bossy and Shout at his Staffs. ð In Today's World, the Boss must work hard and even Harder than the Staffs. ðĪ Creating this Atmosphere of Toxicity and Fear is just not the Right Approach especially so for a F&B Industry where your Customers can Absolutely Feel It. ðĪ
Despite the Mistake the Staff made by touching my Food, I still gave my Thumbs Up to the Cashier when I paid for the Food to try to boost their Morale but also because I really did find the Meal Very Value-Added. ð But even this got a Cautious čĶįŽ type of Smile from them. ðŦĪ I managed to probe further that the Boss is unhappy about some WIFI issues they had or something. ðĪ To be able to reveal such information to a Customer shows how much stress they really have that they have no outlet for help which further proved my theory that the Korean Boss was very Domineering. ðŦĪ
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I'm sorry for the Long Rant. ð Ultimately, I really want to recommend this place, and I really do because this Set Lunch I had really was Decent Tasting, Affordable and Value for Money. ð I really feel that you should give this a Try if you are interested in trying out some Korean Cuisine. (Although I'm not sure if this is considered Really Authentic or not since I have not visited Korea myself yet.) ð
Unfortunately my Personal Experience with this Hostile Korean Boss spoilt my Dining Mood so I don't think I will be back again. ðŦĪ I hope you have a Better Dining Experience than I did. ðĪ Such a Pity, this place could have easily gotten a Higher Score. ðŦĪ Have you eaten from this Eatery? I'd love to know how you think of them! ð
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