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Review

what we thought

Little Seoul (Cambridge)

My friend and I had never tried Korean food before, nor even did we know of what it tastes like. So, somewhat anxiously, we settled into our table in the diminutive underground restaurant nestled down of a flight of stairs off the main street into Cambridge.

Encouraged first by the warm welcome from the restaurant owner, for whom 'Little Seoul' is a first venture, we had started to overcome our trepidation.

With a wide, very reasonably priced selection, and all dishes available in a vegetarian version, this restaurant is definitely worth further trips to explore more of what's on offer

We were helped greatly by the handwritten signs dotting the walls with informative nuggets about specialities, describing the dish and the social occasion at which each is usually enjoyed. The Korean name for the dishes with the English translation precedes an enticing description of its ingredients and preparation. By the time we opened the menu, where the blurbs are repeated, we felt more at ease and studied the menu with interest.

But we had not yet quite cracked Korean food. The extremely attentive, incredibly smiley, waitress helpfully suggested good combinations of dishes and drinks. We started with fried dumplings with pork -- crisp and succulent with a dip of soy sauce with vinegar and red pepper flakes, thinking of it as an appetiser -- only to be surprised by the arrival of our main courses when we had not quite finished the first. We soon gathered that Korean food is traditionally served as a number of small side dishes enjoyed all together.

The waitress, spotting our bemusement as she placed our main dish of 'Bibimbab' on the table, kindly offered to prepare it for us. Bibimbab, meaning 'mixed up rice', consists of marinated and stir-fried vegetables and beef on a bed of rice, garnished with a fried egg. The waitress used chopsticks to mix this all together with chili paste, and the outcome was delicious. You can choose to have the dish either cold or hot.

We dug in with the chopsticks and spoon provided, though knives and forks are available for those experiencing difficulty.

Our 'Japchae' main was a simpler affair, made from cellophane noodles, stir-fried in sesame oil with sliced beef and lots of vegetables and soy sauce. As the menu informed us, this dish is served with seasonal vegetables at Korean parties and special occasions.

As the servings were more than ample, we had no room to consider a sweet, although the special tofu ice-cream came highly recommended. Instead we shared the remainder of the bottle of sweet and perfectly chilled plum wine that we had enjoyed throughout the meal.

The restaurant's subterranean cosiness encouraged us to linger, and we enjoyed the room's friendly atmosphere and smart, simple decorations. The background music of various crooners was played very quietly so was easy to ignore. The restaurant is spotlessly clean, with cream walls and red chairs decorating the underground rooms. The space is broken into smaller semi-private areas to allow for a variety of social groups.

While the restaurant is hoping to attract diners with its low prices and special lunch offers, and one might expect that would attract students, we encountered a mixture of young families and couples of all ages. With a wide, very reasonably priced selection, and all dishes available in a vegetarian version, this restaurant is definitely worth further trips to explore more of what's on offer.


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If you are looking for AUTHENTIC East Asian food—food that is prepared like it would be in the country of origin—look no further. As a native Korean (who has also lived in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore), I can attest that the food here is genuinely Korean. Most 'Asian' restaurants in Cambridge have been Anglocised, if that is a word, usually because the ingredients are not the same (places like Wagamama, and, to a lesser extent, Teri-Aki come to mind). But, the food at Little Seoul is a treasure for me as it is a taste of home. If you nothing about Korean food, the menu can be a bit intimidating; so here is a primer: Try the Bibim-Bab, a rice dish full of vegetables, marinated ground beef, and a spicy chilli sauce. The Bulgogi, beef that is deliciously marinated (probably one of Korea's most famous dishes, though, this is best served as a BBQ, which Little Seoul is not able to do, probably for ventilation reasons), is very tasty and comes with rice, miso-soup, and other side dishes. If you want something with no spice at all, the Tuk-Mandu Gook, a rice-cake and dumpling soup in a clear broth, is the perfect soup to warm the heart. This was one of my favourite dishes growing up. Add a drop of soya sauce if you want a bit more flavour. Korean food has very strong flavours, and there may be some dishes that push the limit for some, but, if you're the adventurous kind, Little Seoul will become your little treasure. It is very affordable, especially the lunch menu, and you can walk away knowing that you have had a true taste of the Far East.

S…25 Aug 2009

I have been to the Little Seoul a number of times on various days, both with my girlfriend as well as with my parents, and we have always had a fabulous time. The quality and taste of the food stands out amidst the usual pan-asian restaurants of Cambridge (dojo/wagamana etc). It is an example of traditional, refined simplicity. I can only recommend it to anyone who is interested in east-asian cuisine. Regarding the service: It has been a few months that I've last been to the little seoul (as I've since moved away) but I was always treated extremely kindly. To the people who complained about rushed service: While I cannot judge the particular case, I would say that I can sometimes understand that a small place like the little seoul, where prices are generally quite modest, needs to use it's capacity efficiently in order to survive. Otherwise they would have to make the food more expensive to compensate for the lack of income from a second guest.

Benjamin…21 Apr 2009

I have been to this place for several times, but each time I go there, the food portions become smaller and the attitude of the staff gets worse. This is a real shame because the food tastes excellent! I wish the service would remain as good as the food.

Chiyo…07 Apr 2009

The food is excellent! But the mixed feeling about this restaurant for me is that one Friday, when it was getting busy, they made it obvious that they wanted us to leave, to get more customers seated (e.g. tried to clear away our plates, before asking, or asking us several times if we want our bill). When I visited the following week, they didnt have that attitude and the staff was friendly, probably because it wasnt as busy. So I feel it depends on that day whether you can relax and slowly enjoy your meal or not.

M…04 Apr 2009

I'm always on the look out for a good Asian restaurant and was intrigued by positive comments I'd seen on Little Seoul. I have to say, it definitely lived up to its expectations! The service was incredibly friendly and helpful; the interior was clean and spacious- not at all stereotypically gaudish, which added to a pleasantly warm atmosphere. Although the menu seemed a little limited, they had specials and recommended dishes (dumpling soup and eel rice) which were delicious! I look forward to a second visit!

Anessa…22 Mar 2009


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Map

Address

108 Regent Street ,
Cambridge
CB2 1DP
Tel: (01223) 308681.

Opening times

  • Sun: 12:00-22:00
    Mon: Closed
    Tue - Sat: 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00

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(5 members voted)

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