Enjoy a comforting taste of ‘Seoul’ food

HaeMul PaJeon ($17.95)

Customers craving Korean barbecue are sure to be satisfied with a visit to Seoul Jung, located in Waikiki Resort Hotel.

According to food and beverage manager Edwin Dagdag, Seoul Jung and Waikiki Resort Hotel are owned by Korean Air, and much of the restaurant’s clientele has been Korean Air crew members. But Dagdag encourages locals to come check out the restaurant during their next Waikiki adventure, as a growing number of kamaaina and tourists alike are now discovering the exciting taste-bud oasis.

“We’re open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and we even offer a senior discount,” says Dagdag. “Customers who are 55 years and older get a 20 percent discount.”

YooJaCheong EunDaeGu JoRim ($29.75)

Once customers set foot in this restaurant, they’re guaranteed a flavorful taste of Seoul. The menu even boasts authentic Korean names, and Dagdag recommends starting with HaeMul PaJeon ($17.95), one of the restaurant’s top-selling appetizers.

“It’s a seafood pancake,” he explains. “It’s a combination of squid and shrimp with egg batter and vegetables. It’s not spicy at all, and it’s made to order, so it always comes out hot. It’s great for sharing with the entire table since it’s big.

Seoul Jung is located inside Waikiki Resort Hotel.

“This is something we almost always feature when we do special events or dinners for VIPs,” Dagdag adds.

For entrees, he suggests ordering YooJaCheong EunDaeGu JoRim ($29.75), a perfectly cooked butterfish; and the ever-popular GalBi ($26.75), known locally as kalbi.

“Our butterfish is tender and includes tofu; it’s a light dish that tastes great,” he says. “Our GalBi is our No. 1 entrée. It’s different from regular kalbi you’ll find at quick-service restaurants, where the meat is sliced. Ours features meat that’s still on the bone and spread out. It’s featured on our banquet menu and a lot of times, we call it our big-bone kalbi.”

GalBi ($26.75)

Dagdag also encourages customers to make reservations for Seoul Jung’s Mother’s Day Brunch ($39.50 adults, $19.75 children 5-12 years), which will offer delicious items from the restaurant’s banquet menu.

Seoul Jung

Waikiki Resort Hotel
2460 Koa Ave., Waikiki
921-8620
Daily, lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner: 5-9:30 p.m.