Eat with Sharon

I am a big fan of Korean food, it’s one of my favourite cuisines when I’m craving something hearty and comforting.. so it’s always exciting when a new Korean restaurant opens up! Over the last few months, I’ve noticed the addition of several spots joining the Edmonton food scene, each with something a little unique to offer. Here are 4 *new-er* Korean restaurants that you can check out!

Il Poom
3338 Parsons Rd
Since it opened, Il Poom has been my current go to spot for Korean eats. I think the food here is really delicious and overall it’s proven to be a cozy spot serving up authentic comfort dishes. On the menu, you’ll find a good variety of dishes from grilled meats to soups/stews, sides, cold noodles, and even shareable hot pot options. While I haven’t tried everything on the menu, all of the dishes I have ordered have not disappointed. I can confidently recommend the Fried Dumpling Mandu ($17) and Marinated BBQ Spicy Pork ($19).

Worth noting are there hot pot options, which are served on a portable induction stove. A rubber mat is brought out which connects to the heat source under the table, super neat. I tried the Modeum Suyuk Jeongol ($43) as they were sold out of the Bulgogi that I originally came for. This hot pot came with assorted cuts of lean premium beef (brisket, knee, oxtail and shank) and it was a big portion that was perfect for sharing. The broth was lighter in flavour but the meats were very tender. See it in action here:

Rock’n Tofu
2920 Calgary Trail
Rock’n Tofu is tucked away in a plaza just off of Calgary Trail. Their menu is simple and showcases 2 signature items: Tofu Stew and Dolsot (hot stone rice bowls). You can order these dishes individually or grab both items in various combos for $30-$34.

I enjoyed the Beef Soon Tofu Soup & Galbi Combo ($34) and the Bulgogi Dolsot ($20) that my friend ordered too. The hot stone bowl makes the rice a little crispier at the bottom! There are also unique banchan (side dishes) that are provided, including a plate of yellow croaker fish. The first plate is complimentary and additional orders are $3. If you’re looking to try something different, this spot is also the first restaurant that I’ve seen serving Raw Marinated Crab ($30) on their menu, available with a spicy or soy sauce marinade. I’d say the combos are a good choice because they offer a well-rounded meal with soup, hot stone rice and protein.

Zigle
800 Broadmoor Blvd
Located in Sherwood Park, Zigle might be one of the first Korean restaurants in the community. The menu here was a bit smaller than I anticipated but their main focus is on bulgogi – Bulgogi burger, bulgogi rice bowls, bulgogi noodles, etc. I wanted to try their signature dish: Zigle’s Bulgogi Signature ($75) after seeing it on their social media. When I initially ordered, I was expecting it to be similar to a bulgogi soup with noodles and such but this was more of a meat plate that was prepared with mushrooms, pumpkin, rice cakes and scallions, served with some kimchi and fresh veggies on the side.

The meat was tender and flavourful, but at $75 for the dish, it felt a little steep considering there wasn’t any additional banchan or rice included. If I were to return, I think this dish would be better to split with a larger group. My friend and I also ordered the Cheese Tteokbokki ($18) and the Sweet Chilli Crispy chicken ($18). Taste-wise, they were not bad but I didn’t find these other dishes to be anything extraordinary and wouldn’t find myself making the drive to SWP for them. Overall, nice to see an option for those wanting Korean food in Sherwood Park, considering there isn’t a ton of competition in the area!

Makchang Dodook
1007 Parsons Road
I have a separate blog post highlighting Makcang Dodook, a new Korean BBQ spot, but had to feature it on this list as well since it’s the newest of the bunch. If you’re looking for an a-la-carte Korean grill spot, it’s worth a try. This is a KBBQ brand from South Korea, with Edmonton being their first Canadian location. Their specialty is makchang – grilled intestine – and the meat quality is great. The menu also offers more than just meat options so there is something for everyone. If you’re headed there, I recommend the Dodook combos.