Oriental Spoon

When I was in Malaysia, Korean food was pretty much at the bottom of my list of genres of food to eat.  My recent interest in Korean dining has piqued since the time I frequent Arirang and Koreana in Buffalo.  In Melbourne, I have found a decent favourite of Korean stonepot BBQ.

Oriental Spoon.  A very lively eatery with rays of boisterous youth beaming towards you.  The energy of this place can be overwhelming to some, but it just goes to show that this place is really popular amongst the Koreans and other Asian youths.  The establishment renovates and redecorates often.  After the recent one was completed some time in January, I have been itching to come back for some Korean grub!

Oriental Spoon on La Strobe St.

Since I have ate here many times, I have quite a few shots to share with you.  Mind you, most are before and after shots of the stone grill BBQ.  Please enjoy =)

First off, the menu is very limited and predictable.  It has most of your common favourite Korean and some Japanese selections.  What is acceptable by Korean standards is that although variety is on the low side, the quality and portion compensates at least a little over average.  The restaurant in itself is very spacious and has many tables, but don't be fooled, it is very busy and it frequent by many students, young asians, korean families and couples of dates.  There is a main dining area which you can see in the above shot as well as tables for two in a little more quieter areas.  Don't be fooled though.  You definitely can have a field day on all the gossip from couples in adjacent tables.  If you are lucky enough to avoid being placed at the horridly cramped table for two, the four seat semi-booth has ample amount of space for two and four, plus a stove.

The Fish Cakes are sweet and firm.

One redeeming quality of the sides, so you should request for the Fish Cakes,

But I am not sure if that is rude.

Variety of dishes, not so varied in sides.

As you may have noticed, the sides are very limited, but as with Korean customs, it is appropriate to ask for more sides and free refills.  As a note, rice is not complimentary with the BBQ and if you ordered it sooner, it will arrive right off the bat and by the time the food is cooked, your rice would have cooled.  It would be helpful to the servers to ask for rice by the time the food is cooked because they are usually very busy.

First time trying it out.

Bulgogi & Dwaeji Bulgogi

Second visit.

Bulgogi & Dwaeji Bulgogi

Again.

I ordered the classic Bulgogi (Marinated stir fried beef) and the heaty and spicy Dwaeji Bulgogi (Spicy marinated pork).

Before throwing in the meat, half a cup of soup base is added to the stone grill and heated up.  Towards the end, most of it would have been evaporated, provided you continue to leave the stove on for about five more minutes from when the server suggests that the food is cooked.

Taken off the grill because it smells so good

And I can't wait! =P

It was so good, I decided to eat more and take less shots ;)

The end result is that whatever sweetness and seasoning that is in the meat is then caramelised and tastes like Chinese Beef Jerky, 'Bak Kwa'.  The end result is surprisingly refreshing compared to the charcoal style grill that most people are used to.  I find the meat pleasantly tender, not dried and very little evidence of it being burnt.  My perfect kind of grilled meat.  I get all the good qualities of overcooked meat from the charcoal grill, and no burnt-to-a-crisp meat.

This would be my third visit.

=^.^=

Bulgogi & Dak Galbi

Dak galbi (닭갈비) would be Spicy Marinated Chicken.  If spicy isn't your thing, you can always request for a milder version for greater ease of finishing the portions.

Dak Galbi & Bulgogi

By now, I'm an expert in knowing the right time to eat it when the soup base is close to drying up.  I absolutely adore this.  Taste brilliant on rice and when downed with tea.

For those of you who are concerned about their diet, the Chicken (Dak Galbi) and Beef (Bulgogi) combination would be a much better choice over the Pork (Dwaeji Bulgogi).  On a side note, you could always pick the grilled mushrooms and veggies for AUD9, which is abundant, but doesn't sit right with me for paying that much for just veggies.

As a final note, most Korean BBQ will force you to order at least 2 portions.  Similar to bunch on Sundays, you do not have it alone ;) Prices for the BBQ range around AUD19 per portion is costly seeing as how there isn't any rice.  I always feel cheated when I have to pay for rice and it comes down to AUD2 per bowl.

In the end, I would suggest that there be better lighting in the area because after awhile, the heat coming from the stoves, the loud noise coming from the horde of patrons and the cramped tables would make one nauseous after a while.

Oriental Spoon Info.

254 La Trobe Street,

Melbourne, VIC.

Phone:  (03) 9654 9930

Photo Info.

Taken with my trusty Nikon D700, 17-35mm f/2.8.  Lighting was very uneven, but adequate enough for me to be able to manage.  I hate white balancing.  Most are shot at f/4 at 1/15 seconds.  Hand-held, no flash fired.  It was dinner time and the sun was down, so no light interference from the outside.

Comments and critique are highly appreciated and welcomed.

Hope you enjoyed reading.
Stout out. \m/