Togi Korean Restaurant

20 October 2010

I was super excited when I spotted this Korean restaurant near my workplace. I had been observing the dinner queue on a few nights and suspected that it is authentic stuff. And my guess was right when I walked in to order takeaway one afternoon. The restaurant is owned by a Korean family who was conversing in Korean when I was there. The set-up is simple, but similar to what I experienced in Seoul a few months back.

Cold noodles $15.90

One thing I missed a lot since coming back from Seoul is their cold noodles. After a quick look-through of the menu, I ordered this and waited for quite a while for them to assemble the above. Back at my work place, I eagerly opened the plastic bag and laid out the sumptuous set-up.

Cold noodles before the ice was poured in

The bowl was filled with noodles, a large tomato, beef slices, turnip, carrot, cucumber and I think there were pear slices. It was a welcoming package. 

Silly me...I didn't ask how I should put the meal together but again with my top-notch guesswork, I opened the package that was filled with ice and poured into the bowl of noodles. Then I opened two small containers that seemed to contain mustard and vinegar and poured some into it. And then I mixed it well.

The well-mixed noodles

I knew I got it right at the first bite. Phew. 

This was the flavour I've been missing from Seoul. The chewy tangy cold noodles with the crispy raw vegetables and Korean chilli paste. I relished beautiful memories of my travel as I struggled with the chewy noodles, intersperse every bite with fresh vegetables and nipping pieces of the sides.

And what is Korean food without their famous side dishes? I was given bean sprouts, chye sim, braised potatos, spicy ikan billis, kimchi and preserved cucumber. They were all good. Perhaps it was because it sparked good memories, as you know, that enhances the whole experience. I don't care anyway, because I enjoyed every bite.

I couldn't finish them all and kept them for dinner. By then, the noodles have turned soft and easier to eat, but the taste is still good.

Now I know where to get my Korean food fix.

Togi Korean Restaurant

11 Mosque Street

Walking distance from Chinatown NEL station