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Arirang Korean Restaurant: Come journey to Korea

Published:Thursday | September 19, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Owner of Arirang Korean restaurant, Kiao Lee, with Baek Saeju (right hand) and Soju.
The perfect starter to any meal at Arirang, the crazy roll is made with snapper, rice and orange fly fish eggs. It is accompanied by yellow tail snapper, shrimp, caviar, pickled ginger and wasabi. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Arirang's California roll made with crab meat, cucumber and avocado covered with rice and garnished with sesame seeds. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Mango tango roll made with mango, crab salad, avocado, cream cheese and tempura flakes, and soy paper.
The JB roll, just one of Arirang's savoury Sushi rolls, made with salmon, cream cheese, and avocado.
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Jody-Anne Lawrence, Gleaner Writer

Your palate will be taken on a journey through sweet, savoury meats, spicy tantalising side dishes and delicate sushi treats that will have you yearning for more when you visit Arirang Korean Restaurant.

Speaking through our translator - third secretary at the Korean Embassy, Seong Hoon Kim - owner Kaio Lee tells Food that, "Due to our diplomatic ties with Jamaica for more than 50 years, it was time that the Jamaican people were exposed to our cuisine."

Upon entering Arirang, you are greeted by a plethora of Korean flags and colours in the dimly lit, intimate restaurant. The tables are not set with the traditional thin, stainless steel chopsticks, but with wooden ones which are easier to use. Your table is also set with forks and a spoon.

Opened in May, the restaurant serves authentic Korean dishes and Lee is exploring the idea of fusing Jamaican and Korean dishes to intensify its appeal to the Jamaican palate.

Though Arirang is the first restaurant Lee has ever owned, he looks like a pro as he grills LA Kalbi (Los Angeles beef rib) and Bulgogi (sliced beef seasoned with sweet Korean soy sauce) on the electronic grill in the centre of the table. Through special requests, guests can have their meals prepared at their table.

Lee explains that Korean cuisine differs from its other Asian neighbours because of the portions and number of side dishes that are served with each meal.

The diversity in their dishes calls for a lot of fresh vegetables, and Lee tells Food that he goes to Coronation market in downtown Kingston every morning to get his supply.

Along with your meal, you can indulge in traditional Korean beverages like Soju - a classic Korean rice vodka. Another special beverage on the list is Baek Saeju, also known as the 100-year-old soldier. The myth is, if you drink a bottle of Saeju (a blend of Korean herbs), you will live for 100 years.

Arirang Korean Restaurant is located at shops 17-19, 7th Avenue Plaza, on Constant Spring Road.