You might be familiar with acclaimed Korean chef Paik Jong-won. With two thousand restaurants worldwide, over 5.2 million YouTube subscribers, and a slew of TV shows on Netflix, Paik is a force to be reckoned with in the Korean food scene. And now, he’s brought his famous Paik’s Noodle to Melbourne. Feast on a harmonious blend between fermented Korean flavours and Chinese-style stir-fry. With nine signature dishes to choose from, the hardest part of your visit will be choosing what to try first.
Paik’s Noodle
When you arrive at Paik’s, don’t be surprised to find lines out the door. But, don’t turn back – it’ll be worth the wait. The famous noodles at Paik’s are handmade every day, and the original noodle recipe was carefully tweaked to accommodate differences in Australian flour and pH levels in the water. Thick and perfectly springy, these noodles are fun to slurp and will keep you satisfyingly full. Meanwhile, the sauces are imported directly from Korea, so the entire flavour experience is exactly the same in Melbourne as it is in Seoul.
What’s on the menu?
Their Jajang-myeon is one of the most popular dishes in the restaurant. It’s a comforting dish that’s both filling and affordable. Priced at just $11.80, this classic bowl of noodles comes with fermented black bean sauce, pork and vegetables.
From there, there’s heaps of other great noodles to try, from the spicy seafood noodle soup Jjampong, to its savoury, stir-fried counterpart Bokkeum Jjamppong. If you like a bit of spice, opt for the Gochu Jajang, which packs a chilli punch into the black bean noodles. Or, enjoy the Gochu Jjamppong, a chilli broth that’s slow simmered with vegetable, mussels and noodles.
Meanwhile, if you prefer rice, there’s a couple of rice options on the menu that come with the same great flavours.
If you like pork, try Paik’s signature tang-suyuk, a platter of deep fried pork and vegetables, served with sweet and sour sauce. Or, opt for some tried-and-true Korean fried chicken, topped with chilli.
Pair your meal with some refreshing Korean drinks, including soju, makgeolli (Korean rice wine), Cass beer and Bongbong soft drink .
So far, Paik’s has opened for the dinner trade, but from tomorrow, they’ll increase their hours to include the lunch rush. In the future, they’re hoping to open as late as 4am. Stay tuned to their social media for any updates on their opening hours.