Slug: korbonga
For Bangsar Weekly
By Clarence Koh

For diners who are always on the hunt for new places of savouries, Korean Bon Ga might just be a good recommendation. My experience at the restaurant was simply refreshing.

'Bon Ga' explained as 'my home', serves authentic Korean home cooking. Unlike other big names in the business, it is a very homely place where one would feel at ease and dine in comfort.

According to Mr. Oh D.Y., the owner of Korean Bon Ga, the food is prepared by his wife. Ever since they took over the restaurant about fifteen months ago, the business has been picking up reasonably well.

"Our current regulars come for the food. It's home-made cooking and if you are Korean food goer, you will know the difference," added Oh.

Amongst the restaurants specialities are grilled meats, boiled dishes, noodles, rice and pancakes. All main dishes are served with a vast range of side dishes, without any extra charges!

The appetising side dishes comprise of a variety of 'Kimchee', green vegetables like spinach, tauhu, sweet potato, potato, egg roll, beef, fish, pancakes and more. The 'Kimchee' are actually preserved vegetables that taste slightly spicy.

"There are about 200 kinds 'Kimchee' in Korea and it is very popular. Here at the restaurant, we serve preserved radish, chinese cabbage and cucumber. Sometimes we add in some others for a change," Oh said.

Oh also recommended one to try the side dishes one by one, in intervals while one savours the main dish. Unlike Western cuisines where appetisers are only served before the main course, Korean food has a more flexible style where one could take time to enjoy the food.

Korean food is not complete without the authentic Korean BBQ. That is why one could find a grill at every table in Korean Bon Ga. Raw or marinated, beef or chicken, take your pick. The most popular item on the BBQ menu shall be the Boolgogi, explained as grilled beef and vegetable with sauce. The RM25 dish is marinated with five special fruits.

"Another dish that Koreans love is the ox tongue. Some people might not dare to try it but once tried, they will fall in love with it. Its texture is soft, juicy and very tasty," he added.

For lunch, one might want to try the rice at the restaurant. Served in a big stoneware, the sizzling rice is topped with egg, beef, shredded carrot, mushrooms and bean sprouts. Mix the ingredients with some unique Korean chilli sauce and one shall experience the special texture, aroma and taste of it. The nutritious meal only costs RM16.

Boiled dishes are priced from RM16 to RM40. Among which the ginseng chicken soup only costs RM28. The specially concocted soup is cooked with ginseng and herbs, and is of high nutritional value. Besides, there will also be boiled seafood dishes coming into the menu soon.

If you like noodles, there are also several options for you at Korean Bon Ga. Prices range from RM18 to RM25. Also try the pancakes which come in three flavours. They are the original, seafood and spring onion pancakes. According to Oh, their pancakes taste different from others.

The restaurant echoed to its concept as "my home", has a very homely interior. Furnished with wood based furnitures and little ornaments, it looks simple and comfortable.

Korean Bon Ga offers an intimate and personal hospitality. Every customer is treated like a friend and it shows especially when Mr. Oh and his staff say goodbye to the customers with a big smile, as they are leaving after lunch. 

Located at 6-1, Jalan Telawi Empat, Korean Bon Ga opens daily from 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch, and 6pm until 10.30pm for dinner. It is only closed on Sundays' lunch time. 

For queries or reservations, call 03-284 0178. 



Pix Captions:
1. Feast...Main dish served with variety of side dishes at Korean Bon Ga.
2. Bon Ga...home for unique Korean flavours.