Arirang House

*** Arirang House has been replaced by Honey Pig, you read a post here.

I had eaten at Arirang twice several years ago, and really didn't think much of the food, it seemed fairly mediocre, though the service was always nice and friendly. So what brought me back to Arirang House all these years later? Well, a few things, first off there were a few comments on another post asking about Arirang, by Jenne and clayfu, another was that a friend of mine mentioned that Arirang was under new ownership, and the final straw was when Sam's(as in Sammy's Sushi) roommate mentioned that they serve some decent Heuk Yum So(or is it Hook Yum So? Maybe Hukyumsoo? I've seen it spelled a bunch of different ways). Black Goat? We are so there!

And yep, there it was, the "Grand Opening Sign"...funny thing is, we've been coming to Jamillah Garden and Tajima next door, and never really noticed the sign! Shows you how observant I am....

On the first evening we visited, over half the tables were occupied, and the place seemed fairly busy. Checking out the tables we saw some type of BBQ and at least one "bowl" of Kimchee Chigae(Spicy Kimchi soup) on each one.

The Servers, two very friendly and helpful ladies showed us to our table and answered any questions we had about the menu...which were many! After a while we managed to determine what we wanted, and placed our order. At which time I noticed the chopsticks on the table:

I don't know if this means anything...I just thought it was kind of interesting. Soon enough, the panchan arrived, you can check out all of the panchan on this post. But in case you need just one more photo of the panchan......

The panchan wasn't outstanding, but the portion size was generous, and everything had a good amount of flavor.

The Missus started with the Dolsot Bibimbap($9.95):

A large stone bowl(Dolsot) full of rice various vegetables, some well flavor Bulgogi, and topped with the ubiquitous fried egg. This was quite good, and tasted even better as the rice crust formed along the sides of the bowl. The Missus ended up eating most of this with a minimum of Gochujang, She really enjoyed it, saying that this was the best flavored Dolsot Bibimbap She's had in a while.

I ordered something I've never had before Chunchaon Dak Galbi($13.95). I'm guessing this is Dak Galbi (Chicken) prepared in the manner of Chuncheon?

This resembled and tasted like a mildly marinated, slightly spicy, homestyle stir fried dark meat chicken and vegetables dish. The chicken was on the dry side, and the flavor lacked depth. Edible, but not great.

Of course we got the Hukyumsoo Jungol(Goat Stew - $15.95), when the Missus ordered this, the Lady smiled and said "ooh, that is so very healthy":

A large stone bowl arrived with a generous amount of tasty goat meat, green vegetables, onions, and other goodies. Along with the garnishes, this was very delici-yoso!!! It is now our favorite version of this in San Diego. This is also much more inexpensive than other restaurants. We managed to take a good amount of food home.

As the Server helped us pack our food, She turned to the Missus and said, "oooh, this is so healthy, it will make you strong, it is good for women!" I think we got the point. It is not only very tasty, but it will "make you strong......."

As we were leaving we noticed 2 Korean business men in suits working on a large hotpot, with plates of various meats...they were really going at it. We asked and were told it was "Budae Chigae", that spicy hotpot with Spam, Hotdogs, and other meats. Ah yes, the infamous Budae Chigae, otherwise known as "Army Base Stew". We were told that it's one of the "specials" that is not on the menu.

A few days later we returned, and again had the large variety of panchan(always 8), and ordered a few things......

We started with the Haemul Pajun(Seafood Pancake - $10.95):

Other than squid, there wasn't much seafood on this pancake, though we enjoyed the way it was cooked; nice and crisp around the edges. Again, very much a homestyle type of dish.....

I had a case of major vapor lock and again ordered a chicken dish, the Dak Bukum ($11.95):

I dunno, but this tasted almost the same as the previous chicken dish I ordered...except the vegetables were different...kind of low on the flavor scale, chicken kind of dry....but to be perfectly honest, it tasted really good the next day.

The Missus wanted something hearty so she ordered the Sullung Tang(Suhllun Tang - $8.95), the milky "bone soup":

 

The Missus loves the smooth, rich, and velvety bone soup, and enjoyed this version. The only complaint was that only regular table salt was available, and not sea salt.

The addition of Yam Noodles was a bonus that the Missus enjoyed as well.

For some reason we found ourselves at Arirang House during a recent evening...and we were greeted with "hello, nice to see you again....." I guess we've been coming here waaay too often!

On this visit, the Missus gave me the directive, "no chicken, Ohhh-kay?" So following the directive I decided to order the Bulgogi($15.95):

This was the largest portion of Bulgogi that I can remember having in San Diego...we couldn't finish it, and were full before getting to the other dishes we ordered. Flavor-wise it was good, a nice balanced salty-sweet. The meat wasn't of the highest quality, and there were some tough and rubbery bits, but man that was alot of meat, and much cheaper than most other Korean BBQ places.

I finally got around to ordering the Kimchi Chigae($8.95) that I saw on every table:

Now I've had spicy, but this version of Kimchi Chigae was pretty darn spicy, and the next day it was even hotter! I thought that the heat overwhelmed everything, and couldn't even get a hint of the savory flavor from using "older" kimchi that sometimes accompanies the dish, nor any faint sweetness, that is sometimes found. It was fine, but lacked depth.

The Altang($12.95), in this case it was code roe and "seafood" soup:

In this dish, I've finally met my match...the broth was very spicy, and had some nice "oceany" flavor. But the cod-roe was seriously dry and rubbery, and had a strong "liver" flavor that I didn't enjoy.

The little baby octopus was very tough, as was the one mussel in the soup. I think I'll cross this dish off my list of "to try" items.

On all of our visits the service was very nice, in a nurturing, motherly sort of way. It seemed like extra care and attention was taken with us since we aren't Korean. I don't know if I'll try the Lunch Buffet ($7.95), but these folks are very nice, and the prices are very reasonable. We'll be  coming back for the Goat Stew, the Missus likes the Dolsot Bibimbap here, as well as the Bone Soup...and who knows, maybe I can convince the Missus to try the Budae Chigae, and the food seems to be  a good homestyle in nature. As for BBQ, Arirang House is on that second tier of Korean BBQ's, but the portion sizes are quite generous.

Arirang House Restaurant
4681 Convoy St Ste B
San Diego, CA 92111

(858) 277-8625

Comments

[nhbilly]

dude...I was going to reply Vermont Garden but it seem so odd. LOL

[Kathy]

oh man, dolsot bibimbap is one my favorite korean dishes ever! the best part is when the rice gets all crusty...then i like to pour gochujang all over (hehe, watch my sodium level rise!) Seoul Garden (on kapiolani) is the first place i'm going to when i get back from spring break! :)
...don't think any of the korean restaurants in hawaii carry goat stew?...

[Fred]

I used to go have the lunch buffet every couple of weeks or so, before I decided to eat less! The lunch buffet isn't bad; compared to buffet food it's actually pretty good. They have all the panchan out there as dishes, so if you like their panchan you can get as much as you want. I occasionally eat there when I feel like I could use more spinich, bean sprouts, and kimchi in my diet.

[clayfu]

i haven't been here in forever. I've been going to BUga for korean BBQ the last few months cause my friend's like it so much.

if this is cheaper and more food then goodness i'm there! (i just really like rice paper and salad =P)

the food looks quite tasty

[Captain Jack]

Wow, the hukyumsoo sounds great. I have to give it a try. Are black goats different in flavor from other color goats?

[howie]

Wow, that's quite a feast. I've been meaning to try that goat stew for a while.

PS Thanks for the coffee, Kirk!!!

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - I don't know what the deal was with those chopsticks.....

Hi Kathy - I think it may be an "off-menu" item at certain restaurants. Of course I'm hoping to get to Koreatown to get some Black Goat one of these days.

Hi Fred - Sounds good. I went to the buffet when the restaurant was under previous ownership, and other then the panchan, everything else was pretty bad. BTW, did you know that the lady that owned Arirang is well known in San Diego for Her panchan? She sells it to Zion Market, and even has a shop that specializes in panchan.

Hi clayfu - For BBQ quality wise Buga is better...but I think that the Bone Soup and some other items are quite good at Arirang. Hey, maybe you'll get the Budae Chigae!

Hi CJ - Just as people believe that Black Chicken is special, or even Black Pig...you remember the Kurobuta(literally Black Pig) Kakuni at Haru Ulala, right? People believe that black goat is not only more tasty, but has special health benefits.

Hi Howie - Try it out here...it's quite good, and relatively inexpensive compared to other places.

[Jenne]

Hi Kirk, I'm glad you (mostly) enjoyed it! I'd hate to send you somewhere that was no good...

I really don't know much about Korean food, so I guess I'll just have to educate myself at various restaurants around town.

It's a hard life, but I think somehow I'll survive. :)

[sue]

It is sad to hear that you didn't like that dakgalbi. That is my favourite food.

I don't think I want to eat at Korean restaurants outside of Korea, because in general the food doesn't taste as nice as it could be.

[elmomonster]

Good god man! That was a superpost if ever there was one. I am always amazed at how much you know about food. Most of those things I'm seeing for the first time. Great post as always.

[HelloDaly]

BWaaAAAAaa - this is SO WRONG!!

Some people lurk around the web for adult materials but me...I surf your blog and drool uncontrollably.

I WISH I could find AND EAT food like that!!

Lemme know if you have recommendations for the Vegas area. I'm not brave enough to venture out on my own.

[wandering chopsticks]

Darn you Kirk! I should know better than to go to your blog when I'm sick and can't eat anything but rice porridge. That bone soup looks awesome. I've never had that before.

[sher]

I woke up and told myself to eat reasonably today and not go crazy eating for fun--and then I read your post! Now I'm sooo hungry. Some of those pictures will haunt me all day long! :):) Loved the Dolsot Bibimbap and the goat stew. Sigh.

[Fred]

Kirk,

Ah, if you thought the buffet food (other than the panchan) was bad before the ownership change, then there's not much point in going back. The buffet hasn't changed noticably since the change in ownership.

I did not know that about the lady owner of Ariang. Do you happen to know where her shop might be? I would defintely be interested in buying quantities of panchan; I'm sure it would be great at potlucks and for normal eating! Mmm!

[milgwimper]

Kirk,

The sullantang, and dolsot looks really good, but I am salivating at the huk yumsoo...Yum...

[Passionate Eater]

Cute server story! Why she didn't volunteer (or recommend) any Korean dish that is healthy for males too? And with all of those greens on the goat stew, it sure does look healthy!

[mizducky]

Cool! Looks like I'll have to pay a visit to Arirang again myself. Pity that the lunch buffet hasn't improved. I may still get it sometime anyway, simply because I'm a sucker for a buffet. :-) But then again, that dolsot bibimbap is also calling to me ...

[Kirk]

Hi Jenne - Half the fun is exploring. The Black Goat Stew was good. Thanks for the recommendation.

Hi Sue - I'll get to Koreatown in LA one of these days, talk about really good Korean food!

Hi Elmo - Thanks....I try to find out at least a bit about what I'm eating.....and I've got a great group of resources......

Hello Daly - Congrats on the new job! I'm sure there must be some good Korean Food in Vegas. I'll let you know what I find out!

Hi WC - Oh man, the Sullung Tang would just be the perfect remedy. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Hi Sher - The Missus really enjoyed the Dolsot Bibimbap....Now you know how we all feel after reading your blog! ;o)

Hi Fred - We went today for lunch, I think it's a bit better than it was...at least they had those potatoes I love...rice and potatoes, talk about a carb load. I don't remember the name of the place, but it's right next to Korean Hometown Restaurant. I'll pay a visit soon with one of my Korean friends....I've been told they have some really good stuff!

Hi Mills - Howszit! Hope all is well. Finally, decent Black Goat Stew.....

Hi PE - You know, you're always one step ahead...I shoulda asked, but I think we were already kinda embarassed....

Hi Mizducky - Selected menu items have sure improved since my previous visits.....

[Alex]

I've never posted here before, but my I love the blog. You've pointed us to quite a few great places like Ba Ren (which I'd have never found in a million years)...

I'm wondering if anybody can point me to a local source for goat meat for a dinner party we are going to have very soon. Anyone?

Thanks!

[Cathy]

Hi Alex. 99Ranch has goat, next to the black chickens in the meat counter. Vien Dong II and III have goat in the counter, too. Also most Mexican markets sell goat.