1.074
20 (Sat) March 2010
Chamchi Hoe
3.5
at Chamchi Land
-Geomgok, Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Korea-
with the Family, Mom and Dad
Chamchi Land is a Koreanized Japanese restaurant. Specializes in chamchi (tuna) hoe (sashimi). Japanese to the extent that the fish is raw and presented like sashimi, but the similarity ends there. Beyond that, the array of side dishes and methods for eating the fish are uniquely Korean – more on that in a future post with more photos. Most of these places are exactly the same, with the same menu offerings and same quality fish; what differentiates the dining experience is the relationship the diner has with the sushi chef, who reserves the best stuff for loyal clients. It’s all about service.
Located five minutes from my parents’ apartment in Bundang, my family has frequented Chamchi Land since it opened in 2004. As soon as we sit down, the waitress knows to bring my father a bowl of sushi rice and canned corn (without the butter). We don’t even put in an order anymore; they know we’re going to have the second-tier platter for 25,000 won per person. And we know they’re going to give us top-tier fish.