11.247

8 (Tue) September 2020

 Hoe Deopbab

3.0

at Bono Bono (E-Mart)

-Seongsu, Seongdong, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with HSK

Fortunately, the office is located within a 5-minute drive of E-Mart, which presents several opportunities at lunch time.

Also fortunate that HSK, who is currently working from home during the pandemic, lives nearby and is readily available for lunch.

Bono Bono is a Japanese restaurant chain.  Specializes in nigirizushi, served on a rotating conveyor belt.  Operated by the Shinsaegae group, many in conjunction with the conglomerate’s E-Mart network, including at the flagship E-Mart in Seongsu.

Hoe Deopbab (회덥밥) is a Korean dish.  Chopped sashimi (hoe), often with flying fish roe, plus shredded vegetables (e.g., cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, greens, chilies, garlic, onions), sometimes dried laver, over steamed rice (deop bab), seasoned with chogochujang and sesame oil – kinda like bibimbab.  A staple item at any Korean hoe restaurant and most Japanese sushi restaurants in Korea (except the few high-end places that try to be truly authentic).  Typically made with leftover odds and ends of fish, the price point of the dish is usually very reasonable – somewhere between 10,000 to 15,000 won these days.

The hoe deopbab at Bono Bono Sushi was good.  The fish – tuna, fluke, snapper, salmon – was fresh and tasty; the brisk sales of sushi presumably generates lots of primo leftover bits.  The vegetables – mostly cabbage, too much chilies and garlic, not enough greens – were unimaginative.  Interesting addition of tamago, which provided a softer feel to an inherently austere dish.  Satisfying overall.  An excellent value at 10,900 won.

I find it impossible to believe that this dish, one of my all-time favorites, both in restaurants and at home, has never been featured on GMTD until now.

(For more details re foods, see WHAT)

(For more details re venues, see WHERE IN KOREA)