Cycle 15 – Item 108

22 (Mon) April 2024

Mushroom Dimsum

2.5

at Dim Dimsum

(Lotte World Mall)

-Jamsil, Songpa, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

solo

Danger, Will Robinson!

Since my prior visit, when I’d declared the xiaolongbao to be “arguably the best in Korea” (see 14.244 Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)), something seems to have gone horribly wrong.

First, the restaurant no longer offers roast duck noodle soup.  Personally tragic for me, as it’s one of my favorite dishes of all time, and this was the only place that I knew of where I could get it in Korea (see for example 14.160 Roast Duck Noodle Soup).   Though in general, the absence of roast duck noodle soup on a Cantonese menu isn’t necessarily fatal per se – for example, TimHoWan doesn’t have it – its sudden disappearance suggests a dramatic shakeup, whether at the corporate office or in the kitchen, certainly not for the better – for example, if McDonald’s were to discontinue Chicken McNuggets overnight.

Second, the quality of the food has taken an undeniable turn for the worse.  The roast duck, served on “stirred noodles,” was chokingly dry.  The cheungfun, previously rated 3.5 (see generally 14.160 Roast Duck Noodle Soup), were bloated and falling apart, either overcooked or cooked much earlier and left to sit and go to mush.  I should’ve sent both back, but just (spiritually) shrugged and finished them, with deep dissatisfaction.

In good faith, I will give the place another shot.

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)