Rating: Two thumbs up!

FIRST VISIT

Rating: Two thumbs up, gold star potential
Date: 6/29/12
Time in: 7:35 PM
Time out: 8:34 PM
Servers’ recommendations: LA galbi, gai bi chim, hae mool pah jun (seafood pancake), dduk bok ee
What we ordered: LA galbi, hae mool pah jun, dduk bok ee
Number in our party: 3 (with Elise)
Final check amount: $37.55
Price per person: $12.52

NOTES

• It’s an itty place that’s easy to miss.  We had to search for the door to get in.
• Really cute and homey atmosphere.  There’s no music, which is unusual for a restaurant.
• We had an adorable little server, very enthusiastic.
• There’s free tea upon arrival!  But it’s room-temp.
• The menu doesn’t have any English explanations.  I’m not that familiar with Korean dishes, so I was lost.  Thank God Elise came too.
• The panchan is the best we’ve had so far.
• The dduk bok ee is so good!  I’ve never had any with ramen in it before.
• The LA galbi is tender, juicy, flavorful, and delicious.
• The seafood pancake is excellent.  Mmm, teeny-tiny octopus and baby shrimp.  The calamari in it is tender, and the pancake itself isn’t too doughy or chewy like we’ve found at other places.

SECOND VISIT

Rating: Two thumbs up!
Date: 7/3/12
Time in: 8:46 PM
Servers’ recommendations: Combo pork bok kum + deng gachi ge, seafood pancake, dduk bok ee, LA kalbi, gai bi chim
What we ordered: Recommended combo, seafood pancake, dduk bok ee
Number in our party: 4 (with Elise and Sarah H.)
Final check amount: $39.71
Price per person: $9.93

NOTES

• This time, our server was not the friendliest.
• But the seafood pancake and dduk bok ee were just as amazing as last time!
• I was not a fan of the deng gachi ge — it smelled like kiriboshi daikon, which I’ve always hated.  Elise would also like us to note that one of the panchan tastes like you licked a hippie.  We have no idea what exactly it was.
• Our favorite Korean place other than Jeong Won!  Chon Ju Jip gets a gold star!

RESTAURANT INFORMATION
Address: 4373 Convoy St
Phone number: 858-268-0835
Accepts credit cards?  Yes
Parking: Incredibly crowded lot
Ideal group size: 2-4.  You could maybe get away with 6.
Available vegetarian options:  We have no idea. The menu had no descriptions.
Noise level: 3