Hibi Ando Kohaku: Japanese Homestyle Food in Seogwipo
I heard from a friend I hadn't seen in a while about a unique and delicious restaurant near my house, so I went to check it out the very next day.
I drove to the neighborhood, but I had a bit of trouble finding it because there was absolutely no sign. It's the kind of place that piques your curiosity before you even walk in. I heard it gets crowded, so I was worried about a long wait, but luckily it was empty today.
Looking at the menu, the prices are quite high. Still, since it has a good reputation, I decided to try their most famous dish and judge for myself. So, I ordered the Hibi set meal.
Looking around the quiet restaurant, I could see a lot of effort went into the Japanese-style interior. The exterior is so neat and simple that it's hard to find, and the inside is much the same. The owner must like audio equipment because I spotted a few pieces, along with just a few Japanese-style dishes. Despite the minimalism, it doesn't feel boring at all—they clearly have great taste.
After a little while, the food came out. It was labeled as a set meal, but it was quite simple for a set. The portion size and variety felt a bit basic for the price. But after tasting the main dish, I could see why they are famous. The flavors are mostly sweet, while the salad is quite sour. It's a balance of sour and sweet, but the sourness is a bit stronger. I usually hate lotus root, but it was delicious roasted crispy and sweet.
It might be a unique meal for Jeju locals, but there are plenty of similar places in Seoul, and given the steep prices, I don't think it's a must-visit if you're traveling to Jeju. However, I highly recommend it to locals who don't have this style of restaurant in their neighborhood.
At first glance, it looks like parking is only available for about three cars. But since this is a rural neighborhood, I imagine you can always find a spot somewhere.
I visited again the next day and tried the Ebi Curry (shrimp curry). I heard the Ebi Curry was even more famous, and after trying it, I definitely think it's better than the Hibi set I had yesterday. First of all, the curry isn't spicy or overpowering; it's smooth and easy to eat. The shrimp have large heads but somewhat skinny bodies. I'm not sure if they're from Jeju, but they felt a bit top-heavy with excessively large heads. The salad was still too sour for my taste.
Still, I really loved the curry with green grapes in it, so if I come back, I'll probably order the Ebi Curry over the Hibi set.
