SONG COOK's authentic Korean restaurant review: Yonge & Steeles

[ippon]

Hey Bro,

I had to laugh at this comment, my girlfriend, actually fiance is quite the finicky person also. She likes pork, not spicy but sweet, garlic and onion flavours. Did you see anything on the menu that may cater to her palate? I'm going to order what I want, even if she objects. Though as I said I hear you sometimes I will relent and go with what she wants just to avoid the tantrums.

ya, she wanted bibimbab, but not the stone bowl, as she had that the day before... and yangpooni bibimbab is only made for two, so i figure i should keep the current one happy until the mail ordered one arrives.
i'm going to try to stop by tomorrow to see if they have a take out menu though.
i wonder if they have pork ribs. i saw the spicy belly cut pork on the menu, but no non-spicy kind. but i didn't look all that closely to the menu.
have you tried the pork ribs at Minerva? i go there during the summer in the backyard patio and the pork ribs - sweet and garlicky - there on the charcoal bbq table is pretty good, and their combo with beer/soju is priced really well.

[wolverine07]

ya, she wanted bibimbab, but not the stone bowl, as she had that the day before... and yangpooni bibimbab is only made for two, so i figure i should keep the current one happy until the mail ordered one arrives.
i'm going to try to stop by tomorrow to see if they have a take out menu though.
i wonder if they have pork ribs. i saw the spicy belly cut pork on the menu, but no non-spicy kind. but i didn't look all that closely to the menu.
have you tried the pork ribs at Minerva? i do there during the summer in the backyard patio and the pork ribs there on the charcoal bbq table is pretty good, and their combo with beer/soju is priced really well.

I hope your wife doesn't read redflags. This is the type of chat I would normally have in the steam room after a workout. You can take solace that you are not the only guy that goes through these sort of thoughts. All I have to say is I can now only look back at my days when I poured on the aftershave to go clubbing with fondness. We had the the Beef shortribs @ LA Kalbi at Owl but not the Pork Ribs. Speaking of pork belly, I did see that on the placemat at Song Cook, looks like a dish to try, love pork belly!

[ippon]

their menu!
they didn't have a take-out flyer, so i asked if i can take a picture instead. the picture wasn't that good of a quality, so i typed it down.

APPETIZER
1. Gun ManDu (deep fried dumplings 8pcs) - $6
2. Mul ManDu (steamed dumplings 15pcs) - $6
3. Wang Mandu (handmade big dumplings 6pcs) - $8
4. HaeMul Pajun (Korean style pancake with seafood & veg) – S $12, L $15
5. NuRoungJi Tang (crispy rice soup with veg) – S $7, L $10
6. Seafood NuRoungJi Tang (crispy rice soup with seafood & veg) – S $10, L $15
MAIN
7. Bak Suk (boiled chicken with Korean congee – serves 2-3) - $40
8. BulGoGi JeunGol (marinated sliced beef w/ veg cooked @ table for 2. No rice) - $15
9. SamKyupSal (sliced pork belly cooked @ table for 2. No rice) - $15
10. Kalbi Jim (stewed beef ribs. No rice) - $8
ENTRÉE
11. DolSot BiBimBap (veg & fried egg on rice in hot stone bowl) - $7.50
12. BiBimBap (veg & fried egg on rice) - $6
13. Shrimp BiBimBap (Shrimp, veg & fried egg on rice in hot stone bowl) - $9
14. Bowl BiBimBap ( assorted veg big bowl for 2) - $14
15. Al Bap – (veg & tobiko with rice in hot stone bowl) - $8
16. KimChi DupBap (stir fried pork & kimchi on rice) - $7
17. LA Kalbi (BBQ marinated beef short ribs. No rice) - $8
18. Kam Ja Tang (pork bone with veg soup) - $7
19. Yuk Gae Jang (spicy beef & veg soup) - $8
20. Kal Bi Tang (beef rib soup) - $8
21. KongNaMul Kuk Bap (bean sprouts soup with veg) - $7
22. Pork Bone Soup (pork bone with veg soup) - $8
STEWS – no rice
23. DwenJang ChiGae (veg and tofu stewed in soy been sauce) – S $5, M $8.50
24. KimChi ChiGae (kimchi stewed in spicy sauce) - S $5, M $8.50
SOONTOFU – no rice
25. Seafood SoonToFu (soft tofu soup with seafood) – S $5, M $8.50
26. Kimchi + Beef Soon ToFu (soft tofu soup with kimchi & beef) – S $4, M $8.50
27. Tuna SoonToFu (soft tofu soup with tuna) – S $5, M $8.50
28. Shrimp SoonTofu (soft tofu soup with shrimp) – S $5, M $8.50
HOMEMADE NOODLES
29. SuJaeBi (homemade pasta in dried shrimp soup) - $8
30. KalKukSu (homemade noodles in dried shrimp soup) - $8
31. KalJaeBi (homemade noodles & pasta in soup) - $8
32. DDukKuk (sliced rice cake stewed w/ beef in egg drop soup) - $6
33. DDukManDuKuk (Sliced rice cake & dumpling w/ beef in egg drop soup) - $7
34. MulNeangMyun (buck wheat noodle served in cold clear broth) - $8
COMBO FOR 1 PERON
35. Half JaJangMyun + Half ChamPong (Veg, beef, black bean sauce on noodles & spicy seafood noodle soup) - $8.50
36. Half JaJangMyun + Half ChamPongBap (Veg, beef, black bean sauce on noodles & Spicy seafood soup with rice) - $8.50
37. Half JaJangMyun + Half BokeumBap (Veg, beef, black bean sauce on noodles & veg fried rice) - $8.50
38. Half JaJangMyun + Half TangSuYuk (Veg, beef, black bean sauce on noodles & deep fried sweet & sour pork) - $12
39. Half JaJangMyun + Half KhanPoungKi (Veg, beef, black bean sauce on noodles & deep fried sweet & spicy chicken) - $12
40. Half JaJangMyun + Half GunManDu (Veg, beef, black bean sauce on noodles & deep fried dumplings) - $8
NOODLES
41. Ja Jang Myun (veg, beef & black bean sauce on noodles) - $7
42. Gan Ja Jang (fresh stir fried black bean sauce & pork on noodles) - $8
43. Sam Sun Ja Jang (seafood, beef & black bean sauce on noodles) - $9
44. Sam Sun Gan Ja Jang (seafood, fresh stir fried black bean sauce & pork on noodles) - $10
45. Sachon Ja Jang (veg, seafood & spicy sauce on noodles. No black bean sauce) - $10
46. Jaeng Ban Ja Jang (veg, seafood & beef, black bean sauce on noodles) – for 1 $ $8, for 2 $15
47. Cham Pong (spicy seafood noodle soup) - $8
48. U-Dong (seafood noodle soup) - $8
49. Ul Myun (thick sauce seafood noodle soup with veg) - $8
50. Sam Sun Cham Pong (spicy seafood noodle soup with extra seafood) - $10
ENTRÉE
51. Pork Cutlet (pork cutlet served w/ rice & special sauce) - $7
52. Chicken Cutlet ( chicken cutlet served w/ rice and special sauce) - $8
53. Spicy Pork Cutlet ( spicy pork cutlet served with rice and special sauce) - $9
54. Chicken Teriyaki (Grilled chicken w/ teriyaki sauce on a sizzling hot plate w/ rice - $8
55. Beef Teriyaki (Grilled beef w/ teriyaki sauce on sizzling hot plate w/ rice - $8
56. Bokeum Bap (stir fried rice w/ veg) - $7
57. Shrimp Bokeum Bap (stir fried rice w/ shrimp) - $9
58. JapTang Bap (stir fried assorted seafood w/ veg on rice) - $12
59. Yu San Sel Bap (bamboo shoots w/ beef & seafood on rice) - $12
60. Ra Jo Ki Bap ( deep fried chicken, veg, w/ chili sauce on rice) - $12
CHEF’S SPECIAL
61. Tang Su Yuk (deep fried pork w/ sweet & sour sauce) - $15
62. Khan Poung Ki (deep fried chicken w/ sweet & spicy sauce) - $18
63. Yang Jang Pi (seafood, beef & veg w/ spicy mustard sauce) - $25
64. Pal Bo Chae (spicy seafood & veg) - $25
65. Khan Shou Prawn (deep fried prawns w/ sweet & spicy tomato sauce – 15 pcs) - $25
66. Khan Poong Prawn ( deep fried prawns w/ sweet & spicy sauce – 15pcs) - $25
67. Go Chu JapChae (stir fried bell pepper, shrimp & beef w/ steamed buns – 6pcs) - $25
68. Nan Ja Whans (stir-fried meatballs w/ veg) - $30
69. Yu San Sel (bamboo shoots w/ beef & shrimp) - $25
70. Ra Jo Ki (deep fried chicken, veg w/ chili sauce) - $18

there are few more things they offer, that isn't on the menu booklet. their placemats advertize a few more items.
i saw different kinds of steamed rice. the placemat says, 'rice is medicine'. cute.

plain for $2 and various rice with different grains served in hot stone bowl for $3-6.50.
Rice in stone bowl - $3.00
brown rice in stone bowl - $3.50
barley in stone bowl - $3.50
'nutricious' rice in stone bowl - $6.50 (this one has dried jujube and chestnuts, as well as having all the mixed grains)
brown rice & barley in stone bowl - $3.50
brown rice, beans & barley in stone bowl - $3.50

there is veggie wrap for $4, to go with rice. the picture showed different kinds of lettuce. additional orders are $3 more.
the veggie wraps will go well with;
bulgogi (marinated sliced beef) - $5
samkyupsal (sliced pork belly. unseasoned. it's served with salt and sesame oil) - $5
ojing-er bokkeum (mistakenly translated as octopus on the menu. it's spicy stir-fried squid) $6
kodeung-er kui (grilled mackerel) - $4
jeyuk bokeum (stir fried spicy sliced pork belly) $5

[ippon]

I hope your wife doesn't read redflags. This is the type of chat I would normally have in the steam room after a workout. You can take solace that you are not the only guy that goes through these sort of thoughts. All I have to say is I can now only look back at my days when I poured on the aftershave to go clubbing with fondness. We had the the Beef shortribs @ LA Kalbi at Owl but not the Pork Ribs. Speaking of pork belly, I did see that on the placemat at Song Cook, looks like a dish to try, love pork belly!

i don't see any pork dishes that is sweet but not spicy.
but as you can see, they got plenty of other stuff.
i'm thinking of trying their SuJaeBi next time. it's like kalkuksu, but instead of noodles, it's got hand-torn pieces of flat dough.
and their kalbijim,,,, if i am allowed.....
and i'll definitely do the lettuce wrap. the little one loves it.

and item #9 is not the spicy pork belly slices, just in case you order it by mistake.
spicy pork belly isn't on the main menu, which is kinda strange. it's called 'jae yuk bokum' btw.

[wolverine07]

i don't see any pork dishes that is sweet but not spicy.
but as you can see, they got plenty of other stuff.
i'm thinking of trying their SuJaeBi next time. it's like kalkuksu, but instead of noodles, it's got hand-torn pieces of flat dough.
and their kalbijim,,,, if i am allowed.....
and i'll definitely do the lettuce wrap. the little one loves it.

and item #9 is not the spicy pork belly slices, just in case you order it by mistake.
spicy pork belly isn't on the main menu, which is kinda strange.

Yes definitely recommend the Kalbijim! If I get my way we will be back this weekend, possibly as early as Fri, Btw how do you compare their pork bone soup to Owl's?

[ippon]

Yes definitely recommend the Kalbijim! If I get my way we will be back this weekend, possibly as early as Fri, Btw how do you compare their pork bone soup to Owl's?

i still find the owl's to be better.
it is the most authentic tasting gamjatang i've come across in the city, but that doesn't mean that everyone's going to prefer their version over the others.
and maybe it is just my mind playing tricks on me, but i swear that owl's bones don't have as much meat as most other places. but, i still prefer the flavour there.

the worst gamjatang i ever had was at Kachi in korean town.
very bland, and it looks like they don't boil the bones in the spicy broth, but rather boil it in a chili-less broth and serve that in the spicy soup.
the last time i was there, years ago now, it was quite funny, as the new shipment of pork bones came in, the kitchen lady came out and hacked away at the frozen boulder, yes it was a boulder, with a HAMMER, IN THE DINING AREA. very amusing. and the boulder was winning that battle.

and please do go to owl to try their pork rib bbq in the summer in the back patio. i guarantee that you and your gf will love it.

[slowtyper]

Does this place open late?

[wolverine07]

i still find the owl's to be better.
it is the most authentique tasting gamjatang i've come across in the city, but that doesn't mean that everyone's going to prefer their version over the others.
and maybe it is just my mind playing tricks on me, but i swear that owl's bones don't have as much meat as most other places. but, i still prefer the flavour there.

the worst gamjatang i ever had was at Kachi in korean town.
very bland, and it looks like they don't boil the bones in the spicy broth, but rather boil it in a chili-less broth and serve that in the spicy soup.
the last time i was there, years ago now, it was quite funny, as the new shipment of pork bones came in, and the kitchen lady hacked away at the frozen boulder, yes it was a boulder, with a HAMMER, IN THE DINING AREA. very amusing. and the boulder was winning that battle.

and please do go to owl to try their pork rib bbq in the summer in the back patio. i guarantee that you and your gf will love it.

We go to the Owl of Minerva in the First Canadian Mall on Hwy 7 and 404, I don't remember exactly when they did it, but they raised their prices $1 from 6.99 to 7.99 just recently. Frankly I didn't mind the increase because I started noticing the Gamjatang with bigger pieces of pork, the ladies that run this location are great, we always tip 15%-20% and they always give us a big portion and they know I love my kimchi and I never have to ask for seconds. I prefer this location to the one on Yonge st.

[ippon]

We go to the Owl of Minerva in the First Canadian Mall on Hwy 7 and 404, I don't remember exactly when they did it, but they raised their prices $1 from 6.99 to 7.99 just recently. Frankly I didn't mind the increase because I started noticing the Gamjatang with bigger pieces of pork, the ladies that run this location are great, we always tip 15%-20% and they always give us a big portion and they know I love my kimchi and I never have to ask for seconds. I prefer this location to the one on Yonge st.

i should try that location. i've only been to the one in korean town and north york. i do think that one in korean town used to taste better before they expanded.

you said you like kimchi. have you been to Cho Sun Ok near Yonge & Steeles?

Does this place open late?

i went there yesterday at 9:30 to get the menu info, and they were starting to clean up, and they had maybe 10-15 tables full, so i'd imagine that they close at 10.

[joeyjoejoe]

i still find the owl's to be better.
it is the most authentique tasting gamjatang i've come across in the city, but that doesn't mean that everyone's going to prefer their version over the others.
and maybe it is just my mind playing tricks on me, but i swear that owl's bones don't have as much meat as most other places. but, i still prefer the flavour there.

the worst gamjatang i ever had was at Kachi in korean town.
very bland, and it looks like they don't boil the bones in the spicy broth, but rather boil it in a chili-less broth and serve that in the spicy soup.
the last time i was there, years ago now, it was quite funny, as the new shipment of pork bones came in, and the kitchen lady hacked away at the frozen boulder, yes it was a boulder, with a HAMMER, IN THE DINING AREA. very amusing. and the boulder was winning that battle.

and please do go to owl to try their pork rib bbq in the summer in the back patio. i guarantee that you and your gf will love it.

I agree Owl is the best of PBS.... especially late night after a club... oh I should put that on the Late night snack thread.

For Song Cook, I got a few questions...

When you say "various rice with different grains" in your post of the menu, does that include the purple rice with the beans? I don't know the name (my Korean is horrible). I want to treat my folks and this sounds like a good place to go. They love the purple rice, but not many restaurants sell it. Did you try the SamKyupSal?

[ippon]

I agree Owl is the best of PBS.... especially late night after a club... oh I should put that on the Late night snack thread.

For Song Cook, I got a few questions...

When you say "various rice with different grains" in your post of the menu, does that include the purple rice with the beans? I don't know the name (my Korean is horrible). I want to treat my folks and this sounds like a good place to go. They love the purple rice, but not many restaurants sell it. Did you try the SamKyupSal?

i can't remember if they serve the purple rice.
they had barley rice, multi-grain rice, and 'healthy' rice, which is multi-grain rice with jujube and chestnuts. they might have it, but i don't recall.
personally, i don't really like purple rice and technically it isn't a korean way to cook rice, as the purple grains are 'canadian wild rice' or thai black rice.
i've never seen this in korea. only here.

chosunok, hankukkwan, & imganae serve purple rice, fyi. but no beans there i think.

or maybe you are thinking of 'patbop'; rice cooked with red beans. i don't think they have that there.
rice cooked with canadian wild rice has a real deep purple colour, and patbop has a light hue.
and it's possible that song cook's multi-grain rice has red bean in the mix. there's no set recipe for 'jabgokbap'. it could be a mix of any grains, and the recipe changes according to seasonality.

and haven't tried samkyupsal there. i don't think you'll ever really find 'bad' samkyupsal anywhere, as it is one of those things that is near impossible to mess up.
this isn't something i order at restaurants, as i do this at home. just buy the pork belly cut from the k-grocer and grill it on my breakfast griddle.

[jaxx lite]

their menu!
they didn't have a take-out flyer, so i asked if i can take a picture instead. the picture wasn't that good of a quality, so i typed it down.

Thanks, ippon!

[Phuman]

Thanks for posting the menu. Will try the place out this weekend =D

[wolverine07]

i should try that location. i've only been to the one in korean town and north york. i do think that one in korean town used to taste better before they expanded.

you said you like kimchi. have you been to Cho Sun Ok near Yonge & Steeles?

Never been there, is it good? What's their speciality? With Song Cook's huge menu, it will take some time to go through it. I like the combo combinations, this one appeals to me. Can't wait till friday if I have my way. One thing I am worried about is when word gets out about them, I could see them raising prices on some items. Their LA Kalbi is only $8, it's 13.99 at Owl!

[ippon]

Never been there, is it good? What's their speciality? With Song Cook's huge menu, it will take some time to go through it. I like the combo combinations, this one appeals to me. Can't wait till friday if I have my way. One thing I am worried about is when word gets out about them, I could see them raising prices on some items. Their LA Kalbi is only $8, it's 13.99 at Owl!

chosunok's well known for their naengmyun (not as good as sariwon's, but still quite good. probably #2 in the city) and kimchi dishes. i think they have the strongest tasting kimchi i had at a resto in recent memory. kimchi tastes different, depending on the region, and more north you go, cleaner it tastes and more south you go, stronger it gets. for example, north korea is really well known for making brothy white chili-less kimchi, and the souther most provinces sometimes make kimchi with whole fish in it to make it real strong. chosunok's kimchi tastes like it's the chula province's version, nearer to the south region. their 'steamed kimchi' is pretty good and spicy. not really steamed, more like a broth-less kimchi stew with thick pork slices. if you are a kimchi lover, you'd probably like it.

with LA Kalbi, the portions might be different, and there's no rice served with it at song cook.

and some of the combos will be served in a bowl, with a divider in the middle. one disadvantage of the divided bowl is that, if one half is champon, you really have to finish one side, before you can pick up the bowl to your mouth to finish the broth, if you like finishing up broth like that.

this started, because this was a national debate in korea. when you go to chinese restaurants, what do you choose? jajangmyun or champon? if you choose jajangmyun, you'll feel like having champon, and if you choose champon, you'll feel like having jajangmyun. it was a no-win situation. many agonizing moments have been experienced by every man, woman, and child debating this, so the industry came up with this solution by creating a bowl with a divider.

and no, i did not just make that up.

note: it looks like song cook doesn't use the divider bowl, as someone else reported. as cute as it looks, i don't think the divider bowl is all that functional anyway.