No Coriander But Korean

I decided to spend a day at Westgate Shopping Mall in Oxford for some shopping and a movie. Before diving into the shops, I stumbled upon Hotel Chocolat . At first, I thought it was just a chocolate shop, but to my surprise, there was also a café serving chocolate-based drinks alongside coffee. Intrigued, I ordered a Velvetised Choc Shake in the regular size with the classic option, which featured 70% chocolate. You can choose between 50%, 70%, 80%, and 100% chocolate content, and I found 70% to be the perfect balance. If you sign up for membership, you even get a £1 discount, which is a nice bonus! The shake had an incredibly rich chocolate flavor, and I enjoyed it so much that I almost bought some chocolates on the way out. However, I didn’t have anywhere to store them, so I held off—but I’ll definitely grab some next time. After some shopping and a movie, I was ready for dinner. Being a noodle lover, I went to Three Thousand Restaurant , conveniently located on my way to the bus s...

Passing by Ramen Kulture before, I noticed long queues during peak hours, so I decided to drop by at a quieter time. Luck was on my side, as I was able to sit down immediately without waiting. The restaurant had a couple of tables outside and a few more inside, with counter seating along the wall that felt welcoming for solo diners. This time, I went for the tonkotsu ramen paired with chicken gyoza . The ramen stood out due to its rich double broth , which was a mix of tonkotsu and chicken bone broth, adding a unique depth to the flavor. The wood ear mushrooms offered a satisfying texture, and the chashu was soft and flavorful. Overall, this bowl left a stronger impression compared to my previous ramen experience at Kibou. I’m looking forward to trying other varieties next time. As for the chicken gyoza , they were perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The combination of textures made them the perfect side to go along with the ramen, elevating the overall meal. One inte...

After a long day at work, I stopped by Kokoro Oxford on my way home. Conveniently located right in front of the bus stop I often use, it seemed like the perfect spot for a quick and satisfying meal. With its mix of Japanese and Korean-inspired dishes, I had a feeling I’d be back regularly. I opted for the Sweet Chilli Chicken . As many Koreans living abroad can relate, I was craving the familiar taste of Korean-style spiciness—a balance of heat and sweetness, much like yangnyeom chicken (Korean spicy, sweet chicken). With the popularity of ‘chibap’ (chicken and rice) in Korea, I was hoping for something that reminded me of home. At Kokoro, meals like this come served in a bowl with rice and a side dish, and you can choose between plain rice or egg fried rice. I went with the plain rice option. However, the dish I received wasn’t exactly the yangnyeom chicken I had imagined. The flavor leaned more toward a Japanese-style sauce, with a mild spice and a touch of soy sauce saltiness. Wh...

While wandering around Templars Square on October 6th, 2024, I stumbled upon Delight Kebab House . Its bright and welcoming appearance stood out among the many other eateries, so I decided to step inside. The atmosphere was similar to a typical fast-food place, but the lively crowd added a nice buzz to the place. With a variety of menu options to choose from, I decided to try the lamb doner meat and chips , which I took to go. True to British fashion, it was an interesting combination—lamb doner meat served with chips. They generously piled the meat on top of the chips and let me choose a sauce. I opted for the chili sauce , which turned out to be spicier than I expected. They finished it off with a fresh salad on top. The salad was crisp and complemented the meat well. The lamb had just the right amount of flavor, thinly sliced and tender, making it really tasty. The chips were freshly fried and perfectly crispy, adding a great texture to the meal. Though the chili sauce was quite sp...

On October 5th, 2024, I visited Nando's for the first time. When I stepped inside, the atmosphere felt more casual than places like TGIF or Outback Steakhouse, but still inviting. There were a lot of people, so I had to wait a bit since I came alone. One interesting thing about Nando’s is the flexibility in ordering: you can either order from your phone at your table or go directly to the counter to place your order. For my meal, I chose 10 chicken wings with medium spice . What I liked about Nando’s is the variety of spice levels available, so you can pick whichever heat suits your preference. I also added two sides— Portuguese tomato salad and coleslaw —at a reasonable price. The spice levels at Nando’s range from Plain...ish (no added spice) to Extra Hot (for those seeking a serious kick). In my case, the medium spice wasn’t spicy at all, while the hot was slightly spicier, but still very mild. It wasn’t until I tried the extra hot that I finally started to feel some hea...

For my first lunch in Oxford, I visited KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar. I ordered Saba Sushi and Chashu Ramen . The saba sushi arrived first, and I was pleased that while there was no overpowering fishiness, the pleasant aroma of the mackerel was still there. It was fresh and delicious, melting perfectly in the mouth. Next came the Chashu Ramen , and it exceeded my expectations. 'Chashu' refers to Japanese Braised Pork Belly , and the pork in this ramen was tender and full of flavor. The broth was rich and creamy, made with a tonkotsu base that provided a deep, satisfying taste. The combination of ingredients in the bowl was fantastic. The ramen included bamboo shoots (menma) , Naruto fish cake (and no, not the anime character, but the traditional fish cake!), boiled egg , spring onion , ginger , nori , sesame , and crispy onions . The balance of flavors from all these elements made for a hearty and memorable bowl of ramen.