Eat it too

Kumgang Gonie makes you sing with its cute karaoke cabins, traditional mezzanine seating and on-table barbecue

When copied Korean music and films feel so good, imagine how well the real stuff must taste. The all new Kumgang Gonie, a Korean specialty spot propelled by a team of owners, chefs and designers from the great peninsula itself, proves quite a try if your tastebuds are up for some adventure. Here's dwelling on the bows and wows.

Food: The manager, head chef and other members of the staff are natives of the country in question. So, we suggest you ask for an English-speaking attendant for all the explanations, unless of course, you've prepared yourself with all that gourmet gyaan in advance. Next, get ready to drop inhibitions and smell fish.

Prawn, salmon and vegetable skewers were laid out on the electric barbecue built within our table, allowing us the aroma and pleasure of choosing just the crispness we wished for. The pungent wasabi, along with a softer garlic dip, proved a worthy accomplice.
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We found the hot convex pan dangerous for toddler-armed visitors, though. Modeumkkoji (Rs 1,200), a combination of succulent chicken, mutton, prawns, scallops, and red and green capsicum in Korean sauce, came up second, and delightfully so.
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Fancy flying fish caviar in glistening gold perched beside our plates, but there were better things to be devoured. We also tried Dakgalbigui (Rs 700), grilled boneless chicken in chilli paste, and Modeum Chobap (Rs 1,800), an assorted sushi platter, recommended only for those with a fanatic fetish for eastern exotica.
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Those who'd rather keep it simple wouldn't mind munching on Modom Twigim (Rs1,600), a mix of deep fried crispy prawns, broccoli and onions served with other veggies, teamed with kimchi salad (Rs 100), an add-on worth its tang. The dessert department is dry, with only seasonal fruits (Rs 300) in store. Nevertheless, healthy makes us happy.

Drinks: There's everything from Japanese spirits to sake and shochu on the alcohol menu, but the stuff's yet to show up. Meanwhile, you'll have to make do with a pint of Kingfisher. We do hope the wine flows in fast, for this bit is quite a spoiler.

Ambience: South Korea is called Land of the Morning Calm, and the two-floored fine-diner lives up to that image. Pamper-some platters apart, there's enough food for the soul, too. Soft Korean music fills the space, and softer strokes by artist-professor Pank Young Yoon paint the walls.

The long, wooden chair-backs are a relaxing antidote to boisterous expat groups that occupy the first hall. The tucked-away karaoke cabins, with both Korean and English options, help hum tunes both peaceful and punchy, while the mezzanine seating offers tranquility in the most traditional way.

Mi Ran Lee, the petite owner, takes an occasional peep, and quiet chefs bend in greeting every time we walk past the kitchen. Yeah, they can take a bow, but they must also take stock of the bar, before it's too late.
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Kumgang Gonie

Where: Ashok Hotel, Chanakyapuri
Timings: Noon to 11.30 pm
Meal for two: Rs 4,000
Ring: 26878298