When Louis and I visit a Korean restaurant we always order the seafood pancake (haemul-pajeon) and that restaurant’s signature dish. Gom Ba Woo presented a problem because the seafood pancake is their signature dish!
WETA, the local PBS affiliate in northern Virginia has a beautifully produced show called Signature Dish. We found an episode on the Korean food of Annandale! In this episode they visit Gom Ba Woo to make the seafood pancake.
Gom Ba Woo does not serve Korean beer, so we went with the traditional barley tea. It’s a mild, nutty brew and very pleasant
Solid Banchan Game – We enjoyed the banchan they served including a delicious pickled radish in a kimchee-like sauce. There was also a pickled zucchini, some sprouts, and the kimchee was fantastic. It was mild, with no trace of the sharp pungent fermented flavor we often find. But the flavor of this kimchee was long-lasting and beautifully balanced!
The seafood pancake was gorgeous to look at, and exceptionally thick. It’s almost as if there was more leavening than normal, because inside it was very light and fluffy. We were prepared for this to be the best we’ve ever tasted. The texture and flavor are excellent, but here is where we get into “best” vs. “favorite”. That is to say, at some point it becomes subjective.
This was not my favorite because both Louis and I prefer a crispier exterior. We’ve had some versions of this dish that are actually deep-fried, and others that resemble funnel-cake. This was, I believe, a spectacular version of the classic recipe. That said, it was not my personal favorite.
For entrees, we were free to choose anything since we had already had their signature dish! Louis went for a spicy oyster-tofu stew. I went with a classic spicy Gal Bi Tang, a short rib soup. Both dishes came out bubbling like possessed cauldrons! for several minutes after leaving the kitchen and arriving at our table the soups continued to boil!
My dish had short ribs, potatoes, cabbage, and some clear cellophane noodles. It was a hearty, warming, stick-to-your-ribs choice It was also delicious! There were noodles in the soup, but the addition of white rice added starch which thickened the broth. This made it much more of a comfort food, and richly satisfying.
Louis’s entree was also delicious and satisfying. It was a delicate mix of subtle flavors that really worked!
When the owner, Myung-Suk Lee, saw us filming at our table she came over and introduced herself. We told her we had seen her on the local show and couldn’t wait to try the seafood pancake. She was very lovely and took pictures with us.
I learned a lesson here. I realized why real food reviewers stay anonymous. It’s difficult to meet someone this lovely and then say the food was not your favorite.
This is a charming little restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. The service and staff are fantastic and make you feel like a guest in their home. You need only be slightly adventurous to try Gom Ba Woo. The menu is long on comfort food and the atmosphere and staff are welcoming and friendly. Being in there on a cold rainy day was perfect because it was like a protective refuge from the elements. The food was delicious and I would recommend it to anyone!
ToneManblog 