NEW DELHI: Dal-Grak (달그락) in New Delhi is perhaps the only authentic Korean restaurant in India that is frequented more by Indian visitors than the Koreans.
Housed in Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) in Lajpat Nagar in South Delhi, Dal-Grak offers a huge range of Korean cuisines and beverages, and all in authentic Korean taste as the ingredients are sourced from Korea itself.
Dal-Grak has come up as a true manifestation of the increasing popularity of Korean culture, lifestyle and food habits amongst Indians.
“About 70 percent of the visitors here are Indians who enjoy the very authentic taste of Korean cuisines starting from tea, coffee, ice-creams, seaweed rolls, sausages, soups, Korean Ramyeon noodles and many more varieties including vegetarian and non-vegetarian here,” said Kim Kum Pyoung, Director, KCCI.
Some of the most popular dishes with the Indian visitors here include Dakp-Gang-Jeong (fried chicken in Korean style), Sausage Bokkeumbap (Pork / Chicken), and Gimbaps (seaweed rolls) that include Vegetarian Gimbap, Tuna Gimbap, and Spicy Pork Stir-Fry Gimbap.
While explaining about the name of the restaurant Dal-Grak, KCCI director Kim Kum Pyoung said Dal-Grak means the noise in the kitchen of its utensils.
And one can feel the very aroma of the Korean cuisines at the very entry of the restaurant as well as the hear a mild sound of utensils as the kitchen is well attached to the restaurant. And to add to the authentic ambiance of the restaurant, and give the visitors the feel of the Korean atmosphere, some of the seats here are made of wood, the Korean way.
One can also see the bamboo trees through the window panes of the restaurant Dal-Grak, as people in Korea like bamboo trees which are grown there in plenty.
As the bitter cold catches the Indian capital Delhi during this winter, one must not miss out on trying Jujube (대추차) tea, the hot aromatic tea made of dried dates and honey that can give you some respite from the chilly cold, and add warmth to your body.
Original Red Bean Bingsu 팥 빙수 is yet another must-try Korean ice-cream here that is prepared with frozen milk, crushed boiled red beans and gram flour sprinkled on it. Mango Bingsu is another attraction for the visitors here.
However, alcoholic drinks are not served here, and the restaurant remains closed on Sundays.
If you are somewhere in South Delhi and feel like enjoying the authentic Korean food in a perfect Korean setting, then head towards the Korea Culture Centre India in Lajpat Nagar on Ring Road, a 700-meter walk from Moolchand Metro station.
The menu starts with Savory Red Pepper Tteokbokki 떡볶이, Japchae 잡채, Kimchi-Jeon 김치전, Vegetable-Jeon 야채전, (all in Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian), and Tteok-Kkochi 떡꼬치, Sausage Tteok-Kkochi 소세지 떡꼬치 (Pork / Chicken) and Dak-Gang-Jeong
The Dalgrak Meal 달그락 식사, the main course includes Original Bibimbap 전통 비빔밥, Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry Deopbap 닭갈비 덮밥, Spicy Pork Stir-Fry Deopbap 제육 덮밥, Tuna & Mayo Deopbap 참치 & 마요네즈 덮밥, Vegetarian Bokkeumbap 야채 볶음밥, Sausage Bokkeumbap 소세지 볶음밥 (Pork / Chicken), Omelette Fried Rice 오므라이스, Kimchi Bokkeumbap 김치볶음밥, and Korean Curry Rice.
The Gimbap 김 밥 include Vegetarian Gimbap 야채김밥, Tuna Gimbap 참치김밥, and Spicy Pork Stir-Fry Gimbap 제육김밥.
The Korean Ramyeon 한국식 라면 noodles have the choice from Korean Ramyeon 한국 라면, Traditional Spicy Ramyeon 매운맛 떡라면, Sweet Black Bean Ramyeon 짜장 라면, and Tomato Basil Spaghetti.
The JJigae 찌개options include Kimchi JJigae 김치찌개 (Pork / Tuna), and Doenjang Jjigae 된장찌개.
And the Irresistible Desserts 달콤 후식 can be ordered in the price range of Rs. 290 and Rs. 370 and include Original Red Bean Bingsu 팥 빙수, Chocolate Flakes Bingsu 초코 빙수, Kkul-hotteok 꿀 호떡 (2 Piece) and Waffle 와 플 (Maple syrup, Choco sauce, 1 scoop Vanilla Ice cream).
And finishing with the heavy main course or light food, the MUST try here are the Korean Traditional Tea 한국 음료 variants, all in the price range of Rs. 100 and Rs. 275. The menu includes long-range of tea options such as Jujube Tea 대추차 Hot, Chrysanthemum Tea 국화차 Hot, Su-Jeong-Gwa 수정과 Iced, Omija(Schisandra Berry) Tea 오미자차 Hot / Iced, Powder made of mixed grains 미숫가루 Iced, Chai 짜이 Hot, Choco Latte 초코 라떼 Hot / Iced, Green Tea Latte 녹차 라떼 Hot / Iced, Violet Sweet Potato Latte 자색 고구마 라떼 Hot / Iced and Iced Tea 아이스티.
Besides its authentic Korean cuisines, the Dal Grak is equally popular for its range of Coffee 커피 too. In addition to routine coffee tastes, the place also offers Coffee Brewing Service with Kenya Kiambu AA 케냐AA, Ethiopia Koke Honey 에티오피아 코케허니 and Guatemala Antigua 과테말라 안티구아, each for Rs. 300.
