Mộc Miên reports.

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Sumptuous banquet for women only

November 19, 2017 - 09:00

Gumiho Grill & Shabu in Ha Noi provides a comfortable atmosphere in which women can unwind and enjoy delicious food. Mộc Miên reports.

Hide-away: Gumiho Grill and Shabu is a place for women to relieve stress after working. — VNS Photo Mộc Miên
Viet Nam News

Gumiho Grill & Shabu in Ha Noi provides a comfortable atmosphere in which women can unwind and enjoy delicious food. Mộc Miên reports.

Korean culture, especially its food, has become popular in big cities in Việt Nam. It is now so easy to find a Korean restaurant on streets, but I followed a friend’s recommendation and visited a restaurant in Hà Nội’s Bùi Thị Xuân Street named Gumiho Grill & Shabu.

This is the first bistro for women in Hà Nội. The owner sees it as an initiative for Vietnamese women to relieve their sorrow, unlike men who can disappear in bars and bia hơi. The objective is for the place to become a civilised and safe place for women to unwind, like in South Korean movies.

Curious, I went along and immediately felt in love with the cozy and simple atmosphere. The restaurant is not too luxurious. On the first floor, there is a path with flower lights alongside. The second floor is cozy which is suitable for a family gathering, while the third floor is furnished with round tables and decorated with wine pots. Since I was alone, I chose a small table on the third floor.

I was excited about the delicious and diversified menu. There were many options, such as meat and sauces made with an exclusive recipe, grilled tripe, pork belly and beef. There were also more than 50 types of panchan (side dishes). I decided to choose the grill combo, including pork, rib and tripe for only VNĐ179,000 with unlimited meat and panchan. This is such a reasonable price in comparison to other restaurants in Hà Nội.

The special dish was five-layer pork belly, which was thick and succulent, not dry and naturally sweet without much seasoning. Home-made sauces had a distinctive flavour unlike any other restaurants. The table was covered with side dishes such as kimchi, chili, sliced garlic, onion, pickles, seaweed soup, bean sprouts mixed with ground sweet potato covered with coconut milk, salad and Japanese perilla.

Real feed: The pork ribs are fresh and thick, and seasoned with top sauce. — VNS Photo Mộc Miên
Typical: Panchan (side dishes) are typical of the Korean culinary style which is featured at Gumiho Grill and Shabu. — VNS Photo Mộc Miên

It’s hard to describe how happy I was with my little party. The pork belly was a thick and large slab weighing about 350 to 400 grams and two to three centimetres thick. It was heaven to hear the fat dripping onto burning charcoal, rolling crunchy pieces of meat into fresh salad and then dipping it into original sweet and sour sauce.  I was feeling hungry and excited. Even without a drinking partner, I was happy.

One special thing at Gumiho is a type of sauce made from shrimps. This was put in an aluminum cup with slices of chili - and then put on stove with meat to make it hot. It was an impressive fusion of two cultures - and I was the beneficiary.

Maybe I overestimated my eating ability. I intended to order more meat and side dishes to use up the unlimited combo of VNĐ179,000. However, after only one order, I was too full to walk. Only after a long wait, did I feel like going home.

I enjoyed the friendly service of the staff, who are kept on the run serving customers. However, when it is crowded, you have to wait a bit so that they can bring more meat, vegetables or re-fuel your furnace. 

 

Address: 133 Bùi Thị Xuân Street, Hà Nội

Hours: 10am - 10pm

Price: VNĐ200,000/pax

Comments: Cozy place, reasonable prices, fresh and delicious food.

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