SGV: Shortribs Stew at Sun Nong Dan

 

I love Korean food and I always welcome a chance to check out new spots. Sun Nong Dan has a very popular location in Koreatown in Los Angeles but the San Gabriel outpost is relatively new. It’s in the same shopping center as Szechuan Chef with the very clean 168 Market as the anchor in the plaza.

Sun Nong Dan is ostensibly known for sul lung tang, a milky beef soup but has gained notice for its galbi jjim, Korean shortribs stew.

SND offers a combo where you can pick a soup and stew. So we went with the classic sul lung tang and galbi jjim. There are spicier soups and other stews featuring different cuts. But I figure when you’re trying out a restaurant for the first time, it’s good pick what they’re known for.

 

 

We were given three side dishes (banchan) to start. I’m always fond of kimchi and radish. The leeks were a great complement to the shortribs.

 

In addition to the banchan, we decided to order the kimchi pancake (pajeon)  to start. Normally I like to get seafood pancake but then I realized there were no seafood dishes on the menu.

Without the bulk of seafood, this was a very light pancake. It was okay but I don’t think I’d order it again.

 

The beef soup was really good. Very nice flavor with tender pieces of beef. Some people like to punch up the broth but I didn’t see the need to. I was happy to find noodles in the dish as well.

 

We asked for brown (really, it’s purple) rice for our stew. Use the provided dipping sauce if you like for your beef from the soup.

 

SND has the option of getting cheese on the stew. We did but I didn’t find it necessary and with so many people who are lactose intolerant, it was just something we didn’t need.

Don’t forget the soju!

Sun Nong Dan

927 East Las Tunas Dr., Ste J, San Gabriel, CA 91776  —  (626) 286-1234

 

 

© The Minty  2017