SGV: Shortribs Stew at Sun Nong Dan

galbi jjim (shortribs stew)
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.

a selection of banchan
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.

kimchi pancake
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.

sul lung tang (beef soup)
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.

dipping sauce and rice
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.

cheese for the galbi jjim
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!
927 East Las Tunas Dr., Ste J, San Gabriel, CA 91776 — (626) 286-1234© The Minty 2017
After all this time, do you still feel the same way about the cheese? I thought the performance of cheese getting melted by the mini blowtorch was great, but the taste itself…ahhhum. Yeah.
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