After Korean soap operas and K-pop, what's next? The Korean cultural contagion could become a culinary one, thanks to Namoo On The Park, one of 2012's nicest new cafes.
Traditional Korean elements tangled with intercontinental influences create contemporary cuisine; when Korean and Tex-Mex meet, the upshot is tacos, brimming with beef bulgogi.
What folks will flock to Namoo for: Rice burgers, making a welcome comeback to KL.
Choose chicken or beef for the char-grilled patty, topped with fried egg if desired. About RM20.
Firm and flavorful, dense and sticky, the rice buns are everything we hoped they would be, making an irresistible meal with the accompaniments. The tastiest thing we've eaten this week.
Angus prime beef ribs (RM42++, this is the priciest item here), 220 grams of meatiness stewed in a Korean sauce with sweet, salty and spicy notes. What makes this more memorable: the ginseng fritter on the side.
Korean noodles in savory white kimchi cold soup (RM16++), perfect for a hot afternoon. Simple but spiritually nourishing.
Namoo is a "Korean dessert cafe and bistro," with desserts occupying the menu's front page, before the salads and starters. Everything is interesting, including this "patbingsu" shaved ice concoction filled with rice cakes, red beans, multiple grains and ice cream.
"Hotteok," a hot, deliciously doughy pancake with street snack origins, topped with berries.
Even the beverages are fun: cinnamon punch with persimmon and yujacha citron tea.
Service shines here. The team works hard but keeps smiling through it all.
Namoo On The Park,
4A, Level G3 (above MPH Bookstore),
Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6411-6698
Open daily, last orders around 9:30 p.m.
