Hwang Kum delivers an authentic Korean culinary experience characterized by the interactive preparation of tabletop barbecue. Guests utilize integrated grills to sear marinated meats and fresh vegetables, ensuring a customized level of char and tenderness for every bite. The menu features an extensive array of traditional side dishes, known as banchan, which provide a diverse spectrum of fermented, pickled, and seasoned flavors. Every dish emphasizes bold profiles, utilizing essential staples such as gochujang, sesame oil, and garlic to maintain historical flavor integrity. This establishment prioritizes the communal aspect of Korean dining by focusing on shared platters and robust, hearty portions. The atmosphere remains centered on the functional preparation of food, allowing the quality of the ingredients and the specific techniques of traditional Korean seasoning to remain the primary focus of the experience.
Hwang Kum is widely celebrated for serving authentic, comforting Korean cuisine that feels like home cooking. The standout item is consistently described as the best seafood pancake in the city, though the entire menu, including beef ribs, bulgogi, and various noodle dishes, receives high praise for freshness and flavor. While the restaurant offers a fantastic and welcoming experience with courteous service, it is a very small, family-run establishment where space is limited. Potential visitors should note that seating is tight, lineups are common, and it is advisable to check operating hours in advance since they can be irregular.
This restaurant is so underrated! Everything I've had here has been delicious. If you haven't been, I highly recommend getting the Haemul (Seafood) Pajeon & the Galbi beef ribs (I like it better than the L. A. Galbi). Their Mandu are good. Simple, warm & comforting. The Dak bulgogi (spicy marinated chicken) is good, if you prefer a saucier/curry like dish. The Sundubu jigae is solid & I would order it again (but I'm also trying to get a different soup every time because they are all so good). I've also tried their spicy bred & vegetable soup, the pork rib soup is great, & I really loved their spicy cod soup. I've also had the bibimbap & it's very good. The cold bibimbab (salmon bowl) & it's fresh & delicious! I wish they were open for lunch because I would order this again! I would skip the Jokbal. It's good, but I prefer the one from the Montreal Korean & Japanese Foods (grocery store on Sherbrooke st. West). Overall, I love this place! The portions are good, the food is tasty, & satisfying. It's one of the only restaurants that, even if I eat a lot, I don't feel bloated there day after eating here (another sign that they are using excellent ingredients). Call before going, however, because they are a small business, their hours vary (& sometimes they are closed 🥲).
The pancake is delicious, but the special spicy chicken is too salty for us, though the portion size is generous. The cabbage in the cold noodles tastes bitter. Additionally, there is basically no service. We asked for more water several times, but it never came, so we ended up leaving & buying water elsewhere.
If I could give this place 6 stars, I would. I will start with negatives. This is a small family restaurant, this means the family might decide to take a day off when it is supposed to be opened. It is opened only during very limited hours. It is located on Sherbrook street meaning you will have a fun time trying to find a parking place. I already mentioned the restaurant being small, so there is often a line of people waiting for a table. However if you overcome all the obstacles above you will find arguably the best Korean restaurant in Greater Montreal, definitely one of the best. In fact it was voted #1 Montreal Korean restaurant several years in a row. I suspect its limited opening hours are the only reason it is not number one anymore. As other reviewers mentioned, if you do not order pajeon (seafood rice-based pizza) you wasted you time & money. It is definitely the best I have ever tried. Other dishes to go for: BBQ chicken (hot, but very tasty) & bulgogi (just the meat, not the whole dish). I tried almost all of their dishes & have yet to find anything bad, or bland. All the orders come with plenty of side dishes. I mean plenty even by Korean restaurant standards. So do not try to go there on Friday evening & do not forget to order panjeon - unless you have seafood allergies. Otherwise highly recommended.
May 25, 2024
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I just had the most amazing Korean meal of my life. Normally I am very into salty / spicey foods so the sweeter Korean notes on Korean cuisine was always just ok to me - but I had always guessed that the cuisine of a massive place like Korea can be more than that. This place just proved it! It was recommended by an airbnb host who is Korean who said it's her fav place in Montreal & very authentic. From the outside we originally couldn't tell it was open since they have two doors & you can't see the light from outside. & sooo glad we came - I am stuffed now, the flavours were complex & intense, everything perfectly salted. I loved everything from the bean sprouts in the small plates (addictive, HYPER flavorful), to the seafood pancake & Chicken w Gingseng soup /porridge, to the peach flavoured makgeolli served in the wide metal bowl (750ml bottle - enough for two people). Even the complimentary barley tea feels tastefully made (very soft & subtle flavour, no bitterness & not much sweetness - just very refreshing). My mom is a massive Korean food fan so naturally she loved it as well. + Relaxed vibe & friendly, efficient service. & even the music was right 🥲😭 (today they were playing Melody Gardot & Norah Jones)
Tried the chicken ginseng soup,pork bone soup,seafood pancake,bibimbap & pork knuckle,food is amazing, homemade feel, portions are very generous.cannot say a bad thing about this place.worth to try if you like Asian food.
Nice to have samgyetang in Montreal. Ginseng chicken soup is a signature dish of Korean. Not every restaurant has such ingredients. Here is a good place
Took my dad here for lunch since he never had Korean before. He left feeling very satisified. Said that the food was like a home cooked meal & he would definitly eat there again. He is a hard guy to please. He ordered the lunch special spicy chicken & I had my usual bi-bim-bap. We love the kim-chee they serve at the beginning. Have been there so many times already, there is nothing to complain about.
Good stuff, I haven't been to a lot of Korean restos in the city but this one was up there. Fresh ingredients, great taste. Beef Bulgogi was perfectly done, the other chicken dish we tried (I forget the name) was a bit too sweet.
