This popular soup chain has 95 sites in Korea. Now its first global outpost is in Sydney
More soup? The dakdoritang, a signature featuring aged kimchi, is pure comfort, packed with potatoes, carrots and chicken tinted red from a gochujang marinade. Served on a gas burner, the sauce reduces to a peppery glaze, the acid in the kimchi keeping it fresh. (Add a plate of fresh geotjeori kimchi, made every three hours, for a crunch-filled comparison.) Equally wholesome is the juk, Korea's famed rice porridge, here flavoured with ginseng and packed with the shredded meat of a whole spatchcock.
Apart from the framed A1 shots of signature dishes, there's no charm to the fit-out: the lighting is harsh, and if you sit in the basement you might ride the lift looking for the bathroom, end up on the street by accident, only to find the hand-dryer in the upstairs bathroom doesn't work. Waiters might forget ladles for shared dishes.
Does it matter? Probably not. This is a chain, after all, with eyes on more outposts in Sydney and Melbourne, and the focus is on the food. And while it's not the city's most personal Korean cooking, the balance between doing things the slow way and doing them at scale is impressive. A wave of samgyetang? It's coming this summer.
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Perth Now
27-07-2025
- Perth Now
Jeju Air jet 'still had working engine' when it crashed
A Jeju Air plane that crashed during an emergency landing after a bird strike could have kept flying on the damaged engine that was still working after pilots shut down the other one, an update from South Korean investigators says. The Boeing 737-800 instead belly-landed at Muan airport in December without its landing gear down, overshot the runway and erupted into a fireball after slamming into an embankment, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. Investigators have not yet produced a final report into the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil, but information about the plane's two engines has begun to emerge. According to a July 19 update prepared by investigators and seen by Reuters but not publicly released following complaints from victims' family members, the left engine sustained less damage than the right following a bird strike, but the left engine was shut down 19 seconds afterwards. The right engine experienced a "surge" and emitted flames and black smoke, but investigators said it "was confirmed to be generating output sufficient for flight" in the five-page update, which included post-crash photos of both engines. No reason for the crew's actions was given and the probe is expected to last months as investigators reconstruct the plane's technical state and the picture understood by its pilots. Experts say most air accidents are caused by multiple factors and caution against putting too much weight on incomplete evidence. A source told Reuters on Monday the South Korea-led probe had "clear evidence" that pilots had shut off the less-damaged left engine after the bird strike, citing the cockpit voice recorder, computer data and a switch found in the wreckage. But the latest update on the crash raises the possibility the more heavily damaged engine, which was still running, could have kept the plane aloft for longer. It did not say what level of performance the operating engine still had, nor what extra options that might have given the plane's emergency-focused crew before the jet doubled back and landed in the opposite direction of the runway from its initial plan, with its landing gear up. Both engines contained bird strike damage and both experienced engine vibrations after the strike. The right engine showed significant internal damage, the Korean-language update from South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board said, but it did not describe the damage found in the left engine. The update did not say how the left engine was operating, nor the state of systems connected to either engine, former US National Transportation Safety Board investigator Greg Feith said when shown the document translated by Reuters. It contained some new facts but omitted more, resulting in a "cryptic" document, he said. The South Korean board, which plans to issue a final report in June, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Safety experts say it is common for early reports to contain sparse facts and limited analysis while investigations continue. A preliminary report released in January said feathers and blood stains from ducks were found in both engines. The engines - made by CFM International, jointly owned by GE and France's Safran - were examined in May and no defects or fault data were found beyond the bird and crash damage, the report said. Families of those who died in the disaster were briefed on the engine findings but asked investigators not to release the July 19 report, saying it appeared to apportion blame to the pilots without exploring other factors. The report was withheld but Reuters and South Korean media obtained copies. Boeing and GE referred questions about the crash to the South Korean board. Safran did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Under global aviation rules, civil air investigations aim to discover crash causes without assigning blame or liability.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Twelve of Sydney's cosiest bowls to wrap your hands around for under $25
Eating out Eating out From some of the city's best ramen, to a much-revered suburban pho, warm up with these soups this winter. Tired of hibernating this winter? Take a break from your Oodie and warm up with a bowl of soup at one of these cosy, budget-friendly restaurants in Sydney. From comforting prosciutto minestrone at Simon Says in Darlinghurst, to bright bowls of tamarind prawn soup at the new Charcoal & Crisp Lechon in Crows Nest, nothing on this list is more than $25. Beef noodle soup at Ama, Surry Hills $19 This Chinese-Thai beef noodle soup is so good it spawned an entire restaurant. Sisters Rowena and Kate Chansiri started serving their grandmother's recipe as a pop-up dinner special at their acclaimed Kingsgrove cafe Ickle. Soon, it became so popular they decided to give it a permanent home. The soup is a deeply satisfying mixture including beef broth, noodles (egg or rice), slow-braised corned beef brisket, beef short rib, spices and pickled mustard greens. There are two things owner-operator Simon Fowler says he's most proud of his role in creating: his son, and his cafe's minestrone. It's the classic, hearty combo of bone broth and vegetables, amped up with pan-seared prosciutto. It might be the soup of the day when you visit, or it could be one of the kitchen's other thoughtfully prepared options, such as the current roasted cauliflower soup – browned, buttery and warming with a ras el hanout spice blend. Good to know: Simon Says is also a well-established juice company. Try the Pineapple Express. 263 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, $22.50 When was the last time you had watermelon in your soup? Sinigang sa pakwan, or watermelon tamarind soup, is a vibrant Filipino dish balancing the sweetness of watermelon against the tanginess of tamarind. At this friendly new family-owned eatery, it's served with either tender pork belly or prawn, depending on your preference. Good to know: Also order a serving of the charcoal-roasted lechon (suckling pig), the restaurant's specialty. 16 Falcon Street, Crows Nest, Pumpkin soup at Parami, Sydney $9 Often, you just want something simple, delicious and solid value for money. That's where Parami's pumpkin soup comes in. Chef-owner Mika Kazato might be better known for onigiri, but her creamy Japanese pumpkin soup, made with milk and onion, is the go-to for a comforting lunch on a blustery day. Good to know: Parami also serves tonjiru (pork, vegetable and miso), chicken and ginger, and minestrone soups. 101/21 Alberta Street, Sydney, Birria ramen at Papi's Birria, Haberfield and Carlton $18 Owner-operator Lawrence Diaz uses about 30 ingredients for Papi's birria consome, including dried ancho and guajillo chillies, ossobuco, and chuck. The shimmering broth cooks for 16 hours before it's served in a small takeaway bowl – a deliciously rich dip for folded, cheesy tortillas, or soup for Korean instant ramen. Good to know: Papi's is a food truck, so come dressed for the elements. 163-165 Parramatta Road, Haberfield and 71 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton, Cornish chicken soup at Han Soup Bar, Mascot and Chatswood $24.80 Medicinal double-steamed Cantonese soups are not typically for the fussy of heart, but they may help alleviate a persistent cough. Each of the 14 soups on Han's menu targets specific ailments, from an oxtail soup with hairy fig root and shark bone for lumbar muscle strain, to silkie chicken soup with donkey hide and egg for those with 'high mental intensity'. The Cornish chicken soup, served in a coconut, is a much-loved all-rounder. Sure, French onion soup is simple enough to make at home. But it's an entirely different experience in this vibey suburban French restaurant, where it's served in a warm ceramic bowl with crispy croutons and a thick layer of caramelised cheese, slowly dripping down the side. The deep onion flavour packs a punch. Good to know: The soup is also available at sister restaurant Bouillion l'Entrecote in Circular Quay. 1047 Pacific Highway, Pymble, Iekei ramen at Kosuke Revised, Rosebery $24 Chef-owner Kosuke Morita claims his new Rosebery restaurant serves some of the best ramen in Australia. The chef has quietly developed a cult following at his three other locations, but the menu here is elevated, featuring revised recipes such as the iekei (pork marrow and soy) ramen with smoked slow-cooked pork neck and house-made flat noodles. Good to know: Find the other Kosuke Ramen restaurants at North Strathfield, Newington and Lane Cove. 2/6-10 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery, Avgolemono at Olympus, Redfern $18 On a menu filled with grilled calamari, honey-drizzled saganaki and oversized pies of golden spanokopita, you'd be forgiven for overlooking the egg and lemon soup. But next time you'll know: its subtle, bright flavours and creamy texture make the avgolemono a surprise must-order at this stunner of a Greek restaurant. Good to know: Olympus offers the chance to try some hard-to-find Greek wines by the glass. Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist Street, Redfern, Pork bone soup at Yeodongsik, Lidcombe $23 This tiny Lidcombe restaurant has become something of an internet sensation for owner-operator Justin Shin's hearty Korean soup. There's six to choose from, but the haejangguk (pork bone) 'hangover soup', which may or may not have the power to cure a soju-induced headache, is something of a signature. 36/44 John Street, Lidcombe, Beef tortilla soup at Mami's, Bondi $14 There's something comforting about a big bowl of cheese-laden soup that looks like your mum made it, especially if you happen to be eating at the communal table at Mexican restaurant Mami's. The beef tortilla soup is made with pulled beef and cabbage, and topped with crispy tortilla bits, fresh onion, coriander and melty cheese. Good to know: You can BYO your favourite bottle of wine. 286 Bondi Road, Bondi, Beef pho at An Restaurant, Bankstown From $20 It's a classic for a reason. The Saigon-style beef pho at this family-owned Bankstown stalwart often tops best-of lists in Sydney, in large part due to the consistency of its slow-cooked, flavoursome, clear bone broth. Join the queue, order some variation of the pho bo, inhale. Good to know: An Restaurant accepts cash only.
The Age
23-07-2025
- The Age
Twelve of Sydney's cosiest bowls to wrap your hands around for under $25
Eating out Eating out From some of the city's best ramen, to a much-revered suburban pho, warm up with these soups this winter. Tired of hibernating this winter? Take a break from your Oodie and warm up with a bowl of soup at one of these cosy, budget-friendly restaurants in Sydney. From comforting prosciutto minestrone at Simon Says in Darlinghurst, to bright bowls of tamarind prawn soup at the new Charcoal & Crisp Lechon in Crows Nest, nothing on this list is more than $25. Beef noodle soup at Ama, Surry Hills $19 This Chinese-Thai beef noodle soup is so good it spawned an entire restaurant. Sisters Rowena and Kate Chansiri started serving their grandmother's recipe as a pop-up dinner special at their acclaimed Kingsgrove cafe Ickle. Soon, it became so popular they decided to give it a permanent home. The soup is a deeply satisfying mixture including beef broth, noodles (egg or rice), slow-braised corned beef brisket, beef short rib, spices and pickled mustard greens. There are two things owner-operator Simon Fowler says he's most proud of his role in creating: his son, and his cafe's minestrone. It's the classic, hearty combo of bone broth and vegetables, amped up with pan-seared prosciutto. It might be the soup of the day when you visit, or it could be one of the kitchen's other thoughtfully prepared options, such as the current roasted cauliflower soup – browned, buttery and warming with a ras el hanout spice blend. Good to know: Simon Says is also a well-established juice company. Try the Pineapple Express. 263 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, $22.50 When was the last time you had watermelon in your soup? Sinigang sa pakwan, or watermelon tamarind soup, is a vibrant Filipino dish balancing the sweetness of watermelon against the tanginess of tamarind. At this friendly new family-owned eatery, it's served with either tender pork belly or prawn, depending on your preference. Good to know: Also order a serving of the charcoal-roasted lechon (suckling pig), the restaurant's specialty. 16 Falcon Street, Crows Nest, Pumpkin soup at Parami, Sydney $9 Often, you just want something simple, delicious and solid value for money. That's where Parami's pumpkin soup comes in. Chef-owner Mika Kazato might be better known for onigiri, but her creamy Japanese pumpkin soup, made with milk and onion, is the go-to for a comforting lunch on a blustery day. Good to know: Parami also serves tonjiru (pork, vegetable and miso), chicken and ginger, and minestrone soups. 101/21 Alberta Street, Sydney, Birria ramen at Papi's Birria, Haberfield and Carlton $18 Owner-operator Lawrence Diaz uses about 30 ingredients for Papi's birria consome, including dried ancho and guajillo chillies, ossobuco, and chuck. The shimmering broth cooks for 16 hours before it's served in a small takeaway bowl – a deliciously rich dip for folded, cheesy tortillas, or soup for Korean instant ramen. Good to know: Papi's is a food truck, so come dressed for the elements. 163-165 Parramatta Road, Haberfield and 71 Jubilee Avenue, Carlton, Cornish chicken soup at Han Soup Bar, Mascot and Chatswood $24.80 Medicinal double-steamed Cantonese soups are not typically for the fussy of heart, but they may help alleviate a persistent cough. Each of the 14 soups on Han's menu targets specific ailments, from an oxtail soup with hairy fig root and shark bone for lumbar muscle strain, to silkie chicken soup with donkey hide and egg for those with 'high mental intensity'. The Cornish chicken soup, served in a coconut, is a much-loved all-rounder. Sure, French onion soup is simple enough to make at home. But it's an entirely different experience in this vibey suburban French restaurant, where it's served in a warm ceramic bowl with crispy croutons and a thick layer of caramelised cheese, slowly dripping down the side. The deep onion flavour packs a punch. Good to know: The soup is also available at sister restaurant Bouillion l'Entrecote in Circular Quay. 1047 Pacific Highway, Pymble, Iekei ramen at Kosuke Revised, Rosebery $24 Chef-owner Kosuke Morita claims his new Rosebery restaurant serves some of the best ramen in Australia. The chef has quietly developed a cult following at his three other locations, but the menu here is elevated, featuring revised recipes such as the iekei (pork marrow and soy) ramen with smoked slow-cooked pork neck and house-made flat noodles. Good to know: Find the other Kosuke Ramen restaurants at North Strathfield, Newington and Lane Cove. 2/6-10 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery, Avgolemono at Olympus, Redfern $18 On a menu filled with grilled calamari, honey-drizzled saganaki and oversized pies of golden spanokopita, you'd be forgiven for overlooking the egg and lemon soup. But next time you'll know: its subtle, bright flavours and creamy texture make the avgolemono a surprise must-order at this stunner of a Greek restaurant. Good to know: Olympus offers the chance to try some hard-to-find Greek wines by the glass. Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist Street, Redfern, Pork bone soup at Yeodongsik, Lidcombe $23 This tiny Lidcombe restaurant has become something of an internet sensation for owner-operator Justin Shin's hearty Korean soup. There's six to choose from, but the haejangguk (pork bone) 'hangover soup', which may or may not have the power to cure a soju-induced headache, is something of a signature. 36/44 John Street, Lidcombe, Beef tortilla soup at Mami's, Bondi $14 There's something comforting about a big bowl of cheese-laden soup that looks like your mum made it, especially if you happen to be eating at the communal table at Mexican restaurant Mami's. The beef tortilla soup is made with pulled beef and cabbage, and topped with crispy tortilla bits, fresh onion, coriander and melty cheese. Good to know: You can BYO your favourite bottle of wine. 286 Bondi Road, Bondi, Beef pho at An Restaurant, Bankstown From $20 It's a classic for a reason. The Saigon-style beef pho at this family-owned Bankstown stalwart often tops best-of lists in Sydney, in large part due to the consistency of its slow-cooked, flavoursome, clear bone broth. Join the queue, order some variation of the pho bo, inhale. Good to know: An Restaurant accepts cash only.
