B Bim Baab, Popular Korean (Edmonton 30 in 30)

For anyone who reads this blog on a semi regular basis, you would know that I have a love affair with Korean food. In fact I have gone out of my way to try as many Korean restaurants as possible in Winnipeg in search of the best Gamjatang in town. Well I certainly did not develop those interests just during my months in Manitoba, rather they began inauspiciously in Edmonton. I still recall going out to a friend's birthday party at a local Korean joint, fell in love with the lovely mix of flavours and textures and have been hooked ever since. One of my favourite Korean spots in Edmonton is B Bim Baab and it was quickly listed as a go-to for the 30 in 30.

B Bim Baab is located in the Whitemud Business Park on 42nd Avenue in between 91st and 99th street. An odd place for a quality Korean place, it is seemingly the only eatery within a three block radius. Nevertheless for those willing to make the trek into the area will be greeted by large handsome signage that beckons you toward the deliciousness inside. The interiors are modern and well kept, the decorations, while sparse, are poignant and well thought out, and the wait staff attentive and responsive. Perhaps the best marker of a Korean restaurant was the number of ethnic Korean families there enjoying a meal.

The menu is fairly extensive and features all the regular Korean specialties you would anticipate plus a few unique platters of marinated meats designed for large groups of diners. For those not used to ordering Korean dishes, a large number of attractive photographs will guide you towards the more popular options. Overall prices seemed to be on the higher end with each main between $15 to $20 per dish (and even higher for the larger sharing platters). Off to the food!

Being their namesake, the Dolsot B-Bim-Baab had to be ordered. Served in a hot stone bowl, the dish comprises of a bed of rice topped with a marinated and fresh vegetables (cucumber, lettuce, bean sprouts, daikon and a runny fried egg. The visually appealing dish then asks you to poke open the bright yolk, season it with hot red pepper paste and mix the entire dish together.

The version here was quite good with a delicate mixture of fresh and cooked vegetables adding a contrast of crisp and smooth textures. The flavour profile also is excellent with the sweet and spicy hot pepper paste marrying all the ingredients together. Despite the somewhat high asking price, this large serving was well worth the cost. Don't forget to munch on the crispy fried bits of rice at the bottom of the stone bowl!

Gam Ja Tang is a must order for me at any Korean restaurant. The version here features three large pieces of tender pork spine with cabbage and potatoes all wrapped together in a deep and rich pork and soybean based broth. The aforementioned broth was rich, robust and while showing a depth of flavour, it lacked the hint of spiciness usually found in Gam Ja Tang. The three pieces of pork were fatty and tender while the vegetables did an admirable job of soaking up all the flavours.

Banchans here include Marinated Bean Sprouts, Kimchi and Miso Soup. The kimchi and bean sprouts were exactly as one would expect them from a good Korean restaurant. The inclusion of miso soup, usually found as a starter in Japanese meals, was foreign and added nothing to the meal.

Overall B Bim Baab was everything I recalled from my previous visits: a high quality Korean restaurant delivering solid authentic dishes with large portions. I am slightly disappointed at the continued rise of pricing here but am grateful that the quality of the food has not suffered over the last year. While the location might be prohibitive for some, I wholesomely recommend B Bim Baab for anyone looking for solid Korean in Edmonton.