Maneeya Dhammataree

A popular imported television series in Thailand called Dae Jung Geum sparked an interest in Korean cuisine in the Kingdom. Having read a lot of articles and reviews about Korean food on the Internet, I decided to sample some dishes at DooRae, located at Sukhumvit Plaza – known as Bangkok’s ‘Korean Town’.

Sukhumvit Plaza is easy to reach thanks to its convenient location on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 12, just a short walk from the BTS skytrain stop at Asok (Exit 2) and the MRT subway station. Among the numerous Korean restaurants located in the plaza, DooRae is meant to offer the best Bi Bim Bab (rice with mixed vegetables served with a fried egg), which is served hot in a stoneware casserole dish. The interesting wooden slats on the restaurant’s exterior also caught my eye.

DooRae is actually quite a cozy restaurant with five tables, accommodating a maximum of up to about 30 diners. The décor is very relaxing and in the center of each table is an authentic electric Korean charcoal smokeless grill on which you get to sample some of DooRae’s traditional barbecue dishes. Despite not ordering from the barbecue menu personally, I could tell that the cooking process is reasonably clean, since the diners at a neighboring table ordered beef, and they appeared to be relaxed and happy as they enjoyed their meal.

Since I don’t eat beef or pork, I chose some suitable vegetable-based dishes from the restaurant’s ‘Rice’ menu. Bi Bim Bab (200 baht [US$6]) is a widely-known Korean dish that is popular among foreign diners. In contrast, Jji Gae (180-200 baht per dish, depending on the version), which I ordered from the 'Soup' menu, may be less familiar to readers.

Diners looking to enjoy a rather meatier treat are still well catered for, however, and DooRae particularly recommends its Bulgogi (‘Barbecue’) menu. This includes a large selection of fresh and marinated meats, including Seng Deung Sim (‘Sirloin’), Seng Galbi (‘Rib’), and Doiki Galbi (seasoned pork).

There are various different options when it comes to Bi Bim Bab toppings. I chose the ‘plain’ version (Sanche Bibim Bab), which is vegetable-based, served with a fried egg and sauce on top. For diners seeking something a little different, other toppings include shrimp roe, sesame, or raw beef.

Jji Gae, the soup dish I ordered, also relies heavily on boiled vegetable. Depending on your preference, it comes served either with Kimchi (‘seasoned, preserved vegetables’), clam, pork, seafood, squid, tofu, or tuna. I ordered the squid version, which serves two diners, but if you order a pork or seafood version of this dish, it will easily serve 4-5 diners.

Flavorful accompaniments

Before the main meal was served, the staff brought along several side dishes, again featuring preserved vegetables, including cucumber, papaya, white radish, and turnip. I personally enjoy the somewhat sour taste of these preserved vegetables.

One dish effectively combined, apple, corn, and mashed potato, while another consisted of deep-fried potato, which is first dipped in egg and features a lighter, somewhat sweeter taste. The waitress said that side dishes vary on a daily basis, so if you feel it necessary, you can always call ahead to check.

About 10 minutes later, I could heard something sizzling being delivered to my table in a stoneware casserole dish. The Sanche Bibim Bab and Jii Gae smelt really good! The vegetables served atop the rice base include bean sprouts, cucumber, mushroom, papaya, and spinach, and Koreans believe it’s best to mix them while it's still hot. As you do this, all the aromas of the savory ingredients create a pleasant sensation.

My first impression of the soup was its color, which conjured up red-hot chilies. And while it was quite spicy, it wasn’t as hot as it looked. It complemented the rice perfectly, though, leaving a slightly salty taste on the palate. Again, there were some familiar ingredients, including bean sprouts and radish, along with scallions and onions.

All in all, I found the interesting blend of tastes – the soup’s spiciness, the rice’s slightly flavor, the somewhat sour pickle-based side dishes, and the fairly sweet-tasting potato - entirely complimentary.

DooRae opens daily during 11.30 am-10 pm. To make a reservation, contact Tel: +66 (0)2 653 3815.

Transport connections:

Train: Sukhumvit Plaza is a short walk from Exit 2 at the Asok BTS skytrain station. MRT Suhumvit interconnects easily with the BTS and vice-versa.