Nested in the perpetually bustling food haven of SS15, Jangsajang Deopbap opens its doors for all K-lovers to enjoy. Step in, and be greeted by the comforting commotion of a busy restaurant, packed with working adults and young students alike, joined by their shared love for Hallyu. Sit, and you’ll hear iconic K-pop hits from the likes of BigBang and IU accompanying your stay in Jangsajang Deopbap. With more than 50 outlets in Korea, they are the first to introduce the joy of Korean rice bowls to Malaysia. Bringing with them their original soy blend – boiled and aged for long hours for a deep, savoury flavour – and unique rice recipe – adding kelp to enhance the texture and flavour of the rice –  for all Malaysians to enjoy. 

As we settled into their simplistic modern Korean interior, we took our time to explore their tantalizing menu offerings and sought recommendations from the store manager before placing our order. After a sizable delay, we were presented with the best selections: the Beef Belly Rice bowl, Fried Chicken bowl, and Marinated Raw Shrimp bowl. Each bowl was complemented with a simple soup and kimchi; plus a side dish and a canned drink if you order them as set meals like we did. The Beef Bowl was presented to us intricately composed with great aesthetic appeal. A generous helping of panfried beef rested on a bed of succulent rice; decorated with shredded raw onions, finely chopped green onions, julienned chives, deep-fried French beans, a crispy lotus root and a raw egg yolk in the centre sprinkled with furikake. The fatty beef enveloped in their house-special soy blend was a perfect blend of rich, sweet and savoury with just a touch of smokiness. A bite with each component is sure to send you to heaven! 

Next, the Fried Chicken bowl featured an ample amount of fried yangnyeom chicken chunks and a copious amount of scrambled egg on a bed of rice; finished with sprinkles of furikake on the egg and crushed crispy garlic on the chicken. Admittedly, this dish did not shine as bright as its peers. It does have its charms, the chicken had a crisp exterior and a succulent interior, enveloped in a flavourful yangnyeom seasoning. However, the scrambled egg was just a little overcooked and underseasoned for my liking. Further, I suspect that their efforts to incorporate the house specialty soy blend into the dish, made the yangnyeom seasoning unbalanced – a tad bit rich and very “soy” and sweet forward. Nonetheless, it is still a hearty meal. 

We’ve saved the best for last, their pride and joy – the Marinated Raw Shrimp Bowl! Now this was something truly special. The bowl comprised a small mountain of rice topped with five XL-sized raw shrimps, a bunch of pea sprouts, shredded raw onions, a dollop of wasabi, a sizable cluster of tobiko and a raw egg yolk in the middle; garnished with a sprinkle of furikake and a slice of chilli on every shrimp. The shrimp were plump and succulent with a slight bite to it, with a rich and savoury taste all thanks to the 12+ hours it spent bathing in the house specialty soy marinade. Add just the tiniest smidge of wasabi and revel as it works its magic in your mouth! The wasabi provides a pungent herbaceous heat that perfectly cuts through the slight piscine flavour from the raw shrimp, elevating the dish to a higher level! The dish as a whole was a divinely delectable treat.  

Not to forget, the set lunch comes with side dishes and drinks! We had crispy fried shrimp, potato croquettes and chicken gyoza as our sides and all of them were palatable. Crispy shrimp cooked to perfection dipped in spicy mayo. Potato croquettes fried to an appetizing golden brown, soft and creamy with a crunchy crust that we slathered in ketchup. Chicken gyoza pan-fried to a crispy bottom and juicy fillings, dunked in its condiment. Each was a pleasant savoury treat! To quench our thirst, we had Birak Sikhye, Grape Bong Bong and lemon Demisoda, a fun encounter with Korean canned drinks. By the end of our visit to Jangsajang Deopbap, we were all satiated beyond relief, thanks to the sheer generosity of Jangsajang Deopbap as explicated by their serving sizes. Their team has been incredibly kind to us and we’ve had a great time at their restaurant. Next time you’re in the area, make sure to stop by!

Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐

Decorations/Interior: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Appearance on the outside vs inside: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Article by Jason Nathaniel

Photos by Li Lyn