Dal Paeng Yi Korean Noodles & Snacks

First of all, I am utterly charmed by this strip of Bryn Mawr. I spend far too little time here and the cluster of businesses and facades just seem so... homey to me. This strip is perfect for a slightly nippy fall day. Or, at least according to all the crazy in my brain.

While I wouldn't go to Dal Paeng over some of my other Korean go-tos, I would definitely stop in if in the neighborhood. Everything's done family-style, so get ready to eat up. Bring the stretchy pants. The banchan was acceptable. Nothing blew me away by nothing was horrible. For some reason, our group was treated to fish patties and sauteed fish (with bones. Salt & pepper?) on the house. It was an unexpected treat. The bones didn't make me wanna dance with somebody but the fish patties were very good. I'd go back and order them without any hesitation.

Being me, I over-ordered. I came hungry and didn't think the portion size would fill me up, so I ordered the stir-fried squid and the kimchi pork. This was a mistake. Order one or the other, but do not think you can take down both. You can't. I have a pregnant belly (hmm, why am I single?) and it was too much for me. But, the taste wasn't too much for me. Both dishes were fantastic. The squid was spicy hot, plentiful, perfectly cooked (no chewy tentacles here) and. when accompanied with the rice, was the start of the show. I am fairly certain that everyone at my table was pretty jealous of my meal... and that's just how I like things to be. All eyes on me, bee-yatches! The kimchi pork was a little different than I expected. It was served as a HOT soup with kimchi broth and pork pieces. The broth was (surprisingly) under-seasoned. The pork was well-cooked and seemed to have soaked up all the seasoning of the kimchi. As a result, I concentrated on eating the protein and left the soup be. But, it could be because I was stuffed and my palate was wrecked from the squid. Nah. It was a seasoning issue. I think. In any case, I'd order it again, if that tells you anything -- but it would be on a chilly day and without an order of squid in my belly. Barley tea was the drink of choice (necessity?) that day and it did the job. I am a tea guy but barley tea is an acquired taste. I thought it nicely complimented the food and my glass (yes, glass. No cups) never went down by more than half. The proprietors were friendly and very accommodating to our, sometimes, boisterous crew and that was greatly appreciated.

Fall is coming. Take a trip to North Park and spend the day delighting your tastebuds and warming your spirits.

So there are four, maybe five (one place has no English on it and I'm thinking it's a bar) Korean restaurants on Bryn Mawr. This is the one I always pick to go to.

When I can't get Naengmyeon (cold noodle soup), I go with either Dol Sot Bi Bim Bop or stir fried octopus and vegetables. My husband will get some sort of soup or the mackerel. All are very good and you get a nice array of ban chan also. The waitress has also surprised us with pieces of fish or a Korean pancake. During colder months, you are also served Barley or Corn tea.

Almost every time I've gone to eat there, it has been either totally empty or there is one other table occupied. This is really too bad, because I think this restaurant is pretty good! The waitstaff are always very nice and polite. Because I'm not Korean, I am always asked if spicy is ok, which I appreciate. While I do like spicy, my sister doesn't but really likes the rice cake dishes which are supposed to be spicy. They accommodate the spiciness to her tastes.

If you are in the area, this restaurant is worth checking out. It may not be as "fun" and San Soo Gap San, but it's tasty, quiet, and overall good! Oh! And there is always good street parking either on Bryn Mawr or one of the side streets!

I came here with a group of Yelpers a week or so ago. I live within walking distance, but had never thought to come here before, so the Yelp get together seemed like a great opportunity to give it a try.

I enjoyed my meal (stir fried octopus), but the octopus was very very tough. I spent an excessive amount of time chewing and finally gave up on it and just ate the veggies. It was a shame because I love octopus and the flavor was great, but I happened to get a seriously tough octopus. Oh well.

The banchan was very good and much to my surprise I found the barley tea fairly palatable. I am not a tea drinker by nature.

The staff seemed friendly, but I think language communications could be problematic. All and all, a nice little place.