restaurant review - manpukutei

KENICHI Takada has watched his Korean mother make Kimchi and other Korean dishes since he was a child. Growing up in Osaka’s Korea Town, the 32-year old was brought up on dishes from Jeju Island, which is part of his ancestor’s home country of South Korea. His family’s recipes have been handed down from generation to generation and now Kenichi uses them in Manpuktei, which he only just opened this season in the lower village.

Kenichi is not only using his mother’s recipes, but also the ingredients she sends him from Korea Town. From pork belly, Samgyeopsal, to thinly sliced beef, Bulgogi – Kenichi has all the Korean classics on his menu. We start our dinner with a rich creamy oxtail soup. The carrots and other vegetables just melt in your mouth and so does the slowly cooked meat.

This is followed by Bibimbap, which is rice topped with chili paste, eggs and seasoned stone roasted vegetables, including fern. Everything is stirred together in one large bowl and eaten with a spoon. The fresh taste of the vegetables stands out and together with the rice and eggs makes a very filling dish.

But that’s only just the start of the feast, because Kenichi brings a large plate of Samgyeopsal, Korean bacon. The big juicy bacon strips are cut with scissors – a real Korean dining experience. We cut the meat in bite-sized pieces and dip it in spicy Korean chili sauce.

The Samgyeopsal is followed by another main course, Bulgogi. This grilled beef dish is topped with sesame seeds and the dipping sauce is yet another of his mother’s secrets. A crunchy radish salad with spicy Kimchi and cucumber wraps up the meal.

A large variety of beverages, including Korean Sake and Soju, help you digest the huge meal. Lean back and enjoy your drink while watching ski and snowboard movies on the big screen. Its dimmed lights, wooden furniture and cosy ambience make Manpukutei a great place for spending an evening. You can either sit on cushions on the floor in real Korean style or be seated at a table with chairs. The menu is available in English with most dishes priced below ¥1000.

Booking Information // Manpukutei is open everyday from 6pm to 11pm
TEL. 0136 55 8588
Location: 155-52 Aza Yamada
Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun.