LOCATIONIn Princess Plaza, Woolloongabba.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAUpstairs in the Princess Plaza, Cafe Hancook is drawing crowds of Koreans and Westerners alike. Expect something different, with barbecues fitted to the centre of each table for cooking up thick top-quality meat cuts. A deck with views out over busy Annerley Road is a nice spot to be seated, unless you want to catch a game of basketball on the big-screen television at the back of the restaurant. Hancook covers every aspect of Korean dining, with Korean beers and – be warned – highly alcoholic wines, as well as tempura, sashimi, Korean pancakes, noodle dishes, shabu-shabu, and the list goes on.
Kim-chi, a traditional fermented cabbage dish popular in Korean food, features strongly in Cafe Hancook’s selection. Try the kim-chi pancakes complete with beef, herbs and vegetables or the kim-chi fried rice for an authentic taste of Korea. The shabu-shabu dishes work well for those wanting to share. Similar to a steam-boat, the idea is to use the table’s barbecue plate to cook the fresh vegetables, noodles and beef which are brought out with a delicious broth of boiled seasoned soup. These are incredible fun and great for connecting with friends over dinner. Cafe Hancook also has a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
Ilana Tulloch, March 2009