Update 2021-Aug-28: Jang Won appears (not surprisingly) closed. It is listed as Permanently Closed in Google Maps, Closed in Yelp and its phone # is out of service. It is unknown whether this is due to the pandemic or not. This seems like enough evidence that it is no longer around.Jang Won Korean Restaurant is located at 708 Bloor St. W., just east of Christie, and a few steps from Christie subway station so is very transit-accessible. There are a couple of ACYE options; we chose the more complete “B” menu which includes marinated beef. There are enclosed booths along one wall (yet are open between them so one ends up with table neighbours.) Mishy wasn’t into the decor or ambiance at all. The table barbecues were not working, so tabletop portable grills with gas canisters are used. The menu indicates that pop is included, but we were advised that it was instead $1.50 and non-refillable.
There is also no provision for ordering separate items of banchan; they all arrived whether they were wanted or not, including giant leaves of lettuce. We both enjoyed the kimchi and fermented bean sprouts very much, they were very well-seasoned. Bean curd I enjoyed although Mishy didn't as she was expecting it was radish, so was unpleasantly surprised. We did eventually find the pickled radish; it is served in a large diameter thin slices rather than being shredded and we both enjoyed it. She tested the seaweed salad and could not finish it, but I didn't mind it that much and finished it for her. I do agree that it was missing something that others have, possibly marinade or vinegar, but was still not that bad. Doenjang jjigae bean paste stew was good, sort of a tomatoey Sri Racha miso soup.
Finally on to the grilled meats... but unfortunately, the tabletop grills do not expose the food to the flame or smoke rising from it so it is not equivalent at all to the barbecue. The meat mostly comes out white and some of the flavors are not as expected; actual table-top barbecuing is far superior. Pork was one of the meats that did not come out well on a tabletop grill; it was white and fatty. Marinated beef was pretty good although we have had better marinade. Marinated chicken was in one large cutlet, thankfully a pair of scissors is provided to cut up large portions; it was rather tasty with nice savory spicing. Neither of us enjoyed the peanut oil based dipping sauce. There wasn't very much of it and it had an odd flavor we didn't like.
Rating: 6.5/10
There is also no provision for ordering separate items of banchan; they all arrived whether they were wanted or not, including giant leaves of lettuce. We both enjoyed the kimchi and fermented bean sprouts very much, they were very well-seasoned. Bean curd I enjoyed although Mishy didn't as she was expecting it was radish, so was unpleasantly surprised. We did eventually find the pickled radish; it is served in a large diameter thin slices rather than being shredded and we both enjoyed it. She tested the seaweed salad and could not finish it, but I didn't mind it that much and finished it for her. I do agree that it was missing something that others have, possibly marinade or vinegar, but was still not that bad. Doenjang jjigae bean paste stew was good, sort of a tomatoey Sri Racha miso soup.
Finally on to the grilled meats... but unfortunately, the tabletop grills do not expose the food to the flame or smoke rising from it so it is not equivalent at all to the barbecue. The meat mostly comes out white and some of the flavors are not as expected; actual table-top barbecuing is far superior. Pork was one of the meats that did not come out well on a tabletop grill; it was white and fatty. Marinated beef was pretty good although we have had better marinade. Marinated chicken was in one large cutlet, thankfully a pair of scissors is provided to cut up large portions; it was rather tasty with nice savory spicing. Neither of us enjoyed the peanut oil based dipping sauce. There wasn't very much of it and it had an odd flavor we didn't like.
There are no
desserts even with the excessive price, which was $25.99 and this is
all-day for the “B” menu (we went at lunchtime.) There are also
two or more diners ni a party required for the AYCE option. Jang Won
is definitely an authentically Korean experience; there are no
non-Korean offerings on the menu. However it really wasn’t an
optimal one. Better is available nearby for less (I’m thinking
Gyubee again, of course.) We really just went to try it and I doubt
we’ll ever return.
Rating: 6.5/10
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