Lee Namjang - Mixed feelings

We came here a while ago but I haven't posted because I wasn't really sure what to say.  But, one of the dishes we had stood out, so it deserves a mention here.  It's one of the few Korean restaurants at Yonge-Sheppard as most are closer to Yonge-Finch.

Lee Nam Jang
Address:  4846 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M2N 6B1
Phone:  416-512-1345

Food

First of all, the banchans were very good, a good sign.  You receive a good amount and selection but if you ask for a refill, they didn't refill all the dishes (disappointing).  Fish cakes were made spicy (yummy) and the potato salad although simple was also quite good.

a. soy bean sprouts b. marnated tofu c. fish cake d. kimchi napa and radish e. spicy cabbage strips f. potato salad

The menu is not too extensive but does weigh heavier on more pricier items.  For example, they serve braised oxtail and ginseng chicken soup (but we didn't try it).  We ordered the braised beef ribs which was very well made, lots of caramelization and flavour but portions were soooo small for the price!  At Song Cook's, you get double the amount for the same price!  But, they do make it differently, Song Cook's version is more stew-like, and different in taste too.  Here, you can see the thick dark sauce sticking to the meat.  Instead of daikon, thick rice cake sticks are added.  This was definitely a winner.

And now the reason for my tardiness in uploading this post - my soup with beef and rice noodles.  It was not particularly to my liking, but it wasn't bad.  Maybe I just don't know how to enjoy this dish and I'm used to the Taiwanese style heavy braised beef noodle soup; it just lacked flavour.  The beef slices were nothing special and the rice noodles were the same. It was the other end of the spectrum compared to the beef ribs.  The soup stock looks like it would be nourishing...maybe it's supposed to be light on taste but good for you...I should really look this up.

Service/Atmosphere

Service was okay but scattered as we didn't get any utensils until we asked (after our meal arrived).  Restaurant was actually bigger than it looks from the outside, decor was nothing special.


In general, this place is quite expensive for Korean food but their braised beef ribs dish would be one to splurge on!  And judging from their banchans, some of their other dishes may be worth a try even though my soup wasn't as good as I hoped.