Doma Modern Korean Part 3

I think of my blogging history, I have never written 3 posts on a single restaurant before. And I think Doma Korean Cafe never fail to delight me every time I am there. Although this may be the 3rd post, yours truly has been dining there more than 3 times. And usually I could not stop help ordering a pork main dish, namely the BBQ pork ribs (Refer Part 2 of the review few months ago). I shall not repeat the similar dish in my three posts here as I am so driven to try every single item in their menu. But yet there are still certain perennial favourite I will order now and then

The Seafood Pancake (RM19) is likened to a flattened takoyaki which is bears a very soft and moist base, probably not like the typical Korean pancake you are expecting which has a thinner and well cooked base. Presentation wise, it is more like a pizza, with mayonnaise smothered on it and topped with bonito flakes. It was just barely average and I would advise you to skip this as there are more interesting items in the menu.

I accidentally ordered the Roasted Pork Belly as I pointed to the wrong item when I actually intended for the BBQ pork belly. I tried the BBQ Pork Belly on my first visit and intended to order it again to show my parents what is the great deal about it. Although the belly cuts may be similar for both BBQ and the Roasted version, the BBQ is more on the caramelized with melt in your mouth fat layers while the Roasted has a drier and tougher meat, probably due to the fat layer has solidified from different method of cooking. The price (RM35) portion and presentation wise (very delicate dollops of soya glaze and garlic chips all around) also bore similar resemblance but I still prefer the BBQ pork belly due to the unforgettable melt-in-your-mouth gelatinous fatty layers. Oh ya the purplish “sauce” is actually Blueberry Tofu Mousse, which tasted a bit unique although I can't really accept it wholly.

The Salmon Sashimi (RM25) comes in generous slices of salmon on top of a bed of mixed shredded cabbage. Well-seasoned with sesame based dressing (Kewpie perhaps?), this work of art is sprinkled with some black tobikko (fish roe) and edible flower petals. To be honest, the salmon slices may not be the at the freshest level, but the texture is still firm and sesame dressing managed to mask the slight “fishiness” which came along with it. Hardcore instagramers are highly advised to order this dish

The San Gye Tang (RM32) has a whole baby chicken in it and came piping hot in the ceramic bowl. As I have not tried San Gye Tang in other shops besides Daorae, I could not give a clear comparison. But taste-wise, I am more accustomed to Daorae’s version due to the choice of herbs mixture. And the one here is missing ingredients like glutinuous/high Calrose rice and walnuts which are usually “stuffed” along with the chicken, resulting into a cloudier and “sweeter” broth. Anyone of you tried their Ginseng Chicken Soup here and would like to share their thoughts?

Jap Chae is actually glass noodles stir fried with assorted vegetables like shitake mushrooms, carrots, daikon and spinach and sprinkled with sesame seed. Though this dish is meat-free, the umami taste comes from an appetizing blend of seasoning (sesame oil perhaps?) and good wok-hei while not causing the vegetables to be overcooked. Would you pay RM23 for rather “plain” noodles with vegetables only? Try it once; the taste may justify your decision to do so.

The Bul Dak contains generous mozzarella cheese as its base. The chicken cubes are stirred fried with onions in chilli based sauce. They are really generous with the portion of the mozzarella cheese. More cheese is sprinkled on top for good measure. This dish goes along perfectly with white rice. Slightly on the pricier side at RM31, but for the amount of cheese used, I strongly recommend it!

Look at the gooey cheese! If this does not entice any cheese lover, it will be hard to find something that will.
Repeat after me: CHeEEeEEeeSSSssSSEeEeZzz!!!!

As mentioned, drinks may be the slight flaw in Doma as they do not offer complimentary drinking water. Neither do they offer any for minimum price tag of RM1 like some cafes or restaurants. The cheapest drink would be soft drinks like Coke or 100 plus at RM6. Else, you might wanna top up another 1 buck to try something different like these Korean Fruit Drink. This is the Pear drink, and its manufactured by Coca Cola Manufacturing (Korea)!

Soju are also available here at RM8 per shot or RM27 per bottle. The cocktail flavoured ones are priced at RM30 per bottle (I opted for the Green Apple) The Korean pear drink (RM7) serves as a good flavouring agent if you wish to spice up your plain Soju a little. Or perhaps squeeze a few drops of lime into it. I would recommend you take the RM27 plain Soju as it has higher alcohol content 17.5% compared to the slightly more expensive fruit flavoured version at a weaker 11%.

There you go, the trilogy of the Doma review completed. Will yours truly come out with a fourth installment? Budae Jiggae (Korean Army Stew)? Calamari Salad? Bulgogi Beef Bowl? We'll just have to wait and see :)