Izakaya

Decisions, decisions. When it comes to dining at Wudaokou, the only question you need to ask yourself is: “Which Korean restaurant?”
Kao Rou Le sets itself apart through its ultra chic décor and urban floor design. Random wooden partitions and organza drapes cut the interior into different dining sections. There is a ‘birdcage’ that houses a table for 2, with floor-to-ceiling grilles isolating that one table from the crowd. Want to be seen? Just ask for the ‘birdcage’. On the far end of the restaurant, there is a glass counter where you can watch your meat being prepared by chefs wielding butcher knives.
Although the interior design creates a ‘wow’ factor for the restaurant, the menu, on the other hand, lacks imagination. There is only a choice of a few beef and pork dishes and soups. Meat dishes are priced at a very reasonable 20-30RMB with the option of marinated or non-marinated meat for the grill. Choose from the usual pork belly slices, beef slices or ribs but be reminded that selection is limited and it does not have the tender, juicy, A grade stuff that other upscale restaurants serve.
Feast on the meat as there is nothing much on the menu that you can choose from besides an extra pot of kimchi soup. Cold dishes are sufficient with 4-5 pickled vegetables and dipping sauces. At the end of the meal, there is a complimentary bowl of cold noodles to give that stomach some extra weight. The soup has a very interesting flavour that combines kimchi with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkling of sesame seed. The texture of the noodles, however, turned out slightly chewier than expected. Chilled, sour and slightly spicy, the noodles provide a refreshing finish to the meal. Sookyee Yap