Jeju Island Korean Restaurant Dinner

What Chiefeater VK Ordered at Jeju Island Korean Restaurant

Jeju Island Korean Restaurant looked spartan from the outside but since it was near the hotel, I was willing to give this a try.

The setup of the food looked alright. The raw pork belly came neatly arranged on a bamboo tray with garlic cloves and thick onion slices. The spread of banchan included kimchi, marinated mushrooms, pickled radish, anchovies and dipping sauces. The kimbab arrived in a full platter of thick rolls, noticeably larger than what many Korean outlets usually serve.

How the Food Ate

Visually, it all started well. The grill sizzled, the garlic browned nicely and the pork belly caramelised on the edges. But the moment I bit into it, something felt missing. The meat was fresh enough, but it didn’t carry the savouriness you’d expect from Korean BBQ. Even with the sauces, it leaned rather mild, almost neutral, as though the marinades or seasoning had taken the day off.

The onions helped, the garlic helped, but the pork itself stayed quiet.

To its credit, the kimbab was generously sized. Plenty of rice, egg, carrot, imitation crab and sausage — very old-school Korean home-style. But again, the flavours didn’t hit the right notes. The filling didn’t have the lift or seasoning that usually ties the whole roll together.

I don’t get this

But here’s the kicker, they only accept cash or Alipay which I find highly unusual. It immediately made me wonder who the target customer really is, and it definitely takes away convenience for Malaysian diners.

Pricing

Pork Belly / Samgyeopsal (200g) – RM35.00
Kimbab – RM15.00
Service Charge – 10%

MVX Summary

Score: 5.5/10

M – Meal Value
RM55 for samgyeopsal + kimbab is ok for the portion, but not memorable
Score: 6/10

V – Venue & Vibes
Spartan setup though the waitress was attentive.
Score: 6/10

X – X-Factor
The experience of payment was off putting. Cash/Alipay only, very “meh”
Score: 5/10

Business Hours
Opens Daily
04:00 pm to 11:30 pm