Sodeng New Lunch Menu
Returning to Sodeng for their new lunch offerings was like reuniting with an old friend whose warmth never wanes. The centrepiece of the meal, a Korean Beef Soup ($56 for 2 pax), was a testament to the art of slow cooking.
Imagine a broth of such depth that each spoonful feels like uncovering an ancient secret. At Sodeng, the beef bone soup, a dish steeped in tradition, is a testament to patience, simmered over 24 hours to coax out a rich, milky texture that becomes the soulful base of the meal. This is no ordinary broth; it is the essence of beef itself, captured in liquid form.
The beef, meanwhile, is an ensemble of the finest cuts - oxtail, shank, brisket, rump, and tendon - slow cooked to retain their unique textures and flavours. Served thinly sliced, they lay in wait, like actors about to step onto the stage, atop a bed of green chives and enoki mushrooms. Clear soup is then poured and the stove lighted up. The soup embraces the meat and a gentle warmth promises to awaken the senses.
The bowl of rich milky bone soup is served with some white noodle that resembles the familiar Chinese meesua. These white strands of perfection are the ideal medium to carry the delicate notes of the broth, smooth and inviting. But do not be fooled by their simplicity; with a sprinkle of spring onions and a side of kimchi, they transform into a dish with a voice of its own.
As the meal progresses, the noodles make way for rice, a continuation of the experience, allowing the soup to evolve, to take on a new character with each spoonful.
Sodeng's banchan, an array of Korean side dishes, is the final flourish, a vibrant chorus that sings in harmony with the tender, flavourful beef. Each bite is a reminder of the care taken in preparation, of the dedication to flavour, and of the sheer pleasure that good food can bring.
So there it is, a lunch at Sodeng where the beef and broth, each honoured in their distinct preparation, come together in a harmonious blend. It is a reminder of the beautiful simplicity found in a bowl of soup, noodles, and the lovingly prepared meat, a simplicity that Sodeng turns into an exquisite complexity.
Sodeng has impressed me once again.
