Goshen

LOCATION
Centrally located on Smith Street, close to the 86 tram.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Goshen has long been committed to offering Melbourne diners a taste of traditional Korean specialities with a thoughtfully compiled menu that showcases this under-represented cuisine. Cast aside any preconceived notions of Korean food – there is no barbecue to be found here. But although the style of service is more subdued, the emphasis on big flavours remains the same. Take for example the Korean national dish, and popular staff recommendation, bul gogi – thin beef slices fried in a lip-stinging homemade chilli powder and wrapped in lettuce leaves.

Robust flavours are also to be found in the excellent hotpots or traditional stone dolsot in which vegetables, seafood or meat are layered on top of rice and topped with a soybean and chilli sauce. Try the mushroom hotpot with pipis, bean paste, potato and tofu or the house special with beef and vegetables. Side dishes of kimchi and rice will add fire and tang or cool the palate respectively. More muted, but equally tasty, choices include dumplings or the seafood pancake, and there is a variety of tasty vegetarian and vegan options available on a separate, dedicated, menu. The barley tea or Hite beer is ideal to accompany the spicy food. Cooling desserts include green tea ice cream with chocolate wontons.

Angela Costanzo