KMK: Siberia

Living in such a big city like Seoul one would think international dishes would be easy to come by. For the most part that is decidedly true. For instance, its hard to go a few blocks without seeing an Italian restaurant of some kind. Other countries however aren’t as readily represented. In particular Russian cuisine didn’t seem to have much of a foot hold. Sure there’s the “Russian Alley” near exit five of Dongdaemun station, but outside of that little corner of the city nothing much else could be easily found. That changed late last year with the opening of Siberia in the Gyeongridan area of Itaewon.

The most popular and mainstay dish served by Siberia are its Blinis. A blini can be thought of as cousin to the crepe, except that blinis usually use yeast as one of the ingredients. At Siberia they have a variety of blinis on hand. There’s the bacon, egg and cheese, the cabbage and sausage, the KGBlini (a bacon, mushroom sausage and onion extravaganza), the vegetarian blini, a salmon blini, and babushka’s build your own!. To round out the more hearty choices there are several dessert blinis including the creme cheese and chocolate Siberian  blini and the sour cream Smetana blini. Each are 4,000 to 5,500 KRW.

There are also several dishes of Russian soups on the menu. They’re made fresh everyday  and include Borsch (cabbage, beets, potatoes, with chicken, beef, or pork), chicken bullion, Ukha (salmon and vegetables), Rassolnik (beef, pickles, potatoes, and barely), and Solyanka ( vegetables, bacon, and sausage). A full sized bowl can be had for 6,000 KRW or half sized at 3,500 KRW. You can add in a pirozhki for an additional 1,000 KRW or a shot of Stoli for 3,000 KRW.

They also have a selection of baked meals. The Pel meni, a breaded beef and onion dumpling, can be ordered with or without bullion. I had mine with and thought it to be the better choice. The delicious broth kept the dumplings hot, moist and delicious. The dish is priced at 6,000 KRW. The Varenyky is a dumpling stuffed with fried onions and potatoes and can be served with or without bullion.  The Pirozhki are baked buns crammed with onions and potatoes. They sell individually for 1,500 KRW and can be added as side items to many of the dishes.

If you haven’t been yet a trip to Siberia is definitely in order. The new restaurant is just across the street and has its grand opening this coming Saturday April  16th from noon to 3 am.

 

Prices:

Main dishes from 3,500 to 6,000 KRW with the new restaurant an extended menu offering brunch options of fillet mignon and lamb specials will be set at an as of yet undetermined price.

Hours:

tba

Phone:

tba

Email:

reservations@siberiacafe.com

Address:

tba

Website:

http://siberiacafe.com/

Directions:

Noksapyeong Station exit two. Walk until you reach the underground passage. Take the left exit and walk to your right heading up the street at the corner onto Gyeongridan. Siberia will be on your left on the second floor right before the 7-11.

The smaller restaurant is just across the street.