Sydney Madang - CBD

Tamsin, who joined my company 2 months ago, is leaving already. To celebrate her escape we decided to go to Sydney Madang for lunch, given that I've read about it being one of the most popular Korean joint in town.


It was fairly easy to find, tucked away in an alleyway on Pitt Street (opposite the Telstra building). I was impressed with the interior as the the journey to the front door suggested something grottier.

We got sitted right away and I was happy to hear chattering in Korean - that's how I judge a restaurant's authenticity. As soon as we were given the menu and the lunch specials, Tamsin and I both navigated straight to the bibimbap section. I ordered the beef bolsot bibimbap ($13), and Tamsin the fancier fish roe bibimbap ($14). Unfortunately we didn't have enough people, otherwise the restaurant seems to be a perfect setting to huddle around the bbq grill set in the middle of the table.

We got the waiter's attention using the nifty little service bell located at the side of the table, and shortly after the table condiments arrived with our sizzling meals.

It was an interesting mix of four dishes: Kimchi (marinated spicy cabbage) which I absolutely adore, iceburg lettuce with a sweet, light garlic dressing, spicy tofu (what a shame there were only two pieces) and the sticky sweet lotus roots.

I should mention that free condiments are one of the reason I love going to Korean restaurants, especially after I found out you could get free refill. I ate all the kimchi in the space of 2 minutes - they weren't very generous with the serving size - and promptly asked for more.

The bibimbap I left in the hot clay pot whilst I polish off the condiments. I like to give the rice sizzling for a bit to get that crispy burnt texture, then I mix everything together with generous dollops of chilli sauce. I think Tamsin was horrified to see how much chilli sauce I was adding (about 10 teaspoons), given that I don't react well to spice. In truth, however, I find the korean chilli sauce much gentler than say chinese or thai sauces - it has a sweetness to it which balances out the chilli.

We both wolfed down our dishes quickly - and nodded in agreement of our satisfaction. They were generous with the rice and the vegtables so the meal was well balanced and very filling. Tamsin couldn't even finish hers (I was tempted to do it for it, if I didnt already eat all of mine and two plates of kimchi....)

Overall the dining experience was great - the decor felt authentic, the atmosphere relaxing, the service no-fuss but quick, the prices reasonable and the food was yum! Sydney Madang is definitely a place I'd like to return to try the other dishes they have to offer.

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