Rice and kimchi at Bibimbap

Bibimbap - what a name!! It was almost worth going there just for that. It was actually our second choice on this Thursday evening, but the wait for Polpetto was just too long and we were too hungry. This place had been recommended just that week by a foodie friend, so I was keen to try it anyway!

As the name suggests, the food is of Korean origin. Korean food seems to be getting more and more popular now adays. Suprising really as it is all quite spicy and very flavourful - possibly unappealing to those with a more delicate pallette.  But I guess it's just like Thai and Vietnamese food, which have both grown significantly in popularity over the years.

We began with a shared starter of vegetarian dumplings and kimchi, which were both totally delicious. We then followed that up with a bi bim bap.  Bi bim bap refers to a dish of rice with various toppings served in a hot, heavy stone bowl. There are quite a few vegetarian choices on the menu - from a selection of mushrooms, healthy vegetables, tofu or kimchi - a spicy pickled cabbage. Meat eaters can choose from chicken, spicy pork, seafood or beef - cooked or raw, which cooks in the hot bowl. You also have the option of having it exta meaty and/or with a fried or raw egg on top. I went for the spicy pork while my companion tried the tofu. Hot sauce and miso paste arrive on the side and are a great addition.

I was impressed, the meal was really good - filling and tasty without being overwhelming and the hot bowl is great as it keeps you food warm for the duration of the meal. Perfect for eating and chatting!  Overall this is a nice quick place for a decent and inexpensive meal - for two courses and a glass of wine, you can expect to pay just over £15 per head.

Simple Thai dinner

I've found that more and more I cook Asian dishes.  Thai, Chinese, Filipino, Indian - I just love the spices.  And coriander is a flavour I really enjoy - I even occasionally use it in scrambled eggs to jazz it up!  Yes, I know I'm strange.

The other thing is I like my food super spicy.  So this particular evening I was on my own and decided to try and cook some fish.  This is something that I hardly ever do - not because I don't like fish but because I'm never really sure how to cook it and what to do (there were a couple unfortunate incidents).  So this time, to make it as easy as possible, I used a recipe I'd made many times, but instead of adding chicken I used fish.

Fish Thai green curry
Serves 4
2 large pieces of cod (or any other white fish) cut into chunks
2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
1 can of coconut milk
Soy sauce/fish sauce to taste
1 teaspoon cane sugar (optional)
Chillies, finely chopped (optional)
1 handful of fresh coriander
1 tablespoon vegetable
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
Rice (I like brown rice, but you can use Jasmine or any other long grain rice)


1.  Cook the rice as per the instructions on the packet
2.  In a heavy pan, heat the oil.  Add the onions and fry until translucent then add the garlic.  Fry for a few more minutes.  Add the curry paste and fry for a few more minutes.
3.  Add the coconut milk and cane sugar - stir until it becomes a smooth sauce. Add the frozen peas, spinach, chillies and coriander.  Bring to a boil.
4.  Reduce to a simmer and add the fish.  Cover and simmer for 7-10 mins, until the fish is fully cooked.
5.  Taste and add soy sauce (or fish sauce) as necessary.  Serve hot over rice.