Dari Korean Cafe
27-29 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
0412 720 733
Korean
$
Food
- K-Street Toast
- Bulgogi Bun Burger
- Spicy Pork Grilled Cheese
- Sweet Soy and Rice Cake Toast
The Good
We were off to a tasty start with the K-Street Toast, which was bulging with ingredients. Sandwiched between the toasted slices of white bread was a thick stack of sliced ham, as well as an egg omelette with carrot and onion. The savoury flavours of the ham and egg was beautifully acompanied by the generous helping of crisp cabbage slaw, which was well dressed with mayo and ketchup. Offering plenty of crunch and great textural diversity, the combination of flavours definitely reminded us of the street eats of Korea!
We thoroughly enjoyed the Bulgogi Bun Burger. The shredded beef bulgogi was once again a generous helping, thinly sliced and marinated with a beautiful sweet and savoury soy flavour. The juicy, perfectly cooked protein was served with crisp shredded lettuce and dressed with a delightful sesame and mustard sauce that provided a slight tang. This was all sandwiched in a fluffy toasted milk bun that perfectly soaked up all the juicy goodness. Just perfect.
Not to be missed was the newly launched Spicy Pork Grilled Cheese. With succulent pulled pork quite literally oozing out of the sandwich, it was definitely a sight to behold. The spicy marinade on the tender pulled pork created such appetising flavours, well complemented by the umami of the pork itself. Within, the melted cheese was exceptionally stretchy and creamy, while the cuts of fresh spring onion added a hint of freshness. Grilled just so, the crispness of the outer allowed perfect structural integrity, all the while maintaining a light and spongy centre holding all the ingredients together.
We rounded off our meal with the Sweet Soy and Rice Cake Toast. Within the toast were slices of grilled rice cake, offering a pillowy, almost gooey texture that was just so comforting. Contrasting the softer textures were the crunch of roasted candied walnuts, providing an exceptional crunch and a beautiful nuttiness. The toast itself was dusted with sweet soy powder, and the flavours were further enhanced by the intensely sweet condensed milk as well as honey. This dessert will no doubt satisfy any sweet tooth.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Situated on Hardware Lane, Dari is an unassuming sandwich bar that’s inspired by Korean-style street eats. The flavours were homely and bold, with fresh, tasty ingredients served in more-than-generous portions, all working remarkably well together to create an exceptionally tasty experience.
For a well priced and tasty sandwich in the CBD, Dari Korean Cafe is simply a must!
Would Penguin Eat Again?
For sure!
Penguineats would like to thank Dari Korean Cafe for inviting us.