Korea House: Needs a Third Chance

Korea House (630 Congress St, Portland, ME) was formerly known as Happy Teriyaki.  As of October 1, 2010, this "new" establishment is supposed to be more authentic Korean food.  I did not eat at Happy Teriyaki, and doubt I will be coming back to Korea House.  The food - in my experience - was greasy, bland, and unappetizing.

The interior of Korea House is rather depressing.  Tables from the seventies, fish-tank, and tacky decor make up the inside of the restaurant.  The menu looks focused and promising, but - at least in my case - a major disappointment.

My entrée was House Soba.  Traditionally, soba is buckwheat noodle.  Occasionally, other types of noodle carry the name "soba", but this was a stretch.  It had the texture of ramen, although I had trouble getting past the grease and salt to actually taste it.  Served with overcooked pork pieces, shrimp, and some vegetables, this dish was equivalent to cheap American-Chinese take-out.  Certainly, far from authentic Korean cuisine.  For $14, this dish was a pound of waste.

I also ordered the seafood pancake from the appetizer menu.  If the soba was a disappointment, this was an abomination. The core problem was that it was not pancake, but an omelette. Even if a chef were to take a few liberties and put his/her own spin on this traditional dish, in the least I would expect them to make it palatable.  If it matters, this appetizer was colossal and $16, far above anything else on that side of the menu.

In short, the food standards at Korea House seem to be mis-aligned with the prices of the menu.  Although the restaurant was packed with customers - all of whom seemed to be having a good time - I cannot imagine attempting to eat there again unless I am oozing gin.