Gyeongseong Yangyukgwan is a yangkkochi (lamb skewer) chain with a branch in my neighborhood. I gather it started out as a famous lamb skewer place in Gyodae, and now it has turned into a chain you see everywhere. I had been craving fish for the first time in ages and meant to build the meal around it, but this is a Chinese restaurant and there was not a single fish dish on the menu. I sat there wondering whether I should have gone somewhere else, then just ate and left.
Banchan
The basic rule at any restaurant is to order whatever that place does best, but this time I skipped the lamb skewers and ordered mostly from the rice and noodle dishes.
Tomato soup
I wanted something with broth so I ordered one, and it is pretty good. Most Chinese restaurants bring you jjamppong broth for free, but since this is a lamb skewer place you have to order it separately.
Yuxiang eggplant
The name means “fish fragrance,” so I assumed there would be actual fish in it, but there is only the faintest hint of it. It is fried eggplant tossed in a slightly sour, mildly spicy sauce, and it tastes fine, but it was not what I had wanted in the first place, so I was disappointed. Chinese food is not something you can go and eat on your own, so I think my lack of experience is what made me order badly. I will have to do a bit more menu research from now on.
Fried rice
Nothing special about it. I am not a fan of piling on sesame seeds, and this was excessive.
I made a lot of bad choices off the menu that day. Some days are just like that, I suppose.