more kimch'i please

My new discovery is this little cafe called "kimch'i" and I love it! You know, the Exchange has flourished with so many new little food related businesses that have opened in the past several months - the Albert Diner, Cake-Ology and now Kimch'i!

This used to be a clothing store, I know because I shopped there. So to my surprise, last week, I wandered in after being drawn in by a sign on the sidewalk. This space is half cafe, half wool store. Don't you love the quirkiness of it? The interior is very open as there is only a chalkboard on wheels that acts as both a space divider and menu. There's about 8-10 tables, a somewhat open kitchen, and a counter where all orders are made. You pay first and seat yourself - very casual.

Kimch'i considers itself "Kanadian food" - Korean food with a Canadian twist. It's about time that Winnipeg gets to enjoy a funky casual Korean eatery! But no worries if Korean food is not your thing, there is a build your own salad for $5 with ingredients that would make anyone happy. I haven't tried the salad yet but it looks yum with 3 homemade dressings and lots of veggies and proteins to choose from, although there were no meat options just vegetarian proteins. There's Bibimbap - a Korean rice bowl ($6.75) and Kalbi Special ($8.75) that has BBQ short ribs with rice, veggies and soup.

I can actually say that I am in love with their Korean sub ($6.75). It's like Vietnamese sub (banh mi) meets Korea that ends up tasting like an Asian Philly cheese steak sandwich. So at first, I was a little hesitant at first...it was the same hesitation I had before I tried Vancouver's famed "Japa Dog." But I soon realized that some fusion items taste much better than they sound. You can get this sub with bulgogi beef, spicy pork or tofu. GO WITH THE BULGOGI BEEF! It comes on a slightly toasted French baguette that's crisp on the outside and oh so soft and fluffy inside, stacked with the slices of tender juicy bulgogi beef slices and topped with marinated julienned cucumber/radish/carrots, cilantro, mayo and yes mozzarella. The flavours were amazing and really melded well. Bulgogi is typically beef that's BBQ'd after marinating in your typical Asian ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and sugar. It's super flavourful, maybe even a tad salty but it's good. I would've loved more picked veggies on there to balance out the meat but this sub was divine. But having tried the spicy pork, it is also a very good choice. It also came with a side of kimchi (pickled Asian cabbage).

I've also tried the Korean Taco ($6 for two tacos) . It comes with the same meat offerings (bulgogi beef, spicy pork or tofu) so I tried the spicy pork. Soft tortilla shells with lettuce, cucumbers, bean sprouts, and cilantro. No salsa though. The tortilla shells did not survive the trip back to my office so I had to use a fork. The spicy pork was delicious, not spicy for me but had lots of great flavours. It's a good portion of food without being heavy, while the Korean sub was more substantial and filling. 

There's fresh juices, fruits, smoothies and yes, Vietnamese iced coffee! I loved their Vietnamese ice coffee - they use strong coffee with a good balance of condensed milk. Just remember that this takes time to make as the coffee drips out slowly from the press. There's also little desserts like whoppie pies and Guiness cupcakes (care of Pamela of Sweets by Sweet Pea...my apologies for the incorrect name in the original post).

Small menu with big flavours - great place! This place doesn't stand out so you have to look for it, it's on Albert Street between Notre Dame and McDermot Ave, sort of across from the White Star Diner and the old Candies & Dolls locations.

Kimch'i
61 Albert Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1E8
Ph: 204.989.2288

Hours of Operation
M-F: 10-4
Sat: 11-3
Kitchen closes at 2 pm.

Price: Under $10

Another try

Well, it's been almost four years since I last blogged here so I figure maybe I'll give it another try. In the last 14 months, I've been writing more frequently but mostly on yelp and urbanspoon Winnipeg. It's nice to write on those sites cause it's fun to drop a line whenever I want and I enjoy reading other peoples' reviews.

So, let's see how this whole blogging thing goes again as I give it another try. I'll still write on yelp and urbanspoon but I guess I'll save my longer, more detailed rants to this site (although I don't think anyone will see it though). :-)

Cheers,
DineoutGal