Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
Every time I find a tasty food photo while browsing the internet, I make sure to save it or take a mental note to check it out later. One day recently, one of these mental notes, and a subsequent craving for cold Japanese noodles, resurfaced.
As I thought of what I wanted for lunch, I realized I would have to make it to Takumi, a Japanese restaurant near Beadari Park, quickly to beat the midday crowds.
Takumi’s owner Cho Hyeong-chan has been serving up Japanese dishes for about 10 years, five of which were at its current location in Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek.
The place does not have its own parking lot, so I arrived at 11:30 a.m., allowing me to find a parking spot nearby and avoid waiting in line. The eatery is full of tiny ceramics and interesting photos, making the place welcoming and cozy.
I was seated near a window which was great for people-watching. After browsing the menu, I opted for chicken don, a Japanese chicken rice bowl, and cold udon for 12,500 won ($11.22). Takumi’s combo menus include one donburi rice bowl and a cold or regular udon. You can choose from katsudon, ebidon, chickendon or gyudon for the main.
The chicken dish was satisfying. The savory chicken, boiled in soy sauce, garlic, and refined rice wine, was pleasantly moist and tender. To wash down the nice salty flavor of the chickendon, I gulped down the well-seasoned cold soup of the udon. It was tasty with a refreshingly tangy lemon and umami flavor. The deep-fried shrimp that came as a side of the udon, however, was the star of the show. Each perfectly breaded and fried morsel melted it my mouth like butter.
The menu also offers other options including soba noodle, noodle with salad, bukkake udon which is the restaurant’s signature item. You can order extra udon noodles for 2000 won and soba noodles for 3000 won. Though the flavors have been localized to Korean tastes, the dishes here will not disappoint.
Except for the overflow of customers, the restaurant was worth the trip. If you’re looking for a nice Japanese meal with a little bit of a Korean twist, Takumi is a place to go!
Address: 경기 평택시 문화촌로19번길 55 (KOR), 55, Munhwachon-ro 19beon-gil, Pyeongtaek-si (ENG) NAVER MAP Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Break time 3 – 5 p.m.), Closed Monday Phone: PHONE 031-692-2021 Price Range: 5,500 – 11,000 won
