By: Vanessa Olivas
If you’re in the mood for quality Asian food, don’t settle for takeout Chinese; instead, try the Korean restaurant Pepero. Located in Matthews on Monroe Road, it’s a restaurant combined with a Korean market. Although it may not look like much from the outside, this quaint place will surprise consumers in many ways.
I went out to this restaurant to see how it would compare to other Asian restaurants. Pepero caters to customers who don’t speak Korean, as the restaurant’s waiters speak English and menus come with with English translations. They offer many authentic Korean dishes, such as 불고기 (Bulgogi), 비빔밥 (Bibimbap) and 김치 (Kimchi). However, if you’re hesitant to try new foods, Pepero also offers some more recognizable Japanese food, such as udon noodles and seafood omelets.
My friends and I ordered a bunch of sides and different meats. Unlike in American restaurants, you order sides or vegetables, rice and a main dish. Then they bring the food to the table along with a couple of plates and food is shared. I decided to try a seafood omelet for an appetizer. For our dinner, we chose 불고기 (Bulgogi) and udon noodles with a side of 김치 (Kimchi), 비빔밥 (bibimbap), bean sprouts and rice. The seafood omelet contained shrimp, vegetables and eggs. It was nice, light and easy to eat; a good choice for a first timer.
By far, I’d say the Bulgogi was the most enjoyable dish. Bulgogi is shredded beef marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, green onions and black pepper, cooked over the grill. I highly suggest meatlovers try this. It’s juicy and savory with a hint of spice. Korean dishes incorporate a lot of vegetables in their food, which is a healthy choice. Vegetables come lightly seasoned, steamed or grilled, and are soft to the touch; however, don’t just eat the vegetables by themselves; eat it combined with rice or noodles.
Customers who prefer to stay on the safe side of common Asian food would probably enjoy the udon noodles, though I found these average yet satisfying. One thing that may not appeal at first to many people is the 김치 (Kimchi). Kimchi is mostly cabbage, white radish or cucumber, usually fermented in a brine of ginger, garlic, green onion and chilli pepper. Before you judge based on its description, give it at least one try; it’s a new and surprising taste.
After you pay for your meal, try the Korean market right next door. They have items only found in Korea that are one of a kind. My friends and I were craving something sweet after our savory meal, so we chose a Korean snack called Salmanco. It’s vanilla ice cream and red beans, a delicious combination, though it might startle some Westerners. All in all, if you’re craving a new culinary experience, try Pepero. It will be a worthwhile excursion.
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