Junghee at The Campus, Ampang
Ampang, known for its vibrant Koreatown scene, now boasts a new Korean restaurant: Junghee. With over 20 branches across Korea, the Seoul-rooted eatery lands in Kuala Lumpur with a menu of well-plated, shareable Korean dishes that fuse modern and traditional flavours.
What is Junghee?
Tucked in a quiet corner of Ampang’s The Campus, Junghee doesn’t have a distinct signboard outside. The restaurant’s decor reflects its fusion food, with understated modern furniture meeting a warm wooden interior.
The restaurant arrives from Korea, where it has 22 branches with consistent and thoughtful decor and food.
Seats are thoughtfully laid out in its cosy Malaysia outpost to create an intimate dining experience for patrons enjoying fusion hansik – or Korean cuisine. Picture sujebi, Korean hand-torn doughy noodles with bracken-cream sauce, and kimchi fried rice with wagyu beef.
What to order at Junghee
What sets Junghee apart is its bold approach to food. The restaurant prides itself on melding together traditional and modern Korean elements into dishes that feel unexpected yet well-executed.
Soybean Sauce Kale Rice Wraps
The restaurant has several signature dishes, but for appetisers, start with the beautifully plated Soybean Sauce Kale Rice Wraps, priced at RM26. Seven kale-wrapped rice balls sit on a plate, in a pool of thickened soybean paste sauce that tastes like mapo tofu sans the spiciness.
Each bite of ssambap, or rice ball, was surprisingly refreshing. The crunch of the kale, a rather novel and healthy touch to traditional Korean rice balls, nicely balances out the softness of the rice and richness of the sauce.
Bracken Fern Cream Noodles
For those looking for something comforting, order the Bracken Fern Cream Noodles, priced at RM40. The dish looks chaotic upon first glance – five distinctly coloured ingredients in a bowl, with a yolk at its heart. But the ingredients form a cohesive, modern take on sujebi, a Korean noodle dish with dough flakes that have been torn by hand.
Junghee’s rendition is made with Korean dough flakes in a cream-based sauce that comprises boiled bracken, truffle oil, perilla seeds, and gamtae, a type of seaweed common in Korean cuisine, topped with a perfectly runny egg yolk.
Everything mixed forms a velvety, indulgent sauce that was layered in flavours – creamy, earthy, and slightly nutty.
Shrimp & Potato Pancakes
The Shrimp & Potato Pancakes, priced at RM33, are a Korean classic with a twist. This pancake comes topped with rocket leaves and a generous sprinkle of cheese, alongside a tangy dipping sauce. The edges of the savoury pancake were crispy without being overly oily, while the cheese and rocket helped cut through the richness, making it surprisingly addictive
The shrimps were fresh and generously portioned, and you are guaranteed a bite in almost every piece.
Wagyu Beef Kimchi Fried Hot-pot Rice
Served sizzling in a claypot, the Wagyu Beef Kimchi Fried Hot-pot Rice, priced at RM37, comes with a DIY element that makes it even more enjoyable. A raw egg is provided on the side, which you pour into the rice before mixing everything.
As the egg cooks in the heat of the claypot, it binds the kimchi fried rice and the minced beef into a rich, savoury mix. The slight char from the pot adds an extra layer of flavour. Spring onions are scattered over the rice, adding a mild freshness without overpowering the dish.
Vongole Hand-pull Noodle
A creative reimagination of classic vongole pasta, the Vongole Hand-pull Noodle, priced at RM34, transforms it into a soup-based noodle version. Loaded with clams, rocket leaves, and a knob of butter melting into the broth, it is a unique combination that somehow works beautifully in the dish.
The soup isn’t overly heavy despite the butter, making it a comforting and well-balanced dish. Portions are generous too, making it great for sharing or a satisfying solo meal.
Kimchi Cheese Tteokbokki Chicken Fries
For cheese lovers, the Kimchi Cheese Tteokbokki Chicken Fries, RM35, is the perfect dish for you. Combining fried chicken, rice cakes, and melted cheese, this dish delivers on both indulgence and flavour.
The spice level is mild, making it approachable even for those who can’t handle heat. Once mixed with the cheese, it becomes a savoury, addictive combination that is hard to stop eating.
Modern and traditional Korean flavours at Junghee in Ampang
If you are in the mood for a hearty, shareable meal with a creative twist, Jung Hee is definitely worth checking out.
It is a spot we will happily return for seconds, or even thirds, thanks to its unique flavours, cosy atmosphere, and approachable pricing.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Ming Xuan.