CHIReview
Jeong
Included In
Jeong is currently only offering its tasting menu
When you visit an amusement park, you need to prioritize the rides. They’re all fun (except for the log flume, which is objectively terrible), but some are just more exciting than others. And when a very good restaurant offers both a tasting and an a la carte menu - with different dishes on each - you’re faced with the same kind of dilemma. This is the case at Jeong, an upscale Korean restaurant in West Town. You’ll have a great meal either way, but the tasting menu is the can’t-miss ride.
As mentioned, there are two ways you can go about things at Jeong: getting the $87 seven-course tasting menu, or ordering a la carte. And like Raging Bull versus Batman: The Ride, both options are great, but the former is an overall smoother experience that flows seamlessly. It has thoughtfully composed dishes like salmon tartare, made with a sweet and spicy yuzu gastrique, perfectly placed dollops of creme fraiche, and bubu arare (crispy rice puffs) that give it texture. Or a seared scallop with a bright clementine beurre blanc, served with just-bitter-enough spinach namul. Larger courses are also well-balanced, like the sliced duck breast on top of a rich and smoky soy glaze. The whole thing does exactly what a tasting menu should: it progresses naturally, gives you enough food, and makes you excited for the next course.
photo credit: Sandy Noto
When it comes to the a la carte menu, dishes are still flavorful, but a little bumpier. You’ll find things like the tasty odeng (Jeong’s version is made with shrimp and topped with a gochujang aioli) and a fantastic broccoli salad with apples, cashews, and a smoked mayo. But not everything is as perfectly composed. For example, the mandu filled with pork and kimchi are tasty, but the fragile wrapper doesn’t hold up to the filling. And when the kalbi or duck confit mix with their accompanying purees and sauces, everything on the plate ends up getting very mushy. But there’s one standout on this side of the aisle, and that’s the fantastic tteokbokki. These spicy rice cakes are fried in schmaltz and have a wonderfully crispy and chewy texture. It’s a must-order, so the best strategy is to order the tasting menu and add on the tteokbokki to share.
You spend the same amount of money getting into Six Flags whether you decide to ride a coaster or just stick to those terrifying swings. And at Jeong, you’ll end up spending similar amounts per person whether you order the tasting or a la carte. While the tasting menu is a better all-around experience, either way you’re going to have a great meal. So don’t stress about the decision too much; you’ll probably want a season pass no matter what.
The menu changes, but here is a selection of what you might find on both the tasting and the a la carte menu.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Salmon Tartare
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Scallop
Duck
Bavette
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Chestnut Financier
photo credit: Sandy Noto