KCOOKING Hangzhou Review: Korean Restaurant in In77
Hi my lovely readers!
KCOOKING 概念韩餐 (Gàiniàn Hán Cān / Korean Concept Restaurant) was our very first meal in Hangzhou, right after checking into our hotel at 祺悦宋胤酒店 (Qíyuè Sòng Yìn Jiǔdiàn), and it was such a comfortable landing pad after a long day of travelling. Sometimes you just want something hearty and familiar before you dive into a new city, and this hit the spot perfectly. [LINK: 祺悦宋胤酒店 In77 Hangzhou Hotel Review]
We went around 1:30pm on a weekday and walked straight in with no queue. Do factor in a wait if you are going later or on a weekend, though this place is popular.
What We Ordered and Ate
The centrepiece of our meal was the 经典部队锅 (Jīngdiǎn Bùduì Guō / Classic Army Stew, RMB 138 / SGD 27). If you have never had 部队锅 (Bùduì Guō / army stew) before, think of it as a big bubbling pot of comfort: vermicelli, spam, sausage, tofu, kimchi, enoki mushrooms, beef, fishcake, crabstick and more, all cooked together in a rich, flavourful broth. The portion here was enormous, without a doubt one of the biggest servings we came across on the whole trip, and the three of us could not finish it. So just be aware of that before you start adding more dishes on top.
The 玫瑰芝士年糕 (Méiguī Zhīshì Niángāo / Cheese Tteok, RMB 48 / SGD 9) was a personal favourite. I was a little worried it might be too 腻 (nì / rich and jelat) but it really was not at all. The cheese was generous without being overwhelming. This one is a must-order.
The 嫩牛肉粒石锅拌饭 (Nèn Niúròu Lì Shí Guō Bànfàn / Tender Beef Cube Stone Pot Rice, RMB 48 / SGD 9) was another highlight. It comes in a sizzling stone pot, and what I loved was that the rice gets slightly charred at the bottom, forming a 锅巴 (Guō Bā / crispy rice crust) as it cooks. You mix everything together and every spoonful has that lovely toasty texture. Such a good dish.
The banchan (반찬 / small Korean side dishes) that came with the meal were really good too, and you can get refills, which is always a bonus. The mashed potato with its cheesy flavour was our absolute favourite of the lot — we kept going back for more. The rest of the spread included pickled radish, bean sprouts, and kimchi, all solid and a nice way to keep things going between the main dishes.
One thing we really wished we had ordered was the 火山石烤牛五花 (Huǒshān Shí Kǎo Niú Wǔhuā / Volcanic Stone Grilled Beef Belly, RMB 78 / SGD 15) — it looked incredible at the tables around us. The 火山石烤五花肉 (Huǒshān Shí Kǎo Wǔhuā Ròu / Volcanic Stone Grilled Pork Belly, RMB 48 / SGD 9) also looked really good. We only skipped these because the army stew was such a huge portion and we simply had no room. If you are a smaller group or ordering lighter, these are worth getting.
We also spotted the 济州岛油画蛋糕 (Jìzhōu Dǎo Yóuhuà Dàngāo / Jeju Island Oil Painting Cake, RMB 45 / SGD 9) at another table — a cute little activity where you paint on the cake yourself. We did not try it this time but it looked like such a fun thing to do, especially if you are there with friends.
Three of us came to RMB 229 total. About RMB 76 per head — around SGD 15 per person. Really solid value for how much food was on the table.
Tip: The army stew is a lot of food on its own, so think carefully before piling on too many other dishes. If you want to try the grilled meats as well, consider skipping the stone pot rice and sharing the stew between more people.
The Vibe
The aesthetic is well done without feeling overdone, and the staff were attentive throughout. Being right inside 银泰in77 (Yíntài in77) on B1F of the C1 zone makes it incredibly easy to find. [LINK: Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide]
If You Are Travelling Solo
If you are solo, skip the army stew and go for the 嫩牛肉粒石锅拌饭 (Nèn Niúròu Lì Shí Guō Bànfàn / Tender Beef Cube Stone Pot Rice) as your main, add the 玫瑰芝士年糕 (Méiguī Zhīshì Niángāo / Cheese Tteok), and enjoy the banchan refills to your heart’s content. That puts you at around RMB 96 (SGD 18) for a really satisfying solo meal. If you have a bit more room, the 火山石烤五花肉 (Huǒshān Shí Kǎo Wǔhuā Ròu / Volcanic Stone Grilled Pork Belly) at RMB 48 (SGD 9) would be a great add-on.
Solo Female Tip: Mall setting, easy to navigate, bright and lively — this is a really comfortable solo dining spot. The banchan refills mean you always have something to snack on while you wait for your main dishes, which is such a nice touch when you are eating alone.
Getting There
📍 258 延安路 (Yán’ān Lù / Yan’an Road), 银泰in77 (Yíntài in77) C1区 (C1 Qū / C1 Zone), B1F, 上城区 (Shàngchéng Qū / Shangcheng District), Hangzhou 🚇 龙翔桥站 (Lóngxiáng Qiáo Zhàn / Longxiangqiao Station), Metro Line 1, Exit D1 🕐 We walked straight in at 1:30pm on a weekday. Factor in a wait if going later or on weekends. 💰 Around RMB 76 per head (SGD 15)
Before You Go, Meituan and WeChat
Pull up Meituan (美团, Měituán) before you sit down and check for deals — it almost always works out cheaper than walking in and paying full price. You can purchase the deal on the spot, no advance planning is needed.
That said, if you would rather skip the Meituan (美团, Měituán) deal, that is completely fine too. We found that ordering à la carte gave us more flexibility to get exactly what we wanted without being tied to a set.
Every table has a WeChat (微信, Wēixìn) QR code to pull up the photo menu, and WeChat Pay (微信 支付, Wēixìn Zhīfù) works for payment. Full guide on setting up WeChat here [LINK: Essential Apps to Download for China] and everything on payments here [LINK: How to Pay for Things in China].
Handy Mandarin Phrases
服务员 (Fúwùyuán): how you get a waiter’s attention.
招牌菜是什么？(Zhāopái cài shì shénme?): What is the must-order dish?
我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhège): I want this one.
一个／两个／三个 (Yī gè / Liǎng gè / Sān gè): one / two / three.
少放盐 (Shǎo fàng yán): less salt.
不要辣 (Bù yào là): no spice. Or if you want it:
要辣 (Yào là).
少辣 (Shǎo là): a little spice only, if you can handle a small amount.
买单 (Mǎidān): the bill please.
微信支付 (Wēixìn Zhīfù): WeChat Pay.
FAQ — KCOOKING Hangzhou In77
What is the must-order dish at KCOOKING Hangzhou? The 经典部队锅 (Jīngdiǎn Bùduì Guō / Classic Army Stew) is the centrepiece dish. If you are a smaller group or eating solo, the 嫩牛肉粒石锅拌饭 (Nèn Niúròu Lì Shí Guō Bànfàn / Tender Beef Cube Stone Pot Rice) and the 玫瑰芝士年糕 (Méiguī Zhīshì Niángāo / Cheese Tteok) together make an excellent meal.
How much does KCOOKING Hangzhou cost per person? We spent around RMB 76 per head (SGD 15) for three people, including the army stew, stone pot rice, cheese tteok, and free banchan. It is really good value for how much food you get.
Is there a queue at KCOOKING In77 Hangzhou? We walked straight in at 1:30pm on a weekday. Expect a queue during peak lunch and dinner hours, and on weekends. Arriving before 12pm or after 2pm on weekdays is the easiest way to avoid a wait.
Where exactly is KCOOKING in In77 Hangzhou? KCOOKING 概念韩餐 (Gàiniàn Hán Cān) is on B1F of the C1 zone in 银泰in77 (Yíntài in77), at 258 延安路 (Yán’ān Lù / Yan’an Road). Take Metro Line 1 to 龙翔桥站 (Lóngxiáng Qiáo Zhàn / Longxiangqiao Station) and use Exit D1.
What is 部队锅 (army stew)? 部队锅 (Bùduì Guō / army stew), also known as budae jjigae in Korean, is a Korean comfort food dish. It is a big bubbling hotpot of vermicelli, spam, sausage, tofu, kimchi, enoki mushrooms, beef, fishcake, and more, all cooked together in a rich, flavourful broth. It originated in Korea in the post-war era and has become a classic comfort food. The version at KCOOKING 概念韩餐 (Gàiniàn Hán Cān) is very generous in portion size.
Can I use Meituan (美团) at KCOOKING Hangzhou? Yes. Check Meituan (美团, Měituán) before you order — there are usually deals available. You can also choose to order à la carte without a deal if you prefer the flexibility of choosing exactly what you want.
Is KCOOKING good for solo dining? Yes. Skip the army stew if you are eating alone and go for the stone pot rice and cheese tteok as your main meal. The free banchan refills are a bonus for solo diners. The mall setting is comfortable and easy to navigate solo.
Is there English at KCOOKING Hangzhou? The restaurant has a photo menu accessible via QR code at the table through WeChat (微信, Wēixìn). English may be limited, but the photo menu means you can point at what you want, and the Mandarin phrases in this guide will cover most ordering situations.
Have you tried KCOOKING or any Korean concept restaurants in China before? Or are you adding this to your Hangzhou list? Drop me a comment below, I love hearing where you all end up eating! And if you are still planning your Hangzhou trip, my full In77 guide has everything you need in one place. [LINK: Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide]
Links
[LINK: 祺悦宋胤酒店 In77 Hangzhou Hotel Review]
[LINK: Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide]
[LINK: Shanghai Food Guide & Hangzhou Food Guide]
[LINK: Essential Apps to Download for China]
[LINK: How to Pay for Things in China]
[LINK: The Ultimate Shanghai Guide & Hangzhou Travel Guide]
