Cafe Maroo, Aundh - Saranghaeyo!
#WanderDriveEat #ReallyLongPost #KoreanRestaurant
Tucked into an unassuming little corner of Aundh is a Korean cafe almost blending into it's unlikely surroundings. If you don't look, you'll miss it, but if you notice it, it stands out completely like a patch of bright blue sky on an overcast day. You're a little unsure when you're outside, but you step inside Cafe Maroo (Heemang) and you're transported. You could be somewhere in the outskirts of Seoul, welcomed in by friendly faces and pleasant smiles. It smells wonderfully different, feels warm and cosy and you feel the pace of the world around you slow down, almost instantly.
You look around Cafe Maroo and notice so many things around you. Everything is finished in wood, the floor, the windows and a cute little staircase going to the upper level. Beautiful little decorative pieces everywhere, it looks like you're in someone's home. There are tables and chairs and even low seating to sit down on the floor, Korean style. Run by Korean expats, opened a long time ago it is almost an institution for people in the know. The owners and staff are super friendly, welcoming and always ready to help.
My wife has been quite a fan of K-drama for quite a while and she had been dying to try Korean food. Watching those actors gulp down Rameyon soups and kimchi, she had been wishing to do the same as well as to talk to somebody from Korea and experience the culture. There couldn't have been a better time. I too have been waiting to eat here for a long time, as trying Korean food had been on my mind for ages. We went through the menu once even though we almost already knew what we wanted to have. Some Seafood Seaweed Soup (Miyeok-Guk) and Chicken Kimbap was immediately ordered.
Seafood Miyeok-Guk (Seaweed Soup) - We got 3 large bowls of seaweed soup when we had ordered just 1! Turns out, they serve complimentary Seaweed Soup and Kimchi to all customers anyway! So it was going to be a task to finish all this soup. But one taste and I knew it won't be a problem. The soup was hot and soothing. There was a distinct taste of the sea and a bit of a marshy flavour but really good. The taste of the seaweed and the seafood along with the broth was amazing. Some people may find it slightly off putting, but surprisingly, my wife loved it too.
Chicken Kimbap - This is Korean style Sushi and it was delicious. Fresh vegetables like carrot, spinach with an omelette and chicken. A dip in soy sauce and you're good to go. Korean Kimbap is slightly different to Japanese sushi and there's also no wasabi. It's really tasty and refreshing.
Kimchi - Kimchi was one of the most important things we wanted to try. Authentic Kimchi, hopefully, right from the horse's mouth. The first thing that hits you is the slight pungency, intense sourness and spice. It was a lot less pungent than I was expecting though, I had expected it to have a fermented smell and taste. There was no sweetness like the stuff most generic Asian restaurants in Pune serve. I assume there must be many types and there might be a sweeter version too. But Cafe Maroo's kimchi was distinctly different to anything I have had before. I enjoyed it but I would have loved some sweetness to balance out the intense sourness and spice.
Ice Coffee - We decided to have a break as the 3 bowls of soup, Kimbap and kimchi had filled us up. I had the Ice Coffee which is basically Korean Style Cold Black Coffee. I loved it, fairly strong, freshly brewed flavour and sweetness from honey and mild spices. It was incredible, the flavour was amazing. Really refreshing.
We were quite full but I really wanted to try something more so I ordered a Jajang-Myeon Special and the wife ordered the Sweet Angel dessert.
Jajang-Myeon Special (Beef) - Jajang Myeon is a noodle dish with lots of vegetables, especially cabbage, and meat (beef, in this case) in a dark black/brown sweet bean paste (Chunjang) based sauce. It came in a massive bowl, probably enough for two people! It's strong, caramelly, with slight sourness and bitterness. I had expected this too to be a bit sweet, again, but it wasn't at all. It was very different to anything I've had before and I enjoyed it a lot. Though, I had to get used to the taste a little bit. I could barely finish a quarter of it as I was so full, so I parceled the rest of it. Dinner sorted!
Sweet Angel - Very simple but satisfying dessert. A soft and delicate muffin topped with honey and warm chocolate sauce. It made us feel warm and fuzzy inside. I had just a couple of bites as wifey had gone all territorial on it! She absolutely loved it!
Done with the meal, we just sat chatting for almost half an hour as we were so full and felt so cozy in that amazing place. Then the server turned up with two huge mugs of coffee. We hadn't ordered it, but he said it's complimentary after every meal! I mean, how nice and homely can a restaurant be. Hot coffee after a meal! It is really mild freshly brewed black coffee with a few spices and a touch of honey, I think. Really soothing and refreshing.
There is no doubt that Cafe Maroo has just won my heart. It's definitely 'Saranghaeyo, Cafe Maroo' for me! (It means 'I Love you', if you haven't guessed already). It's really a wonderful place, with beautiful and cozy ambiance, great staff and really great authentic Korean food and feel. I have of course never been to Korea, but it makes me want to go there. But if I can't, Cafe Maroo definitely, for a couple of hours at least, will make me feel like I'm there. If you are going, let me tell you, go to the bathroom too. Even the bathroom is so beautifully appointed and cute.
The most important thing is that a lot of small, family run or specialty restaurants like this can feel a bit unapproachable due to unfamiliarity or snarky and unaccepting staff. It's like you need to know their stuff or you need to fit in if you want to go there. No such thing here at all. They are always ready to help you understand the menu and explain the dish when you order. They make you feel extremely welcome.
I really can't wait to go back to Cafe Maroo and spend hours sipping on Soup, and try some Rameyon and Jjigae (stew). I hope I can make it back soon
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