#mannaland

[aly-live-love-laugh]

Trying to fit in. #KoreanResto #MannaLand #DXB2016 (at Mannaland Korean Restaurant)

[imnotafiend]

Mannaland, Satwa

We recently moved to Satwa and were looking for something a bit different to eat to our usual shawarma and fresh juice affair (a great combination, but one that can sadly grow old fast). We looked up Korean restaurants in the area and the only one to pop up was the very sign above.

Apart from looking like a mattress or office supplies shop from the outside, Mannaland is actually pretty cute inside, a casual, laid back setting filled with family and friends getting together. This is something of a rarity in the high-class, pristine decor of the usual Korean joint, in Dubai at least. 

So we delve in, as we always do, with an open mind and an open belly, ready to take on Mannaland for all it's worth. Will this be our new hang out spot? Will we come back for their bibimpap? What does 'Mannaland' mean?? There's only one way to find out!

Straight off the bat, Korean restaurants always butter me up good with these complementary appetizers. Kimchi, spicy cucumber salad, sesame-dressed beansprouts, mysterious pancakes, these are all good things. 

And then downhill a bit. The beef bulgogi isn't the best we've had. A little dry, lacking in flavour, and it looked way juicier in the photo in the menu. We were fooled! There was a hot plate but it wasn't even sizzling! Even so, it was passable, an enjoyable dish when combined with lettuce leave wraps and a smudge of soybean paste.

Back on track with this warming seafood dish! Belt fish came in a sweet, hot and delicious red sauce, with slices of potato. The flesh was soft and tender, slipping perfectly off the bones. Even with my clumsy hands attempting to maneuvre with metal chopsticks (my nemesis!). This was a massive serving for one, just right for sharing between two people! The best dish of the meal, I loved sopping up every last scrap of fish and soupy, sour sauce. 

Having shakily braved raw oysters for the first time this summer like a real trooper, I was pleasantly surprised to grow a real affection for the slimy freaks. So pan-fried oysters in an eggy batter was childsplay for a seasoned pro such as myself. These tasted satisfyingly fresh and seafoody, as obvious as that sounds. As always with oysters, the texture won't be for some people, but you've just got to go with it. It kind of bursts out squirts of delicious flavour in your mouth. Dipped in the accompanying oyster and chilli sauce, now we're talking! 

So of course this wasn't the best Korean food we've had. I'm not going mental for Mannaland. The prices are a little expensive for the casual vibes and the Satwa setting. But the place has a certain friendly charm. If you order correctly, you can have a decent meal! If you want a mind-blowing Korean experience, don't go here (Sonamu in the Asiana Hotel in Deira will sort you out for that); but if you're in the area with a kimchi craving, you can't go too wrong at Mannaland. How's that for glowing praise.