Don’t you just love it when you walk into a restaurant for the first time to see it filled with people from that particular background enjoying the food there?
It happened to me the other day when I was invited to the Korean Restaurant called Manna Land. It is nestled in an unassuming position alongside the Capitol Hotel just off Al Dhiyafa Street.
While I am no expert in Korean food it was an excellent education as one of our dining partners had lived in Seoul for three years and was happily conversing with the staff in their native tongue, which took everyone by surprise.
In the times of going out to eat in Dubai the choice seems to be polarised at the moment between super high end designer chef places to international franchise chains to the Pakistan and Indian restaurants in Karama and Bur Dubai. It is always hard to find a middle ground. I believe Manna Land fills the gap perfectly.
Quickly a selection of Kim Chi and other traditional accompaniments are brought to the table in a blink of an eye.
We ordered some nice starters the bipat bibimbap(a super heated metal bowl containing rice, egg, beef and veggies) that you stir vigorously to complete the cooking process was excellent and would make a perfect lunchtime meal. Alongside some tasty seafood pancakes and rice cakes setup us up for the main course.
We opted for the Korean BBQ and a hot plate was brought to the table alongside some tongs and scissors. The waitress asked if we wanted to cook it and we promptly said of course. The beef short ribs we ordered looked amazing.
Long and beautifully marbled they were soon sizzling on the hot plate alongside some chilli, garlic, mushrooms and onions. Eating instantly cooked pieces of beef short rib with a dab of bean paste wrapped in lettuce leaf was a taste sensation.
The other great thing about Manna Land is that they also offer some special treats i.e. Pork Belly and they even serve alcohol. A rare decadent treat for those of us in Dubai who indulge in such things.
However, more than this it was a super sociable way to eat. Far better than the slews of buffets that haunt Dubai meaning I usually end up eating food on my own while my companions or I are getting stuck into their nth course.
Overall 9/10 – Manna Land is an authentic, inexpensive taste of Korea. Mix it in with a wonderful social eating experience it is a regular on the I want something both casual and tasty dining list.
bipat = bibimbap?
By: michelle on March 2, 2010
at 12:32 pm
Yes Michelle – 100% right. I can never get that pronounced or spelled correctly. Duly updated thanks for pointing it out.
By: Aaron on March 2, 2010
at 12:44 pm
Nice info. Thanks.
Want visit me back? Welcome…
By: variety on March 2, 2010
at 2:29 pm
Ooh, looks delish. you had me at ribs, but the mention of alcohol…race you there!!!! Yummy!
By: Natalie on March 2, 2010
at 3:49 pm
Natalie – do go with the family. It really is a fun dining experience.
By: Aaron on March 2, 2010
at 10:25 pm
The image hosting service you use is blocked by Du, endless battle is it not
By: Joe on March 21, 2010
at 10:06 pm
@Joe – it is a pain right? I am on Du as well and the images are coming ok. I find using opendns.com for my DNS helps web surfing response.
By: Aaron on March 21, 2010
at 10:10 pm
Here is a pic of Dubai taken from the International Space Station http://bit.ly/aFLxZq very impressive photo. I am not sure if Dubai marina is included but the Palm and World Resort look incredible. It gives you an idea of the scale of the two developments!
By: Mat on March 23, 2010
at 8:35 pm
Mat ,
Check out the following picture – giving 10 years of urbanization. Really is amazing:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/dubai.php
By: Aaron on March 24, 2010
at 4:23 pm
Here is a site it will be worth you joining http://bit.ly/drC9Yk it concerns well travelled people. From the your regular globe trotting I am sure you will be in the top 10 list of most travelled people!
If you visit Dubai as a tourist are there any problems with buying and drinking alcohol?
Dubai has replaced the Caribbean as a highly desirable tourist destination but the issue with alcohol is a grey area which my friends are equally unsure about.
My sister is a software tester and she had been looking at moving to Dubai before the crunch. It is still a possibility for her but she remains undecided at present.
Thanks for posting the timeline of construction in Dubai it is unbelievable how quickly the place has developed.
Mat
By: Mat on March 29, 2010
at 11:50 pm
korean foods are really good. been in korea last month and i indulge all the good foods there. that dish that your wrapping in lettuce with bean paste and side dishes that is the my favorite korean food, samgyupsal. Can you tell the exact location of this restaurant or maybe contact number. Please
By: EM on December 16, 2010
at 7:42 pm
You’ve hit the ball out the park! Incirebdle!
By: Kameryn on May 12, 2011
at 4:47 am