The Ssam of Its Parts: Nouveau Korean in Sanlitun Soho
Ssam (which means “wrap” in Korean) features innovative and healthy contemporary cuisine rooted in Korean dining traditions. One of their trademarks is their homemade sauces, made without MSG, table salt, white sugar or butter.
The vegetarian seaweed roll (RMB 58), which includes minced parsnip (replacing rice), shredded turnip, carrot and broccoli sprouts, is packed with antioxidants. It gets a much-needed kick from a cholesterol-free mayonnaise substitute made from ground pine nuts, yogurt and lemon juice.
The steamed mussels (RMB 58) go great with Makkoli (RMB 65), the milky-white Korean tipple made from fermented rice. The freshness of the mussels is guaranteed, though they weren’t as large as we’d hoped. The ribeye steak (RMB 218) comes with a bowl of assorted raw leafy greens to wrap the beef in. Smooth and creamy taro, steamed with its skin intact, was the ideal soulmate for the well-executed steak.
The one disappointment was dessert. The jellied cinnamon punch (RMB 56), encased in dried persimmons, was improved by the moist yogurt mousse and lemon granite but undone by a bed of chocolate powder.
Ssam
Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10.30pm. B1-238, Bldg 1, Sanlitun Soho, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (5935 9475)
朝阳区工体北路三里屯Soho1号楼B1-238室
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