When Jaekyung (Jacky) Kim and her husband Jin Jung moved into the apartments in East Brunswick Village (EBV), it spurred on their dream of opening a modern Korean restaurant.
With encouragement from the village’s security guard, Charlie, the duo soon took the idea to EBV’s management.
“We never thought we could do it here, but the EBV team has been so supportive and welcoming, and have helped make our dream a reality,” says Jacky. The couple teamed up with Mars Kim – who has been cooking alongside Jin since 2016 – to start the restaurant.
Jacky will lead the front of house operations, while Jin, who is an experienced head chef, having spent time at Bistro D’Orsay and Dosirock, will lead the Dodam kitchen with the help of Mars.
The restaurant will be delivering ‘Janchi’, the celebrative Korean feast often reserved for special occasions.
“In Korea, Janchi was held not only for weddings and birthdays, but also to celebrate milestones like passing exams, getting a job, or having a baby. We hope this space brings our neighbours not just good food, but good memories — a place to gather, celebrate, and feel at home,” says Mars.
The menu will feature a signature two-person meat feast platter. Guests can choose from grilled pork belly and BBQ pork neck, braised pork jowl, spicy braised pork hock, and soy-marinated beef short ribs. The feast will be served with fresh vegetables, ssamjang dipping sauce, and a variety of Korean sides. Also on offer will be soolsang, a tapas-style set including sashimi, assorted fried bites, and house-made rice wine; a selection of mandu (Korean dumplings); and mango bingsu for dessert. The trio will also be brewing their own Makgeolli (rice wine).
“All our food is meant to comfort you like a Korean-style home cooked meal. We’re passionate about house-made specialties, so you can look forward to sharing handmade dumplings, freshly brewed makgeolli and heaps of other treats prepared with love and care,” says Jin. “That’s why we’ve set ‘a joy shared is a joy doubled’ as our restaurant motto.”
Dodam will open daily from Friday 1 August.
Photography by Stephanie Bailly and Julian Lallo.
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