While heading out to dinner last week, mind you, in the coldest February on record, I just couldn’t wait to get out of the cold. While walking down Elm Street, I saw that Meju was finally open and I have been looking forward to trying it since I heard very good things about the sister restaurant Bibim in Allston.

Upon entering the restaurant, the staff was welcoming and friendly. The space has a rustic, yet sophisticated feel. The exposed brick wall and dark wood along with the lighting helps in keeping this large space a little more intimate.

The wait staff showed excitement about the menu and was able to suggest signature dishes. Throughout the meal, numerous staff came by and checked to see if all was to our liking.

The night started off with a drink called Meju Mule ($10) made with soju, the most popular liquor of Korea (a distilled beverage traditionally made from rice, wheat or barley), with a heavy ginger flavor. It was refreshing and crisp and a perfect pairing with spicy food. The steamed buns come in two varieties, beef or spicy pork ($10 for 2). The beef was tender and had some fresh pickled vegetables in the bun that added great texture. The spicy pork was so well balanced with spice, sweetness and crunch that it had me craving more. The entrees are served with a relish dish that consisted of spicy kimchi, a sweet kimchi, pickled cucumber and pickled potato that was a nice accompaniment to the meal. If you want a side of rice, white or purple, it’s an extra $1. The Beef Bulgogi ($22) is a signature dish of Korea and this version consisted of marinated ribeye, onions, scallions, daikon and mushrooms. The ribeye was extremely tender and full of a perfectly balanced salt and sweet flavor. The other traditional dish of Korea is Bibimbap ($17, +$2.00 if served in a ceramic or clay pot), a bowl of mixed, fresh, crisp vegetables topped off with an egg cascading over the vegetables, served with a side of bean sprout soup with a spicy pepper paste and a choice of beef or tofu. Mixed all together made for a hot bowl of comfort and a mixture of textures and flavors.

If you’re looking for a place to sit back, and unwind with a unique cocktail, great service, and good food, I recommend giving it a try. Meju is a nice addition to the already diverse dining scene in Davis Square.

Meju Korean Restaurant
243 Elm Street

Hours: Sun-Wed 5-10:30 p.m. & Thurs-Sat 5-11:30 p.m.

Price Ranges:
Small Plates $9-13
Soups-Stews $16-19
Entrees $17-28
Desserts $5-8
Korean Spirits $16-23