The Scoop: Hangook Kwan officially becomes Korea House, with retooled menu

Han Kim has been cooking for eight years at his father’s Korean restaurant, Hangook Kwan. Last year, Kim took over the family business, known informally as Korea House for a few years now, and has been quietly making plans to retool the 13-year-old eatery that sits at 1261 Castillons Arcade Plaza in Creve Coeur into something more approachable for American palates. Kim is now officially renaming the restaurant Korea House, set to debut with a new menu in early September. On Korea House's new menu, expect to see a healthier bent to many of the dishes, including only three stir-fried dishes and one section devoted to vegetarian fare, Kim explained. Diners will also see more options, including numerous meat and vegetable choices for bibim bob, the signature Korean mixed rice bowl, instead of the typical beef and fixed slate of veggies. And, for those who can’t handle their bibim bob with gochujang – a spicy chile paste – a milder house-made sauce will now be available as well. A Korea House sign recently replaced the Hangook Kwan marker, although the telephone number remains the same. Watch for a grand opening the weekend of September 2.