Straight from the streets of Seoul. K-Street Toast is a new phenomenon to hit Melbourne’s CBD. The recently-opened Seoul Bong Toast on Little Lonsdale street is crafting Korean-style toasted sandwiches. Born in the business districts of Seoul in 1997, Kim Seok Bong, AKA Mr Kim, developed his signature Suk Bong toast for the hordes of hungry students and business folk that flooded through the city each day.
The famed K-Street Toast is comprised of two thick-cut slices of white bread that are grilled with an egg mix, topped with fillings, and toasted to perfection. At Seoul Bong Toast there are five different options, from a conventional yet perfected ham and cheese with pickles and sweet and spicy sauce, to the more authentic Bulgogi—a traditional Korean dish which literally translates to ‘fire meat’ which has been reimagined into a square slice masterpiece with cabbage, onion, olives, jalapenos, mayo, and Mr Bong's semi sauce. “The funny thing is the ham and cheese is the most popular in Korea, but here the Bulgogi is super popular, I think people find it more Korean and authentic”, said owner Alice Kayoung Park.
Since opening in early August the store has been selling out most days, “we opened between the fourth and fifth lockdown, and we thought it was the worst timing ever, but things have been going really well” said Alice. This isn’t the first culinary venture for Alice, she has been instrumental in Melbourne’s Korean dining scene, having started out eight years ago opening Suda, and continuing on with K-street-food sensation Sijeon, and now Seoul Bong Toast.
Keeping it Korean, the laneway destination also stocks a range of native drinks including peach and grape Bon Bon, a canned juice as well as Milkis, a sugary combination of milk and carbonated water, and coffee roasted by barista and latte art champion Caleb Tiger.
Have you seen North Melbourne's new 70's Indonesian style warehouse-milk bar?
Image credit: supplied