Beom Beom brings a contemporary take to Korean soul food in Sydney’s Darling Square
Darling Square, Sydney’s five-star destination for fun, friends and flavour, welcomes Beom Beom, a contemporary Korean diner helmed by executive chef Jacob Lee. Based around ‘hansik’, Korean traditional food and culture, Beom Beom is open for lunch and dinner six days a week serving Korean ‘soul food’, with a modern twist.
Following the successful launch of sibling venues Astro and Matkim, Beom Beom is the latest venue from David Bae and Kolture Group, with executive chef Lee joined by head chef Sunzoo Kwak (ex-Madang). Taking over the former Honey site, Beom Beom provides a more extensive lunch offering for the local and corporate CBD community, while also providing a vibrant backdrop for those continuing with evening drinks and dining. Beom Beom will showcase traditional Korean soul food inspired by chef Lee’s upbringing in the Jeolla Province of South Korea, with a modern twist informed by his time working in Australian restaurants.
“Beom Beom has provided the perfect opportunity to recreate Korean soul food from my childhood through a more modern lens. We want to celebrate the rich flavours and traditions of Korean cuisine, known as ‘hansik’, while also capturing the vibrant culinary landscape of Sydney,” says executive chef Jacob Lee.
The menu of Korean favourites with Lee’s unique spin includes: galbi – a short rib dish that is smoked in hay and served with a scallion salad; tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) with fish cake, baby octopus and a rose sauce; pork belly bossam with ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce); Shin Ramyun fried rice; perilla noodles; and Korean fried chicken with a choice of original, sweet and spicy or soy garlic. The drinks offering features a wide range of soju, house Makgeolli –a traditional rice wine – Korean-inspired cocktails and soju highballs.
Beom means tiger in Korean which is a symbol of strength and power that protects people from evil spirits that break the human bond. Bringing the tiger to life in the venue, David Bae commissioned well-known Korean American mural artist Tommii Lim, to create a one-of-a-kind mural artwork to act as the centrepiece for the venue. Lim’s artwork is a progressive take on a well-known Korean folklore painting depicting a magpie outsmarting a tiger to save the life of a woodcutter, symbolising good fortune and traditionally displayed at homes at the beginning of the New Year. The venue’s broader design embraces a retro aesthetic, taking cues from Blade Runner’s cyberpunk style, with neon signage flooding the venue accompanied by a soundtrack of K-Pop, old school Korean classics and underground Korean RnB.
Beom Beom is open Tuesday – Sunday for lunch from 11:30am – 3pm and from 5pm for dinner.
Bookings available via beombeom.com.au
70 Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket NSW 2000
About Jacob Lee – executive chef
Jacob grew up in Jeolla Province in South Korea, a gastronomic gem that is still somewhat undiscovered by the rest of the world. Raised and taught the art of cooking by his grandmother Lee emigrated to Australia at 22 and cut his teeth professionally working in Japanese and modern Australian restaurants across Sydney. Joining founder and CEO of Kolture Group, Lee has gone on to help establish: Tokki – a Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant in Surry Hills; Matkim – a unique 8-seat restaurant showcasing a Korean take on omakase; and Astro – a modern Asian BBQ restaurant inspired by the izakayas of Tokyo and the barbeques of Seoul.
About Darling Square
Darling Square is Sydney’s five star destination for fun, friends and flavour. Eat, drink, shop and discover over 60 retailers, relax on the village green and explore the cobblestoned laneways. Darling Square has your cravings taken care of with a collection of local operators from fast food to fine diners. Plus there are 15+ shops and services for all your lifestyle needs.
There are many great parts that make up Darling Square – from retail to residences, and all the little things in between. Crossing the heart of Darling Square and linking Quay Street to Darling Harbour is Tumbalong Boulevard. As you explore Tumbalong Boulevard, be sure to discover the cross-streets, such as Steam Mill Lane and Little Hay Street where many of Darling Square’s morning-to-late-night eateries, cafes, bars and shops are buzzing seven days a week. Favourites include: Sydney bánh mì institution Marrickville Pork Roll; Japanese-Nordic cafe Edition Coffee Roasters; new-school Vietnamese restaurant Hello Auntie; and hole in the wall dessert bar KUKI.
Opposite Steam Mill Lane, at the very heart of the Darling Square precinct, there’s a large, grassy, communal square with plenty of outdoor seating and communal dining areas. Sitting right in front of The Exchange building – home to Maker’s Dozen food collective and XOPP, a modern Chinese restaurant by Golden Century, it’s a perfect spot to catch up with friends and family for an impromptu picnic in the heart of Sydney CBD. For those planning an outing with little ones, Darling Square is family and pram-friendly with plenty of outdoor seating and places to explore.
