The rapid diversification of Korean dining in Las Vegas continues to be one of the most exciting restaurant trends around the Valley. It wasn’t long ago that mediocre grill-it-yourself Korean barbecues serving mountains of meat and addictive banchan were the only way to play with this incredible cuisine. Now there’s plenty of variety, exemplified by Kkulmat Korean Kitchen, opened in early 2017 on West Spring Mountain Road by two generations of a Korean-American family.
Kkulmat serves different dishes with a common thread—a family cooking what its members want to eat. Powerful kimchi is made in-house and showcased in a stir-fry with pork and tofu ($16), in egg-topped fried rice ($12) and in crispy, tender dumplings ($10). There are similar funky, spicy flavors the braised monkfish ($40), but it’s a delicacy you might want to work your way up to. If that’s the case, start your journey here with another spicy meat dish—classic fried chicken wings ($20)—and complement that familiar snack with a soothing bowl of monkfish soup ($16); this way you’ll get adjusted to the interesting texture and taste of monkfish, an up-trending ingredient with a light sweetness sometimes compared to lobster. The tender greens, thin enoki mushrooms and subtle broth make for a satisfying soup experience.
There are plenty more dishes to sample at Kkulmat, from the chilled pork trotter and jellyfish salad ($30-$50) tossed in an exquisite mustard vinaigrette to the approachable spicy cold noodles with house-made dumpling ($12), meant to be mixed vigorously with its chili paste and crisp vegetables. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable meal or a memorable adventure, Kkulmat has the bases covered.
KKULMAT KOREAN KITCHEN 5600 Spring Mountain Road, 702-333-4845. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.