Overview
In these belt-tightening times of inflated living costs and cautious spending, the arrival of a new cheap-eats option is cause for celebration. Joining the collection of eateries at the newly minted dining hub, Sydney Place, Sil Bi Jip is a bricks-and-motar venue with the spirit of a pocha — a Korean street food stand.
Its economic philosophy is captured in the restaurant's name, which roughly translates to 'the actual cost'. The price of a meal closely matches the cost of the ingredients it contains, offering diners incredible value for money.
The menu stars Korean street food's greatest hits, which, during lunchtimes, is served in the style of dosirak (lunch boxes), gimbap (rice roll), Korean hot dog or the quintessential Korean rice bowl, deop bap.
In the evening, Sil Bi Jip shifts gears, becoming a lively neon-lit bar serving a broad range of street snacks and classic Korean beverages, including 21 types of Korean liquor including soju and makgeolli. Diners can choose from a selection of small plates including makhoe (fisherman-style sashimi), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), gyeran mari (Korean-style rolled omelette) and mok sal gui (char-gilled pork neck), ideal for an informal supper over a few drinks.
"At Sil Bi Jip, our goal is to feed people nourishing, high-quality dishes at an affordable price point, offering everything we love about Korean street food", says Sil Bi Jip's owner Dennis Oh. "Whether you're looking for a warming and filling rice bowl by day or some snacks and specialty drinks by night, we can't wait to welcome the community in to experience our 'small Korea' right in the heart of Sydney."
Sydney Place is one of the most recent additions to the city's boom in hospitality precincts. Located on the doorstep of One Circular Quay, where a luxury residential development and Australia's first Waldorf Astoria Hotel are currently under construction, Sil Bi Jip joins an impressive roll call of more than 20 venues ranging from slick afterwork drinking dens like Bar Besuto and Jacksons on George, to fast-casual dining options such as Malay Chinese Noodles, Lode Pies and Kosta's Takeaway.
Find Sil Bi Jip at CQT12/180 George Street, Sydney, open Monday–Friday, 11.30am–3pm, and Monday–Saturday, 4.30–10pm. Head to the venue's website for more details.
Images: Kera Wong