After enjoying an exceptional dolsot bibimbap in Tōkyō—so memorable it became a recurring topic of conversation—we decided to satisfy our cravings by trying The Charlim at Lidcombe Shopping Centre.
Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap ($21.00)
This dish was enjoyable as a standard bibimbap but fell short as a dolsot bibimbap. Despite being served in a stone bowl, the rice lacked the signature crispy base characteristic of this style. Additionally, the rice was wetter than preferred, likely preventing it from crisping even with the heat of the bowl.
On a positive note, the mushrooms provided a sweet umami flavour and a pleasant aroma that stood out. While the zucchini and overly soft carrots were less appealing, the bulgogi beef had sweet sesame notes that added depth. However, the dish as a whole needed additional gochujang to deliver sufficient flavour.
Spicy Pork Bibimbap ($21.00)
The Spicy Pork Bibimbap shared a similar shortcoming, with steamed rice that showed no impact from the stone bowl. The pork, while tender, was not particularly spicy, and adding extra gochujang tipped the flavour balance towards being overly savoury. The sweet umami mushrooms once again stood out, but the overall bowl lacked the satisfaction expected of a dolsot bibimbap.
The meal included four banchan served alongside the bibimbap: mayonnaise pasta, seaweed, sweetened dried tofu skin, and kimchi.
The Charlim may be better known for its Korean BBQ, although this wasn’t a popular choice among diners during the lunch hour on the weekend. While the bibimbap options were passable, they failed to deliver the defining features of a great dolsot bibimbap.
The Charlim is located on 1F Lidcome Shopping Centre, 92 Parramatta Rd, Lidcombe NSW 2141.