This is Chois Kitchen, a well-regarded Korean restaurant serving Chinese-style Korean dishes, located in Castle Hill.
Black Bean Noodle with Whole Squid ($42.00, for 2–3 people)
The black bean sauce was markedly less salty than versions at other restaurants, offering a measured savoury depth supported by a gentle sweetness. This kept the dish balanced and avoided the heavy, dark intensity typical of some Chinese-style iterations. Small pieces of pork contributed body and texture, while the inclusion of white onion was restrained compared with other venues. The yellow pickles provided a clean counterpoint to the residual richness. The standout was the whole fried squid. Deep-fried intact, it delivered pronounced crispness—particularly in the tentacles—while retaining a tender, non-chewy interior. This elevated the overall dish considerably.
Homemade Sikhye ($9.00 per bottle)
The sikhye, made by fermenting rice with malt, offered a mellow rice sweetness and was sufficiently portioned, with one bottle yielding roughly five full cups. Its gentle sweetness paired well with the savoury weight of the noodles, acting as a cooling, palate-resetting contrast, with the soft rice provide a textural contrast.
Overall, the Chois Kitchen delivered balanced flavours with thoughtful restraint, elevated by superb fried squid and complemented by a refreshing house-made sikhye.
Chois Kitchen is located at 267 Old Northern Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154.