Jeff Adams

“Tell Jeff there is a new Korean restaurant and I really need to take him there.” That was the message that my friend and Korean brother Sam left with my assistant Emily.

Sam has introduced me to several Korean culinary experiences, so I knew we were in for a real treat. Besides, I always love to spend time with Sam and Helen. Sam and I did the Directions study together a couple of years ago and became fast friends. The problem was my crazy schedule. Emily worked for several weeks to find a time that would work.

Tonight was the night and Sobahn was the place, a relatively new Korean restaurant at 7800 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Overland Park.  It wasn’t hard to find the restaurant in a strip center not far west of Metcalf. As we pulled in I could see Sam looking out the window watching for us.

Exchanging greetings and walking to our table, I saw that we had the place to ourselves. A quick look around revealed a very different setting, an atmosphere that was very traditional, elegant, yet rustic at the same time. Does that make sense? I later found out that the owners brought back the unique tables, chairs, dishes and other supplies directly from China and Korea. The tables and chairs are made from 100 year old hardwoods that feel incredibly substantial. It was apparent this was no strip center “all-you-can-eat” oriental buffet.The owners describe their fare as traditional Korean with fusion flare.

“I told the lady we didn’t want anything off the menu. She is fixing us a very traditional Korean meal of her choosing. I don’t even know what she is going to give us,” Sam said as we settled into our seats. Other non-Korean dinners would come in before we finished our meal, but you could tell that this was a place where Koreans would feel at home. A large private dinning area that can be rented out for parties could be seen from where we sat and included some very traditional Korean type seating that reminded me of a restaurant I once ate at in Korea.

A very pleasant Korean server graciously explained our food items as she brought them. Stacks of elegant dishes were on our table and a clean plate would be used for each of the courses to follow. We began with a bowl of pumpkin soup and chased that with a delicious Korean salad. The custom-made dishes, metal chopsticks and extreme attention to detail and presentation made an immediate and positive impression.Everything is done with class and understated elegance.

From this point on I am not really sure what we ate and I lost count of the courses. I can only tell you that the blend of tastes and textures was beyond my ability to describe except to say that it was utterly delicious. I found myself surprised and delighted by everything I delicately pushed into my mouth the with very cool sliver chopsticks. There was some meat that was over the top and exploded with flavor in my mouth. And then there was that red snapper they brought out on a platter. It honestly looked like something you would expect to see on the cover of a food magazine. Amazing! I’m not a big fish guy, but as my chopsticks started picking it apart I couldn’t believe how much I was loving it.

“I was embarrassed the last time I took you for Korean food,” Sam told me as they started bringing out the food.

“Well, Sam, you could fool me,” I said. “I thought it was pretty tasty. I obviously don’t know much about Korean food, but I have always enjoyed it when you have ordered for me.”

“Halfway through the meal I had to tell Sam that I now had experienced the difference. The previous meal seemed tasty to me. This one was like an “out-of-the-body” experience. The delicate balance of flavors, the stunningly beautiful presentations, the service, the attention to detail, the understated elegance – can you tell I was impressed?

“Yes, the lady really cooks well,” Sam and Helen agreed. “We heard about this place opening and came here from the very first. We knew immediately that this was great Korean food and we’ve been back every week since. We wish we could come more often. The people are very nice and they are committed Christians, active in their Korean church.”

Much of the conversation with our server was in Korean. Sam and Helen also exchanged greetings with a couple of young Korean women who wandered through from time to time and I assumed that they were family members of “the lady” in the kitchen.

“The lady seems to be a bit worried about people finding them,” Sam remarked, “but we told her not to worry. Once other Koreans discover this place the word will spread quickly and they will be packed out. It just takes time and they have only been open a little more than three months.”

More Korean voices. This time there was a new masculine voice. I looked to see a Korean man approaching our table and Sam became very animated as he spoke. I took it that this must be either a friend who has just walked in or perhaps the owner, “the lady’s” husband.

My eyes began to focus on the figure approaching the table and I could see that he was looking at me with the strangest grin. Who is this? I know him! My mind was racing trying to sort things out. I know this guy!

“Paul!” I exclaimed. “I can’t believe it! It’s really you!”

This man was my dry cleaner for many years. He operated his independent shop near the Blue Ridge Mall (now Wal-Mart) for years. “The lady” now emerged at last from the kitchen, Paul’s wife, the lady who did alterations is now revealed as an extremely talented chef.

“It’s so good to see you both again,” I said shaking hands with a measure of astonishment. “I have often wondered about you and how you were doing.

The two young Korean women from earlier appeared again, Paul’s daughters. Now I recognized them both from when they had filled in on Saturdays or vacations at the dry cleaning establishment.

Paul had sold his shop on doctor’s orders due to some heart issues he was having.  I hated saying goodbye to him the last week he was there as he was giving a quick orientation to the new owner. I gave the new guy a try, but it was evident that he was sadly lacking in experience and I bailed out before losing any favorite shirts or jackets.

“The guy couldn’t make his payments,” said Paul, “and I had to take back the business. I’m working mornings again.”

Wow! What great news. In one night I get my dry cleaner back, discover that his wife is a Korean culinary genius and find a wonderful new restaurant. God loves me!

Give Sobahn a try. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the menu. Just ask and they will patiently explain things to you and recommend some accessible dishes for beginners. Oh, and don’t forget to tell them that Sam and Pastor Jeff sent you.