The team behind Brunswick East’s newest Korean diner, Dodam, want to introduce you to janchi – a feast abundant with pork neck, jowl, and beef ribs; big, bountiful bowls of bulgogi; savoury pancakes en masse; and plenty of soju. In Korea, it’s a celebration often reserved for birthdays, weddings and milestone moments, but at Dodam, it’s a party on the plate seven days a week – and you’re invited.
Here’s co-owner Jaekyung Kim with what you might like to order while you’re there.
It’s all about janchi at Dodam? For those of us not familiar, talk us through it.
At Dodam, janchi means more than just a feast — it’s about celebrating together. In Korea, a janchi is a special celebration held for important milestones like weddings, birthdays, or village festivals. The table overflows with generous dishes made for sharing, and the atmosphere is warm, lively, and full of laughter. That’s the feeling we want to bring here — plenty of food, plenty of conversation, and that sense of joy you get when you’re part of something truly special.
How about a drink?
At Dodam, we serve not only Korea’s most iconic soju, Chamisul, but also a curated selection of premium traditional Korean spirits. Dowon Gyeolui is a peach-scented soju with a touch more strength than the standard variety. Solsongju is infused with pine needles, delivering a clean and refreshing aroma. Songiju is made with pine mushrooms, giving it a light yet earthy note. Neungiju is infused with oyster mushrooms, offering a richer, slightly sweeter, and deeper profile.
Got anything light and fresh?
If you’re in the mood for something fun to start with, try our sotteok-sotteok – skewers of sausage (so) and Korean rice cake (tteok). They’re quickly deep-fried for a crisp bite, then glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce. This beloved Korean street food combines juicy sausages that pop in your mouth with chewy rice cakes that keep you coming back for more. For something bright and refreshing, we have mulhoe – mul (water) and hoe (raw fish). It’s a vibrant mix of fresh raw fish, crisp vegetables, and spicy chilli broth. Take your first bite with the fish and vegetables, then follow it with a spoonful of chilled broth – the cool, tangy spice is simply irresistible.
What if I like tasty food but don’t eat animals?
One of our chefs, Mars, takes a lot of inspiration from his wife, Eva, who is vegetarian. One of the dishes he created is a Korean-style shredded potato jeon (Korean style pan-fried savoury pancakes), topped with cheese, potato, and basil. It’s made in a fritter style with crispy, golden edges and a rich flavour – a crowd favourite even during our soft opening. We also have whole fried eggplant. Our staff will cut it for you at the table with tongs and scissors – a little performance to make your meal even more fun.
What if we’re here for a good time, not a long time?
I’d recommend our Dodam Jeon Feast, which comes with seven different kinds of jeon – Korean-style pan-fried savoury pancakes. In Korea, there’s a type of eatery called a jeon-jip (jeon house) – a place where people don’t necessarily go for a full meal, but rather to share small plates and drinks while catching up on life. Traditionally, jeon is often paired with makgeolli. Why? The slightly tangy, fizzy sweetness of makgeolli cuts through the rich, crispy texture of jeon, creating the perfect balance. Both are also staples of festive gatherings, making the pairing as much about tradition and togetherness as it is about taste.
Is there a drink or dish that captures the Dodam vibe?
Our makgeolli (Korean rice wine) is brewed in-house over 8–10 days. For the first two days, we hand-stir it every 12 hours to encourage healthy fermentation and bring out its natural sweetness and gentle fizz. It pours cloudy, with an exceptionally smooth finish. The flavour is lightly sweet with a delicate floral note at the end — perfect with a crispy, spicy kimchi jeon, as the makgeolli softens the heat and rounds out the flavours.
In the past, makgeolli was so smooth and pleasantly sweet that people would drink it without realising how much they’d had — earning it the playful nickname, ‘can’t-get-up brew’.
Let’s go big and let’s go crazy. What have you got for us?
If you’re not familiar with Korean traditional liquor, ourSoolsang Set (drinking table set for two) is the perfect introduction.
It includes a glass of our house‑made makgeolli, two varieties of premium jeontongju (Korean traditional liquor), and an assortment of small tapas – all served in a custom‑made, stackable plate shaped like a makgeolli bottle.
Inside, you’ll enjoy seasonal Korean hoe (sashimi), tako‑wasabi, barley doenjang, a selection of assorted deep‑fried snacks, and a bite‑sized dessert. We created this set to share the joy of Korean drinking culture and its perfect pairings — in a fun, approachable, and memorable way.
And to finish?
It has to be our mango bingsu. Fluffy, snow‑like shaved ice topped with sweet, juicy mango. It’s the perfect way to end a rich Korean meal, and Koreans also love enjoying mango bingsu as a refreshing treat after a night of drinking.
As our slogan says, ‘A joy shared is a joy doubled,’ and we truly hope Dodam is a place where both our team and our guests can share in that joy.
Dodam, 7 Bluestone Way, East Brunswick Village, open 12 noon-3pm Mon-Sun, 11am-12.00am Fri-Sat, Sun-Thurs 5pm–10pm, @dodammelbourne