MIXED GRAIN KOREAN CUISINE

 MIXED GRAIN KOREAN CUISINE




I am a complete neophyte when it comes to Korean food, but in the interest of showcasing vegan dishes in Contra Costa County restaurants, I decided to take myself to lunch today at Mixed Grain in downtown Walnut Creek. They make it very easy for vegans by clearly identifying their vegan dishes with a (vg) on the menu.

I ordered the Veggie Jhap Chae, a dish consisting of stir-fried glass noodles, mushrooms, carrots, onions, spinach, cabbage, and bell peppers. For an extra cost, I had fried tofu added to the dish. Not knowing what sort of heat to expect from the spices in this dish, I requested mild spice. It was just the right level of heat for me, but I wouldn't consider it mild. If you don't like spicy food, this may not be the dish for you. I thought it was delicious, and I plowed through the whole thing.

But then came the food that I wasn't expecting. In tiny type in the "Noodles" section of the menu, it says "Served with side dishes." I hadn't noticed that, so you can imagine my surprise when the server started laying out one small dish after the other, eight in total, each holding a different vegetable. In the top row, left to right, there was seaweed, broccoli, cabbage, and kimchi. In the bottom row, left to right, there were bean sprouts, radishes, cilantro, and more radishes. Each vegetable had a different seasoning or sauce. I asked about the kimchi, since in some of the other places where it appeared on the menu, it was listed as vegetarian, but not vegan. The server told me that they offer more than one type of kimchi, and the one used in this side dish contains no animal products. There was also a small bowl of broth served alongside all this food.



Other vegan items at Mixed Grain include Veggie Soft Tofu Stew, Kimchi Stew, Korean Miso Stew, Mung Bean Pancakes, Buckwheat Works Noodle Bowl, and various vegetable dishes.

The staff was very patient with me as I questioned them about all these dishes that were unfamiliar to me, and I appreciate their help.

Mixed Grain is located at 1546 Bonanza Street, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. 

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