The bibimbap at Restaurant Gautor Korea in Mainz, Germany, consists of a medley of vegetables including mushrooms, zucchini, cucumber and carrots, as seen here during a June 2, 2023, visit. The dish is served with rice and two sauces on the side. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Like many folks around the globe, I’ve been swept up by the Korean wave, aka the Hallyu phenomenon out of South Korea.

Watching K-dramas piqued my interest in a country about which I knew little five years ago. And via the shows, Korean food has grabbed my attention as well, but living in rural northeastern Ohio meant my access to it was limited.

After moving to Germany, though, I searched online and quickly unearthed restaurant Gautor Korea in Mainz. My first foray into Korean food was booked.

I brought along a colleague whose Korean restaurant experience meant he could assess Gautor’s bona fides better than a newbie like me.

Restaurant Gautor Korea in Mainz, Germany, uses lime green extensively in its interior color scheme along with assorted Korean-themed artwork. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Dolls adorn a window of Restaurant Gautor Korea in Mainz, Germany. The decorative touches inside include figurines, artwork and lime green walls. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The decor was the first thing I noticed. Old Korean artwork, dolls and plants adorned the interior, where multiple walls, a column and the padding on the chairs are all a lime green color that really stands out.

My first culture shock of the evening, though, arrived right after we ordered. The only time I had used chopsticks occurred eight or nine years prior, so I spent the time before the food was served practicing the motions.

I ended up batting .500 during the meal, a great average in baseball but not so great when eating. The 50% of the time I failed resulted in me using the chopsticks like spears and being thankful that traditional Korean cutlery includes a spoon.

We ordered the specials of an asparagus salad in a brown-red sauce and pieces of cod coated in egg batter and served with soy sauce.

The asparagus salad was surprisingly sweet thanks to the sauce and red cabbage leaves, while the cod tasted as expected. I like both components of the dish, so I enjoyed it.

We also were served soups with our main courses. Mine was cold cucumber soup, which was a nice contrast to the warm evening. My colleague got the kimchi soup, which, while billed as being spicy, lacked the punch I’m sure it would have had in South Korea.

I initially was disappointed by the menu offerings for entrees, as watching “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” had created a craving for kimbap, but it wasn’t among the choices.

The bulgogi served at Restaurant Gautor Korea in Mainz, Germany, consists of marinated steak, zucchini, mushrooms and red onions served with rice. The entree includes a choice of soup and also three sides. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

I chose the bulgogi instead, and once it arrived, I forgot all about my kimbap kvetch. My colleague got the bibimbap.

Both were delicious. The meat in the bulgogi was marinated perfectly with soy sauce, sesame oil and spices, giving it a sweet taste. With zucchini, mushrooms, red onions and rice mixed in, it was wonderfully satisfying.

The bibimbap also had a vegetable mixture of carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, red onions and other greens along with rice. The sweet and soy sauces really accentuated the flavor.

The only complaint from my colleague was bibimbap normally has an egg with it, but after sampling it, I thought the vegetarian option tasted so good that an egg wasn’t needed.

The meals also came with kimchi, which unfortunately left a lot to be desired. However, my dining companion told me not to give up on the traditional dish just yet, so I will follow that advice.

Overall, while the spicy wasn’t spicy enough, the entrees made Gautor Korea worth a trip. I foresee more Korean food in my future.

Restaurant Gautor Korea in Mainz, Germany, seen here on June 2, 2023, offers indoor and outdoor seating. The latter is across the street from the restaurant's entrance. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Restaurant Gautor Korea

Address: Kaestrich 13, Mainz, Germany

Hours: Wednesday, 6-10 p.m.; Thursday through Sunday, noon-2 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.

Prices: Dinner entrees cost between 21 and 26 euros, while lunch entrees are between 13 and 15 euros. Sides and desserts cost between 2.50 and 7.90 euros.

Information: Online: gautor-korea.de; Phone: +49 6131-221600