Panama City boats many potential dining experiences for all palettes, and the avid foodie within myself has tried a little of nearly all Panama has to offer. After spending a few weeks in Panama I began my search for some authentic Korean fare which landed me in a quaint little restaurant named Chinni Chinni (which translates to “good friendship” in English). I knew I had found a diamond in the rough the second we walked in and saw the place was filled with Asian diners.

We started our meal with a large bowl of Cha Jang Myun ($8), which are spaghetti like noodles dressed in a black bean paste and often accompanied by bits of pork, potato, onion or other vegetables. I had never experienced Cha Jang Myun previously so I couldn’t really compare it to others, but I enjoyed the simplicity and the textures of the noodle dish. Our next course was a soup named, doenjang jjigae ($10), which contained a soy bean paste, tofu, kimchi and other vegetables. The soup had a very unique flavor, texture and mild spiciness that I loved and left me reluctant to share the large ceramic pot with fellow diners.

Our third and final course was introduced by a table covered in about 12 different “banchan” or appetizer like accompaniments. For our main dish we ordered the Samgyeopsal ($25)- unsalted thickly sliced bacon accompanied by fresh diced garlic cloves and prepared on a small table top gas grill. We grilled the meat ourselves and wrapped the strips inside large lettuce leaves along with steamed white rice, kimchi (fermented spiced red cabbage) and other sides. This dish has always been one of my favorites and the Chinni Chinni version did not disappoint in any way. The kimchi was the best I have ever tasted and the sides all seemed very fresh.

Dining at Chinni Chinni is always a treat. The atmosphere and décor of the restaurant is very simple and relaxed. Large white screens surround most of the tables which adds a nice touch of privacy, and the staff is very friendly and usually very prompt. Chinni Chiini is located on Via Porras just past the Super 99. They have private dinig rooms available and can serve parties of up 50 people.

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