where's the best korean bbq in orange county?

[quidam]

i was just wondering if anyone could suggest a couple of great places in o.c. for korean bbq.
thanks in advance!

[ocshooter]

My favorite is Lighthouse BBQ (not buffet) on Beach by Imperial in La Habra (near the Sam's Club).

If you want AYCE, instead of Seoul Garden, go to Gen BBQ on Newport in Tustin.

[I got nothin]

What's the current best spot along Garden Grove Blvd?
Trying to decide between Shik Do Rak, Mo Ran Gak, Go Goo Ryeo, and Cham Sut Gol.
Used to go to Light Town House, apparently that's closed now.
Not interested in AYCE

[inaplasticcup]

I think my mom told me Light Town House has moved. I'll check.

And I like Cham Sut Gol and Mo Ran Gak (though I've been to CSG more recently). Didn't care for Shik Do Rak, and haven't been to Go Goo Ryeo.

ETA: Sorry about the LTH comment. I got it confused with Hyang Chon.

[Das Ubergeek]

I'd pick Mo Ran Gak or Cham Sut Gol.

[jaykayen]

Mo Ran Gak is very good.

[I got nothin]

We ended up at Go Goo Ryeo, good, but not great, meat. We did not get much variety in the banchan, just 3 types of mild kimchee (cabbage, cucumbers, and a shredded mixture), some sesame oil dressed bean sprouts, and a tasty potato salad. I didn't notice it at the time, but my wife mentioned afterwards that she saw other tables getting a wider variety of banchan. Perhaps the servers were afraid we would not like the other stuff. Too bad.
I'll try Mo Ran Gak or Cham Sut Gol next time.
Thanks for the responses.

[brekkie_fan]

my former Korean co-worker tended to enjoy going to Yi Dynasty off Corinthian in Newport (by SNA). Don't know if I would call it the best, but I really enjoyed the meal I had there......strictly for BBQ.

[jkao1817]

How about Surah in Fellerton. It is on the corner of Beach and Malvern.

They also have a sushi bar if you are in the mood.

[mlgb]

My friend and I (neither one Korean) went to SuRah last night (Saturday). We really liked it. It was completely full when we left (7:30), I would recommend going early (before 6) if you don't want to wait. The menu has translations and the staff speaks some English (not much, so don't expect detailed explanations). The feeling is upscale, with the waitresses in red traditional costumes and comfortable booths. There were some parties that were in casual golf attire. There are two sides to the very complete menu, Japanese and Korean. Lunch specials $13.99, pick three items (M-F 11:30-2:30), Bento 10.99, individual items 9.99 and up. In addition to Korean BBQ, there is a full Korean menu, eg hot pot soups, buckwheat noodles.

I had a spicy fish stew (Me Oon Tang) for $15.99 (dinner price) which include 12-14 kinds of panchan, white or "brown rice" (short grain rice cooked with assorted legumes, good enough for dessert), cold cinnamon tea at the end. Loved everything. The hotpot is served with enoki mushrooms and a green leaf (I don't know enough to say what that was),a few shell-in shrimp, clams, vegetables, button mushrooms and big bone-in pieces of fish. My wimpy friend had "salmon steak" for $14.99 (two big pieces of salmon filet, broiled, served with miso soup, edamames to start, rice and salad). He helped me with the panchans. ( These included some raw oysters, chestnut "jello", egg custard, some kind of sweetish yummy cake made of a starch (rice or potato?) with tiny bits of apple hidden inside, a pancake, slices of cooked beef, a green vegetable (maybe garlic stems?), broccoli florets, bean sprouts and assorted kimchees.)

Service was not that bad, you have to flag down the waitresses though. And they gave us the wrong bill (but it was a different waitress that presented it). Two main courses plus a small sake for under $40 excluding tip . BBQ is not ala carte and the gas grill uses a down draft so it isn't smoky. The meats looked fresh from what we could see.

There is a branch of Paris Baguette in the same mall, and the Super 1 Hannam market has a cool food court.

Su Rah, 5333 Beach Blvd, Buena Park. 714.523.0056.

[Curt the Soi Hound]

The popular Seoul Garden in Tustin was recommended to me by an Orange County health inspector.

[Das Ubergeek]

...which just goes to tell you that he may know cleanliness but he doesn't know good food. Seoul Garden is a run-down, not-very-tasty AYCE buffet. I can't imagine a health inspector being willing to eat at a buffet.

It's not as good as Manna in K-town, and we all know what most people think of Manna.

My vote would be Sagan, on Beach in Buena Park.

[88sparky]

For authentic Korean bbq with better ambiance than Garden Grove, try:

Korea House - 5305 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, ph- 949-552-9998

http://www.koreahousebbq.com/

[gabehoya]

With all due respect, Anjin is great but should be in a separate thread. Not unlike many Japanese styles of cuisine, it's a modified version of another country's food. If you want AUTHENTIC Korean food, it behooves you to go to a place that's run by Korean people; in the OC, Garden Grove is the hub for genuine Korean food.

Don't get me wrong, I love Japanese style ramen, (modified Chinese noodles/broth, fried rice and potstickers) Japanese style Italian pasta, Japanese style tapas (Izakaya), etc. but if you want the real deal, you've gotta go to the source. Basically, Anjin is to Shik Do Rak as El Torito is to Guelaguetza. Personally, there's nothing I wouldn't eat at El Torito but IMHO, it's not what I consider to be the "real McCoy". And the inverse can be stated as well; if I crave real sushi, I don't go to a Korean or Chinese owned sushi bar but rather a reputable place that's run by Japanese people.

Yakinuku places are great but essentially, it's their take on Korean barbecue-it's not the same thing. And Korean places usually give you more meat for your dollar.

Lastly, if you do make it to a real Korean joint, make sure you grill some fresh pork belly, dip it in some seasoned sesame oil, wrap it up in some duk bo sam (rice wrapper) and wash it down with an ice cold Hite. Life is good!

[crystaw]

Anjin isn't the real deal. But it's worth checking out nonetheless. It's a little pricey though but it's a delicious, clean place. Be sure to get a plate of tongue

[kerrysqueaky]

By far the BEST is Anjin in Costa Mesa off of Bristol. But get there early because a viscious line starts when they open at 5:30, but trust me it is so worth it!!!!!

[Lopeze5387]

Actually anjin is Japanese but it's still very good. One of my favorites

[gabehoya]

typo alert:

Lighthouse Buffet

[gabehoya]

I like LIghthouse Buffet on Garden Grove Blvd. I'm not certain they're still around but they provide charcoal trays as opposed to the gas/propane grills. IMO, charcoal imparts a better flavor to all types of meat.

[alina555]

Head down to "Little Seoul" along Garden Grove Blvd, between Magnolia and Brookhurst. Lots of korean bbq places there.

[WHills]

Feedable BBQ was a pretty decent all-you-can-eat buffet in Fullerton off of Colima on the 60 FWY. I think it was around $20 per person. I don't think it would qualify as the "best", it's a good buffet.