399355 Mon May 07 17:21:21 -0700 2007 16 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2549856 For pix and foodie cam click here: http://myculinaryadventures.blogspot.com A preview of coming attractions: Our meal started off right at this Koreatown favorite. The top photo reveals our first round: unmarinated short rib, beef tongue, and the de rigueur pork belly. Glimpses into our second round in the bottom photo: marinated short rib (and we also threw on some fresh garlic and jalapeno). Lately, I've been having a hankering for charcoal Korean bubbaque. With all of the Korean bubbaque places in Los Angeles, only a small percentage use charcoal. On this past Easter my nose took me (you can literally smell this place a block away) to Soot Bul Gui Rim which is known for being the best all you can eat bubbaque places in the city ("awesome" said one reviewer): what makes Soot Bul Gui Rim stand out from all the other all you can eat places is the use of charcoal briquettes and the high quality of meat. Come, delight your senses in the world that is Soot Bul Gui Rim: So, for the first round we were limited to the three choices. I thought that the unmarinated short rib was more tender than at Cham Sut Gol ($24 there) and the pork belly was much tastier than at the over rated, in my opinion, Honey Pig (don't even get me started on Honey Pig!). I really liked the marinated short rib; at most places I feel that they put too much sugar in the marinade and what I'm left with after barbequing is candied meat. At Soot Bul Gui Rim the marinated meat was more on the savory side. And with our second round we also got a dainty... Have a heart - literally: You know, Dear Reader, I fail to understand why people do not eat heart more often? It's like a really tasty and uber tender filet mignon. Ooh, look at the flames: Below, photos of some panchan - a lovely bean sprout salad and a healthy dose of kim chee: Take a full tour of the panchan and the dipping sauces: I forgot to film one dipping sauce (the chili garlic paste) which went fabulous with the pork belly. And finally, my thoughts on charcoal Korean bubbaque: Soot Bul Gui Rim 233 S. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020 Mon May 07 17:21:21 -0700 2007 42600 Bon Vivant 1 2549869 you went to soot bul gui rim 2 the original one is at 6th and western. =) and dammit, you just made me mighty hungry. haha! Mon May 07 17:24:07 -0700 2007 2549856 10704 wilafur 1 2549955 Perfect timing, too. I was thinking of going to Manna until I started to read about this place. I've been craving Korean food since yesterday. Mon May 07 17:46:35 -0700 2007 2549856 57689 katkoupai 1 2549962 Now I'm hungry. I've only been to the original location on 6th and Manhattan. Unfortunately, it's too disgustingly hot out to think of barbecue............. Mon May 07 17:48:12 -0700 2007 2549856 13851 MeowMixx 2 2549991 Good point, MeowMixx. It is hot today! :) Out of curiosity, where's your fav Korean place? My friends and I loved your rec of Si Gol last time. I'm thinking of going for Korean food in the next week or two. Where should I go? I don't want to spend too much money. The same price range as Si Gol would be great. What do you think? Soot Bull Gui Rim 2? Mon May 07 17:55:11 -0700 2007 2549962 57689 katkoupai 3 2551590 If I recall correctly, you mentioned that Si Gol offered $14.99 AYCE (I was unaware of this since I hadn't been there in a while). If you're looking for AYCE places, I would suggest Soot Bul Gui Rim (as I said above, I haven't been to the one on Vermont - only the one on 6th). Please don't go to Manna. I hate it there. I've read other people's reviews of Tahoe Galbi (on Wilshire and Wilton - also an AYCE place) and they seem to like it but I've hated it everytime I've gone. For non-AYCE places, I suggest Park's Barbecue (charcoal grills) on Vermont and Olympic. Meat dishes run for about $20-25 each (good portions though) and they serve SO MANY different and delicious banchan. Su Won Soot Bul Galbi on Vermont (between 8th and 9th) is another non-AYCE place (charcoal grills) - service is great, it's a bit cheaper than Parks, but not as much banchan. Considering how ridiculously hot it's been, you could also check out The Corner Place on James M. Wood and Westmoreland. Their galbi is marinated differently - it's not as sweet or intense but it's GREAT. They also have the best dongchimi gooksoo (cold somen-type noodles served in a white kimchi soup) in the world. The portions are pretty big - I'd suggest one order of galbi and one of the noodles to be split between 2 people. Happy eatings :) Tue May 08 09:54:09 -0700 2007 2549991 13851 MeowMixx 4 2551628 let me add "mu dung san" as a viable option for AYCE k-bbq as well. its clean, the service is quite good (even for non-korean speakers) and the meat is of pretty darn good quality. Tue May 08 10:03:06 -0700 2007 2551590 10704 wilafur 5 2551722 Where is it? I've heard of it but never been.... Tue May 08 10:29:17 -0700 2007 2551628 13851 MeowMixx 6 2551731 1040 s. western, between 11th and olympic, on the east side of the street. Tue May 08 10:31:13 -0700 2007 2551722 10704 wilafur 7 2551940 We should do a tasting tour: Zo, Mu Dung San, Opus, and Boiling Crab :) Tue May 08 11:19:49 -0700 2007 2551731 13851 MeowMixx 8 2551977 i'm game. =) Tue May 08 11:27:52 -0700 2007 2551940 10704 wilafur 9 2552029 Can we throw some dim sum in too!!! Tue May 08 11:39:13 -0700 2007 2551977 13851 MeowMixx 5 2553747 Yes, I am glad you mentioned this place (mu dung san). It is a favorite for AYCE among my firends but never gotten much play on this board. Tried Manna once, probably won't go back. Other places offer better quality for the same price. But it did have a certain Biergarten appeal :-) Tue May 08 21:16:25 -0700 2007 2551628 12342 zruilong 6 2553777 Is Mu Dung San charcoal grill? Tue May 08 21:35:52 -0700 2007 2553747 11583 ipsedixit 7 2553897 nope, its 100% gas.....so no smokey flavor will be infused in the meat. Tue May 08 23:03:59 -0700 2007 2553777 10704 wilafur 8 2554944 Hmm ... too bad. Wed May 09 10:02:15 -0700 2007 2553897 11583 ipsedixit 4 2552964 Thanks so much for the suggestions. :) Tue May 08 16:01:09 -0700 2007 2551590 57689 katkoupai