Which Koreatown bbq place has best-quality MEAT?
Hi Hounds,
I want to plan a Korean BBQ AYCE night and was wondering which place had the best-quality meat.
And yes, I do prefer charcoal grills.
Thanks!
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Frommtron
Apr 19, 2008 02:45 PM
There isn't much quality difference between Park's, Tahoe, and Chosun. All three have top quality meat that is tender, well-marbled, and fresh. You simply can't go wrong at any of those places if meat quality is what you're after.
However, only Park's marries the beautiful, soulful experience of real charcoal Korean BBQ with that top quality meat that Chosun and Tahoe serve.
They really are the best thing going on the LA Korean BBQ scene.
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re: Frommtron
Mr Taster
Apr 20, 2008 12:21 AM
Just a clarification.... in theory, Tahoe actually is charcoal.... though I've been there a few times when they didn't bother to add any charcoal to the gas grill, and even when they did the charcoal was so deep set into the burner that any smokiness that attached to the meat was purely incidental.
Mr Taster
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The best meat by far of Koreatown BBQ places may be found at Chung Ki Hwa, located on Olympic, near Arlington. They serve angus beef only. Also they serve the best Naeng Myun (cold buckwheat noodles in beef broth) in the City.
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re: scrabblepark
I think I ate at Chung Ki Hwa yesterday. I pulled in to the parking at Park BBQ but I was on the wrong side of the sawhorses and was told so almost immediately. Instead of trying to get back to the other side I drove down to Olympic and turned right.
The restaurant we ate at had huge picture of a Black Angus cow and calf on the wall.
We were there for lunch and had the #2 which was Bulgogi and the #3 which was chicken.
Everything was delicious. We'd never had Korean food before.
The only thing we didn't eat was what looked like khaki colored jello. We weren't sure how to eat it.
The sides were plentiful and delcious!
We'll be back.
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re: mar52
Ipsedixit told me to go to Park's after I was blurry eyed from Soot Bull Jeep, and it was terrific. The quality at Park's was better than Soot Bull Jeep (and better than Sa Rit Gol, although I think Sa Rit Gol has more by way of non-BBQ on the menu) and the Pork X w/out sauce was fantastic. The only thing I missed was the sort of sweet dipping sauce from Soot Bull Jeep, but the sweet potato panchan dish just about balanced that out. I think I am headed for Chosun Galbi next unless someone thinks there is something as good or better and maybe cheaper.
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re: spkspk
I think thats it. I used to go to Assi Supermarket to pick up BBQ and panchan to take home (they had this great spicy dried squid jerky type stuff you'd buy by weight, I'd eat it on the way home and it would mess up my car). Can you buy different panchan and marinated meats by the weight at Galleria Market?
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re: mar52
Cicely
Apr 19, 2008 05:10 PM
the "jello" stuff is called mook, and it's acorn jelly... actually, I think there are two kinds of mook, not sure which is which. But it's not anything weird like spleen jelly, if that's what you're afraid of. :P It *is* rather difficult to eat with chopsticks, but that's how it's supposed to be done. It usually comes w/ its own sauce.
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For AYCE, I recommend Hwaro in the Chapman plaza (used to be Intercrew). Its on 6th Street, b/w Alexandria and Kenmore (I think). I generally don't eat AYCE b/c of the quality but after being dragged to Hwaro by a friend, that is the only AYCE place I go to. I think they speak English. If anything, just point.
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I also highly recommend Park's for the best-quality meat. Note that this isn't AYCE.
For the best quality meat FOR AN AYCE PLACE (which doesn't come close to Park's), I would have to say Soot Bul Gui Rim on 6th and Manhattan. It's actually very decent with good banchan, including the steamed egg (gyeran jjim). They also serve cold noodles at the end (naeng myun).
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foodmarathon
Apr 17, 2008 06:06 PM
For what it's worth, when acclaimed chef Michael Cimarusti (Providence, Water Grill) was asked "What's the best restaurant we've probably never heard of?" by justoneplate.com he replied Parks Bar-b-que...
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re: veee
Das Ubergeek
Apr 18, 2008 08:52 AM
It's labelled Park's BBQ on the sign -- I suppose the Korean version would be "Park Gogi Gui" but the sign is in English.
Park is the "Johnson" of Korea -- a hugely popular last name second only really to Kim.
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ellaystingray
Apr 17, 2008 04:32 PM
For pork belly, Honey Pig. Just beware you need to know what you are doing. They are very nice, but not trying to cater to the non-Korean speaking clientle. We actually brought a printout of Jonathan Gold's review of them as a cheat sheet, and we needed it.
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SauceSupreme
Apr 17, 2008 08:56 AM
Not AYCE nor charcoal, but add me to the chorus of those that recommend Park's for the quality of the meat (and really great banchan also, which is th real measure of a Korean for me).
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ipsedixit
Apr 16, 2008 08:55 PM
Park's has the best meat hands down.
But it is not AYCE.
The panchan, as in all Korean BBQ joints, is always refilled gratis.
If you want AYCE, sorry but can't help you out. I usually stick to either Park's or Soot Bull Jeep.
If you end up at Park's make sure to order Pork X ... it borders on a life-changing experience.
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liu
Apr 16, 2008 08:12 PM
Hello, Liquid Sky!
I think Park's BBQ in Koreatown does a terrific job:http://www.yelp.com/biz/parks-bbq-los...
Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles
#213.380-1717›12 Replies-
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re: Liquid Sky
liu
Apr 16, 2008 08:21 PM
Park's is not pretty inside like some of the other more upscale Korean restaurants; its style is pleasant-cafeteria. But the service is very gracious and helpful, and the banchan (panchan) are always different and plentiful. Their meats are excellent! Also, I believe that they use a modern form of charcoal (perhaps a combo of charcoal and gas) and you won't leave smelling like a BBQ grill!
I wouldn't hesitate to take anyone there...it's a fun evening!
Call ahead to make your plans...and I suggest reservations!-
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re: Liquid Sky
liu
Apr 16, 2008 08:39 PM
Sorry, I don't know anything about Cham Gut Sol.
I do not believe that Park's is AYCE; however, they are very generous with their portions and I do believe that they will refill your side dishes (a meal in themselves!).
Also, be sure to order their Korean pancake (someone will give us the name...I don't remember...but it is delicious and very filling).Not speaking Korean does not seem to be an issue at Park's or any other Korean restaurant that we have enjoyed. Park's servers speak English to varying degrees and they will go out of their way to assist you and your guests!
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re: liu
Das Ubergeek
Apr 17, 2008 08:10 AM
The pancake is called p'ajeon (pah-JAWN) and if you get the seafood pancake, which I definitely recommend, it's haemul p'ajeon (hay-mool pah-JAWN).
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re: Diana
Servorg
Apr 17, 2008 10:33 AM
That is all true. But when I carefully parse the OP's post it's not clear to me that they are looking specifically for a "one price for ayce" restaurant, but could be talking about finding a restaurant with great quality meat and spending the necessary money to achieve a blow it out meal of K bbq (paying the price for each and every order of bulgogi and kalbi that they aim to consume).
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re: Servorg
Mr Taster
Apr 17, 2008 04:32 PM
Tahoe Galbi has incredible (guess....?) galbi... beautifully zebra striped meat which just pops with juice when you bite into it.
A few months ago, we went twice in one week because we enjoyed the first experience so much. On our second visit, we opted for their AYCE special at $17 per person...
But be warned-- the AYCE galbi we received seemed a little.... well, shall we say "not nearly as good." The rest of the meat was passable to insipid (lots of shaved frozen meat).
As Diana said above, AYCE and best quality meat don't go together. Go to Tahoe, but order your galbi ala carte.
Mr Taster
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Tahoe BBQ
3986 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
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