Rec's for good-value Korean BBQ, central Vancouver

[LotusRapper]

May be doing some entertaining in a couple of weeks, the guests like meat but not in the pure steak or ribs sense. So I'm thinking Korean BBQ. Thing is, the area we'll roam will be limited to Main to Granville, 4th to King Edward.

Don't want to go to Shabusen on Granville though. Not interested in AYCE.

Prefer quiet ambiance and ~ $15-20/p price range.

Recommendations ?

[À la carte]

Well, there's Seoul House which isn't bad, if not quite up to Insadong standards. I've also been meaning to try Choon Ha Choo Dong so, if you go there, please post!

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Choon Ha Choo Dong
36 Broadway E, Vancouver, BC V5T1V6, CA

[LotusRapper]

Thanks all. I just read some reviews of Choon Ha Choo Dong and they sound positive. I thought that resto (never knew what its current or former name was before) was long gone, as all I recall from that block was a defunct pool hall. If we end up going there I'll definitely write up a review here.

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Choon Ha Choo Dong
36 Broadway E, Vancouver, BC V5T1V6, CA

[bagler]

It seems the consensus is that insadong is the gold standard, but I haven't been and can't compare. We've been to Choon ha choo dong twice...it's close and convenient. Both times at a weird hour for a v late lunch. I'm no expert, but I do love Korean food and get a craving every weeks. I wish I could speak to their BBQ, since I know it's what you're curious about, but I always go for the same few dishes. Sol dat bi bim bop (the rice dish with meat, veg and a fried egg in a hot stone bowl), duk mandu guk (soup with dumplings and rice cakes), or a spicy seafood hotpot. Everything was very good both times... not remarkable, but solid. The service was good (at 3pm we were one of the only tables), and the space would suit a crowd quite well. The private booths were large enough for a sizeable group.

[LotusRapper]

Thanks Bagler ...... your info is very helpful. I might even go do a pre-check meal this long weekend. After selling my patio BBQ this year, I need to play with fire and raw meat at the table :-D

[bagler]

You may want to do some recon, LotusRapper. I went again last night, and it was very very mediocre. I got the soup with dumplings and homemade noodles. It was nice and simple, but only had three small dumplings...the noodles had a good chew. The bibimbap was super bland, and the stone bowl wasn't hot enough to give the rice any sort of crust, which is what I really like about the dish.

Also of note, we were there about 8pm and they had some terrible autotuned dance club music playing really loudly... Maybe it is best at a weird afternoon hour. Good luck!

[J_Bone]

I've been to that Choon ha Choo Dong place a few times, and enjoyed it. It seems like a real mom n pop type place with the kids serving. Food is reasonable and tasty enough, mind you I'm no expert on Korean food. A good lunch place.

[fmed]

Just a little outside that zone is Dae Bak Bon Ga on 4th. It was pretty decent the couple of times I was there. The service was really good with nice little touches like complimentary amuse bouche and sweet rice wine.