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I have to say that despite being Korean, my family and I don't go to a lot of Korean BBQ places (even the famous Park's). Mostly because we prefer to cook Korean BBQ at home. The reason for this is that the good quality food is general very expensive in comparison to cooking yourself.
The recipe is quite simple: buy meat, grill it. You can marinade the meat as well and there are many recipes on the web for that or you can buy pre-marinaded meat in a Korean market. My mom told me that the secret recipe for BBQ at many Korean restaurants is lots of salt, sugar, and MSG. This is why at many BBQ places, you will see people ordering un-marinaded meat. The marinade is usually so poorly done that it ruins the taste of the meat, especially if it is good quality meat. All the panchans and sauces are also available at the market as well.›6 Replies-
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re: ns1
I think I know the sauce you are talking about and you are right, that sauce is awesome and not available at Korean markets. Probably because it is not Korean, but an invention of Korean/Mexican restaurant cooks in LA. Coincidentally, my wife had a conversation with her friends about how to make this sauce at home. Apparently, the secret is apple juice. I kid you not. Apple juice (from fresh apples, not in a carton) mixed with coarsely ground chiles and some other seasonings. She is experimenting at home to see if it works. I let you know how it turns out.
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re: ns1
speaking of that... is their a favorite korean market in la for buying pre-marinated short ribs or other marinated meats? i ask because a friend brought 15 lbs to a bbq at my house this weekend but drove down to a market in long beach to get it. it allowed me to spend more time hanging out than fussing and that was a welcome change.
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scottca075
Oct 3, 2011 03:56 PM
Don't assume a restaurant full of Koreans means it has good Korean food. I see lots of Mexicans in bad Mexican restaurants and lots of Chinese in bad Chinese restaurants.
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What exactly are you after? Park's is very authentic and very beloved in the Korean community. It's just expensive and a splurge. It's the Chosun of this decade (and Chosun is still very good, make no mistake). There are lots of non-Koreans at Park's and Chosun because those names would come up as the answer to what's the *best* Korean BBQ.
Are you looking for some culinary tourism and seeing lots of whities kind of screws with your good time (not a judgment, just a question)? Then you've got some other options, but don't expect the meat quality to reach the Park's/Chosun level. They source the best meat, in my opinion.
I like Soot Bul Jeep because I like the excesses of the charcoal smoke. I just feel like the place is a little more soulful than most KBBQ. I seem to remember mostly Koreans there, but beware -- I may show up and throw off the numbers.
I also like Shik Do Rak. That was the first place I had rice noodle wrappers. They may have even introduced them to LA. It's not the best, but I like it and I also seem to remember lots of Koreans there.
I should admit that I think KBBQ is some of the most over-rated food in LA so I may not be the best judge. I love the banchan, but really we're talking about quickly seared, thinly sliced meat. I'll take sundae any day.
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Soot Bul Restaurant
6681 Beach Blvd Ste C, Buena Park, CA 90621›2 Replies-
re: cacio e pepe
I find park's to be not that expensive on a per person basis, as long as everyone is not eating like a pig.
I consistently walk in/out of there expecting to pay 25pp and usually meet this goal.
after years of going to Park's I went to an el-cheapo AYCE kbbq and man, what a shock! 3 types of banchan, only 1 type of kimchi!
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re: ns1
You know, I do agree with you. Any KBBQ won't set you back too much in the grand scheme of things. Park's is a great *value* because everything there is good. They are generous with their portions, I think the quality is top rate, the place is nice and the service is efficient. It's not as cheap as the AYCE places, but as you said you get what you pay for there.
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DougShow
Oct 3, 2011 11:21 AM
I am the only Round-Eye when I go here. "Corner Place." It's in a mini-mall (there's a 7-11 in complex) at the corner of James M. Woods and Wesmoreland. Referred to me by a Korean.
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re: TailbackU
DougShow
Oct 3, 2011 06:52 PM
I believe I answered the question. The question did not ask me to analize WHY. I have been to expensive places that were not good, and cheap ones that were not good. This one is good. Is it the best? I don't know. I do know it's the one I like, and everyone I've ever taken there likes.
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re: DougShow
Found Corner Place by accident. Went there for lunch-moms and kids with my girlfriend (Korean) who has introduced me to Moodaepo, Parks and Chosun Galbee. We really liked Corner Place. My son and I were the only Caucasians except for a long table full of police. I thought the quality of the meat was good. I've had funky meat at Soot Bull Jeep. Our go to place is still Chosun Galbee, yes, with my Korean friend and her family. I like their panchan but their kimchee is lacking-sour instead of well fermented and not spicy enough but they have the best bim bim bap I have ever had.
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