Korean BBQ with charcoal grills--Annandale

[nissenpa]

Awhile back someone mentioned a good Korean BBQ that had charcoal grills at the tables. Which place was that? DH would like to try Korean BBQ with the charcoal.

Thanks.

[Steve]

That place closed. I tried to go there last week.

We wound up at what I think is the best bbq in Annandale at Han Gang. The spicy pork is sensational, particularly when wrapped in the large, thin radish slices served on the side. Utterly delicious. Their #1 han gang galbi is also excellent.

Outside of Annandale, Soo Won Galbi in Centreville is exceptional, especially the L.A. Galbi - served on the bone.

[nissenpa]

Thanks! Han Gang is actually at the top of my list to try. Do they have table top grills there?

[Steve]

Yes.

[nissenpa]

Steve---By any chance have you had the mandu or the dduk bboki at Han Gang? I love dduk bboki and the mandu dumplings are for DH (if I say I'm ordering dumplings I find he is more open to trying the other things I order). Planning on the spicy pork too!

[Steve]

I had the dumplings recently. They are alright. I have yet to have mandu that were anything special.

I have not had duok boki. Anywhere in this area that does it well?

[nissenpa]

I can't say. I have had it only one time in my life and that was at Bon Chon about 2 years ago. I don't even know what makes one traditional or authentic. I love nian gao in any form at Chinese places so I just kind of assumed I would like dduk bboki. I plan to order it at Han Gang this coming Saturday and will report back on flavors and texture.

I've never had mandu either but my Korean hairdresser said that if I really like Korean (which I do) that I must try mandu. Thing is i REALLY like Chinese too and dumplings are not among my "must have dishes".

[PollyG]

I, also, have never been blown away by mandu. The fried ones at Soo Pong (place a door or 3 down from the big Lotte on Metrotech Drive in Western FFX County) are as good as we've had. My 12 year-old likes them, but if you gave her the choice between those and the pan-fried pork dumplings at A&J, she'd go with A&J every time.

[nissenpa]

DH LOVES pan-fried pork dumplings at A&J.

[Steve]

The ones I've enjoyed most I bought at the 'deli' counter at H Mart. I was there this weekend and got some really great ho-tteok (pancakes with brown sugar, cinammon, peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds), cooked fresh right outside the store. Street food at its best.