Which SF Korean BBQ places give you lettuce to wrap the meat?

[Dave MP]

I'm particularly interested in places in San Francisco. Thinking of going to Brothers on Geary tonight, but would maybe go elsewhere if someone likes another place better. I really like grilling my own meat and then using lettuce wraps to wrap it up along w/ bean paste. Does Brothers offer this? If not, where?

Thanks!
Dave MP

[Radical347]

Every KBBQ spot I've been to has served lettuce. If they don't typically serve it, I'm sure you can ask for it.

[bbulkow]

I honestly can't remember anywhere that didn't give me lettuce.

Cook at table with charcoal (not gas) is rarer.

[Dave MP]

Ended up at Brothers last night, and we did indeed get lettuce wraps with the meal. We had kalbi and pork bulgogi—we grilled both at the table over hot coals.

Also had a seafood pancake (which I found a bit dry, but still decent) and japchae, which was a particularly good version with lots of garlic. Panchan were plentiful, service was friendly, and I'd definitely return.

Would definitely like to try Ohgane sometime soon.

[drewskiSF]

Any K-bbq place worth it's salt will have lettuce wraps. They just assume non-Koreans won't want them.

Just ask.

[Robert Lauriston]

I've sometimes gotten pickled perilla leaves or pickled thin rounds of daikon or instead of lettuce.

[mariacarmen]

Ohgane does that. - i love that.

[drewskiSF]

once i got my personal favorite wrapper, duk bo ssam (rice noodle squares). i asked another time and was told they don't typically have them so was luck of the draw.

[noodlelife]

They had dduk bo ssam at Brothers?! If so, this is the first I've heard about dbs in the bay area...I pretty much have to get it every time I go to LA, but it amazes me how many restaurants don't even know what I'm talking about when I ask about dduk bo ssam!

[drewskiSF]

Sorry, I've that was supposed to be a response to Mariacarmen / Ohgane. As Robert says, Kang Tong Degi has DBS. I don't recall seeing DBS in SF.

[Radical347]

Gooyi Gooyi in Santa Clara also has dduk bo ssam.

[Robert Lauriston]

Kang Tong Degi in Oakland has dduk bo ssam. It's a soju bang and the food's a step down from Ohgane, Sura, Bowl'd, Sahn Maru, Jong Ga, or PyeongChang.

[noodlelife]

good to know- I live down the street from there and have been meaning to go there for YEARS, so this will be motivation to go! I've gotten the sense that that spot is not a good place to take a vegetarian to though...do you agree?

[Robert Lauriston]

The only Korean places I'd recommend to a vegetarian are Sura, Bowl'd in Albany, its spinoff Spoon Korean Bistro, and Fusebox.

[drewskiSF]

Not great, but depends on the vegetarian?

Kimchi fried rice
Dduk bokki (ask for no fish cakes)
Kimchi soon dubu
Corn cheese
etc.

Of course, most banchan.

[Robert Lauriston]

There's almost certainly shrimp in the kimchi at DKD, and most likely meat or seafood broth in the soondobu.

[drewskiSF]

Yeah, broths are iffy. I'd be surprised if shrimp in the kimchi.

[Robert Lauriston]

Check the labels, all commercial kimchi I've seen has shrimp (saeujeot?) except for the stuff Bowl'd sells at Berkeley Bowl.

[calalilly]

Brothers is my favorite Korean BBQ place in the Bay Area. There's a reason they are always busy. And yes, they have lettuce wraps w the bean paste. Have a great time!

[mariacarmen]

calalilly - have you been to Ohgane in Oakland? you like Brothers better? will have to check it out....

[calalilly]

Yes, I've been to Ohgane but do prefer Brothers. I think their meat is more flavorful and I like their banchans, though it has been a few years. I will have to check out Ohgane again in the next few months.

[mariacarmen]

thanks! this definitely make me want to check out Brothers.

[calalilly]

I finally made it back to Ohgane a few weeks ago. I haven't been there in several years so didn't have much of a memory of this place. There was a group of 4 of us on a Wed night. The restaurant was packed and we waited about 30 mins.

First of all, the ventilation in the restaurant is horrible, which is surprising because there were vents above each table going full force. It was so bad that two people in our party and to go outside for fresh air half way through the meal.

Food wise, none of us thought it was very good. We ordered the short ribs and spicy pork to grill. Also the dumplings, seafood tofu soup and jap chae. Despite the 15+ banchans you get, overall we thought the food was bland. Two of my guests were visting from Asia and remembered we went to Brothers the last time they were here, which they loved. They were so disappointed in the food that we had to take them to Brothers on their last night in CA.

I'd love to hear other people's experiences at Ohgane because clearly they are very busy and have a lot of loyal customers. Did we just go on an off night?

[Robert Lauriston]

The front and back rooms were both full? I've never seen it anywhere near full, never had to wait.

We always have them cook the meat, they do a better job.

[mariacarmen]

same here, on both counts.

never had a problem with the ventilation either.

i love Ohgane! but now i want to try Brothers.