The beauty of Korean bbq is you get to cook the food yourself, but that means you are your own chef. That’s just one element of Korean BBQ that makes it an amazing LA adventure in creativity. There are several tips and techniques to pay attention to in order to get the most out of your culinary experience. Unlock the flavors of tempting barbecue with these secrets.
First off, don’t over flip your meat. This will cause the meat to become too dry. The best time to flip the meat is when you see small bubbles of juice dancing on the surface, almost as if it is crying.
It’s also important to pair the correct noodles with the right meat. The first dish should only be grilled meat. A good second course could be naeng-myeon (cold noodles) or rice and doenjangjjigae, bean paste stew with a bowl of rice.
Don’t worry so much about the sauces. Stick to salt for the unmarinated barbecue, which is better at bringing out the true flavors of the meat. Sauce overdipping is akin to dunking crab cakes in ketchup.
If you’re brave enough to try Korean beef tartare, the safest time is surprisingly in the summer. Restaurants tend to be extra careful due to the obvious risk.
Going out for Korean barbecue in Los Angeles should be a social experience, so bring friends. The more, the merrier. Sharing and sampling multiple dishes adds to the fun.
Hanjip Korean BBQ in Culver City. Photo by Rick Poon.
If you haven’t eaten KBBQ in Los Angeles, you’re definitely missing out. There is only one problem with KBBQ in LA: there are the endless options. So we’re here to offer some insight on our top favorite spots. Los Angeles Korean BBQ all have one thing in common: the grill sits right in the middle of your table and the delicious side dishes are endless! Some may offer beer towers and all you can meat prices, other’s carry separate rice dishes and soups you can choose from in addition to your meat entree. Without further ado, here are our top KBBQ spots in Koreatown: 1. Soot Bull Jeep – this is our top choice as they grill over charcoal and offer tender meat at a price setting for two or more people in a relaxed atmosphere. 2. Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong – We love the egg ring around the grill at this place, can get busy and loud as the patrons often celebrate with shots of Soju. 3. Quarters Korean BBQ – very fancy atmosphere and super cool outdoor bar. 4. Ahgassi Gopchang – Lots of options, family friendly and delicious ribs. 5. EIGHT BBQ – Last but not least, delicious food with plenty of televisions playing non-stop Kpop music videos and great speedy service!
