47 replies to this topic

[Vancouver]

Ok, so I'm on the hunt for the best Korean BBQ in the area. My ideal:

- Excellent meat
- Excellent marinade
- Grilling at your table (ideally with charcoal)
- Excellent and numerous side dishes

What are your favourites? I haven't found any that use real charcoal yet. They all seem to be gas grills.

Cheers!

[chef koo]

my moms

[Vancouver]

And when are you inviting us over to her place?

Cheers!

[amandasmom971]

My cousin makes the best Korean BBQ. But she lives in San Diego!!


What are your favourites? I haven't found any that use real charcoal yet. They all seem to be gas grills.

[Daddy-A]

What are your favourites?  I haven't found any that use real charcoal yet.  They all seem to be gas grills.

I think you'll find (I could be wrong on this) that you can't use charcoal inside ... too much of a carbon monoxide issue. At the very least, the code requirements for ventialtion would put costs out of reach for most.

Again, I could be wrong

A.

[Vancouver]

What are your favourites?

Don't have any favourite BBQs here in Vancouver, yet. Favourite dishes are kalbi and tounge though for the meats, and a nice variety of the small side dishes.

San Diego does have several great BBQs that I have tried. Although I haven't seen any with charcoal there either.

I think you'll find (I could be wrong on this) that you can't use charcoal inside ... too much of a carbon monoxide issue. At the very least, the code requirements for ventialtion would put costs out of reach for most.

Say it ain't so! Please! Do non-Korean BBQ's use gas only? What does Memphis Blues use?

I know that at the Korean BBQ's they always have good ventilation systems above each grill, so I hope that some have charcoal?!?!?! No answers though so my guess is maybe not.

Ok, so what are your favourite Korean BBQ's with gas grills?

Cheers!

[nondual1]

What are your favourites?  I haven't found any that use real charcoal yet.  They all seem to be gas grills.

Hmm, one of my favourite dishes/meals...

First of all, Muck Ja Gol on Kingsway (near Nelson in Burnaby) uses real charcoal. But except for that one merit, I actually don't find their meat and side dishes all that excellent. Try it if you must.

Chosun, also on Kingsway, near Joyce Street and the border of Vancouver and Burnaby, has probably very good meat and marinade. The side dishes are all right as well. It tends to be quite expensive, so, as much as I like it, I don't go there all that often.

My favourite is (drum-roll please!) Mi Sun Rae -- well, guess what, also on Kingsway! -- near Sperling in Burnaby, which is both reasonably priced and features excellent meat and side dishes. And very authentically Korean. They might still offer this: If you order three orders of kalbi, you get a free pancake. And please try their (unmarinaded) pork belly; it's refreshingly different from the "normal" Korean BBQ we usually know.

Now you got me thinking I should have BBQ tonight... devil you!

[tokyogurumegal]

This thread has made me crave for yukke bi bim bup (sp?)! Oh and really good quality tongue with salt and pepper with a bit of lemon juice...mmmmmmm:)

Has anyone been to that restaurant on Thurlow near Davie (forgot the name) wher Haru use to be? Is it any good? Speaking of Haru, I miss that restaurant.

[Shellback]

[quote name='nondual1' date='Apr 6 2005, 12:59 PM']
[/quote]
My favourite is (drum-roll please!) Mi Sun Rae -- well, guess what, also on Kingsway! -- near Sperling in Burnaby, which is both reasonably priced and features excellent meat and side dishes. And very authentically Korean. They might still offer this: If you order three orders of kalbi, you get a free pancake. And please try their (unmarinaded) pork belly; it's refreshingly different from the "normal" Korean BBQ we usually know.
[/quote]

Yes, I will second Mi Sun Rae. The BBQ there is excellent!

[chef koo]

This thread has made me crave for yukke bi bim bup (sp?)!  Oh and really good quality tongue with salt and pepper with a bit of lemon juice...mmmmmmm:)

well sine it's not spelled in korean i think any spelling owuld be fine

[Vancouver]

Oh and really good quality tongue with salt and pepper with a bit of lemon juice...mmmmmmm:)

You might enjoy the thin sliced tounge at Yuji's Japanese Tapas on 4th. It isn't Korean style - but grilled perfectly with salt and pepper, and I'm sure you can add a bit of lemon. Very tasty!

Thank you all for the tips out in Burnaby. Seems like a Burnaby BBQ adventure is in order!

Cheers!

[tokyogurumegal]

Oh and really good quality tongue with salt and pepper with a bit of lemon juice...mmmmmmm:)

You might enjoy the thin sliced tounge at Yuji's Japanese Tapas on 4th. It isn't Korean style - but grilled perfectly with salt and pepper, and I'm sure you can add a bit of lemon. Very tasty!

Thank you all for the tips out in Burnaby. Seems like a Burnaby BBQ adventure is in order!

Cheers!

Yes! I've had it there before:) I don't go to Korean BBQ here much but whenever I have tongue it's at a Japanese restaurant. That restaurant manager/server at Yuji is always so nice... was shocked to see him leave Wabi Sabi. I've had really good tongue at Moderne Club too, it was one of their daily specials.

So no recommended Korean restaurant in downtown area? I thought maybe with all those ESL students here there might be better restaurants around Robson.

[appreciator]

So no recommended Korean restaurant in downtown area?  I thought maybe with all those ESL students here there might be better restaurants around Robson.

Umm… are all those Korean students potential readers and participants of egullet? There may well be some secret places downtown but if the people who know about them don't come here then those of us who do.... won't have a clue.

Sorry... didn't mean to rhyme

[Mooshmouse]

Oh and really good quality tongue with salt and pepper with a bit of lemon juice...mmmmmmm:)

You might enjoy the thin sliced tounge at Yuji's Japanese Tapas on 4th. It isn't Korean style - but grilled perfectly with salt and pepper, and I'm sure you can add a bit of lemon. Very tasty!

Yes! I've had it there before:) I don't go to Korean BBQ here much but whenever I have tongue it's at a Japanese restaurant.

Don't forget the robata-style beef tongue served at Takumi on North Road in Burnaby. Delicious.

[nondual1]

So no recommended Korean restaurant in downtown area?  I thought maybe with all those ESL students here there might be better restaurants around Robson.

As you probably are aware, BBQ/Kalbi is not "everyday fare" for most Koreans, who usually have it as a treat -- usually with lots of drinks for a good time. The everyday fare centers more around soup and rice (and kimchi, of course). Catering at least in part to ESL students who probably cannot afford BBQ/Kalbi on a daily basis, the downtown Korean restaurants just may not be as "BBQ-heavy" as those elsewhere, many of which got started years ago serving *Korean* tourists who would come for BBQ and a good time. So, you are likely to find really good hotpots, soups, noodles and so on in the downtown Korean restaurants.

Among my favourites, all of which would have to haul out the butane burner should you order BBQ, since they don't have the fixed, gas type:

1. Jang Mo Jib on Robson (near Denman), which serves the now-ubiquitous Gam Ja Tang ("Pork back-bone soup/hotpot.") It is amazing to see how tasty those "soup bones" can be. Very hustle-bustle though, sometimes with a line-up.

2. Cafe Koreana on Robson (near Jervis) has some good and reasonably-priced dishes. The decor is a little off-the-wall however.

3. And my favourite is Madangcoul on Denman, just around the corner from Jang
Mo Jib. A most friendly place serving very down-home cooking. Mom's cooking, you know.

I have heard good things about Norboo (sp?) on Robson (near Cardero), but have not been there personally. But don't confuse that with Ap Kung Jung, which is just a few stores away; I don't recommend it at all.

Go forth and explore, my friends!

[Edited to format the quote correctly]

Edited by nondual1, 07 April 2005 - 02:18 AM.

[Vancouver]

I agree on many of those Robson locations. Quite good Korean soups available at several. For another Korean favourite try BeGaNe out near North Rd. in Burnaby. They do the 11 or 12 course "royal" menu that has some excellent food included on the set menu. Everything is superb except for the sashimi course (I'm not sure why they try to add that in to be honest - all the Korean food was really good). But alas - no grills.

Cheers!

Edited to fix typo.

Edited by Vancouver, 07 April 2005 - 02:11 PM.

[canucklehead]

So no recommended Korean restaurant in downtown area?  I thought maybe with all those ESL students here there might be better restaurants around Robson.

1. Jang Mo Jib on Robson (near Denman), which serves the now-ubiquitous Gam Ja Tang ("Pork back-bone soup/hotpot.") It is amazing to see how tasty those "soup bones" can be. Very hustle-bustle though, sometimes with a line-up.

[Edited to format the quote correctly]

Jang Mo Jib is the one I know the best. I took my cousins there and it was their first non'bbq korean meal and they loved it. I particularly like the soups (being Cantonese - this is genetic I think) - nice and brothy.

The Pork Back-Bone soup is very good - spicy! You get this long spine of bone delivered to your table in a big bubbling pot. Kind of scary looking when you see it the first time.

Whenever I am at Jang Mo Jib - two things always seem to happen:
- the techno music is turned up LOUD
- it always feels like a good ole fashioned brawl is going to break out

Though I pick out both a potential dance partner or the person I am going to take down when the brawl starts - nothing has ever happened.

Edited by canucklehead, 07 April 2005 - 02:57 PM.

[Vancouver]

Whenever I am at Jang Mo Jib - two things always seem to happen:
- the techno music is turned up LOUD
- it always feels like a good ole fashioned brawl is going to break out

Though I pick out both a potential dance partner or the person I am going to take down when the brawl starts - nothing has ever happened.

Sounds like you are taking advantage of those late night hours they offer. It closes at what, around 2am?

Cheers!

[Vancouver]

To answer my own question - Jang Mo Jib closes at 5AM on Friday and Saturday nights. Good to keep in mind for those late nights when you just need some good broth at 4am!

Cheers!

[mangez]

We have tried a few in town and our favourite Korean BBQ restaurant is:

Kyung Bok Palace
143 3rd Street West, North Vancouver BC, 604-987-3112
• recommended dishes:
wang kalbi (BBQ yourself short ribs)
• chap chai (stir-fry rice noodles)
• marinated raw beef (if you're up for it)
• fairly expensive (and your clothes will smell afterwards), but worth a try, one of the best Korean restaurants in town
• unlimited side dishes/kimchi

Not the closest but very tasty food, nicely marinated.

[FannyBay]

We went to an amazing Korean BBQ place a few weeks ago. Of course I can't remember the name, and it was a bit tricky to find, and it's tiny, but it is on Denman Street. I think there might be a dairy queen beside it. The food was incredible, and the place had lots of foodies in it so somebody knows about it. Packed with a lineup out the door. It is on the North side of the street, 1/2 a block from Robson Street, just off the alley. They have bizarre reservation policy's like - if you are two you can only sit at the bar, not a table, and they only take reservations until 6:30, and they give you an out-by time...but all worth it, the food was fabulous. Next time I drive by I will note the name and post it.

Edited by FannyBay, 17 April 2005 - 02:51 PM.

[Vancouver]

Are you sure you aren't talking about the Japanese yakitori restaurant called Zakushi? It sounds like the only thing I can think of in that location that BBQ's? (Other than Rooster Quarters which is an entirely different type of BBQ across the street.)

Cheers!

[Jeff Campbell]

Charcoal is legal, at least in San Francisco, so I am sure you could find someplace up there that does it- I am sure it is just a matter of having adequate ventilation.

[owzer]

We have tried a few in town and our favourite Korean BBQ restaurant is:

Kyung Bok Palace
143 3rd Street West, North Vancouver BC, 604-987-3112
• recommended dishes:
wang kalbi (BBQ yourself short ribs)
• chap chai (stir-fry rice noodles)
• marinated raw beef (if you're up for it)
• fairly expensive (and your clothes will smell afterwards), but worth a try, one of the best Korean restaurants in town
• unlimited side dishes/kimchi

Not the closest but very tasty food, nicely marinated.

Thanks for the tip.
My wife and I have driven by it a couple of times and
have been tempted to give a try.
Now we will.

Best,
Owzer

[canucklehead]

Took my aunt and uncle today for father's day - and went to Norboo on the 1500 block of Robson. This place always seems very busy and full of Koreans and Tawainese Students - thank goodness for the english language schools.

The kim chee was very good - this always seems like a bit of test for Korean restaurants. Should taste fresh and homemade - I've been to places were the kim chee tasted like an old dim sum platter - not a good thing.


The L.A. style kal bee (short ribs) were juicier than the other kalbee that I have had. Tasted like it was marinated in fruit juice.


Seafood pancake had squid, octopus, scallops, and unfortunately - pollock (fake crab). Nice and crispy- but got greasy as it cooled.


This was probably the best thing - sashimi rice. Peices of salmon, tuna, and tobiko over just barely warm rice with shards of iceberg lettuce (it works - here). You added as much of a sweet spicey sauce as you wanted. It was light, refreshing, and substantial at the sametime. Perfect as the days warm up.


Also had a bowl of dumplings and rice cake noodles - no picture though. Sorry. But Koreans make a mean beefy broth. Sweet, clean tasting and fortifying.

All in all - a nice father's day lunch. With Tax and Tip - $48 for a pretty subtantial meal. I picked a Korean place for lunch because I figured most of the students would not have their fathers with them and so these places would not be too busy. And I was right.

My only problem was that Korean food seems to have an underlying sweetness that can be cloying after while. The ribs in particular where quite sweet. Still - I think that we should be thankful for the authentic Korean food we have due to the students. For great deals on beef and fish - I also went to Hannmee grocery store in Coquitlam. The short ribs alone are worth going for - thick and meaty - perfect for a slow braise (and at 4.99 a pound for really well marbled specimens). They had fresh whole halibut for about 8.99 a pound - good for those who know how to dismantle such a catch.

I went to Hannmee with my brother who looks very Korean. This sales lady was demonstrating a new product (spicy pork belly - delicous) and yelling at my brother in Korean. He stared at her politely - but clearly not understanding a word she was saying - I think that she took it to mean that he was hard of hearing - because she really started to yell at him. Maybe she was saying "Why don't you speak Korean anymore! Have you forsaken your mother tongue! You parents should shoot you!!" Not sure though.

I think that the schools should now target French and Italian students - who knows what further food developments it could lead too.

[Mooshmouse]

Lee, great photos... happy to have another inhabitant in cameraloserland!

We were just up the block from you this evening at Hapa and strolled past Norboo to walk off a few of the thousands of calories that we consumed at dinner. Question: how did this meal compare in quality to Jang Mo Jib? I've been quite curious about Norboo for a while and am more than happy to read your take on it.




SIDE NOTE: Holy freakin' food geek Batman... 1,000 posts? Someone rescue me from the time-sucking vortex that is eGullet!

Edited by Mooshmouse, 20 June 2005 - 12:09 AM.

[merlin]

I went to Hannmee with my brother who looks very Korean.  This sales lady was demonstrating a new product (spicy pork belly - delicous) and yelling at my brother in Korean. He stared at her politely - but clearly not understanding a word she was saying - I think that she took it to mean that he was hard of hearing - because she really started to yell at him.  Maybe she was saying "Why don't you speak Korean anymore!  Have you forsaken your mother tongue! You parents should shoot you!!"  Not sure though.

Too funny. Thanks for the morning chuckle.

Mind you after looking at the pictures I am ravenous. There is "fusion-styled" spot across the street from my office whose owner is of Korean descent. He has his "take" on bulgogi on the lunch menu but his dinner appetizer of the "kalbi stack" is delicious. A number of L.A. style short ribs barbequed and served with some kim chee that I think his mother makes.

You mentioned the meat having been marinated in fruit juice. I know when I have tried making kalbi at home I have used pineapple juice to break down the fibres.

Don't make it very often as my barbeque is usually a "disaster area" after all that sauce and marinade gets burnt onto the grill.

[canucklehead]

We were just up the block from you this evening at Hapa and strolled past Norboo to walk off a few of the thousands of calories that we consumed at dinner.  Question:  how did this meal compare in quality to Jang Mo Jib?  I've been quite curious about Norboo for a while and am more than happy to read your take on it.

SIDE NOTE:  Holy freakin' food geek Batman... 1,000 posts?  Someone rescue me from the time-sucking vortex that is eGullet! 

I am not sure - I think that they are both good - but Norboo seemed like it was generally very sweet. Also - you did not get some of the side stuff that Jang Mo Jib that really rounds out a meal. Such as the iced barley tea and the sweet rice drink that you get at the end of the meal.

Norboo however, seemed like prices were much better and I really enjoyed the sashimi rice.

I think that further tasting is required!

[nondual1]

Norboo however, seemed like prices were much better and I really enjoyed the sashimi rice. 

Hi there, Lee!

Since you like sashimi bibimbap so much and you (and your Korean-looking brother ) do make a trek out to Coquitlam, have you tried the sashimi bibimbap at the deli attached to Hannam Supermarket (south-west corner of North Road and Lougheed)? It's food-court-like, but, for a really good price, you get very good sashimi bibimbap. Very nice inter-play of texture and temperature between the rice, finely-chopped lettuce and sashimi (including ika, sake, tai and shiro-maguro), helped along by the pungent raw garlic, pepper and sesame leaves. And of course you may splatter as much of the hot sauce on it as you like. Everytime I find myself in that part of town, I drop by for a fill-up.

And Doegalbi (sp?) on top of Hannam serves one of the best Korean Jajangmien (noodles in black-bean sauce) and Nyengmeng (cold buckwheat noodles) around town, according to many Koreans.

Talking about Korean BBQ, Arirang on Cambie has changed ownership in recent months and the new taste seems to me to have improved much from the previous ownership. All-you-can-eat BBQ at dinner is $17 ($18 on weekends). You really can't beat that price. I am always amazed at people choosing Shanbusen and its Chinese-influenced-Korean-BBQ over the real thing -- Arirang is so much better. I especially recommend the (unmarinated) pork belly, which is surprisingly good and a refreshing departure from the usual sweeter, marinaded taste.

Hope to bump into one of you over one of these places some time.

[PearL]

This thread helped get me started..but can someone help me narrow it down further? My relatives are in town and they would like to try some good Korean food (not just BBQ)...which of the restaurants in Vancouver (North Rd is too far, unfortunately) are well-priced and where a large family with quite a range in age can enjoy a meal comfortably (I would think Jang Mo Jib on Robson isn't the most suitable in terms of seating, atmosphere, etc).