Korean BBQ anyone?

[jschyun]

can do the weekend of the 13-14 for Korean bbq.

bu ga sounds great. most people here are in L.A. though, so maybe we should stick to L.A. places. i might check bu ga out tonight!

thanks grandcru!

[tissue]

Whereever you guys want to go is fine with me.

Someone PM me to remind me. I've been a little forgetful lately.

Thank you!

[FoodZealot]

Next: Korean BBQ on Sunday, December 14th, 2003? Shall we meet for lunch or dinner?

Several places have been suggested:

• ChoSun Galbi (LA)
  Toad House (LA) - specializing in pork belly
  Tsuruhashi (Fountain Valley)
  Bu Ga (Garden Grove) - recommended by grandcru
  Shik Do Rak (OC)
  among others...
  

Discuss.

~Tad

[jschyun]

Chosun Galbi got written up in the NYTimes

NY Times Piece (You need a subscription to read this, but it's free to subscribe)

[FoodZealot]

[mouth watering] thanks, jschyun! I might have to do some reconaissance...

~Tad

[ErinB]

Count me in.

[jschyun]

I can't make it on the 14th. I forgot that it was our anniversary. Thank God I remembered before it was too late.

And they say guys are the ones to forget.

[FoodZealot]

Nice save! Well, it's your event - wanna suggest a new date? 6th or 7th is already out.

[ErinB]

I don't know if people have seen this, but Mark Bittman did an article on Korean BBQ in LA in the NY Times.

Here's the link. You have to subscribe to see it, but it's free.

He reviews the following places:

• Chosun Galbee
  
• YongSuSan
  
• Seoul Garden
  
• Sa Rit Gol
  

[jschyun]

Hmm, I thought I had replied to this thread, but apparently didn't go through.

I didn't realize I was the coordinator for the Korean BBQ thing, so my bad for not really organizing. But now that I do know I am coordinator, would it be possible for people to make the 13th?

If lots of people can't make it on the 13th, then I will see about keeping it on the 14th.

Also, we haven't decided on doing lunch or dinner. If it's on the 14th, it will have to be lunch for me. On the 13th, I am more flexible. What about you guys? Please chime in.

I'm going to go to Bu Ga and ChoSun Galbi either today or Thursday. I'll eat at each, and let you know what I think. I won't get a chance to check the panchan (appetizer dishes) though because i'll have to get everything to go.

What are you interested in? Galbi (marinated cross cut shortribs) or bulgogi (eh, thinly sliced sirloin marinated and quickly fried) we could get a combo with pork and stuff like that.

[FoodZealot]

I hope you don't think I was dumping this back in your lap. I'll help however is needed - but you did start the thread, so you have to be present at the event!

I can do either lunch or dinner on the 13th, or lunch on the 14th.

As for food, I defer to you and others' recommendations. I'm just looking for a good sampling.

[jschyun]

I hope you don't think I was dumping this back in your lap.  I'll help however is needed - but you did start the thread, so you have to be present at the event!

<snip>

As for food, I defer to you and others' recommendations. I'm just looking for a good sampling.

Hehe, yes I did start the thread. I would love to have this in my lap actually. I just forgot all about it. Isn't that horrible?

Good sampling? I'll look at the combo meals then. You pay a set price, say $59.99 to $100something for some sliced pork, shaved Angus beef, and maybe shortribs or something. It sometimes comes with soup and of course it comes with panchan.

I'll look for a combo meal with the most variety. I should stop by Soot Bull Jeep too, but only if I have time.

Edited December 2, 2003 by jschyun (log)

[grandcru]

I should be up for dinner on the 13th. Unavailable on the 14th.

Hope you like Bu Ga!

[jschyun]

alright, I went to Buga and Chosun Galbee.

Buga is now Seoul Oak Korean BBQ restaurant. I passed it several times thinking I was at the wrong address. Unfortunately, because I was alone, I was passed over for at least 15 minutes in the lobby. I think they thought I was waiting for someone and I am weirdly shy about yelling for a table. As I waited, I checked out the dining room. It was 8:30pm, and only a few groups were present. The place hasn't been remodeled in at least 10 years, but that doesn't mean anything, in terms of the food, of course. I talked to a girl who said her mother had recommended the place. I counted 3 groups at the tables, but I saw about 6 cars in the half empty parking lot adjacent.

For the hell of it, I left and drove over to Shik Do Rak down the street for comparison. About 3/4th full, with lots of children in the playroom. So nice, I almost went in. But no, I had work to do.

I drove to L.A., down Western until I hit what I had as the address of Chosun Galbee. As soon as I saw the dark, obviously closed restaurant I realized I have been there before, contrary to what I told you guys. See that's the problem with not speaking Korean really well because my friends and family always pick the place and order. I just eat. Also, I was pissed because it was obviously not the right restaurant. They must have moved. I turned around and drove down another street so I could make another loop around Western when I accidentally drove by the new location on Olympic Blvd. It's stunningly beautiful, with slate walls little fountains and valet parking filled with cars nicer than mine.

I got an order of the "Chosun Galbee" to go, after they counter lady told me that the Galbee Jumuluk wouldn't travel. After I got it home, I found I liked the seaweed soup ( miyoguk) better than my mom's. I don't remember eating it there before. I liked the panchan they gave me too, but it was a small portion of what I would have probably gotten if I had eaten at the restaurant. The "Galbee" or short ribs cut off the bone and marinated in a sweetish, garlicky soy sauce was too sweet and not garlicky enough for me. But then I always say that. I also think they should pound the meat or whatever it is they do to make it really tender, but I did eat it cold at home. Overall, it was pretty standard galbi.

I can see why all the magazines focus on Chosun. It's much nicer than the other barbecue restaurants. And the food is still pretty damn good. I would feel comfortable bringing a group here.

I still might go to Buga for lunch tomorrow, if I have time. It smelled pretty good in there, and lunchtime might be better for a single or duo.

I'm more interested in going to Soot Bull Jeep though. My cousin said they have better meat than Chosun. Probably how they grill it. However, she did say that her favorite BBQ restaurant in general was Chosun. She's a well traveled, well funded eater, so I trust her judgment. If L.A. wasn't an hour away, and my schedule not so hectic, I would have eaten here a long time ago.

So what do you think?

[FoodZealot]

Thanks for doing the research! I'm excited to do this. There's about 5 that I want to try at this point, so to me it's just which one happens to be visited first. As tommy would say, "I'm in."

Can everybody make it if we have dinner on the 13th?

[grandcru]

Can everybody make it if we have dinner on the 13th?

Galbi damned, I'm in!

[jschyun]

hehe grandcru *shudder*

Just came back from Buga (now Seoul Oak BBQ). Short version: Had galbi, liked it better than Chosun's version because cut across the grain (probably just picked it up from the supermarket and hacked it to pieces) and had more grill flavor. However, didn't like panchan given. Chosun's panchan far outshines Seoul Oak in quality, if not in quantity.

I say we go to Chosun. It seems like the best choice for an all around comfortable restaurant with bbq and whatever else you want that has garlic and pepper in it.

[mongo_jones]

hehe grandcru *shudder*

Just came back from Buga (now Seoul Oak BBQ).  Short version: Had galbi, liked it better than Chosun's version because cut across the grain (probably just picked it up from the supermarket and hacked it to pieces) and had more grill flavor.  However, didn't like panchan given.  Chosun's panchan far outshines Seoul Oak in quality, if not in quantity. 

I say we go to Chosun.  It seems like the best choice for an all around comfortable restaurant with bbq and whatever else you want that has garlic and pepper in it.

i'd recommend shik do rak over chosun galbi; if only because it is much cheaper and also puts you a lot closer to other diners. the food itself is, i think, as good, and my wife (who is korean and from koreatown) concurs. shik do rak is also a little unusual among korean bbq places in l.a in that they give you the little rice wrappers in which to roll everything before you put it in your mouth. however, chosun galbi may be more non-korean friendly (in every sense).

as it happens my wife and i, along with a lot of friends, will be at shik do rak on the 13th (we're passing through l.a on our way to india and it was our first nostalgic choice for bbq we can't get in boulder/denver).

soot bull jeep is great too.

(edited to fix grammar)

Edited December 6, 2003 by mongo_jones (log)

[ErinB]

I just flew in to LA today, avoiding the huge snowstorm we just got in the East.

I'm available anytime that weekend.

[tissue]

I'm sorry I just started a new show so I can't go.

Have fun.

[jschyun]

I have to say the OC branch of Shik Do Rak is great, and yes they do that dduk bo sam thing which is cool. Ever since it opened (I think it was) last November, my friends and family have favored it over any other bbq house in OC. Frankly, I can't imagine going anywhere else for Korean BBQ in OC unless I have to.

However, I think for this outing, I think Chosun would be a better choice because it's block from the Galleria, and if we so chose, we could stroll over there after lunch/dinner. Also, the new Chosun is a beautiful restaurant and part of the pleasure of dining is being able to eat in comfortable surroundings. In fact, it reminds me of some of the places my family took me to in Seoul. Lastly, most of the diners are non-Koreans, and Shik Do Rak help staff speak very little English.

At Chosun the the prices are roughly between $10 - $26, with the galbi . We could get 4 dishes for 5 or 6 people and still come under $20 per person. We could also go at lunch time.

I might drive back up to L.A. and go to Soot Bull Jeep again, to refresh my memory. Chosun's bbq isn't the best I've ever had so if Soot Bull is still as good as it used to be, where, after your visit, the overpowering smell of garlic and meat covers you like plastic film for days. Then maybe we'll switch to there.

Also, most people seem to be coming from L.A. or Long Beach, and although I'm in Irvine, I want to make sure we collectively do as little driving as possible.

What do you guys think? Where are you guys coming from?

So far it sounds like me (plus one), FoodZealot, grandcru, and ErinB. Let me know if I missed someone.

[mongo_jones]

I have to say the OC branch of Shik Do Rak is great, and yes they do that dduk bo sam thing which is cool. Ever since it opened (I think it was) last November, my friends and family have favored it over any other bbq house in OC. Frankly, I can't imagine going anywhere else for Korean BBQ in OC unless I have to.

However, I think for this outing, I think Chosun would be a better choice because it's block from the Galleria, and if we so chose, we could stroll over there after lunch/dinner. Also, the new Chosun is a beautiful restaurant and part of the pleasure of dining is being able to eat in comfortable surroundings. In fact, it reminds me of some of the places my family took me to in Seoul. Lastly, most of the diners are non-Koreans, and Shik Do Rak help staff speak very little English.

At Chosun the the prices are roughly between $10 - $26, with the galbi . We could get 4 dishes for 5 or 6 people and still come under $20 per person. We could also go at lunch time.

I might drive back up to L.A. and go to Soot Bull Jeep again, to refresh my memory. Chosun's bbq isn't the best I've ever had so if Soot Bull is still as good as it used to be, where, after your visit, the overpowering smell of garlic and meat covers you like plastic film for days. Then maybe we'll switch to there.

Also, most people seem to be coming from L.A. or Long Beach, and although I'm in Irvine, I want to make sure we collectively do as little driving as possible.

What do you guys think? Where are you guys coming from?

So far it sounds like me (plus one), FoodZealot, grandcru, and ErinB. Let me know if I missed someone.

since i won't be joining the group my thoughts should have little impact. however, you should know that shik do rak has a branch not far from chosun, on olympic on the corner of hoover. so it won't impact l.a folks' drive times.

you're right, the shik do rak crew are less english proficient and the seating is less comfortable. but i think for a bunch of non-koreans encountering bbq for the first (or second) time it might be nice to do it among a bunch of koreans (and not very westernized ones at that--unlike the young yuppies at chosun).

if you guys do end up at shik do rak on the 13th try to shout "egullet" a few times. my wife and i will be there with friends from about 8 p.m onwards--we'll be the only other group with lots of non-koreans in attendance.

[jschyun]

The L.A. Shik Do Rak is not as good as the OC one.

--edit

Food's the same, but it's kind of ghetto compared to the OC one. I don't know if I feel comfortable taking a group there.

Edited December 8, 2003 by jschyun (log)

[mongo_jones]

The L.A. Shik Do Rak is not as good as the OC one.

--edit

Food's the same, but it's kind of ghetto compared to the OC one. I don't know if I feel comfortable taking a group there.

you mean the ambience?

yes, it isn't as fancy--but the food is really good. maybe on bbq night 2 or 3?

[jschyun]

mongo_jones, I must say, it is really nice to see your passion for Shik Do Rak. I really like that place, and if people aren't concerned about it not being particularly English friendly, then I would consider bringing the group to the OC branch. It's been hit or miss when I have brought non-Koreans there, and I don't think their panchan is all that great.

I like their freshly shaved Black Angus beef, although it has a tendency to overcook in my hands. Also, they have pork belly (I think) and trying to wrap your little rice roll into something that won't fall apart before it hits your mouth, is always fun.

I'll try to go to Soot Bull before Sat and then we'll decide for sure.

Well, it's the final week before the actual event. Stay tuned!