Kim's Korean BBQ

*** Kim's has closed

Located in the Jumbo Strip mall, at the corner of Plaza Boulevard and Highland Avenue, next to a Hometown Buffet and Chuck E Cheese in National City....yep, National City, is Kim's Restaurant. A Korean BBQ in the most unlikely of all places.

I'd been in the area several times, but always thought the doorway to the restaurant seemed a bit uninviting.

But today, I took a walk down the dark hallway lined with a few doors, and past a "private" BBQ room, to the front desk, and met with a slightly surprised look. Perhaps I looked like a refugee from Chuck E Cheese's next door. After the surprised look faded, a smile appeared, and I was guided to a table, and brought a menu. The interior of the restaurant is fairly large, and really contrasted with the slightly run down exterior.

As I read through the menu, full of the usual suspects, BiBimBap, Dofu Jigae, and various meat both marinated and unmarinated for BBQ, I was told that a minimum of 2 orders of meat was required in order to use table top cooking. I really didn't feel like smelling like a piece of grilled meat myself, so I had no problem with not cooking my own. I placed my order, and proceeded to get hooked on the Korean Soap Opera playing on the plasma television.

I know it's cheesy, silly, and predictable, but I kept watching the show.

Soon enough my panchan arrived, 8 little dishes all told, along with a plate of sliced romaine, and thinly sliced radish.

The panchan was consistently unremarkable, and nothing stood out. The Baechu(Napa Cabbage), and Oi(Cucumber) Kimchi were very mild, and one dimensional, lacking any any sweet, slightly sour, fishy, or spicy flavor that would make it memorable. The same for the pieces of Gochu Pajun(green onion pancake), Namul(Ban Sprouts), Sliced Mushroom, etc. If I had to select one that was the best, it would be the spinach with garlic.

I had ordered the "full order" of Bulgogi($16.95). There is a "smaller" order of Bulgogi for $10.95 on the menu as well. And soon enough a large sizzling plate of Bulgogi was brought to my table. Along with the usual metal bowl of rice, and a small bowl of watered down Miso Soup(!).

Once the Bulgogi had settled, it was time to get to work with the greens and sliced radish.

Never having read the "manual" on eating in this manner; I was once shown the correct way to eat, by placing a small piece(s) of Bulgogi on my plate, place some of the greens on top, cover with the slice of radish, and ta-da!!!!

You got yourself some "insta-dumpling" action going on. I enjoyed the slightly pickled flavor of the crisp radish, the greens were drenched in a dressing that was way too sour, and covered with chili powder, the Bulgogi was very soft and tender, though coming up short in the flavor department. Still the Bulgogi was light years better than the version at another restaurant that I had eaten recently. After eating about 6 of these, I started on just the Bulgogi and Rice, and in the end had quite a bit to take home. Overall the Bulgogi and the Panchan were nothing to write home about, and gave me no reason to make the a trip out to National City in the future. If in the neighborhood during lunch, I may give one of those $5.99 lunch specials a try.

But then again, they must show that Korean Soap Opera every night, right??? Hmmmm......not that I'm hooked mind you; just an interested spectator.

The prices at Kim's BBQ, is about par with most Korean BBQ's. Galbi runs about $19-21, and most items range from $10.99 to $20. I thought the plates of panchan were on the small side, but there were 8 different types. The portion of Bulgogi was more than satisfactory. The service was adequate, and once the Young Lady realized that I wasn't a wayward Hometown Buffet customer she was very nice. I'd say the food is several notches below Seoul BBQ in flavor, but just as tender. And I don't think there are too many other Korean restaurants in the area. If you know of one, please let me know!

Kim's Restaurant
1141 Highland Ave
National City, CA 91950

Comments

[Liza]

Is the big salad that Buga serves intended to be eaten with the meat? If so, I can only imagine how funny my friends and I have looked eating it like an American salad . . .

[JKP]

There is a Korea House in National City...1908 Sweetwaterm just off the 805 FWY. I think there is a big sign near the off-ramp.

They serve sushi there as well, nothing extraordinary, but decent. It was (and still may) owned by my college roommates' uncle. Also, I think there was at one point joint ownership between that one and the one on Convoy.

I don't go down there very often (a bit far from where I live) but I used to. Last visit was now 3-4 years ago. I used to think it was better than the Korea House on Convoy. Ultimately, convenience outweighed the difference.

[reynila]

Alas, the Korea House in National City closed about a year or so ago. It's an office space now. Prior to that it was "The Hungry Hunter" and back in the 80's, "The Big Yellow House" restaurant. Too bad Korea House closed. They had a really good lunch buffet for $6.95. :(

We were just at Buga and I ate the "salad", but not over the meat and wrapped with the daikon.

[Kirk]

Hi Liza - Yes, it is. You can use both the thin slices of radish, and the rice flour wrappers(dduk). But the most important thing is that you enjoy your meal. And there is too much greens for the wrappers, so you have to eat part of it as a salad anyway.

Hi JKP - As Reynila mentions, Korea House in National City has been closed for a while, I never had a chance to eat there - though I've eaten at the one on Convoy.

Hi Reynila - The Hungry Hunter? That sounds sooo 60's. LOL!

[milgwimper]

Kirk,

Hmmm the Korean drama's can suck you in...It is a terrible disease! Once you start watching some of them it is really hard to stop!

Sometimes it is really hard to find q really good Korean restuarant sometime. *sigh* At least it was better than the previous! :)

[howie]

I'd wondered about this place. Thanks for saving me a trip :)

I always get a kick out of the restaurant The Hungry Stick on Clairemont Mesa. Someone should give an award for most suggestive restaurant name.

[Passionate Eater]

You just broke my heart Kirk. I love Korean soap operas, although they are cheesy, silly, and predictable, they are also full of emotion, suspense, and intrigue! I can't bear to hear a bad word uttered about my babies. My Mom and I love em'!

[Kirk]

Hi Mills - No kidding! I found myself totally sucked in by the program.

Hi Howie - I've seen photos from the 80's and the Hungry Stick was there then, it's pretty much a really good landmark.

Hi PE - I saw firsthand how you can become addicted to those programs....What bad thing did I say???

[Rachel]

LOL Kirk, time to rent some soapies hey?

Wow there you go I learnt something new again about eating the bulbolgi arranged with the salad. Well, the local korean restaurant doesn't actually serve panchan! There is a watery starter salad, but nothing more than that. At least they serve very good kimchi chige and the korean pancake and passable bulgolgi (now I feel ripped off since they also deprived us of those extra things!). They have mushy sushi though ... well if it is the only place for 200 kms, you can't complain too much!

[Kirk]

Hi Rachel - No panchan!!! For some reason that doesn't sound right.