Seoul BBQ Restaurant - A Revisit. Sometimes it's all about timing

*** Seoul BBQ has closed

Sometimes it's all about timing...... The Missus was in the mood for some Korean BBQ, something that doesn't happen very often. We had thought about a visit to Buga, but decided on a revisit to Seoul BBQ.

I had thought about Seoul BBQ for a couple of reasons; first off, the marinades at Seoul tend to be on the sweeter side, which the Missus enjoys, and the wide open interior makes for good ventilation, another plus in the Missus's book.

We were seated without delay, and looked over the menu, made our choices, and soon after the panchan arrived.

Along with a small salad with a Asian Pear/Garlic/Vinegar based dressing, which was refreshing, and not short on flavor.

The panchan(8 dishes), on the other hand was very unremarkable, and other than the Oi(cucumber) was very pedestrian overall. I don't know what it is with my luck with panchan recently, but I haven't had anything I've really enjoyed for a while now........ More panchan left unfinished, sigh......

As is standard operating procedure for Korean BBQ restaurants, in order to use the brazier you need at least two orders of meat.

We decided on the Hyuh Mit Gui(Haemit Gui on this menu - beef tongue $18.99):

Though not as marbled as the version I recently had at Dae Jang Keum, this version had a much stronger gamey flavor, which the Missus enjoyed. Nothing like crisp grilled beef tongue.

We also ordered the Bulgogi ($18.99):

Grilled, and wrapped in a lettuce leaf along with a slice of garlic, this was pretty good. As I noted before, the marinade at Seoul BBQ is a bit sweeter, which is why many of the Ex-Pat Kama'aina's I know like the Kalbi and Bulgogi at Seoul.

Another thing I noticed are that the prices at Seoul BBQ are now in the same range as Buga and Dae Jang Keum.

We also ordered the BiBimBap($9.99):

Which ended up being mostly lettuce, with very little minced, flavorless beef.

Though unlike my previous lunch visits, there was no "dump and duck" going on, there was something which was kind of bothersome. Everytime one of the ladies passed by our table, they would "fiddle" with the gas grill, turning it off a few times,  leaving the meat to congeal on the grill. We had to flag down people to turn the gas back on a few times. Though we still think that Seoul BBQ is just a step below Buga, our meal did "hit the spot", it was one of those moments where we had just the perfect amount of what we were craving, at just the right time. As they say...."timing is everything".

Seoul BBQ Restaurant
4344 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[Andy 美國土子]

how can this post have 0 comments?!

that is a lot of panchan! That is a lot of food for two ppl! lolz...

[Kirk]

Hey Andy - Well this post doesn't have zero comments any longer! Thanks to you my friend!

[RightCowLeftCoast]

Every single time I have gone there, during the posted business hours, (usually with a caucasian male friend of mine), the people say very quickly: "we're closed." And when they say this, there are usually one or two groups of asian customers sitting down eating. I hope I am the only one who has gotten this reception, as they don't appear to me to enjoy non-asian customers. If this is the case, I will continue to avoid it like the plague. Maybe one day, I shall be able to eat here, but probably not soon.

[Kirk]

Hi RCLC - That's pretty strange! I'd say that on my visits to Seoul that it always seemed to be a favorite of Non-Koreans. Usually about 1/4th of the customers there are Caucasian. This is also a favorite of Ed from Yuma, and he's never had a problem. What time was your visit(s)......