BBQ isn't just pulled pork and beef ribs. Noted as a popular cooking method around the world, Barbecue or barbeque, is categorized as using live fire and smoke to cook food. In the Middle East, it's Mangal, for Indonesians its Satay, South Africa its braai, and in Korea, it's known as ???? pronounced gogi-gu-i, or in English, Korean BBQ. While it is widely popular in major cities such as New York City or Los Angeles, which is home to 15 percent of the country's Korean American population, all-you-can-eat Korean BBQs can be found nationwide, including the South where barbecue is king.
What is Korean BBQ?
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If you ever want to spend the night interacting with your food, Korean BBQ is the dining experience for you. With a gas or charcoal grill built into the table, guests at Korean barbecue restaurants get the chance to be up close and personal with their dinner and cook it to their preference.
Diners can order from the a la carte menu or in some cases, order from the all-you-can-eat menu, which lets guests try a variety of different meats and proteins. Be warned though, some Korean BBQ restaurants charge for uneaten food (this prevents waste), so make sure to only order what you can fit in your belly!
Korean cuisine as a whole is known for its complex and beautiful interaction between the natural environment and cultural trends and focuses largely on rice, vegetables, seafood, and meat. The most popular dish is undoubtedly kimchi, a side dish of fermented cabbage, which is usually served with every meal.
Some popular dishes include:
Bulgogi - Sliced ribeye marinated in a sweet and savory sauce
Galbi - pork or beef ribs
Dak Galbi - marinated chicken in gochujang-based sauce
Samgyupsal - pork belly
Saengseon gui - grilled fish
And don't forget the appetizers or banchan when visiting these restaurants.
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10 All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ Places to Try In the South
New Orleans - Gangnam Korean BBQ
Known for its wide variety of choices, Gangnam Korean BBQ tantalizes guests with its kimchi ramen, marinated short ribs, and spicy pork bulgogi.
Dallas - Omni
Try delicacies such as beef intestines, honeycomb tripe, and beef tongue at this Texas eatery. 2-hour limit, with a 2 person minimum.
Miami - Chow One
Upscale and alluring, this Korean restaurant serves a variety of meats and seafood for guests to cook at their own tables as well as sides from the kitchen such as seafood pancake and corn cheese. The price is $31.99 per person.
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Austin - K-BBQ
Opened in 2021, this family-owned, family-made KBBQ features three All-You-Can-Eat BBQ choices, ranging from $35.99 per person to $57.99 per person. The latter gives guests the choice to try wagyu ribeye, hagfish, freshwater eel, wagyu beef belly, and baby octopus. There is a two-hour time limit on the experience.
Atlanta - Iron Age Korean Steakhouse
With multiple locations in Georgia and even one in the District of Columbia, this steakhouse only serves all-you-can-eat selections. Try the spicy squid or beef brisket!
Knoxville - Q Korean Steakhouse
Choose between chicken, pork, beef, and seafood with this dinner unlimited menu. Fancying something more indulgent? Try out the Combos which come with ribeye, short rib, and spicy squid.
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Charlotte - Let's Meat Kbbq
This restaurant not only has the cutest logo, it is also home to the best Korean BBQ in Charlotte. Taste saffron pork belly and fire squid at this establishment.
Jacksonville -Korean BBQ House
Located in Orange Park, this all-you-can-eat menu starts at $16.99 a person, making it one of the cheapest menus on our list.
Houston - Jin Korean BBQ
No al la carte dining here! It's either all-you-can-eat for lunch or dinner. They've got everything from beef tongue and short ribs to even pineapple steaks to grill.
Pensacola - Meat 2 BBQ & Hot Pot
All-you-can-eat hot pot and Korean BBQ are served at this Florida Gulf restaurant! Their tabletop grills are currently under renovation, however, they should be back up running shortly!
READ MORE: Tootsie Tomanetz: Legendary Texas BBQ Pitmaster and BBQ Hall of Famer
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