Why do I love Korean BBQ? I’m talking about the ones we get in Malaysia.
I think it’s because of the fact that if you are hungry, this has got to be the place that offers instant gratification. I am of course referring to the insane number of condiments (banchan) that come with the meal. Those dishes vary slightly from restaurant to restaurant but they might include fish cakes, glazed anchovies, black beans, marinated cucumbers, sautéed spinach, sliced potatoes, marinated tofu and chopped watercress. Be wary of anything with an orange hue. It probably contains kimchi and is likely to be fiery hot.. but I do love my Kimchi!
After picking up a certain someone who is from the northern part of the the country but now residing in KL, we head on down to Subang Jaya for our Korean fix. Don’t ask. The place we were initially supposed to have lunch at was closed, so here we are at Daorae Korean BBQ in Taipan.
As most diners do, we ordered the barbecue. We went of the Ox tongue, and the pork belly which was grilled with scallions, onions and peppers.
The Ox tongue
There is this huge performance in the taking of your order, the placing of the charcoal and then the waiter asking you how you would like your tongue done. All very attentive and endearing really.
What’s the matter.. tongue tied? Or, cat got your tongue?
The waiter then uses tongs to place the meat on the grill top. Traditionally, waiters are responsible for the grilling in Korean restaurants. You will notice an almost manic attention to the progress of each piece of protein.. a lot of prodding with the tongs. If you like a little more char on that tongue of yours, announce that you’ll cook it yourself or just tell them how you like it done. No one will yell at you for teaching them how to cook. That’s why I love Korean BBQ. Everyone is allowed to be an expert!
Now use your chopsticks to drag a piece of cooked meat through the mixture of sesame oil, salt and pepper. Place it on a piece of fresh romaine cupped in your opposite hand in the manner of a tortilla. Add to this some kimchi and perhaps a dot or two of bean paste or kochujang . Wrap and eat. Heaven in between your fingers!
Fabulous pork belly.. that promises to go straight to your belly
You see how the pork fat disappears on the grill? (well, almost)
Lovely Korean egg special – fluffy whipped egg with vegetables
Bulgogi – the famous “fire meat” in Korean, which refers to the cooking technique, over an open flame
Tofu in Kimchi broth with Pork Belly
How about some ice in your noodles? Brrrr…
Naengmyeon actually tastes better than it looks. Because of the ice in the soup the fat in the dish kind of coagulates and forms a scum on the top layer, but believe me, the dish tastes fantastic! Don’t let the look of the broth put you off!
Naengmyeon is the Korean counterpart to Japanese soba, and is served in a large stainless bowl with a tangy iced broth, julienned cucumbers, seaweed, and either a boiled egg or slices of cold boiled beef. Spicy mustard sauce and vinegar are often added before consumption. The long noodles would be eaten without cutting, as they symbolized longevity of life and good health.
Verdict: The barbecue here at Daorae is excellent. Fairly big portions of fresh, glistening red meats and oh.. the tongue! The bulgogi and the pork belly are to die for as well. I have eaten here on separate occasions and can safely say that, whether the meats are served plain, for dressing afterward in a sheet of sesame oil run through with salt and pepper, with a dash of bean paste, or if it is served in marinades, such as a soy-based number that is almost reminiscent of teriyaki, or a garlicky take on kochujang , the food is great. We love this place and we have no qualms recommending it to our friends.
Address:Daorae Korean BBQ Restuarant
No.8C, Top Speed Business Center,
Jalan USJ 10/1J,
47620 UEP Subang Jaya, Selangor
Tel- 03-8024-2616 GPS- 3.048045, 101.585987 Google Maps
I get instant hunger just looking at the Bulgogi!!!
I’m drooling right now!!! Seriously, I want to eat Korean food right now!!!
This looks amazing! This post has helped me be better at ordering. Many times I just point or pick from a set menu. Now with our descriptions, I will know what to order better. Too bad I’m leaving Malaysia tomorrow:( but I may be back, only going next door to Thailand.
Korean BBQ love it! Every time I visit your blog I always want to go out and eat well.
Me too! me too!
I LOVE Korean BBQ! Especially the pork belly and beef bulgogi! Haven’t tried the ox tongue before though.. looks really delish! 🙂
Oh dear, you got me salivating (like my fellow commentators) and at such a late hour too! Gotta make time for some Korean food this week! 😉
Yup, should really really do Korean again someday. Love the ox tongue, so chewy and bursting with flavours.
Suddenly, all the flavours of that afternoon comes rushing through my mouth again. We should head back! Great post as always
one of my fav korean places!
Nothing better than some good tongue, right? LOL.
RIGHT!
nice!! i only curious about the portion of the meat..food looks great
most of it was eaten that’s why it looks so little 🙂
Korean food always have me filled up so quick. Those BBQ dishes and the egg is my favorite. You got a really nice light on the food too. These are beautiful food pictures should go on some magazine. heehehe
Great photos! The noodles look yummy 🙂
my all time fav place to eat Korean BBQ 🙂 normally would go to their Sunway Damansara or Sri Hartamas outlet
Read this too at Motormouth, It really double up my craving for Korean BBQ (since last 2 weeks) >.<
yeah. we were with him 😛
This looks great. I tried the Korean Restaurant at USJ City Mall. Their food there is comparable.
is it the same branch?
One of my fave Korean restaurants! Love their warm welcome & goodbye greetings too!
LOL, true:)
Yummmm! Thanks for sharing your kim-chi experience, would love to come here! I can’t remember where Subang Jaya is in relation to everywhere else, duhhh, but I’ll try to find it next time I come home. and Tongue is my Favourite too!! 😛
Oh, msia girl, you just need to find us, we will bring you! Kimchi is my fav. Some people don’t like it, but its the whole reason i eat Korean food! What’s the point w/o the kick?
Am going there tonight. Hope it will be good.
hope so too;)
I love Korean BBQ. This one looks so good.
Yesterday me and wife check in this restaurant. It was around 9pm, only I hadn’t yet taken dinner, so I ordered 1 bowl of noodle. What The FUCK, the boss refused to sell me, he asked me to order another set, just because my wife was there.
I told the waitress, only I want to eat, my wife just accompanied me. He answered boss said cannot, I must order another set.
FUCK this korean restaurant. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. No matter how nice is the food. ATTITUDE problem.
I had dinner here last night! The service and more importantly the food was good. We had the ox tongue on your recommendation but found it a little chewy. But definitely a good place to go 🙂