Unlimited Korean BBQ dinner for $35! I've been to many k-bbq, and do them at home too, so know they are not all made the same, and a cheap price isn't always a great deal. At KOW, I was properly impressed.
First off, service.
All the orders go through a kiosk machine on the table. This might deter some technologically-challenged folks. But with the great service I received, I think if you just ask the servers, they will be happy to help you or even let you just take your order.
While the order itself is self-service and the robots are supposed to bring you all the ordered food, our server (and the manager joined forces later, as there were 14 in our party) was busy coming and setting us up with different sauces and side items.
Aprons
I don't think they advertise aprons here, but in Korea, all bbq restaurants will give you an apron upon request, since you are cooking on the table and oils will get all over your clothes. I haven't seen many places in the States that follow this tradition yet. But this restaurant seems to legit authentic, that I asked and they gave us aprons! (Exactly those single serve ones we get in Korea.)
Food
Unlike other k-bbq places, their menu is quite limited. They don't have soups and cooked side dishes. Which is fine, as they focus on the quality of meats instead! Their limited side items include all the basics you need to make k-bbq wraps. If you really like grazing on side dishes (rice cakes, cheesy corn, fried chicken, etc), you won't find them here. The keto kow in me was happy with what they had though.
Oh, and I almost forgot. They have a ramyun station in the back, where you can cook your own individual portions of instant noodles. There's a variety of brands in the shelves, so you just pick you favorite, and use the pan and stove to make your bowl. There are also condiments for the ramen (eggs, green onions, etc.) for your toppings. So leave a little room in your belly for it! Or skip it like the keto carnivore I am.
We got to our heart's content all the lettuce wrap, garlic, pepper, pickles, radish wraps and kimchi we needed to make a legit lettuce wrap.
Brisket - Go easy! For a table of 4, we ordered 3 briskets on our first round, thinking we would order more later, but when we got the meat, it was a heaping huge pile! 2 orders of brisket would fill up that grill easy. I would not order more than 2 so we can have other cuts as well. They are not stingy here.
Flat iron steak - personally not my favorite (I'd rather eat more brisket), but hubby loved it. It has more bite.
Pork Jowl - one of my personal favorite cuts. Tonight, they didn't seem very fresh and had a slight gamey smell. Hopefully it's just a one-time thing.
Garlic butter shrimp - very buttery, but delicious. Just don't get it too mixed with other meats unless you love butter.
Serrano baby octopus - this has potential, but I wasn't impressed. Skip.
Garlic pork belly - get it again! But just one order
Large intestine - make sure to cook it long enough and it's delicious. Each order of an intestine is about the size of an Italian sausage. I'd even get 3 for a table of 4. Personal preference.
Serrano bulgogi - surprisingly good! I'm not a fan of getting marinated meats at the buffets in the US because they tend to be too sweet, but these were authentic tasting rather than americanized sweet.
Vibes
The vibe inside is a bit like a bar or club, with super loud Korean music and HUGE screens wrapping around the wall playing Korean music videos. My throat hurt from having to talk loud with my friends on the table, but it was a fun atmosphere.
I live out of state, but have a feeling we'll be coming back. read more