Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong Restaurant Review:

Owned by and named after a Korean wrestler-turned-comedian-turned-celebrity talk show host, Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong is as frenzied and lively a restaurant as its boisterous namesake. With its worn wooden chairs, concrete walls and caricature pictures of Kang Ho Dong, it's clear this no-frills meat joint doesn't take itself too seriously. When it comes to the food, though, that's another story. The meal begins with a small assortment of banchan (Korean-style tapas) followed by the highlight before the main course: a charcoal grill divided into sections. One holds a corn and mozzarella cheese mixture, another a classic steamed egg dish and the third contains kimchi. All cook, melt and sizzle while you anticipate the meat. The selections consist of a variety of pork and beef cuts along with small and large combo options. The combo is your best bet as it includes three cuts of one meat plus one stew, and comfortably feeds three people at minimum. Customers also get a kick out of the tableside presentation of the dosirak. A server takes the tin lunch box filled with rice, fried egg, bean curd, kimchi and seaweed and shakes it like a Polaroid picture, resulting in an olden-day-style bibimbap. Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong doesn't take reservations, so you may have to wait up to one or two hours for a table. However, once you're immersed in the buzzing atmosphere of food, aroma and blaring K-pop, you'll be glad you did.