Do you know where the first Bulgogi Brothers restaurant is located in Korea? Why, where else but in Gangnam! Yes, everyone knows where Gangnam is now, thanks to Psy. The 1st Bulgogi Brothers restaurant was opened in 2006 in Gangnam, south of Seoul. From there, it mushroomed to 46 outlets all over South Korea including 1 in Canada and 4 in the Philippines. It’s no wonder then that this quintessential Korean restaurant has gained an almost cult-like status in Korea.
So, what is Bulgogi? It is a savoury dish with a 200-year old history. It literally means “fire meat” (“bul” means “fire” and “gogi” means “meat”). For the “Brothers” part, you would be partially right if you think it refers to some “brothers” who started this restaurant. The 2 founders – Intae Jung and Chaiwoo Yi are masters in food service who have been friends for a long time. The other representation of “Brothers” actually refers to the guests, gathered together to have fun and enjoying the camaraderie and “brotherhood”.
The Bulgogi Brothers in e-Curve, like their sister outlets in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Paradigm Mall, boasts of almost all Korean-made fittings and furniture, to preserve its authenticity. The wall paintings, the lightings, the tables and chairs, even the crockery, all came from Korea. With its contemporary décor and K-Pop music playing in the background, the pleasant ambience makes dining here enjoyable.
Like in any Korean restaurant, the moment you sit down, your table will be loaded up with a variety of “banchan” – small dishes of appetizers. Bulgogi Brothers does serve up some interesting banchan and a thick creamy corn soup on the day we were there. What’s also interesting was they also serve some specially-concocted healthy tea by the side and a platter of steamed corn, edamame and sweet potatoes while you wait for your food. We had “Memil Cha” (buckwheat tea) on the day we were there – something which is good for the system, detoxifies the body and all. Different types of healthy teas are served each day.
So, in Bulgogi Brothers, their signature item is of course, their bulgogi – seasoned meats prepared and grilled by the tableside on a customised induction cooker. Their popular heart-shaped beef, Unyangsik, should not be missed. The beef was tender, thanks to its special handling and preparation and the marination was done very well. There are several types and cuts of meat that you can choose from the menu. When in doubt, just go for their classic Gwangyangsik.
When we had enough of the banchan, the Chicken & Vegetables Skewers (RM20.90) saute’ed with sweet and spicy sauce made its way to our table, smelling insanely delicious! Hot off the grill, the chicken pieces were really tender and bursting with sweet flavours. The sides were a bit charred, resulting in an appetizing smokey taste to the chicken.
For casual bites, try their pancakes – Pajeon. Tasty batter with scallions and shallots inside, made into fluffy pancakes – very aromatic, especially those bits of shallots which were a bit burnt by the sides!
With the rainy days upon us these days, it’s a good idea to go for their Chamchi Kimchi Jjigae (RM23.90). It’s a Korean stew made from spicy kimchi paste with tofu, rice cakes and tuna in it! Tasting a bit like our local assam laksa (due to the tuna in it), the slurp-worthy hot spicy sourish soup was quite addictive! The smooth slithery Korean rice cakes are perfect in this thick sourish concoction.
Seoulsik Bulgogi (RM52.90) is another good item for cold rainy days. This was my favourite. First, the service staff placed this metal pot on the induction cooker. Into it was poured some soup with lots of leek and onions. Glass noodles lined the bottom of the pot, on top of it a mound of chopped beef marinated with their special bulgogi sauce (made with pears and apples) and then topped with a bunch of enoki mushrooms. Then we waited for the broth to boil and bubble up. The bubbling had to go on for some minutes before the dish is ready to be served. We love the soft slippery glass noodles in this rich and flavoursome broth, made so aromatic by the leeks and onions.
If you are a fan of bibimbap, the Bulgogi Bibimbap (RM28.90) would please you. I normally prefer a simple just-vegetables bibimbap – this Bulgogi Bibimbap has chopped beef added in which enriches the rice, of course. The combination of fresh and pickled vegetables in this dish, together with the beef, would make this a good one-dish-meal to order.
Ever heard of “party noodles”? Well, in Korea there’re these party noodles which are very popular. Apparently this dish is always served during special occasions, those which are special enough to party! In Bulgogi Brothers, they call it Janchi Guksu (RM17.90) – vermicelli-like smooth white noodles cooked in a clear sweet seafood broth and garnished with lots of vegetables.
Love the chopsticks holders – see how the top flap is creatively made to resemble burnt edges?!
Every meal in Bulgogi Brothers comes with complimentary Soup of the Day, 6 refillable banchan and the special brew of healthy tea. Oh, you also get to end your meal here with complimentary plum tea.
Bulgogi Brothers
Lot G-05 & 06, Ground Floor, e@Curve
2A Jalan PJU 7/3
Mutiara Damansara
47800 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-77223633
Other Bulgogi Brothers outlets are at:
*Ground Floor Boulevard, Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya (Tel: 03-78863543)
*Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (Tel: 03-21419620)
New outlet opening soon in Mid Valley Megamall, too!