Why Korean Barbecue Is Better in the US Than Korea

Join host and Eater LA Editor Matthew Kang for part two of Eater’s deep dive into Korean barbecue. Today, Kang visits Ma Gal BBQ, a modern version of the dining tradition in LA’s Koreantown neighborhood with a huge selection of beef options, plus soju and beer.

Follow Matthew Kang on Twitter: @mattatouille

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[fb]

"Chadolbaegi with the good hair"

[kaledoscope]

Everyone knows the best korean barbecue is in North Korea, the best Korea.

[hungrybynature]

I like this guy because he used normal people words. Unlike Nick Solares who sounds like he read a dictionary before filming his episodes.

[infusedadream]

Ok, as a Korean American (born in the US, living in Korea right now for business/work) I call total bullshit. If they put on the title why BEEF/Korean style marinated beef is better than Korean barbeque (yes the quality is great, and less expensive) But Korean Barbeque including all meats (chicken, pork, beef, even seafood) gtfo Korea is way better. Also for a better price. You can go to almost any restaurant and be served such amazing korean bbq. Also probably healthier cause Korea's FDA is very strict. Eater, you guys need to actually come to Korea first, before making false statements. I'm American and lived my whole life in the States yet this is disrespectful to Koreans here that have amazing standards in food.

[KoDe]

Regular BBQ restaurants in Korea are not about fanciness and style like in for example in LA, and I actually like that fact. Beef quality in Korea is actually pretty good you only have to know where to go. I'm a German living in Korea and I LOVE Korean BBQ. Beer actually sucks here haha, my Korean friends hate it, not kidding.

[charlescaldwell]

Having eaten at many Korean restaurants in Korea and America, I agree with him. However, the price is so much better in Korea. My theory is that Korean-American places are more aimed at the American taste palate. The best pajeon and soondoboo jiggae I've ever had was in Virginia to be honest.

[sang-minjin]

he lost credibility as soon as he took a sip of Cass and said, "mmm so good." lol.

[jwyou]

LOLOL Did he really say you can't get US level of quality beef in Korea? LOLOL

[luckyduckydrivingschool]

My recommendation is to definitely have a few drinks before digging into the BBQ, even if you're not really a drinker. If you start drinking after you start eating, you're going to get full faster and you can't digest the deliciousness as efficiently. This is essential at the "all-you-can-eat" places.

[won]

Clickbait title much? The only reason it's better in the US is because of the quality of the beef? Duh. There are plenty of high-quality beef restaurants in Korea and plenty of shitty KBBQ places in the US. It's so obvious you've only been to cheap all-you-can-eat barbecue places in Seoul (Funny thing is that those places often serve US beef or Australian beef instead of Korean beef because Korean beef is considered of higher quality).

[ohdaUtube]

sorry but Korean hanwoo (their traditional version of wagyu) is way better than American beef. No contest

[fdseoulsandiego]

Korea does not have the land mass to produce to meet the demand of beef consumption thus import 90% of the its beef consumed from US/Australia and New Zealand which are grass fed unlike most of the beef consumed in US which is Corn grain fed. You are speaking out of your ass dude.

[TONYPORJ]

that last food spicy Volcano rice with egg.. had me drolling

[kee]

doesn't matter, its still way cheaper in korea and much better!

[ThePenguin]

I'm Korean myself(and tried korean barbecue in both US and Korea) and I would say Korean barbecue in Korea is still better. But I really have to admit that you get so much better quality meat in the US for very reasonable price while any good-quality Korean barbecue place in Korea is expensive af

[alliemollie]

The thing I love about Korean BBQ is all the different kinds of lettuces and leaves to wrap the meat in. This is a miss here.

[henrypham]

There's just something about meat over a fire that brings out your inner hunger..

[grokker]

Saying LA Kbbq is better than Koreas is like saying LA sushi is better than Tokyos. R u kidding me?

[brozors]

All the dislikes are coming from South Korea

[jimwong]

With work.I am staying LA area for a month.We cant have enough Korean BBQ..We ate Korean BBQ almost 5 to 6 times a weekI get $55 a day for the meal!.. I cant wait until the next LA business trip .