It must have been at least a few years since I was last at an Korean BBQ restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, I love Korean BBQ, so much so that when I was in college, I was frequenting a Korean BBQ restaurant at least once or twice a week.
Those days are gone though, partly due to the fact that my lungs are not enduring the heap of smoke and fumes from these places too well. I would feel some chest congestion and would be coughing for quite a few days afterwards. The possible harm from eating too much red meat would also loom in the background while I would gingerly scrape the blackened, burnt crust off the meat.
However, with the assurance from a trusted friend that the place is smokeless and that one did not need to wash the hair immediately after eating there persuaded my reluctance. I boldly ventured into the neon lighted, discotheque/bar decor of Gen BBQ.
The place really did resemble some of the dance places I had been in back in the 90’s. Being that the restaurant is fairly new, it is very clean and we were seated in a large table with long comfortable booths.
Being that it was a Sunday afternoon, we were told that it would be the dinner price all day.
We were allowed to order up to 4 different items at one time. So I ordered the Spicy Pork Bulgogi, and a double order of Jap Chae(mixed vegetable with glass noodle), while my friend ordered Beef Bulgogi and some kind of chicken.
The meat were all flavorful and tender, my friend and I enjoyed the Jap Chae (stir fried sweet potato noodle with vegetables), and ordered more later. For the second round, I tried the Galbi, and shrimp for my companion. No complaints about the food, everything tasted good, and I especially liked wrapping all the meat with the large slices of radishes.
One can also purchase a variety of macaroons in the little freezer near the front of the restaurant on the way out.
However, being that my lungs are so sensitive, they did not feel well for a couple days afterwards, and I was coughing slightly as well.
As much as I had relished the taste and the cook-it-yourself experience, it will be a little while before I will undertake another culinary adventure into the world of Korean BBQ.
Gen Korean BBQ – 24301 Crenshaw Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503 Tel: 424-328-0388
Lunch: $14.99 Dinner: $19.99
