Berks County’s First Korean Barbecue Restaurant Opens in Exeter
Most diners probably wouldn’t expect to be able to grill their own food in a restaurant.
But self-service is precisely the charm of Korean barbecue, a culinary genre that considers sizzling meat a feast for all the senses, not just taste.
That feast is now within reach in Berks County, following the opening of Bulgogi Korean BBQ and Thai, the area’s first all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant.
Owners Allen and Julie Kim hosted a grand opening for Bulgogi on July 12.
“Barbecue is a tradition in Korea, and we brought it here,” said Allen Kim. “It’s a family experience, where you order meat and vegetables from the kitchen, and we bring them to you.”
Bulgogi diners flavor their dishes with sauces of their choice and let their table’s built-in grill do the rest.
“Although we walk you through the preparation of your dish, most of the time it’s the customer who prepares it themselves, to their own specifications,” Kim explains. “It’s a kind of community event, where you can cook it yourself, chat and have a good time.”
While guests cook, they are served side dishes such as kimchi, fish cakes and bean sprouts.
“(The sides) are offered free of charge as part of an all-you-can-eat order,” Kim said.
Barbecue dishes are offered à la carte or all-you-can-eat with unlimited meats.
And there are plenty of meats at Bulgogi.
In addition to thinly sliced, marinated beef, or bulgogi — the restaurant’s name and Allen Kim’s favorite protein — diners can enjoy galbi, or Korean short ribs, pork belly and teriyaki, spicy or garlic chicken, as well as seafood like salmon, mussels, shrimp and squid.
Meats can be dipped in flavor enhancers, including sesame oil with salt and pepper, ssamjang, a spicy sauce, and gochujang, a chili paste and popular Korean condiment.
Thai dishes are available a la carte, with Bulgogi offering classics such as pad Thai and red and green curry.
Make a dream come true
Kim said opening a Korean barbecue restaurant has been a dream since she moved to the area from Boston two years ago.
The couple owns Spoonful Thai Bistro in West Reading, and establishing the first Korean barbecue joint in Berks was next on Allen Kim’s list.
“We found a location, took a chance and decided to go for it,” Kim said. “We just wanted to give people that experience and introduce them to Korean food.”
The restaurant was formerly a Moe’s Southwest Grill, but the Kims gave the location a facelift.
“We had to paint everything, add woodwork, put in light fixtures, TVs, custom paintings on the walls,” Kim said. “We did a lot of renovations.”
Work on the site took about four months, Kim said.
He said the atmosphere is a fusion of Asian and American styles and emphasizes the community aspect of Korean barbecue.
“The main thing is the experience, you know, just being able to chat and enjoy,” Kim said. “The fact that you’re cooking for yourself is kind of what draws it in.”
Kim has a long history with Korean cuisine: he grew up with his mother’s cooking and has been cooking in the same style himself for many years.
He recommended the pork belly.
“A lot of Americans are afraid to try pork belly, but I think it’s one of the best dishes,” Kim said. “It’s not marinated, you dip it in sesame oil and eat it with rice and peppers, it’s a treat.”
An all-you-can-eat lunch at Bulgogi costs $25.95 per person. Dinner costs $10 more, at $35.95 per person, and features about twice as much protein, including seafood.
Bulgogi is located at 4725 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter. Its hours are Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
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