5458 Buford Hwy
Doraville, GA 30340
After years of roaming the back alleys and hidden passages of Buford highway I discovered what I believe to be the best Korean barbeque in Atlanta. This tasteful sanctuary of sizzling meat is none other than Han Il-Kwan.
When driving into the parking lot of this restaurant, there is a noticeable sign, lit up twenty four hours a day. It is simply a picture of a cow.
Upon entrance there is a small hallway filled with evangelical Korean pamphlets. Korea has the largest Christian population in Asia. Christianity is believed to have arrived in Korean in the early 1600’s through Jesuit missionaries. From about 1900 to 1945, while the Japanese Empire ruled Korea, the Christian Koreans fought to keep their religion, and now they are fighting to preserve it via passage ways in barbeque restaurants (and of course massive churches).
After sitting and receiving water came a generous panchan. Panchan is a Korean appetizer consisting of various little vegetable and fish plates that can be replaced over and over. The kimchi, a spicy pepper and chili marinated cabbage, was fresh and tasty. Other dishes such as the potato salad, bean sprouts, and radish roots, were also freshly prepared, making the panchan a good way to start the meal.
We ordered a personal favorite, Bul-gogi, a typical dish prepared in the kitchen. It comes on a sizzling plate. It is the combination of meat and onions, marinated in a sweet sauce. We also chose the kalbi (also pronounced galbi) and the brisket. These two meats are cooked on our central grills built into the table (one grill per couple). When the meat was ready, our server swiftly chopped up the meat with her handy mutton scissors.
NOTE: sometimes the waiters are busy and you need to flip the meat for yourself. Be aware of how fast it is cooking, especially since thin cuts of meat can take under a minute per side.
Once the meat was ready, phase two of the Korean BBQ experience commenced. One traditionally builds a wrap with lettuce. This may include meat, bean paste, garlic, spicy salad, rice, and any other panchan that seems appealing.
This place is both nicer and pricier than most of the places we will review on this blog, but it is worth it.
IDEAS:
1. Bring a date here, its nice on the inside and will impress any partner.
2. Have your parents treat you. They will like the ambience and you can enjoy the food.
What to order:
Bulgogi-you can’t go wrong with this masterfully marinated meat.
Kal bi- The short ribs are a traditional cut of meat, and are cooked in a fun way at the tables.
Addition: Prime rib- we returned and tried the prime rib, a thicker piece of meat served with a salty dipping sauce. Though the taste was not as strong as the kal bi or the bulgogi, it was better than the brisket and worth getting for variety.
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