Korean BBQ

This was one of Ian and I's favorite meals in Korea and we went quite a few times...enough so that our guide/sister has sworn off BBQ for at least a few months!


For anywhere between $3 to $9 per person, you get either fatty pork or fatty beef to cook on a grill. Obviously lower price = more fatty and less desirable cuts of meat.

In general, pork seemed to be plain and beef was marinated in soy sauce based sauce.

The meat comes with lettuce or sesame leaves for wrapping, hot sauce, green onion/spring mix salad with tangy soy sauce dressing, garlic, kimchee and sea salt. We typically ordered a couple of $1 rices to fill us up a bit (put a bit in each lettuce packet). Or course, the usual other side dishes were present to keep you busy while meat is grilling.

So you grill meat, kimchee and garlic and then assemble with condiments and rice all wrapped up in a cute little pocket. Mmmmmm......

Our first night in Cheonan. This joint was characterized by not enough pork (mainly Jackie ordering not accounting for Ian's big appetite) and poor building ventilation. The actual meal was good and we had Jackie's authentic Korean friend (So-Yong) tending the grill for us.

Some soju was in order, but unfortunately I disappointed with some lightweight drinking. I later found out, the stuff here was actually pretty light at only 19%. Later versions were more like 45% in Andong!




Just off the Suwon fortress wall. We originally went for Galbi ribs, but at $28/person we said no go and went with $9 beef bbq instead. These people didn't speak English and we basically spoke no Korean, so there were quite a number of awkward moments. The ajuma's didn't leave us and basically cooked the whole thing for us. They were probably thinking "stupid wayguks" the whole time!

Most comical was when I thought the meat was done, I put a couple pieces in my leaf and was going to roll up and eat. The ajuma yanked a piece off and gave me a dirty look!!! I later found out, it's bad form to go for more than one piece of meat per lettuce!!

I really liked this place because the bbq came with some seafood/pumpkin/beef/veg soup in a stone bowl. We then ordered some rice and they mixed it all together at the end. Mmm..good eating.



Ian perfects his grilling technique in Andong. This place was the best bargain. About $3.50 per person or so.



Post print museum in Chongu with sister Jackie keeping an eye on things.



Now- tips!

Janice tip #1 - cook the heck out of the meat for less fatty. Basically the trick is to melt away the fat and just stick with the meat.

Janice tip #2 - grill the kimchee - this makes it somewhat edible.

Janice tip #3 - for a higher meat to lettuce ratio - tear lettuce leaves in 2.

Janice tip #4 - don't forgo salt and hot sauce like Ian foolishly did the first couple times. This is the key to tastiness.

Janice tip #5 - if you need more lettuce leaves or salad leaves, yell "YOGIYO" and start waving your empties around.

Janice tip #6 - grill meat on one side, then, chop up with tongs and scissors for grilling on side #2.

Janice tip #7 - lettuce is not an insulator. Don't put meat direct onto lettuce unless you like burns on your hands!

Korea Dumpling Tastiness

Ian occasionally makes me crazy, but I have to admit his strategy of only eating in busy restaurants worked for us while in Seoul. The Insadong strip is pretty busy and has hundreds of restaurants and craft stores.

We went with an absolutely packed dumpling place for dinner one night. What lured us in was the veggie & seafood pancake items on the menu, but once inside we noticed that all 100 or so diners seemed to have dumpling stew. We went with the herd and it was a fantastic idea.

How's this for an amazing race challenge? Find this restaurant! I'll give you a hint, it's mid strip and off a mini plaza.


For about 25000 Won (give or take $25), we got 2 beers, dumpling stew and quite the assortment of side dishes. We ordered no spice, so it was a meaty broth kind of thing. It comes to the table uncooked with a hotplate and you tend to it and then eat about 10 minutes later once everything boils.


Sides were 3/4 in good stuff (much higher average than most Korean restaurants we encountered). We didn't eat the kimchee, but the glass noodle salad, bean sprout salad and mountain greenery were all very delightful & refills were in order!


In the pot was a whole assorted bunch of mushrooms (side note Korea really does mushrooms better than Canada), a bit of bulgogi type thin sliced beef, 4 huge dumplings stuffed with pork & green onions + other assorted tastiness, greenery, onion and and garlic. Perhaps a bit of rice cake roll too.


Service was ok, although a bit frantic was serious running around like maniacs to try and keep up with all the diners.

Dumplings are made at the front of the store so you know they are fresh! Mmm..

Bellagio (Montreal)

This place appears to be one of the more popular upscale downtown Montreal places. It's up a bit closer to what I think people call the "Plaza".

Dinner started off well with some complimentary bruschetta and rolls with olive oil & vinegar.

I skipped the appetizer, but others liked their soup and Cesar salads.

For main course, I had some pasta with sun dried tomato and spinach. It was delicious and not horrendously expensive at about $16 or so. Ian would probably call it a bit salty, but I enjoyed it!

Veal eaters in the group seemed to enjoy.

Tom & Eileen's Thanksgiving Dinner in Hardisty AB

Well not exactly Toronto, but John says I should update more, so here's an update!

There were approximately 27 people +/- 5 people or so and one of the bigger family gatherings we've had.

Things started off well with a nature walk to the lake, chips and guac and a rather large supply of wine that very few seemed to know about.

Dinner was the big star - turkey, stuffing types x 2, mashed potato, sweet potato with marshmallow, turnip, Cesar salad, green bean casserole, cranberry/raspberry jello thing, fresh rolls, coleslaw, pickled carrots and a few other assorted things I'm probably forgetting about!

Dessert was also good, pumpkin surprise trifle, pumpkin pie and apple pie for the non-pumpkin eaters.

Pizza Il Focolaio (Montreal)

Another phillips square place. The pizza menu is extensive and all are baked in what appears to be an authentic wood burning pizza oven. If there is a crowd, go for a jug of the local brew.

First time around, I had a veggie with mushrooms, zucchini etc. It was only so so. Last week, I went with broccoli rabe, tomato and mozza and whole wheat crust. The tastiness level was high and the $12.50 pizza was probably enough for two somewhat light eaters.

Le Grand Comptoir (Montreal)

I went with the co-workers on Wednesday night to this French Bistro in Phillips Square downtown.

The menu was a small, but there was a good selection of various takes on steak frites, duck, fish, pork and a pasta. Also typical french appetizers like escargot & smoked salmon salad etc.

With every entree, a deelightful soup of the day was included (leek potato). For my meal, I has the flank steak. It came with tasty frites and a side of salad. For $16, the whole lot was a great deal and I will definitely be back for a cheap, but really good dinner!