Koryo Kalbi Korean BBQ

For your own sanity, make reservations before you go. We made a mistake just showing up and were told wait time was less than 30mins. We waited for 1hr, still no table, and they kept saying it’s almost ready. We ended up leaving, hopefully remembering to make reservations if we ever come back.

All the meats!
I had been to Koryo once before in it’s previous incarnation but it had been awhile. Everything was so good! Had three appetizers… jap chae, the kimchi pancake, and a fried tofu with teriyaki veggies… while none of them really looked terribly exciting, the flavors were great on all three.
For the main event, we ordered the Koryo special combo for 4, an order of beef tongue, an order of beef bulgogi, and an extra order of marinated short ribs. There were a couple items I wasn’t able to figure out which meat I was eating, but it didn’t matter because they were all great. My faves were the marinated meats, and the unmarinated pork belly. For my personal preference, the duck was probably my least favorite but not by much. The little banchan plates were fine too. The radish is my fave.
Our group of 9 people kept our waiter running around almost the whole time, but he was all over it. Service was very friendly. Will definitely be back!

After the declining experience at one of my fav Korean spots, I tried this spot out with a group of 30 people. Yes, 30. From the vegans to the I’ll-eat-anything-that-tastes-good folks, we all agreed: this spot is LEGIT!
Enjoyed thick slices of pork belly, steamed rice, bean paste soup, kimchi and washed it all down with bottles of Soju, just as the good lord intented. Authentic hot coals were used to heat the grills instead of an electric grill set up. Everything was great. The servers were attentive. Even the manager came out to greet us. I haven’t made my way to Korea yet, but I have a feeling that this spot is as close as you can get to actually being there in Dallas. Must visit again.

This is probably the best Korean restaurant I’ve been to so far for bbq. It’s not a buffet but I end up spending about the same amount here as buffets and get better cuts of meat and leave happier.
The two times I’ve been here we’ve had a party of 4 and get the koryo combo. The combo serves 4 and is about $ 110 which isn’t bad at all once you split it. The service is quick and the servers cook your meat for you. Going at a slower time gets you more attention from the servers that cook the meat resulting in better food. The koryo combo comes with a good assortment of different meats including duck, pork belly, brisket, rib meat, etc. Along with the meats you get about 7 – 10 Korean sides which is always good. Eat fast, because the servers will keep on cooking and you’ll have meat on the grill that’s overcooking if you eat too slow.
At the end of the day we pay around $ 30 – 40 each with tip compared to a Korean bbq AYCE, and it ends up being the same price. The cuts are much better and you don’t have to do the work yourself.

Not only is it fun, but also delicious. Our crew proudly totes our BYO chopsticks & spoon — souvenirs from a friend’s trip to Korea.
It’s like Benihana, but in a way less cheesy, exploitive way. You and your friends sit around a grill (or two) and nosh on a bunch of bite-​sized meat smörgåsbord with all kinds of accompaniments — all of which I can’t say I readily recognize other than kimchi. The seafood pancake is delish, and we also really enjoyed the rice noodle dish as well. Of the meats, the short rib and marinated short rib were my favorites, but the duck and brisket were also quite good. I highly recommend making a lettuce wrap with any of the meats dipped in the seasoned oil sauce, pickled radish, and what I believe was a soybean-​based paste. It’s like a flavor explosion, and it’s addicting!
You should either be ready to be adventurous or bring a veteran. But don’t be bashful. Do a few Soju bombs, embrace the picture menu, consult your waiter/​waitress, and then just let it ride.

Really nice Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap. Crunchy rice at the bottom, just how it should be. Also terrific Bulgogi special. Nice selections of kim chi for the table.
The only really strange thing are the black electrical cords all over the floor, running from the walls to the electric table grills. I understand about having to plug in the tables, but it’s very odd having to step over a lot of cords to get to ones’ chair.

Amazing Korean BBQ
Very busy so reservations are recommended
We were practically the only non Asians there so we knew we were in the right place
Amazing cuts of meat for the bbq
The spicy shredded pork dish we got was amazing
ESP when you made it into lettuce wraps
The assortment of kimchi was overwhelming but we powered through and ate most of it
The steamed pork dumplings were super stuffed and filling
The soup was ginormous and spicy
The service was excellent and the vibe casual
Wine list was minimal but adequate for our tastes
Perfect first time authentic Korean BBQ experience

I really enjoy the maewon (spicy) kalbi jim. The egg ban chan side is great, too.
This maybe my favorite korean spot on Dallas.

When I was gearing up to visit Alyssa K., she told me it was legal in TX to have the traditional KBBQ that we had while living in Korea. I immediately needed to go.
Koryo Kalbi didn’t disappoint! And because they actually alerted me when they were bringing the hot coals in to put in the table, it’s safer than Korea! (Nothing like nearly having your face singed at dinner!) The banchan was on point, as expected, and the kimchi was stupid good. We definitely had to get more.
Frying up that meat was glorious, and we definitely ate ourselves silly. I can’t wait to visit again to get more legit KBBQ!

This was my 4^th time here and the food is always good but the customer service is okay. It’s a very casual place. It’s always packed, so reserve if possible
I prefer ordering it from the menu, already cooked because the smell does stick to your clothes and hair if you cook it yourself.

Food: ⁹⁄₁₀ (–1 for Kimchi)
Service: ⁸⁄₁₀
Value: ⁶⁄₁₀ (A little pricey)
Ambience: ⁸⁄₁₀
Been going here for over ten years. There was a time when you can cook pretty much everything on the BBQ menu yourself, but management and ownership changed over the year. So, some of the items are now prepared from the kitchen (sad face). The prices went up by a bit, but the quality is still top notch.
We only had one bad experience, but that is because they were understaffed at the time on a Saturday night.
Haven’t try other items on the menu beside grilling our own BBQ, but we’ve been to ALL other Korean BBQ within 30 miles from Koryo, and none could compare to this place. The portion, the food quality, the taste, the service, and the price of this restaurant is above all others.
Order the marinated meat on the menu and don’t look back.
Cheers.

5 years later and Koryo Kalbi is still a perennial favorite of the family. Lunchtime bento boxes can’t be beat. Salad … Soup … Banchan … that’s enough for a full meal. You might as well save the bento box itself for dinner. Finish it off with rice punch and you’re good to go.
Oh, I think the name changed.

My friend and I were so excited to finally try some Korean BBQ in the Dallas area. This place does not disappoint.
We made sure to get meats that we could cook at our table and the waiter recommend three meats that were popular. We got bulgogi and some other beef meats. As with most Korean places like this, there is an unlimited refill on the many different sides and you also get a steamed egg and soup. We ordered warm Sake to top it off. Everything was very good. There is a dipping sauce that you can dip the meat in that was extremely salty and didn’t have good flavor, but that was the only thing I really didn’t like. The meats came out fresh and cooked to a delicious flavor. I do recommend getting meats that have been marinated.
The waitstaff is really nice and I honestly felt that they were a bit overly-​helpfully. I really wanted to cook the meat myself as I am a slow eater and wanted to cook the meat how I like. However, they kept coming to our table, taking the utensils and cooking things before we were ready. I had to ask them to allow us to do it ourselves since that was kind of the point of having that type of dining experience. I think because we were non-​Asian they assumed we never had KBBQ. Idk. They were very nice though and I really liked this restaurant.

This place is amazing. Their food were fresh and delicious! The service were great. They came to each table and turned the meat and made sure it was cooked. There were so many side dishes that came with our order for two. They also used charcoal, which I barely see used at restaurants. After the meal, we got rice tea as refreshers. I never had that tea before. It was sweet and very refreshing. Definitely a place to come back with a group of friends.

Have had this place bookmarked in Unilocal for months, so was stoked when I finally got to go with my entire family and try it, let me tell you — it does not disappoint!
It’s located in a shopping center of Royal Lane and 35, aptly named, Korean Center; it’s kinda in the back, surrounded by a ton of other amazing looking eateries that I will definitely be returning to sample in the coming months.
Once inside, Tommy, the GM is wonderful and makes the entire experience for his customers great form start to finish, he had great recommendations as far as which meats were absolute must tries for first timers and then helpful suggestions on pairing of the assortment of veggie and pickled combos they drop off at your table before your start cooking.
We had Jessica and Bryan as our servers and «roasters» would maybe be a good description. Either way, we sat at one of their tables in the back, where everyone eats family style out of a mini fire pit set down in the middle of our table.
Fun fact, Tommy told us, due to Dallas’s newer city ordinances, no new restaurants are able to have live fires and/​or smoldering coals at their guests tables due to fire codes; Koryo Kalbi was grandfathered in, so are still able to keep the traditional Korean BBQ way of cooking alive, making this place even more of a Dallas treasure.
My family and I tried 3 different meats (all orders served family style) per Tommy’s recommendations.
First we had an order of brisket, brought to our table raw, but then cooked for us by Bryan — fabulous. Great marbling and marinade made it moist and easily eatable without a sauce, although we had a bevy to choose from. Tommy did recommend we try one bite of the brisket with a slice of the pickled radish as it would enhance the flavor profile and he was right on the money, it made for a great combo.
Next we had an order for duck, and same thing, brought to the table raw and then cooked to perfection in front of us by Tommy and Jessica. If you’ve never been fortunate enough to try Korean style duck, this is the place to do it. It’s a very dark smoky meat that’s slightly gamy tasting, but in a good way, my family and I all highly enjoyed it.
Finally, my favorite course of the night: Short Ribs! These were cooked for us by both Jessica and Bryan and they were in one word: INCREDIBLE. I’m talking melt in your mouth good. Buttery, great marbling and texture, just pure bliss in your mouth with each bite.
For the short ribs, Tommy had us take bite-​size amounts and place them on a single leaf of fresh lettuce, already provided at our table, withal the other fresh veggies, pickled veggies and sauces. Then we drizzled a special spicy read sauce full of flavor over the top, then just a tad of kimchi. Wrapped it into a single bite with the lettuce wrap as the «hold it all together» part and voilà! Taste explosion in your mouth.
This place is clean, has great, friendly and knowledgeable staff, that all appear to love their jobs, and plenty of areas to accommodate large parties; what could be more inviting around the Holidays? This place is now at the top of my «last meal on Earth» list.
Cheers Koryo Kalbi!

Fantastic holiday lunch experience at Koryo Kalbi. We had a group of 8, so we had made reservations. When we arrived, our own private dining room was waiting for us. I started with a glass of the hot barley tea, which had a mild, nutty flavor.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Korean BBQ menu, which offers a selection of Angus beef, pork and even duck. It includes a full selection of traditional Korean side dishes for your table to share, as we’ll as a bowl of rice for each person.
To kick off your barbeque experience, an attendant brings a can of hot wood coals to your table and puts them into a recessed grill. Your servers then cook the meats right in front of you. Yum! My favorite was the #1 marinated short ribs, which were melt-​in-​your-​mouth tender. The brisket and duck were also excellent.
At the end of the meal, our server brought us what I can only describe as a bowl of cold liquid apple pie. Not literally apple pie, of course, but a sweet and refreshing finish to the meal. Try it and see!

Surprisingly this was my first time at Koryo Galbi since the shift from Chosun Galbi, which was quite awhile back. I’m pretty disappointed I didn’t make my way here sooner. I heard it’s pretty hard to get a table here without a wait during the weekends, which is why I decided to come in on a Monday. The place was packed right around 8 but we luckily got the last table available.
My sister raved about the Galbi Nakji Jjim (steamed short rib squid) and it was the perfect quantity for three people. The sauce was perfect, not too spicy but had a good heat to it, the short ribs were absolutely amazing, tender and soft. Incredibly addicting. The only problem I found in the dish was the squid was quite overcooked and hard to chew.
The best place in my opinion was the service, we were regularly tended to and served by a very caring waitress named Judy. She took care of all our needs and always thought a couple steps ahead of our needs. I’ll def. be back, I want to try the rib combos and other dishes!

I loved the creativity of this place. This restaurant remained true to the culture and got 4 stars from me for its authenticity.
I got a combination plate for two (I shared it by the way) that came with brisket, pork belly, and marinated short rib. The brisket was my least favorite-​it lacked both flavor and quality, however topping the meat with chili paste worked wonders! The pork belly was better. Cook it a little longer and you’re bound to enjoy the crispness it brings. Now, that dang short rib?! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious !!
The meat was tender and was infused with some kind of sweet Teriyaki glaze. Once the sugar caramelized the meat, OMG, it makes for a match made in heaven.
The drinks were very reasonably priced and the service was exceptional due to a very busy night. Not sure if I would come back due to my «conforming» palette but if you’re looking to broaden the horizon then you’re in good hands here!

This Korean BBQ does not have an all-​you-​can-​eat option, and the servers do all the cooking for you, which is somewhat convenient. It’s better to pick individual meat options from the menu than to order the combination for four. Half of the pre-​chosen meats in the combination were so fatty that there was little meat to actually eat.
I prefer BBQs where you can cook your own meat. The servers were impressively timely in stopping by to turn the meat and make sure nothing burned or was overcooked, but it looked like too much work for them, and you can’t jump in and flip or take the meat because it messes up the server’s system. It’s not worth the hassle for them if the patron has experience eating at other Korean BBQs. Each additional bowl of rice ordered costs an extra $ 2. I’ve never been charged for rice before at an Asian restaurant.
Overall, the service was decent and the experience I had was all right. I’ve had better meals at other Korean BBQs.

Important Stuff:
The kalbi here was really, really good. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because the bulgogi tasted a bit grainy and wasn’t as good as the kalbi. Also it seemed to have been prepared in the kitchen beforehand and not on the bbq like at other places. You have to order 2 bbq dishes in order to sit in the bbq area so we ordered the kalbi and bulgogi. They had both un-​marinated and marinated versions of the food which was awesome as some places don’t have both. The sides were typical Korean restaurant sides, but they did taste fresh and maybe some of them, like the pickled radish, tasted better than some other places we’ve been to.
Other Stuff:
Décor was really open and inviting. I felt like I was in one of those court areas in old Asian-​style houses. The host at the front was overall friendly and got us in as fast as she could, letting us know that it’d take 20 minutes at the least but she wasn’t sure as there were X number of people in front of us. We waited about 30 minutes which wasn’t bad. Waitress was also helpful and made sure we had what we needed without being in our face the entire time which was nice.
Overall, I liked it and would come back for the kalbi, but probably not the bulgogi.

I have never had Korean BBQ before but I was a real fan of this restaurant. The whole concept is pretty neat in that it’s a mix between hibachi and do-​it-​yourself cooking. The menu choices are awesome and the combination BBQ platters are a huge plus. One of the meat choices was marinated (I think their most popular dish on the menu) and it was fantastic! The sides, rice and salad were also a big hit.
Service was great and ambiance as well. Plan on this taking a while though. Average for a large group was $ 30 per person.

This is far and above the most legit Korean BBQ I’ve had in Texas. It helps too that service was nice and accommodating. First of all, they use real coals for your table grill, rather than electric grills most other places use. You really can tell the difference in the flavor. Just as Aaron Franklin about the difference in what type of wood he uses makes in the flavor of his award winning brisket. His answer would only supports the notion of how important what you are using as your source of heat can effect the flavor of your food.
My buddy and I went with an order of the thick pork belly and marinated beef short rib (one of my Korean BBQ standards). They also provide some white onions and button mushrooms that sizzle on the grill too and become excellent accoutrements to the meat. The traditional banchan are included of course and did not disappoint. They also provided a egg custard skilled type dish which didn’t have a lot going for it in my opinion and a soup which was very tasty. The dipping sauces were great, especially the «Korean BBQ Sauce» which reminded me of my child hood and a Korean friend whose family’s home cooking and dining out at local Korean joints in Chicago was always a culinary pleasure. *This sauce goes excellent well with the pork belly”, while the marinated short rib needs very little else.
I only knew about this place due to an OG Dallasite (is that a thing?) and Unilocal friend. I am very appreciative of the recommendation and will definitely make this a must stop whenever in Dallas, you should too. Oh and regardless of where you’re staying/​living in Big D, this place is definitely worth the drive.

As fate would have it me, Carl G., Dawn H. and Rob M., met in Dallas for some Korean BBQ. I had never had it here before and Dawn (and several other peeps) had told me in the past it was a must try. They cook with charcoal, not, propane, This makes them very unique as I can’t think of any other Korean restaurant doing this. If I could go ten shiny stars I really seriously would. The four of us met and chatted a bit while waiting on our drinks. Sake for me and Dawn. Hite for Rob and water for Carl.
We decided to go with the Koryo Special Combo for 4. $ 109.00. It included short ribs marinated and non-​marinated; marbled rib-​eye and brisket; pork neck; pork belly; and, duck.
Sounds delish, right? Once we tell our waitress (whose first language is Korean) she pauses and says «Is ok this has dog?». «Excuse me, what?». She repeats that the dish has dog. Dawn was like «you mean like ruff ruff dog?». Our waitress says yes. I said «no way. I think it’s illegal to serve dog in the US». Carl was like «can we swap it for some Horse?». We were all laughing and tripping at the same time. Finally our waitress (bless her heart) left and sent the manager over who explained the sound alike difference between dog and duck. Oh man, that was one of the most hilarious moments ever. We all got a good laugh out of it, including the staff.
Once our food came out our waitress started cooking, then Tommie came by. Whose Tommie? Well, he and his wife own the place. He recognized Dawn and Rob. He assured us they don’t serve dog and we all laughed again. Next thing you know Tommie is freaking standing there cooking our food! How freaking cool is that? Not only did he cook but he took time to explain each meat and how it is to be eaten/​enjoyed. One of my favorite moments was with the radishes marinated in beet juice. I think we did this with the neck or the duck (dog). I can’t remember. We had so much freaking food. This BBQ special also included the banchan, bean paste soup, bean paste, steamed egg whites and more.
Everything I have had at Koryo has been amazing and delicious. Tommie and staff made our Monday night BBQ memorable and special. Everything from the sake to the so ju to the food to the service was stellar spot on. This is definitely my favorite Korean restaurant in Texas and I wish they’d come to Austin, ’cause we ain’t got nothing on this. Koryo I love you and thank you for one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time!

Dinner was Soo yummy. I was impressed. charcoal grill. Nice and good selection of food and the portions are big. So please go hungry.
Staff was outstanding and fun and helped cook everything. And friendly and efficient. Will definitely go back for dinner.

THIS. IS. TRUE. KOREAN. BBQ. PERIOD.
Koryo Kalbi offers a vast variety of traditional Korean dishes, including Bibimbop, Bulgolgi, Altang and assorted other hot pots, a variety of noodles, and so on; however, the reason Koryo shines brighter than the many other authentic Korean dining options in Dallas (lucky!) is because of their Korean BBQ!
Unlike other establishments, when dining Korean BBQ style at Koryo, your table grill is heated to scorching temps by a bed of real, hot coals — NOT propane burners. The difference in the flavor the coals produce on the food in phenomenal! So intense! And, if I’m correct, KK is the only place left in Big D that is legally allowed to still use wooden coals as they were «grandfathered» in some manner, so it makes the entire dining «experience «- and it is an experience — even more special.
After being seated at the table, my husband and I opted for a Korean beer and sake, respectively, and perused the menu. Lots to choose from, but it turned out to be a very easy selection.
Pork Belly and Marinated Spare Rib please. The waiter gracefully took our order and then the fun began. First, the delivery of the pot of glowing red ambers were placed in the center of the table. Quite impressive. Second, the presentation of the entire plethora of condiments and side dishes that are meant to accompany the grilled meats. It always amazes me… as if they will never stop coming… and even for two there is rarely any room left on the table. Amazing kimchi of course, spiced cucumbers, lettuce for wraps, herb salad, pickles carrots, silky egg custard, rice, and so on, and several dipping sauces if you feel so inclined.
And then, the meats. The staff eagerly assists, places strips on the grill. I also learned a new trick on my first visit to Kalbi — place the large white button mushroom caps on the grill cup side up, cook until tender, and carefully pick up and drink the «juice» prior to eating the shroom. So delicious! Staff flips meats, continues to cook, snips away with scissors, moves things around to just the right spot on the grill — all the while you’re dining. It’s like having a personal food butler right at your table.
At some point during dinner, our server unexpectedly was switched to the proprietor, Tommy, himself. His enthusiasm and aim to please when he found out it was our first time at Koryo was sincere and very welcomed. When he found out our experience with Korean food and the fact we are both such huge foodies, he became even more excited. Service at Koryo is A+++ all the way around!
Unlike several other Korean BBQ places I’ve been to, the staff at Kalbi do not make you feel rushed. Actually, quite the opposite. We ended up chatting long after we had finished our entrées and were even presented with a special comp treat neither one of us had had before — chopped pieces of raw dungeness crab in a spicy red sauce — nice touch and very tasty indeed. The hubby and I were also given a business card and the owner insisted we personally call him prior to visiting next time so he could have something special prepared for us — simply the best (now, where is that blasted card?!)!
Overall: Go for the BBQ. Stay for the amazing service and conversation. Repeat. Rewind. Repeat.
Best Korean BBQ I have had stateside. PERIOD.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
[105 in 2015]