Seoul Meat Co. Korean Barbecue

He said:

On a whim, I decided to drive through the Mountain View Village retail park in Riverton. This part of the valley has been growing so quickly that it seems there are plenty of new things to discover every time I visit. Sure enough, we spotted several new places to eat, including Seoul Meat Co. Its clean, modern appearance, bright green and white lights, and welcoming outdoor firepit might have enticed us to give it a try, but to tell the truth, I think the words “Korean Barbecue” were enough for me.

Inside, the restaurant looked just as sleek and inviting. We could see that each table had a built-in grill, where patrons would grill their own meats. All the tables were arranged together in a single dining room, though the various grilling and exhaust apparatuses at each table did provide some measure of separation.

A host greeted us and explained that all meals were offered All-You-Can-Eat. They had two options, though he said the Premium offering only added a couple of items: a Wagyu sushi and an Asado. We decided to stick with the regular offering. The price was fixed and seemed a bit higher than we’d seen elsewhere. They offered height-based discounts only for children, so Kathy had to pay full price, her height notwithstanding.

As our host led us to our table, I started to notice some things that didn’t seem to live up to the impression of elegance that I had formed so far. For example, our host gave us a carafe of un-iced water with two plastic cups. I guess that’s not too unusual, but then he gave us a serving of kimchi in a paper tray. I don’t mind having plastic cups and paper trays; I was just surprised to find it at their price point and among the other enhancements the restaurant offered.

One of the things I enjoy most about Korean restaurants is their banchan dishes. These are a variety of side dishes, served in small bowls before and during the meal. We received the kimchi I mentioned, and a green salad topped with an aromatic dressing. I liked that the kimchi had red onions, green onions, and carrots in addition to the cabbage, but I didn’t find any radish in it, which is usually my favorite part.

I wish we had received more banchan dishes. I could have ordered more side dishes from the menu. However, I didn’t really see the options I was used to. Things like soy-marinated potatoes, mung bean sprouts, or pickled yellow radishes. Maybe they had them under different names than I expected. I might have enjoyed some of their dishes, but without a description of them, I was a little wary. I think restaurants could make their menus much more accessible to discovery if they would not assume patrons already know all about their cuisine. I did order another dish of kimchi from the menu. This one came only with cabbage, though. Maybe I should have ordered the “Kimchi Salad.” It’s hard to know without descriptions on the menu.

Well, the restaurant is called the Seoul Meat Co., so of course we ordered some meats. We began with the Bulgogi, one of only two items on the menu that had a description: “Thin slices of beef with the most flavorful marinade!” It lived up to its promise. It was delicious. It was also a large serving. Since the restaurant offers all-you-can-eat service, they didn’t need to provide such a large serving. It was great, but it did mean that we didn’t have room to sample as many options as we might have otherwise.

We also ordered a Rib Eye Steak, which they limited to 1 per person. To my surprise, they brought a full-size cut of ribeye steak, garnished with a rosemary sprig, and sprinkled with coarse salt. The marbling looked good. All their meats are USDA Prime from Nebraska. However, it turned out to be a bit dry and tough. Frankly, I blame the cook. I should have had words with him. I’m not sure what I did wrong. I placed it on the grill and tried to follow the rule that says you should only flip the steak when it releases naturally. The idea is that it will stick to the hot grill at first but then let go as it develops a sear. Well, it didn’t seem to stop sticking. So maybe I overcooked it. I’m not sure the grill was hot enough for that technique.

I couldn’t go to a Korean Barbecue without trying the Spicy Pork BBQ. And for good measure, I tried the Spicy Chicken BBQ, as well. I didn’t share these with Kathy, as she doesn’t care for the spicy options. I enjoyed them, and I wouldn’t even have minded a bit more spicy kick to them.

I liked my meal, but I think they missed some opportunities to make the experience a bit more enjoyable. I’d like to see the menu demystified a bit, which would have helped me explore beyond my familiar comfort zone.

She said:

So, on the night of Veterans Day, Brian and I decided to go out for dinner. Neither one of us felt much like cooking, but we also didn’t have a concrete plan. Consequently, we hopped in the car, hit the I-15, and then took the exit onto Bangerter Highway and just drove. Eventually, Brian drove into the parking lot of a newer, hip shopping district. There turned out to be several restaurant options, but the bright sign for the Seoul Meat Co. Korean BBQ caught my eye—as did placards proclaiming their grand opening. I was intrigued.

Upon entering the premises, we were greeted by a friendly host who asked us if it was our first time at the restaurant. We said yes, so he explained the two available options offered. When we selected the regular menu, he led us to a booth-table combo.

I took in our surroundings. Gray concrete floors, gray concrete walls with black, painted boards, red canisters suspended along one wall (we speculated they were gas tanks to fuel the grills), black tabletops, ecru-colored padded booth seats and backs, and wooden chairs with black vinyl upholstered seats. Suspended above us were pretty, copper hoods, industrial single-bulb light fixtures, and an exposed ceiling featuring duct work and stuff. The vibe was what I’d call urban chic.

Now, Brian and I typically really enjoy patronizing Korean BBQ places, but this one fell a bit short for me.

Although the Bulgogi Beef was delicious, the ribeye steak was a bit tough. The salad was good and had a very pleasant, tangy zing to it, which I appreciated. The four zucchini slices I ordered were thickly cut and nicely, lightly seasoned. This was a plus because I do like my vegetables. However, the only other veggie options were onions and mushrooms, so I passed. When our waitress asked if we wanted any rice, I asked for a bowl of brown rice. When she told me that they serve only white or fried rice, I regretfully declined.

After she left, I remarked to Brian that their soft drinks were surprisingly inexpensive. We soon discovered why. Our diet Cokes came in cans, and we were handed waxed paper cups filled with ice. When I asked for a fork, it was plastic. If we’d been provided real silverware, glasses, and sides served in small ceramic bowls instead of paper trays, our experience would have been elevated. Based on the price point per person and the chic décor, I expected more.

One last complaint I have is that the place was unusually noisy. One source of the loudness came from music being piped overhead. I thought it came from the TV perched in one corner of the dining room that was set to a station of K-pop boy- and girl-bands, but Brian says the dancing bands on TV didn’t match the music overhead. Where the other noise was coming from, I have zero idea, but it was distracting, and we couldn’t carry on a decent conversation.

Despite my complaints, I enjoyed our meal. The service was excellent, and quick. However, the only people who’ll really get their money’s worth at Seoul Meat Co. are people with truly hearty appetites.

Oh, and for those for whom it might be an issue, this restaurant is a cashless business. (But that didn’t stop Brian from leaving the tip in two-dollar bills, as he usually does¹).

Conclusion:

Bring a hearty appetite to enjoy Seoul Meat Co. and its more than sixty menu items to the fullest.