When
in Korea, do as the Koreans do. So it’s fair to say that on my latest trip to Seoul
I overdosed on Korean BBQ, it is just common sense to do so! Korean BBQ in Seoul
is very popular and quite standard, where most joints offer the usual Bulgogi,
which are strips of marinated beef, as well as Galbi that are either pork or
beef ribs. Such a set up along with the usual trimmings of Kimchi (fermented
vegetables), Japchae (stir fried potato noodles) and Gyeran Jim (steamed egg
casserole) are what one usually expects along with a lot of Soju and Beer. Two
Plus on the other hand provided a completely different experience, which was quite a
relief, as after 10 days in Seoul I wanted to shake things up a little. Located
in the posh Sinsa-dong province in Gangnam, Two Plus is a modern take on a
traditional Korean BBQ restaurant with a very cosmopolitan vibe, and a rather
westernized ambience. What’s special
about Two Plus is that instead of only offering the typical meat selection one
will find at any BBQ place, the have their specialty Aged Striploin. The
Striploin at Two Plus happens to be 1++ Hanwoo grade beef (the highest for
beef), thus the name Two Plus. Top-grade hanwoo is Korea’s counterpart to Japan’s
wagyu. It was therefore obvious what we ordered. The meat, which arrived raw, was
thick, juicy and generous in its portions. We were a party of 6 and hence ordered 6 steaks at 150 grams a piece. Once on the grill we each cooked our own
steak to our liking. I cooked parts of mine to rare, and some to medium rare.
The taste was merely that of quality, it undoubtedly rivals wagyu beef, which
makes me think: Why is wagyu so much more popular? The meat melted in my mouth
and was un-spoilt with any sauces or condiments, pure decadence. Words cannot
do this beef justice. Along with many bottles of Soju and Beer this was by far
the best Korean BBQ I have had in Seoul.
Yeyoung Bldg. 532-9 Sinsadong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
