Eyes bulging when you hear ‘bulgogi’? Here are five Columbus restaurants for Korean BBQ

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Eyes bulging when you hear ‘bulgogi’? Here are five Columbus restaurants for Korean BBQ

In the mood for “grill-it-yourself” bulgogi? Or do you have the taste for Korean food with some flare?

There are many options for Korean food in Columbus but, for Korean barbecue, less so. Which is a shame, considering how entertaining it is cooking your own food tableside. Thankfully, in the last few years the Korean cuisine style has become increasingly popular.

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Interestingly enough, almost all of your Korean BBQ options will take you to the Northwest Side, but depending on where you are it might be worth the drive for a fun and interactive group outing with flavorful dishes.

Don Pocha

Korean BBQ restaurant Don Pocha, 4710 Reed Road, is a resident favorite in Upper Arlington.

The menu features starters like Korean chicken wings and savory pancakes, pork and beef combos, bulgogi, beef brisket, shrimp, pork jowl and belly, and sides like soups and stews noodle dishes and seasonal vegetables, in addition to a separate to-go menu. 

The restaurant has also now incorporated Poongmei’s menu with the restaurant’s closing in 2021.

Hours are noon to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, closed Tuesdays (visit donpocha.com).

Gogi Korean BBQ

Nearby to Don Pocha is Gogi Korean BBQ, 1138 Bethel Road on the Northwest Side. 

The restaurant, which opened in 2016,   the extensive menu are small plates like deep fried oysters, calamari and tteokbokki or rice cakes, salads, soups, stews, noodle and rice dishes, and large Korean BBQ combos featuring short ribs, bulgogi, ribeye and NY strip, or individual type of meat like beef tongue and marinated chicken ready to be seared. And if there’s still room, green tea, red bean or chocolate ice cream are for dessert.

Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30. a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, closed Mondays (visit gogikbbq.com).

So Gong Dong Tofu & Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ chain So Gong Dong, at 2950 Hayden Rd. on (you guessed it) the Northwest Side, opened in 2017 and has been well received ever since.

At So Gong Dong you aren’t doing the cooking yourself. But the restaurant still has all the dishes you would expect of a Korean BBQ restaurant, including savory pancakes, dumplings, bulgogi, short ribs, bibimbap and kimchi. Plus, there’s a build-your-own Korean-style silken tofu stew and an alcohol menu with Korean beer, soju and Korean wine offered.

The restaurant is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (sgdrestaurant.com)

Cupzilla food truck

A food truck option for Korean BBQ fans, Cupzilla is less grill-it-yourself and more on-the-go. The menu features Korean BBQ chicken, pork or tofu cups served with rice, noodles and veggies. There is also a Korean fried chicken cup or pair your cup with Korean potstickers or spring rolls (visit facebook.com/cupzillakoreanbbq).

Coming soon: K Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

This summer, headed soon to none other than the Northwest Side is K Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, in the former Buffalo Wild Wings location at 5420 Bethel Center Mall.

K-Town will have inset grills for guests to cook on, combined with Chinese hot pots for cooking meats, seafood, fresh vegetables and noodles.

More: Souped-up cyborg delivers food at Mala HotPot

The national chain has eight locations in five states, with a massive expansion appearing to be in the works in over 50 locations in 19 states, according to the company’s website (visit thekpot.com).

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@TaijuanNichole