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    Castle BBQ

    3.5 (1.7k reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, Korean
    Open 10:30 am - 11:30 pm

    Castle BBQ Photos

    Business Info

    CASTLE BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Castle BBQ

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    Menu - cheapest tier but no galbi
    Jason G.

    Was looking for some cheap Ayce eats in LA and came across this spot. Parking is valet for $5. Its a korean bbq spot but very Mexican influenced. From the music to the sauces and customers to the decor, music, and even workers. $23.99 for the lowest tier was not bad. Came with a small menu of options. Meat quality was ok. We liked the bulgogi and beef brisket best. Side dishes were good but served in very small portions so had to keep ordering. I just wish the lower tier option came with Galbi bone-in rib meat. I dont care for anything else as much. No Matcha tea either. Tried the strawberry lemonade which was more like powdered pink lemonade than real fruit. Overall this place could score higher if they had Galbi on all menu tiers, included side-dish menus so we know whats available, offered matcha iced tea. Service was great tho. And the grill was changed often.

    Menu B offerings
    Justin M.

    With a friend leaving for Europe, it's no surprise that he wanted to get their "Kbbq fix" before heading out. Of course we were all down to make this the destination. Diego, Javier (Javi), Carlos, & Henry never fail to deliver on their impeccable service. I feel like we're treated like family here. One thing that I especially appreciate is that they're always on top of changing the grill (since we're known for ordering rather copious amounts of meat). FOOD: Boneless Short Rib Cube - 9.6 / 10 My "Go-To" Cut. Hearty, beefy. The marinade is the standard marinade by which I measure all marinades: saltiness + umami from the soy sauce, sweetness from the sugar, asian pear, & citrus. Rounded with some sweet wine. This piece of delicious meat must be cut with scissors but that's because you're getting a serious cut. Bulgogi - 9.5 / 10 The safe choice by which I measure all kbbq spots. Easy to eat. I believe it's the same traditional marinade as the Boneless Short Rib Cube. I inhale this stuff because I can never get enough of it. Sliced Beef Brisket - 9.0 / 10 It's really hard to screw this up as it's not marinaded. I eat this because it cooks the fastest. I eat this while waiting for the boneless short rib cube & bulgogi to finish cooking. Since it's not marinated, I 100% recommend asking your server to bring out a bowl of their "Brisket Sauce" - Thank me later. Herbed Pork Belly - 6.7 / 10 Again, I'm not the one to order pork but I will happily indulge in sharing. The fat layer is more than plentiful in these cuts. I tend to like a more well-rendered cook on these. The rosemary is especially pronounced. One thing I recommend is ordering this early, if not as your first cut. That way, the melted fat + rosemary permeate with the other meats. LA Short Rib - 9.2 / 10 The quintessential cut. The only thing that I'm not crazy about is that you're limited to 2 pieces of this particular cut per person. Why? It's easily their most prized cut. The tenderness, meatiness, & overall mouthfeel is unmistakeable. You're really getting the best of flavor + texture. This is the "Rolls Royce" of beef cuts. Rice Paper - 9.0 / 10 Oily, but necessary. An edible "deck of cards". Not all kbbq spots offer rice paper. I'm a bit spoiled, so it's almost a "deal breaker" is a place doesn't offer it. The ideal vehicle for your cooked meats. Corn Cheese - 8.7 / 10 Sweet, yellow corn. Melty mozzarella. Provides some sweet, salty, contrast to the entire meal. Kimchi - 8.3 / 10 The ideal vegetable side to provide the crisp, cold, & spicy contrast. It's nothing special to write home about, but that's perfectly fine. People I go with often order more as the meal continues.

    Michael G.

    We couldn't find or remember which Korean BBQ we stopped by last time when we went to LA , we just exited in this area and found this CASTLE BBQ. No line at all when we went because everybody was already seated; the inside was packed, so I guess we just got lucky to have a Table available for us. They asked you to pay first and get a table after. All of our orders came so quickly like the Banchans and meats, all the serving sizes were generous. But I feel like the meats are not as tasty or flavorful as the other Korean BBBQ buffet we went to. But the service was nice and quick. We park on the side street but I believe they do have a Valet parking.

    Pork Belly and Spicy Pork Belly
    Shanina L.

    My family will always be loyal in going here at least 5 times a year. Quality wise, it is definitely at the bottom tier but that what makes it so special to us. Their recipe for bulgogi is what always brings us back because that's my brother's favorite thing to eat. The brisket is not so good. However, the pork belly is sliced thinly just how I like it and its very good! They offer both plain and spicy for the lowest priced menu. The price is still really good for what they serve. They have a pretty good spread of banchan: cucumbers, sprouts, fish cake, kimchi. They also give onions, jalapenos and garlic at request. Tip: they also have a brisket sauce at request! This place can get really crowded and smoky. They did a remodel during covid so it feels less run down than how it used to be. It feels more open now and the restrooms are kept clean. Service here is always quick and friendly. The valet is now $4. Street parking is free but can be challenging to find a spot.

    Menú

    Menu May 2026 The customer service here is amazing and so is the food! Very filling for a cheap price!

    carlos making sure everything is clean
    Mari J.

    been coming here for many years, they have renovated the place and looks very clean, the food is good for the process that you pay. The staff if super friendly and attentive. They make sure you have extra fixins in your table. Parking can be challenging but you will get in.

    11/27/24
    Jasmine A.

    Stopped by on Wednesday, 11/27/24 (dinner time). There are 3, AYCE menu options (A, B or C). Opted in for Menu C: - 2 AYCE - Menu C ($35.50 per person) = $71 SUBTOTAL = $71 TAX = $6.75 OVERALL TOTAL = $77.75 Very delicious! This place was busy and jam-packed. Fortunately there was no wait time. Valet parking outside (not free) - parking can be very tricky (not spacious). Menu C has additional foodie options and I would recommend this menu option if you are a huge seafood lover. This menu includes: spicy baby octopus, beef tongue, marinated shrimp, rib eye steak, squid, and spicy brisket. 5/5!!!

    Spicy but very good
    Loko K.

    We drove up from Lancaster my daughter wanted to eat here. We were greeted and seated. Javier and Ramiro were awesome with the service. Very prompt and nice. Thank you for making my experience good. We will come back.

    B Menu November 2024
    Annie C.

    Korean BBQ! They have 3 different tiers of pricing depending on what you want to eat. We were fine with the lowest tier (A Menu) since our favorite meat is beef brisket. There weren't a lot of banchans but they had the core: kimchi, potato salad, and bean sprouts. A small bowl of salad was also served and you can ask for more of the banchans. Overall the meat was very flavorful and the service was good. Would not recommend the intestine unless you like very gamey meat. Our server was quick to bring items we asked for and he checked in on us regularly. It's a smaller older restaurant in a strip mall with valet parking. There might be street parking in the area. They played upbeat music, top hits from the past two decades. Overall 3.5 rounded up to 4. Would come back again if I'm in the area!

    KBBQ
    Belen P.

    Castle KBBQ is one of the best kbbq places we have tried! The portions are generous, the customer service is above and beyond, and the food itself (meat and sides) are delicious! We will absolutely be coming back!

    Miso soup
    Judevasily S.

    This is my go to spot if you want a bang for your buck. I love there twist of miso soup not your traditional but taste good to me. We did the $28.50 which had the beef belly if your not into fat this ain't for you. The flat iron which they named it flower steak was actually good quality I like cooking mine with just a good sear in both sides them comes out medium rare. This spot always have excellent service the spot was well lit for the afternoon they do blast the music so most def not a kid friendly spot. Other than that this will go under my Tier C: 1st spot with RH BBq 2 in Rowland heights being 2nd. Then following Tier B number 1 will be Hae Jang Chon Korean BBQ number 2 Magal BbQ which is closed Tier A 1 Niku X

    Bean sprouts steamed rice with salad without dressing
    Victor L.

    This place is the best bbq place in my opinion the food is so fresh the salad is fresh juicy and delicious. The short ribs were so good and it was marinated. Just right, the pork belly and brisket. It was juicy, tender don't forget about the beans, sprouts, it was so good. The service was amazing. These worker deserves raise they were being nice patient as well. And if you come there like a month or two , they will know what you're gonna order and what you want. The ambiance lives up to its name the inside was not to much but good with pictures of dragons eyes and knights which is creative. The place deserves a five star. review i'm a regular customer there, and if it was my first time again. I will definitely come there and you should too.

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    10 hours ago

    If u wanna eat sh@@t, then go here. That's it. Nothing else to say. One of the worst experiences I've had in a long time.

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    5 months ago

    Good food for the price. Great, friendly, quick service. A bit snug inside but not bad for price and service

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    Best service. Great atmosphere. Will definitely recomed to everyone.Nice and attentive staff

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    Page 1 of 44

    Castle BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Castle BBQ

    I have a child that is 3 years old, does he have to pay full price?

    4-9 years old, 30% off. 1-2-3, free food

    I'm a solo diner and the website says you won't seat parties smaller than two. So I can't come? Seriously?

    Now we serve for one person.

    How much are your prices ? I see a picture of your prices but they are 2 years old

    June 30 2023, combo "A" $ 21.99 Combo "B" $26.99… Read more

    Are they still open? Their phone seems to be disconnected / off completely :(

    I just dropped by and it was all closed up. I'm assuming they temporarily closed since their phone number is out of service.… Read more

    Does anyone know if they are open for dine in?

    Yes, we are

    Are you open now?

    Yes, we are

    Is there patio dining?

    No there is no patio to dine

    Is this business open during COVID?

    Yes they are open for outdoor dining right now.

    Hi, does anyone know about the big poster that says take-out $10 that's posted outside their restaurant right now? What does it come with?

    How much are the prices now as of 12/18, anyone know?

    As of 2/9, Ais $12.99 B is $15.99… Read more

    Can two people come and eat or does it have to be a group of 3 or more?

    Their minimum is 2 people! You should be fine. You just can't go alone.

    Can you eat alone here?

    No minimum of 2 people

    Are the prices cheap . maybe for like three people?

    $12.99 a person I believe for their first option. Totally worth it for all you can eat.

    Is there a good working AC for this hot weather?

    Not really! I had 7 refills of water... but the food was pretty good and servers were on top of it.

    Are they open on 4th of July?

    Yep!

    What are the AYCE Lunch/Dinner prices?

    JUST went up to $11.99 for option A. I think B is $14.99 and C is $18.99 now

    How far in advance do the take reservations? Do they take reservations for the weekends?

    No just walk in and sign in if there is a line during busy hours

    Is everything gluten free?

    Hell no

    View All 24 Questions

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    Hangari Kalguksu - (LARGE) Hangari Bossam

    Hangari Kalguksu

    4.4(3.2k reviews)
    1.4 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    10 years in business

    the clam kalguksu (바지락 칼국수) was definitely the highlight for me! it was super yummy and really…read morerefreshing. i remember eating it on such a hot day and it honestly hit perfectly i also got the yulmu bibim-guksu (열무 비빔국수), which is a cold noodle dish, and that was really refreshing too. overall, this feels like such a good summer spot. the vibe was lax, you just sit down and enjoy!! even the water felt refreshing because they serve it in those cold korean metal cups hehe they also move pretty fast service-wise, which i appreciated, and it's in such a good area with a lot of other food spots nearby. i'm really happy i randomly came across this place and i can't wait to explore more around the area

    Visited Hangari on Saturday evening to try their renown Kalguksu with some friends. I've known that…read morespecific parking lot/strip mall to be a nightmare parking wise, so I bit the bullet and used the on-site valet. There is sometimes street parking but the availability is rough, it's tough to park, and even one of the meters we ended up at just didn't work. They only charge a $5 cash service charge though, which isn't bad. We were lucky to be seated right away, even in a packed restaurant. The restaurant has a surprisingly modern design, and is comfortable for as small as it is. We were quickly served their signature kimchis and barley rice. The kimchi, particularly the yeolmu (young summer radish) kimchi, has a unique flavor profile well suited to their food. We ordered 2 bowls of their plain kalgooksu, 1 bibim milmyun, and 1 tteokbokki. The food came out fairly quickly. The kalgooksu was as expected the star of the show. The anchovy broth brings a savory complexity that seems impossible for a soup made from just dried fish and a few other ingredients. It even has a rich, almost thick, quality to it that is surprising for a fish broth. Their noodles, the titular kalgooksu, have the signature irregularity and chew of knife cut noodles. I appreciate the vegetables that always come in kalgooksu, like potato, pumpkin, and zucchini, which offer an earthy heartiness to the light soup. My only complaint is that the potato is in huge irregular chunks, and is barely cooked, though I feel like I have had this issue with many of the kalgooksu bowls I've had over the years. The bibim milmyun was solid. I think that I prefer the texture and flavor of naengmyeon buckwheat noodles, but the milmyun, which are made with mostly wheat flour, still provide a satisfying chew. The sauce tasted bright and fresh, especially with a splash of added vinegar. It also came with a small side portion of spicy pork and some rice paper to wrap. The tteokbokki was the one let down of the meal. To be fair, I wasn't expecting much out of tteokbokki at all restaurant like this whose specialty is essentially the opposite. I ordered the tteokbokki as a "safe pick" for a picky eater in the group. It turned out to be a bit mediocre in our opinion, and that friend ended up enjoying their kalgooksu anyways. If you're looking to try this dish, it's definitely one of if not the best I've had in Southern California, so I'd totally recommend it. I'll also warn to steer clear of the Garden Grove restaurant of the same name and specialty. I think it's a disappointing mimicry of this place.

    Photos
    Hangari Kalguksu - Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU

    Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU

    Hangari Kalguksu - Bossam jowl combo

    Bossam jowl combo

    Hangari Kalguksu - (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)

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    (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)

    Danbi - Wagyu zabuton

    Danbi

    4.5(384 reviews)
    1.3 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$$

    We went shortly after they opened and it got busier as the night went on. The Honey butter chips…read moreare dripping with the honey butter sauce & I wished I had a whole bowl of that. The Grilled jowl was thinly sliced & one of my favorite dishes of the night! The Zabuton came out still sizzling on a bed of onions- I absolutely loved this & it is definitely shareable between 2 or more people. The Scallop pancake had baby scallops cooked in to it- very fluffy & filling, another shareable dish between 2 or more people. The Mushroom bibimbap mixed with the sauce is a great vegetarian dish! Parking- $10 self park in the plaza

    My bf and I had an 8:30pm reservation for his birthday and we were seated immediately upon arrival…read more Our server started us off with water and everything got off to a great start. The ambiance was lovely and perfect for a date night. The dining room felt dark, intimate, and cozy, and I especially loved the little candle on the table. It was a small touch, but it made the experience feel warm and special. We ordered the perilla oil noodle, scallop pancake, pork jowl, and hwaechae milk to share. The perilla oil noodle had a strong perilla aroma which I loved, but beyond that it didn't really taste like much. It wasn't bad but it's probably the one dish I'd skip next time. The scallop pancake was great. It was crispy, packed with scallops, and the dipping sauce complemented it really well. The pork jowl was easily our favorite dish of the night. It was tender, flavorful, and paired perfectly with all of the accompanying condiments. Every bite felt balanced and well thought out. The hwaechae milk was also delicious and refreshing. It was a fun drink to share and a nice contrast to the richer dishes. While the food was good overall, the portions felt pretty small for the price point. Everything tasted good but it was hard not to notice how quickly the dishes disappeared given what we paid. Maybe it was just the specific dishes we ordered but considering Danbi is on the Michelin Guide, I was expecting bolder and more memorable flavors. Korean cuisine is known for being vibrant and packed with flavor so I left feeling a little underwhelmed. Nothing we had was bad but aside from the pork jowl there wasn't a dish that really wowed me. To end the meal, the staff brought us a yuzu popsicle topped with a birthday candle, which ended up being my favorite part of the entire night. The popsicle was perfectly tangy, refreshing, and honestly more memorable than any of the dishes we ordered. It made the celebration feel thoughtful without being over the top. Overall, we had a great experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, the service was attentive, and it was a lovely place to celebrate a special occasion even though it was a bit overhyped given the small portions, high prices, and flavors that didn't quite live up to my expectations. I'd still come back to try the steak tartare, uni bibimbap, and the zabuton!

    Photos
    Danbi - Inside bar

    Inside bar

    Danbi - Scallop Pancakes

    Scallop Pancakes

    Danbi - Perilla Cild Noodle

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    Perilla Cild Noodle

    Kobawoo House - Kimchi Jjigae

    Kobawoo House

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    1.7 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$

    What more can I say? This K-town staple consistently delivers when you're craving Korean cuisine…read more We started our meal with a generous portion of Haemool Pajeon (Seafood Pancake), which arrived sizzling on a hot plate reminiscent of a Chili's Fajita Plate. Next came the main attraction: the Bossam Plate, featuring simmered and cooled pork belly sliced to perfection. When you wrap all the other ingredients together, they create the perfect bite. Just after the Bossam Plate hits the table, a bubbling cauldron of Kimchi JJigae (Kimchi Stew) follows behind just in time to help wash down the delectable bites of bossam. Don't forget to order some rice because you'll need something to soak up the stew which turns the rice into a whole meal by itself. The service was jovial and welcoming, and like other Korean establishments, they have a handy-dandy button that jolts the attention of every server working whenever you're in need of service. The small space is very cozy, just the way I like it when I'm visiting with my loved ones. They don't have an extensive menu, just the OG staple items, but I feel the taste has improved over the years. I wish Kobawoo were closer to where I live, or I would be here this weekend, but perhaps it's a good thing we're so far apart.

    This place has been here for so long, I haven't been here in yrs! I was in the area so I decide to…read moredo a take out for lunch to take home for me and my family, such a disappointment! $76.80 for 3 dishes and what a puny portions these are, like a kid's portion. Very small kimchi maybe one or two bites. Three orders that I'm surprised that they give such a small amount of banchan. How can establishment justify this high priced meal for such small portions? God and I drove all the way from South Bay, stuck in traffic for almost 1 1/2 hrs of this. Maybe this is the type of place you should dine in only?? Do not ever do take out here! The food in general was just ok. Nothing special and Kimchi soup was very salty. Threw all 3. Wow, what a waste of money. Very disappointing... I guess I won't be coming here ever again.

    Photos
    Kobawoo House - Popular place. Had to wait 30 minutes for a table for 6 on a weekday at 6:15pm which is not bad!

    Popular place. Had to wait 30 minutes for a table for 6 on a weekday at 6:15pm which is not bad!

    Kobawoo House - Lunch Jangban Guksoo

    Lunch Jangban Guksoo

    Kobawoo House - Jangban Guksoo Vegan

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    Jangban Guksoo Vegan

    Borit Gogae - Dwenjang

    Borit Gogae

    4.4(512 reviews)
    1.6 miKoreatown
    $$$

    Be prepared to walk away feeling very full. We got the set meal here, which came served with…read moreappetizers, barley rice, a lot of banchan (and by that I meant a LOT), soup, congee, dessert, etc. It was definitely more than enough food. We also got an additional order of LA kalbi for some protein. The meat quality was good but I felt like the meat was not marinated long enough and so the flavor was a little bit lacking. If only it just sat in the marinade for a couple more hours, I think this would have been perfect. The tofu soup was not my favorite, to be very honest. There was some flavor in there that made it smell like a stinky towel. Very different from other soondubu soup places and unfortunately not for me. Everything else we had was excellent and I would definitely come back again just for the barley rice and banchan. Service was quick and servers were nice. We also came at 3pm on Saturday so there was no wait. Recommended!

    Across the street from the new Zion market is this wonderful and unique Korean eatery. Unlike most…read moreof the run-of-the-mill Korean restaurants in Koreatown this restaurant serves unique appetizers and a multi-course set menu that gives you a taste of a variety of authentic Korean village food - like pumpkin porridge and acorn jelly salad. It's a lot of food for the price ($35 pp at this writing). While the minimum order is for 2 people, we've tried sharing the 2-people order among 3 and it worked for us, with addition of a couple of other items from the menu. The Korean BBQ beef is at par with most other nice restaurants in K town; their marinated crab was delicious! Service is okay - given how busy they are! Most servers are not very conversant in English so a little patience would help you get the right things you need. Nice and unique vibe with Korean handicraft items and art work on display (and for sale, I believe).

    Photos
    Borit Gogae - Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines

    Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines

    Borit Gogae - Barley rice mixed with side dishes

    Barley rice mixed with side dishes

    Borit Gogae - Grilled spareribs

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    Grilled spareribs

    Ham Ji Park

    Ham Ji Park

    4.2(1.8k reviews)
    1.4 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$$

    Really sad that Ham Ji Park is closing down permanently. For years, this place has been our…read morefamily's go-to place for pork spare ribs - the best in town. In fact, we regularly brought visitors here. They raved about how good the spare ribs were and even insisted that their last meal before LA should be at Ham Ji Park.  Here's my belated review of what I consider the best spare ribs in LA. From the moment the Korean-style spare ribs arrived at the table, it was clear this was a dish worth savoring. Each rib bore a beautifully charred exterior--deeply caramelized without a hint of bitterness--offering that irresistible smoky aroma the moment it was placed before us. The glaze was nothing short of spectacular. A perfect balance of sweet and spicy, it clung to the meat with a glossy sheen that promised flavor in every bite. There was just enough heat to make your taste buds sit up and pay attention, but it never overwhelmed the deeper, richer notes of the sweet components. But what truly set these ribs apart was the texture. Beneath the charred surface lay meat so tender it practically fell off the bone with the gentlest tug of a fork. Each bite was juicy and succulent, the result of careful cooking and a respect for quality ingredients. Ham Ji Park, you will be missed. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the food.

    tl;dr the delectable pork ribs overshadow the otherwise authentic but standard lineup at this…read morenow-shuttered Korean stalwart Los Angeles Koreatown is home to restaurants that specialize in every facet of Korean cuisine. If you're searching for some of the city's best pork, then those in the know will bring up Ham Ji Park. For 2 decades, generous platters of pork ribs and pork neck stew decked every table. Now, our Korean friends lament the loss of their favorite pork joint in the city. The Koreatown proper location is located in the Royal Plaza mini-mall, just a few blocks off bustling Wilshire. Discounted parking is available in a lot across the street from the Chevron gas station. From the street, the entrance is flanked by potted plants and an enclosed street-ery. Inside, stainless steel chairs are pressed up against wooden tables, each outfitted with a metal grill. Oppressive fluorescent lighting shines down on the stone grey walls, which are left undecorated apart from a few flatscreens. Multi-lingual chatter blends with the sizzle of platters. I visited with some friends for a weeknight dinner, and about half of the tables were occupied. We shared a spread of grilled platters and sizzling soups. The meal began with a carafe of barley tea and a mostly standard spread of banchan. Across our food, the best dish was the signature Charbroiled Pork Spare Rib. The ribs were flavorful without feeling gamey, and the meat was complemented by sweet caramelized onions. The pork ribs handily outdid the good-not-great Charbroiled Beef Short Rib. Lastly, the Milt and Cod Rose with Vegetables stew was fishy and briny, appropriately flavored for the Korean palate. The service was appropriately attentive, although I would've appreciated more intentional refills of our banchan ramikens. The rib plates cost upward of $35 each, while the soup was just under $30. The portions were hearty; a single entree platter could reasonably feed 2 moderately hungry bellies. It's a shame to hear that Ham Ji Park has closed; I'm kicking myself for not trying their pork neck stew earlier.

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    Castle BBQ - bbq - Updated May 2026

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