I have written ad nauseam it seems about finding a KBBQ place in the Valley. To be honest I had no intention when I wrote my first review to embark on such an impossible task yet here I am like Don Quixote facing down another meat powered windmill.
Or rather I have become the Valley's Korean BBQ Batman a silent guardian and watchful protector of all things artery clogging and meat filled. I am the hero the Valley deserves, but I am not the hero the Valley needs right now... or probably ever.. unless there is an Atkins Diet city wide mandate..
I am also ludicrously filled with reasonably and cheaply priced meats right now so I don't know what I am saying all clumsy literary and cinematic metaphors aside.
Point is I have come closer to finding a KBBQ spot in the Valley worth calling my meat home.
First and foremost Wang Dweh Ji gets my high review not based on quality but straight up on convenience and price mixed with a bit of quality.
Don't get it mistaken even for the Valley the quality of the meats here is not the best far fromw it. In fact compared to say AYCE Gogi on Van Nuys I would say it's a few steps behind and pretty much most places in KTown light years behind.
The variety of meat and ban chan are severely lacking.You don't get the choices of say the nearby AYCE GOGI, any number of Kbbq places in Ktown or even BCD Tofu located conveniently down the street.
Hell the quality is even noticeably lacking and not quite as good as some of the other places BUT what you do get is an nice, relatively quick and inexpensive alternative to get your fix for KBBQ.
I've never done drugs but it seems like the affordability of this place is like the crack of KBBQ compared to the cocaine like places in KTOWN. It's relatively cheaper but this shit makes you feel just as good, and honestly you pretty much feel dirty, ashamed, and often have to debase yourself just to satisfy your cravings. So instead of going all the way to KTOWN to pay a higher price, I'm just going to stay on my side of town and in the hood to get my fix.
Once again I am pretty much drunk on meat at this point so back to my review.
I like this place because although you don't get all the bells and whistles at some of the other places you get what you need.
Sometimes going out for KBBQ seems like an entire "thing" like an event. If it's in KTown and god forbid you have a large amount of people, you have to wait for quite awhile, deal with terrible parking, pay an arm and a leg, and you come out smelling, maybe even drunk whether it's from alcohol or meat, and you stumble on home regretting your poor life decisions. So it's like going out in LA only more meat.
Here it's down to earth, little to relatively no wait and simple. The place is usually understaffed which kind of sucks both for the customer and the poor waiter who gets stuck in the unenviable position of taking care of all the tables, but even then the service is not that bad. They get you what you need.
As mentioned you don't get that many choice of meats or ban chan but you get what you need. Two quick and simple options A and B that don't differ much except B gets you marinated bulgogi, which I would honestly skip. You aren't missing out on much but hey even then the price is so cheap who cares go NUTS!
The grill is also a bit different than many of the KBBQ places I've been. I can't tell if I am a fan of it or not but it gets the job done and makes me feel like I am making a little meat fort every time I go. Again I am full of meat right now so I can't be held responsible for the nonsensical ramblings of a mad meat man.
Also one thing I really like is they often bring out all the meats in your option all out at the same time! This is really helpful because most times you go pretty hungry and they know and you know damn well you will be ordering more than once, twice, three times, hell who knows. So they cut out the bullshit and just give you all the meats you probably were planning on order on the first order. This hasn't been all the time but for a couple of times they did this when it was busy and it was awesome. You can order single orders from there or several at a time which ever you prefer but I like that they are on it from the get go.
Only complaint is the rice. I generally think getting rice is a rookie move at AYCE KBBQ and only slows you down. But on one of my visits I needed my grainy friends. They charge you for rice. While not unheard of it's like two bucks for one bowl and its not free refills so that's kind of a bummer. But whatever even then the base price you are paying is pretty low like $12.99 for A and $14.99 for B so you are still making out like a meat smelling bandit come check time.
If you are looking for a no frills place come here. But come here knowing that while you might be losing on some preconceived notions of quality or expectations you make up for it in price and experience. read more