Korean BBQ at Don’s Bogam
I discovered Don’s Bogam few years ago, thanks to Jodi’s cousin, Jessica. This Korean BBQ place is great: good food, great drinks and courteous staff, a trifecta that makes for a perfect evening.
Eating at a Korean BBQ, there is always the excitement of getting the banchan, these small plates they bring at the beginning of the meal, with kimchi being usually the only sure thing you would get. And unless you ask, it is sometimes difficult to recognize what the dishes they are bringing are, or how they are prepared.
Banchan at Don’s Bogam
Banchan are what peanuts and olives would be in a French aperitif: they accompany perfectly a drink. And Don’s Bogam has for sure a good list, but soju, the Korean rice wine, is a must have to stay in the theme. Regular is quite fine, served in shot glasses, but I was pleasantly surprised by one flavored with lychee, the sweetness of the fruit balancing well the alcohol, but making it quite a dangerous drink as you would think it is just a juice…
Lychee soju at Don’s Bogam
Soju at Don’s Bogam
And the meat! First, the staff will take care of cooking it for you on the gas grill that is at the center of the table, letting you know when it would be ready. Then, quality of the meat they serve is phenomenal: I thought that the marinated chicken breast (Dak-Gui) would be boring and overcooked, but in fact it was quite good and moist. The pork belly marinated in Cabernet Sauvignon (Wine Samgyeopsal) was delightfully fatty. And then, the beef platter that was composed of marinated ribeye, spicy marinated short rib, and marinated short ribs and mushrooms was exquisite. The meat, that I rolled into a piece of salad with a bit of gochujang was tender and juicy, with a nice char on the outside. Know that if you are vegetarian, they have couple of options so you can enjoy a somewhat similar experience.
Marinated chicken at Don’s Bogam
Marinated chicken at Don’s Bogam
Pork belly at Don’s Bogam
Pork belly at Don’s Bogam
Marinated short rib and mushrooms at Don’s Bogam
Marinated short ribs and mushrooms at Don’s Bogam
Marinated ribeye at Don’s Bogam
Marinated ribeye at Don’s Bogam
Last, I should mention the fluffy eggs. Coming in a piping hot pot, they were amazing, like a fusion between a soufflé and scrambled eggs. I definitely recommend it just to try.
Fluffy eggs at Don’s Bogam
Don’s Bogam remains one the best Korean BBQ places in Koreatown and seeing how busy they were was a testimony of it. Reservation recommended!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Don’s Bogam -17 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016
