Did you know that pork is the most consumed meat worldwide?
When you think of all the various ways in which it can be consumed – from bacon to charcuterie – it is easy to understand why.
At E!GHT Korean BBQ in Los Angeles, pork is taken so seriously that the name of the restaurant is derived from their specialty: eight different colorful flavors of pork belly, blending a combination of aromatic ingredients aimed at enticing the customer’s appreciation for swine.
We visited E!GHT on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The plaza where it is located was packed for the lunch rush, but we were able to find a spot close to the entrance. Before we even stepped through the restaurant doors, we were allured by the aroma of grilled meat and kimchi wafting into the parking lot. We grabbed a table near the back of the restaurant and eagerly awaited our meal. Sleek and modern, the place has an energetic and comfortable ambiance.
Almost immediately we were brought the banchan, a collection of savory and flavorful side dishes served in Korean cuisine and a bowl of kimchi noodle stew that was set upon an open flame to cook at our table. We knew going in that this was going to be a fulfilling meal, so my husband and I opted to skip out on breakfast and arrived very hungry. Needless to say, the banchan didn’t last very long.
To experience a diverse selection of their pork and beef, we ordered combo C, which included Prime Beef Brisket, Thinly Sliced Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Flower Pork Belly, and Marinated Galbi Bulgogi. Our server placed the first two items on the grill and we were instructed to wait until he let us know when the food was ready. Unfortunately, the thinly sliced meat was left longer on the grill than needed causing it to overcook and diminish the flavors. But, nonetheless, we were anxious to try the next round. As expected, the pork jowl and flower pork belly did not disappoint – delicious and rich, the pork was grilled to perfection. We ended our meal with the garlic and soy marinated bulgogi and mushrooms and kimchi stew, riding out on a wave of robust flavors.
E!GHT is the place to be if you are looking for a fun, delicious and immersive food experience to share with friends; but be prepared and come hungry, because you can very quickly consume your weight in meat!
E!GHT Korean BBQ is located in Los Angeles and Buena Park, California. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, and until 1:00 am Friday through Saturday. For more information or to book a reservation visit www.eightkoreanbbq.com.