Korean food can sometimes be quite pricey when you factor in the different BBQ meats and sometimes the banchan is not even free flow, resulting in a hefty bill after just a few top ups. This spot not only offers free flow banchan, but some freebies too if you're lucky enough!

This is my Dad’s perennial favourite every time he visits KL. First, the service is impeccable. Never mind that we were served by a mainly Nepali staff, but they are really efficient and helpful. Second, the portions are huge and generous. Even if you order only one dish, you still enjoy the whole array of complimentary free flow banchan dishes. Third, it’s just a 10 minute drive from my pad. Last but not least, it is consistently delicious and we never fail to clean out our plates each and every time.

So let’s get down to the details. This time, I decided to steer away from the usual bulgogi and bibimbap (it’s delicious by the way) and opted for something new. The only familiar dish I ordered was Sundubu Jigae because I had a craving for something hot and spicy. It came piping hot with an egg cracked in the middle, plus soft tofu, meat pieces and clams boiled with the fiery soup. Just the way I like it.

The banchan dishes arrived with speed. I counted 8 dishes in total, my favourite being the kimchi, pickled anchovy, mashed potato and pickled vege with octopus. So good, we topped it up 3 times! We were also served their complimentary soup of the day which was a miso-like soup with beef pieces and Chinese cabbage. It was really good and my mom added some rice to it. Pure genius, it was comfort food at its best. I loved the rice soaking up the flavor of the soup.

Next was 2 items to be grilled on the barbeque (they only open the grill if you order minimum 2 BBQ items) - Ox tongue and beef rib eye. The waiters do the grilling, all we did was watch and patiently wait drool-faced for the grilled goodies to be served. There is also a metal container of garlic slices soaked in oil which is left to cook on the grill. There were condiments like lettuce leaves, sesame oil with salt, gochujang (Korean chilli) paste, garlic and a spring onion-chive salad (pajori) to compliment the meats. Simply add the meat and vege on to the lettuce leaf and wrap it popia-style. I like adding kimchi into the wrap for an extra twist. Yums, the ox tongue has a springy texture… something like ham. The beef is sliced thin so you get it nicely grilled and a fine layer of fat with each slice. Sinful, but really good especially with generous lashings of gochujang chilli paste and cooked garlic. Sometimes, I like just munching on the meat, with some chilli paste dipping. My mom being the most health-conscious amongst us gluttons, requests for lettuce leaf and spring onion-chive salad refills. The Nepali waiters are obliging and comply with warm smiles.

"Portions are huge and generous"

Maybe it was a Monday but we also scored Korean steamed egg and panjeon (pancake) on the house! Ain’t complaining and it tasted pretty awesome too. We polished it off in no time…

I decided to opt for a healthy option to end the meal – Naeng Myun. It uses fine buckwheat noodles and it is served cold with a spicy sweet sauce and veges. I was expecting something similar to soba but it had a finer texture which was perfect for soaking up the sauce. The vegetables were fresh and crunchy, hubby commented it tasted like Penang pasembur. Definitely refreshing on my palate and since buckwheat noodles is not a refined carb, it’s healthier too!

On top of this feast, we got plenty of freebies. Freeflow Korean tea, free soup of the day, free banchan dishes, free unlimited top ups, 2 free dishes, free fruits and free cinnamon tea to settle our tummies. All that for 4 people for a grand total of under RM150!

So if you want to treat your friends or family to a nice place without burning a hole in your pocket, make a beeline for Daorae. The lady boss was so sweet, she even offered 10% discount to my dad for his next visit to the latest outlet in my hometown Penang. Considering how Penangites are suckers for freebies, I think Daorae will do quite well up north too. KAMSA HAMIDA!

(Advisable to make reservations for weekends)

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Daorae Korean BBQ

                   

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