Jeju - Review - Central Eastside - Portland, OR - The Infatuation
"Jeju, from the team behind Han Oak, goes beyond the usual all-you-can-eat deals and DIY tabletop grilling you see in many popular Portland KBBQ spots—and goes for drama. The $75 set menu features nose-to-tail cuts, all cooked over live fire. While the sliced meat, eaten bo ssam-style, is the main attraction, the banchan, like the blistered padron peppers with candied anchovies, smashed cucumbers, and chile crisp, are so good they could probably succeed as standalone dishes. The high wooden ceilings make the chatter and vintage hip-hop echo, so while there’s lots of room to spread out as you split a bottle of soju or a round of makgeolli cocktails, it’s not the place for estate planning. How to get into Jeju You can make reservations for Jeju’s standard seating, chef’s counter, or private dining experience up to a month in advance. Food Rundown Korean Fried Chicken Wings Double-fried for extra crunch, an order of three full-size wings makes a great shareable appetizer. Sweet soy garlic glaze is a classic, but we recommend opting for the “essence of ramen” dry rub, an umami bomb that, yes, evokes the savory seasoning straight from the little foil packet. Bao Burger & Fries A popular offering from now-shuttered Toki, this glorious mashup takes two dry-aged beef patties slathered with special sauce, caramelized onions, and American cheese and encases them in a baked bao. Slice in half and watch your tablemates scramble for the first oozy bite. Kanpachi Collars It’s easy to get dazzled by the steak and shortribs, though it would be a shame to overlook the small seafood menu. Grilled kanpachi collars come two to an order and are meaty enough to share. Squeeze some lemon juice and scrape the tender flesh from the bones to soak up the rich butter sauce spiced with gochugaru. Pop-Ups & Collabs While Jeju is known for grilled meat and banchan, they frequently host collaborative meals where things get creative. Past events have featured a pizza popup with local cider bar Bauman’s on Oak and a Vietnamese prix fixe in conjunction with The Pig and the Lady from Honolulu." - Krista Garcia
