Christina H.
Yelp
Okay so... this spot has changed hands so many times over the years I honestly lost count But this new version? They finally nailed it!
The remodel looks amazing: clean, modern, and organized! There's a big salad + banchan buffet right in the middle of the restaurant stocked with dipping sauces, fried goodies, and even desserts. You order your meats with your server at the table, then go grab all the sides and sauces your heart desires.
One thing I LOVED, the big, crisp Romaine lettuce at the buffet, not many Korean bbq spots do this. Game changer for wrapping your meat with that extra crunchy freshness. Their kimchi was a little sweet for my taste (I like mine more sour and punchy), but the cucumber kimchi was chef's kiss. My toddler was in heaven with the crispy dumplings and fried rice, so that's always a parenting win.
The meat quality is great! Totally holds up against the local KBBQ competition, but what really stood out was the service. The servers were super attentive, kept checking in, and changed our grill plates before we even had to ask. If you've done enough KBBQ, you know how rare that is.
Now, the one thing keeping me from giving this a full 5 stars, no refillable sodas! They only had canned sodas, and you have to pay for each one. Most all-you-can-eat KBBQ spots either include/have fountain drinks or at least have a self-serve station for refills. I personally like a little bubbly pop to help cut through all the grilled meat goodness, so having to order (and pay) for every can felt a little off-putting. Not a dealbreaker, just something to note!
And yes, free vanilla ice cream at the end! Always a nice touch
Apparently Chung Dam has another location in LA, which makes sense because they've clearly got their blueprint down.
Overall, great food, excellent service, and a super family-friendly setup. We'll definitely be coming back (and probably bringing more people next time because this place deserves the hype). I'll just remember to bring my own sparkling water next time