Evan D.
Yelp
You ever go to dinner and end up questioning your own cooking skills? That's what happened to me at MOA Korean BBQ in Uptown. One bite of their charcoal-grilled meat and I realized my home grill exists purely for decoration.
This was a hosted meal, but my opinions (and appetite) are very much my own. Parking in Uptown can feel like a game of "Where's Waldo," but MOA makes it easier. They validate parking for two hours on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 5pm. That's enough time to grill, chill, and waddle out satisfied.
When you walk in, you'll notice the place has serious drama. Think moody lighting, plush blue chairs, and a steak locker that looks like something out of Jurassic Park, only instead of fossils, it's filled with glorious racks of dry-aged beef. The manager, Andrew, guided us through the entire meal like a KBBQ sommelier. He explained the cuts, showed us how to cook everything, and made sure no one burned a single piece of Wagyu. A true hero.
The setup makes it perfect for an interactive date night. You can either show off your grilling skills or pretend to be chill while the staff does it for you. Either way, everyone wins.
Our table of three included one vegetarian, and I was impressed with how many options there were. The banchan (small Korean side dishes) covered all the bases, from crisp cucumber salad and sesame broccoli to sweet marinated sprouts and a tangy green onion salad. They even had vegetarian Japchae (glass noodles with veggies) that turned out to be one of my favorites of the night.
We started strong with the Sutbul Galbi, grilled over charcoal in the kitchen. It was sweet, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, easily my top pick. The Tomahawk Steak, also cooked over charcoal, made a grand entrance and was carved tableside like a meaty performance art piece. Perfectly medium rare, juicy, and impossible not to photograph.
At the table grill, we worked through an all-star lineup:
* Marinated Chuck Flap, rich, buttery, and full of flavor.
* Wagyu Brisket, thin delicate slices that cooked in seconds and practically dissolved on contact.
* Pork Belly, crisp edges, tender center, and that irresistible sizzle soundtrack.
* Chicken Bulgogi, moist marinated thighs that were delish.
And of course, no KBBQ experience is complete without Corn Cheese, that bubbling mix of sweet corn and melted mozzarella that's basically Korean comfort food in a skillet. We also tried the Crispy Cauliflower tossed in a gochujang glaze, like Korean orange chicken's cooler vegetarian cousin, and the Dakkangjeong, a sweet and sticky version of fried chicken that I could've eaten by the bucket. The Mandu (fried dumplings) looked great too, but I forgot to take one. My tablemates enjoyed them while I sat there in dumpling regret.
To wrap things up, we had the Basque Cheesecake with blueberry compote. It was creamy and rich, though I wish it had more of that signature burnt top Basque cheesecakes are known for. This one leaned more New York style, but still delicious.
One of my friends ordered the Smoke Signal cocktail, a Lavender Mezcal Paloma from their seasonal drink menu, and swore it was great. They rotate the cocktail menu every so often, which will make you want to come back just to see what's new (okay, and for more galbi).
MOA Korean BBQ nailed that fine line between upscale and approachable. Whether you're on a date, celebrating with friends, or just looking to eat your weight in marinated meat, this place delivers.
And if you're like me and prefer your steak cooked for you while you watch in admiration, don't worry, they've got you covered.
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