All-you-can-eat (AYCE) Korean barbecue restaurants have become increasingly popular in recent years. As the name suggests, these restaurants offer unlimited servings of grilled meat and side dishes for a fixed price.
A Brief History of Korean BBQ
Korean barbecue has its origins in the traditional Korean preparation called gui. Gui involves grilling meat or vegetables over a charcoal fire. This style of cooking was historically done at home and reserved for special occasions.
Restaurants specializing in gui started appearing in South Korea in the 1940s and 1950s. The restaurants were originally targeted towards wealthy businessmen who viewed the grilled meats as a luxury item. Over time, Korean barbecue became more accessible and affordable.
The first Korean barbecue restaurants in the US opened in Los Angeles in the 1970s. These early restaurants catered specifically to Korean immigrants. The all-you-can-eat, cook-it-yourself concept emerged in the 1990s, popularizing Korean barbecue with mainstream American diners.
What to Expect at an AYCE Korean BBQ Restaurant
Self-Cooking at the Table
The signature feature of AYCE Korean barbecue is that diners cook their own meats at gas or charcoal grills built right into the dining tables. The grill usually includes a dome-shaped hood to trap in heat and smoke. Customers cook a variety of thinly sliced beef, pork, chicken, and seafood to their desired doneness.
Unlimited Servings
The essential appeal of the AYCE model is that customers can eat unlimited amounts of grilled meats during their visit. The fixed price means you can keep ordering more meat until you’re completely full. Some higher-end restaurants do limit diners to 90 or 120 minutes.
Banchan Side Dishes
No Korean meal is complete without banchan – small side dishes that accompany the main course. AYCE Korean BBQ places typically provide kimchi (fermented cabbage), japchae noodles, potato or macaroni salad, and other traditional banchan to complement the grilled meat. The banchan dishes are unlimited just like the meats.
Other Menu Offerings
Beyond grill-ready meats and banchan, AYCE Korean BBQ menus often include appetizers like Korean fried chicken, soups and stews like budae jjigae or kimchi jjigae, and desserts like sweet rice cakes. Some locations serve sushi as well. Rice and lettuce wraps for assembling ssam are generally included too.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of an AYCE Korean BBQ Experience
Come Hungry!
It’s essential to arrive with an empty stomach to get your money’s worth. Pace yourself and take breaks between rounds of grilling. Don’t overload the grill with too much meat at once.
Mind the Temperature
Regulate the grill’s temperature so meats cook thoroughly without burning or drying out. Keep prepped ingredients like kimchi and sauces on ice to prevent spoiling.
Use Lettuce Wraps
Grilled meat is customarily wrapped in lettuce leaves with rice, kimchi, sauces, and other fillings to make ssam. The lettuce cups add flavor and moisture.
Try Unfamiliar Cuts
Branch out from familiar meats and try thinly sliced galbi ribs, bulgogi beef, or offal like pig intestines for authenticity.
Bring Friends!
AYCE Korean BBQ is highly social, best enjoyed with a group so you can sample more menu items. Turn grilling at the table into a lively, interactive experience.
Pace the Banchan
Banchan tastes best when freshly served. Resist overfilling on the free sides so new ones continue coming out while you grill.
Leave Room for Dessert
Sweet rice cakes, shaved ice, or fruit conclude the meal nicely. You’ll waddle out pleasantly stuffed from this epic feast.
What is AYCE Korean BBQ? – FAQs
What does AYCE stand for?
AYCE stands for “All You Can Eat.” This refers to the unlimited servings of meat and side dishes at these restaurants.
What meats are usually offered?
Popular grilled meats include marinated bulgogi beef, galbi ribs, spicy pork belly, chicken, and shrimp. Higher-end places may offer wagyu beef and seafood.
Is AYCE Korean BBQ expensive?
Prices range widely but expect to pay $25-$50 per person, sometimes more at deluxe restaurants with waygu beef options. Still an excellent value given the amounts of quality meat consumed.
Do you have to know how to cook the meat?
The friendly staff will gladly provide instructions if you’re unfamiliar. Cooking the meats yourself at the table is half the fun!
Can you take home leftovers?
No, because it’s an unlimited buffet, you cannot take food home. Come hungry and eat your fill!
Do you have to be Korean to enjoy it?
Absolutely not. AYCE Korean BBQ has mass appeal. Anyone who loves grilled meat, sharing plates, and trying new flavors will have a fantastic experience.
Is it just meat or are there vegetarian options?
Meats are the star attraction but the banchan sides, appetizers, soups, and noodles offer plenty of veggie-friendly foods. Be sure to ask about non-meat menu choices.
The Allure of AYCE Korean Barbecue
The hands-on grilling, bountiful banchan, and community-centric vibe of Korean barbecue restaurants lend themselves perfectly to the all-you-can-eat format. Diners are immersed in an interactive dining experience where they can sample a variety of flavors and bond over delicious food straight from the grill.
AYCE Korean BBQ offers great value by combining volume with quality. Customers can expand their palates by trying dishes they might normally never order off an a la carte menu. The only limit is your appetite and time!
So gather your closest friends and work up an appetite. AYCE Korean barbecue makes for an indulgent, meat-filled feast you won’t soon forget. Just be sure to come hungry and pace yourself. One trip through this sizzling, smoky buffet line is never enough!