Korean food is one of the most popular cuisines in Nepal right now. It has been for a while, thanks to K-pop and K-dramas. People want to sample a piece of Korean culture through their food or indulge in what they see their favorite stars eat on television. Though it’s mostly youths who visit various Korean establishments, restaurateurs say that they regularly bring in their parents and relatives too. This week, we decided to try out the Korean BBQ Restaurant in Ekantakuna, Lalitpur, a relatively new place in an area that’s burgeoning with restaurants serving all types of cuisines, from Chinese to Turkish. It looks bright and beckoning, making you want to take some time and step right in when you are in the area. Spread across two floors, with ample space, Korean BBQ Restaurant can also be the perfect spot for a large gathering. Upon arrival, you are welcomed with Korean tea. It’s complementary, and you can choose to have it before or after your meal. The menu has a lot and can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you are new to Korean cuisine. But there are small explanations of what goes into each dish, making the process of ordering food a little simpler. You can also ask the staff and they will explain it quite well.

We recommend the Budae Jjigae. It’s made with a variety of ingredients such as sliced meat (usually pork), seafood, ramen noodles, green onions, mushrooms, and kimchi, and it’s all served together in a large pot. The dish is traditionally shared among a group of people because you can’t have a lot of it at once so make sure you inquire about the portion size before you place the order. The dish is savory, spicy, and an absolute delight.

The Kimbap here is also really good. Cooked rice, meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables are rolled together in a sheet of dried seaweed (gim). The rolls are then cut into bite-sized pieces and can be eaten as is, or with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. It’s healthy, light, and the portion they serve at Korean BBQ Restaurant is just right for one. You can also try Korean BBQ for the main course. One of the main attractions of Korean cuisine is the experience of cooking your food or grilling the meat at your table. By ordering this dish, you can do that. Table-top cooking is a common practice of serving and eating in Korean cuisine. Mostly it involves grilling thin slices of marinated meat, at the table on a gas or charcoal grill. For the Korean BBQ, the meat is marinated in advance in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and other seasonings. It’s accompanied by side dishes, such as kimchi, which is pickled or fermented vegetables, and a Korean sauce. Order this when you are at the restaurant with a group of people rather than just two people and it can be a really fun activity of sorts, kind of like a picnic. There are plenty of other dishes for you to try as well. We spoke to some of the regulars at the restaurant who vouched that you can’t go wrong with the food, no matter what you order. The ambience makes it ever better. The restaurant features a modern and minimalist design, with clean lines and a neutral color palette. The elements of traditional Korean architecture, such as curved roofs, sliding paper doors, and wooden stairs lend the place a Korean vibe, just like they show in one of those wildly popular K-dramas on Netflix. They also offer traditional Korean attire for both men and women. You can put one on and take a few pictures. There’s no extra charge for it. Though there are many equally good Korean eateries in the valley, we recommend you try Korean BBQ Restaurant when you’re in Lalitpur as it feels very authentic and nice. The food is prepared with utmost care and the servers are polite and friendly. It will definitely be an experience you are unlikely to forget. Korean BBQ Restaurant Ekantakuna, Lalitpur Opening hours: 11am – 10pm Meal for two: Rs 2,000 Online payment: Accepted Call: 01-5523334 Parking: Available