Korean BBQ @ Austin Crest
Hello everyone,
I’m back with another episode of #eunicefoodie 😬
Was craving for Korean BBQ and remembered there was this Korean BBQ place at Austin Crest so we decided to go and try. (Anyway Austin Crest is like a new and upcoming area that my bf and I guess will become the next happening area in a few years time)
They have buffet & Ala carte but we decided to go for Ala carte as the buffet don’t mix pork and beef! Even with Ala carte orders, it comes with unlimited refills of side dishes that is self service.
There are indoor and outdoor seats, not sure why but we sat outdoors and immediately regretted 🤣 Since there’s no “exhaust system” outside, grilling the meat gets kinda smoky and when wind blows, the charcoal will fly up HAHAHA. So if you wanna come, I would recommend sitting inside.
Onto the food, out of everything we ordered, we liked the steam egg the best! Somehow the meat just didn’t taste as good, might be the quality / cut of the meat. Seafood pancake was a miss, there wasn’t much seafood and my bf did not like the batter. The white rice was not as nice as other KBBQs stores… Maybe we were too spoiled by Tanjong Pagar KBBQs that KBBQs anywhere else just don’t taste good to us 😩😩😩
Anyway… I doubt we will come back again. The entire bill came up to RM186. With this pricing, I would rather go to the Palsaik where the meat is of better quality and the staffs will cook the meat for you. Oh and the price is similar too.
If anyone of you have any great Korean BBQ place to recommend in JB please let me know 🥺
Love,
Eunice
If you're planning to visit Saemaeul BBQ at Austin Crest, it's helpful to know some insider tips to make your meal more enjoyable. First, the indoor seating is highly recommended due to the smoky outdoor atmosphere caused by the lack of an exhaust system. Sitting inside means you can savor the aromas without the discomfort of smoke or flying charcoal. One interesting aspect of the Ala carte option is the unlimited refill self-service side dish bar, which includes staples like kimchi, various pickled vegetables, and fresh greens. This element adds great value and variety to your meal, allowing you to mix and match flavors with your grilled meats. Pricing-wise, Saemaeul BBQ offers competitive rates with sets starting around RM 69 for 100 minutes dining. However, quality varies, especially in the cuts of meat offered. If you’re a meat purist like me, consider ordering a few signature dishes such as the Dak Galbi or the Gochujang Pork Belly, which tend to be highlights. For those who prefer seafood options, the seafood pancake might not be the best choice here, but the bibimbap and kimchi pancake sometimes receive mixed reviews. Another plus is their clear business hours and no-smoking policy inside, ensuring a comfortable dining atmosphere free from smoke hazards. Lastly, if you enjoy Korean BBQ experiences where the staff assists with cooking, places like Palsaik might be worth checking out despite similar pricing. But for a casual, self-grill adventure with good side options in a growing district, Saemaeul BBQ at Austin Crest is worth a visit. Hope this helps fellow JB foodies looking for honest insights into Korean BBQ spots in the area!