If you
haven't partaken in the joy of a Korean BBQ experience, you need to put this
high on your culinary to-do list and an excellent place to start is SsamJang
Korean BBQ located
at Cumberland Mall. Korean BBQ combines
the thrill of hibachi with the satisfaction of DIY grilling on built-in cookers
right at your private table. Named for
the beloved Korean condiment, ssamjang (it's basically the Korean Heinz
ketchup), this 4,700 square foot Korean-owned restaurant helmed by a
husband-and-wife duo of Amy and Tony Bae combines plenty of modern touches with
traditional Korean barbecue. The meal starts with a bevy of small complimentary
dishes called banchan laid out as snacks and palate cleansers. Then, as your table's grill is heating up,
comes the main event: the proteins.
Many Korean BBQ candidly do not feature the highest quality meats, but SsamJang
emphasizes exceptional quality including strips of wagyu beef, briskey, ribeye,
bulgogi (marinated beef sirloin or tenderloin) and galbi (marinated beef short
ribs) plus a number of seafood options including lobster tail. Then you are your own grill master or the
staff is happy to guild the process. I
have done a lot Korean BBQ and one of my biggest pet peeves is that you leave
the restaurant smelling like a bag of charcoal.
But at SsamJang, every table comes with a built-in Cookzen electric
roasters. These revolutionary ceramic grills actually use AI in their
temperature plus have state-of-the-art smoke filtration, so you get perfectly
seared meats and just about zero smoke or odor. If you enjoy grilling and are willing to
expand your palate, SsamJang is a great introduction to this incredible
cuisine.
