9/10
My daughter and I had the pleasure of enjoying a traditional Korean BBQ dinner at Ssambap, Stony Brook, New York. The restaurant decor is the definition of fusion. Traditional wood moldings trimming out LCD illuminated shogi screens are the main attraction. There is a modest size bar that seems more functional than a place to actually relax with friends.
When a restaurant says that they have Korean BBQ, they could mean that they have the in-table hibachis so you can BBQ your own meal, or they could mean that they prepare the BBQ in the back and serve it to you. It is very important to ask this question ahead of time, before arriving and being disappointed. Ssambap offers both styles.
Banchan (small appetizer plates, served prior and along side the main course) are complimentary. Think the Korean version of the bread basket. Keep this in mind when ordering, as you can quickly fill up on the banchan. The tasting experience you should enjoy, will consist of very hot flavors, like traditional kimchi (pickled and peppered cabbage, cucumbers or any other vegetable) to sweet daicon radish. There should be an equal number of spicy and sweet flavors to heat and cool your mouth. These were well balanced, exactly as they should be.
For the main course we devoured the bulgoki (marinated steak, usually london broil, at Ssambap it was made with prime rib-eye) and kalbi (marinated short ribs, this was also made with prime beef). These two meats are your guaranteed wins when trying Korean BBQ for the first time. At Ssambap they were very good.
We also, sampled a strawberry bubble tea, a taro bubble tea, and beef negamaki. The strawberry was a little too much like nestle quik for my taste. The taro was perfect with a nice nuttiness. The beef negamaki was probably the best I have ever had. Usually I am racing for a piece of floss after I eat this dish. The version at Ssambap literally melts in your mouth.
I hope this article encourages you to try Korean BBQ, 4/5 hearts to Ssambap, the only place to go in Suffolk County, NY for Korean BBQ (literally). The only thing they are missing is a G+ Page.
See you on my adventure NEXT WEEK when I review Robert’s Steakhouse of New York (ironically in Atlantic City) & Trump Taj Mahal.
Ssambap: http://ssambapbbq.com/
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