I recently came back from eating Korean BBQ with some of my friends, those of which are not Korean (or even Asian) and it struck me how different eating at a Korean BBQ place is depending on if they are Korean or not. Here are the top ten differences I see when eating out at a Korean BBQ place with my Korean and non-Korean friends:

1. Koreans ONLY order 2-4 cuts of meat. Non-Koreans order a variety of meats and main dishes.

(Koreans)

(non-Koreans)

Koreans will likely order samgyupsal (pork belly), Moksal (pork neck/shoulder), if you're adventurous: Gopchang (pork intestines), or Chadol (beef brisket). Non-Koreans will likely get a host of different meats and throw them on the grill until they cook.

2. This is not called "Foot Soup"

Dwenjang Chigae (fermented soybean soup)

This is something my friend says in jest. He calls it "foot soup" (which he loves), but I doubt non-Koreans know the name of this soup. It is called Dwenjang (fremented soybean) Chigae (stew). Koreans like to eat this soup with fatty meat to cleanse their pallets. It is a delicious soup that is filled with vegetables, pork, seafood, garlics, onions, and fermented soybeans.

3. Koreans will work the air vents

If it is a "real" Korean BBQ place, it will have these type of vents. Most Koreans will work the vent toward the smoke to fight the cloudiness of the meat fumes. Often times they will be attached to an accordian-like pipe that can be used to move and position the exhaust toward the smoke.

Tip: Some Korean BBQ places have seats in which you can "pop-off" the cushion to unveil a storage area for your coats or jackets as the smoke can cling on to your clothes afterwards.

4. Non-Koreans will dump all of the garlic on the grill

5. Koreans will put their chopsticks on top of their bowl/plate.

The reason Koreans do this is because the food end of the chopsticks should never touch the table. Whether cultural ,or for sanitary reasons, Koreans like to keep things clean when eating with chopsticks.

6. Speaking of chopsticks, there is a correct way of using chopsticks.

Correct way

Wrong way

Believe it or not I've seen people use it the second way before, it was a Korean person actually ;)

7. Koreans will rarely eat at a place with no call button

This little magic device should be in all restaurants. Just my opinion.

8. Koreans probably won't go to the "trendy" BBQ places.

(probably not)

(Now that's more like it)

9. Koreans always drink when eating Korean BBQ

(Yup, not even Anthony Bourdain could get away from the drinking.)

10. And when we have had enough Alcohol, we order more drinks.

(not me)

It's no secret that Koreans like to drink. No need for AA, it's all part of the culture.

Disclaimer: This was just a fun "top ten" but whether you go out with Koreans, or non-Koreans, the real tip here is to have fun, and make sure your have an Uber if you're drinking lots of Soju!

Recommendations (if you're in LA): I would say avoid a place called "Man-Na". In Korean it means "meeting place". The problem is that too many people are meeting at this restaurant and has been too "trendy". Koreans tend to avoid that place because of its popularity with the mainstream.

I would recommend [Kang Ho Dong Baek Jeom] (https://www.yelp.com/biz/kang-ho-dong-baekjeong-los-angeles-2) in K-town. It's popularity is exploding because it is a big franchise in Seoul, Korea that has been brought over to the US and is popular among young Koreans.

The highlight is the specially-made grill that collects the meat drippings into the sides (eggs, kimchi, etc).

Makes my mouth water just thinking of it.