We sizzle our way through 789 Korean BBQ Darling Square and try items like wagyu short ribs, puffy bulgogi pancakes, cheesy corn and spicy pork. Find out what is a must order!
Firstly, I just wanted to say that I am heartbroken by the events in Bondi. I am sending my sincere condolences and strength to everyone impacted. Thinking of the victims, their families and the wider community at this awful time. For people to be targeted during a special spiritual time is just abhorrent.
We cannot use this to push Antisemitism, Islamaphobia, xenophobia or anti immigration agendas.
Much love,
Lorraine x
Girl Next Door and I arrive at 789 Korean BBQ just after 6:30pm on a Wednesday night. The popular Korean BBQ chain has branches all over Sydney but the Darling Square branch is the only one that doesn't take bookings. We were a bit worried we would have to wait but luckily there are some tables free and we slide into a booth.
The menu here is accessed via QR code we make our selections carefully - the banchan hits the table only serves to distract my hungry self and we agree to share one wagyu, one pork and a couple of other dishes.
The banchan is made up of spicy fish cake strips, pickled daikon, seaweed salad and the sweetest candy-like white sweet potato. They also set down bowls of spicy Pajeori or spring onion, mushrooms for grilling and lettuce leaves for wrapping.
The meat comes out within minutes and we start cooking. We add the wagyu short rib slices to the centre of the grill and these cook up in no time. The wagyu is charred perfection and benefits from the extra cooking time to render the fat. We cut the pieces up and move these to the outside of the grill. It's not a huge portion but it's a good size for 2 people.
There's chicken as well as pork but we got for the chilli pork belly. It's a touch difficult to tell when it is cooked through because of the sauce and the cut so you do have to char the edges but this is so tasty especially with the rice from the lunchbox.
That brings me to the lunchbox. I remember seeing the lunchboxes the contestants were given in Squid Game and this is similar to that with a bed of steamed white rice, shredded nori, kim chi and fish cake, a slice of grilled SPAM, a fried egg and these glossy black beans that have quite a firm texture to them. I could see this as a tasty lunchtime option.
"Is this going to be just tinned corn and cheese?" asks Girl Next Door and I nod enthusiastically. I love Korean corn cheese for its tasty simplicity. They originally placed it for us on the side of the grill but that didn't really cook it so we move it to the centre where it boils and bubbles and we get some lovely cheese strings with the juicy corn. I particularly like this with the rice and chilli pork.
We often see seafood and kimchi pancakes on the menu but Girl Next Door suggested that we try the bulgogi pancake and its a good decision. The pancake looks to be made with a rice flour mixture and isn't a thin, spread out pancake or fritter. Instead it is puffy and soft and filled in the centre with a beef bulgogi filling. The bulgogi is quite sweet but I enjoy it dipped in the chilli dipping sauce.
All tables also receive the steamed egg soup that comes out bubbling and hot. The egg is super light like a souffle and it's tasty although we have a lot on our table that garners our attention.
There's no dessert on the menu so we head nearby to a dessert place!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you like Korean BBQ? What is your favourite BBQ meat?
789 Korean BBQ
Shop 4/35 Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket NSW 2000
Open 7 days 12-9:30pm (10:30pm Friday and Saturday)
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