Check out this Korean spot in Sri Petaling where you only need to pay RM30 for freeflow pork BBQ

If you think about it, it’s amazing how quickly Korean restaurants have become part of Malaysian food culture. Just a few decades ago, you would be hard-pressed to find a Korean restaurant in your neighbourhood. Now, Korean food can be found in both food courts and shopping malls. If you happen to hanker for Korean food with affordable prices, then you must pay a visit to Don Dwae Ji Sam Gyeob Sal in Sri Petaling.

House of pork belly

A Korean barbecue buffet place, Don Dwae Ji’s name loosely translates to “Pork Belly”. As you might guess, this place specialises in barbecued pork. Instead of a kitchen barbecuing pork for you, slabs of raw or marinated meat are given to you and you are expected to grill them by yourself. While this may seem like a hassle, it does not change the fact that Don Dwae Ji can get crowded come the weekends.

Reasonable prices

Image Credit: David Chong on Google Review (Left), Kafe-Meguri Daisuki on Google Review (Right)

The restaurant has an inside and outside seating area. While the inside is air-conditioned, it does get a little smokey courtesy of the grills, which are provided to every table. Once seated, the staff will provide you with an endless flow of meat, vegetable and carb dishes. Don Dwae Ji operates on an “all-you-can-eat” concept, so feel free to top up at any point. And if you’re afraid of the final bill, be aware that the buffet is very affordable, priced at just RM29.90 per person! Kids below 130cm get to eat for RM17 per meal and anyone below 80cm eats for free.

Drinks and banchan

Image Credit: Shamaine HappyBee on Google Review (Left), Chua Joanne on Google Review (Right)

To start off your feast, take your pick of refreshments. Green tea is always available, but so is soju. Get ready to call a Grab driver. Like any good Korean restaurant, Don Dwae Ji is generous with its “banchan” or side dishes, with eight types available. Unsurprisingly, the highlight has to be the homemade kimchi, which has balanced sour, spicy and garlicky flavours. Also worth mentioning are the sweet sauce peanuts, stir-fried green beans and seasoned cucumber, all of which provide a good crunch.

Are you fond of radish? Then you have to try the pickled radish and the seasoned radish. You will probably like both, but one is clearly more addictive. Looking at you, pickles. The soft tofu in soy sauce might appeal to some taste buds, but the stir-fried potato is likely the best banchan Don Dwae Ji has. While not too crispy, it is quite similar to mashed potato taste-wise. If you want carbs aside from potato, order some ramyeon. It’s refillable.

Magnificent meat

Image Credit: Kafe-Meguri Daisuki on Google Review (Left), Carmen Lim on Google Review (Right)

No one comes to Don Dwae Ji just to eat banchan though. When it comes to meat, you have a choice of five types of protein. These are pork belly, pork shoulder loin, sausage, marinated pork and spicy marinated chicken. The cuts of meat are tasty and oozing with juice. The pork belly is probably the best of the lot, which can come out crispy and crunchy. The spicy chicken is also worth your time, best enjoyed wrapped in greens. The sausages could definitely be juicier though. In any case, as you have full control of the grill, you can char the meats for as much and as long as you want. Needless to say, the scent of cooked meat will leave you intoxicated.

Worth it?

Image Credit: Calvin Lok on Google Review (Left), Lyn on Google Review (Right)

Needless to say, eating at Don Dwae Ji is best done with family or friends. Eating here alone is fine. However, it’s just more fun and satisfying to banter with buddies as you press your meat onto the grill. So, the next time you are planning an outing, why not go out on a Korean BBQ night at Don Dwae Ji? Your friends, stomach and wallet will all thank you.