If you’re a fan of Korean BBQ, you’ve probably spent your fair share of time grilling marinated pork belly or beef short ribs both for yourself and those seated at your table. There’s nothing remotely boring about K-BBQ flavours, but what if we told you there’s a new, exciting player in town, and they’re all about the bird? Enter Palgaeook, a fairly new gem in Desa Sri Hartamas that’s flipping the script on traditional Korean BBQ with their irresistible chicken-only K-BBQ joint.
Opened just a few months ago, Palgaeook has already become one of the top local favourites for chicken Korean BBQ, earning rave reviews from countless food influencers and customers alike. Forget the usual pork and beef—right on their storefront, Palgaeook proudly claims the title of ‘Korean Chicken BBQ Specialists.’
Whether you’re a die-hard chicken lover or just looking to try something new, Palgaeook is quickly stealing the spotlight as one of KL’s top contenders for a delicious and unforgettable K-BBQ experience. So, why settle for the same old, when chicken is the new pork?
Oppa run K-BBQ joint
You can tell it’s the real deal when a Korean-owned restaurant has Koreans dining there. Run and owned by Mr. Park, a young Korean entrepreneur, this K-BBQ spot opened its doors in May this year and quickly became a hit in our very own K-Town. Fun fact: the chef is also Korean!
Specialising in charcoal-grilled chicken, Palgaeook is the perfect spot for anyone craving authentic Korean BBQ with a twist.
They leave pork and beef in the dust, focusing instead on showcasing the juicy, smoky goodness of chicken cooked on an iron grill placed above a bed of hot coals. To take things a step further, they use a subtle mix of coconut charcoal and high-grade charcoal, ensuring a less ashy outcome with controlled smokiness and a cleaner burn.
Not only do they offer a chicken-only menu, but they also have chicken-based dishes utilising eight different parts of the chicken, served in unique ways that you may not have tried before. All the chicken comes from Halal-certified suppliers too.
The sauces used as marinades and dips—also known as the three jangs of Korean cuisine: gochujang (fermented chilli paste), ganjang (soy sauce), and doenjang (fermented soybean paste)—are sourced directly from South Korea. Just imagine succulent chicken thighs, well-marinated in Korean imported jang, with spices and herbs mixed in, resulting in tender, flavourful meat. Bet you’re already drooling!
Palgaeook is the kind of place where you can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere, authentic Korean flavours, and, of course, some seriously delicious chicken K-BBQ.
We learnt that their side dishes and sauces are bottomless, which really encouraged us to work up an appetite. With growling stomachs, we went all out and tried a range of their chicken K-BBQ.
MFT’s Review
Our personal favourite was the Chicken Dakgalbi (RM33 for 300g). The dakgalbi chicken is marinated in their special in-house-made sweet and spicy sauce that strikes a really nice savoury balance with a bit of heat. This chicken was tender, juicy, and tasted really good when paired with the grilled corn.
What made it stand out was the bold, flavorful sauce that clings to every piece of chicken, giving each bite a satisfying kick. You know chicken is well-marinated when the flavours hit you like a truck.
Next, we decided to try their Spicy Boneless Chicken Neck (RM35 for 180g), a dish we had never tried before and honestly never thought we would! Most people tend to avoid chicken necks because of the bones, but when it’s served boneless, there’s nothing really stopping you is there?
It turned out to be unexpectedly good and we were surprised to learn that it is actually one of their bestsellers. The texture is pretty chewy, almost like a denser version of chewing gum. Following the owner’s recommendation, we dipped it in a bit of salt (you could also do melted cheese), and the flavours really came alive.
The texture was surprisingly smooth, and without the bones, it made for an easy and enjoyable bite. It’s a dish that might sound unusual at first, but once you dig in, it’s hard not to appreciate the unique flavours and the chewiness of the chicken neck meat.
Another dish that made us gasp in delight was the Chicken Wing Shrimp Dumpling (RM30 for 3pcs). We’d never seen anything like it before—juicy shrimp and glass noodles stuffed inside chicken wings. Cool, huh? It’s as unique and delicious as it sounds and definitely a must-order.
Chicken K-BBQ specialists for real?
For us, Palgaeook has truly redefined the Korean BBQ experience with its bold focus on chicken. While the prices are slightly on the higher side, the quality, cuts of chicken, and authentic flavours make it well worth the splurge.
Taste-wise, it really did blow our minds that chicken K-BBQ could be this good. So, chicken lovers, if you’re looking to try something new, you know where to go next. And for the rest, try it anyways, chicken is the new pork, after all.
Palgaeook
Address: 42-G, Jalan 27/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday, Sunday 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm | Closed on Wednesdays | Friday and Saturday 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12am
Halal Status: Pork-free
Contact: 014-6501203
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