Bakehouse Garden Korean BBQ

By Franz Scheurer

Bakehouse Garden Korean BBQ is one of the restaurants in the renovated factory complex that used to be the home of Arnott’s Biscuits. This is a fantastic redevelopment and the architects and developers ought to be congratulated.

Occupying a ground-floor corner position, this is a large but warm restaurant where every table has its own BBQ facility. The service staff is on the ball and communicate admirably to ensure that non-Koreans (and there are not many) understand the intricacies of the menu and exactly what’s available.

Note: this is not just a BBQ place!

We enjoyed ‘Dubujeon’ (Pan fired tofu), ‘Goonmandu’ (Pan fried crispy dumplings), ‘Mulmandu’ (Steamed dumplings), ‘Dak – gangjeong’ (Glazed, fried chicken) and lots of ‘Kimchi’ (Preserved, hot cabbage), fermented soybean paste, soy and chillies.

Next we had ‘Bibim – naengmyeon’ (Buckwheat noodles mixed in a spicy sauce & vegetables) and ‘Budae – jiigae’ an outstanding hotpot with spicy sausages, vegetables, and noodles in a fabulous, hot and spicy broth.

Then, with little ceremony, they brought the hot coals and emptied them into the two BBQs at our tables. A selection of meats followed: ‘Bulgogi’ (marinated beef), ‘Saeng – samgyeopsal’ (thick strips of pork belly), ‘Dak – jumulleok’ (Marinated chicken strips), ‘Nakji’ (Baby octopus) and ‘So – galbi’ (Marinated beef rib meat, already taken off the bone). This was accompanied by more pickles and a couple of plates of garlic cloves. They loaded the BBQ for us and it was then up to us to decide how we cooked it and restacked it. Fabulous flavours and fabulous fun!

Bakehouse Garden has a good selection of Korean fruit wines and different sake. Two Korean beers (and some local) add to the list and probably work best with the food.

This is a terrific restaurant. It is obviously very popular amongst the local Koreans and that in itself is a recommendation. I’d go back anytime… with a big group so I can try as many dishes as possible.

Score: 6.5/10

For more information or bookings:

Bakehouse Garden Korean BBQ

Shop 4

9 – 11 George Street

North Strathfield

Tel.: 02 8746 0299