KEN HUNTS FOOD: Sae Ma Eul BBQ Korean Restaurant @ Automall, Georgetown, Penang.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Sae Ma Eul BBQ Korean Restaurant @ Automall, Georgetown, Penang.

Sae Ma Eul, a longtime Korean barbecue joint (well-established in Klang Valley) expanded to Penang recently and we figured out at least a trio of reasons for that: quality, authenticity and a good selection of not only meat but Korean delights (such as cold noodles, Kimchi stew, Korean Pancake etc) as well. The new Penang branch can be found on 1st floor of Automall (at Karpal Singh Drive) but don't be put off by the location. Though not air-conditioned, it provides an outdoorsy ambiance with good ventilation (sea breeze if you are lucky); exactly like those barbecue joints by the roadside in South Korea. The setting is casual, modern and clean; Sae Ma Eul uses charcoal to fuel and cook the meat but fret not for the divas, the helpful service staff are forever ready to assist. The alcoholics might be glad to know that the Korean BBQ place offers "Hite" Beer and Korean Soju; otherwise, the complementary unlimited refills of water would mercilessly effective at washing away the accumulating heat.

Grilled Cheese (Rm 13)

Grilled Baby Octopus Sutbul (Rm 32)

Grilled Chicken with Spicy Sauce (Rm 29)

Dosirak Lunch Box (Rm 13)

While the indecisive could go for the Value Sets, we'd prefer to handpick our own orders. We had both Chicken and Octopus; the former one comes with two Chicken Thighs and the latter one comes with a few pieces of Octopus. Minimum order of two types of meat is required for the barbecue. Though prices may seem on the higher side, we thought it was reasonable considering the services, fuel and anything relevant that comes into package. The marination was spot on and the flavors were expertly tuned. We also had an add-on "Grilled Cheese", grated Mozzarella was left on the stove until melted. We enjoyed our cut of meat with generous strings of Cheese as well as wrapping the meat with raw Garlic and Kimchi.

The Dosirak Lunch Box was made famous by "Winter Sonata", a famous Korean drama debuted few years ago. The Kimchi rice mix (with Seaweed, Sunny Side Up) served in a tin box is one of the most economical ways for office workers. The fun here was to shake and mix all the ingredients, especially so to ensure all Gochujang sauce was able to blend well with the other ingredients. It was a simple but good option to fill up our tummies; even better if they could be more generous with the Gochujang sauce.