Mouthwatering East Asian Food

Sit and eat? Or sit, cook and eat?

KBBQ... Just thinking about it makes my mouth do a happy dance. It's one of the most popular Asian cuisines.

By Jessica Mathiasz

How do you typically eat at a restaurant? You sit down, check the menu, you order, the food is cooked and brought to your table and you gobble it down. Sounds a bit boring, don’t you think? How about you sit down, order and you get to cook your meals, grill meat and watch a chef put on a culinary show right in front of you? Sounds entertaining right?

That’s exactly what you can experience with Korean BBQ, Chinese hot pot and Japanese teppanyaki.

Korean BBQ

Oh, KBBQ... Just thinking about it makes my mouth do a happy dance. It's one of the most popular Asian cuisines for a reason. You NEED to try this at least once in your lifetime. (Try it once and let us know if you are not hooked.) If you want a small guide on how to eat KBBQ read on to find out at the end.

Han Gook Gwan

Han Gook Gwan is an authentic Korean restaurant that has a wide range of Korean dishes. They are arguably the best place for Korean BBQ in Sri Lanka (in my opinion). If it’s your first time you can’t go wrong with Marinated BBQ meat or the Three-Ply meat of pork. The restaurant typically offers a variety of side dishes and salad leaves to complement your KBBQ meal. Banchan - A selection of small dishes served alongside your main course. These can include kimchi, pickled vegetables, bean sprouts, and other Korean delicacies.

Salad leaves - Fresh and crisp lettuce leaves are often provided for wrapping your grilled meat. This is a popular way to enjoy KBBQ in Korean culture.

KBBQ at Han Gook Gwan will cost about LKR 5000+ per person but you will be full and extremely satisfied with the amount you paid for the delicious food AND the experience. (Tip - Go with a friend group so that the per-person cost is less) Other dishes apart from KBBQ you can try are Bibimbap, Tteokbokki and Jajangmyeon. Han Gook Gwan also has a section where Korean groceries are available for sale.

Japanese Teppanyaki

The theatrics of Teppanyaki are a sight to behold. It is a Japanese culinary experience that offers more than just a meal. It's a performance where skilled chefs cook meat, seafood, and vegetables right before your eyes on a hot plate. They juggle knives, toss food in the air, and perform a few culinary tricks that keep you entertained while you enjoy the delicious food.

Ginza Hohsen

Ginza Hohsen, a renowned Japanese restaurant in Sri Lanka, offers an unforgettable teppanyaki experience. Their teppanyaki menu features a variety of courses to satisfy any palate. Each teppan course includes a salad, main teppan grill (meat), rice, miso soup, and dessert. Choose from lamb chops, Australian sirloin, fancy lobster and many other meats. The teppan courses start at LKR 12,000 and each course serves two people generously. Even though this is on the expensive side, the experience is truly worth it.

Chinese Hot Pot

There’s eating out and then there’s HOT POT… It is one of those experiences you should tick off the list of things you should do in your lifetime. Hot Pot comes from Chinese culture and is a dining experience where you cook your ingredients in a simmering broth at the table. You get to choose from a variety of broths and then add your favorite ingredients like meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles. It's a really fun way to socialize and enjoy a hearty meal with friends.

A unique and visually striking variation is the Yin and Yang Pot. This type of hot pot features a divided pot, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang.

One side is typically filled with a spicy broth, representing Yang, while the other side contains a milder broth, representing Yin.

MJH Hot Pot

If you want this Yin and Yang hot pot experience, one place I know that offers it in Sri Lanka is MJH Hot Pot. This spot is a total hot pot haven, with a ton of flavourful broths and fresh ingredients to choose from. Whether you like it spicy or mild, there's a broth for everyone here and the selection of meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles is great too. The atmosphere is chill and the staff is super friendly. The price per person is about LKR 5000 depending on what you order and how many are sharing it. Go with 4 or 5 of your friends and it’ll be one of the best food experiences you’ll have.

If you are interested in trying these experiences but are a bit reluctant cause you don't know how it works, don't worry we got you.

How to eat Korean BBQ

Here’s a small guide on how to eat KBBQ.

• Choose your meat - KBBQ offers a variety of meats, from beef and pork to chicken and seafood.
• Grill it yourself - Use the grill at your table to cook your meat to your desired doneness.
• Dip in sauces - Enjoy your meat with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ssamjang, gochujang, and sesame oil.
• Wrap it up - For a classic Korean experience, wrap your meat in lettuce leaves with ssamjang (sauce) and other toppings (side dishes like kimchi, pickled veggies, etc.)

The small button on the table at Korean BBQ places is a lifesaver. It's usually located near your grill and is often labeled; (hochul). You can press it to call a staff member for assistance.

That's it! Enjoy your KBBQ adventure.

How to eat Chinese Hot Pot

If you’re not sure how to navigate the world of hot pot… don't worry, most restaurants are happy to help, but here's a brief guide to get you started.

• Choose your base broth - Select your preferred broth from options like spicy Sichuan, mild mushroom, or chicken.
• Grab the ingredients - Choose from a variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles to add to your pot.
• Cook the ingredients - For the best flavour and texture, it's recommended to cook your hot pot ingredients as you go, ensuring they are piping hot when you eat them. Use chopsticks or a skimmer to cook.
• Dipping sauce - Enjoy your cooked ingredients with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sesame oil, soy sauce, or chillie oil.
• Don’t overload your hot pot - To avoid overcrowding your hot pot and making it difficult to find your ingredients, try to limit the amount your group adds at once.