MetLA

Kyle and his classmates at Art Center have a tradition: a big Korean BBQ dinner on the last night of the semester. So last Friday we headed over to Manna in Koreatown (3377 W. Olympic Blvd.) for unlimited meat. There were about 25 of us, mostly Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Malaysian students plus Kyle, his classmate Christian, and myself as the token whities. We had to wait about an hour for a table, but that was fine because the Coor’s Lights were ice cold and we got a chance to hang out. Because once you get to the table, it’s all about eating till you’re sick. You sit at a long table with barbeques on either side. The table is full of side plates – kimchee, salad, broccoli, mushrooms, pickled veggies, sauces, etc. But the real fun starts when the waiter plunks down several giant platters of meat. Then, a designated grill master at the table starts throwing the meat on the grill. This is about when I realized 2 things: I’m in for a big meal, and I’m going to smell like smoke through and through. The beef is the Chadolbaki – thin strips that resemble bacon when cooked, Bulgogi – thicker strips that are less tasty, and your basic beef chunks. My favorite is the Chadolbaeki wrapped in a noodle wrap and dunked in the salty, oil based sauce. There was also a brown, soy based sauce that Kyle really liked. Cut to 1 hour later – we’re still stuffing ourselves with meat and every time we get to the bottom of a platter they switch it out with a new one. I’m not sure exactly how much beef we all put away – 5 pounds? 10? I certainly waddled out of that place smelling like heavy smoke and totally satisfied. And at $14.99 per person (plus booze), it’s a bargain in this town!