BBQ LAB Glen — Restaurant in Melbourne

With a clean and casual dining atmosphere, the promise of smoky meat over hot coals, and friendly, topnotch service, BBQ Lab is a gem in the Glen Waverley Korean BBQ scene. They're on a 20% off promo 'til end of August from Mondays to Thursdays, which my friends and I have taken full advantage of to sample different meats, and other food in their menu.

For 160g of marinated Wagyu, another 160g of Angus beef, and the biggest seafood pancake ever, $85 was a steal. Even at full price, a little over $100, with the 7 unlimited sides, the beautiful, fresh greens, marinated crab, and quality meats, this seems well worth the money compared to non-charcoal options. Meat over coals just tastes different, smokey and robust, and the red hot coals are a spectacle, with the grilling implements replaced as often as needed. I recommend a mix of marinated and non-marinated options to not overwhelm the palate, and to take full advantage of the condiments. The Wagyu scotch fillet and oyster blade, and Angus are all great options. Pork belly is of course a fan favourite, and paired with kimchi cooked over the grill, it's on another level of divine!

2 types of meat is plenty for 2 people, but I've pushed that to 3 with a hungrier friend. These orders will come with the sides, which you can replenish at the sides bar. Napkins, kitchen scissors and tongs are in a side drawer at the table. Rice, fried chicken, soup, seafood pancakes and other larger dishes are a separate order and in my mind not necessary unless you're nursing a big appetite.

In all, both visits have been flawless experiences. Staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive. You can choose to grill yourself or have them do it for you. For a new restaurant, it's an impressive operation, and seems frequented by families, groups of friends, and couples even on weekdays. I would readily visit a 3rd time...

BBQ Lab is hands down one of the best Korean BBQ spots I’ve been to! From the moment you enter, the sleek and modern vibe immediately catches your eye. The layout is spacious, yet intimate, with stylish grills built into each table. The restaurant manages to maintain a trendy, lab-like feel without losing the warmth that makes a dining experience memorable.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere is a perfect balance between casual and chic. With dim lighting and upbeat background music, it feels energetic but still relaxing. You can hear the gentle sizzling of meats on the grill, which adds to the anticipation of what’s to come. It’s also well-ventilated, so you can enjoy the grilling experience without leaving smelling like smoke.

Service: The service was exceptional. The staff at BBQ Lab are incredibly attentive and knowledgeable. They made great recommendations on the best cuts of meat to try and gave clear instructions on grilling techniques. What really stood out was their eagerness to help without hovering, which is a tricky balance to get right. Water was refilled without asking, and they were quick to swap out grilling plates to ensure the perfect cook.

Food: As for the food—simply amazing. The quality of the meat was top-tier, tender, and well-marbled. Whether it was the rich, savory bulgogi or the perfectly seasoned pork belly, everything was packed with flavor. The side dishes (banchan) were plentiful and delicious, offering a nice mix of fresh and fermented options to complement the meat. The dipping sauces added even more layers of flavor, enhancing the overall experience.

Overall, BBQ Lab is a must-visit for any Korean BBQ fan. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or just craving excellent food, this spot has it all: a great atmosphere, attentive service, and unbeatable BBQ. I’ll definitely be...

Lots of Korean BBQ eatery are out there, and I wonder if Melbourne will be another battleground for culinary dishes such as the famous KBBQ 🇰🇷🇰🇷.

Neatly located in Glen Waverley, close to the main famous eatery area of Kingsway, it's on the ground floor (as of 2025) just beside the public car park.

One thing I love is that this place uses charcoal to serve their BBQ dish🍖🍖instead of just a normal hot plate. Meat just tastes different in positive way with that smokiness and tastes much better.

Meat quality is decent, with all the beef cuts that we ordered, having rich marbling in them 🍖🍖🍖.

At first, I thought I would need to order extra dishes on top of the recommended 3-4 combo and how wrong I was! The serving is quite generous, and I think I barely finished my food, but it was tasty.

Side dish options are generous, with about 14 or so of them. Kimchi, bean sprouts, radish, potato, pasta with seafood sticks, and my favourite is the marinated squid, plus some more, which I did not manage to try as my belly almost burst.

Service is quite friendly, with our server Haejin (apologies if I misspelled) patiently explaining the food and sharing with us a common passion for food and, of course, Korea 🇰🇷🇰🇷 as a place for a holiday.

Overall, I would consider coming back again, especially if I'm feeling like quality charcoal KBBQ.

Price-wise, I guess it's alright; it's not cheap but also not the most expensive, especially since they serve quality meat cuts and use charcoal as their...