Bornga — Restaurant in Melbourne

My friend and I had a 5 p.m reservation on a Friday. We arrived at 4.58 p.m and were seated straight away.

The hostess informed us that we had a time limit of 1.5 hours to dine. We promptly ordered using the QR code. We ordered two serves of meat and a seafood pancake based on the pictures of the serving size of the meat on the menu.

We didn't have to wait long for the meat and side dishes arrived. However, the actual serving of the meat itself was less substantial than what the picture depicted. We ordered the pork marinated in soy sauce,  which came in one serving of three slices. We subsequently added another serve of pork belly. What came was three differently sized chunks of pork belly, each smaller than the last.

The food is, generally, quite good. The side dishes were delicious, and there were quite a variety of them.

The sore point for us was how long we had to wait for the hot coals to arrive.

When I waved one of the waitress over to ask when we will get the hot coals seeing that the food had arrived, she brusquely told me that they were busy and we would have to wait.

After some time, the hot coals finally arrived, and we were finally able to start cooking the meat.

By 6 p.m, the waitress who was quite brusque with us earlier came to clear the table. At that point, we had not finished eating yet. She reminded us that we only had 1.5 hours to eat.

After a few minutes, she came back again to clear the table. At which point, we still hadn't finished eating. She brusquely informed us that the next table was waiting for their table. At that point, we were nowhere close to 6.30 p.m. yet.

We rushed to finish eating and had to put some of the food in a container to take away because we kept being rushed to vacate the table.

Personally, I find the service quite poor. If the restaurant wanted to be sure we were able to finish cooking our food and eating it within the 1.5-hour limit, then it should be ready to provide the hot coals for us to start cooking as soon as the meat arrived at the table.

Not only was the restaurant slow in filling our BBQ pit with hot coals, they repeatedly rushed us to finish eating even before the 1.5 hours was up.

The actual quantity of the meat served was extremely disappointing. 3 thin slices of pork for $26 is not good value for money.

For 2 people, we spent close to $140 (without alcohol) and we did not have a satisfying meal. The entire experience was rushed and...

In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, where skyscrapers loom and the city hums with life, there's a Korean BBQ joint that feels like a hidden treasure. Bornga isn’t just another restaurant; it's a portal to the soul of Korean cuisine, helmed by none other than the legendary Chef Baek Jong-won. This guy’s a rock star in the culinary world back in Korea, and his influence is palpable in every bite.

Let’s talk about the food. The cold noodles here are nothing short of revelatory. Perfectly chilled, with a texture that's both chewy and refreshing, they offer a symphony of flavors that dance on your tongue. It's the kind of dish that makes you pause and appreciate the artistry involved. And then there’s the pork belly. Ah, the pork belly. Cooked to a tender, juicy perfection, it’s everything you dream of when you think of Korean BBQ. Each bite is a celebration of umami, a savory delight that leaves you craving more.

The banchan, those delightful side dishes, are a testament to the meticulous care that goes into the cuisine here. Each one is a little explosion of flavor and texture, from the spicy kick of kimchi to the delicate crunch of pickled radish. They aren’t just sides; they’re an integral part of the experience, elevating the meal to new heights.

The staff, mostly Korean, add to the authenticity and charm. Their warm, attentive service makes you feel like you’ve been invited into a friend’s home, not just a restaurant. The vibe at Bornga is electric. The sizzle of meat on the grill, the chatter of satisfied diners, and the intoxicating aromas all create an atmosphere that’s both lively and comforting.

Bornga is more than just a place to eat—it’s an experience, a journey into the heart of Korean culinary tradition, guided by a master who knows how to make food sing. If you’re looking for the best Korean BBQ in Melbourne, this is it. Bornga isn’t just a meal; it’s a love letter to Korea, written in flavors and shared with anyone lucky enough to find...

Excellent food, just like those available in Korea. The stove (BBQ) is heated by real charcoal which gives the meat that extra flavour! The plates that the meat is grilled are constantly replaced so one doesn't get the problem of burnt oil and spices. We ordered a variety of beef, pork and ribs for the grill. And they were all, needless to say, wow!! The steak was juicy and marianted well. Full of flavours. The pork belly with the fat was heavenly. And we couldn't get enough of those super thinly sliced beef! There were a variety of side dishes of beautiful preserved vegetables and those Kimchi were fresh and crunchy. I normally avoid restaurants that does not have the overhead exhaust that draws the smoke from the hot plates and this restaurant does have them and we couldn't smell the stale smoke that lingers around if ventilation is not great. The staffs were all very friendly and helpful. They even offered to take some photos for us for the family album! I understand this is their only establishment in Melbourne but they have on in Sydney too. It was Sunday night and luckily we booked as it was packed, with people being turned away or those opted to wait for a free table. I know many places are having staffing issues but this plyis so we'll staffed and service was very efficient. The decor was lovely with a traditional look but modern in some aspects. At today's economic situation, am happy to say that the price was very reasonable. They do have an issue with their normal supply of lettuce but the offered other preserved sides and I have no issues. I looked forward to come again in...