Paroro Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Melbourne

Tried this AYCE KBBQ on a winter Monday evening, finally! I’ve always wanted to check this all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ spot in the CBD, especially since it's perfect for a cold winter night. It’s been around for quite a while, and I finally visited on a Monday at 6 PM. After the student discount, I paid $44.90 for 90 minutes, which is a fairly standard price for AYCE in the city.

Surprisingly, they accepted a walk in table for one, which was great (possibly because it was a Monday night). The place was about 80% full with a moderate noise level, lively but not overwhelming.

Sauce bar

A big plus for the dipping sauce area with lots of variety, so you can really customise your sauces to suit your taste.

Food options

The variety of food was decent. I haven’t been to many other AYCE KBBQ spots in Melbourne for direct comparison, but I was generally satisfied with the selection.

Meats: They had a good range of beef, pork, lamb, and seafood, but oddly, no chicken was available that night.

Lamb: Very few cuts, and the marbling didn’t look great, so I skipped it.

Beef: This was the highlight. Cuts included rib eye cap (my fave), short rib, oyster blade, chuck eye, and ox tongue. The rib eye cap and short rib stood out the most. Probably not top-grade wagyu but still tasty, likely a wagyu crossbreed.

Ox tongue wasn’t as fresh as the other beef cuts, so I gave it a miss.

Pork: Pork belly, pork jowl, and more. Again, decent but not premium quality.

Side dishes & hot food

Sushi bar: About 6 types. Flavour was okay, not great, but not bad either.

Hot dishes: Included Korean fried chicken (soy garlic & original), tteokbokki, bulgogi, soy-braised ribs, fried rice, and more. Unfortunately, these were all pretty mediocre.

Kimchi jjigae: Warm but lacking in depth of flavour, definitely not authentic in taste.

Fruits & desserts

Fruits were limited to grapes and melon. To me, its a bit disappointing.

Desserts included stick ice creams, but none were Korean brands, which I expected from a KBBQ restaurant.

Service

The service was quite good. Staff were attentive and changed the grill when needed, and they gave a 10-minute reminder before your session ended which I appreciate it.

Overall Thoughts

Decent value for the price and location, especially if you're craving grilled meat on a cold evening. The beef selection was the highlight, but there’s room for improvement in the sides, hot dishes, freshness, and dessert range. Still, a good experience overall. Would return if I’m in the mood for a casual KBBQ night and hopefully they...

Craving affordable, all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ in Melbourne? @parorobbq on Elizabeth Street is your answer! This wallet-friendly K-BBQ hotspot has gained popularity among students, families, and foodies who love quality food at a great price, with sizzling grills and fresh ingredients setting the stage for a fun feast.

🍖 The Menu: Paroro offers a wide range of meats like beef brisket, marinated pork belly, lamb rolls, and chicken thighs, alongside Korean favorites like kimchi, pickled radish, and rice. And if you’re feeling adventurous, they also have Army Stew (Budae Jjigae) and instant Korean cup noodles to level up your dining experience!

🔥 The Experience: Each table is equipped with a personal grill, letting you cook your meat just how you like it. The house-made dipping sauces are a must-try for adding that extra burst of flavor. The lively atmosphere, complete with sizzling sounds and upbeat tunes, makes it an interactive dining spot perfect for groups.

💸 Value for Money (90-Minute Sessions):

Weekday Lunch (12 PM - 2:30 PM): $19.90 (No KBBQ, No Sushi) Weekend Lunch (12 PM - 4 PM): $39.90 (No Sushi) Dinner (Everyday 5 PM - 9 PM): $49.90 (Full Selection) Late Night Dinner (9 PM - 10:30 PM): $39.90 (Full Selection) ⭐️ Final Thoughts: Paroro Korean BBQ isn’t about fancy decor—it’s about flavorful food, great vibes, and unbeatable prices. It’s a perfect choice for a casual night out with friends or family. Just remember to come early, as it fills up quickly during peak hours!

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! If you’re after a no-fuss, meat-loaded feast that won’t break the bank, Paroro BBQ is...

I would give this place zero stars if I could. My experience at Paroro Korea BBQ was dreadful from start to finish. ​The service was incredibly poor. I accidentally ordered a Coke Zero through the QR code system and immediately asked the staff if I could change it to a regular Coke. They flatly refused and were very impolite about it, which set a terrible tone for the rest of the meal. ​Unfortunately, the food quality was just as bad as the service. The meats were tough and chewy, and the seafood was clearly not fresh. I was shocked to see sushi sitting out on a bar table instead of in a refrigerated section, which is a major food safety concern. To make matters worse, the salad and kimchi were placed right next to bowls intended for raw meat, creating a serious risk of cross-contamination. All the pre-cooked options were dry, hard, and looked like they had been sitting out for hours. ​The atmosphere was also a huge issue. The restaurant is located on the first floor, above a pokies venue, and the smell of stale cigarettes hits you the moment you walk in the ground-level entrance. The smell was so strong that it drifted upstairs, and I could smell cigarette smoke while I was trying to eat. ​Do not waste your money here. I would not recommend this place to anyone. It was an awful...