Tian Ya BBQ — Restaurant in Barrie

Prepare for a meaty showdown at Tian Ya BBQ – the grill might be small, but your appetite isn't, and that's what counts.

Nestled in the heart of Barrie, Tian Ya BBQ is a hidden gem that offers a Korean BBQ experience like no other in the area (literally there are no others at the time of this review). If you're from the GTA think of Korean Grill House or Chako. It's like finding a secret BBQ society tucked away in the heart of the Barrie.

First things first, it's all-you-can-eat, and they won't be nudging you out the door before you can waddle away. So if your idea of a perfect evening involves stuffing yourself silly with delicious grilled meats, you've hit the jackpot.

But here's the kicker – they serve sushi. And while it may not be Michelin-starred sushi, it's like that surprise guest at a party who you instantly connect with. You came for the Korean BBQ, but you're leaving with a newfound appreciation for their sushi game.

Now, let's talk about the real stars of the show – the staff. The main server lady is as sweet as a marinated ribeye and attentive enough to make you feel like the VIP of your own Korean BBQ party.

The grill itself does its job, and it does it well. The only catch is that it's a bit on the small side, so if you're rolling deep with a squad larger than four, you might be doing some intricate meat Tetris.

Speaking of meat, it's well seasoned, making every bite a flavourful explosion. Sadly, we can't vouch for their desserts because, well, we were too busy living our best carnivore lives.

Despite the indulgence of the all-you-can-eat experience, what was a pleasant surprise was the pricing. The bill was as low as the spirits were high, making this Korean BBQ gem an even greater value for those seeking a mouthwatering adventure that won't break the bank.

Location-wise, it's a winner. Right downtown, near the waterfront – a perfect setting for a post-BBQ stroll. But beware, the area does have its quirks, so don't go wandering around the streets at night unless you fancy a rendezvous with some rather unsavory "addicts."

In summary, Tian Ya BBQ is Barrie’s all-you-can-eat goodness without the typical GTA Korean BBQ chaos, a place where you'll leave with a full belly and a newfound love for sushi. Just don't forget to watch your step outside, because the real adventure begins once you step beyond the...

This place had an ambiance that made you feel cozy and at home. The service was fast too. We liked how the server was attentive and had a warm smile all the time.

It’s our first time here at Tian Ya BBQ which is a decent Korean-style AYCE BBQ restaurant in Barrie. We usually go to ones in Markham and/or North York.

Their fried spring rolls and scallops (4/5) were delicious with a good crisp on the outside, giving you a crunch with every bite. The spring rolls could use some more filling.

The Volcano Roll was enjoyable (3.5/5). We liked how they had fried batter on the outside to elevate the texture of the dish. The cream cheese was a delight. The portions were big.

The actual Korean-style BBQ was okay (3/5). The kimchi was a bit salty for us. We were hoping it would have more of the tangy, fermented taste to it as well. We liked that it was crunchy and tasted fresh. Their lettuce was also fresh. They did use iceberg lettuce instead of romaine which was different from what we regularly have at other places. We had pork, beef, beef short ribs and squid for grilling. Both the pork and beef were thinly sliced and tender. The beef short ribs were marinated well. Maybe a bit more sesame oil, garlic and ginger to the marinade mixture would really help bring out the sweetness and the umami of the meat. The cuts were okay; the meats could have been balanced with some fat/marbling to keep them juicy. We were also looking to have some ssamjang (fermented soybean paste) and sesame oil with salt to go with the meat.

Overall, an okay place to go for AYCE Korean...

Looking for a good place for Korean bbq. Happened upon this place during a Sunday outing. I didn’t find any current reviews on Yelp, but other sites offered many great reviews of this place. Took the opportunity to check it out and 2 adults ate for $56 without tax or tip. Ordered all the meat choices, favourites were the pork and beef the chicken. Didn’t really enjoy the pork sausage. Also ordered the dragon roll sushi which was quite good. They are very skimpy on the ginger. 4 pieces of sushi with one small sliver of ginger. Ordered the sesame and general Tao chicken which the kitchen prepares - really don’t recommend. It came very dry and tough to chew on. The breading was hard and no real difference in flavour between the two. Ordered the pork and shrimp dumplings. The pork was better. Overall the restaurant was clean and the food came to our table quite quickly. If you have trouble with stairs, be warned the washrooms are in the basement, 14 steps down. We were charged an extra $5 for taking home leftovers from the all-you-can-eat buffet. Either eat everything or...