새마을 セマウル食堂 — Restaurant in Tokyo

Found this restaurant randomly through Google maps. Didn't know that it is a popular South Korean restaurant chain run by Chef Paik until we got inside and saw his face in the wall. 😂 Anyway, it did not disappoint!! I can say this is one of the best Korean BBQ places I tried in Tokyo.

Food: We orderd the recommended Spicy Yeoltan Bulgogi, Samgyeopsal, Kimchijeon, 3 types of Kimchi, and Blueberry Soju. The Kimchijeon was my favorite, I can finish the whole plate! Their meat is also good especially the Bulgogi, I wished we ordered more!

Service: I love how the staff approached us-- not too friendly but also not intimidating. Just right, especially for shy people like us. 😅 He also cooked the meat very well and informed us which sauce goes well with our meat.

Atmosphere: We went in the afternoon of a Monday (Holiday), around 2:30~3:30 PM, so luckily there's no long line yet and it's not full inside so we were able to walk-in.

Overall, I was really satisfied! Will definitely go back here again. I want to try the Kimchi Just...

no frills, no expectation, just Korean food. There’s no English on the menu so you can try asking the Korean staff. For the grilled meat, they will cook it in front of you. For the Chijimi & 7min. Pork Kimchi Chige, they will serve it already cooked (we waited for something to happen but when we asked later the staff said it was already ready to eat (lol) so the staff reheated it for us.) Food was fine (some of the food items not available in other restaurants I think). Don’t expect high quality of customer service &...

Great flavor in the meat, we ordered bulgogi and another meat from the menu. The portion sizes in the menu do imply you get more meat per serving, 1 serving is enough for 2 people. Be aware, the chefs/servers cook the food for the table - unlike Korean BBQ in the US where you cook it yourself.

They provide aprons and plastic bags for your belongings so your stuff doesn't smell like BBQ when you leave

Overall...