Sae Ma Eul BBQ • Solaris Mont Kiara — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

If you're a die-hard fan of Korean BBQ, then Sae Ma Eul BBQ is a must-visit! It was a smoky, sizzling, flavor-packed experience! 😍

🍖 The BBQ Feast The pork belly (samgyeopsal) was thick, juicy, and grilled to perfection. Every bite had that perfect balance of crispy char and tender meat. 😋 Pair it with some roasted garlic and dip it in sesame oil—chef’s kiss! 👌 Another highlight? The marinated spicy chicken! 🔥 It was bursting with bold flavors. The kick of gochujang (Korean chili paste) added the perfect amount of heat!

The grilled meat platter had a great variety, ensuring every bite was filled with rich, smoky goodness.

🍚 The Iconic Rice Balls 🍚 Okay, these crispy seaweed rice balls (jumokbap) were a game-changer! 🌟 You mix them yourself, roll them into little balls, and grill them slightly for that crunchy, toasty bite. The seaweed, sesame, and spicy sauce combo was so addictive!

🥚 Fluffy Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim) 🥚 One of the unexpected stars of the meal was the steamed egg—light, airy, and full of flavor! It arrived steaming hot, fluffy to perfection, and was the ultimate comfort dish to pair with the smoky grilled meats. Definitely a must-order!

🌶 Side Dishes (Banchan) & Kimchi 🌶 No Korean meal is complete without a spread of banchan (side dishes)! Their spicy, tangy kimchi, stir-fried fish cakes, and seasoned bean sprouts were all super fresh and flavorful. Every bite was packed with that classic Korean side dish goodness, making each grill bite even better!

🌟 The Experience 🔥 Grilling the meat over charcoal just hits differently! The smoky aroma, the sizzling sounds—it’s a full hands-on Korean BBQ experience. The place has that casual, lively vibe, making it perfect for bbq date or a fun night out...

Amidst the sea of positive reviews, I had a terrible experience here.

1. The charcoal pot given had uncontrollable flames that were at least 10 inches tall. The meat either gets burnt or doesn't cook at all (if placed to the side). I called a nearby staff who was busy having laugh with his colleagues to ask if this was normal (the intensity of the fire) pointing towards the BBQ. He said to me in Mandarin "cook yourself" and walked away.

As if that wasn't bad enough, 10mins later an apparently "VIP" customer walked in and the same guy that told me to "cook myself" proceeded to serve, cut, cook, and prepare the entire meal for them. We also noticed that at all other tables, a staff member would check in on the meats once in a while. We had none of this service whatsoever. I assumed that because we came at an odd time (3:30pm) the staff might be on break but is still pretty unacceptable.

2. The table is way too small. Expect the side of your face facing the BBQ pit to be slightly singed. I had to eat whilst leaning back on the chair to avoid my eyebrows from burning.

3. Very small serving of banchan.

Pros

1. price is very reasonable but expect the quality of the meat to reflect the price. Pork belly I was served was still slightly frozen.

2. the Kimchi Jigae and seafood pajeon was very very good. Kept me from walking out of the restaurant.

All in all an extremely disappointing experience. Was excited as I thought I had found a decent KBBQ joint in KL but I wouldn't be returning anytime soon and I'd advice you against coming here as...

3 of us dined for early dinner at 6pm. It was still early for the dinner crowd so the restaurant was empty. We picked the corner table at the entrance inside the shop, windy and cooling after rain.

Great panchan to start. The dish varieties, taste and portion. Absolutely no complaints and these came first thing after the bottle of water for us. So we can start savoring while the server set up the stove and fire.

The service, I'd have to say very smart and impeccable. Because we never needed to raise our hands to ask for more vege, garlic, panchan refill, tissue boxes or even refill water bottles. The staff are very observant and by making eye contact they literally know what we need and brought forward before we even ask. This, is what impressed me the most, which makes the whole dinner experience so smooth, good and memorable!

Food is unquestionably great! We ordered 2 types of meat and the rice ball mix. The server grilled the meat for us as usual. While we mixed the rice ball, the server chatted and recommended that we slightly grill the rice ball. It was divine! The charred and caramelized rice balls truly hit differently!

For the food and service, I will definitely return to this with more friends and more fun!...