Daebak Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Utrecht

Various of food choices and in general the food was okay (overall a bit too salty), only a plate of meat had weird color (blue/gray) and the raw salmon was obviously too bad to eat. Minimum one drink per person so after we finished our ordered drinks we had the water from our own bottle. One staff approached and said the bottle “cannot be on the table” or he’d “throw it away”. We removed the bottle from the table but there was still water in one glass and soon the same staff came to take away our glasses to prevent us from having water and forced us to pay the price of 1 bottle of water (2.85€) by adding it to our bill from the counter. The staff claimed it’s “the fine” for “breaking the rule”. On the rules of the house the only relevant rule was “we don’t serve tap water” and none of those mentioned anything about “don’t drink your own water” or even fine. We figured it’s okay to pay for an extra drink but we should at least get the drink itself, but the staff rudely rejected and insisted “I’m not giving you the water” & “it’s the fine”. We find it unreasonable since there was no such rule from the beginning and it seemed to be improvised by the staff without informing us beforehand about the fine rule he created. Despite the irrational issues being pointed out he still acted like “I don’t care I’m just gonna make you pay more”. Reading from other reviews there seems to be fine for leftovers as well, so somehow it starts to make sense that the restaurant has a strong need to profit from drinks ordered with salty/spicy Korean dishes and the leftovers of the spoiled ones. If the rule did exist on the list and guests were actively informed we wouldn’t have problem with this and a drink is not even much. But honestly this process and attitude make us feel like being set up...

The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with traditional Korean decorations and a comfortable seating arrangement. The staff is always friendly and attentive, making sure that your dining experience is as enjoyable as possible.

The highlight of Daebak Korean BBQ is undoubtedly the food. The quality of the meat is exceptional, with a wide variety of cuts and marinades to choose from. The interactive cooking experience is unique and fun, allowing you to cook the meat to your preferred level of doneness right at your table. The side dishes that come with the BBQ are also delicious and plentiful, adding a perfect complement to the meat.

I highly recommend trying the bibimbap, a traditional Korean rice bowl that comes with an array of vegetables, meat, and a spicy sauce. The Korean fried chicken is also a must-try, with a crispy exterior and juicy meat inside.

The prices at Daebak Korean BBQ are reasonable for the quality of the food and experience, and they also offer a great value lunch menu on weekdays. The restaurant can get quite busy on weekends, so it's recommended to make a reservation in advance.

Overall, Daebak Korean BBQ in Utrecht is a must-visit for anyone looking for a fun and tasty dining experience. The combination of great food, cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff make it a true gem...

Alright, so after falling in love with Korean cuisine back in Switzerland, my girlfriend and I were looking for more. We'd never visited Daebak before, so we decided to go and see if it's good.

...it's not good. It's awesome.

Our first impressions from the restaurant were already pleasant - good locale, decent interior decoration and neat table placement are an important and welcome first sight. After we sat down, we got a complete and thorough explanation of how everything works, and we started ordering.

The meat served here is spiced just right, and the quality's good, too. If you manage to grill the meat correctly, you're looking at something you'll barely even have to use the meat scissors on, it'll practically fall apart around your chopsticks. Excellent. The stews and cold noodles were really good as well, the tastes blend very well together.

The dessert menu is lacking somewhat as it only has four ice cream flavors, but they are quite good and also pretty big for single scoops, so dessert is still very much worth it, especially if you combine it with a warm drink.

Food was excellent. Dessert was delicious. Drinks were good. Service was commendable. All in all - a very recommendable experience that'll definitely have us coming...