Kim's Barbacoa Coreana — Restaurant in Madrid

As someone who grew up savoring the flavors of samgyupsal in Hong Kong and Manila, I have a deep appreciation for the subtle differences in meat quality and preparation. Moving to Madrid in 2018, I was eager yet cautious about exploring the local Korean food scene.

I've frequented numerous Korean Samgyupsal joints in the city, but Kim's Barbacoa stands out for its commitment to quality. Unlike other places, Kim's focuses intensely on the quality and marbling of their meats, reminiscent of the authentic experiences I had in Asia.

One notable aspect of Kim's is its freshness, accentuated by the well-lit decor and grills specifically designed for Samgyupsal, enhancing the authenticity of the experience. The bibimbap, a personal favorite, was a delight with its perfectly cooked egg and crisped rice at the bottom, hitting all the right notes of flavor and texture.

The highlight of my visit was the 'Escalera', an assortment of meats including 안창살 (Entraña; Skirt steak cut), 채끝살 (Entrecot), a meat of the day selection, 항정살 (Panceta; pork belly), 양념 목살 (secreto cut) , 꽃갈비 (galbi cut), paired with 폭탄계란찜 (Volcano-steamed eggs) and 순두부찌개 (sundubujjigae stew). Each selection in the Escalera was a step up in flavor and quality, making the meal not just a dinner but an exploration of the finest cuts and preparations. The 꽃갈비 was particularly memorable for its tender texture and rich flavor. While they did provide ssamjang + chilli mayo + salt, I feel like the meats could be just as delicious on its own, and by god it was!

The experience my friends and I had with Kim's Barbacoa is an experience that I highly recommend for both the value and the quality. The ambiance is perfectly suited for a casual gathering, ideal for enjoying a chat over a delicious serving of samgyupsal. If you're in Madrid and craving authentic Korean cuisine, Kim's Barbacoa should be at the top of your list.

I can't wait for it to open and I can't wait to try the new offerings...

So happy with the experience at Kim’s! My friends and I ordered the premium BBQ to share (it can be ordered in groups of 2 or 3 people, so plan accordingly), which was 38€/pp and comes with a sampling of meat, steamed rice, choice of stew, steamed egg, and various sauces and condiments. If you want a Korean BBQ experience, I cannot recommend this order enough. We also enjoyed Cass Korean beer and corn silk tea.

Overall, the quality and flavor of the food was delicious and the portion is just right. Cooking the meat at your table is a fun and social experience that encourages you to slow down and really connect with the food and the people you are sharing it with. The service provided by owner Rudi and her team was top notch. Although we dined on a night when the restaurant was also serving a business dinner of ~20 people, we were never neglected and left feeling like valued customers. The atmosphere is modern and inviting, and I loved the thoughtful details like the Aesop soap in the bathrooms!

This restaurant is handicap accessible with a wheelchair lift at the entrance. This is also an Asian woman-owned business that I am very happy to support.

There were a lot of menu items that I know and love, like cold buckwheat noodles japchae and bibimbap that I’d love to try next time— I’ll be back!

Menu: https://smartmenu.agorapos.com/?id=fct1x1v7&locationCode=BC24B4945E&enableOrders=1#/

MY RATINGS: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Exceptional, I’ll return ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Great, would recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️- Fine, not noteworthy ⭐️⭐️- Did not love ⭐️- Not...

This is an authentic Korean barbecue restaurant with a simple and bright interior. The owner and wait staff are very friendly and explain the menu and sauces in detail.

We have visited this restaurant twice since it opened about 3 months ago and all the meats and dishes we have tried have been delicious. Our favorite meats are Aguja marinada de cerdo, Panceta de cerdo and Entraña de vaca, and they also offer mixed grill packages for two or three people. Prices are 76 EUR and 114 EUR.

This is one of the best restaurants to visit in Madrid if you want to try delicious and high quality Korean barbecue. If you want to try other Korean dishes, they also offer a wide range of choices, such as seafood pancakes and Korean bibimbap,...