WUDON BBQ KOREAN RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Creve Coeur

Okay so we ate here for dinner today and we were super excited to have Korean barbecue. It took probably around 40 minutes to get a table and while we were waiting the hostess told us that they cut off all you can eat Korean BBQ at 8:00 and we didn't get seated until 7:40 ish so with that being said they close at 10:00 so that gives a 2-hour window essentially till they close if we got in at 8:00 so anyway he gets us in and he tells us we still have time to get all you can eat so we do that. When we got our drinks it barely had any ice in it so it was like drinking room temperature tap water. The lady was carrying around the pitcher from table to table, and it had no ice in it at all. We ended up getting our choice of two Meats first which they brought out a little bit of beef and a little bit of pork belly so we thought that the portions for all you can eat meat would be small due to you can keep ordering so we finished the pork belly and beef pretty fast and we decided to order short ribs and beef bologna which is marinated tiny thin strips of beef. The beef bologna came as a small portion along with the short ribs. When we ordered the spicy pork and chicken bologna, the portions came pile high on plates enough for three to four people, which we were not expecting that. Their portions are drastically uneven to where it was very much a surprise because listed on the menu they charge you extra money if you don't eat what they bring you and they won't let you take it home either so with that being said we were fighting for our lives at the last chicken belogi and spicy pork episode. Also we didn't get our soup until middle of dinner time we were supposed to get to choose between two soups so you pick a soup for all you can eat they only brought us out one soup so we had to share a soup like same Bowl two spoons. When we brought that up, they said they only give one bowl of soup, but that's got to be wrong. The seafood pancake and steamed egg were pretty good, but with how much meat they were piling on for the last several meat dishes, we could hardly stand to eat the egg and pancake. Now the experience of the Korean barbecue and cooking the stuff at the table that was cool but there wasn't an adequate air flow so we were eventually sweating and really didn't have anything cold to drink until right up to the end when she asked if we wanted more water and then looked at us and I told her that we wanted ice in the water or no water because it was almost tepid. Most o the food was good, just inconsistent and contradicting experience overall. If the chance to choose some other place that offers Korean barbecue would definitely take...

This is one of the best food experiences to share with someone, whether it’s a significant other or just with friends! The food is AMAZING. My group of 3 each ordered the LA Galbi All you can eat dinner which came with a premium Galbi meat (marinated bone in short rib).

Our first round we got was the Beef Bulgogi and the LA Galbi and lemme tell ya it was a FANTASTIC way to start. The meat was SOOOO delicious and after a few cooks it really started to caramelize on the grill. 10/10 was definitely my 2 favorite things we ordered.

Our second round was the Beef brisket and the pork belly. Once again both good on the grill but here was a totally different flavor. Neither meat was marinated. The brisket was thin and got crispy and almost tasted like beef bacon. 8/10 for me not as much flavor but really fun and easy to cook. The pork belly was really thick and came with several large slices. It was good but personally my least favorite. It took a while to cook and didn’t really crisp up very well. The flavor was just bland pork so we spiced it up with some sauce but I’d give it a 4/10 and it was my least favorite from our order.

Our 3rd and last order was to get the beef bulgogi again (seriously it so amazing) and we also got the spicy chicken. The chicken was very tender and delicious and got crispy on the grill. The sauce was not spicy at all which is probably good for some people but I would have preferred a little more kick. 7/10 for the chicken.

The meal also came with a seafood pancake, one soup and one steamed egg to share among the table. We also each got a bowl of rice and got a side plate of small vegetables and kimchi.

The restaurant is on the small side and has some wear and tear but I feel like this adds to the charm. It was completely packed on a Friday night and we did make a reservation in advance in order to get in. We stayed about 2 hours and had wonderful service the whole time.

I can’t wait to come back and would love to bring new friends or people who haven’t tried Korean...

What may have been former glory, this place seems to have fallen a bit.

The strip mall in which the restaurant is located looks nearly abandoned; definitely a sketch vide happening there. Some pictures online sow a lively place with vivid colors...not so much anymore. I'm not sure I'd want to be in the area much after dark.

The dining room was empty when I arrived. Granted, it was a late lunch for me, so there are probably not many people looking for Korean BBQ at 3:30pm.

I was greeted by two guys who appeared to be of Middle Eastern or Asian descent.

I was thinking of having the AYCE option. On the menu, there is a listed price for 2 people and one for one person. When I asked for the one person option I was informed that the price was really meant for per person more than 2 people and there is an upcharge of $10 to order All You Can Eat for one person... not a great start.

I ended up ordering from the Entree menu, having selected LA Galbi. I asked what is included and was told it came with white rice and side dishes (banchan). I asked if I could get some vegetables as well, and the server said he would include some.

From there, it was uneventful.

The very small banchan arrived (small portions of pickles onion, kimchi, pickled radish, and bean sprouts). All were tasty, I don't think they were house made, but I could be wrong.

The meat was as expected, marinated, and well presented. The server had added some onions, slices of king oyster mushrooms, red peppers, and a couple of asparagus.

The grill was lit, and the cooking commenced. All went well, I only needed to ask for one addition round of banchan, although I could always take on more kimchi.

I finished off cooking and had some meat to take home.

Overall, not a bad meal, but it was overpriced when considering the portions, limited banchan selections, and somewhat aged equipment and surroundings.

Try it out, if only to help what seems to be a struggling...