Korean BBQ is a popular method of grilling meat in Korean cuisine.  It is very similar to Japanese yakiniku.  With both types of cuisine, meats are brought to your table, where you can cook them to your liking on a grill that is built into the table. The main differences are that Korean BBQ meats are usually marinated large pieces of meat, while yakiniku features small pieces of meat that have not been marinated.  Shilla Korean BBQ stands out as one of the few sources to enjoy Korean BBQ, because Miami doesn’t have very many Korean BBQ restaurants.

All of the meals at Shilla come with some traditional banchan (side dishes).  The have kimchi, pickled vegetables, bean sprouts, and some sort of fermented fish.  I normally ignore the banchan, although the pickled vegetables are a good palate cleanser sometimes.

Your proteins are brought out already prepped and ready for grilling.  We got bulgogi (marinated sirloin strips) and shrimp.  The orders include white rice and some raw veggies to grill along with your meats.

Shilla uses infrared grills.  I’m not sure if this has any impact on the end result, but our meat was delicious.  It’s hard to judge a restaurant when you are technically cooking the meat yourself. The marinade that was used for the steak has a great flavor, but I wish that the grill had seared the steak a little better.

If you’re not in the mood to cook your own food, Shilla Korean BBQ also has plenty of pre-made options available.  I ordered a dolsot bibimap (stone pot rice with beef and vegetables).  The bibimap is served in a hot stone pot that toasts the rice and makes it a little bit crunchy.  This means that it gets even better as it sits.  They also provide a side of spicy sauce to add to it.  I’m a wuss, so I don’t use it.

Shlla Korean BBQ is a great place to enjoy some good Korean BBQ.  They don’t seem to have any large tables, so it’s best to come with a small group.

For more information on Shilla Korean BBQ, please visit their web site at http://www.sushicafeshillakoreanbbq.com/