I love hot spicy Korean food, specifically Korean Bar B Que. There used to be an excellent one in Paseo Colon I visited regularly 10 years ago when I lived her for 2 years in Sabana, and when I retired here last January, I dreamt of visiting it, it was excellent. No soup for me, I went to the place and they changed it into a stylish Sushi joint.
Surprisingly, the owner recognized me when I came in, it's been 10 years but I visited 2 to 3 times a month for almost 2 years, 2007-2009. He explained there's not too many Korean food lovers and he had to change, he doesn't carry the ingredients he used to order from Korea (his restaurant was the real deal) would I care for sushi?
I'm no sushi lover, I'll occasionally tolerate some sashimi but I like my pu*sy hot and my food cooked. I asked him if I gave him the money, would he order the ingrediants and call me when they got there? He laughed and said those days are over but there's a place called Hibachi in Sabana, high dollar, about $20 to $30 a meal.
I was prepared to go but kept putting it off....I HATE to spend $20 to $30 and up for one meal that doesn't include a thick steak, Alaskan King Crab legs or Maine lobster...
One day I'm walking south on Calle 11 from HDR, head East from HDR's side door, the Blue Marlin, and turn right by AM-PM and the big Music shop...it's the road to Relax..
WHAT THE???? I spot a dumpy little no name hole in the wall on the East side before you get to Ave 2. It has some other Asian food but clearly states "Corean"...To say I'm stunned is an understatement, Korean is usually high end and pricey and the restaurants are fancy.
I walk over and it smells great, the cook cooks the food right in front with an open air window, there's no wall or door to the place, just walk in. It's a bit old n dumpy but meticulously clean and like so many Asian restaurants, there's employees clipping the ends of green beans and sitting at a table in the back. My type of ambience....
The bar b que beef is not cheap, with coke and tip n tax it adds up to about $14, but it was pretty good and plenty of beef and vegetables, you get your colones worth. I'm from South Florida and it doesn't quite match the places there, especially Miami, but it's close, it's fast, and if you never had Korean but like spicy Asian food, check it out!
I'll be returning and that's a compliment from me, I'm picky.
Next report, I hear further down 11th is a place called Don Wang 1 block north of Relax and Idem which has allegedly good dim sum. Will check this week and issue my findings...