Oh Heavenly Manna
Thursday, September 1, 2005 23:20When I first heard about an all you can eat Korean BBQ, I practically wet myself. The thought of stuffing myself full with bulgogi and kalbi was too enticing. So this past Monday with a nice group of six people, I found myself sitting in front of an open face barbeque ready to dig into copious amounts of meat.
You first get a set of side dishes like at any Korean BBQ. The customary kimchee, seaweed, semi-sweet pickled radish, etc. were on hand. Of course, they don’t give you too much since they know that the focus is on the meat.
I left the ordering up to my friend who had been there a few times. He went with the kalbi, bacon, and what he termed brisket. The brisket was merely rolled up thin slices of unmarinated beef with rather large stripes of fat. If you’ve ever eaten at a Mongolian BBQ place, it is the exact same. The kalbi was slightly marinated so it had some flavor. The bacon was one what one might expect…namely a large strip of cured pork. Overall, the meat is a considerable drop from what one would find in many normal Korean BBQ restaurants. However, when you are eating all-you-can-eat, you can’t expect filet mignon.
So given that the meat was mostly unmarinated, one might wonder why you even go to Manna. After all, the whole point of Korean BBQ is that the meat is already bursting with flavor, having been marinated thoroughly. But for Manna to offer all-you-can-eat for 15 dollars (yes that’s right…15 DOLLARS!!!), it has to cut back on some things.
But, it does not mean that you can have flavorful meat. You get a bowl of soy sauce flavored with some peppers, some soy bean paste, and a bowl of pepper infused sesame oil. Personally, I dipped my meat into a mixture of soy bean paste and soy sauce and then topped it off with the oil. The combination worked out quite well. We also got cloves of garlic and sliced green chili peppers, which we grilled and ate with our BBQ.
So even though the quality of meat wasn’t the greatest, I was still able to enjoy my meal thanks to the dipping sauce. Also, considering that my friends and I went through four larges platters of meat, I’d label my experience at Manna a success.
By Jeff (see more of his posts).
s says:
September 2nd, 2005 at 10:00 am
there are many places in koreatown that offer the all you can eat meat deal.
Dylan says:
September 2nd, 2005 at 10:13 am
manna is definitely good for large parties. and yes, the meat is unflavored. but my favorite has to be the beef brisket (cha dol peh gee) which you dip into the salt/pepper/sesame oil sauce. i can clear 2 plates of that alone.
Jonah says:
September 2nd, 2005 at 10:37 am
s - any tips on specific places? Thanks!
s says:
September 6th, 2005 at 10:40 am
One place is called LA Family House on 8th & Berendo. They are pretty new and give you a lot of side dishes.
There is a place on the corner of 6th and manhattan. I can’t think of the name but its next to a place called Moss.
There is also another place on James M. Wood and Vermont called Ma Dang Sae.
s says:
September 6th, 2005 at 10:42 am
i liked the LA Family House the best so far. But usually go to Manna if there is a lot of people going. And parking at all the places stink.
Dreubay2 says:
September 15th, 2005 at 3:21 pm
Anybody know any Korean BBQ places that serve chicken? My friend doesn’t eat red meat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
SoCalorie says:
September 15th, 2005 at 3:47 pm
How about tofu?
BCD Tofu House - 3575 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Or you could get bibimbap anywhere and ask them to spare the beef but double up the mushrooms.
Or there’s a place in Marina Del Rey where you can grill yer own chicken. I’ve never been but it’s called Wharo Korean BBQ at 4029 Lincoln Blvd.
me says:
October 27th, 2005 at 1:58 pm
what is the location and phone number of this restaurnat called “manna”?
DHR says:
October 28th, 2005 at 12:05 pm
Manna: 3377 West Olympic Blvd, LA, CA (in Koreatown)
jyp says:
October 30th, 2005 at 7:35 pm
for chicken, you can go to mapo bbq on olympic…i believe it’s on olympic somewhere between wilshire and normandie and it’s on your right side going east on olympic…they’re known for their dak-galbi.
Manna says:
November 5th, 2005 at 2:11 am
I think Manna’s serving marinated chicken.
smith says:
November 14th, 2005 at 3:43 am
…the place has a C
CD says:
November 21st, 2005 at 11:25 am
I love Korean food, but always have to go to the westside. Isn’t there any decent Korean food in the San Gabriel Valley?
delilah says:
January 14th, 2006 at 9:34 pm
tofu house on las tunas is a great place to eat korean bbq in the san gabriel valley.
eatdrinknbmerry says:
January 15th, 2006 at 2:47 am
there are two tofu houses on las tunas that are actually pretty decent. just look up Tokyo Lobby in San Gabriel and you’ll be right there since they neighbor TL. One is called Young Dong. For $13, you get a pot of korean style tofu and whatever meat you’re interested in eating.
Soojin Park says:
February 16th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Moo Deung San is actually better than Manna. It’s near the corner of Olympic/Western, on the east side of Western (across the street from El Cholo). They have kalbi there, too, and it’s the same price as Manna.
deerak says:
October 13th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Manna has chicken, but you have to ask for it because it doesnt come with the beef. they serve it seperately, but it included in your meat options in the all u can eat.
Bob says:
July 14th, 2007 at 11:27 am
There’s also Manna Korean BBQ in Rosemead, 2101 N. San Gabriel Bl. at Rush/Potrero Grande…(between 10 & 60 frwys).. Not all you can eat.. Very good selection, Kalbi is delicious, many other selections including cold noodles, sashimi, etc…