Mapo Korean B.B.Q.

Reviews 3

AL

Alex Ho

I was in the mood for Korean BBQ. The first thing I noticed when I looked at the window, were a lot of colorful advertising and what was advertised on the posters is also true about their business card which is a self-proclaimed over the top 5 Star rating of themselves. Let me advise you to take that claim with a Big Grain Of Salt. Surprisingly when I got inside, I was the only other party in the restaurant. Seating for the most part is spacious though it is a fairly small restaurant, enough for say about 9 parties of 4 people per group. Once seated, the boss and waitress wanted me and my friend to take the seat by the corner of the cash register which found uncomfortable so the only option they gave us was the corner by the door. We really wanted the opposite corner which they said is only for a party of 4... Later they happily seated a party of two to that table. Though the restaurant was empty at the time, the waitress rushed me to order, the problem was they didnt have my Pork (#3 on the grilled foods page) and she recommended for me to go elsewhere. Consequently I was waiting for my friend and when she came, the waitress told her that we have to order 2 items from the grilled menu page in order to get Banchan which I knew was a scam to get more tips, the waitresses talking about a minimum $76 order whereas they mentioned on the table and menu "with ANY grilled order." Any other KBBQ Restaurant Ive been to provides Banchan on the house regardless. Of course like suckers, we ordered 2 grilled items and also ordered the Cod Fish Soup and Cold Noodles with Beef and Egg. At this point the waitress who speaks Mandarin told us "Korean people dont come here much its the Chinese people who come here because they have money." I found this to be racist but it was used as reverse logic to "justify" how much we ordered but of course shes doing it to justify her tips. ;-) The Black Angus they are proud of was not the quality youd expect from a KBBQ of this "supposed" caliber. As a matter of fact, it was sort of like a Whopper from Burger King except the Whopper does taste better. The Cod Fish Soup gave me a semi upset stomach as the fish was near spoiled and when I say that, I mean it was likely way past due and they probably chilled it in vinegar and salt to preserve it the best they can. One look at the Cold Noodles and I said no thanks. It basically looked like a once tasty noodle soup submerged in slush and the noodles were grey. My friend described it as sour and salty and the beef was hardened like a tough jerky. Perhaps what really turned me off was that we did not get half way through our meal and as soon as they brought the cold noodles, they presented the bill which was $119 before tips for 2 people. Let me say any restaurant in Chinatown/or Flushing that is decent would not only charge only a quarter of that price but you will most likely be satisfied and not be rushed in such an a manner. The sneaky boss even super powers up the AC on our table to try to rush us out. But we inevitably took our time eating. Looks like I wont be going back to this joke they made to themselves. I give them 5 stars for being malicious.

CH

Christine Yup

This was my first foray into the infamous Flushing area for food. And I had the Grand pleasure of doing so with some friends & fellow Yelpers Cindy L., Pat F., & Steve M. I need to say thank you to Yelp, because where else can you get a group of strangers to meet each other in a totally unknown place to any of us, for a delicious shared meal?! Then we had the nerve to continue on to bar down the street for some cocktails, football & a few games of pool! The place was a little tricky to find but when we got there Cindy had already gotten us a table. It was a small place & simple in Decor. What I loved most was that it was real hardwood charcoal grills in the middle of the table. It really gave the meat an amazing flavor, oddly it wasnt smoky, just really really good. We started off with the Pork Belly & Kalbi, only to be told we had to order 2 meats for the grill..Huh?! Isnt that 2 meats?! The waiter went on to explain(Thank goodness for Stevie because his Spanish helped us with the waiter) that the Pork Belly gets cooked on an electric grill so that doesnt count. Oooooh ok, no problem well take an order of Pork Ribs also then. Of these meats I thought the pork would rock my tastebuds, but NOOO! They were good, dont misconstrue my meaning. But the GALBI or is it KALBI?! Holy Geez Moley! Talk about tender & flavorful! I cannot say Ive had a better cut of meat more tender AND flavorful. My mouth is watering just reliving those moments. And the Side dishes were OFF THE CHARTS! I dont know the proper name for them but we had a table full of yummy goodness. Favorites that come to mind are the roasted peppers with small dried fish, maybe tiny anchovies not sure but that was my favorite out of all the side dishes. Then there was the steamed eggs dish that came out bubbling hot, so fluffy, so differently delicious. There was macaroni salad, I wasnt a fan but my table mates enjoyed it. Grilled Corn, Kimchee Pancakes, Boiling hot Tofu Seafood soup(AWEsome!), multigrain rice, roasted garlic, onions, fried eel lacey stuff, Kimchee, Lettuce, etc. After all of that yeah we still wanted more, Hey! Were Yelpers! Would you expect anything different?! So we ordered the Beef Tongue & another order of the Beef Galbi/Kalbi. Sooooo Scrumdillyicious! I will say the food was great, but the best part was spending time getting to know my fellow Yelpers. What a privilege it is to be blessed by Yelp with such great cool people. And the bill came to $57 per person including tip, not cheap but we ate well & it was worth it! So please come here. Even if you dont get to eat with my crew the food will still be good.

FO

Food Republic

Upon entering this legendary barbecue restaurant near the Murray Hill Long Island Rail Road station, visitors are blasted with the smell of blistering charcoal, a rare occurrence with contemporary Korean cue. Mapo is a throwback known for masterful barbecue. The galbi (short ribs) — served in tender chunks rather than strips — is some of the best you will find in Queens. The secret, aside from the grill, is a soy- and pear-based sauce in which the well-marbled cuts are marinated for just the right amount of time. But thats not really a secret. Its all about the method, which is in your face as soon as the glowing basket of coals arrives at your table. The efficient staff will load up the grill with the charcoal and wait a few moments for the surface to take on the correct temperature. Then, a plop and a sizzle. The staff will take the meat off the cooking surface at just the right time. You will then: 1) Say thanks, and 2) Wrap the steaming hunks in lettuce and smear them with ssamjang (the iconic bean paste that accompanies all Korean barbecue). Part 3: Order another OB beer. A barbecue restaurant should be judged by the quality of the meat, of course, but the banchan also needs to be taken into account. Mapo does it right, with white radish, soy-marinated seaweed, agar cakes, a cube of fresh tofu and fish cakes. On a recent visit they did serve us a weaker white kimchi, but when we asked for the fully loaded red stuff they happily obliged. The dukbokki (rice cakes sauced with crimson-hued gochujang) is classic, a lesson in fire and squishiness that makes this one of the staples of a Korean meal. Gamjatang (a peppery pork back and potato soup) is excellent, with large chunks of neck meat bobbing in a peppery broth. The soondubu jjigae (fiery tofu stew) is also textbook.