#7: Toad House
Posted on February 16, 2007
Filed Under Barbecue, Best of the Best, Extra Hard Core, Korean |
Three words. Black. Pork. Belly.
Yes, it’s bacon, glorious, thick, fatty, DELICIOUS bacon.
John S recommended this place to me months ago (see blog entry here) and I’ve only gotten around to it today. Thanks, John. This place was SPEC-TA-CU-LAR, I can’t wait to come back.
It doesn’t look like much on the outside…
That is so cute, and the irony is not wasted on me either. “YEAH! PORK BELLY!”
So here’s the deal. It’s Korean Barbecue, so of course it’s got a grill in the middle of the table. It’s not all you can eat, but you can order ridiculous combinations. They specialize in black pork belly, alledgedly it’s imported from Canada, and when I asked the waiter, he said that the pork was marinated with a secret wine sauce. I say it’s got crack in it. It’s downright addictive.
The combination also included steamed eggs, ribs for grilling, etc. All the combos also come with alcohol, which, looking back now, is the greatest idea since eating pork belly. We picked combo #5 and the soju.
Anytime you have a chilled glass, I’m a happy camper. The glass noodles were also very good.
The stars of the show, ribs and pork belly.
As always there were a few side dishes, I must say, the kimchee was particularly good.
The weird thing is, the waitress would bring it out and cut the kimchee with a pair of scissors at our table. Does that mean it came right out of the pot or something, so it’s extra fresh? I don’t know, but it sure tasted good.
The victims were memorialized by this poster on the wall, the irony is overwhelming.
This place was a real special treat. It’s a bit on the expensive side, and the place is a bit small, so large parties probably wouldn’t do too well. Bring 3 friends to make a table of four, I had Combo #5 ($54 after tax) with Matt and felt I could’ve eaten more, not because I was hungry, but because I couldn’t get enough of that bacon, it was addictive.
Special thanks to John S for recommending this place, it was so awesome. Please do keep your recommendations coming, I’d certainly appreciate them.
Toad House
4503 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90189
(323) 460-7037
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awesome. you gotta wonder where the pigs are running to. they look determined.
OMG, the pork fat!! you know what Emerald says!
Seriously though, were you REALLY able to swallow 4 slices of bacon that appear to be over an inch thick!!??
My mouth would be so greasy I don’t think I’ll be able to eat the ribs at all…
looks like a a fun place to get heat attack though
I have been to Korean BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles and had bacon and pork belly as well.
How is this restaurant’s pork belly better? (Being that it’s more expensive and not all you can eat). Pork belly is pretty cheap…
Coco, Stan,
Oh, no, it’s not an inch thick, it’s more like a quarter of an inch.
That’s the special thing about this place, the pork doesn’t taste overly greasy and I didn’t get sick of it because of the marinade. I guess it’s both the Canadian black pig and the special marinade.
There’s definitely a noticable difference between Toad house, and say, Soot Bul Gui Rim 2.
Oh, and the 4 slices is really for two people to share, so it’s only like 2 a person. I certainly could’ve had more.
I can vouch that their bacons are the best I’ve ever had and I’ve had many…
In fact, we went to Soot Bui Gui Rim 2 again today (kicked major a**), but there’s definitely a difference between the two bacons. I guess not all pigs are made the same…
Hi,
I found your site after your friend Matt visited mine. But if you want a Korean meal that’ll really fill you up, you can try my fave restaurant.
BBQ on a rock slab, 15 panchan, kimchee fried rice, and tofu soup.
http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/2006/11/seol-ak-san-yes-thats-right.html
This is truly the most mouth watering entry on barbecue.
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!
That’s Bacon, now THAT’S BACON!