Bornga // City Square

On my frequent visits to City Square in JB, I always walk pass this Korean restaurant at the corner and my eyes will sparkle at the smoke chimneys hanging from the ceiling. While i was away for summer school in Korea, you will NEVER find one up there good ones BBQ restaurant without the smoke chimneys cuz its an essential, like an statement. Its kinda like only atas place serve scones with clotted cream. I have been been many kbbq buffets in Singapore which just didnt have the authenticity and atmosphere like the ones i had in Korea. Its more ‘rojak’ in the sense. Most of the time I would be too full from eating other stuff ( like the stone grill tomyam at the basement ) or you know how most of the times where you got sidetracked halfway. Dont get how it always happen either. :((

BUT but finally we manage to made it there this time! imagine my growling stomach as i navigate through the tempting small eats. so enticed, i had to chant the koreanbbq mantra to get me there. LOL

Established in 2002 in Korea, BORNGA is the brainchild of Jong Won Paik, a successful celebrity chef in Korea. BORNGA has 33 branches in Korea.

Bornga Shop Front : Look! Hanging Chimneys

Interior

Because i went with mascot, brother and le gf, ALL THREE OF THEM ARE NON BEEF EATERS! OH GOD WHY~~ TT.TT no beef for me too. D:

Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of Banchan (side dishes) that the start of very meal. Kimchi is served often and sometimes at every meal. The raw veggies were served, nicely arranged on a long tray. Which we will used to wrap the meat with later with! Aesthetically pleasing with so much variety of greens. They even added some orange (carrots) to the colour scheme! Sadly they do not have darling mascot favourite piece of peppermint looking veggie.

Tray of veggies

And they uses real charcoal to cook the meat not electric!

We ordered some Samgyeopsal (Unseasoned pork belly), Dak Galbi (Pork Ribs) and Dwaji Bulgogi (Pork marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, green onions and black pepper). We order Budae jjigae (army stew) but the waitress came back to let us know that it is cook using beef stock. (( Read how we make our own army stew using chicken stock here! )) Oh mannnn… there goes my army stew, had it changed to Kimchi jjigae instead. Kimchi Tofu soup… D;

Confused at the various food names? Here is to familiarizing korean food!

Varieties of banchan they served.

Waiting for our meat to be cooked. Ohh~ Chimneys (HAHA)

The waitress will be there to bbq the meat for you so i didnt managed to get any hands on. That is one downside, i remembered I had much joys doing it myself in Korea.

Our tofu kimchi soup

Meanwhile, we were happily sipping our tofu soup. The broth is really thick and strong with kimchi taste. Just like the ones i had in Korea! We cleaned it out so much so that i dont think they have to wash the bowl already. HAHA. Its that yummy.

So brother and le gf are new to korean cuisine. Gosh.. they dont know what they have been missing out! So we tried our best to educate them on the steps to enjoying your korean BBQ.

Steps to enjoying korean bbq

Finally, It is time for….

*drum rolls*

the moment we all have been waiting for… to stuff the entire ball into your mouth and let the flavours explode inside! Totally unglam yes i know but one cant enjoy your food while being classy yea. The meat was really favourful and well marinated. We kept having one after another.

Brother trying it out. Click to see GIF

Aww. Mascot stole a loving glance at me right after i dump the ball in (must be wanting to laugh my unglamness)
Click to see GIF

To ends it all, Bornga serve a complimentry Omija ( 5 Flavoured Tea ) to be drank after the meal before you leave.  It is a kind of Korean traditional drink made of fruit herbs. Opps, the only omija i know is by skinfood and i used it for whitening. 😡

It taste mmm.. healthy and refreshing. And we all know how healthy food taste like. Didnt really like it very much. Not my cup of tea literally.

*rubs tummy* Happiness in my tummy now. XD

ADDRESS:
BornGa Korean Restaurant
City Square Level 3
#MF-23