Park’s BBQ

International Relations

There are many schools of thought in international relations.  Are you a Wilsonian idealist?  Do you ascribe to the realpolitik of Kissinger?  Or do you have a simpler, more direct approach, the political science of Randy Newman of “more room for you and more room for me?”  Your humble reviewer prides himself on being an amateur diplomat.  As anyone who has seen me on the softball field will attest, I am a master of objectively disengaging from an argument and conciliating the combatants. 

I am especially concerned about a particular resident of the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula, Kim Jong-Un.  If the nuclear armed Little Rocket Man is colorblind like yours truly, he might inadvertently push the red button on the remote instead of the green launching his entire nuclear arsenal into South Korea.  Will I be able to replace my 85 inch Samsung television with the 2024 model?  Will I ever again be able to listen to that musical descendant of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, K-Pop?

In order to research the status quo, I ventured to Koreatown to Park’s BBQ, the premier Korean barbecue restaurant in Los Angeles.  I was accompanied by my lovely wife and a couple with whom I went to college.   I will keep the identity of my college friends confidential (in case Little Rocket Man reads this review) and give them the nondescript code names of John and Mary.  Fortunately John is a former heavyweight wrestling champion so a defense would be available if any negotiating efforts failed.

Park’s is located in a commonplace strip mall on Vermont Ave. near the corner of Olympic Blvd.  Don’t be deceived by the modest appearance, it is extremely popular and reservations are highly recommended (but fortunately easily obtained, unlike many other L.A. hotspots, but that will be the subject of a future rant).

When I entered the restaurant I immediately saw a picture of ex-Dodger pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu on the wall of celebrity diners.  I knew that we would soon be overindulging since Ryu is one of the largest humans in history from south of the 38^th parallel.

John, an international bon vivant, took charge of the ordering.  The service was efficient, congenial and helpful.   John selected a very reasonably priced Sonoma Pinot Noir which was an excellent complement to our meal. 

Our first appetizer was the Seafood Pancake.  Upon presentation the waitress chopped it into edible sized pieces with a six-inch pruning shears.  The seafood pancake was a delicious mix of shrimp, clams and other crustaceans and mollusks complemented by scallions and an appropriately small amount of breading to lend texture and body. 

Next up was the Stir Fried Glass Noodles with Vegetables.  These translucent noodles, otherwise known as cellophane noodles or dangmyeon, are made from sweet potato starch.   Onions, peppers and sesame seeds were mixed in for accent.  The dish was accompanied by mushrooms, which your reviewer passed by due to a pathologic aversion to fungi.

For our main course, John chose the P1, a plate of meat of Neanderthal proportions containing Ggot Sal (short ribs also known as “flower meat” due to the extensive marbling), Gal-Bi (marinated beef short ribs), Bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated sirloin otherwise known as “fire meat”), beef brisket and yet a third variety of short ribs.  The meat was cooked by our waitress on a grill that was built into the table.  It was flanked by onions, asparagus, potatoes, mushrooms, pineapples and daikon (Korean radish). It was served with several side dishes of pickled vegetables and condiments.  The P1 was so prodigious that it had to be cooked in shifts.  Each of the meats was cooked to the au rigueur medium rare, tender and flavorful.  The “flower meat,” which could have suffered from the same oiliness that can hamper the enjoyment of its cousin, Wagyu beef, was especially tasty.

The P1 was accompanied by Fried Rice with Kimchi.  I won’t even hazard a guess as to what that dish contained, other than rice and kimchi.

After that culinary extravaganza, dessert was a non-starter.  The overall experience was excellent with the entertainment of having one’s food cooked at the table combined with the pleasure of a delicious meal.  A big group of diners is preferable so a larger selection of dishes can be ordered from the extensive menu.  At the end of the evening, yours truly was hoisted by a tower crane into his vehicle reassured that all will be well between South Korea and North Korea, provided the parties meet at Park’s BBQ.