The Ultimate Guide to Korean BBQ [Samgyup] Restaurants in Riyadh

Let’s explore the delicious world of grilled meats, Korean-style!

Korean BBQ is a popular style of dining and cooking in Korean cuisine. It involves grilling various types of meat, such as beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, at the table. Typically, in Korean BBQ, diners are provided with a grill built into the table, where they can cook the meat themselves to their preferred level of doneness. The meat is often marinated or seasoned with a variety of flavorful sauces and spices, which add depth and enhance the taste.

In addition to the grilled meat, Korean BBQ meals usually include a variety of side dishes called banchan. These can consist of kimchi (fermented cabbage), pickled vegetables, steamed rice, and other accompaniments that complement the flavors of the grilled meat. My favorite includes tteokbokki and sweet and spicy anchovies. 

Korean BBQ has gained popularity worldwide due to its interactive and social nature, where friends and family gather around the table to grill and enjoy the delicious smoky flavors together. If you think about it, years ago, this kind of meal won’t be that popular here in Saudi Arabia because of the segregation in restaurants. Booths where families or bachelors eat are covered and divided by thick walls or fabrics so the smoke of a Korean BBQ is not appropriate in those kinds of restaurants. Mausok galore! Thankfully, this is not the case now and we can already enjoy eating with our families and friends, men and women together! 

Riyadh has three popular Korean samgyupsalan:

1. MEATIN GRILL’S

The very first Korean BBQ restaurant in Riyadh is Meatin’ Grills. A bit far from the city center but it’s worth the trip. They have a variety of marinated and unmarinated meats making theirs the most multi (worth it). They also have a lot of side dishes and sauces to choose from.

• MEATIN GRILL’S
• 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM (1:00 AM on weekends)
• SR 150 per person (excluding drinks)
• +966502510941
• The Riyadhizen by TPT Post

2. JEJU

One that is more accessible to those in the city center is Jeju. We like the coziness of the place and the warmth of the staff. Because the space is a bit small and the tables are close to each other, feel na feel namin na para gaming nasa Korean drama where the actors eat most of the time. A plus in eating here is not only their Korean BBQ but also their hotpot, an unlimited warm soup that goes well with their food. 

• JEJU SAMGYUP AND HOTPOT
• 12:00 NN – 2:00 AM
• SR 120 per person (excluding drinks)
• +966541137558
• The Riyadhizen by TPT Post

3. WOO SAMGYUP

Another Korean BBQ in Suleimania is Woo Samgyup. They have beef, chicken and shrimp that are not marinated and side dishes that are tasty. It’s a no-fuss Korean BBQ restaurant.

• WOO SAMGYUP
• 12:00 NN – 1:00 AM
• SR 130 per person (excluding drinks)
• +966563654724

There’s another one that we haven’t tried. For SR 85, you will get a set of meats, veggies and banchan for a Korean BBQ experience at ASIAN TASTE RESTAURANT in Malaz.

So, let’s samgyup? G?