The new restaurant located in the studenty Algirós area of Valencia offers an interactive experience for customers, who can cook in the traditional way at the table. Tradition and authenticity are two terms that define Korean culture. That in which the barbecue – better known as gogigui (고기구이)-, is literally at the centre of the table and, therefore, is the protagonist of any meeting or special event. In Korea, grilling is a popular custom as it allows diners to practice the technique and showcase the different ingredients. This is the premise behind Hanwoo, the new Korean barbecue restaurant that has landed in Valencia – specifically in the Algirós area, next to the universities – with the aim of offering an interactive experience through which to feel the power of fire at the table.

Hanwoo presents itself as a unique space that pays homage to Korean culture. The extensive menu offers dozens of choices of quality grilled meats, as well as starters, vegetables and other hot dishes. In terms of design, the dining room at Hanwoo (C/ Poeta Artola, 11) is spacious and welcoming. Diners are seated at tables covered by an infrastructure that simulates a tent made of canvas and wood, which provides privacy. In the centre of the table, a barbecue is lit once the feast begins.

A technique with a history

Although this practice is new to the city, it has its origins several centuries ago. Barbecue is said to have originated in Korea’s older dynasties, such as the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897), where the grill was already used in the process of preparing meat. This practice has evolved to the point where it has become one of the most popular due to the opening of specialised samgyeopsal (삼겹살), a term that gives its name to the act of cooking meat at the table. “It was time to step out of the ordinary because there are already a lot of buffets focused on Asian cuisine,” says the Hanwoo team, who also stress that they have focused on Korean food because it is enjoyed in harmony with friends and family.

Although the main role is played by meat, there are ingredients that complement the menu by adding new flavours and personalising the experience even more. What should not be missing on the table if you visit Hanwoo?

– Starters include fried beef gyozas and tempura prawns. There is also the option of ordering a varied combo to savour the restaurant’s best recipes.

– If you prefer pre-cooked dishes, the vegetable japchae is one of the most popular. Very popular in Korea, it consists of stir-fried noodles mixed with a variety of vegetables.

– Meat ladder, meanwhile, is Hanwoo’s signature dish. As the name suggests, it is a ladder of thinly-sliced meat. It includes marinated chicken thigh, chicken breast with spicy sauce, secreto iberico, Iberian pork belly, Angus beef belly with sauce, beef tacos with pepper and Angus shoulder. Everything is served ready to be grilled at the table.

The bodegón is rounded off by the numerous fresh vegetables available for cooking as garnish, including asparagus, lettuce, peppers, courgettes, red onions and mushrooms. These are placed on an electric grill, which leaves three spaces around them to place the egg or sauces such as cheese sauce and another one used to drain the fat from cooking the meat. Desserts such as mochi (matcha tea, strawberry, vanilla and sesame), cheese afternoon or lotus biscuit dessert are the finishing touch.

A concept that will get people talking

“The fact that the customer is the chef himself is a real eye-catcher,” says the Hanwoo team. They are in charge of selecting the best product, preparing it correctly and presenting it at the table in an attractive way. The customer, on the other hand, is the one who cooks it and cooks it to his or her preference. “The meat is cooked quickly because the barbecue reaches 220 degrees”, they add. In addition, the state-of-the-art extractors above each table ensure that the smell doesn’t get on your clothes. The result is a dynamic experience that connects with Korean culture from start to finish.

Hanwoo not only has an à la carte menu, but also operates a lunch menu available from Monday to Friday. For 19’90 euros, this includes some of the restaurant’s most outstanding dishes. A space that, at the same time, does not stop thinking about what is to come. That is why they are already working to add to the menu, in the medium and long term, items such as Angus prey or Korean cocktails.

Hanwoo is proof that, in Korea, barbecue is not just a technique or a dish, but a tribute to culture and traditional flavours too. Flavours that were once discovered by our ancestors and that today go around the world, reminding us that fire is a reason to get together. It creates new moments, different sensations and unforgettable memories.

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’