Quai aux Briques 18, 1000 Bruxelles
What’s good? The menu is massive, offering Korean drinks, such as soju inspired cocktails and imported beers, traditional desserts, and everything in between from bibimbap to chicken wings.
The set barbecue menus can help with decision paralysis, providing a sample of the classics: comforting miso soup, sticky rice, sour kimchi, refreshing cucumber and, of course, classic meat like bulgogi and pork belly.
What’s not? The meat marinade did not provide much of a punch alone. A delicious sauce comes separately that you can dollop on yourself, but we were hoping for more exciting flavors.
Vibe: Bustling, loud and warm! Neon lights and upbeat music give the packed restaurant a lively feel as staff cater to various tables and people without reservations are turned away. Given that most of the tables are actively emitting heat, it is toasty to say the least — so dress appropriately!
Who’s picking up the check? While Korean barbecue is typically expensive, set menus are a good way to dodge the painful price tag. A menu for two sets you back just under €30 per person, in exchange for generous portions which can be packed away as leftovers if your eyes are bigger than your stomach.
Spotted: Friends and families enjoying cooking together. A girl with an enormous bouquet of flowers walked by, but the large barbecue tables limit your ability to play footsie with a date.
Insider tip: GOGI doesn’t offer online bookings — you need to call (cue Gen Z screaming). Make sure you specifically request a table with a barbecue on it over the phone.
Fun fact: Or not so fun fact if you have family or friends that take pleasure in your mortification … If staff are told it is someone’s birthday, they will abruptly blast a high-pitched happy birthday remix from the speakers and bring you a cake (presumably provided by aforementioned sadistic family/friends).
How to get there: Take the metro to St. Catherine and you are practically dropped at the door.
— Review published on December 14, 2023. Illustration by Dato Paruvala for POLITICO.
