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Galbi Restaurant
19 Bloem St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
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Galbi Restaurant

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Ya
Review №1

Galbi is Korean BBQ restaurant. They serve good quality food . They have good variety of meat . spending time around 1:30 to 2 hours at the restaurant . Because of the Korean way of cooking. It’s fun and fresh way to eat . I like the food and service but the place need some development. I don’t like the area and the entrance. They have one back door and one from the convenient shop. Check the opening hours before you go and try to go in group.

Vi
Review №2

Interesting experience where you have the option to order raw meat/fish and grill it yourself, complimented with precooked sides or hot pots.The restaurant has mainly meaty dishes, with one veg and one fish dish. The food is not too spicy, however you can control this based on your cooking skills or preferences. Portions are not too big either.Service was pleasant, interior is low-key, however the place does get pretty smokey due to all the coal used by each table for cooking.

Mi
Review №3

This place is a hidden gem, if you want to try something different especially as a group you have to try this!You basically recieve your food raw, they then provide you with coals which is placed in the center of the table.You then cook what ever you ordered and then enjoy!If you want something from your waiter you press the button on the table and they come immediately. I LOVED THIS.Best part is they are in the entertainer!

Ch
Review №4

Myself and a friend visited Galbi, as we had heard about a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant, which we had both been wanting to try for some time now.When we entered we welcomed by very friendly and accommodating staff (we werent aware that you need to book a table prior to coming in, but we were nonetheless provided with a seat). The restaurant was nicely set up and the decor and atmosphere were good as well.Beyond this the drinks selection was nice and large, albeit it slightly pricey.Nevertheless we dove straight into our orders, both of us having the selection of meat which, using the gas fire in the middle of each table, you can cook to your own taste. Regrettably however, whilst the selection of meats available was nice and broad, we both felt that the quality was not as good as we were both hoping. Nonetheless the sides were fantastic though and for the experience I would go back at least one more time with some friends.

Dy
Review №5

Asian style menu with local offerings to mix it up. Cook your own meats on the grids to your liking. Have a zebra loin, Wildebeest sirloin or a variety of wild game meats in addition to the usual standard chicken, lamb, beef and pork. Plenty of options to choose from and side veggies are plentiful.

Ni
Review №6

Brilliant atmosphere. It is a unique way to dine, grilling your own food, at your table. They have a wide variety of game meats, from kudu to zebra. The prices are a bit steep. The staff are friendly and very helpful.

Fe
Review №7

Got 2 free glasses of wine because I booked with Feastfox between 5 - 6 pm and ordered a tasting menu for 2 (great value for money, the pork is delicious). The waiter who served us offered one of the best services in town! He navigated us through the menu and helped us to experience the best the restaurant had to offer, if you want to try the same, book a table with Feastfox and ask for Edward. Its a really cool experience to cook your own food! The experience is great for groups or great business meetings ;)

Ja
Review №8

Great intimate place for couples or small groups, prices are beyond reasonable and a fun experience. Definitely worth the visit

Le
Review №9

Really great restaurant and experience. Reasonably priced. It would help if they gave you cooking instructions though, especially for the more exotic meats.

We
Review №10

Great experience, this is something different and different is always good. Great drink selection and the food is yummy. Basically it is a fancy braai in a restaurant, instead of yoir house and you do not have to wash the dishes. We had chicken wings, prawns, springbok, zebra just to name a few and you cook your meat and veggies on a charcoal grill built into the table while having a drink with your friends. A must do in Cape Town, a read hidden gem.

Ka
Review №11

Had a great Korean style braai. So much fun. Definitely recommend it. The staff is very nice too.

Cl
Review №12

What a cool experience! And definitely well priced, although not cheap.The staff are very friendly, and the tables are equipped with a call button for convenience.The sides can definitely feed two people. Its a good idea to order a bunch of different things and share amongst the table.The entrance is quite tricky to find. Walk into the 210 on long mall, Galbi is on the far left, at the back.

Ti
Review №13

Very good staff. The food was delicious. You have to order the banchan unfortunately. The South African twist was cool with the different meats. The owner was also very attentive with attention to detail. Yummy. Try this place!

Qu
Review №14

If you like korean food, this is a must. Really real. The only but is that its a bit smokey inside.

ma
Review №15

The food experience was greatUnique food options, off the charts!(I had Zebra & Ostrich)Decor was good but could be betterStaff friendly but VERY relaxed,Only one red wine to speak of which is very odd as this aria is famous for wine & it’s a MEAT reastraunt, so mountains of development opportunity hereMost importantly the price points for what you got were extremely reasonable, all in all high spec product with low price & ‘chilled’ service, definitely a hidden Gem for Cape Town & worth a visit, it was quit for me as it was a Monday night but I suspect it would get quite busy so I’d recommend booking & this reastraunt is particularly great for large groups, I would not recommend coming on your own.

Ad
Review №16

Truly an amazing dining experience. You bbq your own meat and veg, on an open flame. The perfect place if you want to impress your friends and family.

Ad
Review №17

Walk down a small alley and experience another culture while being here in South Africa. The prices are not too bad and the beer selection is very good. The star of the show though is the meat selection and the service! Explaining the concept will not do it justice

Vi
Review №18

Super cool experience. I really enjoyed the food as well. Only thing is that we went on an evening when there were only two waitrons serving a full restaurant. Consequently the service was lacking. Otherwise, great evening.

Ab
Review №19

We went early so it was rather quiet. The service was good and the food well priced too. It is a completely different dining out experience from most other restaurants. I will be back again!

Bi
Review №20

I am so glad I discovered this little place! It is tucked away in one of the small streets leading to Long street.We enjoyed having a little private braai (although the place fills up wiyh smoke quite quickly)For appetizers we ordered a braaibroodjie, camenbert and oopsie. All of which were great!You order your mains as raw meat from the menu with extra sides as you wish. The prices are reasonable, but the bill can add up quickly if you dont keep record. I liked the idea of trying different types of meat. The zebra and warthog was amazing and so tender. My favourite was the beef fillet though! I like my steak rear, so I only haf it on the hot coals for a short while - absolutely delicious!(They also have 1 vegetarian opyion available)Overall a good experience with friendly staff. Braai coals are changed are needed.Fun and delicious!

Si
Review №21

Amazing, amazing, amazing. Try it!Its a must during your stay!I cant say more than that - try it for yourself and enjoy the food as well as the overall experience!

Ni
Review №22

So much of fun! Best cocktails in town!!!

Ke
Review №23

This is a good place to go if you want Korean BBQ with a South African twist

Sh
Review №24

One of those hidden gems, in Cape Town. Great for a group of 4+ to have a leisurely long dinner. The range is great, from Tempura to Wildebeest steaks. Make sure you try the Jalapeño poppers and a shot of their Bek Se Ju

Ge
Review №25

It was quite a wonderful experience to cook your own meat as you were eating at your own table. The wide selection of meats was great (the zebra was a favourite) however I did wish that it had more marinate on it as they flavours were not really noticable after cooking. I also expected more than half a meilie as a side. The lighting could be a little dimmer to create more of an ambience and maybe some decorations along the alley entrance so it doesnt look too scary would go a long way.

Fi
Review №26

Really a fantastic Restaurant Awesome food great vibe and friendly service

Di
Review №27

I absolutely love this restaurant. Had my first semi korean food experience here and have been back 5 times already, will definitely be back again especially for the pork belly and deliciously spicy kimchi. If you know how to braai then your food should turn out delectable as the meat is spiced great. Only thing that I would love to make it a 5 star experience would be to give the meat deboned. Its a bit of a pain having to cut around the bones mid air with a scissor.

De
Review №28

Amazing place to eat at thats very different! If you are looking for a change this is definitely a place to try out. You braai your own food on a tiny fire in the middle. Extremely clever. Food is absolutely perfect and staff very friendly!

Ma
Review №29

Great place for a new experience.

Mi
Review №30

If new experiences are what you are looking for then Galbi is a must try, but be prepared for a long night as meat does take some time to cook. And if you are 4 people at one little grill it is some what of a challenge to get meat on for all 4.

Ke
Review №31

I love Galbi. I really enjoy the Korean and African infusion on the menu. The decor as well as the location is great and I am definitely a regular customer. Cooking my own food is a unique and good experience

La
Review №32

Very wonderful experience. Located in a seedy looking alley, but well worth the price. Can get very warm inside with all the cooking going around the small room. If youre looking for an authentic experience, this isnt the place to go, but its definitely an establishment that should be experienced.Bookings of ten or more people require and deposit to be paid.

Ro
Review №33

Having experienced the real Korean barbecue in Busan, this didnt quite meet my admittedly high expectations. Its billed as fusion, so fair enough, the food was delicious and their beer menu was excellent!That said, the price tag didnt match the quantities of the dishes, and the cooking process was somewhat slow.

Ze
Review №34

One of Long Streets hidden gems - a DIY restaurant in a dinghy corner! Definitely worth checking out. They have both safe and exotic foods to choose from, and the side dishes are served cooked while you get to grill your own meat! A fun and inexpensive experience.

Ad
Review №35

Awesome Korean food experience. Never thought cooking your own food at your table could be so much fun. A must try when you do Long Street. The host/owner is very friendly.

Re
Review №36

Amazing experience and such an interesting selection of food.

No
Review №37

Amazing space and vibe just not fond of my hair and clothes smelling smokey

Ch
Review №38

Love this place. Been twice and the menu is a great fusion. Quirky alleyway entrance and lovely and authentic inside. Great staff and good value for a different meal out!

Ha
Review №39

Great prices for meat to grill. Great service.

Se
Review №40

Definitely a fun experience, not many places offer the opportunity for you to grill your own meat to your liking. Its part of the fun experience. The food is great if youre looking for something new. Make a booking and go as as small group. 11/10 would recommend

Se
Review №41

Great place, delicious food, friendly and quick staff. It is so much fun to “braai” your own food!! There’s a lot of choice in meat and side dishes. The bibimbap is delicious! Not SUPER cosy decorated (this could be better), But the place is great for groups. Make sure to make a reservation!! It’s usually very crowded and fully booked.

Ad
Review №42

Try the set menu for an African taste! Only problem I had was that it was way to smokey in there. The vents didnt work for some reason. However, the service was nice, manager was friendly and food was tasty!

Fa
Review №43

The vibe is awesome

Uy
Review №44

This place is not authentic, I understand they are trying to mix the south African culture with the Korean but it just wasnt what I have experienced having been to other Korean restaurants. Also the atmosphere is quite dull and dingy, its located in a literal alleyway. The chicken tasted nothing like Korean fries chicken Ive had

Ka
Review №45

Excellent food and service.

Je
Review №46

Very interesting restaurant. The food was very nicely spiced. You cook your own meat on a table grill / braai. We were confused because the coals are very hot but the meat did not cook very fast.

Ri
Review №47

I would not have thought of going, it was one of those rare finds. Great experience, great food, lovely fresh cocktails. A different experience that I definitely will go back to again. Great for dates or out with friends and family.

Ma
Review №48

Great place for eating game meat - but youll have to make it yourself on the Korean BBQ which is a lot of fun.Lots of food and reasonable rates.Good sides, too; especially the mashed potatoes.Recommendable!

St
Review №49

The vibe is good. You can braai/barbecue your own meats the way you want it as there is a built-in grill in the table. A lovely setting.

Je
Review №50

Amazing fusion of Korean and South African foods! We ordered zebra, wildebeest, and warthog and each was flavoured in a way that complimented the meat. Also, the sesame flavoured butternut squash was unexpectedly lovely.

Nc
Review №51

Very nice and different experience. Food was very very tasty. A definite repeat. Hint: book in advance.

Ni
Review №52

A fun night with a group of friends. DIY cooking always leads to a number of laughs. Large menu choice makes finding something to your liking easy. The portions are ok sized and prices are reasonable for individual items.Desserts are pretty standard and limited. A selection of drinks are on offer too. This is by no means fine dining though it is a cool alternative to regular restaurant going and worth checking out as something different.

La
Review №53

Atmosphere inside the restaurant is quite delightful especially if you havent experience Korean BBQ before.One down side is that the portion of rice in the meal sets is very little, especially if you are sharing. The soups are also spicy. Service can be a little slow and unresponsive when it gets busy. Just keep pressing the table bell.They deserve a 5 star if they are more generous with portions in the meal sets.

Co
Review №54

Good food. Great selection of meat. Also vegan options. Definitely recommend.

Ca
Review №55

Cocktails were delicious and the food was worth every penny. Very satisfied and full after the galbi sets. Great time and so fun cooking our own meat at the table. Definitely recommend for a unique and different food experience🤗

Mi
Review №56

Great experience, great food, great service. You cook your own food but you have the option of ordering cooked food as well. The room gets quite smoked up as well and very hot, but I feel it just adds to the ambience. There is attention to detail, the manager noticed my mother was getting very hot so he brought a fan just for her, we felt that was very thoughtful.Neg - we didnt get our orders all at once, it was very sporadic. We waited a good 45 min for the sweet potato fries. The food portions are a bit small as well.

Ry
Review №57

Having stayed in Korea for a year before, being able to visit a authentic Korean restaurant was exciting. Felt very familiar, with a well decorated interior. The drinks menu was quite entertaining, with creative cocktails. The food was unfortunately a bit of a let down, not bad by any means however it did not feel or taste the same, and all in all the visit turned out quite pricey. Keeping mind, you are not just getting a meal, but also an experience.

sh
Review №58

Love this niche place.. you barbeque your own meat.. nice selection of drinks and friendly staff

Ja
Review №59

Very relaxing and most enjoyable place. The food is awesome and the staff are well trained and welcoming. The owner is on his toe to ensure that all is well. Affordable and great food. Will be visiting again soon.

An
Review №60

Super fun experience! Ideal for a fun date night or (I can just imagine) awesome birthday party dinner. I LOVED the button on the table to call the waiter (instead of him swinging by the table every few minutes to ask if everything is still okay).The meat was fresh and well prepared and all the side dishes was perfectly suited for the braai! Loved it, well done Galbi Restaurant.

LS
Review №61

The food is amazing and its a fun experience.

Le
Review №62

Very nice place for a date or meet up with a group of friends. Very friendly staff and quality of food is consistent.The food is different from what I expected from a Korean BBQ as the style is Korean BBQ but with African based dishes with some extra variations. The walk way to the resturant feels a bit sketchy during the day. However, the night time lights does make it feel more welcoming.

Fr
Review №63

Get this Capetonians, you find that hot bint you’ve been eyeing for ages. You chise her and invite her out for a cheeky bite.Ok hold up.So she expects you to take her somewhere like Primi or something, but you being the skelm you’re know the way to a girls heart is by giving her the meat. That’s right guys, you get everything here Beef, Springbok, Zebra, you name it, and guess what else you can show off your braai skills on the fly! You grill all your meet at a mini braai at a table. 10/10.

Ju
Review №64

The food was bomb and the bbq part of the dinner worked out so nicely. Friendly staff and overall a great vibe. It was my boyfriends and I one year and Galbi made it one to remember.

Do
Review №65

Absolutely loved it. The experience, service and taste of the food. Would highly recommend people to visit Galbi if you are looking for a Korean food experience.

St
Review №66

Very unique. All different types of meat that you can cook yourself. Always order two drinks at a time as they take quite long to get your drinks for you. But such a different style and well worth the money.

De
Review №67

Such a cool shared experience and definitely a great place to go if you want to try all the different wild meats in South Africa

An
Review №68

An amazing surprise in Cape Town who knew you could find Korean BBQ with an African twist. Also by far the best service Ive had in a restaurant in zar. Be adventurous and try some of the meats you cant find back home.

Me
Review №69

My favourite restaurant in the world. Delicious food, great staff, amazing prices.

Ra
Review №70

Grill your own food on your own grill!!

Ro
Review №71

Great experience, very efficient staff, like i said i really enjoyed the experience. Great food, with a nice variety to choose from. Local and Korean beers available including local craft beers. Nice wine list as well.

Si
Review №72

Bookings are essential, the food was fantastic as always. Just wish the food couldve arrived a little faster since it is diy. Overall fantastic night with the New Yorkers. I suggest you try the zebra, tender and tasty

Vi
Review №73

Amazing experience, something everyone should do at least once. A mini bucket list restaurant!! Quality of meat and food in general is insane. Thumbs up guys

Iv
Review №74

Tried mandus and bibimbap and they were not very korean... The kimchi jjiggae instead was very good!

Ju
Review №75

Its a great place if youre looking for something different. We have a strong culture for meat, so Korean barbeque is a definite win. Its best enjoyed with a group of somewhat adventurous people.

Mi
Review №76

A lovely unpretentious spot off Long Street where you are allowed to braai/BBQ your own meat and Korean starters at the table with your mates.Choose from anything like beef, pork and Springbok to Zebra, Warthog and even tofu strips - all beautifully marinated, with. Distinct Korean flavour.Order your meat/protein with a few sides and your done.Friendly service, good for large groups.

Me
Review №77

Great idea, good service but it was just a little hot for summer! XD Sitting in front of a open grill and all. Was definitely worth the visit and well definitely go again.

Vi
Review №78

Food is okay. Service was almost non-existent. Nice ambience though.

Review №79

This was a great experience! Quite unusual from your normal restaurant! Good quality food and fresh ingredients. The service was great!

Ru
Review №80

Authentic Korean food. A friend of mine, which was residing in Korea for a year went with us... A unique and fun experience. Take your friends and go and experience fantastic Korean food. Owner and staff was friendly and on the ball to say the least. P.S. Try the soup...

Pa
Review №81

Very good food. Love the way you can grill your own meat to your liking.

La
Review №82

Great fast service. Reasonable prices. Great food. Loved mixing traditional Korean BBQ with some local game meats.

Fr
Review №83

Excellent experience. Too bad the Hite beer was not in stock. Would love some salted seaweed to be used with rice and for rolling as an extra on the menu

He
Review №84

Tried the Korean BBQ. We liked that they offered a combination of pork, beef and tofu. Selection of side dishes was good, but the quality of meat did not fully meet our expectations, as it was not sliced very thin and contained bones.

An
Review №85

What an amazing experience we had at Glabi! The food was delicious, the prices were reasonable and the service was excellent. Id definitely recommend this restaurant!

bi
Review №86

Great value. Good idea. Music could have been better but 5 outta 5 overall

Ro
Review №87

Felt like I was in Korea for a few hours. Fresh food served with excellent service. Ill be back for more!

L
Review №88

Their food is good and the service excellent. It just needs a little more exposure. Great for socializing.

Mo
Review №89

Nice food, nice interior. I love the inside brai concept... Its a place to share nice moments in group.

Ma
Review №90

This is a quality spot if you like your red meat. They have platters of various meats (Springbok, Zebra, kudu and even warthog). The kicker is, you can braai it yourself right at your table!

At
Review №91

Alleyway looks dodgy, yet the place is anything but. Excellent experience, waiters were attentive and very friendly. If you dont understand Korean BBQ, theyll Explain it 2 you. I will definitely go again.

Lw
Review №92

I’ve always wanted to experience an authentic Korean BBQ and I guess this is the closeste I got since I’m not in Korea.Anyways, the food is great but the seasoning can be a bit too flavorful if you’re like me who likes to stick to lemon and salt in every food.But overall the food is great, the staff is friendly. The restaurant itself is small but very cozy. It has a rustic but still modern decor...It’s a lovely experience specially for groups just to be chilling and talking while braaing your meat..

Br
Review №93

Not quite traditional Korean fare, but some favourites are on the menu.The best option is to order a platter of mixed meats instead of a single dish per person. One platter is enough to feed 3 people unless youre feeling famished.A word of advice though, place your food order as soon as possible as you will wait quite a while before receiving it.The place does get rather smokey, so be prepared for that.Finding the entrance can be difficult as its located in a tiny mall at the top of Long Street.Prices are very good for the amount of food you get, however the dessert menu is just meh .They tend to get rather full over weekends so book in advance.

ze
Review №94

Place has a great atmosphere and the staff is so friendly. A little hidden away but the food was great definately recommend a visit

Ma
Review №95

GREAT.Food was a great experience.Sevice was friendly and good.Portions and variety to everyones expectations

St
Review №96

Food was fantastic but space is an issue when more than 4 and its busy. Would recommend to anyone...

Cu
Review №97

The best experience of enjoying a relaxed evening. The atmosphere outstanding and the food quality great. This is a must experience in Cape Town.

De
Review №98

Alternative dining experience, cooking your own food.

Gr
Review №99

Fun night out for a group! Cook your own food and share with your friends. Great flavours and good ambiance.

An
Review №100

Funnest mini braai ever! Such a relaxing vibe with excellent meat and sides selection and busy as hell. Loved everything except the zebra😉

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.5 Rating
  • Address:19 Bloem St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
  • Phone:+27 21 424 3030
Categories
  • Korean restaurant
Working hours
  • Monday:5–10PM
  • Tuesday:5–10PM
  • Wednesday:Closed
  • Thursday:5–10PM
  • Friday:5–10PM
  • Saturday:5–10PM
  • Sunday:5–10PM
Service options
  • Dine-in:No
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