Quickly now, how many of you always walk or drive past a restaurant, and think to yourself, "hmmm, I really need to check that place out, one of these days?" Next part of the question, how many of you actually do make an effort to try out this "mystery restaurant", the one that never, ever seems to have any customers, that looks like a front for the Yakuza, or some other crime outfit, the one that never has any wonderful cooking fragrances wafting out the door. If you’re like me, you just walk or drive on by…….
Until you start food blogging. Now with a true mission, empowered and emboldened by Typepad, you become Super Foodie. If you’ve driven up Convoy street, or eaten at Nozomi, Convoy Noodle House, or Dede’s, you’ve probably taken a glance at Friend’s House Korean BBQ.
So did you take the time to walk in and eat? If you did, you’re of a minority of people I’ve spoken to. Only two individuals I know, have claimed to have eaten there. And when queried, all I could get out of them was a cryptic, "well, we mostly go there to drink soju…."
So on this evening, after staring at the food photos, and glancing at the menu, I walked on in. And was quickly greeted by 2 very nice young ladies, and seated at a table.
The interior of Friend’s House is paneled and divided with untreated wood, along with many photos, and a faux corrugated metal "roof".
I guess it does make you feel like you’re visiting a "friend’s house", and perhaps sitting on the patio, or in the garage. I’m sure that Friend’s House sounds more appetizing than Friend’s Garage……
I looked over then menu, and started with, the one dish that was mentioned to me. The Kun Mandoo($7.50):
These were a shade better then the frozen stuff, okay in flavor, though a bit on the oily side. The wrappers were also very brittle. But you could tell they were handmade. Not bad, but really not very good, the meal still showed promise.
I remember Ed from Yuma and I having dinner at Boo Cho and talking about how panchan is served in various Korean restaurants. Some restaurants will serve the panchan upfront, and give you something to "pick on" while waiting for your main course(s). Well, at Friend’s House everything came out in one furious rush, except for one item, that I’ll go into at the end.
The panchan:
Everything except the Baechu Kimchi, was served on a cute little plate, almost like what you’d use to feed little kids. I truly expected to see some Hello Kitty emblem on the plate. The Baechu Kimchi was very, very sour, at first I thought it might even be spoiled, but it was not. Overall, the panchan was a disappointment, well maybe not, since how can you be disappointed if you have no expectations. To summarize, the same marinade was used for the baechu kimchi, Cuttelfish, fishcake, and Mu(radish). They all tasted the same. The marinated potato wasn’t too bad, but on the mild side.
My Bulgogi(Thin sliced marinated beef $13.95) arrived at the same moment, along with the usual metal container of rice:
Well let’s see; the portion size was quite generous, but that’s about it. I knew this was going to be very mediocre Bulgogi when the sizzling plate was placed on my table, and I really couldn’t detect any fragrance at all. The meat seemed like it was quickly dumped into a marinade right before cooking, it was tough and flavorless. I didn’t eat but a few bites. I brought it home, and after the Missus got home from work, She opened the Styrofoam container, stared at the meat, wrinkled Her nose, and went "yuck".
And in what was an apt end to the meal, my soup arrived as I asked for my check.
The service at Friend’s House was very nice, though on the scatter-brained side. Not one customer entered the restaurant while I had my meal, so maybe someone can clue me in. Not that I’ll be back, though who knows, after a few bottles of Soju, that Bulgogi might taste good.
Friend’s House Korean BBQ
4647 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111