It's no longer revolutionary to see Koreans doing Texas-style barbecue. In Seoul, Linus' Barbecue is probably one of the most famous examples, but there are BBQ joints like Manimal (which I like much better than Linus) out there, too.
Below is a video for a place called Cowboy Grill. I'd like to know your thoughts on this one, Dear Reader... while I think the brisket they show is nicely done on the inside, I'm a little iffy about the outside. Something funny seemed to be going on (aside from the fact that this place bills itself as Texas-style barbecue but uses a Carolina-style mustard rub). Ideally, the outside of a properly done brisket should have a distinctly firm bark that looks burned but is actually more charred (Google "charred vs. burned" to learn more, but basically charred food is edible while burned/burnt food isn't). In the video, though, the outside "bark" looks too moist and mushy. Maybe the tender, juicy inside of the meat makes up for the weirdly textured outside, but I don't know: something about this preparation makes me hesitate. That said, the beef ribs and BBQ chicken all look amazing. Cowboy Grill is located in Jecheon City, North Chungcheong Province. The description says you probably need a reservation to eat there. I admit I'm curious about the place, but getting there without a car is gonna be a pain.
Really surprised to see that it is so popular. I ate at Linus a few times but never had a problem getting a seat.
ReplyDeleteI don't know enough about brisket to comment on whether it was sufficiently charred, but the [South] Carolina-style mustard rub is intriguing. I really came to enjoy that flavor when I lived there, despite grumblings of folks north of the border insisting, "that ain't real barbeque."
Come on, you know you are going to find your way there for a visit!
I've seen brisket like that. I don't know if it's true "Texas-style" (or if there even is such a thing, given the wide variety of barbecue you see in Texas), but I've seen it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, if I were going to be in the neighborhood, I might think about stopping by, but that's kind of a remote location to visit just to try out the barbecue.
Also... can I say this? Honestly I think barbecue is kind of overrated. Not that good barbecue can't be great, but the way some people talk about it you'd think it was the second coming of Christ or something. It's just meat cooked slow and low, people. Calm down.
Charles,
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess you're not going back to Texas ever again.
That said, some sacred cows are meant to be killed and eaten.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll be going back to Texas. I'll be back there next month, in fact. I'm an outsider there anyway, so random pronouncements on the importance of barbecue aren't going to change anything.
ReplyDeleteThen again, a lot of people in Texas these days are "outsiders."
Be sure to wear your "BBQ Ain't That Gr8" tee shirt. The one with the target on the back.
ReplyDelete