Jonga Jip Korean BBQ Restaurant, Eastwood

With winter behind us and summer on our doorstep it brings new Sydney food adventures and puts some on the backburner.

Over the past few years our favourite winter comfort food would have to be Korean Hotpot, well for us it is as we rarely eat it during the warmer months. What I love so much about this soupy goodness is the combination of meat, noodles, veggies and seafood all poured into one enormous communal bowl.

It’s really the only time I’ll eat seafood during winter as I prefer it cold with a few beers or bottles of wine on a hot summer day.

WINTER IS KOREAN HOTPOT TIME!

My food affair with hotpot soups started while living and traveling through Thailand which is where I came across Sukiyaki and very similar to Korean Hotpot. I would have to say Korean Hotpot definitely wins out against the Thai version as it has more powerful flavours.

Over the past few years I would often eat at a sushi restaurant in Eastwood with a client of mine, one day we thought we’d change things up a bit and give Korean BBQ a try. A few doors down next to The Eastwood Hotel is the Korean BBQ restaurant, Jonga Jip. Since this initial visit I’ve been back numerous times with my wife Sun and we really enjoy it.

I’m partial to Korean BBQ however the smoke from the BBQ’s indoors does kinda turn me off it at times plus I didn’t want my suit to get all smelly. To my surprise it was quite smoke-free due to the air filtration system throughout the restaurant and air ducts situated over each of the BBQ tables.

On this occasion we went with their recommended Bullak Jeongol which is a Bulgogi beef and baby octopus casserole soup and an an inexpensive $48. There’s plenty of vegetables, beef and octopus (I LOVE IT) which is delivered shortly after the 10 Korean Banchan dishes that come included when ordering the hotpot. The Kimchi never lasts long and we always find ourselves ordering a few extra servings. (We haven’t been charged for the extra servings yet and not sure if this is the norm or we’ve just been lucky on the night)

The flavours are fantastic with a slight kick of spice which you can ask for extra spicy sauce to add if prefer it super spicy. Between three of us we barely finish everything and we’re all pretty big eaters, value for what you get is fantastic and I’ve spent close to double at other Korean BBQ restaurants in Hornsby or Sydney CBD area so we find this very cheap.

There are three different locations of Jonga Jip, two being in Eastwood and one in Epping. We dined at Jonga Jip 2 also known as Jonga Jip BBQ on Railway Parade located right next door to The Eastwood Hotel.

I’m sure you can tell from the numerous times we’ve eating here we definitely recommend it. The food is quick, the volume of food you get and the amount of side dishes that come with your meal is such great value. Just be prepared to smell a bit smokey after you’ve left, otherwise it’s such a great spot and awesome comfort food. This has definitely become our “go to” Korean BBQ Restaurant in Sydney when we’re not doing our DIY Korean Hot Pot at home.

What’s your favourite asian restaurant you’ve become a regular at and where’s is located?

 Photos by Trent Carpenter

Disclaimer: Food Assault was a paying customer of Jonga Jip BBQ. Opinions are our own.

Jonga Jip BBQ
Address: 13 Railway Parade, Eastwood NSW 2122
Phone: (02) 9858 3023