Special thanks to BBQ In Love Cafe for extending this food review invitation.
BBQ In Love Cafe (BBQ In 사랑 Cafe) is an interesting eatery along the main road of Raja Uda. Although it primarily serves Korean cuisine, the restaurant also has elements of Japanese and Western cooking.
Customers can be seated at regular dining tables, or opt for low tables on an elevated platform. Traditional Korean dresses (한복) are provided for selfie purposes. In addition, the restaurant has two special booths that afford a degree of intimacy.
Today’s meal begins with a round of Walmae Makgeolli (월매막걸리, RM22.00). Makgeolli is a rice wine with milky consistency. The bottle should be shaken properly before opening as the wine contains chalky sediment. With a low alcohol content, the wine is ideal for casual drinkers. Makgeolli is usually consumed as an apértif in order to stimulate the appetite.
Korean Fried Chicken (양념치킨, RM8.90) is a snack that was popularized by the Korean drama “My Love From The Star” (별에서온그대). Unlike its American counterpart, Korean Fried Chicken is fried twice in order to produce a crunchier crisp. After frying, the chicken is brushed with sweet-and-spicy sauce. I think it is not necessary to add crushed peanuts as the fried chicken is sufficiently crunchy.
Cheese Big Scallops (RM14.00) is one of the bestselling snacks in this restaurant. Each serving contains two large scallops, each covered with cheese and then baked until slightly browned. The strong taste of cheese makes the scallops go well with alcohol.
Moving on to Korean barbecue, the serving of Bulgogi Beef (불고기, RM38.00) uses premium Australian beef tenderloin. The juicy slices of beef are satisfying indeed. Bulgogi Beef is usually wrapped with lettuce and garlic. Ssamjang (쌈장) is also available upon request. Customers have the option of grilling the meat at their own tables if they prefer so.
The Korean Army Stew (부대찌개, RM49.00) comes with a platter of raw ingredients such as pork slices, meatballs, crab sticks, Korean dumplings (만두), Korean rice cakes (가래떡), tofu, shiitake mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, enoki mushrooms and lettuce. Each food item is cooked by dipping it into a boiling pot of kimchi stew (김치찌개).
Next, Korean Rice Cake (떡볶이, RM19.00) uses elongated Korean rice cakes that are quite chewy. The rice cakes are stir-fried with spicy chili paste (고추장), fish cakes, boiled eggs and scallions. The taste is quite addictive.
Each à la carte dish comes with three different side dishes called “banchan” (반찬). Popular varieties of banchan are cabbage kimchi (배추김치) and julienned Korean radish (무생채).
BBQ In Love Cafe has recently added several Western dishes too. For instance, Smoked Duck (RM25.90) is served with either teriyaki sauce or brown sauce. Each Western dish comes with French fries, garden salad and a scoop of ice cream.
After the meal, it is tempting to open another bottle of wine as an excuse to cleanse the palate. Plum Wine (매실주, RM48.00) is a popular choice among ethnic Koreans. As soon as the bottle is opened, floral aroma permeates the nose. As the wine is sipped, it presents fruity sweetness with a subtle hint of acidic aftertaste. The plums inside the wine bottle can be eaten in the end.
Even though BBQ In Love Cafe is a Korean restaurant, it covers a wide range of dishes to accommodate the taste buds of most people. As for the ambience, the dining area is particularly appealing to the younger crowd. It is also worthwhile to note that the restaurant is a suitable venue for private parties.
Name: BBQ In Love Cafe (BBQ In 사랑 Cafe)
Address: 7105, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-324-8492
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 6:00pm-11:00pm (Monday-Friday), 11:30am-11:00pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bbqinlovecafe
Coordinates: 5.42133 N, 100.38094 E
Directions: From Jalan Permatang Pauh, turn right into Jalan Raja Uda. Drive northbound for approximately 800 meters. BBQ In Love Cafe is located at a row of shops on the left just before Petronas gas station. There are plenty of car park spaces around the restaurant.
