Endless choice of meat and fun DIY, what’s not to love about Korean BBQ? I mean okay, the smell lingers for days, but that’s a price worth paying for. Palsaik specialises in Korean BBQ, and has been around for a while now, and I finally made it down there one Monday night with a friend. The interior was a lot sleeker than I expected, mood lighting all around (which means bad photos unfortunately), and there was plenty of tables. The whole space looked more spacious than Korean restaurants I’m used to.
One of my go to restaurants for korean cuisine. Would defnitely recommend their multi flavored pork! great for people with big groups as their seating may acomodate more than 10 ++
Firstly the service provided by the staff was honestly nothing short of amazing. Staff are friendly and always very attentive. We shared there pork platter and it melted away in your mouth. Certainly worth checking out!
We came here without a reservation and only got a seat because someone didn't show up to their reservation. We waited 20 minutes and it would have been longer if it wasn't for our luck. At first, the bad ventilation made it very hard for me to breathe (I'm an asthmatic) but it became bearable. I guess the "warehouse/industrial" design has its detriments.
We ordered the Palsiak set ($58) which was plenty of food for 2 people. A variety of pork belly and a seafood kimchi stew. I love that the meats weren't frozen. The kimchi here tastes amazing too - one of the best side dishes. My favourite so far! I love that they gave pieces of tteok (rice cakes) to grill too! I've never seen that anywhere.
I highly recommend this Kbbq joint but please make sure you make a reservation! Don't be silly like we were and rock up thinking at peak hour we'd be seated. We were just lucky.
Absolutely awesome kbbq place. My new fav. Atmosphere was great with spacious tables. Every item on the combo B menu was perfect, especially the big thick cuts of scotch fillet which were so mouth wateringly delicious. The service was great, not too overly fussy but attentive enough and the main female superviser or manager had great English and rapport with her patrons. Will be coming back!
I was extremely satisfied with the KBBQ dinner at Palsaik. We ordered the BBQ set for 8 to serve 6 people with some extra dishes and there was plenty of food. There was a good selection of meats and the seafood pancake was delicious. Dinner service was busy so it was hard getting the attention of staff members. However it was a good meal and we were left wobbling out of the restaurant.
Great quality food. Had the beef platter. It's worth it for the price. Quick service and friendly. Very busy place so better to book it in advance .
Great Korean BBQ tucked away on a inconspicuous corner off Little Bourke Street. Above a short stairway is Palsaik, greeting your senses with a smoky air welcoming you in.
This place is noticeably packed all the time, especially on a Friday night, with bustling crowds and a wait list as early as 6.30pm. The turnaround is a little slow and they do tell you it'll take approximately 15-20 mins to get a table, but the wait is actually closer to 40 mins. We noticed the waiters here are very friendly and laid back but are a little slow at seating people. There were three empty tables ready to go as we stood waiting for our names to be called, the tables were empty for about 10-15 mins before we finally were seated.The pork belly set was generous and marinated well. The beef set, also thoroughly enjoyable. We ordered a tteokbokki/topokki which cost $24.50, expecting it to barely feed two people - we were sorely mistaken! This came out in a giant pot enough to feed 3 people on it's own without the meat sets. Not that we complained of course - it was delicious and spicy, just the way we like it. The chewy rice cakes, moorish ramen noodles and softened cabbage worked wonderfully together and we would highly recommend it (but bring friends to help you finish it).
P.s. this place will make your clothes and/or hair smell like smoke. A small price to pay for a good Korean feast.
This is a sister restaurant for the smaller Chango, try this bigger place in Chinatown if Chango is too busy which it usually is.
Always enjoy the Korean BBQ here, especially the well known Palsaik set which includes 8 marinated flavours of Pork Belly along with condiments, sharing appetizers like salads and Kim Chi. And a Kimchi seafood stew.
Can fill up 2 hungry guys or 3 not so hungry people.
Reasonable price, service could be slightly more attentive. But they are fast once you have it.
Come back reguarly
Absolutely great place to dine. The waiter I had was very welcoming and interactive and made my whole night much more enjoyable. The vibe and overall setting is much more welcoming than changgo. Service was great and food came out very quickly. Bathroom could be cleaner but overall one of my Korean BBQ favourites.
Never been a hard fan for korean BBQ but their pork thats battered with 8 different spices change my life. It was so good and the meat was so tender.
I keep telling myself to return here when I had another opportunity. I can't forget the 7 types of samgyopsal bbq deal! Price range was reasonable for the quality and quantity. Fighting palsaik!
Probably my favourite KBBQ spot in the CBD. I'm always satisfied whenever I go and I love the sides they give, especially the spring onion one. The set meals comes with heaps of meat and soup too, it always feeds much more than what's suggested. It's very spacious however it's best to book beforehand for bigger groups. The service is okay, some times I feel like it's hard to get the waiter's attention but they do help you with the cooking and all.
Had been recommended by a friend to try this place for Korean BBQ. Came here on a Friday night around 7pm and had to wait almost 40mins to get a seat. Ordering the 8 flavours of pork, they had all tasted similar in flavour and not much to differentiate between them. On the plus side, the staff were friendly.
been here with Apriadi Tjhai Nathan M and 3 other people. Great service because they were friendly and attentive, generous portions of meat, and the ambience was two thumbs up :-) definitely worth a second visit
Really nice place to eat with a couple of friends. My friends and I got the BBQ set which was quite filling.Great atmosphere! Great service! Will be back!
Excellent food. Excellent service. Loved it!!!!!! Would definitely come back.
Favorite korean barbeque in CBD. I would recommend the 8 flavor pork belly that comes with several side dishes, bowls of rice, soup and magnificent kimchi. Personally I prefer to change the soup to the fish-cake soup rather that sticking with kimchi stew. Don't forget to order the kimchi pancake to complete your meal.
Oh! You might want to booked your place since you might need to wait a long queue if you don't.
This of my favourite Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne! The pork belly here is divine. I find the pork belly at other KBBQ restaurants to be really thick for my taste, and to me, the Palsaik one is just perfect!! The beef sets taste pretty good too, but we usually get the 8 coloured pork belly set which comes with 2 bowls of rice and Korean soup - it can feed about 2-3 people. If you don't like soy bean stew you can swap it for something like fishcake soup (which is what we usually do!)
Service here is lovely, although sometimes if it gets busy you may find you have to take some initiative to cook the meat, but otherwise they are prompt, and the kimchi is to die for!!! I love having somaek (soju + Korean beer) with my BBQ and the lighting and atmosphere in the restaurant is great for dining with a group of friends!!
Ddeokbokki is not bad, but it is really spicy.. last time we asked for it to be less spicy but it was quite sweet? Not really to my taste, but if you can take spice, the ddeokbokki is not bad.
Also if you have bags/coats, you can store it inside your seat.
Only negative is that compared to the original Palsaik (8 colour pork) in Korea, the soup here is a little bit smaller, and prices are a bit steeper, but I guess different countries, different standards of living so cannot complain.
Excellent food and really pleasant, helpful and fun staff. Made the atmosphere just perfect and if I wasn't leaving back for Sydney tomorrow I'd definitely be visiting here again!
Book early as it appears it can get crowded. Also be prepared that you have to walk up stairs as it's located on the first floor of the building.
Finally able to try this out after frequently visiting ChangGo, I went in expecting the same foods and servings. The interior was really nice and modern with a lot of space. However I was disappointed in the platter sets and their cuts of beef they served with it.
Ordering the set for two ( which can serve up to three ) one of the beef cuts was so thinly slice it literally cooked instantly as soon as it was put on the grill. On top of that, there was hardly and help or service when it came to cooking, unlike ChangGo. Essentially it was do everything yourself, which I was fine with but it was really hard to flag down other staff when you did actually need something. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it was generally a nice place, maybe the 8 flavour pork belly set is the best value for this particular store.
Went here for dinner today. Loved the atmosphere and the handy stools where you could put your personal belongings in. The food was spot on and very affordable for KBBQ with good flavours (not too salty etc). Would definitely return for round 2 soon.
Came here on a Thursday night. Very crowded and very small servings. Was not notified that one of the dishes would be cold (did not say on menu) so we were very surprised. The cuts were quite good, very nice meat but too little for the price paid. The atmosphere was very good and the tables were very clean.
Haha not much to say about this place but I love it, cheap and food is incredible, will be visiting again in the next few days ! Good for groups of 3-4
One of my favorite Korean bbq places to eat at! With a funky layout and kpop playing in the background. The main reasons why i love eating here is because i can eat in peace without someone elbowing me in the back like other places. Their kimchi has a slight sweet taste to eat which i love with my meat! Their beef set is meant for two but it's also enough for 3 small eaters, which means value for money! Because it's more spacious than other kbbq places it makes it also kid friendly, just be aware that you have to go up a flight of stairs to get here so either lug up a pram or leave it in the car and carry bub in your arms.
I have to say that's pretty good. Especially if you're in a big group and sharing the bill. If you order a set menu for a actual number of people there are in your group, you'll get plenty of food! And it's really good. Bonus: You can open your seat and store your stuff inside so they won't catch the smoke. I found the hood pretty weak and not grabbing most of the smoke though. Try it, you'll have a good time.
This restaurant is great for groups and there is plenty of seating! The food is great and there are free refills of side dishes which I love!
The soju and rice wine are great and all but if you're there to drink a bit, the total of your bill will rack up easily :( I wish it were cheaper but other than that, I love eating here!
One of the better KBBQ experiences I've had in Melbourne. Opened up by the same people as the ones who run ChangGo, they also offer the famous pork belly set that comes in 8 different marinades. I had to give that a pass, because I was only here with one other person and there was no one we could have finished so much food. The meats we ordered were fantastic quality, but I feel as if the service was a little lacking as we did most of the cooking ourselves.
Love the BBQ here! It comes out fresh and full of flavour which some Korean BBQ restaurants lack. Service can be quite slow as it's a large place for a few waiters & waitresses. If you love pork, you must try their 8 flavoured pork set for $58.80! The portion size is really big when it comes to soups as well, it's a must try!
Me and my partner have walked past this place on many occasions to find long queues at the door.. Walked past last Sunday at approx 6pm and lucky for us there was no wait! It was our first time eating here so we opted for the beef bbq menu option.. Had 3 different types of beef with soup, rice and condiments! Soup surprised me and how tasty it was! I always love a Korean BBQ experience! Great atmosphere and friendly staff who took the time to explain the menu and drinks! I did get food envy seeing everyone divulging the '8 tastes of pork belly'! I will be back for some pork on my fork!!
We ordered the pork belly dinner set. Meat was delicious (and very filling)!! Sides are excellent too, good kimchi soup and kimchi! Would definitely come again to try all the food!
Service was not the best but I guess you don't expect amazing service at these places. Had to ask multiple times for extra sauce and so forth.
Palsaik Korean BBQ is the sister restaurant of ChangGo. Despite the popularity of ChangGo nearby on Little LaTrobe Street whereby hopeful patrons snake out the door and down the road every evening, Palsaik is surprisingly untouched by the fanaticism. Thinking that it would be ridiculously crowded on a Saturday evening, we opted for an earlier dinner just before 6pm.
I've been to this restaurant over ten times and will continue to visit. Servcie is friendly, food is tasty, large serving sizes and very reasonable prices. I can't fault anything.
If you rocking up with 4 ppl, don't be affraid to order the big combos for 8. We clean up every single time. Staff also pretty rad... despite ESL, the ladies serving us were funny AF
Love love love the taste!!!
Every time i think of korean bbq, i think of Palsaik.
My daughter loves the cheese egg roll so much..
Service is always superb!!!
Been there more than 10 times and will always go back...
One of the better Korean BBQs in Melbourne. Flavours packed a punch, and the stew (can't remember which one) was delicious.
As I've come to expect from Korean BBQs though, service was poor.
Came here with a big group. The place is very busy so there's a bit of noise. Food was great, and plenty of it! Highlight was the selection of pork belly that we got to sizzle on the hot plate, yum!
Loved this place as soon as I took my first bite! Had the 8 different types of pork belly and it came with a whole bunch of side dishes, vegies, lettuce, garlic, onions and a seafood stew! Service was great as well because they kept on re-filling the side dishes! My new fave korean bbq joint!
Unreal setting... Food amazing! Service excellent once seated. Hard little place to find but very worth it! A little tricky to find via Google and no phone number to call so only difficulty was trying to ensure we had a table..
Good value for money. The staff were nice too. Many flavours and good vibe. Genuine Korean place. I might go back if I feel like to eat Korean bbq.
The restaurant was packed on a Sat night. We had the palsaik set (the 8 pork belly set) which seems to be what this restaurant was famous for. Cooking was performed on the hot plate and I could distinguish some of the stronger flavours such as red wine and curry. The salad vegies and the side dishes were yummy and I enjoyed the kimchi they served.The seafood soup was nice on the side but there was not much seafood in it. The pork belly meat was very tender and the sauces were great. There was definitely a lot of food for two of us but the restaurant is very noisy so does not allow for much conversation if you wanted a quiet romantic meal.
Love the 8 pieces of pork belly set here! It's really good value for money and great to share with friends. Staff took really good care of us and kept topping up our side dishes of kimchi which was appreciated.
Finally got the chance to eat here!!!! (I gave this place a 5 due to service and the food and also the experience)😆😆😆😆 booked in advance, they are child friendly and when we arrived we were greeted with friendly smiles and fantastic service, we got the 8 flavours of pork and it was delicious! We also got the small eats (variety of entree) for our child and we pretty much ate everything, there was so much food!,it's so worth the money, most definitely will be coming back here again, they made our dinning experience a night to remember for our little family,thank you again😊
Great Korean BBQ. I usually get a set of the 8 flavours of pork belly, a kimchi stew ($1 upgrade) and 2 rice for $58 which is more than enough for 2 people. The belly strips are big and very filling, while the flavours are distinct. The bibimbab is nice as well. Wouldn't recommend the tokkbokki hotpot as it was far too sweet for my liking. They have a small place called Changgo near Melbourne Central as well but I prefer this one. Would definitely come back.
This place is fantastic!!!
Don't be fooled by the entrance, we were so surprised when we got upstairs to find a modern industrial restaurant.
We got there early so we didn't book however upon leaving the restaurant was full and the line was down the stairs.
The food was delicious and great value for money, the service was just as great and the floor manager made us feel extremely welcome and defiantly added to our dining experience.
I read a comment below about the floor being oily, this defiantly wasn't the case when we visited in fact as we were the first customers for the night you could see the ground was still wet and you could slightly smell the cleaning products used so they have extremely improved on this.
I highly recommend this restaurant to all diners even if you have never been to a Korean BBQ before you won't regret it.
We'll defiantly be back and highly recommend you give this place a go.
Thanks for a great night!!
Heard they're owned by ChangGo, for 4 people, ordered 8set and a meat stew casserole ($34.5). Although found the stew a little too spicy, the 8set was a crowd favourite as usual. Make sure you lift the padding of your seat so you can put all your clothing and belongings inside so it doesn't smell of Korean BBQ after!!
This place is a direct competitor to chango. Serves a relatively large portion of food. Had the set with an extra bbq beef which was sufficient for 4 people. Tho the place was rather smokey and ventilation was pretty bad, it has great decor and music to compensate. It not a bad place for Korean bbq.
This place is fabulous! Related to ChangGo, where there is always a line. Recommended to book here as it will most likely busy- you've been warned. The side dishes (which are unique to every Korean joint) are ok, but everyone here is really coming here for the 8types of pork belly good, need I say more. The platter it's served on make you drool. The atmosphere is booming, the floor space , high ceilings makes for a great atmosphere much like a community eating hall. The sweet rice wine is served in bowls just like in Korea - authenticity tick. The stool tops are removable for coat storage - coolness tick. Because it's so busy, getting attention for service was slightly harder than usual, plus I'm not sure if it was just my table but they dont have the standard table bells for service. All in all, it's a great place; come back.
After trying ChangGo and having to wait sooo long to get in, I'm glad Palsaik has opened its doors. The venue is spacious and great for groups of friends. The pork belly is a must when you come here. 8 different flavours. We always change the seafood soup to a kim chi soup though and also order a kim chi pancake as well! Love the food! Worth a try if you're hanging for a tasty meal with friends!
Ive been here twice now and both occasions have ordered the 8 flavoured pork belly. The restaurants main dish. Palsaik = 8 Colours.
Its a nice restaurant. Good side dishes. Good restaurant mood.
One bad thing (good thing for them) is that the restaurant can get quite busy and staff seem to be under alot of pressure.
Will go again.
Great for pork belly lovers, as they have 8 different flavours! The beef wasn't too bad, but I'll go somewhere else if I want to have beef, you come here for the pork belly! Bring your friends so you can try out the pork belly. Price is very reasonable, service is friendly and efficient. I rated it lower than Changgo eventhough they're sister restaurants and pretty much have the same menu (with better interior, even) because the floor was really oily! Not coming back as I don't wanna ruin my shoes or/and trip!
8 flavour pork belly, fancy place, great for groups. Upon walking upstairs was surprised at how nice the place looked, definitely an upmarket version of most korean bbq places I've been to. The place is great for large groups as it as long rectangular tables for small and large groups, and plus it takes bookings. Price was really reasonable, i loved the warm lighting of the place. 8 flavour bbq was pretty good, their kim chi pancake was tasty as well, and much better than their seafood pancake. Kim chi was one of the best I've had, beef was ok, nothing too special. Service though friendly left much to be desired considering how busy they were. They forgot a few items we ordered, and we repeatedly had to ask for it. Still its a fun night out
Liked it but G2 is better. We ate here because G2 was full. Food was good and we were impressed. We got the 8 types pork menu and added some beef onto it. We wanted the beef course and to add some pork onto it but we weren't allowed to do that which was weird......but it would be good if they had a set menu that had a mix of both pork and meat as 8 different types of pork is a bit too much. They also dont cook your meat which is weird. Took a while to get served. Overall we enjoyed it, but G2 is better as their set courses have more variety like mixed pork, beef, chicken and seafood :)
Favourite place for Pork belly!. I love their pork belly set! Which is also great value for money. I am almost never disappointing and have gone back to this place countless times. They are less crowded than Chango, plus you get a bigger venue.
Staff were always friendly and even provided us sauce to take away.
Busy restaurant on Sat night. Happy we booked our table. Really enjoyable night out with great food cooked at our table. It's warm inside and not noisy.
I've been here a few times now and I can honestly say that Palsaik Korean BBQ IS ALWAYS CONSISTANT with their service.. The whole concept of you cooking your food with the help of the staff is just a unique experience.. This place is perfect for friends and family. A big thank you to BRIAN who made the experience well worth the visit.
-----14 Mar, 2015-----
This is one awesome place to be.. The whole concept and atmosphere was excellent. The food was very delicious and the staff weren't too bad but the manager/owner was really friendly and funny. I'll definitely be returning to eat and drink with friends and family...
New favourite!!. Awesome atmosphere, great value for money and impressive service, new go-to korean bbq place, will definitely be back!
Even BETTER. This is such an awesome alternative or updated version of Chango. When we arrived at Palsaik, we were instantly seated, which was such a relief compared to waiting 30-45 minutes at Chango! Not only is the atmosphere warmer and spaciously laid out, the exhaust system was better as well resulting in less stinkier clothes. The food quality and taste are as good as the original Chango's and prices are the same too. Service is great considering they can be quite busy. If i ever feel like korean BBQ again, i would most definitely visit again! Highly recommended.
Great atmosphere!. This is the second store from the owners of ChangGo, we went when it was still quite new so the menu was not as extensive. However, the staff were friendly and the design and atmosphere of the place is so great! Also love that the seats serve as storage for your clothes and bags - handy when you don't want your coats to smell like Korean BBQ. Overall, a good experience! :)
Great place!! Called up in the morning & left a voicemail & I actually got a call back confirming my booking! got there 15 mins early & got seated straight away! the staff were attentive, they didn't rush us & the food was amazing & wasn't too pricey either :) highly recommend this place!! Atmosphere was awesome as well! I do recommend booking beforehand though, the whole time I was there, I noticed that ppl
kept coming in for a table & had to wait.
Great BBQ place - recommended !!. Tried this place, the Chang Go alternative over the weekend. Great place - recommended. Apart from the delicious food and great service, this place seems to have resolved the great 'smell' issue. With higher ceilings and strategically placed exhaust. My clothes didnt end up with a strong smell .
Awesome. Great food, great service....and did I mention great food :D
if you're looking to check a new place out, definitely recommended!
"Our friend recommended this new new Korean restaurant Palsaik, that replaced Sawadi Thai restaurant. Located on level 1, it has been newly renovated and has a large seating capacity. It’s sister restaurant was popular for its 8 flavour pork belly set at reasonable prices, so definitely worth a try. On this occasion, the 8 of us went for dinner one night.”
ChangGo has been receiving quite a bit of attention for their eight flavours of pork belly, so when my friends and I arrived before 6pm on a Saturday, we weren't too surprised when we were informed it was at least an hour's wait. The staff member gave us the option of visiting their other store, Palsaik , on Little Bourke Street. "It's bigger and quieter!", he said. He was right. When we arrived, it was pretty much empty apart from a couple of other tables, but this changed as the night progressed. Presumably, a lot of the crowd had been diverted from ChangGo. We ordered the eight flavours of pork belly BBQ set and a jug of grape drink (Bong Bong) to share amongst the three of us. The BBQ set included some side dishes and a soybean paste stew, but of course, all focus was on the pork. The marinated pork bellies were served in little dishes placed on a tray indicating the flavours. The eight flavours were wine, original, ginseng, garlic, herb, curry, miso paste and hot, in order of cook
Amazing Korean bbq. One of the best in Melbourne. I highly recommend the packs for 2+ people. So tasty & fun.
Eight types of marinated pork belly cooked by yourself (or the friendly servers) is the real deal. The table kimchi here is one of the best I've had. Sweet and savoury... damned good kimchi. But don't go here too often or you might add to blockage in the arteries. :S
Palsaik is such a hidden gem. The good was incredibly tasty and fresh and the exposed beams and duct work made for a great industrial look. The staff are super friendly and helpful.
fantastic food at a super affordable price, serving sizes were huge and the wait staff were delightful. definitely recommending this to all of my friends
Rohan “Siferzion” Hampson
+4
Never had Korean BBQ before. Was a really good experience. Staff were very helpful and instructive.
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