Restaurant Review: Master Kim’s Korean BBQ [Las Vegas]

Master Kim’s Korean BBQ is located in a cozy strip mall that’s been open for about three years and has established an intensely loyal following.

Here are three helpful words of advice when visiting Master Kim’s Korean BBQ:

BRING AN APPETITE.

Six hours later after dining at the southwest Las Vegas eatery recently, I was still full.  Pleasantly plump.  Stuffed.  Again — that’s six hours later.

Wow!  What a meal!

Master Kim’s Korean BBQ is located in a cozy strip mall facing away from Durango Blvd., off the 215.  The often-crowded eatery has been open since 2019 — but has already established quite a loyal following.

Our first visit (unplanned) on a busy Saturday afternoon was indicative of the widely-spreading word-of-mouth popularity of one of the hottest restaurants in town.  The restaurant was so busy we were quoted a one-hour wait (there’s an electronic sign-in tablet near the front door — something I’d like to see adopted in busy restaurants).  We opted instead to return later during midweek when things weren’t so hectic.

So, our first visit that ended with a meal took place on a relatively calm Thursday at 2 pm.  That’s the perfect time to dine in very popular places.  Not only do you get seated immediately, but table service is also better during the “off hours.”  Indeed, mid-afternoon we were seated instantly in one of the approximately 30 booths.  Booth seating with the customary tabletop grill is the only option.  Booth sizes range from holding parties of 2 to 6.  However, a party of 8 or more could be accommodated with side-by-side booths.

We’ll take a booth!

Korean BBQ places are very much en vogue right now.  There are a few dozen places around Las Vegas, many anchored in Chinatown, and they range from being good to great.  I don’t think I’ve ever had an average or bad Korean BBQ meal.  The pricing is also about the same just about everywhere.  Expect to spend around $25-$40 for what’s called “AYCE.”  Obviously, that’s All-You-Can-Eat.

Master Kim’s pricing ranges from $25-$36 depending on what cuts of meat you want.  I find the $25 AYCE to be more than sufficient.  The higher options supposedly offer more premium meat options, but to me it’s overkill.

Round 1: All You Can Eat

Master Kim’s offers the usual assortment of salads, vegetables, and side dishes.  Ten small dishes are brought to the table immediately, along with a large house salad served with a sesame dressing in a stainless steel mixing bowl.  The homemade chunky potato salad is among the best I’ve ever tasted anywhere (and I always order at least 3 dishes just to confirm the consistency–just doing my own quality control).  UPDATE:  The potato salad is now off the menu (as of 1-12-22),  Bring it back!

With the AYCE, you can also order a bowl of soup (multiple choices) and a Bulgoki, which is a perfect mix of flavors.  Bibimbop is also an option (one per customer).  Oh, and then there are the meats — including beef, pork, and chicken on the lower end of the AYCE menu, and with seafood choices on the higher end.  Order two meat items for starters, then see if you have room for anything else.  Typically, that’s enough for me.  Again, I find the pricier options not to be worth the extra $11 — not that they’re bad, just that there’s already way too much food.

It’s also amusing to watch most re-orders delivered on an assembly line that runs straight from the kitchen directly to each table.  Yeah, we’ve seen this setup before, especially in Asian-themed restaurants.  But it’s still fun to hear the music play as your second helping of Black Angus Beef Brisket arrives on a conveyer belt.  When the music plays …. voila! …. there’s another tray packed with meat, or potato salad, or rice cake, or whatever you want.

Finally, dessert is included in every AYCE meal.  Unfortunately, there’s never any room left.  So, after an hour of feasting like there is no tomorrow, we pick at the green tea ice cream with spoons, which along with a spot of hot tea really hits the spot.  Call this the perfect palate cleanser.

It should be noted there’s also an ala carte menu (with individual portions).  But we’ve never tried this.  If we’re going to dine out at a Koran BBQ place, why not go all the way?

Finally, we’re out the door for $70 for two with tax and tip — completely satisfied, pleased with the overall value, stuffed for hours, and vowing to return.

Master Kim’s offers a meal that is, well — masterful.