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| - "So pork skin in special sauce and marinated pork entrails. What else?" I begin while reading the online menu.
"What's a hagfish? Heck, we gotta get one of those, and how do they make a chicken foot boneless? We have to try it" continues my Asian poker bud.
"Oh come on guys" whines Midwest poker bud.
Magal, the newest, authentic KBBQ chain to enter the Vegas food scene by way of Korea through China, and Southeast Asia. Authentic flavors, yes. Expansive menu with more than just KBBQ, yes. Distracting environment. Loud K-Pop music videos showing on the monitors, servers dressed in tropical uniforms and straw hats, and an over the top branded decor reminiscent of Josie and the Pussycats. The food however, is solid.
Tip: ala carte beef and pork plates are large (one per person if planning to share). Combo's offer the greatest variety at the best value. All include veg for grilling and soup.
About the beef, like most KBBQ joints, PRIME equals good quality and NOT USDA Prime grade. That said, the "PRIME" beef is plenty tender with good marbling. Typical sweetened soy marinade. Tasty. Skirt, and shortrib cuts top the list. The weak point, the thin sliced brisket end point. Shaved from frozen into rolls and cooked as a roll, there's just not enough in the bite to release flavor.
Pork is their forte. Belly, neck, sweet soy marinated pork collar and spicy marinated "skirt" (have no clue what this cut is) all have lots of internal fat that cooks up sweet and crisp. Pork skin and entrails are on the menu as well. We passed.
Gas cook tops. Grills are changed as needed. Hoods are good but not great so expect eu de KBBQ when you leave.
Service is good. They will offer to cook for you. Unless you want all your proteins cooked well done, insist on cooking for yourself. If they refuse to relinquish cooking, just reach in and pull your meats from the grill when you want.
Watch out LA, Vegas is stepping up its game.
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