Good Eats: Grill King

The Grill King.  Photo by Sean Wheatley

By Sean Wheatley

I should know not to make bets on football. Especially betting on the Seahawks and for payouts in full meals at the winner's choice of restaurant. A couple losses to my football buddy has had me breaking out the credit card at a couple great Korean places up in Lynnwood. A tradition was born. A yearly bet with a Korean Feast at stake. Finally, the Seahakws do better than the Vikings and it's my turn. Jon was nice enough to invite Leslie along and since it was lunch time, I didn't feel so bad about adding to the tab. We decided to check out a place we've been meaning to go to for a while.

Banchan.  Photo by Sean Wheatley.

Next to Shay's on Aurora, The Grill King is the latest incarnation on this spot. Continuing the Korean BBQ of the previous tenants, the Grill King has gotten it right. The banchan was served up quickly and often, featuring fairly good kimchi along with some interesting tofu and mystery vegetable sides. We ordered a Pa-jun, or seafood pancake, since we knew Dylan would love it for an after school meal. It came out hot and with great texture, but it lacked peppers and was very plain tasting. Good for Leslie though, since her Massachusetts up-bringing doesn't make for much tolerance for spicy food.

The grill is in the table.  Photo by Sean Wheatley

Kalbi short ribs and Bulgogi meats came out for grilling and we got to work on our middle of the table grill (it's a do it yourself or let the waiter help a bit cooking operation). The meats were tasty although we may have overcooked a couple pieces due to good conversation. You have to order two full orders of meat dishes to use the grill so it can get a bit pricey, but worth it. A soup that accompanies the meat order is chock full of flavor and is perfect when used in between all the other dishes, almost like a reverse palette cleanser. All in all, we had a great meal even though we didn't even get to talk football.

15740 Aurora Ave N   Grill King

Sean Wheatley's entertainment services business Seattle Parties keeps him busy in the evenings. He and his wife Leslie and son Dylan eat out so much that he started writing restaurant reviews, which he now shares with us.