Unlock Memories Through My Journey At GoGi Korean BBQ
Guess what, Minnesotans!
I’m sure many of you have heard the news, but we FINALLY have a new spot for Korean BBQ!
What do you mean, Peach? We already have plenty of options popping up!
Well, yes, but they’ve mostly been Hot Pot & KBBQ places. I’m talking about a spot dedicated JUST to Korean food and BBQ!
Enter GoGi Korean BBQ! This gem has been around since September 2024 and had its grand opening in February 2025. Nestled in Savage, MN, they offer an impressive array of dishes, from fresh meats to steaming soups, all designed to help you create unforgettable memories.
I can personally vouch for how Korean BBQ locations are perfect for forging core memories, whether for adults or children. There’s just something about the experience that makes it special!
Recently, my entourage and I decided to check out GoGi BBQ. It had been a while since we indulged in KBBQ, so this was definitely a treat!
So, how was it?
Living on the northern side of the metropolitan area meant a bit of a drive to GoGi BBQ. Thankfully, it’s situated in a bustling area of Savage, so it didn’t feel too isolated. However, I must say that parking was a bit of a challenge, likely due to the restaurant being next to an Asian mart. Overall, the location was decent, and the size of the restaurant felt just right!
Upon entering GoGi BBQ, we were greeted by a lively atmosphere filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking dishes, and sizzling meat. Luckily, I had made a reservation days in advance; I can only imagine the wait time for walk-ins on a busy Saturday night! Trust me, you’ll want to visit their website to secure your spot before heading over.
As soon as we reached our table, we were welcomed with a delightful assortment of side dishes, which were already set out for us! I was pleasantly surprised to see them waiting when we arrived. Once we decided on our orders, our waitress promptly took them, and I was impressed by the swift service, especially given the Saturday night crowd.
The food came out surprisingly quickly—within 30 minutes of our arrival, we had our entire spread on the table! Our waitress did a fantastic job of checking in on us and ensuring our side dishes were refilled.
However, there was a small hiccup during our visit: one of the beverages we ordered was forgotten. I tried to be understanding, given how busy it was, but by the time half our food arrived, I had lost interest in the drink. I honestly doubt it would have been remembered if I hadn’t pointed it out. But hey, that was the only minor setback!
Now, let’s get to the good stuff—the food!
For appetizers, we indulged in haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), gyeran jjim (steamed eggs), and rabokki (spicy rice cakes with ramen).
As for the BBQ, we opted for Combo 1, which includes 14 oz of bulgogi (marinated beef) and dwaeji bulgogi (marinated pork), along with 12 oz of samgyeopsal (pork belly). Each combo comes with a complimentary soup or steamed egg, and since soups are a bit pricier, we went with the doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew).
For just four little ladies, this was quite a spread! I could’ve easily ordered the entire menu if my wallet allowed it. (Being the sugar sister has its challenges! Thankfully, the ladies chipped in—except for my sister, who only covered her glass of wine. LOL!)
Side Dishes
Do I even need to rave about the delightful array of side dishes? From sweet to savory to tangy, there was something for everyone, and we made sure to get each one refilled at least once!
My favorite had to be the pickled radish. Unlike the cubed version that comes with fried chicken or the thin round slices often served at other KBBQ spots, GoGi BBQ’s pickled radish was thinly julienned. It practically melted in my mouth—juicy, tangy, and sweet! Ummm, yum!
Haemul Pajeon
As Gordon Ramsay once described Christine Ha’s apple pie on MasterChef, the haemul pajeon was visually “stunning.” With a crisp, dark brown edge, it was crispy on the outside yet soft, moist, and delicate on the inside. I was amazed it held together perfectly when I picked up a slice with my chopsticks! Most haemul pajeon I’ve had tends to fall apart under the weight of the seafood. Visually, it was a solid 5/5!
In terms of flavor, it was enjoyable, but I felt the dipping sauce could have been improved. For some reason, it didn’t quite elevate the dish as much as I’d hoped.
Rabokki
This dish arrived looking as vibrant as the sun, complete with a whole boiled egg on top! The rice cakes were soft and tender, the vegetables were cooked to perfection, and the ramen noodles were delightfully al dente. The flavor packed an umami punch with just the right level of spice—definitely not dry like the Sahara. This dish? Chef’s kiss!
Gyeran Jjim
Just take a moment to appreciate its beauty. The creamy, fluffy, pale yellow pot of steamed eggs looked like the cheerful baby sun shining down on the Teletubbies. I was so captivated that I instinctively scooped up a piece before even thinking to take a picture! Worth every bite—soft, tender, and creamy. What more could a girl ask for from steamed eggs?
Doenjang Jjigae
Bubbling with excitement, this stew was clearly fresh off the stove! My sister, eager to dive in, almost touched the stone pot—thankfully, she learned quickly not to mess with hot dishes!
Soup during KBBQ is meant to refresh the palate and settle the stomach after all that grilling. I chose the soybean paste stew for its clean taste compared to other spicy options on the menu. Unfortunately, this dish was my biggest disappointment of the night. While the flavor was there, it just felt too light on the soybean paste. Umami? Where are you!?
Combo 1 – Raw Meat
I should have snapped a photo when the plate of meat arrived, but I got too excited to start grilling! Can you blame me? After all those delicious appetizers, I was ready to hear the sizzle!
The plate included rings of raw yellow onion, a slice of king oyster mushroom, and a piece of what seemed to be buttercup squash. We also received a small plate of raw sliced garlic and jalapenos, lettuce leaves, and a delightful selection of dipping sauces, such as ssamjang, wasabi salt, and sesame oil salt. Oh, and let’s not forget the cubes of fat to grease the grill!
Side Note: If you didn’t know, when grilling meat, place it on the plate of the grill, not where the holes are located. I learned that trick during my time in Korea.
The samgyeopsal slices were just the right thickness, with minimal bone or cartilage. Visually, they looked like fresh slices of pork belly.
The bulgogi appeared juicy and tender at first glance. I expected it to be sliced into smaller pieces, but as I started grilling, I realized they were quite large. Did I cut them into bite-sized pieces? Nope! LOL! We all got huge pieces, and I kept the smaller bits that broke off while cooking. True to its appearance, the bulgogi was juicy, tender, and expertly marinated—classic bulgogi flavor at its finest!
I typically shy away from pork bulgogi—after all, why choose it when beef bulgogi exists? And why is it in a combo with beef? I’d rather have jeyukbokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork)!
Then I discovered that it wasn’t your ordinary pork bulgogi. It was spicy pork bulgogi, bright red with a hint of heat. (Okay, okay, it wasn’t blazing hot, just your typical spice level.) It was juicy and tender from the marinade, and once cooked, it tasted just like jeyuk-bokkeum!
But it’s not the same! Oh, but it is! No, it’s not! Yes, it is… No! Well, that’s a story for another time.
Overall, the meat selection was impressive—fresh and tender all around. I have only one complaint: next time, I might skip the combo, even if it means missing out on the complimentary soup or steamed eggs. I just love my choices of fresh, unadulterated meat!
Final Thoughts on GoGi Korean BBQ
In summary, my experience at GoGi Korean BBQ was fantastic! The service was commendable—A- (yes, I docked points for the missing sprite drink!).
All our food arrived quickly and was cooked to perfection. Our waitress kept us informed about replacing the grill in a timely manner, ensuring the night went smoothly despite the busy atmosphere.
So yes! A- for GoGi Korean BBQ! It definitely earns 4.5 out of 5 peaches from me!
If you haven’t ventured out to GoGi Korean BBQ yet, I highly recommend you do! After all, it’s more than just a restaurant; it’s a place where delicious food meets the warmth of shared experiences. Whether you’re a KBBQ veteran or trying it for the first time, you’re bound to leave with a satisfied stomach and a smile on your face. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu while creating new memories with family and friends.
Until the next adventure, Peach out!