Walking into a Korean BBQ restaurant for the first time can feel a little intimidating. There's a grill built into your table, a menu full of unfamiliar names, and everyone around you seems to know exactly what they're doing. Here's the good news: Korean BBQ is one of the easiest, most fun dining experiences you'll ever have — and after reading this, you'll order like a regular.
This is the exact order we'd recommend to any first-timer at Yummy's Korean BBQ in Orem — Utah's first all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant.
How Korean BBQ Works in 60 Seconds
Forget everything you know about restaurant dining. At Korean BBQ, you are the chef:
- You sit at a table with a built-in grill — at Yummy's Orem, every table has its own grill inset right into the surface.
- You order rounds of raw, marinated meat — with AYCE (all-you-can-eat), you pay one flat rate and keep ordering until you're full. Here's exactly how AYCE works if you want the full breakdown.
- You grill it yourself — lay the meat on the grill, flip it once or twice, and pull it off when it's done. Staff are always nearby if you want guidance.
- Banchan arrives free with your meal — these small Korean side dishes (kimchi, japchae, pickled veggies) are scratch-made daily at Yummy's and keep coming.
- Wrap, dip, repeat — the classic move is the ssam: a lettuce leaf with grilled meat, rice, garlic, and sauce, eaten in one bite.
The 5 Meats to Order on Your First Visit
If you order nothing else, order these five. They're the greatest hits — the cuts that turn first-timers into regulars:
- 1. Galbi (Korean short ribs) — Start here. Sweet, savory, marinated in soy and garlic, and nearly impossible to mess up on the grill. This is the single most popular first order at Yummy's.
- 2. Bulgogi — Thinly sliced marinated beef, one of Korea's most iconic dishes. Cooks in about a minute per side and melts in your mouth.
- 3. Pork belly (samgyeopsal) — Thick-cut, rich, and deeply satisfying. Grill it until the edges crisp, then wrap it in lettuce with garlic.
- 4. Spicy pork bulgogi — For anyone who likes heat. Sweet-spicy marinade, great caramelization on the grill.
- 5. Beef brisket — Thin-sliced and rich. A sleeper pick that regulars swear by.
Order one round of galbi and bulgogi first. While those cook, decide what round two looks like — that's the beauty of AYCE.
Don't Skip the Extras
The meat gets the glory, but the supporting cast matters:
- Banchan — the free side dishes. Try everything; the kimchi and japchae are house signatures.
- Tteokbokki — chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy sauce. A Korean comfort-food classic.
- Mandoo — Korean dumplings, a perfect grill-side snack while your meat cooks.
- Bibimbap — rice bowl with seasoned vegetables and beef. Order one for the table to share.
- Finish with bingsu — Korean shaved-ice dessert. After a full AYCE meal, it's the ideal landing.
At our Orem location, fresh hand-rolled sushi is also included with AYCE — a Yummy's signature you won't find at most KBBQ spots.
How to Eat It: The Ssam (Lettuce Wrap)
The signature Korean BBQ bite takes ten seconds to learn:
- Take a lettuce leaf (perilla leaves too, if offered).
- Add a piece of grilled meat, a little rice, and a slice of raw garlic.
- Dab on ssamjang (the savory dipping sauce).
- Fold it into a small package and eat it in one bite. That's the rule — one bite, full flavor.
First-Timer Tips From Our Staff
- Don't overcrowd the grill. Meat needs contact with the hot surface. Cook in batches — AYCE means there's always more coming.
- Start with galbi, end with pork belly. The sweet marinade first, the rich fattiness last. Your taste buds will thank you.
- Ask us. Seriously — tell your server it's your first time. Our staff love coaching first-timers on grill timing and ssam technique.
- Come hungry, pace yourself. The classic rookie mistake is filling up on round one. The best bites are in rounds two and three.
- It's great for groups. Birthdays, team dinners, date nights — the grill gives everyone something to do together. Planning a big group? Check out our catering options too.
Where to Try It in Utah
Yummy's has been doing this since 2012 — we're Utah's first AYCE Korean BBQ. For your first visit, we'd point you to:
- Orem (flagship) — 360 S State St, Suite 102. Full table-grill experience, fresh sushi included, reservations available. Minutes from BYU and UVU.
- Provo — 198 W Center St. Same AYCE experience in downtown Provo.
We also serve West Valley City, Saratoga Springs, and Roosevelt. Find your nearest location and come hungry.
First-Timer FAQs
Do I really cook the meat myself?
Yes — and it's easier than it looks. Lay it on the grill, flip once, pull it off. Staff will happily show you the ropes on your first visit.
Is it actually all-you-can-eat?
Yes. One flat rate covers unlimited rounds of meat plus banchan and sides for your meal. No portion-counting, no surprise charges.
Is Korean BBQ good for kids or picky eaters?
Very. Kids love grilling their own food, and plain grilled bulgogi or brisket wins over almost every picky eater. There's always rice, mandoo, and mild options.
Do I need a reservation?
Not required, but smart — especially Friday and Saturday nights. Our Orem location takes reservations online.