Girin - Seattle, WA

I'm excited that more large-scale Korean BBQs are moving into the city. Owned by Steve Han (of Umi, Momiji, and Kushibar), chef headed by Brandon Kirksey (past experiences: Ethan Stowell's Tavolata and Rione XIII), and located in Pioneer Square, the historic district of Seattle, Girin is a modern Korean PNW fusion restaurant.

Girin is elegant and spacious, and it serves up the comfort of Korean food, yet elevated. Don't expect endless banchan, but you won't miss it and you certainly won't leave hungry. Between Girin and Trove, I don't have to drive 30 miles out of the city for KBBQ anymore!

Girin specializes in ssam, which is meat served with sides like lettuce, garlic, peppers, housemade kimchi, and sauce. The above photo is of a sparerib saam with an addition of an oyster ($1 on happy hour!).

Beef and kimchi mandu (steamed dumplings).

Pork belly ssam.

Pajeon, seafood green onion pancake.

Gochujang chicken wings.

The star of the evening! Yukhwe, beef carpaccio with slivers of pear, quail egg, and crushed pine nuts, which gave the dish a rich, creamy finish.

I recommend going to Girin for happy hour to try it out! We ordered so much during HH and the price was reasonable. I'll be back for dinner to try kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) and gaeran jjim (egg custard with salmon roe and chives).

Photos by Miguel Marino Photography. Please contact us for use.