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14.5/20Critics' Pick

Mansae

Updated ,first published

Mansae’s Korean fried chicken.
1 / 8Mansae’s Korean fried chicken.Supplied
Outside the CBD restaurant.
2 / 8Outside the CBD restaurant.Supplied
Ready for the grill.
3 / 8Ready for the grill.Supplied
Classic Korean BBQ in the CBD.
4 / 8Classic Korean BBQ in the CBD.Supplied
Wagyu brisket.
5 / 8Wagyu brisket.Supplied
Drinks are flowing at Mansae.
6 / 8Drinks are flowing at Mansae.Supplied
Marshmallow ice cream.
7 / 8Marshmallow ice cream.Supplied
Truffle gyeranjjim.
8 / 8Truffle gyeranjjim.Supplied
14.5/20Critics' Pick

Mansae Korean BBQ

Korean$$

For smokeless grilling and high-resolution marbled fat.

It’s dressed with neon signs, polished concrete and leather booths, but the city branch of this barbecue king stands out for quality meat. Yukhoe, the raw beef dish dressed with sesame and egg yolk, is a silky contrast to the crisped-up meat you’re here for.

The “Happiness Set” is the smart way in: three cuts of wagyu criss-crossed with fat, plus pork belly sliced and ready for action. Expert grilling by staff shows off the texture of rib finger versus scotch fillet, but the dipping decisions are left to you: punchy soybean ssamjang, earthy sesame oil and salt, or a soy-chilli-onion combo.

Between smoky bites, reach for kimchi, bean sprouts and other banchan. As the grill cools, mul-naengmyeon – cold buckwheat noodles in an icy, vinegary broth – refresh the palate. If there’s room, get a torched-at-the-table marshmallow ice-cream that kids (and TikTok) love.

Good to know: Built-in exhausts over the tabletop grills mean no lingering odours on your favourite coat.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.

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