Bad-B-Q: New barbecue joint based on the cuisine of Yanbian, where China and Korea meet

There are more styles of barbecue than any of us can possibly count — we see you, Central Texas, with your glorious salt and pepper rub and oak-y, pecan-y wood-smoked barbecue. You too, bulgogi. Tandoori chicken. We see you all. 

Yet, here we are, getting introduced to yet another type of barbecue that we had never encountered before: Yanbian-style. Yanbian lies within Mainland China and is bordered by North Korea to the south, and is officially designated as a “Korean Autonomous Prefecture” because historically, it has been predominantly populated by ethnic Koreans. Over many years, the Korean culture and cuisine of Yanbian integrated elements of Chinese culture and cuisine, resulting in a distinctive blend of the two. 

Here in Bangkok, Bad-B-Q opened in the Siam Square area last month, specializing in grilled skewers — mostly mutton, though other kinds of meat are also available — that are rubbed with an intensely flavorful spice blend driven by cumin and chili. 

After choosing what goes on their skewer(s) — selecting from mutton, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetables (ranging from THB30 to THB65) — customers then place them on an automatic electric griller that rotates the skewers until they’re cooked through uniformly.

For those of you going with a group of fellow carnivores, then the Bad-B-Cube (THB350), a thick stack of meat formed by nine pork and beer skewers with Yanbian spices, could be a good bet. Omnivores, on the other hand, might prefer the Mix Award (THB499), which is packed with 17 skewers, 12 of which are assorted meat skewers, and the other 5 being vegetable combos.

For a single dish, the Badddddddd (THB450) comes with medium-rare mutton ribs that have been marinated with milk and Yanbian spices, served with mashed potato and homemade yogurt. 

Bad-B-Q is open from 3pm until 9pm every day. It sits on Soi Siam Square 9 and is best reached from BTS Siam’s exit No. 4. 

FIND IT:
Bad-B-Q is at Soi Siam Square 9, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Open 3pm – 9pm, daily
Phone: +6698 405 7577
BTS: Siam

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