Situated on the Harmon side of Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, recently opened Chosun Hwaro shares an enormous contemporary space with its sister restaurant Nara Teppan. Nara is a teppanyaki restaurant, a familiar concept popularized with Americans by Benihanas, while Chosun presents Korean barbecue, a more-nascent dining style to the States. And for newcomers, it is a worthy introduction to the world of tabletop meat grilling. But pace yourself, as portions are plentiful.
As is tradition, your meal beings with a plethora of small dishes known as banchan. While tables are oversized, there’s hardly enough room for the collection of dishes whose makeup shifts slightly depending upon seasonal availability. On a recent visit, offerings included an Asian spicy salad rife with sesame oil, a soothing, slightly sweet pumpkin porridge known as hobakjuk, a duo of kimchis and an assortment of pickled radish and celery with just the right amount of tartness. These dishes serve a dual purpose: They’re an appetizer before your entrées are served, and upon arrival they’re your side dishes. And they’ll refill as much as you like!
But the banchan are just the precursor to the main event—the meat onslaught. Let’s be fair, the wafting aroma of grilling meat is somewhat of a siren’s song, luring ravenous patrons to dine. Meat can be ordered a la carte or as a part of a barbecue combo. Chosun is a full-service affair, so your server not only guides you through the process, but also cooks your meat for you. Your choice is cooked in front of you on a tabletop grill, smoke whisked away by retractable hoods. It’s like a backyard barbecue without all the hassle!
No matter what meats you finally select, make sure your meal includes the remarkable empress galbi, an enormous, bone-in cut of the traditional Korean short ribs. Marinated in a soy sauce, sugar and salt combination, the cut is both sweet and savory. Tendon, still clinging to the bone, is cooked fastidiously, tenderizing the intensely flavored yet chewy meat for an intermezzo of sorts. And another can’t-miss is the pearl steak, a fattier cut layered with flavor.
Noncarnivores shouldn’t fret as Chosun has plenty of vegetarian and non-red meat options. Diners can order sushi from Nara’s kitchen, as the Japanese restaurant does double-duty, serving raw fish to both venues. And gyeran jjim is a vegetarian option, a clean and custardy, steamed egg casserole garnished with a colorful medley of carrots, scallions and bell peppers.
Be aware that if you fill up on the meat selections, then you might not have room to spare for an intriguing doenjang jjigae, a somewhat soybean paste stew made with tofu and brisket, with an ample amount of gochujang Korean chili paste for hints of heat. You might miss the hearty bibimbap, a traditional Korean dish consisting of a deconstructed bowl of vegetables, eggs and ground beef intended to be mixed with rice and gochujang. Remember, Chosun is more of a marathon than a sprint, so eat accordingly!
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. 702.857.7676
