Welcome to Charleston Moms EATS! Here we highlight the goodness that is local food in the Lowcountry. It might be a particular dish, a unique drink, or a restaurant that needs to be on your must-try list.
Next up . . .
843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House
Location: 6601 Rivers Ave, North Charleston
My family was first introduced to 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House in the spring of 2016, a week before its grand opening! My husband and I were in the process of adopting our first son from South Korea, and we had decided to visit a local Korean church one Sunday. This community was so warm and welcoming to us, that after the service and proceeding lunch, the owner of 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House introduced herself to us and invited us to come try her new restaurant later that day! Simply put, we were blown away.
We were so lucky to try out this restaurant that day on the barbeque side surrounded by others more experienced with the culture of Korean barbeque. The waiters and new friends we’d met were gracious in teaching us how to cook over the grill in the center of the table. They also explained to us that often grilled ingredients and banchan (vegetable side dishes) are stuffed into lettuce to eat as little wraps. This was a great tip to learn for when our son finally came home — we eventually tried putting some of his non-preferred foods in a lettuce wrap for him, and down they went into his belly!
Typical Restaurant-Style Seating
Walking into 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House is like a party. The entrance is lined with mirrors, with lighting and music that will make anyone want to strut their stuff. Just beyond the hostess is the bar area, where the restaurant splits in two: the typical restaurant side to the left, and the Korean BBQ side to the right. No matter which side you choose, the whole restaurant is beautiful, tastefully peppered with traditional Korean paintings and decor.
The restaurant side is where you can order an entrée and receive side dishes without having to cook anything yourself. With sushi in the name of the restaurant, you can bet your bottom Won that there are TONS of sushi/gimbap options on the menu to cater to anyone’s palate. There are also appetizers, soups, and a kids menu. For the pickiest of eaters, and also anyone who just likes good food, bulgogi and fried dumplings are a very safe and amazing choice!
Their menu does great with explaining each dish and what to expect, but if you prefer more research ahead of time, look over the menu on their website! We’ve eaten on this side once before, and though Korean cuisine in itself is so delicious, sitting on the Korean BBQ side of the restaurant is favored by my family.
Korean BBQ Seating
More than just food, it is an experience. In fact, it’s a highly enviable Korean barbeque experience, as stateside KBBQ restaurants like this are few and far between. It really captures the communal style of Korean meals. Everyone slows down together, and literally shares the meal set on the table, pulling what you’d like onto your plate with your own chopsticks (or fork, by request).
The tables on the barbeque side seat up to 8 people, with a circular grill in the middle. So if you take little ones there, like we usually do, definitely be strategic with sitting the kids at the edge of the table further from the grill. Choose your meats and/or veggies to cook, and the server turns on the grill for you to cook it up yourselves! Kitchen shears and tongs are provided for turning your meat and clipping cooked food into smaller pieces to distribute to each person. Rice, lettuce wraps, and various side dishes are included in the meal.
Soju & Drinks
843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House is also the easiest place I’ve found in the Charleston area to get some Soju (Korean liquor). I love to try different flavors every time we go, and I’ve never been disappointed. Though the alcohol content packs a punch; it’s meant to be drunk as a shot — so for light-weights like me, plan to share a bottle! Of course, 843 has an extensive drink menu with other options including American and Korean wine, beer, cocktails, and even sake (Japanese rice wine).
Make Memories at 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House
843 has become the restaurant we bring all our out-of-town family to for the experience, and the place my oldest son usually requests for special occasions. Be sure to check the website for hours, and we recommend making a reservation — especially if you plan to dine on the BBQ side.
Whether you already know you love Korean food or haven’t tried it yet, take it from me: you do not want to miss this restaurant. It’s not only a restaurant with authentic, mouthwatering Korean cuisine, but it’s also a memory-making place — a treasure right on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston!
But don’t just take my word for it . . . Check out these rave reviews about 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House from the greatest food critics I know:
“Try the galbi and rice there. It has excellent meats and stuff. The meat is good and marinated and stuff. You can choose what you want to have on the grill.”
— 8-year-old, budding chef extraordinairre“It has good meat.”
— 5-year-old, world-renowned for changing his mind, but never about 843 meat.
