This Is One Of The Most Unique Dining Experiences You Can Have In Dublin

Sarah

Despite Dublin having an impressive number of restaurants and diverse cuisines, I usually find myself eating the same style of foods over and over and over again.

Like, anything with creamy carbs is my go-to.

Last night though, whether it was the freakishly mild weather or the fact that I had a huge pizza the night before, I felt like something a bit different, and different is what I happily received.

I’d passed by the relatively new kid on the Rathmines block, Arisu – a Korean barbeque and sushi restaurant – a few times in the last month or so and kept popping my head in to admire their gorge high ceilings (a recent obsession of mine plz do not judge) and whenever I did the sizzling plates of protein would catch my eye.

They have a sister establishment on Capel Street that I’d been to a year or two ago and it began my love for the Korean bbq way of cooking: grilling meat right at your table on a hot gas or charcoal stove.

From the moment we walked into the place there was a super good vibe – seated and greeted straightway is always a sure sign that the night is off to a good start.

Buzzy chatter from the six or so other tables that were there added to the room, and we lucked out with the friendliest waitress I think I’ve ever had in Dublin.

The menu is made up of pure Korean delights such as kimchi, bipimbap, jjigae and ramen, and while I’d originally intended to go fresh and healthy and order some sushi, the barbeque section caught my greedy eye.

We started off with a plate of fried dumplings filled with minced pork and onion, and these crispy beauts were gone in about 60 seconds.

Hot and fried and glorious, Arisu should seriously consider expanding their dumpling range because these were b-e-a-u-tifully good.

Hmming over whether to get a classic Korean noodle style dish or not, my boyfriend and I figured the best way to enjoy the grill-it-yoself style here was to opt for one of the set BBQ menus for two.

We went for the Set B, a hefty platter of raw prawns, pork chops, chicken, bulgogi beef (melt in the mouth tender strips of sirloin), spicy beef and lamb chop.

Considering this could actually feed three if you’re not huge hungahs like us, and that it comes with lettuce leaves, a spicy leek salad, kimchi, and a side of seaweed, for €40.90 we found it seriously reasonable.

It’s a bit awkward to begin with when the server has to come over and start fussing around lighting your table’s grill, but it’s worth it when it comes to laying on the meat to cook.

One slight complaint? I get that they have to make sure you’re cooking things properly, but I would kinda prefer to have been left alone to grill my feast – the constant interruption of meat poking would have made say, a first date, a bit broken.

But sure look, it is what it is and when that first bite of perfectly charred meat hits your tastebuds all will be forgiven – it’s that good.

Watching the fresh prawns pinken in front of your eyes is a joy in and of itself, and the smell of the pork would make even a vegan drool.

All you gotta do is pop some of the spicy salad mixture into a lettuce leaf, throw in your meat, and chow down in bliss.

I suggest you wash it all down with an Asahi beer too, a pale lager that goes perfectly with the intense flavours of Korean grub.

It’s great to see authentic Asian food spreading throughout the city, especially if you don’t live near to the hot-spot that is Capel Street.

Next time you want a meal that has a bit of fun and something different to it while still packing top quality taste, you won’t go wrong with checking out Arisu, either in its south or north location.

Although if you go to Rathmines you’ll get the bonus of the pretty ceilings, see?

Dinner for two including two beers came to a solid €57.80, a fair price for fab food.

You can find Arisu at 211 Lower Rathmines Rd, Dublin 6.